The dreaded DS-5535 thread for Montreal Only. Post here and support each other (PART 3)

[candy895 4]

1 hour ago, dj222 said:

Just curious what your ethnic background is.

I am Arab! I also am Muslim and wear the hijab. However, I was born and raised in Canada and have not travelled outside of the country. Im a university student!

5 hours ago, Sisa24 said:

Could it be related to country of origin?

Possibly, my ethnicity or religion, but I was born and raised in Canada!

[Leo The Great 141]

7 hours ago, Kev12 said:

In ALL cases. Not some cases

Most of the cases based on system alerts. Few cases are decided for AP by CO based on your interview answers. 

Edited April 20 by Leo The Great

[CarmenD 150]

1 hour ago, candy895 said:

I am Arab! I also am Muslim and wear the hijab. However, I was born and raised in Canada and have not travelled outside of the country. Im a university student!

While travel history constitutes a substantial factor for refusal/DS-5535 requirement, it is by far not the only reason.  Note that this form is issued against your name or profile, not your visa application.  Until the security clearance against your name is issued from Washington, DC the visa will not be adjudicated.

[frhm 12]

13 hours ago, Sisa24 said:

Could it be related to country of origin?

It’s definitely related to the country of origin. I’m from Lebanon, and this is why I was given the DS-5535. No other reason.

I think they haven’t even bothered checking my background, because if they did I’m 99% sure I would have got the visa: Well educated, Very high paying career, multinational (US) company for around 10 years, visited the US a lot of times (max stay is only 10 days).

I’m also Christian, which they can obviously see on my birth certificate. Not saying that religion should be a deciding factor but that special clearance was created to mainly target muslim/middle eastern countries after 9/11.

So based on all of this info, I can confirm that country of origin is the deciding factor for DS-5535.

[Sisa24 20]

8 hours ago, frhm said:

It’s definitely related to the country of origin. I’m from Lebanon, and this is why I was given the DS-5535. No other reason.

I think they haven’t even bothered checking my background, because if they did I’m 99% sure I would have got the visa: Well educated, Very high paying career, multinational (US) company for around 10 years, visited the US a lot of times (max stay is only 10 days).

I’m also Christian, which they can obviously see on my birth certificate. Not saying that religion should be a deciding factor but that special clearance was created to mainly target muslim/middle eastern countries after 9/11.

So based on all of this info, I can confirm that country of origin is the deciding factor for DS-5535.

This is totally unfair. We’re being punished for being of certain countries that some of us never lived in. 

[dj222 1]

Just curious on everyone's thoughts on if the interviewer can request someone for a DS 5355 form and are there anything you can do in the interview to avoid this.

 

Or is it proven now that all DS5355 is determined pre-interview through some sort of algorithm?

[northface 30]

3 hours ago, dj222 said:

Just curious on everyone's thoughts on if the interviewer can request someone for a DS 5355 form and are there anything you can do in the interview to avoid this.

 

Or is it proven now that all DS5355 is determined pre-interview through some sort of algorithm?

 

Country, job field, high pay, projects, high degrees: MS,PHD,STEM field study  program,travel history,etc. those my understanding ...

[tdot2nj 71]

7 hours ago, dj222 said:

Just curious on everyone's thoughts on if the interviewer can request someone for a DS 5355 form and are there anything you can do in the interview to avoid this.

 

Or is it proven now that all DS5355 is determined pre-interview through some sort of algorithm?

According to the declaration by Carson Wu, the choice of whether we are getting the DS 5535 form is determined by the system. There is a flagging that comes up with maybe a name match or some sort of a trigger in their database, which causes them to give us the form. Once that flag comes, and they give us the form the consular officer cannot do anything on our file until the state department does not finish their administrative processing. Once the processing is over, they send the file back to the consular officer at the consulate and re-adjudicate.

Edited April 22 by tdot2nj

[anotheronewaiting 7]

Is there a new spreadsheet with our data on it? Unless I am viewing it wrong, it looks like all of the K1 data was removed from the spreadsheet.. not that I have any good news anyway. Our WOM is likely going to be dismissed (October 2021 filer, interview August 2023...) since the Court is claiming anything under 5 years is not an "unreasonable" timeframe to wait. So disgusted and burned out by this whole process...

[Leo The Great 141]

1 hour ago, anotheronewaiting said:

Is there a new spreadsheet with our data on it? 

Some times folks apply filter by visa type to look at their category specifically and forget to revert back the filter. Now it is back again

[CarmenD 150]

1 hour ago, anotheronewaiting said:

Court is claiming anything under 5 years is not an "unreasonable" timeframe to wait.

In which state is that kangaroo court located?

[sps 14]

Is there any possibility that someone from Iran does not get the form?
I mean, it’s definite, isn’t it?

[Leo The Great 141]

11 hours ago, neds said:

Is there any possibility that someone from Iran does not get the form?
I mean, it’s definite, isn’t it?

Cannot be sure about definite but there is high possibility of getting DS-5535 for a male from MENA countries including China and Pakistan. Mentally prepare for it if you are asking this question for yourself. Be positive about the outcome of the interview.

Edited April 23 by Leo The Great

[Superluminal 146]

@Daft_Cat Any updates on your end? Have you been able to send your passport in?

@Canucklehead How about you? Any updates on CEAC?

[mam521 2,058]

On 4/21/2024 at 3:18 PM, dj222 said:

Just curious on everyone's thoughts on if the interviewer can request someone for a DS 5355 form and are there anything you can do in the interview to avoid this.

 

Or is it proven now that all DS5355 is determined pre-interview through some sort of algorithm?

I'm going to guess the algorithm is programmed to pick based on lists of criteria, so the CO doesn't have to.  That in mind, some small children have been tossed into this mess, so it isn't 100% targeted choice, per se.