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| Juarez, Mexico |  Review on January 26, 2012: |
SSGMullie
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
I was the petitioner and the plan was to meet my wife and children at the La Quinta Hotel in Juarez on the 11th of January. We had an ASC Appointment on the 15th and interview scheduled on the 18th.
Movement to Juarez:
• Airport to Juarez: I flew into El Paso International Airport from Philadelphia on the 11th and used a Border Taxi Cab for the movement to Ciudad Juarez and the hotel. The Border cabs are located directly across the street from the main doors of the Baggage Claim area. Green and White with Border Cab painted on the doors.
• Cost = $85.00 US (probably a little high but so be it.)
• Summary: The ride from El Paso to Juarez was approximately 20 minutes and was typical of what one could expect from a taxi ride as there were no significant events of note. I was surprised at the lack of security crossing into Mexico as my identification was never checked, was not questioned as to the purpose of my visit nor was I issued an FMM which is typical during air travel. Crazy.
La Quinta Hotel:
• Location: La Quinta is located about 1500 meters or so northwest of the Consulate on Avenue Ejercito Nacional and if desired, is within walking distance.
• Cost: We had a 2 room Jr Suite that contained 2 TVs, a refrigerator and microwave. The cost was 62.00 US per night using a Sams Club Discount. My wife and I plus an 18 year old and 9 year old female.
• The hotel service: Excellent in all phases!
• Breakfast: Excellent as well with typical Mexican food and also fruit, bread, sweet breads, dry cereal, milk, juice, coffee and tea. In addition, if you open the door to the kitchen (adjacent to the coffee bar) and ask one of the women for waffles they will cook up some very nice, large waffles!
• Transportation Services: A shuttle van is available for all movement to the consulate, clinics and ASC appointments. They begin at 600am and continue until about 7 or 8pm. In addition, if you ask, they will take you to the malls, Wal-Mart and Smart. If you have an early morning flight you will need to use a taxi as their shuttle to the Airport does not begin until Noon due to the heavy volume of use for the consulate process.
• Summary: I would highly recommend this hotel, yes it is not as close as some hotels but the service, staff and food were all above average.
DAY 1 – Medical Clinic – 12 JAN 12
• We arrived at the CLINICA MEDICA INTERNACIONAL at 730am and chose this clinic for no other reason than there was not a line of people when we arrived. They are strict here and the guard outside can be a pain in the rear. Do not use cell phones or any electronics and if you can get away with not brining a purse then do so, no hats or sunglasses too. Ensure you have your DS-260 confirmation page, letter indicating your appointment from the consulate ( we did not have this) and or a printout from
http://usvisa-info.com/es-MX/selfservice/ss_country_welcome
(We used this as proof.)
• Vaccines: My Wife and two children brought their National Vaccine Card with them in order to prove that no vaccines were required. It did not matter and all three were given vaccines. In my opinion this is simply another way for both governments to earn cash and it cost an additional 400.00 US for unneeded vaccines. My advice, bring your proof of vaccines but be prepared to pay for more as this can stop your process.
•Exams: All three of my family members were required to have X-ray, blood drawn, eye exam and submit to a urinalysis. As well, the typical questions were asked, STD’s, Tattoos, piercings, drug use, alcohol use, prescription drugs and height and weight.
• TB Test: My youngest daughter had to return the following morning to get a TB Test.
•PAYMENT: The only reason I was allowed inside the clinic was due to my wife explaining to the guard that I was paying the fee so if your significant other is with you and paying ensure this is explained to the guard. The cost for my family was $1011.00 US and I paid using a US Bank Card (Debit).
• Results: My Wife and oldest daughter returned at 3PM to pick up their medical results.
DAY 2 – Medical Clinic – 13 JAN 12
• Arrived at the clinic at 730AM and youngest daughter was administered the TB Test with instructions to return on Monday for the results.
DAY 3 – ASC – 14 JAN 12
• Location: The ASC office is located next to the consulate in a small area that resembles an American strip mall. It is the furthest office from the street that is bordered to the left and right by small businesses.
• Documents: (Again, No Cell phones or electronics, hats/sunglasses) Arrived at the ASC Office at 800am and there was a decent amount of people in line with many turned away for not having the proper paperwork. Again, ensure you have the DS-260 confirmation page and the printout confirming your ASC and Interview dates.
• Process: You will be photographed, fingerprinted, interview will be confirmed and DHL delivery instructions will be confirmed as well. In all the process took 10 minutes but will depend on how many people are there, for us in total was an hour and 15 minutes or so.
• Summary: This step was painless as long as you have the proper paperwork. The workers inside were respectful and helpful.
DAY 4 – Nothing Scheduled – 15 JAN 12
DAY 5 – Medical Clinic – 16 JAN 12
• TB Results: Returned to the clinic at 800am and received a pass for the TB Test and the final Medical results for the youngest child.
• Summary: The medical process is horrible according to my wife and children. The doctors and nurses are rude and have an attitude that projects the power to stop your process. As I mentioned above it is needlessly expensive but the bottom line is you will go no further in the process without completing medical. My advice, be polite, ask about the vaccines, pay the cost and move on to the next step.
DAY 6 – Nothing Scheduled – 17 JAN 12
DAY 7 – Interview – 18 JAN 12
• Arrival: 645 am at the Consulate for a 715am appointment. Initial screenings to ensure you have an appointment, documents are in order and that no persons are in possession of restricted items. Once clear then proceed to the Embassy office area and you will be instructed where to go upon your arrival.
• 2nd Screening: Wife and children were sent to a window that requested all birth certificates, Affidavit of Support, Tax returns and marriage certificate. Once complete she was instructed to watch a small, wall mounted TV screen for her name and when it was highlighted in red she was to move to a numbered window.
• At the Interview Window: Customs Officer asked when and where we were married, was I the father or step father of the children, did she have pictures of the wedding court (We did not) and then asked the children their ages, stamped the passports and said Congratulations, your visas are approved.
• Summary: All the people in the consulate were helpful, respectful and professional. With that said, have your documents in order and bring all the proof that you used during the other phases of this process (USCIS and NVC) as we talked to many people in the hotel that were denied for a reason as simple as not having any pictures. Follow the directions to the letter and bring everything you need to prove your marriage to the interview as this is your time to shine.
Ciudad Juarez:
In my opinion, Juarez is much safer than the media and others would have you believe. I’ve been in dangerous spots many times in my life so that little voice inside you that screams danger works for me and not one time in Juarez did I feel danger. In fact, I felt and seen more danger in Acapulco and some parts of Philadelphia and Chicago than I felt there. With that said, I did not go outdoors much past 7 or 8pm, did not use bank machines other than inside a bank and ate in locations near the malls. Point being, conduct yourself as you would in any large American City and you should be fine and have a positive experience.
There is a large S-Mart (think Wegmans or Weis Markets) east of La Quinta (about 600 meters) that we frequently ate at as it was reasonable, popular with the locals and had an abundance of food options. It is a short walk, 6-8 minutes and is within line of site of the hotel. If you ask the front desk they will shuttle you to the location. It is a good idea to carry the business card of the hotel in the event that you walk somewhere but do not want to walk back as they typically will pick up at any location within the immediate consulate area.
If you need more details feel free to email me and I help in any way that I can.
Thanks again to all the VJ folks for their hard work and information. Good Luck and God Bless.
Rick
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #9061