Casablanca, Morocco CO

[aicha 0]

I feel like I am the barer (sp) of bad news!

I think everyone who is going through Morocco really needs to be aware of what is currently happening here. The Ambassador to the US Consulate is trying very hard to make sure that the CO stay closed until the Moroccan authorities agree to build a secure wall around the CO in Casa. For those who have interviews waiting or interviews coming soon - this creates a problem for all of us. They are advising all people to go to neighboring countries to pursue their VISA's. The Ambassador is being very headstrong on this and if he has his way, the CO will not be opening anytime soon.

Me, myself I do not understand why they can not just move the services to Rabat, where that Embassy is very secure, until they fix the security issues and concerns. It might be a worthwhile thing for everyone through Morocco to maybe start sending letters to the Ambassador in Rabat - this could be a major problem for all of us. Even if Morocco agrees with putting up the wall around the Casa CO - it could still take months to complete, which still leaves all of us waiting.

Any ideas on this issue? I am looking into this more - but i do know it is on the front pages of newspapers here. And the Embassy website is now stating that they are working with Moroccan Authorities to fix the issue and they are giving referral websites to all the nearby countries for VISA information.

[aicha 0]

Just to clarify on this subject - there is a difference between what they are telling you for non-immigrant VISA (K's) and immigrant VISA (CR1, etc.) I am pasting that info for you below.

The U.S. Consulate General in Casablanca continues to provide passport and emergency services for American citizens. Residents of Morocco seeking nonimmigrant (visitor) visas to the United States with urgent travel needs may wish to consider applying at U.S. Embassies located in nearby countries. The following is a list of Internet sites providing information on visa application procedures at U.S. embassies in other countries where Moroccan citizens may wish to apply:

(list of country websites)

Moroccan applicants for immigrant visas and Diversity Program (“Lottery”) visas will be contacted about the future processing of their cases once normal operations resume at the Consulate.

http://casablanca.usconsulate.gov/

here is the direct website and then you just click on next to get to the rest of the notice.

Good luck to all!

[mybackpages 0]

Me, myself I do not understand why they can not just move the services to Rabat, where that Embassy is very secure, until they fix the security issues and concerns. It might be a worthwhile thing for everyone through Morocco to maybe start sending letters to the Ambassador in Rabat - this could be a major problem for all of us. Even if Morocco agrees with putting up the wall around the Casa CO - it could still take months to complete, which still leaves all of us waiting.

1) Because if they created a wing of the embssasy to serve as a consulate section (and spend the thousands of dollars to do so), they would not have any leverage to lobby the Moroccan authorities to give them what they want in Casa.

2) The Ambassador is not an elected postion. he serves at the pleasure off the President of the United States with the consent of the Senate. Now even if you could get the POTUS and the Senate to listen, does any one really think the visas will take precedent over security in today's world?

Anyone waiting for a visa, that does have time to wait, might consider looking into the other consulates. Those with money will have the advantage, those without wil lhave to wait. suprise suprise

[mybackpages 0]

Just to clarify on this subject - there is a difference between what they are telling you for non-immigrant VISA (K's) and immigrant VISA (CR1, etc.) I am pasting that info for you below.

The U.S. Consulate General in Casablanca continues to provide passport and emergency services for American citizens. Residents of Morocco seeking nonimmigrant (visitor) visas to the United States with urgent travel needs may wish to consider applying at U.S. Embassies located in nearby countries. The following is a list of Internet sites providing information on visa application procedures at U.S. embassies in other countries where Moroccan citizens may wish to apply:

I am not sure K's are treated as non-immigrant visas (even though the USCIS defines them as NIV). For K visas you must have the consulate schedule your interview. For all non-immigrant visas, you can schedule one yourself using the online appointment process. Since the NVC has to transfer the petition to the consulate where the interview will be held, transfering the petition from the original consualte to another might be more time consuming that waiting for the Casa consulate to open.

[peezey 0]

I feel like I am the barer (sp) of bad news!

I think everyone who is going through Morocco really needs to be aware of what is currently happening here. The Ambassador to the US Consulate is trying very hard to make sure that the CO stay closed until the Moroccan authorities agree to build a secure wall around the CO in Casa. For those who have interviews waiting or interviews coming soon - this creates a problem for all of us. They are advising all people to go to neighboring countries to pursue their VISA's. The Ambassador is being very headstrong on this and if he has his way, the CO will not be opening anytime soon.

Me, myself I do not understand why they can not just move the services to Rabat, where that Embassy is very secure, until they fix the security issues and concerns. It might be a worthwhile thing for everyone through Morocco to maybe start sending letters to the Ambassador in Rabat - this could be a major problem for all of us. Even if Morocco agrees with putting up the wall around the Casa CO - it could still take months to complete, which still leaves all of us waiting.

Any ideas on this issue? I am looking into this more - but i do know it is on the front pages of newspapers here. And the Embassy website is now stating that they are working with Moroccan Authorities to fix the issue and they are giving referral websites to all the nearby countries for VISA information.

The Ambassador and the Consulate General are not the same people. The Embassy in Rabat is for US citizens' needs and for diplomatic business, not for everyday Moroccans to use for visa services. Why on earth would they combine the two? Suddenly a building that Moroccans cannot legally enter they can now enter for visa interviews? Ain't gonna happen, ever.

Edited May 14, 2007 by peezey

[patiently_waiting 0]

OMG! I don't know what to say. There has got to be someone to write letters to. I don't know if the senators can do anything about this one. I will call and find out though. And I will go straight to a senator not his little helpers. I will let you know what I find out.

[maggieNomar 0]

Has anyone checked into whether or not the K1 visas would be handled differently since they are considered non-immigrant, unlike the K3? Maybe some of you K1's can go to the neighboring countries like the tourist visa applicants.

[chiquita 0]

I would think there is nothing one can do to change this. it is being done in the name of security. it appears there is more going on than is being reported.

chi

Has anyone checked into whether or not the K1 visas would be handled differently since they are considered non-immigrant, unlike the K3? Maybe some of you K1's can go to the neighboring countries like the tourist visa applicants.

thats a good possibilty. i would certainly find out.

chi

[peezey 0]

I would think there is nothing one can do to change this. it is being done in the name of security. it appears there is more going on than is being reported.

chi

I agree. I mean, if the CG is intent on some kind of security guarantee, why is it anyone here would attempt to change that? Certainly the CG needs to be assured of safety in order to not only re-open the consulate but keep it open. No one wants the consulate to leave the country completely, so let them work this out so that they don't just decide to pack it in altogether. Whether or not the "risk" to COs seems reasonable to us, it is what it is, and doesn't seem likely letters will do anything but aggravate them.

[patiently_waiting 0]

Ok, now that I am all fired up about this again, I am waiting for the senator to call me back. I also have a friend who happens to be my congressman's son. So he is trying to help me out now too. I called Reda to ask about this article in the paper and he told me that yes, they were asking for a wall, but they are also going to look for another building to move into, but they will be re-opening in the near future. That is what he read in 3 different papers. I have also asked the senator about going to other places for the K1 interview since they are not yet immigrating to the US. On the brighter side...I did get a response from Casa today from an e-mail that was sent at the beginning of the month. So there is life there.

[rclouse 0]

Cheryl (Aicha), could you please check to see if the consulate opened as posted in the other threads? Since you're in Kenitra I figure you're final word on this.

[aicha 0]

I understand everything everyone is saying here - everyone has good points.

There has always been life in the CO - they have continued to do simple services and have very few personnel in the office. You will get response from there - it just takes more time right now.

As for the move to do some services in Rabat - was just a temporary solution if this build for a more secure situation takes an exceptional amount of time. I do believe the building they were looking into is over by the airport.

I did not mean for people to send in angry letters or anything like that - just maybe some helpful solutions or suggestions - I do not feel there is anything wrong with that - it is just showing that we care too about this situation and are trying to support and help. It is the same when something happens in the USA - everyone is encouraged to contact their congress or Senate. These are all merely suggestions, but done with support of solutions.

Maybe if we as a group continue a discussion on solutions for this we will come up with something for all concerned.

[aicha 0]

Cheryl (Aicha), could you please check to see if the consulate opened as posted in the other threads? Since you're in Kenitra I figure you're final word on this.

What other threads? and last I looked - it was still closed as of tonight. I am checking everyday - sometimes more than a few times. Will go do some checking again.

[Jenn! 918]

Many embassies have consular sections, so I don't think that moving interviews to Rabat should be out of the realm of possibility.

[aicha 0]

Many embassies have consular sections, so I don't think that moving interviews to Rabat should be out of the realm of possibility.

I agree with you on this - it could just be a temporary solution so the Casa office is not getting so backlogged. No one says it would have to be full fledged service like Casa, but at least trying to keep up with some of the incoming interviews, especially ones close to expiration.