ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Asia: East and PacificFiancé(e) I-129F Petitions Recalled by DHS

it took forever for the file to get from NVC to HCM, now we have to start all over again. They had 60 days to implement the new law, yet, they didn't even start the recall process at this point, which is over 4 months after the law was signed. even HCM snailmail services are more efficient.



Justin,

Your petition should be fine. They are only recalling those with a Receipt date for their NOA1 of March 6th and after. I noticed you got your NOA2 in February. I don't understand why it took so long for your case to get to HCMC.
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-05-24 18:32:00
Asia: East and Pacificworried about lost mail... :(
I worry everytime I sent something to her. The one time it took 7 weeks with just rgualr mail. I have used the Global Express to send her many things now, and it usually takes 1 to 2 weeks. I am just finishing up getting everything together to send her for the interview, and I will either use USPS Global Express ot I might look into DHL. DHL I believe will deliver direct to her home, where USPS only takes it to the post office. The post office notifies her she has mail, and she must go to pick it up. The one time they had already opened the box I sent her, before she even got to the post office. So I have decided to wrap everything inside the box.

Good Luck!!!
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-05-28 16:42:00
Asia: East and PacificHCMC Packets scanned
Hello my fellow journeyman or woman!

I talked to Huong and just told her to make a copy before filling it out and then she can write her brothers name, and send it in with with the other required documents before her interview. She will also provide the one she copied with her handwritten information. She has one brother, he is 20 years old and as far as I know he has not attempted to get into the US. He lives in the same residence as her, but when I send her mail, or when I went her money for our engagement party, I always address it to him, because she works 6 or 7 days a week, 12 hours a day. She works for the government, so she can't pick up her mail. The only thing I can think of is the fact that she calls her sousins brothers and sisters. I am not sure if any of you have run into the same situation, but she says my brother from my uncle or aunt, but how would they know this unless they are accessing her email or our telephone conversations???
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-05-28 22:06:00
Asia: East and PacificHCMC Packets scanned
I need your help. I posted in this same thread the DS-230 Supplement. Can you please take a look at this, and tell me what it is for. It is asking for my fiancee's siblings names not her children.

Application For Immigrant Visa And Alien Registration Supplement

What is this and why and when does she need this? It does not say anything in the directions about this paper, except that is is included in Packet 3.

This paper is holding us up, because we don't know if we need to send it now or bring with her to the interview.

Thanks for your help.
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-05-28 13:41:00
Asia: East and PacificHCMC Packets scanned
Thanks so much to you both. You have been a great help. Not only am I dealing with these forms and having her get them returned ASAP. I fall into the new law IMBRA. My NOA1 receipt date is March 13. Since, I don't want to risk them not noticing and then when she goes for her interview they notice and cause us problems, I just emailed them and asked if our petition was affected by the new law, and if so how would it affect us. If so I am hoping they will just assign her interview date when they receive the petition back. I also just stated and asked if I could provide them with the necessary information if it is required. PLEASE CROSS YOUR FINGERS FOR ME and MAYBE YOUR TOES TOOO!!!!

I need all the help I can get. After finding out that the USCIS have recalled all petitions after March 6th, I cannot stop thinking about just moving there until her interview. The problem is cash. I can't afford to come there and live without my paycheck. Our company used to have an office in Vietnam, but they closed. I have thought many times about asking my employer to allow me to work from there using a laptop. I work for a Civil Engineering company. Anyone have some extra cash that could hold me over, lol.

I am really sad right now, and now I need to break to news to my love. I know this will crush her as well, and that is what hurts me more.

Thanks for listening.

Mike
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-05-23 22:19:00
Asia: East and PacificHCMC Packets scanned
Ok, she finally finished sending everything to me. After receiving it, I noticed they sent her 2 different DS-230 Part 1 packages. Then I notice one has 4 pages and expired on 5-31-2004, and the other one has 3 pages and expires on 5-31-2004. I just don't get it. They are both expired, and have the same expire date, they both have the same required info, and one has one more page. The only difference is some of the questions have more space to write your answers. I don't know if this is the reason, but she needs to fill in one for her son, and one for her, but they both ask the same exact questions. Now I don't know what to do. The problem is, I don't know if she has Acrobat Reader to do the electronic one that she can print. So should I fill in everything that will fit into the spaces and then scan it and then she can print it, and hand write the ones I left blank, and sign and date it? Or should she just fill in the two they sent her that are expired? Or do it both ways?

Does anyone know what this form is for??????

Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-05-23 19:40:00
Asia: East and PacificHCMC Packets scanned
Ok, she finally finished sending everything to me. After receiving it, I noticed they sent her 2 different DS-230 Part 1 packages. Then I notice one has 4 pages and expired on 5-31-2004, and the other one has 3 pages and expires on 5-31-2004. I just don't get it. They are both expired, and have the same expire date, they both have the same required info, and one has one more page. I don't know if this is the reason, but she needs to fill in one for her son, and one for her, but they both ask the same exact questions. Now I don't know what to do. The problem is, I don't know if she has Acrobat Reader to do the electronic one that she can print. So should I fill in everything that will fit into the spaces and then scan it and then she can print it, and hand write the ones I left blank, and sign and date it? Or should she just fill in the two they sent her that are expired? Or do it both ways?

Here are the files:

4 page DS-230 in Packet 3





3 page DS-230 in Packet 3




Readiness Document


Supplement (WHAT IS THIS)

Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-05-23 15:37:00
Asia: East and PacificHCMC Packets scanned
I would love to post them, but her brother scanned them and each file is like 4 mb. When I print them they are very light so I am not sure if I re scan them how well the will turn out. I will definately give it a shot tomorrow when I get to work.

Here are the differences that I have noticed so far. The DS230 Part 1 is 3 pages. It has both languages on the same form, and most of the reason it was exteded to the 3rd page. I am awaiting her to send the checklist, because when we were chatting I was trying to tell her to read a certain section, and it seemed different. She then asked if she needs to send a paper call Applicat readiness for interview, and it looked different than the checklist we have from what you posted. I will try my hardest to get them posted for all of your use.

I do definately appreciate the ones you posted, becuase for the most part they are very close to what they receive.
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-05-22 21:30:00
Asia: East and PacificHCMC Packets scanned
These are very helpful, but my fiancee just received her packet 3, and they are a little different than the ones posted. The ones posted are very close, so they are very helpful.
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-05-22 20:38:00
Asia: East and PacificHCMC Packets scanned
Scy, thank you so much. This is such a great help, and I cannot thank you enough!!!
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-05-18 17:23:00
Asia: East and PacificI just Paid 6 Cents per Min To Call Van in Vietinam
Tony,

Can you give me some more info about the text messaging? I also use sprint, but I tried sending her a few messages but she never got them. Maybe I am dialing the number wrong? Any help is greatly appreciated.
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-05-30 21:03:00
Asia: East and PacificI just Paid 6 Cents per Min To Call Van in Vietinam
Ok I understand now. Thanks so much, it really is a great rate. Just be careful because the 6 cents rate is for calling their home phone, cell rates are about 4 times that. My fiancee works usually 6 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. So as you know this is evening time for us therefore I cannot call her. When she comes home from work I am at work, so I can't use this. I really wish I could because it is such a great rate. I use Gorilla mobile and Zaptel. These rates are .27/minute. I bet those conversations will get much longer now, and good for all of you, because I have such a hard time not calling my fiancee twice a day, one to wake her up and once before she goes to sleep.
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-05-30 18:07:00
Asia: East and PacificI just Paid 6 Cents per Min To Call Van in Vietinam
Can you use your cell phone to call?
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-05-30 17:33:00
Asia: East and PacificIRS sent be the stupid standard tax transcript again
Matt, I ordered my transcripts around the same time as you, and I received them on Saturday. The same happened to me, I got a newer version, but they are not stamped or say anything about the forms I requested.
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-05-29 17:07:00
Asia: East and Pacificwhere is my file?

NVC mailed my case to HCM city on april 17. I tracked dhl and found out that it arrived at HCM city on april 21. I called the consular yesterday and they said they didn't have it. Any1 has any ideal where it might be? what am i supposed to do now, or just sittin on my azz and wait, this is frustrating....


Justin, I was in the same boat as you. DHL said that our petition arrived on April 3, and I called 2 weeks later and they told me they only received the electronic file. Well almost 1 month after they received it they sent out packet 3. So I would bet your packet 3 will be mailed out very soon. I would call one time a week, until you are sure. I know the same feeling you have, I was so worried that ours was lost, but it wasn't, the people at the consulate just give you a general response, until they actually send out packet 3.

Good Luck!!!!!
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-05-16 11:40:00
Asia: East and PacificHCMC.. Vietnam Governent forms???
Me and my fiancee were going to go that route, and began that process. We filled out all the papers, but before we sent anything in, we decided to do the K-1. All I can say is that it is only going to add much time on to your process as well as money. So it all depends on the couple. If this is something her and her family wants then iit is your call, but if you two want to be together as soon as possible, then do the K-1. The K-1 process does not require you to file those papers, those are for marrying in Vietnam and your marriage being recognized in the US.
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-05-21 10:03:00
Asia: East and PacificAt last, Loan is here
Congrats, and I am really happy for both of you.
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-01 21:12:00
Asia: East and Pacificmarriage in vietnam
Another thing you have to worry about is the marriage certificate. You need to apply for it in VN, which your fiancee can do, but I think it takes like 3 months for them to process. Which means you have to plan wither your wedding or another trip to be there when they are ready for you both to sign it. You have to go there to sign it. We actually were going to go this route, but the time and money involved changed our minds.
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-02 22:55:00
Asia: East and PacificHaven't rec'd packet 3 yet, but...
Congrats, hopefully you can get the proper documents returned. Can you let me know if in her packet 3 she received a DS-230 Supplement, asking her about her siblings?
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-02 06:20:00
Asia: East and PacificK1 Visa saga, a journey remembered ...
What an unbelievable journey. It has pretty much left me speechless. I just want to congratulate both of you for not giving up, and letting love prevail over the ignorance of this system. After going thru all of that should make your life and relationship so much easier. I wish the best of luck to both of you and my heart goes out to you also. Time to Enjoy the dream we are all awaiting.
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-06 17:18:00
Asia: East and PacificDocuments Translation from Vietnamese to English in Vietnam

i have no idea. I am thinking the translation will make them certified for Anh. For me the birth certificate I got from my local town hall put a raised stamp on it. There is nothing else that I can provide to them.



On the instructions of the packet 3 Huong received, it is asking for One ORIGINAL and one CERTIFIED COPY of the birth certificate for the Petitioner, Beneficiary, and Child if applicable. I don't understand this at all. I understand for the translation, but not for the USC. I emailed them 2 weeks ago and I am waiting for their answer, and also about tthe effect of IMBRA on our petition.
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-01 20:42:00
Asia: East and PacificDocuments Translation from Vietnamese to English in Vietnam
Matt and everyone else going thru HCMC, did you read in packet 3 where they are requesting 1 orginal and 1 certified birth certificate???? I don't have my original, as I have lost it. I only have the one I ordered. I am also providing a notarized copy of my passport. When they ask for certified, does that mean notarized?
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-01 19:14:00
Asia: East and PacificDocuments Translation from Vietnamese to English in Vietnam
I had asked a similar question about a month or so ago, and I got a same response. You can look in the thread listed below. I don't recall reading anywhere in Huongs packet 3 about translation either.

http://www.visajourn...showtopic=13149
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-01 11:02:00
Asia: East and PacificPaper work for HCMC Interview

In conclusion, what Mike has stated here:

" I went to the Courthouse where I ordered my Divorce Decree and I also order a Single Status Paper. They typed everything for me stating my previous marriage, and that I have not married since. "

Simple and your courthouse in the US can do that for a small fee, or HCM Consulate can do that for $50.


I did go to the courthouse, but I did swear in or give them a statement. I went to the register of wills office where you apply for your marriage certificate. I told her I needed a Single Status Paper, she said ok that will be $10, and she took my name and some other information to look me up on their system. She said we will mail it to you in a day or so. I received it in the mail, but am not sure if this is what they require. In packet 3 it states that the single status paper is required, but does not specify if this is for both the petitioner and beneficiary or just for the beneficiary. We wanted to do this, because in our engagement pics, she is wearing a wedding dress we bought in VN, as her parents wanted her to wear since they cannot be here for our wedding. So I wanted to provide this to make sure they understand that we did not get married.
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-06 10:50:00
Asia: East and PacificPaper work for HCMC Interview

Single Status document IS REQUIRED for both petitioner and beneficiary.

Thanks,

chuck and kim


Could someone tell me what exactly I need for the single status paper? I went to the Courthouse where I ordered my Divorce Decree and I also order a Single Status Paper. They typed everything for me stating my previous marriage, and that I have not married since. Is this what I need or do I need to type my own and have it notarized? If so is there an example of what this needs to say?
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-05 19:37:00
Asia: East and PacificPaper work for HCMC Interview

Tax Return and W-2: photocopies is OK, I filed my Tax via Turbo-Tax, so the "original" would be what I print from their website (PDF). However, I sent Kim copied of my W-2 and original slip. 3 years worth of tax information.

Paystubs: ORIGINAL, I can always order them again from my Payroll Dept. or ADP.

Please put "Case Specific" next to 14, 15, 17

Add: Foreign Police Certificate for applicant who lived in a foreign country for over 6 months after his/her 16th birthday. List of some countries are excluded from this policy can be obtained from Pack-3 and Pack-4.

Single Status document IS REQUIRED for both petitioner and beneficiary.

Thanks,

chuck and kim


I am not sure how to edit a post and keep it at the top. If someone can give me some direction that would be great, and I think this should be put at the top for everyone to see. How do you suggest this????
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-05 10:49:00
Asia: East and PacificPaper work for HCMC Interview
Hello everyone going thru HCMC for that pink slip we all want. Reading the instructions in Packet three has scrambled my mind. All the talk about this needs a photocopy and this needs a copy and this is duplicate. Well I put a list together that I hope is correct for all of us going thru HCMC. Everyones might be a little different depending on children and divorces, so I will post this list and if anyone wants to correct it or add to it, that would be so helpful for all of us. Here is the list:

1. A list of papers that will be turned in at window/not interview:
2. Appointment Letter (Original)
3. Visa Photos (4 per applicant) (Also have them for the medical exam)
4. MRV Payment Receipt (Original)
5. ID Card (CMND) (Original and Photocopy)
6. Household Registration Book (Original and Photocopy)
7. Passport (Original and Photocopy of all pages) (for each applicant)
8. DS-156 (In Duplicate) (2 originals for each appicant)
9. DS-156K (Original and Photocopy for each applicant?)
10. DS Part I (Photocopy for each applicant)
11. DS Part II (Original and Photocopy for each applicant)
12. Birth Certificate for Each Applicant (Original, Certified Translation, and copy of both)
13. Birth Certificate for Petitioner (Original and Notarized Copy) (May also Provide Passport/all pages)
14. Divorce Papers if applicable for Beneficiary (Original, Certified Translation, and copy of both)
15. Divorce Papers if applicable for Petitioner (Original Divorce Decree and Photocopy)
16. Single Status Papers for Beneficiary and Petitioner - Not Required (Original, Translation, and Photocopies)
17. Quit Claim From Ex (Original, Translation, and Photocopies of both)
18. Police Certificate (Original, Translation, and Photocopies of both)
19. Medical Exam Results (In Brown Envelope unopened)
20. I-134 (Original For each applicant)
21. Complete Tax Returns including W-2 (Photocopies or originals????)
22. Employer Letter (Original)
23. Paystubs (Photocopies or Originals????)
24. Bank Letter (Original)
25. Bank Statements (Photocopies or Originals)

Papers Needed During Interview (Originals or Photocopies???)
1. Boarding Passes
2. Visa Pages from Passport
3. Intinerary
4. Hotel Receipts
5. Bank Receipts from Withdrawals in VN
6. Handwritten Letters
7. Mail Receipts
8. Pictures of you together and at Engagement Ceremony
9. Pictures of chat
10. Phone Records
11. Emails
12. Chats

I hope this helps everyone, and I hope that everyone will add or correct anything that they feel necessary. I am just really confused as to what needs to have an original and how many copies. Good Luck to Everyone.

Mike and Huong
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-04 13:35:00
Asia: East and PacificLetter of intent to marry
First, I used a service to help me fill out our papers. In our original package he included the I-134. They inputed all my info, and I printed it out. I took it to the notary, and they notarized it without any evidence. They are just notarizing the signature, not the information.

Second, We also included the Intent to marry in our original package, and we only had one paper that was signed by me. Here is exactly how my letter was written by the service I used:

Fiancee Petition of (petitioner full name)

In Behalf of (Beneficiary full name)

Being duly sworn, I (Petitioners full name) declare:
I am the petitioner named above and I am a citizen of the United States.

I met my fiancee when visiting Vietnam.

It is my intention to marry my fiancee within 90 days of her arrival in the United States.

As proof that my fiancee and I have met each other in person, I am attaching photographs of us taken together.

(Petitioners Signature) Date
(Petitioners Full Name)

Then get it notarized

I am assuming that this covers both of us, as I am signing for both of us????
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-14 21:02:00
Asia: East and PacificBad News for one of your fellow HCMC mates

Mike,

Hang in there Mike!

I saw that this issue got some press through an AP reported story (I read in the NY Times). Looks like they interviewed a VisaJourney member (from what I gathered reading through the threads on the K-1 General Discussion Forum) and it stirred up quite a bit of talk on the boards.

Perhaps the US Consulates/Embassies are in a bit of confusion themselves regarding the new law, its procedures and ways of implementation.

The ONLY thing you can do is remain honest and confident and answer/submit all of the additional required information to the best of your knowledge and ability.

Keep up your diligent preparation and look on the bright side of the issue as it gives you a little more time to double check your evidence again (not that you want or need it) and make sure it is tight and solid.

EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON!

STL_HCMC

I am praying the Consulate doesn't view are petition as suspicious due to the fact it was recalled for unrelated case specific issues.


Thanks so much, it really does help. Since I have booked my flight I feel so much better, because it will cut out some of the time, and after I see Huong, it won't belong before her interview I hope. This IMBRA thing is really making Interviews come more rapidly, so hopefully when they get our petition back they can move on it quickly, yeah right!!!
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-19 20:58:00
Asia: East and PacificBad News for one of your fellow HCMC mates
I will try to explain this as best as I can. First they have recalled every petition with a receipt date after March 5, 2006, and have not processed any NOA2's for any petitions filed after they discovered their error. THerefore any petition with a receipt date or filed after March 5, 2006 are not approved at this point. They are sending out RFE's to every single petition that this affects whether you used a marriage broker or not. The RFE they are sending out will ask the petition a few questions about their criminal backround, if you have filed previous K-1 petitions, and if you used a marriage broker. If you have any criminal backround you need to submit paper work with the RFE. The term marriage broker isn't defined very clear in the information we have at this point. I believe they will ask us what site you met thru, and then they will determine if it classifies as a broker. From what I have heard, those that have used sites specific to certain ethnic woman may also classify as a broker. None of us really know at this point. What is really killing all of us affected is the fact they are not giving out much information. People with a receipt date of June and May are receiving emails stating their RFE's are on their way, while those of us with recalled petitions have not heard one word yet. Pretty much we are back to square one. I am praying the Consulate doesn't view are petition as suspicious due to the fact it was recalled for unrelated case specific issues. They have really screwed this up big time. There are 10,000 petitions affected at this point. I sent an expedite request today.
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-19 20:09:00
Asia: East and PacificBad News for one of your fellow HCMC mates
I am so anrgy right now, I got a response from the consulate. I emailed them to ask themif they would keep the DS-230 she filed on hand until the case is back at the consulate and here is their response:

Dear Mr. XXXXXX,

Please be informed that the Packet 3 was sent to your fiancée mistakenly. We apology for any inconvenience caused to both of you. As stated in our most recent response, we already returned your case to the US Citizenship and Immigration Service office where you filed the petition on May 12 as their request. Therefore, you should direct your concerns about the process of this case to them. Your case is now closed in our office. We regret that cannot remain your fiancée's form DS-230 PI as per your request.

Sincerely,

Info Unit Staff
Consular Section
U.S. Consulate General HCMC


I am going to reserve my comments, because it is going to get ugly if I don't.
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-15 05:13:00
Asia: East and PacificBad News for one of your fellow HCMC mates
I first want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for your kind words. I just wanted to let you know that USCIS has finally gotten things together and I should be receiving an RFE anyday now. I can't wait to get our petition where it belongs, HCMC

Here is the thread:
http://www.visajourn...showtopic=17574
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-13 21:07:00
Asia: East and PacificBad News for one of your fellow HCMC mates
Thanks for all the comments. I am clean, I don't have a record, I am not a sexual preditor, I never filed a petition before, and I did not use a Marriage broker, at leat I think. The term marriage broker is very general in their definition. We met on Yahoo, which is not a broker. Today was so hard for me. I called Huong before she went to sleep tonight, while I was at work, and this brough us closer together emotionally, but tore our hearts out. Like I said there were many reason why it was imortant for her to be here this summer. Now we have no idea when they will even begin collecting the necessary information. From what I have researched, I think it will be very soon, but the lady at Vermont said, we have no idea when your case will be sent back to the consulate.

:help: :crying: :help:
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-09 17:26:00
Asia: East and PacificBad News for one of your fellow HCMC mates

Mike,

I know you called and also got an email that your case is recalled. Is there an online status website from USCIS or NVC for us to check our case?

Thanks,

Nhatrang


Yes you can email NVC, or call your service center. I called Vermont and emailed the NVC to confirm it with both. I am sorry I can't give you the email and phone number right now, I am at work, but they are easy to find. You should check out the K-1 Genereal Forum. There is a huge thread about this.
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-09 06:55:00
Asia: East and PacificBad News for one of your fellow HCMC mates

FYI: I have checked this with my lawyer. This new IMBRA law is only applied if you meet your fiancee through a dating service on the Internet or an International Marriage Broker.



I am sorry to say, your lawyer is wrong. ALL petitions with a receipt date after March 5 are recalled. After the recall, the petition will have to provide USCIS with new information to comply with this law. The ones who will have problems will be those with criminal backrounds, sexual preditors, and those who have used marriage brokers. We need an exact definition of a marriage broker, does this include dating sites?

I hope you are not using the same lawyer I used, because that is what he told me at first. I know more than he does, because I have this forum as a resource.
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-08 14:31:00
Asia: East and PacificBad News for one of your fellow HCMC mates

Hi Mike,

I am in the same boat as you, just 2 months behind you. Here are some documents I found that might be useful to those who are affected by this IMBRA law.

Interoffice Memorandum To: Office of Domestic Operations Office of Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations Office of National Security and Records Verification

http://www.uscis.gov...crhst050306.pdf


SUPPORTING STATEMENT Petition for Alien Fiance(e) (Form I-129F)

http://www.uscis.gov.../i-129fsupp.pdf


PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION

http://www.uscis.gov...i-129f_83-i.pdf


New I-129F Draft

http://www.uscis.gov...-129f-draft.pdf

Tony



IMBRA is a new law that was supposed to be in place on March 6, 2006. Well, of course USCIS dropped the ball and didn't have the a plan in place. They continued to approve the Petitions and sending them out to NVC and then to the Appropriate Consulate or Embassy. Well, after realizing that they can be in deep trouble in doing so, they recalled every petition with a NOA1 Receipt date of March 6th to the present. The very first case I read about on this board was such BS. A girl actually had her interview adn passed. She was given a pink slip and told to return for her Visa the next day or something. Well the next day she got a call saying that they were sending her case back to the US, and they could not give her the Visa at this time.

Here is what I get from this new law. it is called IMBRA (International Marriage Broakers Act). They are going to do a more detailed backround security check on the US citizens, because there has been to many cases of physical abuse and such, so they say. At the interview they will release this information to the beneficiary, so they know who they are going to marry. This also affects those who have used a marriage broker as well as those who have filed multiple petitions. The big problem is that they recalled 1,100 petitions, and are not processing any new petitions, because they still don't know or have the new form made for this. They have a draft posted on their website, and it is under emergency review. Everyone has been calling for information and they are given many different stories, and they are told there is no timeline on this. So anyone with a receipt date of March 6 and newer, are not being approved at all right now. None of us know how long this is going to take and what they are going to require from us.


Thanks so much for the information. I also want to thank everyone for their support, your support helps greatly. I wish the best of luck to all of you, and I can't wait to share the good news when it comes.

THANKS
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-07 06:27:00
Asia: East and PacificBad News for one of your fellow HCMC mates
IMBRA is a new law that was supposed to be in place on March 6, 2006. Well, of course USCIS dropped the ball and didn't have the a plan in place. They continued to approve the Petitions and sending them out to NVC and then to the Appropriate Consulate or Embassy. Well, after realizing that they can be in deep trouble in doing so, they recalled every petition with a NOA1 Receipt date of March 6th to the present. The very first case I read about on this board was such BS. A girl actually had her interview adn passed. She was given a pink slip and told to return for her Visa the next day or something. Well the next day she got a call saying that they were sending her case back to the US, and they could not give her the Visa at this time.

Here is what I get from this new law. it is called IMBRA (International Marriage Broakers Act). They are going to do a more detailed backround security check on the US citizens, because there has been to many cases of physical abuse and such, so they say. At the interview they will release this information to the beneficiary, so they know who they are going to marry. This also affects those who have used a marriage broker as well as those who have filed multiple petitions. The big problem is that they recalled 1,100 petitions, and are not processing any new petitions, because they still don't know or have the new form made for this. They have a draft posted on their website, and it is under emergency review. Everyone has been calling for information and they are given many different stories, and they are told there is no timeline on this. So anyone with a receipt date of March 6 and newer, are not being approved at all right now. None of us know how long this is going to take and what they are going to require from us.
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-06 19:58:00
Asia: East and PacificBad News for one of your fellow HCMC mates
I am sure that you are all aware of the IMBRA law that our government has royaly screwed up on. So here is the our situation. Our Receipt date was after the March 6th deadline, and I have been waiting to find out if this would affect us. Well is sure in the hell did. They mailed Huong her Packet 3 on May 10. I called them on May 15th just to ask some questions about the papers she needed to return, and the woman said nothing about our case being returned to the US, and said that they would assign her an interview date after receiving the papers. Then I emailed them a couple days later to ask if we were going to be affected. She received Packet 3 on May 19. On Monday night in VN she stayed up until 2:00 a.m. finishing DS-230 Part I and the Applicant Readiness form. She has to get up at 6:30 a.m. for work, so she only got 4 1/2 hours of sleep, and then go to her job, which is a 12 hour day. Her brother mailed in for her Tuesday morning fast mail, which means she paid some money to get this there ASAP. Well on 6/6/06, this morning, only 6 hours after she sent the required documents back to the consulate, I received an email stating that our case was returned to the US on May 12 in regards to the IMBRA law. Also stated that she should not return the DS-230 and Readiness paper. As soon as I saw the email I called her immediately to ask if she sent it yet, and she was so happy and said yes, they will get it tomorrow. I felt so bad and could not break her heart at that moment, to inform her about our case being shipped back to the US. Now what will happen? Will they just keep the papers she sent and hold them unitl our petition is returned or will they send her a new packet 3? I called Vermont today and I was told that they have received our case, and it is pending further security checks. I asked was this in regards to IMBRA, and she said yes, and that she could not give me any timeframe, and to call back in 30 days if I have not heard anything. This is just tearing me apart inside. I want to go see her right now, but I need to hold tight so I take action as soon as I am requested by USCIS. The worst part is not knowing when they will begin this new process. I just hope this does not take us 6 more months, because I can't handle that.

VIETNAM, you will need to put one of those HELP flags next to our case.

Thanks for listening, it has just been a horrible day :crying:
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-06 17:45:00
Asia: East and PacificShots and Pills!!!
Thanks so much for all your input. The last time I was there in December and January, we went to a beautiful place called Sun Spa Resort in Quang Binh. First let me say, this place was 4 or 5 star, and I paid $50/night. I am not sure how I got sick, but a day after arriving on the train to Quang Binh, I started getting sick, from both ends. We were both so worried, and made for a less of a good time for the new years eve party they threw. The nurse at the resort was so nice, and took us to a local doctors office, where I got waited on immediately. I paid like $15 and they took a urine sample, temperature, blood pressure, sonogram, x-rays, and bloodwork. I was soscared about them sticking a needle in my arm, and then I saw them open a new needle up right in front of me. They gave a order for about 5 different kinds of medicine in which we went to some secret place to buy the medicine much cheaper. I started feeling better in about 2 days. I remember the thoughts going thru my mind that I caught something really bad. I am going to get the malaria pills and maybe skip the shots.
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-21 19:33:00
Asia: East and PacificShots and Pills!!!

I would only get a "tet'ness shot" (spelling) in case you get bitten by one of those stray dogs. I got bitten once. If you get sick or get a stomach virus you can buy almost any drug over the counter without a perscription, including Viagra. Oh I forgot, you're meeting Huong, nevermind...................:)


Very Funny, that I won't definately need. I mayn need some relaxing pills :energetic:

I think I will pass on the shots, since I had them the last 2 times, and I will just call the doctors office for the malaria pills. When we have chatted at her home this summer, I noticed she uses a bed net, so the mosquitos seem pretty bad, as I have seen her swat at them. Thanks everyone, it really eases my mind that I won't be the only one not getting the shots.
Mike n HuongMaleVietnam2006-06-21 06:13:00