US Immigration from Colombia

Good afternoon!

In short, my wife was accepted for her Visa in Colombia at the US Embassy two years ago and we have been married 1.5 years. When I completed all the paperwork for her visa they accepted my income and approved the visa without issue. Once in the US, we submitted the I-485 once again with my income, and even though it is above the guidelines they responded that we must have a sponsor. I replied to their letter with more details on my income and assets but they once again said a sponsor is needed. I asked the only person who I thought might agree, a family member, and they declined. I had no one else and especially given the times, it would be almost impossible to find anyone to agree to be a sponsor outside the family.

So, our I-485 was fully denied. We never received a formal notice, I only found out through online case status. I know I can attempt to appeal, but from what I read this seems to be a rather worthless option. I've also read that if the denial was without prejudice, that we could submit a new I-485 with the needed sponsor which of course I do not have.

We've contacted attorneys and they are more than willing to take the case for us, but of course it doesn't solve our underlying issue which really I have to figure out on my own.

My question is this-- it has been two years now and my poor wife and stepdaughter have not even been able to leave the country to see relatives. My wife had her work approval and travel approved very late, and I am reading the card is null and void given the denial. Is this correct? Can she just stay in country until we figure out a way to reapply? Is there a time limit?

I along with many others have had such a hard time of getting a hold of anyone to talk to at USCIS...I've sent inquiries and they never respond. I truly appreciate your ideas and or advice.

Hello,

My question is my fiance wants to bring her 14 year old dog with her (From Colombia to Houston, TX)(assuming in ~3 months given the current timeline of receiving NOA2 3 weeks ago and NVC email today.) and wanted to see if anyone else has done this process to confirm what all is required.

Colombia falls under the High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies per CDC

My understanding is there are 3 requirements to meet:

- CDC Requirements
- USDA Requirements
- Texas Department of State Health Services Requirements

1) CDC Requirements - Rabies

CDC website it states: "CDC is extending its temporary suspension of dog importation from high-risk dog rabies countries until July 31, 2024. This suspension includes dogs arriving from countries without high risk of rabies if the dogs have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months." This ban has been in effect since July 2021.

https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dog-origin.html#:~:text=CDC is extending its temporary,in the past 6 months.

On an extremely limited basis, CDC has the authority to issue advance written approval (a CDC Dog Import Permit) to bring a dog from a high-risk country. If you wish to import a dog from a high-risk country, you must request advance written approval by emailing CDCanimalimports@cdc.gov at least 30 business days (6 weeks) before you intend to enter the United States. No CDC Dog Import Permits are issued upon arrival. Dogs that arrive from high-risk countries without advance written approval from CDC will be denied entry and returned to the country of departure at the importer s expense.

Beginning March 1, 2023, all foreign-vaccinated dogs entering the United States from rabies high-risk countries must have a valid CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record in addition to either a CDC Dog Import Permit or a reservation at a CDC-approved animal care facility. CDC will NOT accept foreign-issued pet passports or any other certificates for foreign rabies vaccinations.

Foreign-vaccinated dogs coming from high-risk countries are now required to use the CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record as proof of rabies vaccination. Use of this record is also encouraged for US-vaccinated dogs, though not required. Dogs entering the United States from high-risk countries are still required to meet all requirements of the temporary suspension"

Has anyone successfully completed a CDC Dog Import Permit from a High-Risk Country?

2) USDA Requirements - Screwworm & Foot and Mouth Disease

• The dog has been inspected for screwworm within 5 days prior to shipment to the United States; and
• The dog is either free from screwworm OR
• The dog was infested with screwworm, held in quarantine, and treated until free from screwworm prior to leaving the region.
• Their fur and bedding must be free of excessive dirt, hay, or straw.
• The dog should be bathed as soon as it reaches its destination and kept separate from all livestock for 5 days after entering the United States.
• Dogs used in livestock handling that are imported from any part of the world except Canada, Mexico, and certain regions of Central America and the West Indies should have no evidence of tapeworm infection.
  

3) Texas Requirements

Once in Texas, if a USDA-approved vaccine was not used or the veterinarian who administered it was not licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the United States, compliance must be achieved. For entry into Texas, the following criteria must be met:

• At the time of vaccination, the animal was at least the minimum age prescribed for the vaccine; and
• The time elapsed since the most recent vaccination has not exceeded the recommended interval for the booster vaccination as established by the vaccine s manufacturer.
• Additionally, to qualify as being currently vaccinated, 30 days must have lapsed since the initial vaccination.

My wife's aunt and uncle, who raised her, applied for their tourist visa but the soonest appointment is in 2025. My wife and I recently found out that she's pregnant with our second kid, and I'm gone a lot for work, and she's alone half the month, she would at least like her aunt to come and help because. Are we able to get the appointment moved up and can I do anything for their application? It would be great if they can come sooner. The aunt is a teacher, the uncle is retired, they own their home. Any advice for them to get their tourist visa approved?

Today I went to my interview for I-751 and has a young officer asked a lot of detailed questions like what did you husband wear last night and what breakfast did he eat? I answered wrong as I didn t prepare for this type of detailed questions.

I was separated from my husband and was asked first and then my husband was the second to answer but there are a few questions we answered differently.

and the officer said in 2020 bank statement there was only 8 dollars deposit to the account that it shouldn t be as my husband uses that card for groceries all the time.

anyway the case now became the interview is completed but the case must be reviewed.

I don t think my case will be denied but will I need a second interview? What should I do please? In case it gets denied I can still remain in us and appeal? How does it work please?

Hi Everyone,

I haven't been able to uncover any threads that covers our exact situation so I am hoping for some guidance for others through this new thread.

I am a native-born American who has lived outside the U.S. for the last 23 years in several countries because of my job. I met my wife, who is Colombian, in Colombia 11 years ago and we have been married for 4 years. We also have a 1 year old son who already has an American passport. My wife does have an American tourist visa (B-2), which she has used a few times (and never overstayed) and she has around 6 years left on it. We have lived and worked in several countries around the world (and my wife has worked in 2 of those countries). However, we will be returning to the USA to live in 2-3 months and thus, I would like to start the process of getting her Permanent Residency and perhaps citizenship in the USA. I've been reading online that the first step should be to file the paperwork for the IR1 Spousal Visa. My first question is will her B-2 tourist visa be automatically rescinded when we start filing the paperwork for the IR1 visa (due to flagging her for intending to immigrate)? Again, she has never overstayed on her B-2 visa and doesn't intend to- she'll simple leave the country every few months.

My second question- my sister-in-law (who is now a U.S. citizen but immigrated from Venezuela 15 years ago) mentioned that nowadays there might be a streamlined way to permanent residency for those who can already enter the U.S. legally, made possible by some recent immigration reform for Venezuelan/Colombian citizens? Does anyone know anything about this? That's my main line of inquiry I'd like to explore; the most efficient and less time-consuming pathway for my wife to start pursuing a green card, given her situation.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to any feedback from those in the know.