Calling everyone going thru Islamabad Embassy, version 2.0

[MaryandMian 1]

"Can you tell me what background checks are being performed?" "Are we still just waiting for one check, or have more been triggered?"

Usually all they will say is that it is in checks and they cannot tell you which ones since we are not supposed to be in the know on these checks.

Sometimes they answer, other times they tell me they can't give that info. I don't understand the discrepencies. Anyway, anyone who has some advice on how best to get answers from DOS - we would really appreciate it!

When calling you cannot ask for specific operator if you get one that is not good finish the call and call back at another time. All depends on the operator and what type of checks you are involved in. If you are in AP they will not tell you anything at all. Omid and I both had this happen with our cases. If you are in AR some of the operators will give you some information and others will not it just depends on the person.

Mary

Edited October 10, 2006 by MaryandMian

[babybunny 2]

Shon! you should call DOS, preferably talk to Erica (she is good at giving info) ask her what clearance they are processing!

I called DOS today and talked to a really mean lady- her name was 2 initials I think but I didn't quite catch it and by the end of the convo I was too flustered to ask again. How do you talk to someone who is actually the slightest bit helpful? I talked to a man a few weeks ago and he gave me soo much info, and Barbara was very nice, too, but not this lady! She was just rude. Have you ever requested someone? Or do you just call and hope for the best? Haha and hang up when you know its the mean lady

Also, are there any questions you have asked that you find tend to be more successful and bring out more information? I try a few every time I call and I always get different answers. Like "Can you tell me what background checks are being performed?" "Are we still just waiting for one check, or have more been triggered?" Sometimes they answer, other times they tell me they can't give that info. I don't understand the discrepencies. Anyway, anyone who has some advice on how best to get answers from DOS - we would really appreciate it!

you talked to BJ.

next time hang up on her..they really cant tell you what checks are being perform.

sometimes they dont know. they just know its done in washington. all you can really

ask is

1.. when was the check orderd

2.. is it done yet.

if there is a trigger. they will say

oh there as one ordered on blah blah blah day.

if they are compleated ..

they will say.. we sent all the information to the embassy .. blah blah

that could mean embassy gonna issue another check.

if you are DONE.

they will say. embassy sending your SO a "letter "

that means your gonna get the visa issued. this is what you wanna hear

not none of that other stuff.

[babybunny 2]

Good Luck ...

[indianalady06 0]

Thanks for the advice, I guess I will just hope for someone more helpful next time! When I called they said administrative processing... so this is worse than admin review? Im considering getting a congressman involved, but I'm really doubting it will do any good.

I'm having a hard time coping with not having my Ali here. All of this on top of studying at a very conservative college, I just feel like we are not wanted here in the US, and I don't know if I want to stay here if we will be treated unfairly because hes Muslim. But then I wonder if anywhere will really accept us (him being from a Muslim background and me from an American/Christian background) and if we just have to deal with it and stay strong. Anyone else having problems with this?? How do you plan on making it work out?

Edited October 11, 2006 by indianalady06

[MaryandMian 1]

You cannot get any help with AR/AP. I tried and it is considered a matter of national security so they have to wait out all clearances. I will say to pray for patience and if you are in AP they will not tell you anything other than you are in AP and they will contact Ali once they are finished.

My husband interviewed in December 2005 and his AP did not clear until May 2006. We never were told of any security checks specifically in our case just AP. Try and stay busy and hopefully the AP will be finished soon.

And to keep our sanity we did not discuss the visa processing daily, we only kept things light and then once in a while we did ask each other what ifs? Emails, ecards and cam chats helped us and we talked daily for one hour unless my son was having surgery or the internet/lights were out in his town.

Mary

[cons 0]

we're having the same problem with DOS. they won't give us any answers or hints regarding my husbands security clearances.

april 7, 2006 was his interview. he's been on ar/ap since then. it's over six months already!! unbelieveable....and no answers from embassy or dos!!!!

i've been conteplating whether or not i should send my congressman a letter.....i doubt it would do any good. it would probably just frustrate me even more. especially since the embassy is going to tell my congressman that my husbands case is now under security check in the US by DOS. and DOS would probably just tell my congressman that it's a national security issue and there is nothing that can be done until the security check(s) are cleared.

would it make sense to get a congressman involved at this point??????

[MaryandMian 1]

I did get my congressman involved and he got the same canned response I got from Islamabad and from DOS. They cannot do anything for you but ask for a status update. Sorry to hear that your still stuck without answers and I know how you feel. I had the same experience and we tried every avenue and always had the same responses. Hang in there and hugs.

Mary

[babybunny 2]

Thanks for the advice, I guess I will just hope for someone more helpful next time! When I called they said administrative processing... so this is worse than admin review? Im considering getting a congressman involved, but I'm really doubting it will do any good.

I'm having a hard time coping with not having my Ali here. All of this on top of studying at a very conservative college, I just feel like we are not wanted here in the US, and I don't know if I want to stay here if we will be treated unfairly because hes Muslim. But then I wonder if anywhere will really accept us (him being from a Muslim background and me from an American/Christian background) and if we just have to deal with it and stay strong. Anyone else having problems with this?? How do you plan on making it work out?

well proble not with your attitude like that.

maybe you should refocus and stop takiing the world on your shoulders.

all my relationships have been mixed - so I certainly know how to cope.

you cope by standing on your own choice to be with your SO. and not letting others tell you

how to rule your life. my moms advise : only you can sing your own song.

[indianalady06 0]

well proble not with your attitude like that.

maybe you should refocus and stop takiing the world on your shoulders.

all my relationships have been mixed - so I certainly know how to cope.

you cope by standing on your own choice to be with your SO. and not letting others tell you

how to rule your life. my moms advise : only you can sing your own song.

I think I am trying to take the world on my shoulders...

It's not so much people telling me how to rule my life, but I just get sick of so many American's close-mindedness and all of the negativity towards the Muslim community. I guess this is just something I've never really had to deal with. I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut sometimes and feel like arguing with the whole world sometimes, but I guess I'm just going to have to choose my battles.

But what I feel worse about is that my fiance quit everything getting ready to come to here, and now he just sits around with not much to do. No job, living back with his parents because he didn't sign his lease for the next year. He's an active person and this process is really getting him down. At first the the excitement of being together soon was enough to keep us going through all the stress, but now with no clue when it will happen, and all the hard work we've put in to make this all work, only to have more disappointments, I guess its just hard to stay positive.

He feels like he's just a toy of our government and they can play with his life. He says often that if he were German instead of Turkish he would be here by now, and I'm pretty sure he's right. It doesn't change who he is though. And I understand things are more difficult now after 9/11 and I do care about security, but I still feel like something just isn't right here.

It just doesn't seem fair to keep all of our lives on hold and waiting because of nationality or religion. I guess I just need to go on with my life alone and stop thinking of when he will be here, but for me its hard. I moved to a new city, got my own apartment for my first time ever (thinking Ali would be here to share it with me,) and now I just feel lost and alone! And my 21st bday is next month and I really wanted to celebrate with him... It's just hard to move on without him when I felt so sure he would be here by now.

Annnywaaayy... Sorry about all the whining... I just needed to get it out.

I hope someone here gets some good news soon so we can all cheer up!

[pugsly 0]

well proble not with your attitude like that.

maybe you should refocus and stop takiing the world on your shoulders.

all my relationships have been mixed - so I certainly know how to cope.

you cope by standing on your own choice to be with your SO. and not letting others tell you

how to rule your life. my moms advise : only you can sing your own song.

I think I am trying to take the world on my shoulders...

It's not so much people telling me how to rule my life, but I just get sick of so many American's close-mindedness and all of the negativity towards the Muslim community. I guess this is just something I've never really had to deal with. I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut sometimes and feel like arguing with the whole world sometimes, but I guess I'm just going to have to choose my battles.

But what I feel worse about is that my fiance quit everything getting ready to come to here, and now he just sits around with not much to do. No job, living back with his parents because he didn't sign his lease for the next year. He's an active person and this process is really getting him down. At first the the excitement of being together soon was enough to keep us going through all the stress, but now with no clue when it will happen, and all the hard work we've put in to make this all work, only to have more disappointments, I guess its just hard to stay positive.

He feels like he's just a toy of our government and they can play with his life. He says often that if he were German instead of Turkish he would be here by now, and I'm pretty sure he's right. It doesn't change who he is though. And I understand things are more difficult now after 9/11 and I do care about security, but I still feel like something just isn't right here.

It just doesn't seem fair to keep all of our lives on hold and waiting because of nationality or religion. I guess I just need to go on with my life alone and stop thinking of when he will be here, but for me its hard. I moved to a new city, got my own apartment for my first time ever (thinking Ali would be here to share it with me,) and now I just feel lost and alone! And my 21st bday is next month and I really wanted to celebrate with him... It's just hard to move on without him when I felt so sure he would be here by now.

Annnywaaayy... Sorry about all the whining... I just needed to get it out.

I hope someone here gets some good news soon so we can all cheer up!

I know exactly how you feel. My fiance is a pakistani living in a europian country and we had our interview on May 30 and was put on security checks for 4 months only to be denied at the second interview . The petition is now on its way back to the service center. Why didnt they just deny him at his first interview that would saved us alot of time I know he was denied becouse of his nationality they even asked him if there was other pakistanis there . We have made other plans since then but I still wont be with my fiance for another 3-4 years. At least i will see him in March when i visit him.

[hafiz 1]

I just feel like we are not wanted here in the US, and I don't know if I want to stay here if we will be treated unfairly because hes Muslim. But then I wonder if anywhere will really accept us (him being from a Muslim background and me from an American/Christian background) and if we just have to deal with it and stay strong. Anyone else having problems with this?? How do you plan on making it work out?

let me just say that if you feel bad being a muslim in america and think people are giving you looks, no country on earth will make you feel better. thats for sure. not even muslim countries.

[a1v 4]

well proble not with your attitude like that.

maybe you should refocus and stop takiing the world on your shoulders.

all my relationships have been mixed - so I certainly know how to cope.

you cope by standing on your own choice to be with your SO. and not letting others tell you

how to rule your life. my moms advise : only you can sing your own song.

I think I am trying to take the world on my shoulders...

It's not so much people telling me how to rule my life, but I just get sick of so many American's close-mindedness and all of the negativity towards the Muslim community. I guess this is just something I've never really had to deal with. I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut sometimes and feel like arguing with the whole world sometimes, but I guess I'm just going to have to choose my battles.

But what I feel worse about is that my fiance quit everything getting ready to come to here, and now he just sits around with not much to do. No job, living back with his parents because he didn't sign his lease for the next year. He's an active person and this process is really getting him down. At first the the excitement of being together soon was enough to keep us going through all the stress, but now with no clue when it will happen, and all the hard work we've put in to make this all work, only to have more disappointments, I guess its just hard to stay positive.

He feels like he's just a toy of our government and they can play with his life. He says often that if he were German instead of Turkish he would be here by now, and I'm pretty sure he's right. It doesn't change who he is though. And I understand things are more difficult now after 9/11 and I do care about security, but I still feel like something just isn't right here.

It just doesn't seem fair to keep all of our lives on hold and waiting because of nationality or religion. I guess I just need to go on with my life alone and stop thinking of when he will be here, but for me its hard. I moved to a new city, got my own apartment for my first time ever (thinking Ali would be here to share it with me,) and now I just feel lost and alone! And my 21st bday is next month and I really wanted to celebrate with him... It's just hard to move on without him when I felt so sure he would be here by now.

Annnywaaayy... Sorry about all the whining... I just needed to get it out.

I hope someone here gets some good news soon so we can all cheer up!

I know exactly how you feel. My fiance is a pakistani living in a europian country and we had our interview on May 30 and was put on security checks for 4 months only to be denied at the second interview . The petition is now on its way back to the service center. Why didnt they just deny him at his first interview that would saved us alot of time I know he was denied becouse of his nationality they even asked him if there was other pakistanis there . We have made other plans since then but I still wont be with my fiance for another 3-4 years. At least i will see him in March when i visit him.

Hey Why They Dnied your Fiance? What Reson they Told?

did they Ever Ordered Security checks from DOS?

Give Us Some Details.....

[babybunny 2]

well proble not with your attitude like that.

maybe you should refocus and stop takiing the world on your shoulders.

all my relationships have been mixed - so I certainly know how to cope.

you cope by standing on your own choice to be with your SO. and not letting others tell you

how to rule your life. my moms advise : only you can sing your own song.

I think I am trying to take the world on my shoulders...

It's not so much people telling me how to rule my life, but I just get sick of so many American's close-mindedness and all of the negativity towards the Muslim community. I guess this is just something I've never really had to deal with. I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut sometimes and feel like arguing with the whole world sometimes, but I guess I'm just going to have to choose my battles.

But what I feel worse about is that my fiance quit everything getting ready to come to here, and now he just sits around with not much to do. No job, living back with his parents because he didn't sign his lease for the next year. He's an active person and this process is really getting him down. At first the the excitement of being together soon was enough to keep us going through all the stress, but now with no clue when it will happen, and all the hard work we've put in to make this all work, only to have more disappointments, I guess its just hard to stay positive.

He feels like he's just a toy of our government and they can play with his life. He says often that if he were German instead of Turkish he would be here by now, and I'm pretty sure he's right. It doesn't change who he is though. And I understand things are more difficult now after 9/11 and I do care about security, but I still feel like something just isn't right here.

It just doesn't seem fair to keep all of our lives on hold and waiting because of nationality or religion. I guess I just need to go on with my life alone and stop thinking of when he will be here, but for me its hard. I moved to a new city, got my own apartment for my first time ever (thinking Ali would be here to share it with me,) and now I just feel lost and alone! And my 21st bday is next month and I really wanted to celebrate with him... It's just hard to move on without him when I felt so sure he would be here by now.

Annnywaaayy... Sorry about all the whining... I just needed to get it out.

I hope someone here gets some good news soon so we can all cheer up!

your feeling the same things we all feel on this thread.

really I feel like Pakistan is treated like poo poos..

men in the middle east get to the USA and be reunited faster than those from pakistan.

its not fair. we have to wait 6 months - a year or two. for the security checks.

we all wanted to share special moments with our men.. but we are forced to have precious moments

taken .. nothing we can do.

[RKhalid 0]

Thanks for the advice, I guess I will just hope for someone more helpful next time! When I called they said administrative processing... so this is worse than admin review? Im considering getting a congressman involved, but I'm really doubting it will do any good.

I'm having a hard time coping with not having my Ali here. All of this on top of studying at a very conservative college, I just feel like we are not wanted here in the US, and I don't know if I want to stay here if we will be treated unfairly because hes Muslim. But then I wonder if anywhere will really accept us (him being from a Muslim background and me from an American/Christian background) and if we just have to deal with it and stay strong. Anyone else having problems with this?? How do you plan on making it work out?

I know exactly how you feel...i am a muslim convert (used to be christian) married a pakistani guy..anyway, i live in a small town in missouri and there are no other muslims here, im the only 1, it's not fun...but i don't care what they think of me, truly, my familly, friends, people feel so uncomfortable to look at me wearing a scarf...but the thing is that there are alot of people too who really appreciate it, and respect it...and are curious and ask questions, and it makes it really way better than the bad looks...like believe it or not i had like a 60 year old security officer from my college tell me that he "truly appreciates the way i dress" that he is "sick of the way these young girls dress these days" and i really think that when you are happy with yourself and appearance, others can sense that and may not like it, but atleast respect it.

O yeah, and just stay busy busy busy, cuz it makes time fly...and don't talk about it alot, making yourself feel hopeless...im also staying in an apartment for the first time, it's hard, to raise my small child (1 yr old) alone...but it's up to Allah, He won't give me more than i can handle, and i take it as a compliment that Allah gave me such a challenge, and views me as someone strong enough to get through it insh'Allah.

Don't forget also that no one controls your life, only Allah does...they aren't in "real" control, they just like to think they are...so just pray as much as you can, offer nafl and things like that, insh'Allah your prayers will be answered.

K , im done blabbing...Take care,

Leona.

[babybunny 2]

we are still on AP.. like that is any diffrent news.

well my congressman is gonna send a letter to DOS.

I know nothing the Congressman can do. its now day 97