ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Philippines63 year old Filipina with Tourist Visa and valid documents deported. POE: SeaTac

 
 
As said before, if this went down exactly as reported then we have a problem and people should be held accountable
 
Based on my 52 years of life experience  I smell some "something ain't exactly right here"
 
when the truth comes out I almost guarantee you there is more to this story





Exactly. There's always two sides to a story. For sure, Philippine media would latch onto it (and possibly blew it up). You know, Filipina being treated badly, drama, etc.

If she works for ADB and from a well off family, then it's possible that she has connections including the media (particularly ABS CBN) that's why the story ran. Haven't seen any other news outfits that ran the same story though. Will check.

Now, I'm not saying it didn't happen, but all people can do is just speculate.

Edited by Erika & Chris, 10 October 2013 - 09:53 AM.





Mrs.PressonFemalePhilippines2013-10-10 09:52:00
Philippines63 year old Filipina with Tourist Visa and valid documents deported. POE: SeaTac

I wonder what the full story is.

 

Yeah makes me wonder too. There's always two sides to every story. :\


Mrs.PressonFemalePhilippines2013-10-09 13:49:00
Philippines63 year old Filipina with Tourist Visa and valid documents deported. POE: SeaTac
Wow. Just wow. Well this was reported by ABS-CBN on their website. Read on.

http://www.abs-cbnne...-horror-trip-us


Mrs.PressonFemalePhilippines2013-10-08 00:33:00
PhilippinesTraveling to Palawan (Coron)...where to stay??

I vote for Mommita's Lodge (http://mommitaslodge.jimdo.com/). It may not be a 3-star hotel, but Mommita will take care of your every need. Inquire about packages you can avail of. It usually is cheap but she'll take care of other arrangements like full board, transportation, food (even prepared food for your island hopping trips!), bangkeros (boatmen), etc. etc. She'll take you to the Hot Springs in Coron, multiple island hopping trips. The rooms are air-conditioned. She'll make sure you're well taken cared of. If you do pick her, you'll notice that there's a wall of photos by the door that she takes pride of. Photos of visitors and repeat visitors. I don't know if she'll remember me but just mention "Erika Canlas" referred you. Our family of 11 went there about 2 years ago, including my grandfather. We rented the whole place. It's quite near the docks too. :)


Mrs.PressonFemalePhilippines2013-10-13 18:45:00
PhilippinesUS Embassy Manila Interview - K1 Visa (On Administrative Processing; Denied Co-sponsorship; Issued 221g; CO on Power Trip?)

Mrs. Presson, I am happy to read that you guys were approved and have moved on thru the process.  Sorry that it happened, and while I understand why the CO did what he did, I call bull$hit on what they did to you.  I know of others on here who have gotten approved who were nowhere near the 125% mark, and they used a co-sponsor.  It is truly unfair and frustrating that the COs have the power to pick and choose who sneaks by on the 125% rule (which is TECHNICALLY supposed to be a 100% rule at the USEM; 125% is supposed to happen at AOS time).  Sorry for the added stress, but glad you guys made it!

 

Thank you! It's all in the past now. (And I bet that CO was already put in his 'place' by now. Especially with involving Congressman Cramer's office.)

 

But yes, it's quite unfair. And really CONFUSING. They were giving us so many answers as to what it really was. Exact words that came from the CO's mouth was 100%. My then-fiancé-now-husband asked him twice if it's 125% or 100%. He responded with 100%. The woman on the IV Unit phone call however told us we didn't make the 125%.

 

Everything's fine now. I'm here. Married. Already have my EAD/AP Combo card and waiting on our AOS Approval. Apart from my husband being promoted, he got his pay raise in August 2013, and he got another pay raise a week ago. We're DEFINITELY above 125% now.

 

All thanks to the VJ community's support, prayers and well wishes! :)


Edited by Mrs.Presson, 15 December 2013 - 09:59 PM.

Mrs.PressonFemalePhilippines2013-12-15 21:55:00
PhilippinesUS Embassy Manila Interview - K1 Visa (On Administrative Processing; Denied Co-sponsorship; Issued 221g; CO on Power Trip?)

I'm thrilled. You seemed so heart-broken, glad the magic worked. We are waiting for our packet after our NOA2 arrived but ours is pretty easy-we have been married 2 years+ and have a baby, so..it has gone easily so far. Overjoyed for you-Praise God, you'll be going home.

Wow I'm sorry I wasn't able to say thank you for your reply! Better late than never, I guess? How are things coming along? Is your family here in the US with you now? smile.png

 

Hello everyone. smile.png I have a question here regarding our interview date here in Manila US Embassy, it took very far from what we expected. I paid all the fees that we needed to for K1 and K2 last December 12-13, 2013. When I made an appointment for the interview it all shows that the appointments are available on APRIL 2014. I don't know if this happens all the time that we have to wait for like 4 months for the interview. I am hoping that we can have much earlier appointment on January 2014 so that we can celebrate our son's 7th birthday in Disneyland. sad.png is there any possibility that appointments can be earlier than this? Please help me. Thank you very much.

Hi caefie19, I think that is the case for everyone else at this point. April 2014 are the next available slots for interview. I know someone who's trying to book their interview date too.

 

Best bet would be, try to call US Embassy Manila? Best of luck to you! I hope you guys can grant your son's birthday wish. smile.png


Edited by Mrs.Presson, 15 December 2013 - 08:16 PM.

Mrs.PressonFemalePhilippines2013-12-15 20:15:00
PhilippinesUS Embassy Manila Interview - K1 Visa (On Administrative Processing; Denied Co-sponsorship; Issued 221g; CO on Power Trip?)

Congratulations! I'm happy to hear that everything worked out. God bless!

 

Justin

 

Thank you, Justin! I'm still on Cloud9. Still can't believe the outside push from his representative worked! (Just like RobertDski said.) <3

 

~Erika


Erika, have Chris contact his Congressperson, House of Representative person and see if she/he can intervene. At this stage, you may need an outside push- it really can't hurt. RobertD

 

Also, Thank you RoberDski for making this suggestion. :)


Mrs.PressonFemalePhilippines2013-07-08 08:51:00
PhilippinesUS Embassy Manila Interview - K1 Visa (On Administrative Processing; Denied Co-sponsorship; Issued 221g; CO on Power Trip?)

^^^  Congratz guyz!star_smile.gif

 

Thank you, Tahoma! :)


Mrs.PressonFemalePhilippines2013-07-08 03:33:00
PhilippinesUS Embassy Manila Interview - K1 Visa (On Administrative Processing; Denied Co-sponsorship; Issued 221g; CO on Power Trip?)

 

That is a very good sign.   Hopefully that means I can uncross my toes... smile.png

 

Take a check using this website

 

http://www.ustraveld...trackingoptions

 

You may uncross your toes now! HAHA. THANK YOUUUUUU!


Mrs.PressonFemalePhilippines2013-07-05 14:41:00
PhilippinesUS Embassy Manila Interview - K1 Visa (On Administrative Processing; Denied Co-sponsorship; Issued 221g; CO on Power Trip?)

I'm surprised that you weren't approved at your interview, especially since your fiancé attended the interview with you.

 

I've seen many Manila K-1ers approved who had more difficult circumstances than your circumstances.  Just last year, a friend of mine was approved despite the fact that his petitioner had no income whatsoever, and no assets either!

 

At this point, given the circumstances, I think you've made the best financial case possible.  Since the Embassy has something "ready" for you, I think you'll get your answer soon.  I hope the consular officer looked at the "totality of the circumstances" and approved your visa.  Good luck.

 

HUGE UPDATE!!!!!!!!

 

It's 3:36am. I'm WIDE AWAKE. Christopher woke me up with a phone call and told me to check my email and it was from the Congressional Aide.

 

Subject: Good News

Hi Chris!

I just got off the phone with my contact at the Department of State. She said that she spoke with the Manila consular office. They told her that they had reviewed the additional information you sent in, approved it and will be issuing the visa soon (if not already).

Let?s hope it is smooth sailing from here on out!
 

Kate ____________
Constituent Services









 

 

THIS IS THE BEST. NEWS. EVER. <3


Mrs.PressonFemalePhilippines2013-07-05 14:38:00
PhilippinesUS Embassy Manila Interview - K1 Visa (On Administrative Processing; Denied Co-sponsorship; Issued 221g; CO on Power Trip?)

Keep the faith Erika...it will happen for you...

Thank you, Steve! smile.png

 

 

I reread the OP and I wanted to add a couple of comments.

 

First, I noticed that the co-sponsor was not a relative, but a friend. While we used a co-sponsor our co-sponsor was an immediate relative. During my wife's interview most of the questions were actually directed at me and were for the most part light-hearted. It was pointed out though that had our co-sponsor not been an immediate relative we would have been denied. While this may or may not have been something that could have been appealed it would have taken a lot of time and energy I was glad to avoid. Once you are in the US and need a co-sponsor for your AoS anyone will do, but it seems the individual embassies and their staff have a lot of discretion as to what they consider to be valid co-sponsors or even if they'll accept a co-sponsor in the first place.

 

Second, the consul is never going to consider your earning potential in the US. As far as anyone is concerned your income will always be inconsequential during this phase of immigration. Until you are in the US, have a job, and are earning income the only thing the consul is concerned about is how much your fiance or spouse earns and their assets.

 

I wish you both the best of luck getting this situation resolved in a timely manner.

 

Thanks for the well wishes! smile.png

 

 

I'm sorry for your experience. Back in 2010, we had a similar experience. Back then my fiancé was just a senior in college so he had no income, his dad was our co-sponsor. However, he was in military school so we informed them at my interview that he would commission into the army in a few months. He also attended the interview with me and just like you, the co denied our co-sponsor and told us he was hesitant to approve us given that he was only a student. But back then I was working in shanghai as a speech therapist for one of the Int'l schools there so we explained that the speech therapy field was marketable and employment for me wouldn't be hard, plus that he would have income beginning May when he commissioned. He approved us. When time came for AOS he already met the income requirements without a co-sponsor. I guess maybe they have gotten stricter since 2010. I hope that you get approved soon.

Ps. I'm from UP too!

 

Thank you for sharing your experience, dear! smile.png

 

 

UPDATE:

Our Case Status on CEAC has changed today to "READY". I don't know if this was because of my call last Monday. Or the fact that Christopher contacted his representatives and a congressional aide has put in an official inquiry on our case the past couple of days. (Also, I didn't call on Wednesday, was waiting to call next week, so as not to irritate Embassy employees. Hee.)

 

I'm just glad that it was sent back for review, and hopefully, they'd reconsider his assets and savings too.

 

The fiance also learned today that his employer just granted him life insurance benefit worth 1-year of salary. Benefits count too, so this should put us above the 125%. Again, we'll be preparing additional paperwork just in case we get contacted for more evidence of current sustained income, and this time with his pay stubs reflecting his pay raise as CS Manager. smile.png

 

Still hoping for the best!


Edited by Erika & Chris, 04 July 2013 - 11:34 PM.

Mrs.PressonFemalePhilippines2013-07-04 23:32:00
PhilippinesUS Embassy Manila Interview - K1 Visa (On Administrative Processing; Denied Co-sponsorship; Issued 221g; CO on Power Trip?)

Erika, can he get a letter with his new promotion and salary ahead of time? In the company i work in, we receive those about a month or so before the new salary kicks in.  Not sure if that will apply to his company, but perhaps see if his boss will accommodate.


hi nj27! yes, he'll probably be able to get that by August/September. His annual increase kicks in at the end of September/early October. so we'll wait it out. :)

 
I will keep positive vibes going for you both!
 
It would be great to get this resolved without a "do over"
 
After they do a full review I would believe they would send a letter out, and maybe even an email if they have it in their system.





Thank you, Hank_! :D Really appreciate the moral support.


Mrs.PressonFemalePhilippines2013-07-02 20:28:00
PhilippinesUS Embassy Manila Interview - K1 Visa (On Administrative Processing; Denied Co-sponsorship; Issued 221g; CO on Power Trip?)

 

Well the I-864 isn't a guarantee but its the best suggestion I have read about, its been used in the past by those accepted... but like said Manila is not known for accepting co-sponsors with the K-1.

 

Sucks I know.

 

Glad you still have your work.  Hang in there.  Endeavor to persevere (from Outlaw Josey Wales)

 

If your file gets kicked back to NVC or NRC  not sure if there is much value in pursuing things further with that petition.  Haven't read much from VJ'ers where this has happened.

 

Yes to go the CR-1 route mean starting over. 

 

The CO said we have 365 days from the interview date to prove his current sustained income. With savings and assets, banks statements and such, we submitted that over the interview. Our savings should be enough for a couple of dollars short of the 125%. We'll see if there's a miracle somewhere. If not, again, there's still the annual pay raise in Aug/Sep.

 

It's been just 10 days since they received our 221g docs (on AP), and reviewed last Friday (June 28). From what I understood in the AP/221g instructions, when they're done with the FULL REVIEW of our case and if they need anything from us, they'd contact us, right?

 

Let's just hope for the best!

 


Mrs.PressonFemalePhilippines2013-07-02 13:37:00
PhilippinesUS Embassy Manila Interview - K1 Visa (On Administrative Processing; Denied Co-sponsorship; Issued 221g; CO on Power Trip?)

 

USEM is known for being very difficult about accepting co-sponsors for the K-1 visa, most are NOT accepted. 

 

The ones here on VJ that have been accepted have added the I-864 along with the I-134, for both petitioner and co-sponsor.   What form did you use for yourself and the co-sponsor, the I-134 or the I-864 ?

 

125% is well known as THE NUMBER, the CO may of mis-spoke when saying 100%, maybe he is new or whatever, but 125% is the number.  125% is mentioned continually here on VJ.

 

If you have savings and assets that you could have presented, maybe you can still get bank statements/account statements to save this.... maybe.   Most times the CO's word is final.

 

Worse case is you may have to go the CR-1 route, get married in the Phils, as the embassy HAS to accept a co-sponsor with the CR-1.

 

Yes the CO is sort of a "god"... but it doesn't sound like he was on a power trip, it sounds like the financial evidence you provided was inadequate leaving him no choice.   A dollar short of the 125% is not meeting or exceeding the guidelines, the CO has rules to follow, if he fudged on those the next CO that reviews your file after the interview would catch it and you would still be in the boat you are in.

 

Hi Hank_,

 

Yes we did do both, I-134 and I-864, Even had a notarized cover letter from the co-sponsor stating that he is well aware of all the legal implications of the I-864.

 

I still plan to call on tomorrow and just find out what more proof they need. If his actual recent paystubs since going back to the US would be fine since it would reflect a lot of regular overtime which would put him more than 125%.

 

To All,

 

Already talked to my fiance about this, and he said to just find out what I can tomorrow. I still have my job, though they already know at work that I'm undergoing the K1 process and is on Administrative Processing, I still am welcome to stay for as long as I need to. From what my superior said, they still need me around. So make the most out of it, right? Keep myself busy till August/September.

 

CR-1 route means he'd have to apply for another petition, correct? We'll just cross the bridge when we get there. There still are options left, for now. :)

 

Again, thanks for all your input! Highly appreciate it.


Mrs.PressonFemalePhilippines2013-07-02 13:02:00
PhilippinesUS Embassy Manila Interview - K1 Visa (On Administrative Processing; Denied Co-sponsorship; Issued 221g; CO on Power Trip?)

Thanks for all your comments! I mainly posted this (well originally intended to) be some sort of a guide with the Embassy Interview. Which documents to prepare, windows to watch out for, waiting periods, etc. But decided to pour in everything all in one.

 

I do understand the whole thing. There still is hope. His annual pay raise is coming up and that would put him well above the 125%. (Actually he regularly gets overtime so he is above 125% right now; but they are actually looking for the correct Hourly rate to go above 125%) So we're banking on that raise. But that won't come till August or September. So I will probably update you guys on our case sometime after that. :)


Mrs.PressonFemalePhilippines2013-07-02 12:49:00
PhilippinesUS Embassy Manila Interview - K1 Visa (On Administrative Processing; Denied Co-sponsorship; Issued 221g; CO on Power Trip?)

It is really a very long story smile.png but hopefully you will get an answer on Wednesday, the embassy will not guarantee the response time but they usually give you the right timing. for the AP no one can know the duration for this process but you have only to wait and pray, don?t read many stories about the AP because you will only hear about the people waited for months and years , I personally know cases that the AP took only 2 weeks.

 

Hi, Thank you for the comment. Indeed it is a very long story. My apologies for that, It was supposedly a step-by-step review of the USEM K1 Interview, but I decided on letting everyone know about the full story on what happened as well as updates.

 

The main thing about it is:

1) I felt as if my side of the story didn't matter. To add to that, I was 'devalued' by saying my education/skills/employment didn't matter and I was highly offended. And like I said, I know that he's supposed to look at just the petitioner's income, it doesn't give him the right to belittle me. Marraige is about working together and raising a family. The fact that I stood up and spoke my mind was probably the thing he didn't like.

 

2.) The CO instructed us clearly what to submit which we asked repeatedly, 100% he said. Employment letter with all the info needed to compute his earnings. That's it.

 

3.) We complied but yet, when I called yesterday, the IVUnit Person that I spoke to said the CO still said his earnings aren't enough. When it clearly surpassed 100%. The IVUnit Person said so herself, he made more than $15,510. A couple of thousand dollars above $15,510, yet it was marked as 'not enough'. Only a couple of dollars short of the 125% mark, but we have savings and assets!

 

It is just very disheartening at this point. We were part of the July-October 2012 CSC Blackhole. Then our case was sent to NRC not NVC, just a good thing that we caught it just in time. And now, this. 


Mrs.PressonFemalePhilippines2013-07-02 04:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-130 Finally Approved!! Thank God!! I'm speechless!!
Congrats po!!
Kurt and RoseNot TellingPhilippines2013-11-28 23:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsUSC Green Card Petitioners' Committee
Count me in!!
Kurt and RoseNot TellingPhilippines2013-10-27 23:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsApril 2013 I-130 Filers
So today I found out that not even the immigration officers at the port of entries know how the laws work and they suppose to enforce them. I asked USCIS about k-3 and she told me that since I'm married I can't do that cause it's for fiance however, I should call my local immigration office and check with them. I did this and was told since I live only an hour from Canadian border I should talk with port of entry. The port of entry officer informed me that no matter what each and everyone that enters the US after filing an I-130 has to file the I-129f nobody can come here with just an I-130 that is only a petition and never goes to the NVC........ None of these people no what the laws are or how they work.
So I went ahead and just filed the I129f.....

Kurt and RoseNot TellingPhilippines2013-10-10 18:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsBringing My Stepchildren
Hi, I'm sure this is in the wrong category but, here's my question. I am petitioning for my stepchildren, my wife got here in July of this month and we now want to bring them. Do they have to wait for visa to become available or will it be like applying for a spouse? Hope that makes sense, I know what I'm trying to say, just not finding the words. Anyway they are 15 years old and 13 years old.

Does anyone know the answer to that?


Kurt and RoseNot TellingPhilippines2014-10-05 10:35:00
PhilippinesHas anybody been turned down for an expedite since the typhoon?
We put ours in on the 19th. The lady that I talked to at USCIS was very rude and not helpful at all! She told me 5 days but I still have not herd anything. I am gonna call Monday and see what is going on cause this is unacceptable!
Kurt and RoseNot TellingPhilippines2013-11-29 20:11:00
PhilippinesHas anybody been turned down for an expedite since the typhoon?
I put in for expedite request as well and have not heard anything.....rain runs into my wife's roof so I hope I get answer soon.
Kurt and RoseNot TellingPhilippines2013-11-29 15:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAug 2013 I-130 filers

Another good bye ,I cannot wait for the day that when we say goodbye it will only for a couple of hours and not months and months.
 
Now to deal with the Damn USCIS again ...we looked over our papers and its looks like the RFE will be for something really stupid ...the I130 just has couple of mistakes like leaving some answers blank instead of N/A ,for proof we sent them flight itineraries,pictures from all over the place taken in Tangier,Madrid,Cologne,Frankfurt,Copenhagen,Wyoming,Wisconsin with friends and family from first visit to last ,joint savings account ,Wedding pictures ring receipts.
 
I gave all documents to my husband to take with that i possibly could get just to be on the safe side ...
 
So if this is not enough proof we will make them feel sorry for sending us an RFE ... we got like 6000 hours + of skype calls ,we have 10.000 + pictures ,we can will get tons of letters from people who know us,we have like 300 hours of World of Warcraft logs ,we have this diary that we fill in every night and it is over 400 pages so far if it was a book it would be a 1000 pages + novel ,plus faceook and whatsapp messages thousands and thousands of those...all flight tickets i must have like 12 + or so ,and if they want even train ferrys and buss tickets hell even tickets from movies and museums ! we have pictures from our favorite restaurant 250+ pictures and like 20+ visits ...
 
Cannot stop crying ;( i mean we have another 5-6 month to go and we cannot afford another visit ...we have to save up for the next steps and the next two plane tickets if that ever will happen !! i miss my dogs they havent seen me in over 8 months ! i hate this so much.
Sorry for being extra whiny today its just i think i might lose my mind if this keeps up :(
 
Izzy











Jamie & izzy dont worry, i saw many cases after rfe they got approval fast.. Maybe a week or two.. Everything will be fine.. *e-hugs*
CarolinaolinaMaleIndonesia2014-03-01 10:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAug 2013 I-130 filers
OmG we got approved!!!
Yay jumping for joy!!!
OmG we got approved!!!
Yay jumping for joy!!!
OmG we got approved!!!
Yay jumping for joy!!!



CarolinaolinaMaleIndonesia2014-02-25 02:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAug 2013 I-130 filers
OmG congratsss everyone... I hope all of us get approval too soon.. Hopefully tonight or next week.. Thanks God its been a great progress ..
CarolinaolinaMaleIndonesia2014-02-21 09:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAug 2013 I-130 filers
Hubby got the hardcopy today, we transfered to csc.. Hope to get approval soon...
CarolinaolinaMaleIndonesia2014-02-19 20:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAug 2013 I-130 filers
Wow... So happy to see progress.. I think end of next week all august filler will already transfer..
Just hope we can get a quick approval too, all this waiting been too long..

CarolinaolinaMaleIndonesia2014-02-19 02:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAug 2013 I-130 filers
Congrats aditya.. I hope we all too soon get approval by end of feb/ early march.. *finger cross*
CarolinaolinaMaleIndonesia2014-02-12 03:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAug 2013 I-130 filers
I got transferred too.. I hope everything goes well and everyone can get their noa2 within 2 weeks or less.. *finger cross*
CarolinaolinaMaleIndonesia2014-02-10 21:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAug 2013 I-130 filers
Hi. I'm a newbie here.. My PD 15 august 2013. Hope we all get approved soon
CarolinaolinaMaleIndonesia2014-01-28 00:06:00