ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
United KingdomThe United States of America - my thoughts so far
QUOTE (rkl57 @ Sep 10 2008, 10:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I agree with your point - and I'm being a little contrary because I agree that the Obama claim of "only in this country is my story possible" is annoying when the UK had a prime minister who ran away from the circus to become an accountant!


Running away from the circus to become an accountant is so romantic! luv.gif
bakofoilFemaleEngland2008-09-10 17:03:00
United KingdomThe United States of America - my thoughts so far
QUOTE (rkl57 @ Sep 10 2008, 09:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (saywhat @ Sep 10 2008, 03:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Nope, it's preposterous to claim that the US is at ease with the idea of a black head of government and the UK isnt


And that's not what I was suggesting ....only that we have come much closer to achieving it. I guess I'm tired of my UK friends wondering if "america is ready for a black president" and if we don't elect him we are "racist" when in fact the UK is quite far from doing that themselves. And as someone who in a former life as a social research analyst interviewed Met police in work that would underpin the McPherson Report - lets just say I always become very contrary when UK people insist they are "better" when it comes to race relations than we are in the US. and I'm the first to say in the US we have a long way to go.


You know, I actually agree with most of the points you make. I don't think Britain can claim any superiority over the US on race relations until we have lived through the experience of the possibility of the election of a non-white prime minister. However, it is also unfair to compare Britain to the US in terms of achievement when the population differences are so large. When I was pondering the question of who is comparable in British Politics to Obama, Powell, Rice etc. the only person I could come up with was Bill Morris, the TGWU leader who now has a seat in the House of Lords. Obviously there are people like Paul Boateng and Valerie Amos who have been cabinet ministers but I'm not sure to what extent we can draw comparisons when American politics operates on a much larger stage. Not making excuses - just pondering the validity of a comparison.
bakofoilFemaleEngland2008-09-10 16:43:00
United Kingdombacon n egg buttie
Real back bacon! Is there such a thing as a butcher in the US, where they get a whole animal and you can go and get a slice just the way you like it? Poor animals. It was bacon that brought me back from vegetarianism. Bacon is evil!
bakofoilFemaleEngland2008-09-11 12:39:00
United KingdomLondon Embassy K-1 Interview c. 2001
Haha, yes I knew what you meant. So many forms and so very little new information to add. I just drew from your idea about having the embassy look at everything and say yay or nay to lead to more efficiency this side of the process. The K-1 work issue is one that particularly irritates me.
bakofoilFemaleEngland2008-09-12 15:13:00
United KingdomLondon Embassy K-1 Interview c. 2001
QUOTE (Poiteen @ Sep 12 2008, 07:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I never have, and will never understand why all the paperwork can't be submitted on the same day. I-130 or I-129f all the way through to the I-1864 and DS-230. Every single piece of information they will ever want. All at the same time, and then they say yay or nay. If it's a fiance visa they issue the visa at once and the GC once you show them the marriage cert. Very easy, efficient and relativley painless. Why why why why???? do they have to make the process so drawn out and repetitive


Yeah, I totally agree. Having provided all that evidence for the K1 visa at both USCIS petition stage and at the embassy, I don't understand why stateside, you're not allowed to work at least, without having to wait out yet another application approval. I can see them being cautious about giving a permanent GC until the marriage is a couple of years old.
bakofoilFemaleEngland2008-09-12 14:50:00
USCIS Service CentersUSCIS Processing Times v. Visajourney estimate
QUOTE (Sinuprit @ Sep 22 2007, 07:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (babblesgirl @ Sep 15 2007, 07:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Does anyone know why when USCIS publish their weekly updates via the USCIS Application and Receipting Update that only certain forms are specified?

For example:

California Service Center

Form Number Date Received

I-130 8/08/2007
N-400 7/26/2007
All Other Forms 9/06/2007

The reason I ask is I notice a gap on the VJ timeline search from 8/08/2007 to 8/25/2007 for people not receiving NOA1's on the I-129F petition at CSC and wondered whether the I-129F petitions are included in the I-130 data and not 'All other forms' as I'd originally assumed.

Thanks


same doubt for me


Ok, maybe I should rephrase my question. Does anyone know categorically whether I-129F petitions are classed as 'all other forms' or not?
bakofoilFemaleEngland2007-09-23 22:31:00
USCIS Service CentersUSCIS Processing Times v. Visajourney estimate
Does anyone know why when USCIS publish their weekly updates via the USCIS Application and Receipting Update that only certain forms are specified?

For example:

California Service Center

Form Number Date Received

I-130 8/08/2007
N-400 7/26/2007
All Other Forms 9/06/2007

The reason I ask is I notice a gap on the VJ timeline search from 8/08/2007 to 8/25/2007 for people not receiving NOA1's on the I-129F petition at CSC and wondered whether the I-129F petitions are included in the I-130 data and not 'All other forms' as I'd originally assumed.

Thanks
bakofoilFemaleEngland2007-09-14 18:27:00
USCIS Service CentersHonor Date Recd.
USCIS state they honour the date they receive your application and process applications according to the 'received date'. In our case, our NOA1 notice was not issued until two months after we sent in the application and the notice did acknowledge the correct 'received date'.

In practical terms so many applications are received by the service centers that it is difficult for them to strictly adhere to order of receipt. It is my understanding that adjudicators pick up a box of files and commence processing the contents. Different adjudicators will complete batches at different times so it is common to see people who filed later than you being approved earlier.

In our case, we saw a lot of July filers being approved before Christmas and are now seeing August filers being approved. However, there is still a significant amount of people from July who are still awaiting approval, so in theory our petition should be adjudicated very soon.

Some petitions are more involved than others and this can slow down the processing of a particular batch. It is useful to look at the 'waiting for an NOA2 from ....' threads as there are a number of generous people who post lists of approvals and pending applications which can give you a reasonable idea of when your application might be processed. It is worth noting though that VJ members represent only a minority of visa applicants so there are many more approvals happening than we actually witness.

I genuinely don't feel that the service centers can do much more to ensure that petitions are processed in order. They receive a lot of applications! One thing I do mind though is that the two service centers are unable to keep within reasonable pace of each other. VSC is well on the way to completing September applications whilst CSC is only just starting to approve August filers. If this is because CSC are working on other immigration applications (like AOS, EAD, work visas etc.) then surely VSC could lighten the load somewhat rather than storming away approving K1 petitions so fast. This would benefit all visa applicants. Nothing personal to those of you fortunate enough to file at VSC for K1.

I'm sorry I just noticed that yours is a CR1 application, my post is based around K1 fiance petitions because that is my main experience. I'm sure it applies to spousal visas too.

Edited by babblesgirl, 27 January 2008 - 11:51 AM.

bakofoilFemaleEngland2008-01-27 11:48:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)VISA Question
QUOTE (biggrlsblouse @ Feb 14 2008, 08:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yeah, but I am wondering about him now.


I understand. But, if you iron things out with him and come to some agreement on a way forward, the last thing you need is to be paying USCIS another $455. So, don't be hasty cancelling anything because it could take 3-6 months to approve anyway.

I totally sympathise with your situation. If you want my opjnion, and it is just an opinion, the onus is on him now to explain to you why he agreed that you would petition for him to come to the US to marry before he had been completely honest with you about his past. If he wants to marry you then he should be able to trust you - and you him.
bakofoilFemaleEngland2008-02-14 16:04:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)VISA Question
QUOTE (biggrlsblouse @ Feb 14 2008, 08:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (babblesgirl @ Feb 14 2008, 12:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well, it's a difficult one - saving yourself $455 and canceling the petition now (will your fee even be returned?) or using the time between now and your NOA2 approval to work out what each of you want.

I can't advise you on that sad.gif I'm genuinely sorry that this is happening to you. I hope you come to a resolution that suits both of you.


The money is gone. They told me that on the phone today.


No need to cancel then. You bought yourself some time.
bakofoilFemaleEngland2008-02-14 15:51:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)VISA Question
Well, it's a difficult one - saving yourself $455 and canceling the petition now (will your fee even be returned?) or using the time between now and your NOA2 approval to work out what each of you want.

I can't advise you on that sad.gif I'm genuinely sorry that this is happening to you. I hope you come to a resolution that suits both of you.
bakofoilFemaleEngland2008-02-14 15:36:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)VISA Question
QUOTE (AlHayatZween @ Feb 14 2008, 07:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ooops!
I'm sorry... for some reason, i thought she was the beneficiary and she was asking about her petitioner having a record. Sorry about that. blush.gif

Yes, IMBRA only concerns the petitioner.
If it is your second K1 petition for the same person within two years, you'd still have to do the IMBRA regardless of the marriage broker aspect.


Sorry for any confusion,
hz


S'ok! It's going to be a relevant point if she cancelled the previous petition. We're only assuming at the moment that she didn't cancel.
bakofoilFemaleEngland2008-02-14 14:34:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)VISA Question
QUOTE (CBR @ Feb 14 2008, 07:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I don't see anything in the OP's post saying they used a marriage broker or even how they met. What would IMBRA have to do with their situation?

Also the i129f is filled out by the petitioner and doesn't ask about the beneficiary's criminal record. I believe they ask for that info later when they send you the packet from the embassy. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong. (i read the form just now and don't see any questions about the beneficiary's criminal hx)

If he wasn't prosecuted for the shoplifting what exactly did they do? Would there be a record of it? Or was he young and they let him go with a verbal warning?
I don't think the domestic abuse situation sounds good at all. I also don't know that asking here on VJ is going to give you a definitive answer to that question as we all know the adjucators vary in their opinions on things as simple as dating photographs, using n/a or none, etc... Some are more ####### than others it seems and they also interpret the USCIS guidelines slightly different.

If your love is strong and worth it to you I wouldn't think that the cost involved in continuing the process would matter. I'd fight for my relationship until all avenues were exhausted. Then we'd move to another country to be together.

Do you really know him well enough if you just found out these MAJOR situations in his past ? I'd wonder what else there is. I don't want to sound judgemental here, just suggesting you might want to think about that. Only you know the answer to that.
I wish you the best of luck figuring this out!

Edit: Babblesgirl you beat me to it and stated my thoughts exactly and much more clearly. smile.gif


Hey CBR, good to see you.
You're right about the petition stage. USCIS are only concerned with the petitioner's eligibility. Nothing anywhere about the beneficiary's criminal background.
However, this will come up at the consular stage and I think the CO will want to be satisfied that the petitioner is aware of the beneficiary's domestic violence conviction. So, it's a good job he did tell her now.
And you didn't sound judgemental at all good.gif

I should edit that to say the CO may want to be satisfied. No guarantees of anything being asked but best to be prepared.

Edited by babblesgirl, 14 February 2008 - 02:27 PM.

bakofoilFemaleEngland2008-02-14 14:24:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)VISA Question
Did you end up cancelling your check or anything? What I'm asking is did the petition go to USCIS without any interruption from you?

As far as the I-129F application is concerned, the petition only asks for the USC's criminal status. So, at this stage your fiance has not (fortunately) misrepresented any details to anyone but you.

He will have to be honest about these at the embassy interview as well as present a police certificate which will show these convictions anyway. If you are OK with what has happened then I think it will be ok. The embassy will be concerned that you know about the domestic violence incident and that you are happy to go ahead and marry him. I don't think any waiver is required but someone else may be able to guide you better on this;

Here is the relevant info about ineligibility on criminal grounds: (SOURCE>>> http://travel.state....ities_1364.html )

(A) Conviction of certain crimes.-

(i) In general.-Except as provided in clause (ii), any alien convicted of, or who admits having committed, or who admits committing acts which constitute the essential elements of-

(I) a crime involving moral turpitude (other than a purely political offense or an attempt or conspiracy to commit such a crime), or

(II) a violation of (or a conspiracy or attempt to violate) any law or regulation of a State, the United States, or a foreign country relating to a controlled substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802)), is inadmissible.

(ii) Exception.-Clause (i)(I) shall not apply to an alien who committed only one crime if-

(I) the crime was committed when the alien was under 18 years of age, and the crime was committed (and the alien released from any confinement to a prison or correctional institution imposed for the crime) more than 5 years before the date of application for a visa or other documentation and the date of application for admission to the United States, or

(II) the maximum penalty possible for the crime of which the alien was convicted (or which the alien admits having committed or of which the acts that the alien admits having committed constituted the essential elements) did not exceed imprisonment for one year and, if the alien was convicted of such crime, the alien was not sentenced to a term of imprisonment in excess of 6 months (regardless of the extent to which the sentence was ultimately executed).


Make sure you're happy with the fact that he did not disclose this to you until now. Good luck!

Edited by babblesgirl, 14 February 2008 - 02:06 PM.

bakofoilFemaleEngland2008-02-14 14:02:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)Another waiver question
good luck panamania, i think you are making the right decision smile.gif
bakofoilFemaleEngland2008-09-19 21:27:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)Another waiver question
QUOTE (panamania79 @ Sep 18 2008, 12:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (emt103c @ Aug 7 2008, 07:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If you get married next month while your waiver is being adjudicated, nothing is valid anymore. Your k1 can not longer be used, and gets canceled, and you have to start all over again.

As long as I-130's are taking this could set you back another year, plus you lose whatever time you've already spent in line for 601 adjudication and will have to file that again as well.



The thing of it is,they haven't even touched the waiver yet wacko.gif and they claim they have no record of interviewing me on June 3rd.This is why I am seriously considering getting married and starting over.But this time doing the CR-1 visa.


Can your congressman intervene again? I can understand your frustration and wanting to get married and just start over - but I don't see how that will help speed things up. I'm sorry you've had to go through this. Good luck with whatever you decide.
bakofoilFemaleEngland2008-09-17 19:35:00