ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Africa: Sub-SaharanHotels or Rentals in and around Lagos - ideas?
Hi All,

Am looking for information on an inexpensive and yet safe hotel, flat, or apartment, in and around Lagos. Where do you suggest looking? The Sheraton was $400 a night, that seems outrageous! Any info would be most appreciated!

Thanks unsure.gif
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-02-10 08:32:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanPASSED K-1 INTERVIEW
Congratulations to you and your SO! I see your process was about 8 months or so, it is encouragin to see someone get an visa! Enjoy every moment... good.gif

Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-02-10 08:36:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanCan someone explain "Keeping Track" to me
[quote name='Zee Bee' date='Feb 10 2009, 05:44 AM' post='2638631']
Hi Zee Bee, thanks for replying back. I got swarmed at work today, I wish I had more time to respond right now. In short, in answer to your question. For example I was looking at the approval/denials for April for Lagos for the last few years - they always dip way down during that time and visa approvals go way up in September (saw that on this site). I do not know if that's due to less petitions going through at that time or what?

There was a lawyer once who mentioned in passing to me that visa's can be generally given out during certain times more then others, I still wonder what that meant. That's what got me wondering I guess, why do they have spouses wait on each other at all? I guess I'm just still coping with the emotion of being denied for no real reason. 2 years later, I wonder how long they can legally separate you if you have not done anything wrong.

I started analyzing that because the situation my husband faced during his first interview seemed so far out there that I wondered when and where staff is overturned and rotated. Perhaps it's just an "out there" thought, but I've had too much time to think I believe...lol.

Well I have to go, but I hope that answers your question.
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-02-10 18:08:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanCan someone explain "Keeping Track" to me
Hi All,

I see that ZeeBee on VJ.com has an awesome track on approvals, denails and such for visa approval in sub-saharan. Perhaps my brain is just completely overwelmed but I have one major question - people refer to patterns and numbers of visa's given. Is this suggesting that people are given or denied visa's based on how many is alloted for that area or the country at the time? Is this an way to predict? Because I see patterns, on some of the charts on this site it appears some areas in particular months have significantly higher denials then other months. What accounts for that?

I am sure everyone figured this out real quick, but I am just puzzled - can someone spell it out for me? Thanks star_smile.gif
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-02-10 08:40:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanMarried to a Nigerian and still together?
Hi! I was reading your post today and was interested to ask you something, after three visits, pics, emails, etc, today you're wondering how many women get duped into a false relationship. Is it possible others have given their opinions about your relationship? You said you were asking in general - I'd be curious as well. When I met my husband I was very sternly advised from an elderly person who had known someone who experienced marriage fraud. I may be wrong but my opinion the dramatic stories always get the headlines, these are individuals not a state group, as individuals with different backgrounds the possibilities are endless the intentions and motives of all people arn't selfish and bad. I imagine many american marriages where partners deceive for their own gain - the definition of fraud. Love is falling and trust and trusting to fall, no one wants to be hurt but I believe every experience is valuable and you create your own experience with your thoughts and views just as much. Yes, I have seen Nigerians faithfully married. I knew a couple too where the man was considerably younger and attractive and many many years later their relationship answered the doubts.
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2008-12-28 19:01:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanJust wanted to say hi :)
Hi there! Thank you for your post. I left a message for you on your profile messages, I hope that's ok. Thanks.
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-02-21 05:47:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanMakeup Help!!!
Hey there, I'm glad I got you something helpful with suggestions. Thanks for the website, I love looking at makeup and I'll go there for sure! I also forgot to tell you congratulations on going to see your guy! This is huge! Are you nervous? I have a family member who married a man from the same area and is happy about a decade later. He loves her natural and that got me to thinking that makeup is good and fine, it can be great fun, but feeling comfortable in your skin and being who you are is the most beautiful thing in the world to a good man! You will be so happy to see him and I hope you have the time of your life. So again I would stress that if you find makeup, if you feel comfortable and lovely in it you will just glow. One other thing I forget to say too is something that some women forget about and that is the eye brows, they frame the eyes - however getting them waxed or plucked by someone else is a scary prospect and I wouldn't recommend it unless you had enough time for it to grow back. I'd instead get like a Bobbi Brown makeup book and find a way to do it. However your eye brows maybe just fine, I can't see them - they're too far away. Hehe. However having too much brow or too little can make a difference.

Enjoy and have lots of fun! Sounds like you already are. P.S. my own beautiful mom didn't wear makeup until her 30's, it's not a bad thing.


Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-03-18 01:51:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanMakeup Help!!!
OK this is great fun! I think I have the mineral makeup for you! It's mineral and goes to the deep deep shades of black skin. Visit http://raw.glow.com/ It's raw minerals and isn't just made in tan shades. Also the most important thing in getting a natural finish is good brushes, soft supple ones that absorb well. Also blend, blend, blend, whether it's your eye shadow, Eye pencil, cheeks or powder, don't just lay it on there - blend it in with good soft brushes.

Also the key to having a fresh natural look is to prep your face washing and then moisturizing, creating a perfect palate where your skin is prepared for the product.

Also when you apply makeup try to do it in the light in which you would naturally be in, like day light, I always do my makeup in natural light by the window because then you have a much better idea of how it really looks.

Also another tip, if you ask a sales person at a counter for help, choose one that if you were her you'd want to look like that - because likely they will try to make you look like them a bit, because that's what they think is working.

I also suggest that you focus on one great feature on your face, like you don't have to have every feature your strength. Like if your eyes are great, work them up and have a subtle lipstick. Or if your lips are great play those up and make your eye make up more nuetral.

Also hold the colors up to your face, don't test them against your hand or arm, because the face is always a different color on everybody. Another thing too, I would definitely say because you don't wear makeup, and I don't think the feel of it is great, for lips choose something you like the feel of, if you feel good in it you will glow, if you're thinking about it being on there and being sticky or itchy - you'll not be glowing. lol.

Recently there was the actress up for an Oscar award, Viola Davis - in the movie Doubt. She has rich skin tones and I think she really wowed at the oscars and looked classy. I would check out her photos because she has a good look going there and she allows herself to look imperfect in movies so you can see

Have fun!
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-03-17 14:17:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanQuestions! Denials and more then 1 interview, is this every country?
Thank you so much, I am now seeing what everyone is saying about a difference between denial and request for more evidence. I also think all of the comments on biases are quite interesting. And thank you for the clips to parts of the website I have not seen yet, like the compliation of approval and eventual visa and the dates. That was very interesting. It does seem that all over the world it's more difficult but as suspected some areas like Canada are easier - however it is truly case by case, I am meeting canadiens who have had a heck of a time. This process is almost impossible to explain to others.

Onward we go ... wacko.gif

Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-03-25 13:50:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanQuestions! Denials and more then 1 interview, is this every country?
Thank You All Three for your observations and comments. I too have tried to figure out the difference between an denial and request for more evidence denial. I don't understand it. How do you find out the difference I wonder? Also thanks for verifying that it does genuinely seem long in Africa. I also found one of the replies about older white women and africans considered suspicious interesting. I have a white female relative that married an african many years ago and he's 20 years her senior - but they were right for each other, he has an old soul and she has a young one. I'm younger then my SO but it seems rediculous to have to fight an age bias! We're living in 2009! Why do you have to fit some mold of someone's mind that equals an match made in heaven? It just is so ridiculous.

Thanks!
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-03-24 22:28:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanQuestions! Denials and more then 1 interview, is this every country?
Hi Everyone,

I am puzzled and perplexed. I was reading another post here on the Africa forum where a 2nd interview was requested for those who are getting a spouse or fiance visa. Is this the normal route? And is more than one interview seen as normal at every embassy for those applying for their visas'? Or does this apply mostly to certain areas like Africa? Sometimes people go back to answer questions continually over three or four visits, while I thought most interviews are only supposed to be brief.

Also my other question is that there are so many people denied two or three times and then getting a visa, don't they know from the beginning what is going on at the Embassy??

I am in particular wondering, if anyone has seen this same pattern at most embassy's. Is it the norm to do more then one interview? Is it the normal for places to be denied for further informatio??

Anyone who has any thoughts I be most interested. I'll try posting this in another forum as well in hopes to hear from many different countries petitioning.

I know I've repeated myself, I just hope my questions are clear. I am trying to figure out the purpose of additional interviews, particularly when I read there was no investigations - just more interviews.

Thanks
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-03-24 13:50:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanWishing Leedah and her SO the best of luck w/ interview tomorrow
Wow Leedah I felt giddy myself reading your post! CONGRATULATIONS!

You can now live your life and have some sense of freedom, I cannot imagine the relief you feel in your soul knowing you can leave together as a couple. I am so happy for you. I feel great hope for my own as well, every time someone is approved you know that seeing that couples perseverence that goodness prevails and that good things come to those who wait. Enjoy every minute girl!

I wonder too how these husbands/fiance's SO's adjust to the overnight decision that they're leaving behind everything they know to be a day to day husband in a place where everything is so completely different. I think we can all say how brave that is! May you be guided and given great love as you anticipate the days ahead, your wedding, your life, everything!

ENJOY!

CONGRATULATIONS!!


Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-03-27 17:24:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanWishing Leedah and her SO the best of luck w/ interview tomorrow
Leedah I can only imagine how nerve wrecking an third interview could be. You have come so far that it is obvious that things that this is your time! You've really fought for this one. Congratulations on your third interview, your love is large I think.

good.gif

kicking.gif You'll be dancing...

whistling.gif You'll be singing...

Let us know what happens!
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-03-24 22:33:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanVisa in hand at last
Congratulations! I don't know your whole story but you waited for 15 months and I imagine that this is like a dream...

Cheers!
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-03-29 03:35:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanNO 1 Ladies Detective Agency
oh my gosh the book is fantastic! I don't have HBO but when I heard about my cousin is DVRing it for me. I love Jill Scott - the actress playing the detective in the series. If you have not yet seen any Tyler Perry movies, You should see Why Did I Get Married staring Jill Scott among others including Janet Jackson. Really love that man! Jill is a beautiful big woman and I cannot wait to see her in Botswana in this character who is subtle and amazing!

Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-05-12 22:26:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanP.U.S.H.
Beautiful! Pray until something happens ... what more could sustain better, keep positive more, then putting your love and energy to Jehovah God who is the giver of life and all good things. Thank you so much for this!
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-03-28 15:09:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanVisa not issued

Oh, good - so she has her visa now? What a scare! Never heard of that one before. I guess we always wonder if a pause will mean bad news. goofy.gif Glad to hear the happy ending!
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-05-20 20:57:00
Africa: Sub-Saharanhelp please it is a Nightmare
Hi Idocare,

Thanks for your post to me! I have actually been preparing to live with him this whole time, it has taken that long to prepare due to his complications on his end as well as mine. I've left my house and have saved a year of paid work in preparations for the possibility. I am concerned to leave my mom and his widowed mom whose now recently dependent, I don't want anyone to suffer. For safety and work my husband would need to travel the 400 miles to come see me, leave, come back etc. as it is. The safety is an issue.

If you know anything about moving to Canada that I haven't read lately I would appreciate that so much! I had talked with my family here about many places like Sweden or something. Me and my husband have talked about what it would require for me to stay with him and that is now our goal because this one is taking so long. When I looked into Canada for example there were all these rules about being a resident and it seemed like as long a process just to set that up as it would be to complete our visa. Perhaps I'm mistaken.. I cannot seem to get info. from the right people.

I just need to live with him. I hope that's what will happen and things will fall into place. Thank you for reiterating this thought, I really would like to know if you know anyone that knows about this sort of thing.

Take Care.
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-05-23 03:29:00
Africa: Sub-Saharanhelp please it is a Nightmare
Thanks 'Y's_habibitk' for your kind words to me.

It is sad one person has so much power. That is one I have a hard time with. One individual with too much power is bound to have some form of bias including but not limited to, age, weight, race, religion, sexism. Each person's background can unfortunately interfere with individual judgment, knowingly or not.

Just as an example: after 9/11 was the general public more likely to look more suspiciously at people of an Arabic descent, particularly when traveling by plane? If a person is subjected to enough bias they can find themselves manipulated into believing their bias is protecting them, and is in fact necessary or warranted! That is hotly debated topic, just an example, we know that there are many Arab-American people who would never dream of bombing a plane.

For every person who observes the same situation each and every person will have another account of the same exact events. And in a psych class they would say every person believes they're right! lol..

That is why I personally feel a great deal is subjective.

In reference to Sylvia and Joseph something came to my mind immediately...

If you go to a job interview and are asked an improper question, such as your age, marital status or sexual orientation, and refuse to answer, that is appropriate, the interviewer is in the wrong. If you are refused that job solely based on your refusal to answer an inappropriate question, you cannot legally be refused that job. So thinking along those lines, I am unable to conceive how Joseph (or Sylvia for that matter), is at fault when he refused to answer inappropriate questions at his interview.

Whether or not that was the reason for the denial of their case is not completely known, as far as I understand, and yet what occurred is still ethically wrong as well as legally. I personally find it suspicious that after that most inappropriate display of questioning, Sylvia's fiance was then denied visa approval. I cannot imagine that individual or their superiors were all too happy that this aspect of the interview came to light. If there was no grounds/evidence to substantiate those facts, their legal case (Sylvia&Joseph) would not have come to the point it is at currently.

Now the question is, due to my own "challenging" experience at Lagos, am I biased enough to feel Sylvia is right? Remove emotion and you have facts and the facts say, some things went wrong, wrong, wrong. Sylvia Girl if you made it this far, I think we'd all agree we're here to support you until you complete your goal as well!!

All of our experiences are going to taint how we look at this situation and the world, so I always ask myself what if I am wrong, how does A affect B.

All of us can try our best and for circumstances out of our control it may just not go quite as we would expect or like.

After I began to write this I realize when I left the website everything under the sun came down on this thread but I don't have time to write all my thoughts.

I am so sorry that marriage fraud has afflicted so many on this site, that would be devestating. I think the most smooth of fraud operators are unlikely to be caught, I think all of their I's would be dotted and all of their T's crossed. I am wondering if marriage fraud can be detected in a 3-10 minute interview, anyone can memorize answers. The bad ones are affecting the good ones. I believe while there is very possibly good intentioned people working in Lagos, and any embassy, it is not out of the realm of reality to believe that there corrupt Americans there as welI, it's happened before. Their work is not an easy one, so it is my great hope that it does not make them jaded and I hope that I get to communicate with one who is trying hard to do their job to the best of their ability and with good intention.

That's just a few of my thoughts today. Take Care.
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-05-20 17:40:00
Africa: Sub-Saharanhelp please it is a Nightmare
My comment was made in love my sister, I too am married to a Nigerian who is not yet here yet. Comments that arent always"happy", or "positive", arent to hurt you, but to help. You're in my prayers. Peace rose.gif
[/quote]

Thanks IamGodsProperty, I read your post(s), it is ok, thank you for mentioning it, intention is important and I thought you were well meant. I had feelings going back some 5 years ago when some of my so-called friends thought my friend and now current husband could be of those bad Nigerians, until they saw everything in the open... it was painful but as many say what comes around goes around and also all things come to light, my husband was vindicated and so was I among those people and I was fortunate it exposed their true nature. Peace is valuable. Take Care.
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-05-19 21:51:00
Africa: Sub-Saharanhelp please it is a Nightmare
Hello fellow VJers,

I am posting this after being highly disappointed and horrified at the vicious moral grandstanding, at times toward me and other innocent people struggling through the immigration process. I started this thread just hours after hearing that our REVIEW of our case was set to last 24 months from now, meaning NO one would touch it or read it for approx. for that long, no news for 2 years! You do not know the hardship that this personally has put me and my family through, overseas and locally. You do not know the individual circumstances. It is wrong to "help" a discouraged person by everyone putting themselves on a pedestal of how they did something better than the other. How is that encouraging? What is your purpose here, anyway?

I did not come here to be looked lowly upon by others who may have suffered who now feel they are strong and puff themselves up with their experience. That is not kind OR helpful! Your experience is supposed to strengthen others not be used to hurt, degrade, criticize or blame! You should be ashamed!

As good as your experience is, it does not replace actual legal knowledge. While you were busy feeling superior, you may have not realized you missed some very important facts - yes, FACTS, not feelings. Here are just a few.

1A) In 2007, service centers in the US changed dramatically, both politically and structurally. The change is still going on, in a bungling way, at the same time as their caseload has, literally, doubled. This has resulted in huge inefficiency and injustice in innumerable cases. The long wait for your papers to even be looked at is the issue here, specifically. If you were told you were approved for a visa but had to wait 2 years or more to hear when you could interview, how would you feel? Where is your compassion?

We have actively done everything we could - you don't have to tell everyone how proud you are, and what you have done to make yourselves feel great, while looking down your nose at everyone else. It's harsh, selfish and it says a lot about your capacity, or lack therof, for integrity and compassion.

I am new to the site. I was discouraged about a long wait, as so many here are. Do you even care? Do you care about those reading on the site looking for encouragement? Have you thought that perhaps you're kicking them while they're down?

1B) We were NOT denied a visa;an embassy does not deny visas. FYI: ANY error made on documents initiates a visa being sent back for review. Did you realize that thousands of visas are sent in review for mistakes on birthdates and other minor errors?

2) Did you know that the officials you dealt with personally are not necessarily, or even usually, the same people others are dealing with?

3) Lagos is NOT the only embassy that has trouble! These are imperfect PEOPLE! Mistakes happen, there are bad people everywhere, inside and outside of the consulate - just like in the US where there are bad doctors and lawyers and everything else. If you cannot recognize that mistakes happen, you are both deluded, and you are robbing a victim of their right to stand up for justice which means you are defying what the US is supposedly about: FREEDOM and JUSTICE!

No matter how earnest, every system in this world is corrupt, injust or wrong in some way or another - that's not difficult see. Good people are often disillusioned after getting involved with well-meaning organizations because, no matter how hard you work or try, this world is unfortunately saturated with dishonesty and injustice.

4) Our case was not denied at the gate. But my husband was unable to get inside without his papers that were withheld for the entirety of the 2 months we spent trying to get them. Our Senator's office and our lawyer were annoyed, because they had to FORCE the embassy there locally to do their job. I have no idea why there was an issue - for all I know someone was just feeling moody that day, or they were affected by any number of conditions. It is far more complicated than you obviously realized otherwise you would not make ignorant blanket statements.

If you blissfully went through to the end I'm glad for you, but don't rob others of their right to share their grief! Don't BLAME them for their grief! It's like telling a molested child that they brought it on themselves, and have no right to complain! It's wrong, and you know it, and you should be ashamed that you spend your time looking for a reason to cause struggling people even more pain then they already have.

You can express your experience and your opinions without putting others down!!

I appreciate your opinions, you have the right to them, however, witnessing the way in which they were used to attack others (I was specifically angered by the recent ganging up on Sylvia&Joseph) on this site is incredibly disappointing. I don't know what I was expecting. Clearly, if you complain or vent about injustices and frustrations you are personally experiencing, you should be ready to be crucified!

Thank you to those who posted their experience positive or negative that was encouraging like MAO36, I appreciated your balanced words.
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-05-19 19:08:00
Africa: Sub-Saharanhelp please it is a Nightmare
Hello there to Leedah & IamGodsProperty,

Sorry I had to reply to you both in one post but I wanted to be sure to acknowledge your post because you are sharing your experience and it sounds like a really bad one from the sounds of it. I'm sorry you experienced so much hardship! If someone came home to beat me for days I probably would be very wounded and perhaps want to use my experience to help others. I do wonder how your guy is staying in the US with a felony, if he is not a citizen, I am surprised he was not deported.

As Sylvia has said there are denials given for a multitiude of reasons even down to the most minute problem such as something incorrect on the approved petition. Our case has very specific differences than your own, each and every one is different, but we should all be cautious in all things - I agree. I know where I stand in my own circumstances.. Thank you though.... Words of caution for those who's wound also is painfully close, your helpfulness though well meant may need to be delivered at a time sensitive time. Projecting feelings from your own situation could help or unfortunately do harm too...though not meant to.

All the Best...
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-05-17 22:54:00
Africa: Sub-Saharanhelp please it is a Nightmare
Wow, thank you for this. Your brother has talent and the words are very comforting. Just beautiful, thanks for sharing this treat with me today it is thoughtful and kind. All The Best..
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-05-16 15:58:00
Africa: Sub-Saharanhelp please it is a Nightmare
Hi Reeses - everytime I read a post from you I get hungry for peanut butter cups...lol, it's a terrible addiction!

Thank you for checking in just to see how things were going, that is truly appreciated And very gracious. I am so thankful for everyone's kind thoughts and helpful advice. The main development is that I even though me and my SO are potentially separated for another 24 months that I have contacted an additional attorney specifically with vast experience in denials. Also fortunately our senator will stay on the case for us and keep trying.

My goal is now to just see and spend time with my Hubby in his place and enjoy it without thinking about all this for a bit of time because I have lived and breathed trying to live together and now I want to enjoy the time we have together. Life is uncertain you never know what tomorrow will bring, in good ways too. I spent 2 years saving for the this moment and by golly no interview is not going to ruin that! I also have a huge development . . . I feel lifted and encouraged to head towards the next battle in this thing knowing we're not alone and that things may change for the better at any moment if they can change for the bad.

I should be getting legal advice shortly about whether to refiled the I-130 or whathaveyou. The current attorney said the I-129 at California service center is like a black hole and I have to say that it seems that way. Thanks to all for your encouragement, I know one day I'll be sharing positive news.

I suppose I thought that when my husband was treated so poorly and when things were mishandled that somehow they were supposed to cop that at the embassy and say "we were so wrong, please come in and get your visa." I had no idea things could go so wrong and there was no avenue to stop it and say whoah - this is wrong!

Take care and have a lovely day... and thanks.
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-05-16 06:31:00
Africa: Sub-Saharanhelp please it is a Nightmare
QUOTE (*Len* @ May 13 2009, 07:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What type of documentation did your provide to prove bonafide relationship?

And indeed, seek legal counsel.


and please avoid triple posting:

http://www.visajourn...howtopic=196659

http://www.visajourn...howtopic=196658


Thank you Len I'll avoid the triple posting, I wasn't sure where I should post that it would get the most helpful input. I have a lawyer but they have never experienced a denial, they have fought so hard for us I feel guilty dumping them in essence. But if feel I will contact someone for information after all these posts.

Evidence of relationship included: Photos, video from my travel/wedding, wedding certificate, name change, travel itinerary and all evidence connected to that, 4 emails per month for 2 years prior, 2 IM's per month for 2 years, 2 years of phone records - nearly daily, affidavits from apprx. 25 members of each of our family's/friends, my current travel itinery that has had to be put off and rescheduled due to crisis, and more...

Thanks so much! Anymore input is so valued. I am trying to be strong because we've only got to spend 6 weeks together since the past 3 years... 2 of which are married now.



Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-05-13 13:41:00
Africa: Sub-Saharanhelp please it is a Nightmare
QUOTE (Zee Bee @ May 13 2009, 06:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What was the reason for the denia?

I have never heard of the 24 month wait before a review.

You need to find out what the reason for the denial is so that you can overcome it in a subsequent petition.



Hi Zee Bee,

Thank you for your reply. Before our denial was sent out of Nigeria we were given 3 denial reasons, very vague, one of them was outright confusion by that Consulate because they made an untrue statement that the documents themselves proved incorrect. It's like they didn't read our petition for that and a redo requested by the Senators office. The reason for denial was basically they felt my husband was lieing. He got a date wrong, off by about 3 months - when we met - however I didn't remember that clearly either and we were estimating. Also they said he claimed he never heard of our religion which is continuously mentioned in our evidence and approved petition. He would never say that since we attended it together and met via that organization!

Now the Senator's office requested our reasons for denial after our case was sent back to the CSC and they said they would not give out that information until the petition was up for review. So it has sat there since over 1 year except two days ago when they updated it saying that approx. they have 24 months total of wading through the backlog of denials and we're going to have to wait in line with everyone else.

We submitted our petition immediately after they refused the interview redo and again in the US and they sent it back saying they would ask for it. After a year passed the Senator's office sent our reasons to overcome the 3 denial reasons given and they once again told us this past week that we were going to have to wait in line.

If looking at the info that the CVC gave us if things went smoothly after that we could expect an interview August 2010, but that's if it goes smoothly. Thus the lawyer we have suggested refiling the I-130, but I do not know if it's expired - I have to look at that now.

Thanks so much for your input.

Evidence included: 1 trip for our marriage, certificate, pictures, trip video, affidavits of support from about 25 members family and friends on both sides, 4 emails per month for the 2 years before we married, 2 IM's per month for that 2 years, phone call records that for past 2 years shows nearly daily contact between us - we always talk even just for a minute each day, various receipts, travel itinerary, my current travel iterinary and list of hardship expenses for me traveling there, my husbands home he has been building for years - our home there, and much more... I think you get the idea. There is no lack of evidence really.

I hope that's helpful in any input anyone can give me and I really appreciate everyone's warm kindness because I am trying to find my strenght and not get stuck in this spot.
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-05-13 13:33:00
Africa: Sub-Saharanhelp please it is a Nightmare
QUOTE (reeses16 @ May 13 2009, 07:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
AQ, sorry about your situation. I've seen the 3 posts you made about it yesterday. I think you need to get a clearer understanding of why you were denied. On another post you mentioned your husband is not fluent in English and has a speech impediment. I don't think the speech impediment should be an issue, but if he is not confident in his English, then perhaps his interview should have been in native language.

Also in terms of you evidence, how many times did you visit your hubby in Nigeria? I agree with Pushbrks analysis of your evidence.

Also, you mentioned that they denied him at the gate/ denied his interview claiming it was fraud before he was allowed in to interview with the help of your senator. This doesn't make sense. Someone can not deny a visa until it has been applied for at the visa. Perhaps it is a miscommunication with your hubby. Maybe he meant, they would not "permit" him into the embassy (because he did not have the interview letter and packet 3/4 as you described). Where would fraud come in? What ever the reason for the denial, you should have a copy of the denial letter with the reasons listed. It seems like you need a lawyer. IF that is not an option financially you should at very least lean on your senator more. Insist that he/she continue to pursue this as there is no 24 month rule, make an appointment to speak with the person handling immigration issues for your senator. The senators themselves are not responsible for inquiring on your behalf, someone from their staff handles that.

This isn't going to resolve unless you are more active in the process. I'm sure its overwhelming. I wish you the best. I think you need to get a better understanding of the situation and seek legal advice.


Hi and thank you so much for your post. I really appreciate it. I didn't see Pushbrks analysis of my evidence yet, but I'll look at that. I only visited my Hubby once because our case was approved so quickly and our interview for that came up so fast I was unable to get back in time and then we were denied.

In answer to your questions ... my husband can speak English but the option of an interpreter was not given.
Before that we never got a receipt from the NVC when our case was approved and our lawyer spent a month trying to get through to find out interview dates.
Then my husband did not receive his package with the approval letter ever nor would they let him pick it up - in fact the embassy did not respond for a month until just minutes after the Senator got involved.
My husband went for his interview but before he went in - because he had no letter they told him he was fraud.
So then the Senator had to contact everyone to reschedule so they would let him inside.
That's why they called my husband a fraud - because he didn't have the letter - but he was given a letter and the name of someone in Consular from us to get in - but they still didn't let him in.

All this time we were all rushing around and I contacted everyone under the sun I could.
So the fraud came up because of the m.i.a package and approved letter - they said my husband wasn't {his name here} and he was lieing to get inside.

The Senator got a rescheduled interview because he wasn't able to get inside for the one we rushed around to get.
The medical exam he paid for disappeared and no results were given.

The interview came and he was denied.

I need another lawyer I think. I do not care the costs. We have had trouble from the beginning. The first time I sent our evidence packages here in the US to be approved they were lost for two 90 day periods and when found were approved very quickly.

The 24 months was given as an estimate of how long the CSV gives for taking care of it's backlog of denied cases and said they could not move us ahead of the stack and it was done in order it was received. I know the Senator is not involved, it's the special assistant that I've had contact with. We've discussed things on the phone. In their past letter to the assistant they said we could not have reasons for our denial until we came up for review. But when we had requested a redo on the botched interview while it was still in the country of my husband they gave 3 reasons they would not allow that. That's all I have to base our denial on. It was vague to say the least and one statement was completely inaccurate and we submitted evidence to show that THEY were confused.

The Senator's office as well as my lawyer thought they were not happy about being told that they did everything wrong and they had to let my husband in the gate and that we basically smacked their wee wee. I have no idea what to think. I have no idea where to go at this point. I don't care the cost - I just want it done. Right now I've my airline ticket that's been in waiting and I'm going to see my husband. I'm trying to find a way to live with him as long as we can before all our money dries up because where he lives is not safe for me.

I appreciate any input you have on this. I feel I'm in a crazy nightmare, wondering how much worse it can get. After all of this when we submitted for a new interview my family, religious organization and friends made affidavits because we all talk to my hubby each week and they've known our friendship prior and everything - I just am at a loss as to what to do next! I do not know what more I can proactive except get another lawyer, our current one has been great but is not familiar with denials.

Thanks again.

Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-05-13 13:25:00
Africa: Sub-Saharanhelp please it is a Nightmare
Hi Mrs. J - thank you for your encouragement. I cannot wait for Sunday to come! We had a lawyer actually from the beginning. The lawyer used the Senator just to get my husband past the gates at the Embassy because they refused to let him enter for his own interview. I think maybe I need a lawyer that is experienced in denials, our current lawyer has done such good work through a difficult situation where we cannot seem to get any help. Like when the NVC gave us no receipt even though our case was in Lagos - she spent a month getting no responce and finally was the only one who found out that within 10 days we were having an interview after our receipt went from NVC 3 months prior. It has been one nightmare after another and she's really been there for us. I feel bad to push her aside. I am completely confused.
Thank you for your encouragement Mrs. J
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-05-13 13:12:00
Africa: Sub-Saharanhelp please it is a Nightmare
let me rewrite this clearly to explain our situation. We were friends apprx. 1 year, dated 1 year approx, married 2 years ago, our I-129 and I-130 were approved within weeks. In July 2008 we had a horror situation at the embassy and the interview was denied with a no bonafied relationship letter. In August 2008 our case went to California service center where it sat all of this time. No responce came even as one of my state senators wrote on our behalf. This month the senators office was able to submit all of our new evidence of our marriage and relationship and the senator was told there was no expediting our case and we would have to wait for the complete review in 2010. I cannot believe this, we have no criminal record, we are not lying, there is no reason to deny us and I cannot live where my husband is due to extreme hardship to my health. Do you have any suggestion or help? What is the next step? A lawyer suggested we re-file the I-130.
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-05-12 20:24:00
Africa: Sub-Saharanhelp please it is a Nightmare
As I write this I'm trying not to cry. I know God is great and I keep repeating it in my head. I'm not sure how much worse this can and my heart is breaking. How much more can we take? Please any advice or information or suggestions will not hurt me. If you think I should post this in any other forums please direct me.

Today I got note that after my state Senator wrote on me and my Hubby's behalf after our failed interview and our case was sent back for review, that they cannot move it for the traditional 24 months even though we've displayed hardship in me living where he is. This is after we dated knew each other 2 years and dated for 1 are married now for 2 years and then our failed I124 sent our case for review to a service center in California I think. There it has sat for a year, then the Senator wrote on our behalf and they said we'll review in 24 months and there is nothing we can do.

I'm considering where we can live because where he is right now we cannot live end of story, I don't know what to do. I am trying not to let my hope drain from my body because God is great and haven't we suffered enough.

p.s. I misspelled the I129, was our failed interview and our I130 was never interviewed for ...
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-05-12 20:03:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanHelp Case returned to U.S.!!!!!
I am so sorry to hear about your experience! I too just posted another discouraging situation in my own embassy drama. We too got a possible revocation and The thought that relationship is for Hubby's immigration.

I am not sure if you do have a lawyer. I can tell you that in my case I was advised to dissect the interview just prior to the denial. Then to gather proof first of your relationship, and then proof to refute their findings or suspicions. Many people are sent for review, I did not realize this before our interview. And many return back to the embassy once you provide the evidence needed.

I am so sorry you're experiencing this stress, you're married almost 5 years - you must be so devestated. You will get through this, my heart goes out to you. I would find a lawyer that deals specifically with denials/revocation for immigration and nothing else, someone who belongs to AILA.

Take Care.
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-05-25 21:16:00
Africa: Sub-Saharanthe horrifying news just got bigger ... embassy
Hi Nlove - thank you so much for your encouragement. You and your husband experiencing this for 5 years - you know, you definitely know what it's like. I'm trying to sift through everything and come up with a plan. Tiggi [sp] thank you too for your post. My husband is living in a warzone right now -neither of us have much of any money, there is my own health but we both have mom's ill dependent on us. I'm so worried - I too am at the point where I just want to find a way to live together. I don't know how to solve this but where there is a will there is a way. I had good news - that I could get three months medicine out of pocket, I bought it, but it was as much as they could write up for me. I feel like it's a start. Meanwhile trying to put together everything for our rebuttal. thanks again for your encouragement, prayers r always comforting.
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-05-28 15:39:00
Africa: Sub-Saharanthe horrifying news just got bigger ... embassy
Hello to everyone on this thread and thank you for all your input. I wish I could address each one by one. I am so frustrated, I don't know quite which turn to take. We will finish it, I think idocare suggested living with my husband in Nigeria and I really truly wish I could, I am still looking into that and I think you're right - we need to just live together where we can.

I have so many questions I feel my head is spinning. The new attorney I contacted was Marc Ellis, I could tell he knew what he was doing. I hate to mention the other lawyers name, it was recommended by someone reliable but I recently found out that the attorneys spouse who signed everything was the "real" attorney and that they did the paperwork. However I am wondering if they did everything correctly, I'm second guessing everything.

Marc said the I-130 not being interviewed cannot then be revoked but that some embassy's are trying to do that to save time. We did not fill an I-864 and DS-230 & change of agent form. We paid no fees to NVC either.

I too thought that the I-129 did not expire, that it automatically renewed but Marc said it did not in our case - it did truly expire.

I could not be more confused. Perhaps it's the lack of sleep. [LOL.] I want to get on top of this. I don't know what questions to ask and who to ask them. I don't know what to read to clarify my own understanding.

I am preparing for the "rebuttal" that is evidence to provide of me and my Hubby's relationship and to combat any of the issues that arose from our first denied I-129 interview. Other then that I am not sure what else I can do. With all the conflicting information I feel confused. Marc E suggested getting a copy of my entire file from my current lawyer. He also suggested that NVC may have sent these lawyers our I-130 packet.

I definately don't want to go from the frying pan into the fire so to speak. I feel since Marc E deals with only denials he is very knowledgeable and could possibly put together a good defense for us but I also wonder if our other lawyers did what they could and can do what he can. How do I dissect this?
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-05-26 16:13:00
Africa: Sub-Saharanthe horrifying news just got bigger ... embassy
momov31 Thank you for your words of encouragement...and reeses thanks for giving me something to look into. The I-129 interview was an non-immigrant visa, it was never renewed, but I didn't realize that. Our other interview I-130 approved petition stayed in the US for approx 2 years - it never went to Nigeria.

Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-05-25 23:54:00
Africa: Sub-Saharanthe horrifying news just got bigger ... embassy
Yes, I do wonder what happened with the lawyer. They seemed to do everything possible but have disappeared off the planet, I did not put alot of money into them. I am worried their mistakes may impede us. I hope this new lawyer may take us on... I hate to blame the well-meaning lawyer. Now I am not concerned about blame but what to do about it. The other new lawyer advised I get my file.

Also the other lawyer explained what was done by the embassy was illegal... [sigh]
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-05-25 21:21:00
Africa: Sub-Saharanthe horrifying news just got bigger ... embassy
Hi All,

Recently I posted that after attempts to move me and my husbands case via the Senator's office that we got a 24 month waiting time for a review of our case sent back to the US for revoke/review. We are married more then 2 years now.

I got a new shock a few days ago after speaking to Attorney. I approached him upon suggestion with this group. I feel blessed! I thought things were bad, I figured I did something wrong. Found out I didn't.

He explained my Hubby never interviewed for his spouse interview, it was sent for revoke before we went to the interview!
Our case was never sent to the Embassy in Nigeria, that my husband interviewed for an expired I-129!
It may expalin with the missing letter of approval and paperwork, some strange letter in Spanish from uscis and a weird interview and more.
And also perhaps our missing paid but never seen medical exam from 2008 is with it!

We went through great hardship to fill the obligations and pay money to complete everything. My poor Hubby was put through a nightmare.

I spent 2 years to find this and I cannot help but think what is next, why this happened and how much longer it takes to fix it. I am not sure if I will be able to get Marc to take our case on. There is much more that I don't want to go into here now. I did not think the battle would be this one. I don't know if anyone has experienced this.


Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-05-25 21:10:00
Africa: Sub-Saharanshocked, but making headway! yay! have another question
Hello Everyone,

I wrote a similar update here and on the K-3 forum, please forgive me if it's double talk, I wanted to post this update to the Africa forum to get your very specific suggestion.

Everyone here kept telling me to call NVC and USCIS. I didn't think there was more information but I called again this time not about the denied I-129 but the I-130....

I found out that NVC has absolutely NO record of our approved I-130 petition.
Does that make sense? No, it doesn't since I just got a uscis letter stating that NVC sent my I-130 For review.
However, it does make sense for us because we never received any paperwork on it.

I kept writing here over and over that I didn't understand how they could review a visa that is not interviewed for.
I had some write that it was attached to my I-129, which is what I was thought but I kept going back to that point.

USCIS said they sent approval to NVC back before March of 2008.

I dug through my papers because the lawyer I had at the time spent 2 months asking where both of our approved petitions were at NVC.
After about 6 weeks After approval was sent to NVC, they sent the I-129 notice.

I don't think the lawyer realized our I-130 did not exist at NVC because we got some strange letter in Spanish and after that were onto another weird crisis in paperwork.

I am trying to piece this all together. Should our lawyer have seen this before? I know the lawyer did not receive a package from NVC, I did not either, and they have no record of it.

Do you have any more suggestions?


Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-05-28 20:06:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanAnother Question
Hey there attayagirl - I completely understand - I got married at my husband's country, somewhat soon after I met in person because I was thrilled and in love, I didn't think about the immigration affects because at the time I didn't know them and I wanted to do things traditional with my family there. Sounds like you have such a wonderful loving family and this is an exciting time - i agree it's rather sad to have to think of the ramifications, because you want to live together too. I love your picture - so much joy! Wishing you all the best, sorry I don't have an degree in immigration law - wish I did, I can tell you want to go and be merry with your family. Thanks for sharing, I'm going to read about Senegal, it's really interesting - and look forward to updates on your relationship. All the Best.
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-06-19 21:02:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanAnother Question
I have a Muslim family member, who immigrated over 5 years ago on a fiance visa - they had the legal ceremony in the US, however they committed to each other in a traditional family oriented ceremony, dresses and everything, for his family [i.e. I think afterwards they were able to sleep in the same room] but didn't sign any legal documents. They said they were married in their heart. I do not know if they did that on purpose, I have no idea the details. This was not Senegal though, but rather a northern african country.

I have not read your other topics about this but I completely understand why you're so concerned about it, it sounds like you're feeling great pressure - and goodness knows you don't wish to not consider the feelings of your fiance and future in-laws. Goodness is there a book on this at the library or something? lol.. What I am wondering is does your fiance recognize the ramifications on the two of you if this ceremony is perceived as legal? And are those consequences something he has considered having to bear?

I am wondering if all of these individuals involved may be able to write an affidavit, to be prepared in the future, explaining that this is a committment and tradition of the people. I am wondering what each aspect of the ceremony involves or means and what benefit that you both derive from it. I think the context of it would be important more then the actual ceremony.

Also when I was married I was not sure if by my US State it was considered legal and binding, I wanted to change my name - I think it is worth checking with your local state to find out what is considered a legally binding marriage taken from outside the country, that is because so many think they are marrying legally to find out later it is not considered so here.

That is all that I can think of. Also the last thought I had was that if he and the family are anxious to do this ceremony, why at this time? Is it possible to wait until you have your fiance visa completed? I'm sure you have asked this...I wonder what does the ceremony do in terms of you and him, does it allow certain privledges that are not allowed before, or how does it alter your relationship? Is there an time frame this is usually done in, why now?

I think this is all so very interesting, I find traditions and other cultures so fascinating. I know it's a great concern, I guess it is trying to find out how the country itself views such a ceremony, because I do think that immigration has to take into consideration culture and that things are done differently in many areas.

I wish you all the best in making an decision. p.s. Does your fiance realize how much you are paining yourself over this decision? Take Care
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-06-19 17:57:00
Africa: Sub-SaharanThanks everyone!
QUOTE (aba anoma @ May 18 2009, 05:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi everyone!

I just wanted to let you know that my husband's visa was approved today in Accra. He was in and out of the embassy in an hour! I guess they called his name first- perhaps it's done alphabetically. Anyway, while I haven't posted much on VJ recently, I have definitely used it as a resource/support group/sanity-maintainer for the past 10 months and I wanted to thank you all for your support, advice, and encouragement!

Best wishes to everyone still in the process!

kicking.gif


CONGRATS!!! Enjoy this day and the many more to come! :dance1 I would love to see Ghana, have a friend living here from there. Hope your reuniting is a refreshment and energizes you after the draining months. HAPPY day!!!
Afrilaskan QueenFemaleNigeria2009-05-18 20:41:00