CEAC still shows refused. (merged)

[zozomike 9]

I just returned to US after 4+ months in Sri Lanka with Mary and my stepsons. The country was suffering with shortages of fuels and medicines. Protest demonstrations had begun and curfews had been imposed. Since that time the protests have accelerated with thousands all over the country, as have all the shortages. Mary is now without cooking gas, petrol for the scooter we bought and electricity is off 3-11 hours per day. Yesterday in a town nearby police opened fire on protester's killing one and injuring at least 10. 

Is there any hope of requesting expedited processing based on this situation? Alternatively is there a process by which we may request the Embassy give back their passports so that I could fly them to a safer location? Somewhere I could join them like Panama, etc. 

Thanks in advance for any ideas... 

[zozomike 9]

On 4/19/2022 at 6:21 PM, zozomike said:

I just returned to US after 4+ months in Sri Lanka with Mary and my stepsons. The country was suffering with shortages of fuels and medicines. Protest demonstrations had begun and curfews had been imposed. Since that time the protests have accelerated with thousands all over the country, as have all the shortages. Mary is now without cooking gas, petrol for the scooter we bought and electricity is off 3-11 hours per day. Yesterday in a town nearby police opened fire on protester's killing one and injuring at least 10. 

Is there any hope of requesting expedited processing based on this situation? Alternatively is there a process by which we may request the Embassy give back their passports so that I could fly them to a safer location? Somewhere I could join them like Panama, etc. 

Thanks in advance for any ideas... 

We sent an email to the Embassy asking for attention do to the unrest in Sri Lanka. I do not know if that helped or not, but Mary received a call that her visa would be ready in about one week. That is the great news. The bad news is now they want DS-5535 filled out for each stepson. They told Mary to expect 3-6 months. Then they asked her if she would come to US without her sons. I objected to that. Leaving two teenagers alone in the current turmoil would be a recipe for disaster. 

Makes one wonder why if the DS-5535 was important to them why they did not ask for it 3-6 months ago? 

[zozomike 9]

Hi experts, I have read this enormous thread but still have a question.

My wife and stepsons are Sri Lankan. My wife's spousal visa has finally been verbally approved but she has not received it as yet. But simultaneously they suddenly required the DS-5535? for the teenage stepsons. Why they waited till now on that is beyond me, interview was in February 2021. The stepsons have never left Sri Lanka, and only have  like Facebook as media. So we do not anticipate problems there. However my wife was advised this could take 3-6 months. She chose to stay with them,  ( the question was asked by the Embassy) because Sri Lanka is in deep trouble now. Officially bankrupt, no gas, (cooking) very limited petrol, power cuts 5-10 hours per day. Huge nonstop protests etc. 

The Embassy has had their passports for fourteen months. I want to get them out of there. How exactly can we get the passports back and a visit visa given? To US, if possible, but even Mexico for pitys sake, I am only 150 miles from that border.

[Boiler 45,479]

She can ask for their passports to be returned I do not know the procedure for a Mexican visa but should be easy to look up

 

They would need to return for their medical and visa so seems a pretty expensive option

[zozomike 9]

7 minutes ago, Boiler said:

She can ask for their passports to be returned I do not know the procedure for a Mexican visa but should be easy to look up

 

They would need to return for their medical and visa so seems a pretty expensive option

They just redid the Medicals, That makes the third time. All that expired repeatedly while waiting on the US Embassy to decide what to do. And perhaps will have to redo again if the DS-5535 is delayed.

Are you saying they must be in Sri Lanka to hand pick up the Immigration visa? 

[Boiler 45,479]

35 minutes ago, zozomike said:

They just redid the Medicals, That makes the third time. All that expired repeatedly while waiting on the US Embassy to decide what to do. And perhaps will have to redo again if the DS-5535 is delayed.

Are you saying they must be in Sri Lanka to hand pick up the Immigration visa? 

Yes that is where their case is

[zozomike 9]

3 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Yes that is where their case is

Hmmm, they have had interview, all records required are up to date, although the boys police clearances expired while waiting. The only hang up is the DS-5535 for the boys, they did not ask for that for Mary. But it was my understanding the visas were sent by courier? 

Mary's visa is approved. Not yet delivered. She could come anytime within the next 6 months. It is the boys who would need the B2 visa. Is there no way for them to accompany her on that B2 visa? 

I am pretty confused by this process...

[Boiler 45,479]

The Consulate need the Passports to attach the visa so that is no good if they are in Mexico

 

I passed the B2 as it seemed so unrealistic for the reasons you have mentioned 

 

They can certainly apply but strikes me as money down the drain and they would still need to go back to get their immigrant visa

[zozomike 9]

Well the Mexico was just a thought if travel to US was denied. I should not have brought it up if it somehow clouds this question. 

Thank you for your advice, but I am not seeing how this is possible as yet. Scores of others reportedly to come while awaiting. 

[Boiler 45,479]

It does not cloud the issue, I seem to remember getting a visa on arrival when I visited Sri Lanka, just had a quick look and Mexico needs you to apply for a visa at their Consulate.

 

US well seems a 100 day wait for an interview and I am aware of the issues in Sri Lanka and very sad, which of course makes it more difficult to get a visitor visa, but in their situation it would be a big ask anyway.

[zozomike 9]

1 hour ago, Boiler said:

It does not cloud the issue, I seem to remember getting a visa on arrival when I visited Sri Lanka, just had a quick look and Mexico needs you to apply for a visa at their Consulate.

 

US well seems a 100 day wait for an interview and I am aware of the issues in Sri Lanka and very sad, which of course makes it more difficult to get a visitor visa, but in their situation it would be a big ask anyway.

Yes it is tough there, I just returned from 4 months there, and it has become worse since I departed one month ago. Mary has resorted to cooking with scrounged wood. 

I did find a site that confirmed the 100 day wait, so I guess a US visit is a non starter. I do not see why they would have to return from another country like Mexico to have a visa attached. Seems they could courier the stepsons passports to the Embassy. More learning needed for me. 

What worries me is that these mostly peaceful demonstrations can turn violent quickly. The police already fired killing rounds on the demonstrators at least once, and the government seems to be doing little good. The demonstrators may lose patience at any moment. 

[Ontarkie 14,218]

~~Related questions merged with existing topic. PLease keep all information to one thread. Posting in other threads will not give you the best replies if members do not know the all the details.~~

[zozomike 9]

I have been remiss in updating our case for those that have also been trying the Sri Lanka to US immigrant visas. The DS-5535s for my stepsons was, as mentioned filed APR 28th 2022, ten months ago. Only once during that period has the Embassy deigned to reply to any of our status requests, to basically say we are still investigating. This is not like investigating a President, it is two teenage boys for goodness sakes. Of course at that time they did call my wife and tell her her visa was ready, but she would have to leave her sons. Given the turmoil in country at that time, riots, PM etc forced to flee. we decided it was too dangerous, but now kind of regret that. The have since refused to answer her requests to obtain her visa. We are still ghosted. I understand it used to be normal for a CO to provide quick decisions, but over two years since the interview seems abusive. Are there any members who have had good luck with attorneys who might be familiar with this embassy? It seems time to force a decision no matter what the outcome. 

[Linda2020 2]

On 3/7/2023 at 3:43 PM, zozomike said:

I have been remiss in updating our case for those that have also been trying the Sri Lanka to US immigrant visas. The DS-5535s for my stepsons was, as mentioned filed APR 28th 2022, ten months ago. Only once during that period has the Embassy deigned to reply to any of our status requests, to basically say we are still investigating. This is not like investigating a President, it is two teenage boys for goodness sakes. Of course at that time they did call my wife and tell her her visa was ready, but she would have to leave her sons. Given the turmoil in country at that time, riots, PM etc forced to flee. we decided it was too dangerous, but now kind of regret that. The have since refused to answer her requests to obtain her visa. We are still ghosted. I understand it used to be normal for a CO to provide quick decisions, but over two years since the interview seems abusive. Are there any members who have had good luck with attorneys who might be familiar with this embassy? It seems time to force a decision no matter what the outcome. 

Did you get ur visa? I'm from srilanka 

[zozomike 9]

My Senator wrote to the Embassy upon my request after one year of no action and no answers. The Embassy immediately responded, and scheduled a second interview. (something that seems rare) At the interview, which according to my wife did seem like a real interview, the demand was made to reissue all the documents which had "expired" while the Embassy delayed. These were all furnished by hard copies on April 27th 2023. The Senator again made Congressional inquiry at the end of May and the Embassy confirmed our documents received and delivered to the CO. No decisions. 

At this stage we just want them to make a decision, yes or no. Either my family will be allowed to join me in USA, or I will sell out and join them in Sri Lanka or some third country where the stepsons would heve better opportunities.