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| Juarez, Mexico |  Review on October 6, 2010: |
arianak
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
ACCOMMODATIONS:We arrived on an Interjet flight from Mexico City and took an airport taxi to La Quinta Inn for about 20$. La Quinta Inn is gated and off the main "Consulate Row". The street is still busy, but with the windows closed it is silent. The hotel itself is very nice and clean. The beds are comfortable, flat screen TV, desk, wireless internet, tubs, mini-fridge and microwave,hairdryers, iron etc in every room. Breakfast is extended continental- cereal, yogurt, fruit, milk, juice, coffee, waffles, eggs, and beans. There is no lunch or dinner but many local places will deliver (Denny's, Papa John's Pizza, etc). The hotel has computers, printer,small gym, pool, laundry, parking and the free shuttle that will take you pretty much everywhere you will need to go. We booked on the laquinta website and paid $52 a night, which was well worth it. I highly recommend this hotel for this purpose.
MEDICAL EXAMMy husband left at 6 and was given a number and then when they began reviewing his documents they said he was missing the letter for the medical exam, he only had a letter with an appointment for the visa interview. He was told to go to the Consulate for this letter, it took them about 1/2 an hour to give him a copy. He returned to the clinic and turned in his documents (passport, letters and hotel information- i just printed our confirmation) and took his pictures. Then they took his chest xrays, then he had his blood drawn. They then separated women/children and men. Then he had blood pressure, vision and hearing checked. Then he was told to wait in his underwear. Then a female nurse came in and inspected his genitals for about 30 seconds. (She did not touch him but had him show her).She asks about drug use, tattoos, criminal history (drunk driving), and if it was his first visit for this purpose. Then she checked his breathing and he received his vaccines. He told them he had chickenpox and tried to show scars but they gave it to him anyway (one in each shoulder and one in the buttox) He recieved Tdap, Chicken Pox, and MMR. It cost about $360 in total. He paid with a US credit card in his name. Save the receipt and bring it when you return. We returned for the results at 4pm (though they didn't ask for the reciept. Check the info on the packet and DO NOT OPEN THE ENVELOPE. (he did not have a urine test)
INTERVIEW
Brought DS230 (unsigned),2 photos,medical packet copy of packet 3, and evidence...Arrived 20 mins before appointment. Security search (no belts, watches, cell phones etc allowed). Had to throw out sandwich, gum, water, hand sanitizer (man in front of him had to throw is watch out!).Though they did say you could rent a locker around the corner. Was asked for pasport and appt. letter. Was given number, walked to back area where he watched screen (they call AFTER your number passes, but sometimes they dont call. must watch screen). 30 mins later number appeared, went to wait in next area. Turned in passport, medical info 2photos (they wanted bigger ones, they seem to be used to the photos they take in front of the consulate) his birth cert and marriage cert (original and copy). At this window asked if it was our first marriage and if we have children together/apart, and where was I (USC wife). Then 30 mins later again for payment (used US credit card in his name- i just had him added as an Amex user with no SS, though they didnt ask for ID. In the event of a problem with a card, they give a pass to allow you to leave to bank and return).30 mins later went for finger prints, woman checked info from his birth cert (were you born in xTown, 19xxx, etc). Then 40-60 mins later he was called for interview. Took oath. Young male interviewer speaking Spanish. Friendly. Asked:
Who is (wife's name?)
Is she a US citizen born there?
Where did you guys meet?
How?
Did you start dating right away?
What was she doing there? (thesis for school...what was her thesis about?)
Where was she born? (he said the place i was born)
Where does she live? (he said my US address but said we have been living together in MExico for last 2 years)
How long have we been married for? (he said we have been together 5 years, but just got married 5 months ago)
Where were we married?
What does she do? (he said teacher, interviewer asked of what?)
Who is XXXXX(wife's mothers name, she was our sponsor)
What does she do for a living?
How long has she been doing it?
Where does she live (wifes mother)?
What do you do for work?
Have you been to US?
Canada? Where in Canada?
Problems with immigration? Police? (in spanish he sadi: entonces si te portas bien?)
Was not asked for ANY other docs.(not my birth cert, nor any copies of anything we'd ever sent, etc). He asked interviewer if he wanted to see pictures, interviewer said no thats fine you've been accepted. Felicidades. He paid DHL and was picked up by hotel shuttle. I stayed at hotel, which I was glad for ;-). Waiting area is seperate building. Whole thing took 3 hours from interview time!(interview was scheduled at 1:15, there was not a lot of people at this time).
DHL
Checked DHL that night there was something at about 6 that it the confirmation for sending was received or something, but all next morning, nothing!!! Went to DHL at 2pm with a couple who had their interview at same time as us they day before. They said that sometimes it takes an hour or 2 to show up on the computer but its actually there, so we all went to the DHL office on a whim. they got theirs, we didnt . So bummed. Rented antoher room at 5pm, checked again at 6, and it was there!!!!! Went running to DHL before it closed at 6. TIP-CHECK DHL ONLINE UNTIL 6PM FOR UPDATES!!!!!!!!
Border crossing:
We were assigned Zaragoza bridge (most people seemed to get Cordoba). We arrived at 8 pm, the hotel shuttle left us in front of the bridge and we walked across (about 5 mins). Then we entered an immigration building where we went right away to the window, they took the packet and said they would call us. It took about 8 mins for them to call us, and the passport was stamped!!! Then our passports were checked again, then we walked out with our baggage and got an el paso taxi to the airport La Quinta for $30USD (he took us to an ATM on the way). The bridge crossing was so easy and fast, but i heard it really depends on the time of day and the bridge, so make time ! Oh yeah, and like others have said, 5 pesos per person. Only bummer was El Paso Airport Quinta is a DUMP, especially compared to Juarez! who would have thought we would be longing for Juarez...what an adventure ;-)
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #6693