ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North AfricaGreen Card and Egyptian Army
Thanks guys :) Olivia, if your husband has a way to find out definitively, that would be great. But no rush, I'm not going to be chucking out anymore humans anytime soon, thank god.
amysaidFemaleEgypt2010-08-16 04:21:00
Middle East and North AfricaGreen Card and Egyptian Army
Along this same topic, but not pertaining to the original question... If I were to have a son in the US, and he were to obtain Egyptian citizenship, would he still be required to do the military service? I am pretty sure that he would, but my husband swears that the Egyptian army won't take anyone with dual citizenship. He's hell-bent on our kids having Egyptian citizenship, but I am not sure it's worth it if it means having to deal with the Egyptian military.
amysaidFemaleEgypt2010-08-15 03:32:00
Middle East and North AfricaEgyptian AOS vaccinations
Hey guys, I know that some of you have started/finished with AOS recently, so I was hoping someone could chime in and help me out. Ahmed's medical exam from Egypt expired before we could file for AOS, so he has to get a new one in the US. We don't have any of his vaccination records (the doctor in Egypt didn't give him a copy and sealed everything before he could get a copy) so we're trying to figure out if he is going to need to get all of the vaccinations over again. If any of you went through the medical here in the US, can you tell me which (if any) of the vaccines you had to repeat? Also, how did they deal with the TB test issue? Since he's been vaccinated for TB, his Mantoux test will come back positive, which means he has to have a chest x-ray... we'd like to skip the Mantoux if possible and just go straight to the chest x-ray and save time (and money!)

Thanks!
amysaidFemaleEgypt2010-10-20 19:36:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA Daily Chat 1.0
Congrats on the pregnancies! I'm so happy for you guys! And is it possible to have baby fever again when you only gave birth 3 months ago? Because I kinda miss being pregnant... :unsure:
amysaidFemaleEgypt2010-10-09 01:40:00
Middle East and North AfricaHALAL Food
I was just sharing information that I was given from a reputable source. This particular sheikh lived in NYC for some time and had some experience with the mark-up of halal foods. Of course your mileage may vary, but for us, the price difference (and gas costs to get to a store that sells halal meat) is a considerable one, so we just shop at the grocery store.
amysaidFemaleEgypt2010-11-21 20:43:00
Middle East and North AfricaHALAL Food
My husband and I are both Muslim, and before he came to the US, we went to al-Azhar in Cairo and saw a sheikh there who brought up the issue of halal meats. He told us that in a country like the US where halal meats are not easy to come by, that there was no harm or fault in eating non-halal slaughtered meats. He said halal meat tends to be far more expensive than regular meat, and that vendors jack up the price more than it needs to be to make a buck, and that that act in itself made the meat haram. So we just buy our meat from the grocery store. Of course, we still don't eat pork, drink alcohol, or partake in any other haram foods.

Edited by amysaid, 17 November 2010 - 06:48 PM.

amysaidFemaleEgypt2010-11-17 18:48:00
Middle East and North AfricaNEW AOS FEES....
damn, i thought it was the 26th and we were going to slip in just under the deadline, since we were going to mail ours next-day delivery tomorrow. guess i better write a new check for the higher amount. :bonk:
amysaidFemaleEgypt2010-11-21 20:30:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA November 2010 Chat
looove biryani. wish i had the skills to make it!
amysaidFemaleEgypt2010-11-01 21:27:00
Middle East and North Africavisa approuved I'm not surprised
is that a no? :whistle:
amysaidFemaleEgypt2010-11-01 21:42:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA making one upset....
Marriage is stressful, long distance relationships are stressful, intercultural relationships are stressful... so it happens. It didn't happen in our case, but I have seen it happen in others. It takes a lot of patience, commitment and flexibility. But be careful, some people have withdrawn the petition and then changed their minds, which you can't really do very easily with USCIS.
amysaidFemaleEgypt2010-10-30 12:12:00
Middle East and North AfricaMerry Christmas
not sure what to say except :wow:

Not sure what adhering to your prescribed religious tenets has to do with being "radicalized." I guess the JW's must be hardcore radicalized!
amysaidFemaleEgypt2010-12-27 01:13:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 visas PART2

...been on so long i fell asleep!

Ticket in hand tomorrow, I promise! Seems it is taking him 3 days to do what could have done in 30 minutes, but hey, I'm not paying for it so he can do it his way :P It's either Jan 19 or Jan 22~~~~ wake me when it's over.

jax (F)


oooh, that is SOON! you must be so excited!
amysaidFemaleEgypt2010-01-11 00:00:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 visas PART2

Posted Image

...another week on da couch. Wake me when it's over.

Jax (F)


Did I miss the date?! When's he coming?
amysaidFemaleEgypt2010-01-10 19:31:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 visas PART2
Aya, if you are depending on that income, I would really wait until you hear that the visa is issued before giving your notice. Even though your interview went well, you still never know what will happen with the embassy in Cairo. They are crazy. smile.gif But if you don't really need the money, then by all means, give your notice!
amysaidFemaleEgypt2009-12-14 17:15:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 visas PART2
QUOTE (Kenza @ Dec 5 2009, 11:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
my curfew is 9 30!!!!! ranting33va.gif

thanks for letting me vent


issues like this have come up for us as well... not curfews, but me not realizing that i should inform him of commitments i make THE SECOND i make them... blink.gif
amysaidFemaleEgypt2009-12-05 17:25:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 visas PART2
QUOTE (Kenza @ Nov 23 2009, 04:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Husband still doesn't have a job. He's getting depressed and it's bringing unnecessary problems. Hubby came at the wrong time (during recession) and wrong place (California). I know this too will pass, but I hope inshallah very soon.

Jackie, it's coming! What date in December is Ibrahim coming?

Hi to all !


I hear ya, Kenza. We're still waiting for my husband's work permit (it's been longer than VJ said it would be mad.gif) and he is getting VERY depressed, unhappy, etc. It's tough knowing what to do or say and does cause a lot of unnecessary tension.
amysaidFemaleEgypt2009-11-25 01:05:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 visas PART2
For those of you who came in on K3s, how long did it take for your husband to show up in the ICE database? We tried to get him an ID card at the department of motor vehicles just after he got here (about a week) and he was not in the database then, they told us to call back in two weeks. So we did that, they said he's still not in there and we need to take a copy if your visa/I-94 and do a physical check, call back in 45 days. So we're about at the end of that and need to call and check on it... But now we have another company needing to verify his immigrant status through ICE again (for a different reason) and I am just wondering how long it's going to take for THEM. He's been here since September 18th, so it's been almost two months now.
amysaidFemaleEgypt2009-11-13 20:36:00
Middle East and North AfricaCasa case sent to Rome

when visas are denied becuase of inadmissibility and a waiver of inadmissibility is filed(I-601) the file is sent to the department of homeland security in Rome which has jurisdiction over Morocco. It was a simple mix-up that cost you way too much time. Happy that you know where your file is though. Good Luck!


so now there is an I-601 on my case?? If so, what would that mean??

Monica
Always+ForeverFemaleMorocco2010-08-17 21:39:00
Middle East and North AfricaCasa case sent to Rome
Yes...i was able to speak with the Consular Chief....well the temporary one...the previous one got reassigned & the new one won't arrive for 2 months. And he was very helpful & suprised about how the case was handled. So we will se what happens. He knew nothing about the case though, since he hadn't viewed it. He started with the "it was returned to USCIS" speech, until i informed him that I had called the diplomatic pouch tracking company (not UPS/FedEx, etc...lol) and it was not in the system. So he made sure they checked their office & mailroom to track it down. And I got a call the next day. Was pretty cool actually :) Except the 5am call...lol I don't really sleep much anymore anyway.

Monica :)
Always+ForeverFemaleMorocco2010-08-17 21:34:00
Middle East and North AfricaCasa case sent to Rome

What is the senator saying about it? That is crazy! How was it discovered that it's in Rome??


Left a msg for the Senator, will hopefully talk to them tomorrow. And they I'm assuming they found out with the pouch #. They gave me 2 numbers. The Consular Chief said the first was return for some reason (was sent June14) and so they redid it & sent it out June 16 with a new number that (according to the pouch tracking ppl for DC) that # was not one of their tracking numbers, which makes sense why now....it wasn't going to them...lol

Monica :)
Always+ForeverFemaleMorocco2010-08-17 19:27:00
Middle East and North AfricaCasa case sent to Rome
Well it turns out that our "missing" case was sent to Rome instead of "returned to USCIS" like everyone had been telling me for the last 2 months. And noone had a clue until I pressed the matter. So now they have to get it back from Rome...who knows how long that will be since everything "takes time". So looks like it will expire well before it gets back to the US, which defeats the purpose of the expiration being extended for review. :bonk: So the fight continues!!

Monica :)

Always+ForeverFemaleMorocco2010-08-17 19:15:00
Middle East and North AfricaInterview at Algerian Embassy today!
ok...wow...i know i should be shocked by these COs but at this point i'm not anymore. They think they can do whatever they & ask whatever they want with no respect to the ppl involved. And SERIOUSLY...there is NO way you are fat!!! And to ask about if you've had sex is just uncalled for. And i would definitely be doing some reporting & complaining, but as others have said...they hold the power right now with the visa, so pissing them off without it in hand probably wouldn't be the best idea. Its just sad that we have to fear what we do so we don't piss them off & they deny our visa for it. Just hold your head up high Mandy & be strong & know we are all here for u!!! Don't give up the fight!! If it was me, I'd be calling the Consular Chief & seeing if its in the policy to be asking those types of questions...nicely though (i know....easier said then done). But from my experience with the Moroccan Chief...they seem to be more helpful then those below them. Because the Cief may have no clue that those kinds of questions are being ask (or he could...i don't know). But that would be one way of getting a feel for what they think without rocking the boat. And make sure you keep track of everything & send copies of everything to your senator or congressman (whoever will help). Best of luck & I hope everything goes through quickly & u get visa in hand!!

Monica :)
Always+ForeverFemaleMorocco2010-08-19 13:00:00
Middle East and North AfricaMY HUSBAND IS FINALLY HOME!!!!!!!
CONGRATS!!! I'm so happy for you guys!!

Edited by Always+Forever, 20 August 2010 - 01:23 PM.

Always+ForeverFemaleMorocco2010-08-20 13:23:00
Middle East and North AfricaProcess...

thank you guys. everybody keeps telling me that i should use the DCF method if possible. The co-sponsoring and having an address here in America is easy part for me. I'm just not sure of how to go about the process when I am there. Rules are always changing. Just last year in Morocco, and to this year, the rules have changed a lot, but I was never looking into the DCF method. I usually was looking into K-1 or CR-1 process.

Thank you again for the information. I just do not want to mess up on the immigration process.


K1 & CR1 are through the US, so u would have to be here to turn in everything (from what i understand). And DCF is the CR1, but directly through the consulate, so it usually goes through quicker...after the 6 mths of residency :)

Monica :)
Always+ForeverFemaleMorocco2010-08-23 16:49:00
Middle East and North AfricaProcess...
You also need proof of having a residence in the US. DCF is the best way too go, which takes 6 months of residency.

http://casablanca.us...quirements.html

http://www.visajourney.com/content/dcf

Hope everything works out for you guys.

Monica :)
Always+ForeverFemaleMorocco2010-08-22 22:35:00
Middle East and North AfricaKids adjusting

off topic... monica, i think i saw pics of your daughter on FB through sarah's FB and just wanted to say, she is beauuuutiful :)



thanks :) she was spoiled rotten in Morocco...they don't know how to say No to kids...lol


Monica :)
Always+ForeverFemaleMorocco2010-08-24 11:35:00
Middle East and North AfricaKids adjusting
I'm sure it is all very confusing for them & a very hard adjustment...especially the older they are. I have been lucky, because my daughter is 4 & her biological father has never been involved, so she was OVERJOYED to have a man she can one day call "Daddy". If anything I was having more difficulty with "sharing" her with someone else. She had been just mine for the last 4 yrs :innocent: I hope everything works out for you guys, and I think communication is the BIGGEST thing, and not pushing anything on them. Letting them work up to accepting him as part of the family, and MAYBE one day a father. But if they are older, it may be more of a friendship. Thats how it was with my step mom. And best of luck to everyone still waiting or still trying to adjust...the never ending process of being with those we love.

Monica :)
Always+ForeverFemaleMorocco2010-08-23 16:31:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan & overbearing WASP family

Are you a Muslima now ?

If so, please go talk with the Imam at yer local Mosque,
ask him to talk with yer Mother's Minister
and get the two of them (The Imam and the Minister)
to negotiate the Peace.

Seriously.


That is a really good idea :) Its funny how ppl r saying their religion is supposed to love all, but you can still not be nice to them :wacko: Can't we all just get along :D

Monica :)
Always+ForeverFemaleMorocco2010-08-16 02:52:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan & overbearing WASP family
Thanks Meghan...we keep on fighting :) Hope u have visa in hand soon!! I don't wish the refusal process pain on anyone!!

Monica :)
Always+ForeverFemaleMorocco2010-08-15 17:04:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan & overbearing WASP family
I'm with u :) And every case is different, so I don't think anyone can really tell someone what they should do unless they are in their shoes :) I have family & friends that I have lost "because of the choices i've made" to marry a muslim man also. And I've just decided that it's their choice...as long as I am happy with the choice I make then that's all that matters :) Hope things get better Meghan. I know being a part just makes it that much harder to handle anything...let alone pressure from those that should be supporting. I just feel blessed that I have found so many supportive ppl through VJ.

Monica :)
Always+ForeverFemaleMorocco2010-08-15 16:52:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan & overbearing WASP family
I'm so sorry your are having to deal with all of that. Ramadan would be hard enough with out it. I am not Muslim or Christian for that matter at the moment...I am in the process of figuring out what i believe :) But I had a similar experience recently with pushing in to religion. I was at my storage unit, talking to the lady there about my fiance, told her he's muslim. So she decided that she needed to "Save Me" from him & from going to hell...lol Funny thing is....I hear the same thing from some muslims, that if i'm not muslim i'm going to hell. So what does a person do....lol Everyone says if you aren't in their religion you will go to hell, so I guess I'm screwed any way u look at it...LOL I still think its funny how one religion critisizes the other for something, but then does the same thing. The choices of God giving us the brain to think & make choices :D Hope everything works out for you, and never give in to what others think u should be doing...just follow your heart!! (F)

Monica :)
Always+ForeverFemaleMorocco2010-08-15 10:53:00
Middle East and North AfricaWhere do you live in the US ?
near Eugene, Oregon
Always+ForeverFemaleMorocco2010-08-03 16:37:00
Middle East and North AfricaHelp for K1 denials
Was told by Senators office that it will probably take atleast a year to get through everything for this case, and it shouldn't affect my case adding my information. Just incase anyone is worried about doing so.

Monica :)
Always+ForeverFemaleMorocco2010-09-08 11:07:00
Middle East and North AfricaHelp for K1 denials

One thing I learned the hard way, was that the Visa Officers follow no set rules or laws. An Interview Officer's "decretion" is what the reality is of what the rule is now. Decretion means personal opinion, free to make any decision. The people in power of the Visa Process have "passed the buck" and left all dicisions to the Interview Officer. Congressmen or Senators have no say so of the process. Lawyers have no real effect of the process, Interview Officers are not required to follow any law. Maybe a class action will wake up someone, a little anyway.........


And one of the reasons for this Class Action Suit....legally they are supposed to have a provable reason that they are supposed to tell to the person at the denial/rufusal. http://travel.state....grams_1388.html (Note 6B)

Monica :)
Always+ForeverFemaleMorocco2010-08-30 22:08:00
Middle East and North AfricaHelp for K1 denials
Tran Class Action Litigation
The Tran Class Action lawsuit has been filed to ask the Federal Court to certify a nationwide class of American citizen petitioners whose fiance(e)s have been subject to arbitrary and unreasonable consular returns, resulting in a denial of due process. The Plaintiffs are seeking certification of a class of U.S. citizen K-1 petitioners who complain of denial of due process of law in the K-1 petition and visa issuance process. The lawsuit's Plaintiffs seek to represent the interests of class members. The Court has not yet certified a class. In order to assist counsel in achieving class certification, please complete the questionnaire here and submit it to Brent Renison according to the instructions to the right. By completing the questionnaire, you are not agreeing to be a plaintiff in a lawsuit, but you are providing information to Mr. Tran's lawyers in the case and may be contacted for further information. There is no fee required to participate. More updates on the litigation can be found here in the future.

Tran Class Action Questionnaire
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I am a U.S. citizen and my fiance(e) was denied a K-1, how do I participate in the lawsuit against the unfair denial process?
Contact the attorneys handling the lawsuit by emailing a completed questionnaire and copies of official documents requested in the questionnaire. Although the Court has not yet "certified" a class of people eligible for benefits or relief, the attorneys handling the case must be aware of people who have cases similar to the plaintiffs cases. After you send in the questionnaire, an attorney will contact you to advise you whether you appear to qualify for the requested class definition. There is no charge for participating, and your information will remain confidential unless you direct otherwise.

read more: http://www.entrylaw....lassaction.html
Always+ForeverFemaleMorocco2010-08-30 20:56:00
Middle East and North AfricaStarting At the Beginning
these should help:

http://www.visajourn...d-north-africa/

http://www.visajourn...&cty=Casablanca

http://casablanca.us...quirements.html

http://www.visajourn...country=Morocco

Hope that helps u get started.

Monica :)
Always+ForeverFemaleMorocco2010-09-15 11:37:00
Middle East and North Africamorocco denial
You need to go through the interview questions. Find out EXACTLY what was said. That's the best way to get an idea of the reason they probably had for the refusal. What did the refusal worksheet say? Also, try contacting the consulate...see if you can get a reason, or atleast find out if the case has left yet. If it hasn't left then u may have a chance of fighting to reopen it, but u can't do that without having an idea of why they refused u. Hope this helps a little bit.

Monica :)
Always+ForeverFemaleMorocco2010-09-22 21:24:00
Middle East and North Africatoday i back home from interview

thanks friends well i asked them what can i to bring with me when i back next week they say u not need just u will have secend interview so im still worry


List all of the questions u were asked & review them with your fiance. This should help u figure out the concerns they may have. If the 2 of u can't figure it out, be sure that many ppl on here are very good about figuring it out just by seeing the questions. You just have to be open minded to the replies you get. Just stay calm, keep your phone charged...lol...and get together anything you have that they might need. Just remember...they ask every question for a reason. Hope this helps.

Monica :)
Always+ForeverFemaleMorocco2010-09-22 21:34:00
Middle East and North AfricaInterview today in Casablanca, Morocco!
Congrats!! So exciting :dance: Glad it all went smoothly for u guys.

Monica :)
Always+ForeverFemaleMorocco2010-09-28 14:15:00
Middle East and North AfricaJFK POE
Congrats....u must be freaking out excited right now :dance: Btw, I also heard someone talking about the JFK stamp for work & that they were able to use it. Anybody know about that for the K1s??

Hope all is going good with everyone.

Monica :)
Always+ForeverFemaleMorocco2010-09-28 14:12:00