blaze203

The problem is that there is no way to contact them other than snail mail (see contus Us page). Otherwise, they send you straight to the NVC and we all know how useless that is.

Fingers crossed. There's an old saying in Dutch, Nee heb je, ja kun je krijgen - You have no but yes you can get - essentially nothing gained if you don't try. If others chime in also enough pressume might mount. Here's the page of the Immigration subcommittee members: https://judiciary.house.gov/subcommittees/committee-judiciary/subcommittee-immigration-integrity-security-and-enforcement

True. But worth a try to shed sunlight on this issue. What's happening to the OP and others is just awful.

We're getting in the weeds here and I don't want to hijack the OPs thread arguing this point. I believe you are incorrect, all these immigration processes are governed by the INA. US citizens have the right to petition for family members, and assigning cases to a consulate which applicants cannot legally access effectively bars US citizens from family reunification. That's the last I'll say on it.

Probably. I'm emailing several congressmen/women on the immigration subcommittee, using this language. There's probably other cases than i-130 too but it's the only one i'm familiar with. "Thank you for all you do. As a member of the Immigration subcommittee I bring this matter to your attention. US citizens with Russian/Belarussian family members are being denied their right under the INA to petition for immigration visas for these family members. When these US citizens petition through the i-130 process, the cases are assigned to the Warsaw, Poland consulate for consular processing (except for IR5 cases which go to Almaty). Because Poland has barred Russian/Belarussian citizens from attaining Schengen visas, these applicants are legally unable to attend consular interviews and as such are barred from attaining their immigrant visa. In addition, this policy is putting US citizens at risk. In desperation to circumvent this policy, Russian/Belarussian family members of US citizens are attempting to get Schengen visas in other countries. US citizens typically will escort their family members through Europe and are put at great cost and peril to attempt to get these family members to their consular interviews in Warsaw. Other petitioners are desperately trying to get transferred to a consulate were Russians/Belarusians can travel and that do not require residency, but this proves difficult and consulate often deny requests. One applicant was assigned to Jakarta for some mysterious reason, only to be denied by the consulate days before the interview when the US citizen had already traveled to Jakarta. US citizens are desperate to help their family members. Please work with the State Deparment to find an appropriate location for consular processing for the family members of these US citizens."

I believe there is, part of the INA under 1151.

This is great - could you message me the email? I had trouble getting through to the State Dept. They bounced my message saying I should contact the Bureau of Consular Affairs, like that would do anything. I did contact them again requesting my message to go to Blinken's office. Essentially, this policy is illegally barring American citizens to bring family into the US, as is their right. Although in our case we are IR5 and assigned to Almaty is still enrages me. I have contacted the WH also. I was just looking at contacting my state rep, but Jayapal is a great choice.

Hahahaha so very true. I have a picture from walmart that I've kept because it is just the absolute worst picture of me ever taken. From Holland I have one with mask indents on my face and my hair looking like I'd been in gale-force winds on a bike. Delightful.

Thank you so very much!! I was hoping someone would have a recommendation with a personal experience. Really appreciate it. This forum has just been a lifesaver!

I'll give my experience in lieu of Ben's - I have dual citizenship, Dutch and American (husband is Russian). Every country has very specific passport photo requirements. I have tried the passport selfie applications and have had no success - it's hard to get the right background, lighting, and head size. In renewing Dutch and US passports I've had passport photos rejected even from professional photo places. When I renewed an ID last year in Holland, the photography place was was next to the office that renews IDs, so it does a ton of them. Even the photographer there even said sometimes they reject the photos, even though he believes they conform to the passport standards. Secondarily to that is that the consular interview is incredibly stressful. People are on edge because there is so much at stake. People get denied visas because they can't produce the documents the office deems they need, and from what I've read here on the forum, it is not inconceivable they may ask for something you don't expect or have on you. So it is important to reduce any potential issue and get the things right that you CAN get right, such as passport photos. Last thing I would want is to be in a foreign country paying for expensive lodgings and being on a travel deadline and then have your application denied because of your passport photos and then somehow hope you can get a new appointment. To me it's a simple thing to avoid, just go to a reputable photo place and verify they do US passport photos and have experience.

Thank you! That is a helpful website, I have added it to my list. Yes, was not going to attempt a selfie, last thing we need is added stress because a photo is not right. Even though that can still happen when you use foreign services is my experience. It already took forever to get my father in law's picture for his Russian passport years ago because he is blind and one eye doesn't quite open, poor guy. Isn't your interview coming up @BenNomad? Good luck!!!

Does anyone know a good address for US passport photos in Almaty? Trying to prepare as much as possible in advance of the consular interview. Thank you!

If you are IR5 you can transfer to almaty via https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSep8AeOibjHn1Xpf95ON-7PViDDiQs6OgzO8dxE3ihZRSuJCA/viewform

Thank you, I think I came upon them before. Google translate does a decent job. They claim to ship to the US. The fact that it's cremated remains doesn't help. My beau is so busy, I try to help but yes, it would require his help.

It is frustrating. My Russian beau's mother passed in 2019 and he had to put his father in a senior facility because he could not manage by himself. Then covid hit and then the war. His mother's ashes are still in the apartment in Moscow and we have no idea how to get them here. That apartment was destined for demolition and we cannot even find out what the status of that is (supposedly a new building was supposed to be built and everyone would get a new apartment there). We have no idea how to manage it all. I-130 is in process for his father. I guess he could try taking the ashes with him when the time comes but we'd prefer to have them shipped. Unfortunately I am the researcher in the family but speak no Russian :(. I do have family in the Netherlands. Is it possible to ship from Russia to there?