ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North AfricaHonor Killings

yeah the cat woman. about a block off of copacabana beach. some old woman surrounded by cats and a tent she'd made (and lived in) of plastic bags :P


I lived for a year 4 blocks away from copacabana and how did I miss that???

Did you see how healthy poor people in Rio are? They are always drinking water...

Never soda...

They are always with a water bottle in their hands...
ReynaldoMaleBrazil2007-01-05 15:39:00
Middle East and North AfricaHonor Killings

wow i saw quite a few of them in rio. ask nessa about the cat woman :P


Cat woman?

Anyway people, don't take Brazilian laws seriously, because we sure don't...
ReynaldoMaleBrazil2007-01-05 15:35:00
Middle East and North AfricaHonor Killings

I hate to differ with you, being that you are Brazilian, but it is cultural; part of the machoism that permeates all of Latin America. It's influence as a man's right has dissipated over the last two decades, but it was not only the resort of sick people. Such men were considered by their neighbors to be correct in what they did, and that thought still lingers in the judicial system.


I am talking about a judicial system that condemns "Idleness" as a crime.

it is?


Yes it is, and so is begging (for money on the street. Begging for forgiveness is not forbidden).

Article 59 on the "Lei das Contravenções Penais" which is the "book of lesser crimes"

Edited by Reynaldo, 05 January 2007 - 03:33 PM.

ReynaldoMaleBrazil2007-01-05 15:31:00
Middle East and North AfricaHonor Killings

I hate to differ with you, being that you are Brazilian, but it is cultural; part of the machoism that permeates all of Latin America. It's influence as a man's right has dissipated over the last two decades, but it was not only the resort of sick people. Such men were considered by their neighbors to be correct in what they did, and that thought still lingers in the judicial system.


I am talking about a judicial system that condemns "Idleness" as a crime.
ReynaldoMaleBrazil2007-01-05 15:21:00
Middle East and North AfricaHonor Killings

That, I think is a cultural thing. Brazilian culture is far more sexually free than any Arab culture. I will never be there, so my children, males and females, are still hearing from their mother and other relatives about their duties to the family. Frankly, I was so surprised when I first went there to see how free it was, yet you still had men killing women over issues of sexual exclusivity and lack of obedience. I know better now.


The difference is, like i said earlier, Brazilian men do it not because of our culture, but because they know they wont get caught.

And what they do has nothing to do with any cultural aspects of our society. They are sick people that don't even deserve our respect.
ReynaldoMaleBrazil2007-01-05 15:10:00
Middle East and North AfricaGoing to Interview with Fiance
Attached File  morocco_flag.gif   9.66KB   9 downloadsAttached File  us_flag.gif   12.08KB   8 downloadsI am new here and just in the beginning process of the K-1 visa. Does anyone find it helpful to go the interview at the Moroccan Embassy with their fiance(e) since this embassy is known to give a hard time?
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-02-19 09:52:00
Middle East and North AfricaE-Mail from CASA today
Congratulations, I am happy to see some people getting through here :dance:
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-12 12:08:00
Middle East and North AfricaVisa Issued
Congratulations, can you tell me the name of your fiance's interviewer? I hope my fiance gets the same one B)
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-12 11:53:00
Middle East and North AfricaMeeting Online affecting K1 Morocco results?


I've been trying to figure out the reason behind all of the recent results coming out of Morocco. I really think that if enough of us that have gone through Morocco recently could put together some characteristics of our case, we might be able to determine why certain cases are being denied - characteristics such as age, prior marriages, length of the relationship, did our SO meet our family, did we meet our SO's family, etc. Anything we compile would definitely be helpful to those waiting to go through Morocco, so that they know what about their case they might need to defend, even without being explicitly asked to.

I happened to notice that many of us who have been approved recently did not meet our SO's through the internet, and it also happens that many who have had their petitions returned to the U.S. did. I'm not sure if there's any validity to this theory, but maybe they're looking unfavorably on internet relationships.

What do you all think?

I think this is a great topic! First is that I met my fiance through the internet and have visited him 2 times in the past year since knowing him. I also am older than my fiance and have been married in the past to someone that I sponsored to remain a permanent resident here. But, it so happens that I was raised in a jewish family and converted to islam. What are my chances? I am stressing out now :help:

Thank you so much Sharon, I am trying to be positive about this.


I think this is a great topic! First is that I met my fiance through the internet and have visited him 2 times in the past year since knowing him. I also am older than my fiance and have been married in the past to someone that I sponsored to remain a permanent resident here. But, it so happens that I was raised in a jewish family and converted to islam. What are my chances? I am stressing out now :help:


Depending on how you prepared your I129F, I think you have nothing to worry about except the russian roulette game we call the Moroccan consulate.

I met my husband on the internet, only went to Morocco to meet him in person once before filing, had only known him for 3 months when I filed, am 5 years older than him, been married 3 times before, last time to a Moroccan I sponsored and brought here who is now a permanent resident waiting for his citizenship to be approved who just brought his Moroccan wife he married about 3 years after our divorce over on a marriage visa. I'm not Jewish or Muslim. Abdel's K1 was approved with no problems, he passed the interview with flying colors and had his visa the next week.

What I would spend my time working on if I were you would be helping your fiancee learn English well enough to do his interview in it, unless you and him communicate in another language, sending him plenty of cards and/or letters to use as proof at the interview and other than that, just relax and get to know him better because if he gets approved, you're going to be living with him soon.

Good luck!


Thank you so much Liz, your info made me feel better. My fiance speaks english very good, we talk on the phone everyday. $300 a month, but I love him!



I think this is a great topic! First is that I met my fiance through the internet and have visited him 2 times in the past year since knowing him. I also am older than my fiance and have been married in the past to someone that I sponsored to remain a permanent resident here. But, it so happens that I was raised in a jewish family and converted to islam. What are my chances? I am stressing out now :help:


There's only so much you can do. Try not to stress out too much. Take the advice you see on VisaJourney, be prepared, and remember that although some have been denied recently, many of us have been approved, in situations similar to yours.

Plus we've seen several people who were initially "denied" eventually get their visas approved despite that. So if you have a real relationship, chances are you will eventually get the visa. Just try to be as patient as possible (easier said than done!)

Sharon


I'm sorry moroccogirlny, I hope I am not stressing you out, it isn't my intention at all. One person on here told me to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Well that is what we did, and we were one of the unfortunate ones. Unlike the others having their petitions sent back I have an idea of what went wrong, and once they finally look at our petiton again it should be approved and sent back to Morocco. Unfortunately this little misunderstanding is very time consuming to say the least. So just be prepared...that is the best advice I can give you. I see that there are people on here that have more of the red flags than I did, so you can see it really is a hit and miss thing. Honeyblonde said for your fiance to practice his english. That is exellent advice. They really want to make sure that you and your fiance can communicate. Good luck to you, it shouldn't be long until you get the interview.

Thank you, I hope your case works out for the best.

What I found amazing was that after Abdel got here, I called my ex to tell him my fiancee was here, and his wife had gotten here just a few weeks before Abdel. That means that the application for the current wife of my ex that I sponsored to come here was at the consulate at the same time as my paperwork to sponsor Abdel. Both packages had to have copies of our divorce papers in them. I wondered if Casa even noticed it.

Thats amazing!
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-12 23:43:00
Middle East and North AfricaMeeting Online affecting K1 Morocco results?

I've been trying to figure out the reason behind all of the recent results coming out of Morocco. I really think that if enough of us that have gone through Morocco recently could put together some characteristics of our case, we might be able to determine why certain cases are being denied - characteristics such as age, prior marriages, length of the relationship, did our SO meet our family, did we meet our SO's family, etc. Anything we compile would definitely be helpful to those waiting to go through Morocco, so that they know what about their case they might need to defend, even without being explicitly asked to.

I happened to notice that many of us who have been approved recently did not meet our SO's through the internet, and it also happens that many who have had their petitions returned to the U.S. did. I'm not sure if there's any validity to this theory, but maybe they're looking unfavorably on internet relationships.

What do you all think?

I think this is a great topic! First is that I met my fiance through the internet and have visited him 2 times in the past year since knowing him. I also am older than my fiance and have been married in the past to someone that I sponsored to remain a permanent resident here. But, it so happens that I was raised in a jewish family and converted to islam. What are my chances? I am stressing out now :help:
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-12 12:37:00
Middle East and North AfricaGood News! VISA TODAY!
Congratulations! :dance: Do you know who was the CO? I bet he/she had a good day!
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-14 08:33:00
Middle East and North AfricaHusband picked up Visa today in Morocco
Congrats :dance: :dance: :dance:
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-15 20:22:00
Middle East and North AfricaAnother update

Oh ladies, ladies ...I am not ashamed to say that I love you all...for being so patient with me and my endless questions...I just can not get enough of reading all the great response that I am getting from this forum...I appreciate each and everyone of you...I am glad that things are moving a little better in Casablanca and they seem to clean up their act a bit...maybe they realized that their manner of handling certain situations was a just too much...well great news moroccogirlny...your man got his interview pretty fast ...I guess Vermont filing is speeding things up...we filed on 1/3/06 and got the interview 3/14/06 so that is a good news for those who are filing in Vermont.

shonjaved, I am printing up all the info I found from your link...will have something to read ...to educate myself a little bit more and find some piece of mind...To all of you many, many thanks...
Dorothy :luv: :luv: :luv:

Just keep posting us on what's going on there, maybe the bad spell is over at CASA :dance:
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-15 21:30:00
Middle East and North AfricaAnother update
It sounds like your fiance will have his visa, I think they have improved at the consulate. I emailed them yesterday about the status of my fiance's packet and they emailed me back today to tell me that they received his papers and mailed his packet out and also gave me his interview date for April 4th, one day before his birthday :dance: I even thanked them back and they sent me a good luck response :thumbs:
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-15 19:43:00
Middle East and North AfricaVisa and Package in Hand
Congrat's Kathy, I think Casa is cleaning up their act! I just a email today stating that my fiance should receive his packet this week and has a interview April 4th. I only filed January 23rd, I think that's fast service :dance:

Leila
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-15 19:37:00
Middle East and North AfricaI need to scream or beat someone
I totally agree with you, I am already pissed off and my journey has just begun, Apparently the papers are on the way to Casablanca. I am sure I will be having sleepless nights soon. :yes: Leila
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-14 08:39:00
Middle East and North AfricaNew attitude at Casablanca
Thanks for all the support, but now Mouhcine is faced with correcting his passport and ID card to the correct name spelling of his birth certificate. Hopefully he gets this done in 2 weeks and I hope that the consulate will see that this was a error from the moroccan authorities.


Leila
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-19 08:20:00
Middle East and North AfricaNew attitude at Casablanca
[font=Comic Sans Ms][size=7]Thank you again B)
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-17 08:40:00
Middle East and North AfricaNew attitude at Casablanca
Thank you to all



Leila
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-16 08:43:00
Middle East and North AfricaNew attitude at Casablanca


I just want to say that I think Casablanca is getting nicer. They actually answered my email in regards to checking the status of receiving my fiances papers. They even let me know that his packet was mailed out to him and that his interview is for April 4th, 2006. This is scary, they are answering in a timely fashion and giving more info then requested. Maybe this is the calm before the storm :P


Leila


I must say that as far as answering e-mails they are pretty good...what is only worrysome is the general attitude at the Consulate...Congratulation on your interview date and good luck to your man...I hope he will get through it without a scrach...My fiance had his interview yesterday and the experience with the infamous female officer was not the greatest but at least we are getting closer...stay positive and all will turn out well
Dorothy

Thank you Dorothy, I am sure your fiance will have his visa. They are just going through security checks for now.

Leila

I am glad to hear you have a date! Best wishes!

Twila

Thank you Twila :D
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-15 21:13:00
Middle East and North AfricaNew attitude at Casablanca
I just want to say that I think Casablanca is getting nicer. They actually answered my email in regards to checking the status of receiving my fiances papers. They even let me know that his packet was mailed out to him and that his interview is for April 4th, 2006. This is scary, they are answering in a timely fashion and giving more info then requested. Maybe this is the calm before the storm :P


Leila
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-15 20:42:00
Middle East and North AfricaMispelling of name

When we got the letter from NVC they had added an "a" where it didn't belong in Abdel's last name. I sent an e-mail to the consulate to let them know what the correct spelling was. They actually replied. All the reply said was "Thank you", but that was enough to let me know they knew. I asked a few questions about what I needed to do but they didn't answer those. Apparently the e-mail was sufficient.

If I was you I'd send an e-mail to the consulate telling them exactly what you just told us. Arabic names are transliterated to English anyway, so there are multiple spellings for the same name. I wouldn't worry too much.

But his birth certicate has the correct spelling, now he has to change his passport and ID card to spell the same way. He has only 2 weeks for the interview. Will they delay his case?


Leila
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-17 12:41:00
Middle East and North AfricaMispelling of name
My fiance just told me that when he went to get his police record in Morocco they spelled his name wrong reversing two letters(ei instead of ie). He told them that it was wrong on his passport and country ID card, they told him to change his passport and country ID card. But now his interview is in two weeks and his papers that I filed have the spelling of his current passport and ID. Will this be a problem with the consulate if they see that the first name is spelled Mouhcien on his papers and Mouhcein on his police record?


Leila
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-17 09:25:00
Middle East and North AfricaEmployment Letter

Mine was something like:

To Whom It May Concern:

Jennifer XXXXXX has been employed by the ABC Company since May 5, 2003. She is a full-time employee in good standing with an annual gross salary of $XXXXX.



Thank you :dance:

Taken from the instructions on the I-134 it states:

on business stationery:

1. Date and Nature of employment
2. Salary paid
3. Whether the position is temporary or permanent

In other words, what Jenn typed :D

Doreen



Thank you :thumbs:
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-20 12:46:00
Middle East and North AfricaEmployment Letter
Can anyone give me an idea of what needs to be in the work reference letter? My boss has me typing it up.
Any help appreciated!
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-20 11:52:00
Middle East and North AfricaDivorce Decree

Im also divorced previsouly one time before. What do you mean by certified copy exactly? Thank You

A certified copy is one that can be a copy from the original but stamped with the raised seal from a lawyer confirming the paper.


Leila
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-24 22:29:00
Middle East and North AfricaDivorce Decree
Thanks again to you all :thumbs:
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-23 21:29:00
Middle East and North AfricaDivorce Decree

I sent copies, but I have heard its better to request 3 certified copies of all official documents. One for you, one for him, and one for the embassy. Had I known that, I probebly would have sent the certified copies with my application.

Thank you
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-22 23:25:00
Middle East and North AfricaDivorce Decree
I am sending my fiance all the paper work needed, what has to be original? Can I send a photocopy of my divorce or send a certified one?
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-22 20:26:00
Middle East and North AfricaDHL
My fiance is in Morocco, and I just sent him my packet 2 days ago by FEd Ex. $106 for 4 days. He received his packet from the consulate only last week with his appointment scheduled for April 4th. It seems like Morocco is moving ahead, in the past they sent you a packet first and then after scheduled a appointment. If I know that he would definitely get his visa in the same day, I would fly there and deliver the papers myself :wacko:
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-27 08:39:00
Middle East and North AfricaVISA APPROVED
congrats :dance:
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-26 10:37:00
Middle East and North AfricaRFE

So we got an RFE for our AOS. :( I'm totally bummed because Wadi's EAD is going to be delayed by this.

The RFE says that they are unable to determine if my household income exceeds 125% of the poverty line. I must submit tax transcripts for the most recent tax year, W2's, and a letter from my employer.

I ALREADY GAVE THEM ALL OF THAT.

I wish they could be more specific. Like, "your application is missing X", rather than restating the instructions, which I read and followed in the first place!

Well, I'm hoping that they just lost something, because my response is going to look an awful lot like the original!

Grrr....


Probably got lost through the turnstile. Hope it works out soon.

Leila
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-27 11:48:00
Middle East and North AfricaMary & Atif's coundown thread!!!!
Welcome home Mary and Atif! :dance:
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-28 19:48:00
Middle East and North AfricaInterview Date!
:dance: congrats! :dance:
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-28 10:52:00
Middle East and North AfricaRFE!

I am so ticked off! We just got an RFE requesting this years tax transcripts and a letter of employment. First of all, I sent the stupid letter of employment, if they would look in the file. It has everything they are asking for on it. Second, I sent the package in February so I hadn't done this years taxes yet - I was too busy trying to get the package ready to send to them. I just ordered this years transcript so hopefully I'll have that in 10 days and can send this back.

Bad news is, it states on the stupid RFE that Abdel will not be eligible to get his work permit for 90 days after they receive the requested evidence. I sent them about 4 months of paystubs and bank statements, so they had plenty of evidence that I still have my job and am still making the same money I was the year before. It just ticks me off so much because I make enough to sponsor about 8 immigrants, so it isn't like I'm even close to needing a co-sponsor but this stupid letter says they can't determine if I meet the 125% requirement! I sent a huge amount of proof of income so I'm just furious that they didn't even seem to look at it. I wrote a detailed cover letter and bottom tabbed everything so they would have no problem finding it.

I wouldn't be so mad if they had just asked for the tax returns, but to make me have to get my boss to sign another letter is going to suck because I just got promoted, so I'll have to put a copy of my promotion letter in to show why the title and pay changed or just my luck they'd think I'm lying because I changed it.

I have a huge test tomorrow night to study for and now I'm all mad. This was not what I needed right now. Abdel is going nuts wanting to work so this isn't making him real happy either.

Ok, enough venting. Thanks for listening.

I can't beleive this is how they work, I need a job with the government. I need some valium! Hopefully this gets straightened out soon Liz. I know how you feel right now.

Leila
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-27 17:49:00
Middle East and North AfricaK1 in Morocco

WELL FOR AN UPDATE ON US WE ARE STILL ON AR ALSO , THE INTERVIEW WAS ON FEB 7TH,HAVE SENT EMAILS SEVERAL TIMES TO GET SAME ANSWER, CALLED DOS THREE TIMES AND SAME OLD SPILL STILL WAITING, SO ALL WE CAN DO IS WAIT I GUESS, GOOD LUCK IN YOUR AR HOPE IT AIN"T TO LONG KAREN&JAWHAR :clock:

DId you call the consulate? Do you know who interviewed him?


WELL FOR AN UPDATE ON US WE ARE STILL ON AR ALSO , THE INTERVIEW WAS ON FEB 7TH,HAVE SENT EMAILS SEVERAL TIMES TO GET SAME ANSWER, CALLED DOS THREE TIMES AND SAME OLD SPILL STILL WAITING, SO ALL WE CAN DO IS WAIT I GUESS, GOOD LUCK IN YOUR AR HOPE IT AIN"T TO LONG KAREN&JAWHAR :clock:


Karen, it's good to see you! I'm sorry to hear you're still in AR :( Have you ever managed to talk to Raquel or Barbara when you call, they're the nice ones...

What number do you call for them? I have a feeling I'm going to start calling after tuesday.
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-29 20:16:00
Middle East and North AfricaK1 in Morocco

Hi Leila! :luv:
In our case we are officially on AR since our interview on 3/14/06...at that time the officer told Jamal that he would be contacted in 2 weeks...they did not keep his passport...I received 2 e-mails from Casablanca in response to my inquiries as to the status...both e-mails contained the same language...the case requires additional administrative review that would take place in United States...and that he would be contacted once same is completed...I called DOS twice and got only a confirmation of AR and that it is still being process and that it would take one or two months to complete..that is all at this time...I just hate the place where we are right now...total limbo...total lack of control and one big unknown...good luck for your man on the 4th...we will keep the positive mojo going...
Dorothy:yes:

Thanks Dorothy, I hope Jamal gets a call soon. This is frustrating.
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-28 17:21:00
Middle East and North AfricaK1 in Morocco
What happened to all the K-1 people waiting for AR in Morocco? Keep up the info. We need to have more updates to help others. :yes:
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-28 16:37:00
Middle East and North AfricaI got the visa
:dance: :dance: congrats! :dance: :dance:
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-30 13:41:00
Middle East and North Africaemail importance
Imagine if you send them a copie of a bill from a doctor for having a stress test due to stessing out on waiting for your S/O to get a visa. Perhaps asking them to pay for it too. They will see the real love B)
moroccogirlnyFemaleMorocco2006-03-27 13:14:00