Denied K1 visa for doing "knocking rite",

[koffers 1]

my fiance had her interview at the U.S embassy in Ghana last week on January 21st, and she answered every question correctly, then she was asked if my family has met her family and she said yes, and she was asked again what they my family came to do and she said they came to perform "knocking rite" as done traditionally when you intend to marry someone. the consular then told her we are married and so she is going to return the case back and so we should filled for as marriage. she tried her best to let the consular know that she is "knocking rite" doesn't mean we are married, but she was paid attention to. My attorney has emailed the embassy for them to give her another interview base on misunderstanding because 'knocking rite' is not marriage and we have not married before not have any marriage certificate, but they haven't replied him back. i also contacted my Senator and she emailed them too to rescind their decision and give her another interview, but no answer back as of yet. Is there any other option out there since i can't filled for her as marriage because we are not.?

P.S my fiance says there were 3 other people denied by the same consular for the same reason. This is not very wrong because knocking rite is not marrige

[HFM181818 750]

A senator cannot legally ORDER a CO to do anything.

The best thing, assuming that this 'knocking rite' does not constitute marriage (and make doubly sure of this), then your attorney should write to the Consul General at the embassy, and have the situation explained thoroughly, with supporting legal evidence that this rite does not constitute marriage. It should not be somebody's opinion, but actual legal fact. I am surprised that the local embassy employees could not clarify this for the CO or the CG.

[MrsBonsu 138]

A senator cannot legally ORDER a CO to do anything.

The best thing, assuming that this 'knocking rite' does not constitute marriage (and make doubly sure of this), then your attorney should write to the Consul General at the embassy, and have the situation explained thoroughly, with supporting legal evidence that this rite does not constitute marriage. It should not be somebody's opinion, but actual legal fact. I am surprised that the local embassy employees could not clarify this for the CO or the CG.

.

Clarify lol, Ghana embassy consulars don't care, they love to denie

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

This is the usual BS from Ghana. A CO sleeping through local training customs class and a section chief to sign off without caring what it is about.

They need to replace the incompetent people there.

Get a custom narration sheet printed out where it says it is an "intent" to marry not a marriage itself. Look online for the custom, print it, have the lawyer send it.

Also get a 'bachelor certificate' from the registry in Ghana saying he is free to marry because he is not present in the registration files and therefore

not married.

Fight for a second interview. Then make a formal complaint through the lawyer AND both senators.

[HFM181818 750]

I wonder if the last two posters have ever been a CO? (I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that they have not)...but yet, they claim to be able to know who is competent and who isn't. Based on what knowledge and experience, out of curiosity? You've done how many interviews between you? None? Hmmmm.....

[koffers 1]

the Senator attached a site explaining what knocking rite is with her to the embassy on 21st, and we are yet to get reply from them. how do i get the direct email of the Consular General?

for those who doesn't know what knocking rite is,

In the traditional Ghanaian culture, the first step in the marriage process is called the "knocking on the door"... The man's parents and elder relatives or his mother and brother or sister (as in the Asante tribe), will approach the girl's family on his behalf by "knocking on the door" of her family's house to ask for permission from them to allow him to court her.

http://africanweddingtraditions.com/ghanaian-culture.html

[HFM181818 750]

go to the embassy's website and there should be a generic email address for the IV section or the consular section as a whole (or, you could ask the other two posters to intervene on your behalf)

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

I wonder if the last two posters have ever been a CO? (I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that they have not)...but yet, they claim to be able to know who is competent and who isn't. Based on what knowledge and experience, out of curiosity? You've done how many interviews between you? None? Hmmmm.....

With all due respect, It has absolutely nothing to do if I ever have served as a CO. It is blatantly obvious that the CO is grossly mistaken in her

perspective of what constitutes a marriage according to local customs, if she can't figure it out she needs to be reprimanded or replaced. Period.

My comment is based on logic and facts, not assumptions and speculation. There are many good CO's serving but let me enlighten you,

some have been found incompetent and were caught in bribery and fraud and that was that. CO's are human beings not demi gods and

screw up like other humans.

I do not care if you claim to be a CO, fact is fact and your condescending question 'have I ever conducted an interview' does not

intimidate me because it has nothing to do with the content of my post. Your defensiveness of other CO's screw ups is a bit off, especially when

you yourself posted that you are surprised about it. Obviously the CO has no interest in understanding local customs and local embassy staff

should not have to run after her educating her. If I am serving in a specific foreign country I make damn sure I dig deep into the customs before I

screw up people's lives just because I can with all that discretionary hoopla. Face it, some CO's do stupid things some of the times and in Ghana

it is past the threshold.

go to the embassy's website and there should be a generic email address for the IV section or the consular section as a whole (or, you could ask the other two posters to intervene on your behalf)

Seriously stop it with the sarcasm.

[koffers 1]

we've already used the email on the embassy website, and they don't reply to that email.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

we've already used the email on the embassy website, and they don't reply to that email.

They rarely do answer email. Let your lawyer handle it and contact a senator for intervening for custom clarification. File a formal complaint.

This is basic and the CO is mistaken.

[koffers 1]

please how do i file a formal complaint? try to be more specific so i will know what to do. Thanks

[HFM181818 750]

With all due respect, It has absolutely nothing to do if I ever have served as a CO. It is blatantly obvious that the CO is grossly mistaken in her

perspective of what constitutes a marriage according to local customs, if she can't figure it out she needs to be reprimanded or replaced. Period.

My comment is based on logic and facts, not assumptions and speculation. There are many good CO's serving but let me enlighten you,

some have been found incompetent and were caught in bribery and fraud and that was that. CO's are human beings not demi gods and

screw up like other humans.

I do not care if you claim to be a CO, fact is fact and your condescending question 'have I ever conducted an interview' does not

intimidate me because it has nothing to do with the content of my post. Your defensiveness of other CO's screw ups is a bit off, especially when

you yourself posted that you are surprised about it. Obviously the CO has no interest in understanding local customs and local embassy staff

should not have to run after her educating her. If I am serving in a specific foreign country I make damn sure I dig deep into the customs before I

screw up people's lives just because I can with all that discretionary hoopla. Face it, some CO's do stupid things some of the times and in Ghana

it is past the threshold.

Seriously stop it with the sarcasm.

[HFM181818 750]

Name 5 such COs....those who you believe are incompetent or accepted bribes...you know, the ones you personally prosecuted or identified....because you and many others believe that you know so much about being a CO, that you could replace any of them, that you know their job better than they do...which, since you've never been one and could never be one, is really, well, not even close to believable. As far as you 'enlightening' me about a profession for which you have zero knowledge and experience, well, that is even more unbelievable.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

Name 5 such COs....those who you believe are incompetent or accepted bribes...you know, the ones you personally prosecuted or identified....because you and many others believe that you know so much about being a CO, that you could replace any of them, that you know their job better than they do...which, since you've never been one and could never be one, is really, well, not even close to believable. As far as you 'enlightening' me about a profession for which you have zero knowledge and experience, well, that is even more unbelievable.

http://dailycaller.com/2013/07/07/u-s-embassy-official-in-guyana-removed-in-alleged-sex-for-visas-swindle/

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/embassy-officer-admits-taking-3m-bribes-visas/story?id=20807987

http://tuoitrenews.vn/society/10305/what-do-exworkers-at-us-consulate-in-hcmc-say

http://articles.latimes.com/1999/may/09/news/mn-35471/2

http://adst.org/2013/03/when-consular-officers-go-bad

Here is your reference in several links.

Again, your request for me to mention the ones I personally prosecuted or identified makes you sound a bit silly.

Obviously I am enlightening you since you aren't familiar with the facts in the links.

I am done being baited into an argument by you but since you called me out I answered.

I suggest you get back on topic and if you can't help the OP further then keep scrolling.

[Ebunoluwa 6,136]

please how do i file a formal complaint? try to be more specific so i will know what to do. Thanks

Here is some specific information for you to look at :

Old thread but relevant :

http://www.visajourn...eally-complain/

Written complaints can go (only by hard copy) to:

Public Inquiries Division

Bureau of Consular Affairs

U.S. Department of State

2401 E Street NW

Washington, DC 20522-0106.

https://oig.state.gov/hotline

Or just have the senator find where exactly to send a formal complaint, they would know. Since this same thing happens over and over

again in Ghana with the same CO you certainly have a valid issue.