Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Middle East and North Africa	Questions Questions Questions in the Interview!	Shoot, there is a big long list of practice questions somewhere in this forum, but i can't find them......... Good luck!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-09-13 10:28:00
Middle East and North Africa	Question on Affidavit of support	Salaam, Probably best to have it filled out and everything ready, just in case, on the off chance, they do ask for it... Makes filling out the I-864 easier when your SO comes over here anyway.... Multiple Casa Conversations on Affidavit of Support Good luck! hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-07 22:53:00
Middle East and North Africa	finding a job	Sometimes things just suck... I heard on the radio yesterday that one study showed that teachers graded students with unusual names more harshly than students with traditional names (i.e., Sarah, David, Michael). Don't know if it is true, but how crazy is THAT!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-08 01:00:00
Middle East and North Africa	finding a job	Has anyone actually tried "Americanizing" their or their SO's name and found it to make a difference? i'm just curious... i think about it sometimes myself.	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-07 19:31:00
Middle East and North Africa	finding a job	QUOTE (Amoon @ Oct 5 2009, 10:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> My husband is having the same dificulties. He has been here 3 months and has applied everywhere and had only one interview. He needs to have his drivers license and that has been a difficult road. He gets very depressed especially when I get up at 5 am to drive an hour to work everyday. I moved back to the small town where I am from to be closer to my family and because before my husband arrived, my house was broken into and I moved for security too. So the small town, plus his name (his middle name is Mohammad) and the fact that he doesn't have any work experience here (people don't want to call Jordan for references, plus they don't speak Arabic even if they would call) and he has no drivers license yet...it is difficult. I mean, I can't even find a second job to keep us above water until he finds a job. The economy right now makes things harder. It is a very difficult time. There is a small community college nearby and there were several programs offered for free if you are unemployed, so he is taking advantage of that now and taking an In Home Aide class for now. It worries the heck out of both of us though. It is really rough out there... i wish you both the best of luck... Just remember you can use your friends for references if he knows them. Put the Jordanian work references, too, but your friends as personal references can vouch for him, saying that he's newly arrived here and he's a great guy. Also, if you can get him into any kind of class--Business English, GED, the CDL class is a great idea--he can use his teachers as references. If he knows anything about construction or cleaning, sometimes you can find one or two day gigs on Craig's List. Even if he helps someone move for a day, it's some cash money in his pocket and you never know what it could lead to... p.s. UPS is an awesome job if you can get in... They start everyone part-time, but i think you can quickly move to full-time and quickly move up the ranks. They also offer tuition reimbursement and i think they are unionized... Edited by AlHayatZween, 05 October 2009 - 07:26 PM.	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-05 19:25:00
Middle East and North Africa	finding a job	Salaam FakeID, i agree with Len. Re-do his resume and keep applying. Leave no stone unturned. Craig's List, local newspapers, temp agencies, even if he has to go door to door asking. Where are you located? How's his English? Have you tried some community resources? A lot of churches have community programs that help with job placements for immigrants and refugees. Talk to everyone. Keep an eye out for temporary positions, especially now with the holiday season coming... Major chain stores should start hiring for extra help, keeping inventory and whatnot. You never know what a temporary job can turn into. Also, maybe have him do some volunteer work, just to get him out of the house. You never know who he might meet. Also, take a look at apprenticeship programs if he'd like to learn a trade. Usually all you need is a GED and a DL and they will take you on and pay you while you study. If his English is good, maybe try to find some translation work... He might be able to work from home. If he is getting interviews, remind him to get a business card/e-mail/ or contact number of the person who interviews him. Have him follow-up and be persistent. Even send a thank-you note, just to stay on an employer's radar. It is a bummer about his name. i can totally commiserate. It is his choice, but something to consider. i always put "Mr." on my husband's resume so even though his name might be difficult to pronounce, at least employers knew his gender. Good luck! It is rough out there for everyone these days!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-02 23:49:00
Middle East and North Africa	Please help... All people who went through consulate at Casablanca, Morocco	QUOTE (norielorie @ Oct 6 2009, 12:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I do know that the last few people were not requested to send there info for the affidavite of support. But sent them anyway, but the consulate did not ever ask for them. I was very concerned about this too. But i was told NVC will request it not the consulate or get it in there package. But i am not sure. We have a interview tomorrow so we will see. Good luck!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-06 09:07:00
Middle East and North Africa	Please help... All people who went through consulate at Casablanca, Morocco	Yes, i think if i remember correctly, you send him all the appropriate documents, and he gets together the things he needs from the Moroccan side, and he brings them all in to the interview. They may keep them, or not... or just some of them... It is very confusing, indeed! Edited by AlHayatZween, 05 October 2009 - 11:26 PM.	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-05 23:26:00
Middle East and North Africa	Please help... All people who went through consulate at Casablanca, Morocco	Can you tell i'm procrastinating doing any real work...? Hope helpful... I-134 Discussion for Casa	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-03 23:50:00
Middle East and North Africa	Please help... All people who went through consulate at Casablanca, Morocco	QUOTE (AlHayatZween @ Oct 4 2009, 02:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Processing for Casa is different than that for Egypt. Also keep in mind K1 requirements in Casa are different from the other visa types: K3, DCF, etc... Sorry, it won't let me edit my post... But all that being said: My experience was in Spring 2008, don't know what has changed since then... And definitely bring the Affidavit, just in case they ask for it... or if they ask your Habib any questions about sponsorship, he'll have documented proof for his answer.	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-03 22:37:00
Middle East and North Africa	Please help... All people who went through consulate at Casablanca, Morocco	Processing for Casa is different than that for Egypt. Also keep in mind K1 requirements in Casa are different from the other visa types: K3, DCF, etc... Edited by AlHayatZween, 03 October 2009 - 10:33 PM.	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-03 22:29:00
Middle East and North Africa	Please help... All people who went through consulate at Casablanca, Morocco	QUOTE (Yerresha Kach @ Oct 3 2009, 03:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Alhayatzween: They did even look at the affidavit of support? Nope, didn't even look at it... and i think this goes for other K1 filers as well...? Anyone want to chime in? But definitely have the affidavit all ready, you never know what kind of boomerang they will toss at you during the interview... Also, it was helpful to have all that documentation squared away, because when you prepare to Adjust Status, you will have to prove that you can afford to sponsor him. Having all your tax returns & bank statements handy is a good thing. But to answer your original question: As long as you have a co-sponsor, you are fine. Edited by AlHayatZween, 03 October 2009 - 03:34 PM.	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-03 15:33:00
Middle East and North Africa	Please help... All people who went through consulate at Casablanca, Morocco	Salaam, As long as you have a co-sponsor, you are good to go. For our interview (Spring 2008) they didn't even look at the affidavit of support... but definitely make sure he has it with him at the interview just in case. Good luck!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-02 23:53:00
Middle East and North Africa	affadavit of support	Is there any way you can get a few years worth of tax returns from you joint sponsor? Or find a joint sponsor with a longer tax history? Three years should be good, and you can order tax transcripts online for the years you need...not too difficult to acquire them. i have never heard of them using the beneficiary's assets as income, unless your SO owns and will continue to own a successful business from which he will continue to generate income? But i could be wrong about that... Good luck, hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-10 10:21:00
Middle East and North Africa	? About Costs, Mailing Proof and Docs for Interview!	QUOTE 3. Pictures 4. Should I send proof again from when I was there? Plane tickets?????? Just thought of this.... 5. Chat logs... 1 chat per month for last year and a half 6. Emails 7. Copies of letter mailed to him, and from his he has mailed to me. 8. Phone records Salaam... Yes, to all of the above... Send it all. Also, send copies of your passport with exit & entry stamps. Hotel receipts, plane tix, whatever you have, whatever you can think of... best to be over prepared than under. If there is any way for him to print out the chats & e-mails... that's great, too. i would NOT rely on US Postal Service to get these important docs there. Even if you've had some success in the past, there is no guarantee. FedEx & DHL should be fine... might cost you a penny, but well worth it. Good luck! hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-11 19:14:00
Middle East and North Africa	Brother and Wife had baby boy!	Wooooo-hoo!!! Congratulations to all!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-10 00:00:00
Middle East and North Africa	What advice can be given?	Yes, i vote for pinning!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-13 00:45:00
Middle East and North Africa	What advice can be given?	QUOTE Applicant should not employ nervous tics, such as squeezing their face,	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-11 23:53:00
Middle East and North Africa	What advice can be given?	QUOTE (brnidokiegurl @ Oct 11 2009, 06:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> There are a million of these already in the MENA section of suggestions , the best advice, always tell the truth, be prepared, take EVERYTHING you can possibly think of as evidence, look the interviewer direct, no joking, if you do not understand the english ask for interputation, do not mention gf as wife, if they ask a question say about how do you talk, say we talk much chat here do you can see our logs (as you present this to them) or yes we talk alot on the phone here you can see our phone bills (as you hand them the bills). If ask about visits, give answer as ask and say yes here you can see our pictures. You have to take the agression step here sometimes they wont look at anything. Remember they have your application in front of them during the questioning so be sure you know what all information it contains BEING PREPARED IS THE KEY, when in the waiting room do not fumble thru your papers just sit confident and wait your turn	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-11 19:16:00
Middle East and North Africa	Aid al-Adha - Sacrificing Sheep in US?	QUOTE (New Beginnings @ Oct 10 2009, 08:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> We'll go to someone's farm and probably go in on a sheep with a few people. Ask around at the mosques! i hope we can do the same this year!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-10 17:49:00
Middle East and North Africa	Aid al-Adha - Sacrificing Sheep in US?	QUOTE Do you guys buy your own sheep and sacrifice it? i wish! Maybe depends on where you live and how much yard you have. If you own a home & a yard, i don't see why you couldn't do it yourself. In NYC last year, we just bought from one of the halal butchers, who sold whole sheep (already slaughtered) and he would just cut it up how you wanted it. We had to order in advance though. This year we are in Louisiana where there is a lot more farmland, and i know one of the guys at the mosque has a farm and sells halal chicken and sausages and stuff. That's where we'll start asking. Best bet is to ask at the mosque. You can probably order ahead if there is a halal food store in your area, too.	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-10 00:06:00
Middle East and North Africa	International calling cards	Yeah, MagicJack would be ideal if you can get it to him. If not an option, there is always skype, which is free computer to computer. Also, if he is calling you on a fixed phone, not your cell phone, a 20-dirham telecarte could give you some brief, but not too brief talk time. (Only problem is that he would have to call you from a public phone in the street. Not fun...)	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-11 23:58:00
Middle East and North Africa	Stamp Controversy... Sigh...	i hear you.... sigh.............	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-17 19:22:00
Middle East and North Africa	Stamp Controversy... Sigh...	Thanks, Zahra and everybody for the happy thoughts....	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-14 00:51:00
Middle East and North Africa	Stamp Controversy... Sigh...	QUOTE (*Len* @ Oct 14 2009, 01:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (AlHayatZween @ Oct 13 2009, 05:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Jenn! @ Oct 13 2009, 02:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I would write your aunt back simply saying, "I'm glad to know you feel this way." Let her stress about exactly what you mean. Yeah, i just sent a link back from Factcheck.org. My sister also was on the distribution, and she sent back a very angry e-mail. She wrote about us all being God's children and she hoped that that was still being taught in Sunday school. (She is much better at putting people in their place than i am.) My uncle then wrote me a long e-mail apologizing, didn't mean to hurt my feelings, etc... But then wrote about our national security and why weren't moderate Muslims speaking out more... i wrote that i accepted his apology. He is in his 70s, what more can i do? i'm just having a bad week... I puffy heart your sister, she can join my OH NO YOU DIDN'T club Your uncle, well,..... Awww, thanks Len! Yeah, she is no joke... i like your new avatar!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-13 23:03:00
Middle East and North Africa	Stamp Controversy... Sigh...	QUOTE (Jenn! @ Oct 13 2009, 02:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I would write your aunt back simply saying, "I'm glad to know you feel this way." Let her stress about exactly what you mean. Yeah, i just sent a link back from Factcheck.org. My sister also was on the distribution, and she sent back a very angry e-mail. She wrote about us all being God's children and she hoped that that was still being taught in Sunday school. (She is much better at putting people in their place than i am.) My uncle then wrote me a long e-mail apologizing, didn't mean to hurt my feelings, etc... But then wrote about our national security and why weren't moderate Muslims speaking out more... i wrote that i accepted his apology. He is in his 70s, what more can i do? i'm just having a bad week...	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-13 20:33:00
Middle East and North Africa	Stamp Controversy... Sigh...	QUOTE (Ash * Habibati @ Oct 13 2009, 05:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I think I'd just send her a " thinking of you card" with that stamp all over it	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-13 20:26:00
Middle East and North Africa	Stamp Controversy... Sigh...	You are right... but what a bummer... why would my Aunt send me that #######? People just don't think anymore... Doesn't it take more energy to spew negativity and fear, than to just be positive and live and let live?	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-13 08:58:00
Middle East and North Africa	Stamp Controversy... Sigh...	Salaam & good morning everyone, Has anyone else seen this regarding the Eid Al-Adha commemorative postage stamp? It's an e-mail rumor about how the Obama's created this postage stamp and Muslims are "bad"...etc... etc... Goes something like this: QUOTE REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993, REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the Marine Barracks in Lebanon, REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the military Barracks in Saudi Arabia, REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the American Embassies in Africa, REMEMBER the MUSLIM bombing of the USS COLE. REMEMBER the MUSLIM attack on the World Trade Center on 9/11/01. REMEMBER all the AMERICAN lives that were lost in those vicious MUSLIM attacks. Now the United States Postal Service REMEMBERS and HONORS the EID MUSLIM holiday season with a commemorative first class holiday postage stamp. I strongly urge you to REMEMBER to adamantly and vocally BOYCOTT this stamp when purchasing your holiday stamps at the post office. To use this stamp would be a slap in the face to all those AMERICANS who died at the hands of those whom this stamp honors. I also strongly urge you to pass this along to every Patriotic AMERICAN you know, whether by email. i woke up to it this morning in my e-mail inbox... but you know what is really, really messed up? Is that one of my aunts sent it to me?? She sent it to me on a long distribution, but still it ended up in my inbox? What was she thinking? if anyone is interested, this stamp actually came into circulation in 2001 and was re-issued in 2002, in an effort to celebrate diversity and community during the holiday season, similar to the Hannukah stamps and Kwanzaa stamps... http://factcheck.org...9/muslim-stamp/ Edited by AlHayatZween, 13 October 2009 - 08:37 AM.	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-13 08:36:00
Middle East and North Africa	TRICK OR TREAT	hahahahaha... i thought you meant what am I going to dress up as on Halloween! i wish i were going to a party. i like the dress a banana idea!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-13 09:00:00
Middle East and North Africa	possible to delay medical exam?	QUOTE (Mimi and Zozo @ Oct 21 2009, 11:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> thanks! we're persevering and my fiance is just going to do his best to get it before its too close to the interview... the doctor was understanding when he called to reschedule so... hope it will work out inshallah! well, that is good news! hope he gets the passport soon... i don't know why they make it so hard for some and not others... no rhyme or reason to it. Good luck!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-21 20:07:00
Middle East and North Africa	possible to delay medical exam?	damn, that is tough! what a stinky situation... you could probably postpone the medical, but the problem is really the passport... will it be ready in time even if you postpone it? maybe best to a) call the doc and explain the situation and see if she will still do the exam w/o the passport... and B ) as much as it stinks, have your SO do what he can to get his passport asap. it took months for my husband to get his passport for no good reason. he ended up having to pay a bunch of people off just to get it... hope your situation will work out better! good luck!! hz Edited by AlHayatZween, 20 October 2009 - 10:24 PM.	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-20 22:24:00
Middle East and North Africa	Quiz: Muslim style	QUOTE (amal @ Feb 7 2007, 12:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Urban Muslimah You keep it modest and real enough said hehehehe! there we go...this is the full result lol.... and it is pretty accurate too... Me, too, got the same result!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-20 22:18:00
Middle East and North Africa	Battle Over Face Veil Still Brewing In Egypt	Yes, i read about it this morning!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-11-02 21:42:00
Middle East and North Africa	MENA baby arrival!	Congratulations!!!!!!! Much happiness to you all... what a cutie!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-10-19 20:18:00
Middle East and North Africa	question about where the american airport check your papers	Salaam, They will check your papers at your first port of entry--the first airport. My husband came through JFK and the whole process took about an hour or so... I can't tell you about other airports. Try to leave a couple hours between flights if you can... But don't worry too much, it will work out okay!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-11-04 23:46:00
Middle East and North Africa	need help with 129f rejected for the second time	Salaam, If the US citizen lives in Washington state, she should send the form to the California service center. See the address on page 5 of the directions here... I-129F Directions Good luck! hz Edited by AlHayatZween, 04 November 2009 - 06:34 PM.	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-11-04 18:33:00
Middle East and North Africa	help , the k-1 visa , port of entry	QUOTE (Jad28 @ Nov 10 2009, 01:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> i can bring extra birth certificate , but the doctor doesn't give me a copy for the vaccination supplement , what can i do ? Salaam, Yes, bring extra copies of your birth certificate, and photocopies of translations if you have them. They will keep the envelope at the POE. Did you make a photocopy of the vaccination supplement? If not, maybe you still have time to ask the doctor for a copy? Good luck! hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2009-11-09 23:53:00
Middle East and North Africa	Happy Thursday MENA!	Thanks, Bridget and GG and Amal... i'm manic today! here's hoping he actually gets on the plane and makes it here and immigration and the work stamp at JFK and what if he changes his mind, what if i've been too much of a pain in the butt lately and and and and!!!!!!!!	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-07-17 10:44:00
Middle East and North Africa	Happy Thursday MENA!	Good morning Mena..... la bas aliekum? Habibi is supposed to arrive tomorrow............... i'm a bit nervous! please think happy thoughts for us....... hz	AlHayatZween	Not Telling	Morocco	2008-07-17 09:15:00