February 2018 I-129F Filers, Part II

[TrickorTea 59]

1 hour ago, Greenbaum said:

If only you read the threads as I've answer that same complaint/question. Educate yourself by expanding your reading material. 

T/W next week.

Wow, sorry I didn't know I wasn't allowed to vent.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

1 minute ago, TrickorTea said:

Wow, sorry I didn't know I wasn't allowed to vent.

You can vent and stomp your feet as much as the next guy or gal. But in the end it does not add any value to the conversation. We all have one goal and that is to get you educated so that you can pass your visa interview without any problems. Now if you want something else so be it. I have put out there exactly why it takes so long for everyone to read and understand what goes into this process. I will once again add it to our conversation. All the best to you in your journey because you are going to need it.

 

Now here is why security checks are needed and why they take so long.

 

Routine Criminal Checks are performed by immigration officials by using the Consular Lookout and Support System (also known as “CLASS”). This system contains information on criminal convictions, FBI records, and terrorist watch lists. The system is updated very regularly, and is a valuable tool of national security to immigration officials.

 

How Can a Lengthy Delay be Prevented?

 

Although the initiation of certain security checks on the part of consular officers is entirely discretionary, some checks can be prevented if all necessary information is provided to the officers during the application process, thus speeding up the overall process. Special attention must be given to the information submitted on visa forms and in supplemental documents. All post-specific directions must be followed carefully and all manner of supporting documentation must be included.

 

Because many names are common to many people (e.g. “Maria Gonzalez” or “Jin Wang”), false hits sometimes occur. Special care must be given to such cases so that the proper documents are obtained for presentation to immigration authorities. In the instance of a criminal hit, court dispositions, arrest records, and legal briefs can be submitted to immigration authorities for clarification.

 

The Department of State’s Visa Office will field public inquiries in regards to long-pending checks of over 90 days. However, due to security concerns, little information is usually forthcoming. Contrary to popular belief, congressional offices are unable to help expedite visa issuance. The Department of State considers security checks to be a matter of national security and is not willing allow applicants to bypass the clearance process.

 

Security Advisory Opinion (SAO) or Washington Special Clearance,[1] commonly called security clearance, administrative clearance, or administrative processing,[2] is a process the United States Department of State and the diplomatic missions of the United States use in deciding to grant or deny a United States visa to certain visa applicants. The process involves sending a request from the visa issuing post to the Department of State's headquarters in Washington, D.C., to investigate an individual's case for possible espionage, terrorism, and illegal export of technology out of the United States

 

Additional screening and background checks based on country of birth, citizenship, or residency in the “State Sponsors of Terrorism” (T-7) list: Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, Syria; or from the “List of 26”: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, Yemen. This is a mandatory stop list and allegedly takes 2 to 4 days, thanks in part to the partially rolled out PATRIOT (Pre-Adjudicated Threat Recognition and Intelligence Operations Team) system managed by ICE, but often take 3 to 6 weeks and if there is a hit who knows how long.

[Lucy&Jason 807]

Would like to know how is it going for you @Zumbadaddy?

[midwinterrose 275]

2 hours ago, Greenbaum said:

You can vent and stomp your feet as much as the next guy or gal. But in the end it does not add any value to the conversation. We all have one goal and that is to get you educated so that you can pass your visa interview without any problems.

I can only speak for myself, but my goal here is to give and receive emotional support as well as information.  I have many loving, supportive people in my life, but none of them fully understand the utter anguish that is this waiting process in the same way as the others on this forum who are going through the exact same thing, and I appreciate having this community to turn to for wisdom and advice and understanding.  The venting, the encouragement, the victories all keep this forum lively and interesting as well as informative.

[kabney110 129]

46 minutes ago, radharose said:

I can only speak for myself, but my goal here is to give and receive emotional support as well as information.  I have many loving, supportive people in my life, but none of them fully understand the utter anguish that is this waiting process in the same way as the others on this forum who are going through the exact same thing, and I appreciate having this community to turn to for wisdom and advice and understanding.  The venting, the encouragement, the victories all keep this forum lively and interesting as well as informative.

I agree, no one else really understands the stress of all of this and venting is part of that. Information is great but the support of people experiencing the same thing has been the most valuable part of this forum. To the "wise old owls" on this site, perhaps when the questions become tiresome, maybe just take a break and not carry the cross of being an all knowing master with the weight of the visa world on your shoulders. This process is hard enough without being shamed for using the site as it's meant to be used. 

[Nicola and Jordan 668]

3 hours ago, kabney110 said:

I agree, no one else really understands the stress of all of this and venting is part of that. Information is great but the support of people experiencing the same thing has been the most valuable part of this forum. To the "wise old owls" on this site, perhaps when the questions become tiresome, maybe just take a break and not carry the cross of being an all knowing master with the weight of the visa world on your shoulders. This process is hard enough without being shamed for using the site as it's meant to be used. 

👌🏼

[BJ & Christine 1,392]

3 hours ago, kabney110 said:

I agree, no one else really understands the stress of all of this and venting is part of that. Information is great but the support of people experiencing the same thing has been the most valuable part of this forum. To the "wise old owls" on this site, perhaps when the questions become tiresome, maybe just take a break and not carry the cross of being an all knowing master with the weight of the visa world on your shoulders. This process is hard enough without being shamed for using the site as it's meant to be used. 

No. The biggest issue is no one wants to take a few min and read back in the forums. If it's not on the first page they come to they just ask. Even tho 90% of every question has already been asked. Yet, they want the NOW answer. 

So yes. It get tiresome, frustrating. If people would use the search engine and do a little let work themselves. Things would be a lot easier on everyone.

if it wasn't for @Greenbaum along with many others. A lot of people would be completely lost and be denied due to lack of information. If anything. These people should be praised, held in a higher standard, if not  compensated for the amount of time they spend on forums answering all our questions.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

5 hours ago, radharose said:

I can only speak for myself, but my goal here is to give and receive emotional support as well as information.  I have many loving, supportive people in my life, but none of them fully understand the utter anguish that is this waiting process in the same way as the others on this forum who are going through the exact same thing, and I appreciate having this community to turn to for wisdom and advice and understanding.  The venting, the encouragement, the victories all keep this forum lively and interesting as well as informative.

 

4 hours ago, kabney110 said:

I agree, no one else really understands the stress of all of this and venting is part of that. Information is great but the support of people experiencing the same thing has been the most valuable part of this forum. To the "wise old owls" on this site, perhaps when the questions become tiresome, maybe just take a break and not carry the cross of being an all knowing master with the weight of the visa world on your shoulders. This process is hard enough without being shamed for using the site as it's meant to be used. 

Frustration on your part is caused by a lack of understanding for the process. My point of my original post is it's more productive to research for why something is causing the frustration then spending time venting your emmotions. I've posted the reasoning for just about everyones vent and most with links to the official documents that backup my quote. I give workable solutions to problems you encounter. You'll find them through out the different monthly topics. I'm here with the desire to help you in your journey. Expanding your understanding for the process and you won't have to vent. 🤗

Edited October 25, 2018 by Greenbaum

[midwinterrose 275]

3 hours ago, Greenbaum said:

 

Frustration on your part is caused by a lack of understanding for the process. My point of my original post is it's more productive to research for why something is causing the frustration then spending time venting your emmotions. I've posted the reasoning for just about everyones vent and most with links to the official documents that backup my quote. I give workable solutions to problems you encounter. You'll find them through out the different monthly topics. I'm here with the desire to help you in your journey. Expanding your understanding for the process and you won't have to vent. 🤗

The process is frustrating regardless.  I understand that it takes time for physical documents to travel from USCIS to NVC.  I understand that NVC requires time to scan the documents and double-check them, and probably do more background checks.  Understanding those things doesn't change my frustration with the fact that we are probably going to miss the next batch of cases to the embassy, as NVC has not received our case yet, and that will push our interview into December and POE into the new year, and EAD into probably June.  It also means I won't be seeing my fiance for another month and a half.  My rational self understands and accepts all these things and the reasons for them, but it's still frustrating and tiresome.

 

All the help and advice that you and others here give out is invaluable and extremely appreciated, but knowledge and preparedness can't eliminate emotions completely.

[TrickorTea 59]

12 hours ago, Greenbaum said:

You can vent and stomp your feet as much as the next guy or gal. But in the end it does not add any value to the conversation. We all have one goal and that is to get you educated so that you can pass your visa interview without any problems. Now if you want something else so be it. I have put out there exactly why it takes so long for everyone to read and understand what goes into this process. I will once again add it to our conversation. All the best to you in your journey because you are going to need it.

 

Now here is why security checks are needed and why they take so long.

 

Routine Criminal Checks are performed by immigration officials by using the Consular Lookout and Support System (also known as “CLASS”). This system contains information on criminal convictions, FBI records, and terrorist watch lists. The system is updated very regularly, and is a valuable tool of national security to immigration officials.

 

How Can a Lengthy Delay be Prevented?

 

Although the initiation of certain security checks on the part of consular officers is entirely discretionary, some checks can be prevented if all necessary information is provided to the officers during the application process, thus speeding up the overall process. Special attention must be given to the information submitted on visa forms and in supplemental documents. All post-specific directions must be followed carefully and all manner of supporting documentation must be included.

 

Because many names are common to many people (e.g. “Maria Gonzalez” or “Jin Wang”), false hits sometimes occur. Special care must be given to such cases so that the proper documents are obtained for presentation to immigration authorities. In the instance of a criminal hit, court dispositions, arrest records, and legal briefs can be submitted to immigration authorities for clarification.

 

The Department of State’s Visa Office will field public inquiries in regards to long-pending checks of over 90 days. However, due to security concerns, little information is usually forthcoming. Contrary to popular belief, congressional offices are unable to help expedite visa issuance. The Department of State considers security checks to be a matter of national security and is not willing allow applicants to bypass the clearance process.

 

Security Advisory Opinion (SAO) or Washington Special Clearance,[1] commonly called security clearance, administrative clearance, or administrative processing,[2] is a process the United States Department of State and the diplomatic missions of the United States use in deciding to grant or deny a United States visa to certain visa applicants. The process involves sending a request from the visa issuing post to the Department of State's headquarters in Washington, D.C., to investigate an individual's case for possible espionage, terrorism, and illegal export of technology out of the United States

 

Additional screening and background checks based on country of birth, citizenship, or residency in the “State Sponsors of Terrorism” (T-7) list: Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, Syria; or from the “List of 26”: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, Yemen. This is a mandatory stop list and allegedly takes 2 to 4 days, thanks in part to the partially rolled out PATRIOT (Pre-Adjudicated Threat Recognition and Intelligence Operations Team) system managed by ICE, but often take 3 to 6 weeks and if there is a hit who knows how long.

I was already aware of all of that, but go ahead and assume that I wasn't educated enough to your liking just because I didn't specify it.

 

I know the reason for the delay, but I also think I have the right to feel sad or upset that I won't be able to see my fiance for God knows how long. I had hoped that people that have been through the same thing would at least understand this frustration. Even if complaining isn't making the process any faster, it does prevent me from losing it at times.

[carinap 93]

12 hours ago, Greenbaum said:

Additional screening and background checks based on country of birth, citizenship, or residency in the “State Sponsors of Terrorism” (T-7) list: Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, Syria; or from the “List of 26”: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, Yemen.

 

I'm experiencing mini heart-attack reading this. I knew those T7 list but never knew there's a list of 26 unless of an organization.

 

Now I'm curious to find out more. Would you please share me a link to this list of 26?

 

Thank you in advance @Greenbaum

[Greenbaum 12,259]

10 minutes ago, carinap said:

 

I'm experiencing mini heart-attack reading this. I knew those T7 list but never knew there's a list of 26 unless of an organization.

 

Now I'm curious to find out more. Would you please share me a link to this list of 26?

 

Thank you in advance @Greenbaum

I don't have a link to the "list of 26" but if you google the term you should get some hits.

[Daniela M_______ 410]

16 hours ago, Lucy&Jason said:

Did he sign the white-out/wrong answer? It’s very important to sign especially if he made any changes.

He checked NO, and then white-out that answer and checked the box YES and signed it and the last page of the RFE letter where they ask for signature.

 

In addition to that, we sent an statement letter signed, pretty much repeating the question and responding with an explanation and supportive documents.

 

But I'm still worried about the white-out part....

 

He rushed into completing the information and when we did more research we found out that he was supposed to disclose misdemeanors (he had 3 MIPs tickets).

[June1990 178]

Hey guys, I need your suggestions. My fiancée had put a passport which just got expired they got back to us with an RFE asking us about the proof of citizenship. A passport valid for 5/10 years. We want to send the birth certificate instead but they have mentioned that birth certificate must not be an abstract. I’m not sure what this means ? They want a birth certificate by the civil authority. My fiance has a birth certificate which says “certificate of vital records”. Is this the right birth certificate we could put? Are we able to get one that is not an abstract? Is there any link or a simpler way we can get this birth certificate and any quicker way so we can send off the RFE ASAP then waiting for a new passport ?

 

 I’m sorry if there is a post about this in the previous posts. 

[Celie 793]

5 hours ago, carinap said:

 

I'm experiencing mini heart-attack reading this. I knew those T7 list but never knew there's a list of 26 unless of an organization.

 

Now I'm curious to find out more. Would you please share me a link to this list of 26?

 

Thank you in advance @Greenbaum

From my understanding, there are officially 4 on that list. But, of course, I imagine any petition from a middle eastern country or any country facing internal or international political issues will probably be paid closer attention to.

 

https://www.state.gov/j/ct/list/c14151.htm

 

P.S. I'd like to also mention that although Cuba and the Crimean region of the Ukraine are not on the list, there are trade sanctions with them and they are probably on the watch list, too.

Edited October 25, 2018 by cduran