Just here to vent!

[Jamie and Richard 26]

A few months ago I filed an expedite request for my fiancés visa because I was pregnant with our first child and had an extensive history with depression, anxiety, debilitating panic attacks and suicide ideation. I had gotten to a good place prior to meeting my fiancé, but when I became pregnant, my depression and anxiety had came back. I contacted USCIS to file an expedite request, which was denied! I decided to get a lawyer to assist with the latter half of this process because I just no longer wanted to deal with the process on our own. Well last month, at 20weeks and 4 days, I unfortunately, lost our child which has caused my symptoms to worsen like nothing I’ve ever seen before. I decided to come visit my fiancé in the DR so I could have time to emotionally heal together and also spend time together since we haven’t seen each other for over 4 months. This morning I decided to check the website to check processing times for K1, and what do you know? The processing times has now increased to 14 months! I am spiraling! I don’t want to go back to LA because I am worried about my mental state, but I also need to go see my doctors so I can follow up on the loss of my baby. At this point, I want to  withdraw our K1 visa and opt in for the spousal visa, but I don’t want to start this whole process over! I am also annoyed with the money that has already been invested into our current application as well. We have a call with our lawyer about this, but wanted to get some feedback from people who are in the same boat as me. What are y’all’s thoughts?!

[JeanneAdil 6,489]

so very sorry for your loss

 

seems to me a wise decision as the CR1 visa would allow your spouse to work when he comes to the USA and that's always a plus

also easier to get SS #,  his DL and add him to needed accounts like banking ,  health care insurance,  etc 

 

u need to relax now and take care of u 

[Crazy Cat 41,811]

I am sorry for your loss.  Be aware that a K-1 withdrawal is irrevocable and final.  Only YOU can decide what is right for you.

Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation.

K-1        
    More expensive than CR-1    
    Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)    
    Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 6-8 months)    
    Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 6-8 months)    
    Some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period    
    Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed.
    A K-1 might be a better choice when 18-21 year old children are immigrating also
    In some situations, marriage can affect certain Home country benefits, making a K-1 a better choice   
    A denied K-1 is sent back to USCIS to expire
    

CR-1
    Less expensive than K-1    
    No Adjustment of Status(I-485, I-131, I-765) required.    
    Spouse can immediately travel outside the US    
    Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival.    
    Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US    
    Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport.
    Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US.
   

 

 

Edited September 28, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[TBoneTX 45,258]

Condolences on your loss.

 

If you want to stay longer, see if you can find a doctor who can capably counsel and treat you.  Surely there are a few.

 

You'll need to decide on your own whether to withdraw the I-129F in favor of marriage and the I-130. This legal-immigration process is neither short nor pleasant.  Commendations to you for recognizing your understandable mental state and for relying on outside recommendations for advice.

[Family 3,988]

2 hours ago, Jamie and Richard said:

want to  withdraw our K1 visa and opt in for the spousal visa, but I don’t want to start this whole process over! I am also annoyed with the money that has already been invested into our current application as well. We have a call with our lawyer about this, but wanted to get some feedback from people who are in the same boat as me. What are y’all’s thoughts?!

Getting married means starting all over, so nothing to be gained if your priority is getting him to the US faster. 

Miscarriage and any health complications would constitute a change in your circumstances and you can try yet another expedite request , make sure you follow up through the appeal process if it gets denied.

 

Always helpful to reach out to your Congressman ( Google and download their case authorization form , followed by a call to their office ) and ask for help….they will only begin inquiry / engage w you directly , not your attorney, so you have to be ok with getting back into dealing with it and follow ups. 

Review slowly and calmly the previous expedite denial and cover all points in your new request. 

 

[Jamie and Richard 26]

52 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

I am sorry for your loss.  Be aware that a K-1 withdrawal is irrevocable and final.  Only YOU can decide what is right for you.

Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation.

K-1        
    More expensive than CR-1    
    Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)    
    Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 6-8 months)    
    Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 6-8 months)    
    Some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period    
    Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed.
    A K-1 might be a better choice when 18-21 year old children are immigrating also
    In some situations, marriage can affect certain Home country benefits, making a K-1 a better choice   
    A denied K-1 is sent back to USCIS to expire
    

CR-1
    Less expensive than K-1    
    No Adjustment of Status(I-485, I-131, I-765) required.    
    Spouse can immediately travel outside the US    
    Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival.    
    Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US    
    Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport.
    Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US.
   

 

 

By any chance do you know if K3 visas are still a thing under CR1? Or is that officially a thing of the past?

[Jamie and Richard 26]

33 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

Condolences on your loss.

 

If you want to stay longer, see if you can find a doctor who can capably counsel and treat you.  Surely there are a few.

 

You'll need to decide on your own whether to withdraw the I-129F in favor of marriage and the I-130. This legal-immigration process is neither short nor pleasant.  Commendations to you for recognizing your understandable mental state and for relying on outside recommendations for advice.

Thank you! Dominican health care system terrifies me! Especially because my Spanish is not fluent. I understand but can’t communicate back the way I would like to in English. They don’t allow other people in the room with you like they do in the US. I am continuing my therapy sessions via telehealth while I am here but limited with what my OBGYN can provide to me without seeing her in office. 

[Jamie and Richard 26]

20 minutes ago, Family said:

Getting married means starting all over, so nothing to be gained if your priority is getting him to the US faster. 

Miscarriage and any health complications would constitute a change in your circumstances and you can try yet another expedite request , make sure you follow up through the appeal process if it gets denied.

 

Always helpful to reach out to your Congressman ( Google and download their case authorization form , followed by a call to their office ) and ask for help….they will only begin inquiry / engage w you directly , not your attorney, so you have to be ok with getting back into dealing with it and follow ups. 

Review slowly and calmly the previous expedite denial and cover all points in your new request. 

 

Thank you, my next step was going to be reaching out to my congressman. This is very helpful. More than likely I will have to wait until I am emotionally and mentally clear enough to reach out. 

[Crazy Cat 41,811]

8 minutes ago, Jamie and Richard said:

By any chance do you know if K3 visas are still a thing under CR1? Or is that officially a thing of the past?

Take a look.  Even fewer have been issued since 2019. Some people say filing for a K-3 expedites the I-130.  

 

[Jamie and Richard 26]

5 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Take a look.  Even fewer have been issued since 2019. Some people say filing for a K-3 expedites the I-130.  

 

Okay, understood. Thank you for this information!

[Daisy.Chain 317]

4 hours ago, Jamie and Richard said:

Thank you! Dominican health care system terrifies me! Especially because my Spanish is not fluent. I understand but can’t communicate back the way I would like to in English. They don’t allow other people in the room with you like they do in the US. I am continuing my therapy sessions via telehealth while I am here but limited with what my OBGYN can provide to me without seeing her in office. 

If you want to be in the DR there are EXCELLENT doctors in the Dominican Republic that are fluent in English. Way less expensive than the US, too but of the same quality. Ask for a private clinic. Your fiancé should know where to look.

[nastra30 2,284]

Op, sorry for your loss. It's definitely understandable to vent away. You been given some good advice above. The immigration process can be long and grueling so stay hopeful and positive; I believe you you'll soon see good fortune coming your way.

[TBoneTX 45,258]

6 hours ago, Daisy.Chain said:

there are EXCELLENT doctors in the Dominican Republic that are fluent in English [...] Ask for a private clinic.

This was my experience when visiting Ecu, too.  I had a minor issue and time to deal with it; Mrs. T-B. found a senior doctor in one of the better private hospitals; he didn't speak much English, but one of his nurses did.  The minimal time investment, the genuine personal care, and the amazingly low cost made me a fan of medical tourism.  Jamie, you want to remain in the D.R., so it really might be worth looking into.

[Jamie and Richard 26]

20 hours ago, Daisy.Chain said:

If you want to be in the DR there are EXCELLENT doctors in the Dominican Republic that are fluent in English. Way less expensive than the US, too but of the same quality. Ask for a private clinic. Your fiancé should know where to look.

He found one doctor nearby that he believes will be able to give me good care in a private clinic. I am going to go see them tomorrow. If I like them, then I will keep seeing them. 

 

I have a girlfriend who just recently had a child in Cap Cana who claims that she was held against her will at a private hospital and that they were trying to extort her for money because she had a c-section. Allegedly, they were trying to charge her $4000 for the entire delivery. Seemed strange to me because that is exactly how much it costs to get a c-section in CA? She claims that they wouldn't give her her passport back until she paid the doctor an additional $1000. I don't know how much I believe the story, but I don't want to deny anyone's experience. This created somewhat of a fear for me. 

[Crazy Cat 41,811]

8 minutes ago, Jamie and Richard said:

He found one doctor nearby that he believes will be able to give me good care in a private clinic. I am going to go see them tomorrow. If I like them, then I will keep seeing them. 

 

I have a girlfriend who just recently had a child in Cap Cana who claims that she was held against her will at a private hospital and that they were trying to extort her for money because she had a c-section. Allegedly, they were trying to charge her $4000 for the entire delivery. Seemed strange to me because that is exactly how much it costs to get a c-section in CA? She claims that they wouldn't give her her passport back until she paid the doctor an additional $1000. I don't know how much I believe the story, but I don't want to deny anyone's experience. This created somewhat of a fear for me. 

As a former Labor and Delivery Nurse, I think $4,000 for a C-section seems like a good deal.  

Edited September 29, 2022 by Crazy Cat