Club Colombia AOS!

[Scott n Yenifer 0]

Oops just noticed that your interview isn't til next month ...wishful thinking I guess

[parkpapa 0]

As Andrea said, when I was enrolling Lorena's two boys, the school's main interest was in having up to date vaccination records and proof that we lived within the school district (I think I used a telephone bill).

I appreciate the strong support, Scott!!!! Right now I just want to get them from the airport on Wednesday!

We have a month to prepare for the interview, which shouldn't be too tough, however we are having a friend of my daughter act as translator and she raised what might be a minor problem for more folks than just us. When we asked this young lady to translate for us, she asked to come visit with and talk to Lorena at some length, so that she would be certain not to misconstrue any idiomatic words or phrases peculiar to Colombia. This would not be much of an issue between Colombia and most Central American countries but our translator learned her Spanish in Argentina. Any of you familiar with Argentinian Spanish will realize there are numerous pronunciation issues - especially with words beginning with "Y" or "LL". Anyway, if any of you plan to have a translator along, unless they are already a family friend, it is probably a good idea to visit ahead of time. Also, I understand that even if your (the American sponsor) Spanish is perfect, the interviewing officer won't allow you to translate for your spouse.

Charles

Edited July 6, 2008 by parkpapa

[Mononoke28 135]

Hello Charles,

I currently work as a translator for DIRECTV and that was one of the questions I was asked at my interview, the difference in Spanish depending on the country. In all truth, there is none. There are a few words that may be different from place to place, even within Colombia but we all speak Spanish and we all understand each other. Just think of it as the difference between the English spoken here in the States, the English spoken in England and the English people speak in Candada. What's the difference? Just a few words here and there, but we all speak one basic language which is English. Same in Latin America and Spain, even though those Spaniards talk too fast and give me a headache.

Diana

[parkpapa 0]

Hello Charles,

I currently work as a translator for DIRECTV and that was one of the questions I was asked at my interview, the difference in Spanish depending on the country. In all truth, there is none. There are a few words that may be different from place to place, even within Colombia but we all speak Spanish and we all understand each other. Just think of it as the difference between the English spoken here in the States, the English spoken in England and the English people speak in Candada. What's the difference? Just a few words here and there, but we all speak one basic language which is English. Same in Latin America and Spain, even though those Spaniards talk too fast and give me a headache.

Diana

Yes, I should have been a bit clearer on that. Lorena, as a native Spanish speaker has no trouble understanding other native speakers, no matter where they're from. As we recognize the different accent of someone from New York compared to someone from Georgia, when we were on our honeymoon on San Andres, she could pick out the different hispanic nationalities based on accents.

The young lady that is translating for us at the interview, however, is a native English speaker and learned all of her Spanish in Argentina. I think, as much as anything, she just wants some reassurance that she will understand Lorena sufficiently well. I know when I was first trying to learn Spanish, I was learning from CDs and such which all focus on Mexico. I had some real problems with the Argentinian variety when I got down there. It took me a while to recognize that what sounded like "show" was really "yo" and "shamame" was really "llamame". And to top it off, no one said "tu"... it was always "vos". I was not prepared for that and we are concerned the young lady may need some practice with the transition in reverse, if that makes sense.

Charles

[Mononoke28 135]

I see. But to be honest, I really don't think you'll have any issues at all at the interview. I think these are just a formality and want to see if your marriage is legitimate. So even if Lorena and your friend have some problems getting in synch, you'll be ok.

Diana

[Scott n Yenifer 0]

Hey Gang!!!

Just wanted to touch base over here to tell you that Yenifer's green card came today!!!

[Mononoke28 135]

Congratulations to you both! Only two more years to go until she's completely done with the process.

Diana

[parkpapa 0]

Congratulations to the both of you!!! Good work and keep after 'em.

Charles

[Scott n Yenifer 0]

Thanks Diana and Charles,

Expiration is 6/10/10 so we will file to lift conditions 3/10/10...

Another question for you guys as far as travel goes...with the green card and her Colombian passport in hand, can Yenifer travel anywhere a US citizen can travel without applying for visas ect...also back and forth to Colombia returning in the citizen line? No other documentation necessary to bring in and out of the country except her Colombian passport and her green card?

[margara&john 0]

Thanks Diana and Charles,

Expiration is 6/10/10 so we will file to lift conditions 3/10/10...

Another question for you guys as far as travel goes...with the green card and her Colombian passport in hand, can Yenifer travel anywhere a US citizen can travel without applying for visas ect...also back and forth to Colombia returning in the citizen line? No other documentation necessary to bring in and out of the country except her Colombian passport and her green card?

congrats Scott and Yenifer!!!

[Mononoke28 135]

Thanks Diana and Charles,

Expiration is 6/10/10 so we will file to lift conditions 3/10/10...

Another question for you guys as far as travel goes...with the green card and her Colombian passport in hand, can Yenifer travel anywhere a US citizen can travel without applying for visas ect...also back and forth to Colombia returning in the citizen line? No other documentation necessary to bring in and out of the country except her Colombian passport and her green card?

Scott,

Since she's still a Colombian citizen she will need to get visas for certain countries so if you're planning a trip outside the US, you should check with the embassy before you travel. But since she's now an LPR, getting visas is a lot easier than most Colombians still living in Colombia. I know that she won't need one if you go to Canada or Mexico though. Also, make sure she carries her marriage certificate if her green card shows her married name and her passport shows her maiden name. This of course only applies if she changed her name after marriage.

When she travels back and forth between Colombia and the US all she will need is her green card and her passport. She can go to the US citizens line if there are no lines saying "Permanent Residents" or the people working at the airport can tell her where to go when she comes back.

Diana

[Scott n Yenifer 0]

Thanks Diana...

[SteveSandyHill 0]

Congrats Scott & Yenifer!!!!

Scott,

Sandy and I just returned from Canada (Niagra Falls). No problem re-entering the USA, Green card only required, did not even ask for passport. Only question asked was about the baby. The officer asked who's child was she? Our next trip will be back to Barranquilla in the fall. We need to investagate her daughters situation prior to going! We do not want any complications with the father, DAS ect.

[M&J 0]

Hello Club Colombia!!!

I just wanted to share the good news, we received an e-mail today saying Current Status: Card production ordered!!!

We are very happy!!!!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOU HELP AND SUPPORT DURING THIS VERY STRESSFULL PROCESS!

[paisita411 0]

Congratulations M&J and Scott & Jennifer on your Green Cards!!! We've made it to 7/18 without even a touch since Oscar's biometrics appt on 3/11/08, right now its a GOOD thing, because once its approved...it will be without conditions. But at the same time it worries me that we haven't even been transferred. Any suggestions on what to do..now I do want the process to move forward.

Dre