Interview is Tomorrow

[Bita26]

Island Girl

 

I'm hoping for things to work out and for the people at the embassy to not give you guys a harder time. I know things WILL work out in the end. I have both on you in my prayers and just wish you the best of luck. Let us know any new developments.

[Island Girl]

Thank you Bita26.

 

I have just recently burst into tears. This entire thing is too much.

 

Too much stress when this was supposed to be the day we're done.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

 

So he is back from visit number 2 to the embassy.

 

Wants to change out of his clothes first to talk - it is hot there and he said he doesn't want to keep perspiring just in case he still needs these clothes for tomorrow.

 

So I will let everyone know ASAP.

<sigh>

[Rollercoasterr]

You've gotta calm down, honey. You're his rock, you're his whole entire world. If you fall apart, he falls apart. And don't think he's not gonna feel it, because he is. Stay positive. Good things ARE coming your way. But you've just got to calm down. It's gonna be alright.

[quankanne]

damn embassy dummies ... of course they're going to assure you they aren't going to need such-and-such. Only to ask for it later!

 

but, stay cool, we have the techology to pull it off, so that's one problem licked, and I know things are going to be jusssssstttttt fine ...

 

hugs,

q

[SoulSearch_CO]

IG - stories like yours are EXACTLY what angers me so much about illegal immigration. I hate seeing upstanding people doing everything by the books and going through the hell you're going through when a baby conceived in MX with two Mexican citizens can be popped out on U.S. soil and considered a citizen automatically. I seriously had no idea what a headache LEGAL immigration was until I saw a friend going through similar problems as you two.

 

I just want you to know that I'm standing behind you guys and sending the strongest positive thoughts I can that they'll be in a good mood today to grant the damn visa. Good luck with it all! Let us know how the interview went.

[Eilonwy]

Aww. Hopefully you get some good news soon!

[Island Girl]

Okay.

 

Here's what I've got.

 

The embassy did complete the interview.

 

There were two women who helped him. An older woman and a younger one. The younger one was rushed he said. Not as helpful. But the older one she was VERY nice to him.

 

They completed the questions and chatted with him about the paperwork he was submitting.

They mentioned something about the mass amount of medical paperwork.

 

It is SO incredibly difficult because he is English challenged and they are speaking with a Fijian accent about the paperwork that he really doesn't understand and then he has to try to decipher and explain back to me.

It's exhausting.

 

So the older lady told him to come back at 2pm.

 

When he did they gave him two forms to fill out.

They are the same forms our lawyer already had filled out in the pack of paperwork I already sent. -- ? WTF?

His instructions from me is to tell them they have the forms they gave him already in the big packet he gave them. Just a few pages in from the top.

I can't imagine why they want duplicates...? And if they DO want duplicates we will have the lawyer fax other ones so he can just sign and sign...not have to fill it all out himself. OY!

 

So they made ANOTHER appointment for him tomorrow (later today) at 11:00am for him to pay his fees.

 

The additional paperwork they are requesting include a request for an original document.

This must have a raised seal so there is no way a fax will work. But they gave him the fax, the e-mail, and two addresses to send it.

I am assuming they know it has to come from the US and will take time.

 

In the morning I will be asking him to confirm that we have time to get them the "missing" documentation. And if so HOW LONG?

 

Seems ridiculous that THEY don't have a deadline for processing this crap but they sure as hell will put a deadline on submitting it!

 

In any event - all of the documents are NOT a problem to obtain EXCEPT the docs he left with. Who knows how long that will take! I just hope and pray they wait for it.

 

I feel good about the way it went as far as how they are treating him and how they are talking to him.

 

The one fear is the docs we have to get replaced by immigration. Those documents can take up to a year to get...at least that is what I am told.

UGH.

 

So it ISN'T all over with. I still have even more to do.

 

And damnit! DAMNIT!! About that.

 

Everything else looks good - and I am trying to see it as a good sign that they'll complete his interview and take the money at this juncture.

 

After hearing me scream at him all day (he let it all roll of his back as he knows I am coming unglued at this point) he was very happy to hear me say I am proud of him.

I could practically hear him puff up over the phone.

 

And there we sit.

[LonelyTiger]

Well they're really putting you guys through it aren't they?

 

What a load of bureaucratic nonsense. I really feel for you. The stress must be immense.

 

You are right - if they've made an appointment for him to pay his fees that must be a really good sign.

 

Hang in there IG. We're all rooting for you.

[SoulSearch_CO]

:)/:( I'm frustrated for you guys that there isn't more of a resolution. But I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[SpanksTheMonkey]

Immigration is a nightmare its just about the worst gov department to deal with sounds like your attorney inset to hot there?

 

Ever think about getting a new one? I could be wrong but Ive seen it before and it makes the process even harder..

[Ariadne]

he is English challenged and they are speaking with a Fijian accent about the paperwork that he really doesn't understand

 

Island Girl,

 

How did you meet this guy?

 

Did he always live in Tonga or some island without internet and phone?

[Island Girl]

Immigration is a nightmare its just about the worst gov department to deal with sounds like your attorney inset to hot there?

 

Yes immigration is terrible in general.

But the consensus seems to be that the US is the most difficult.

It hasn't helped that laws have changed several times over the last two years. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

 

He actually has a 92% success rate which is quite impressive.

 

Ever think about getting a new one? I could be wrong but Ive seen it before and it makes the process even harder..

 

At this stage in the game that would be futile.

We are at the end.

 

The follow up documentation gets supplied and everything an attorney does, is done.

[Island Girl]

Island Girl,

 

How did you meet this guy?

 

Here in the US over eight years ago.

 

After a rugby game, the team would pick a bar and go there to celebrate. It just so happened they picked my brother's favorite bar that season.

 

Did he always live in Tonga or some island without internet and phone?

 

From your question it seems you are under the impression that Tonga is a booming metropolis!

 

He has always had a phone. That is our main line of communication and always has been.

 

They recently got the internet there although most people do not have a computer and if they did could not afford the internet.

 

He lived in Australia while he played professional rugby. And then he came to the US.

 

My husband does not know the first thing about computers having never been in a position to learn and he is a bit scared of them. He wouldn't want to break it and has no idea how it works.

I don't mind the idea that when he gets here I don't have to worry about internet porn addiction or meeting some other woman online! LOL

[Trialbyfire]

Crazy times Island Girl. Glad to hear the interview is over and done with! There's only a couple more things to do. What a difference from waiting and waiting, then a huge pile of documents and finally the interview.

 

Chin up! Soon...soon!!

[Bearandsue]

Aww still have my fingers crossed. Take it easy. I have a good feeling it will all work out.

[Island Girl]

Thanks To All

 

I know I keep saying that over and over again.

 

But it bears repeating. I honestly do not know what I would do without seeing the support of you guys here.

 

I suppose I would feel alone and as it is I feel I have this great little community cheering me on in the final stretch!!

 

I went back to my old research online and did some more digging.

I found that there are many cases that have been adjudicated without the paperwork the alien has left with.

Most of these cases were handled at the embassy level.

The is also the "Paper Reduction Act" which I may be able to factor in. It basically says that in order to reduce the amount of paperwork submitted and maintained any forms or information that a government agency has access to shouldn't be duplicated.

And of course immigration has records of that paperwork since they issued it to him!

So it seems that this embassy is being sticky where there is no hard fast rule.

 

I will be contacting my attorneys office immediately at 8:30am to follow up on the forms he was given to fill out (the ones that are already provided to them) and the 2 other documents they have to get them on their way.

They did tell them they need originals which have raised seals.

Again there are originals in the file all marked received already but whatever. If I am going to pick something to argue about it isn't going to be these as these can be provided rapidly.

 

I am so thankful I had the foresight to have him be there for a few days and not just the date of his interview.

 

They have requested him back twice now (possibly more who knows) so that in itself alleviated what would have been a huge problem.

 

If I can get this handled today then perhaps I will be able to sleep tonight...no sleep since Sunday night.

 

I just have this feeling that everything is going to be fine.

I don't know where it is coming from but I am holding on to it for dear life!

[Ariadne]

After a rugby game..

 

Wow, what a story.

 

It's amazing that you kept it going for so long with so many complications.

 

Well, see what happens next with him coming to America and the starting of a new life that you wished so much for.

 

Exciting times!

[Island Girl]

Wow, what a story.

 

Yeah. I know.

I have friends that knew us here that tell me they aren't surprised at all that we are still together and just as stuck as we were from the beginning.

And I have friends I have only become friends with since he's been gone and they joke that he is a mail order husband and I just found photos online of the same guy and photo-shopped myself into them. LOL

 

It's amazing that you kept it going for so long with so many complications.

 

Yes well in a sense it isn't like I have a choice. The pain we feel being separated is far better than it would be to be without each other.

 

Well, see what happens next with him coming to America and the starting of a new life that you wished so much for.

 

Exciting times!

 

Exciting to say the least!

 

This man knows me better than anyone. He knows me better than my own mother.

He knows how I perceive things and loves me through everything and anything.

 

Just like yesterday when I have had no sleep and I am on edge and biting his head off and he just takes it in stride and says, "honey please be calm down" (yeah that is him speaking with his adorable accent).

 

During the first year he was gone we exchanged hand written letters along with all of the phone calls. I'd just pour out my thoughts about everything on pages and pages.

He basically got to study my thought processes and reactions and really he can anticipate my feeling better than I can at this point.

My girlfriends would tell me over and over how lucky I was when he was here because of how he treated me. It took me a little longer to appreciate him but I wouldn't be without him in my life for anything.

[quankanne]

IG, I'm proud of the BOTH of you ... the stories I've heard about filling out paperwork and then doing the immigration dance are enough to make one just want to give up for good, but y'all have seen it all the way to this point. And that's no small feat! So hold your head up high for being so tenacious

 

RE: the reams and reams of paperwork they're insisting upon – I'm wondering if the embassy doesn't do that to people to ensure that folks really do have what they claim to have? A kind of CYA thing on their end, but also a means of proof so they can assure clients are doing what needs to be done (and properly) in this process. Yeah, it's a pain in the butt, yet it also serves as a safety net for your honey, so to speak.

 

the past couple of months I've been preparing for surgery (nothing major) and the doctor's office keeps asking what I'm getting done. Finally told the pre-surgery nurse that come Operation Day, the surgical staff is going to find a piece of masking tape with the procedure written on it, adhered to my abdomen! She laughed, then said THEY knew what kind of surgery they were doing, but would keep asking up til the day of the event so that *I* was aware of what I was doing! Makes a certain kind of sense, if still annoying.

[Island Girl]

IG, I'm proud of the BOTH of you ... the stories I've heard about filling out paperwork and then doing the immigration dance are enough to make one just want to give up for good, but y'all have seen it all the way to this point. And that's no small feat! So hold your head up high for being so tenacious

 

Oh wow. Hugs quank! {{{hugs}}}

 

RE: the reams and reams of paperwork they're insisting upon – I'm wondering if the embassy doesn't do that to people to ensure that folks really do have what they claim to have? A kind of CYA thing on their end, but also a means of proof so they can assure clients are doing what needs to be done (and properly) in this process. Yeah, it's a pain in the butt, yet it also serves as a safety net for your honey, so to speak.

 

Yeah. I know. And I'd completely get it if they didn't enforce it sometimes and then not in others. No rhyme or reason to it. It has been the same all along. i ask a question and either do not get an answer because I didn't ask the question the right way or I get one answer and later on another...and then the laws change on top of it. UGH.

 

In our case there has never been any doubt about substantiating the relationship. We have a letter from our landlord when we lived together in 2002.

And then more physical back up such as pictures, our letters, etc.

 

the past couple of months I've been preparing for surgery (nothing major) and the doctor's office keeps asking what I'm getting done. Finally told the pre-surgery nurse that come Operation Day, the surgical staff is going to find a piece of masking tape with the procedure written on it, adhered to my abdomen! She laughed, then said THEY knew what kind of surgery they were doing, but would keep asking up til the day of the event so that *I* was aware of what I was doing! Makes a certain kind of sense, if still annoying.

 

Well I hope all is well after! And I am glad it's nothing serious.

 

There is a method to all of this madness. I have to believe that.

And I am waiting for the lawyer's office to call me back as we speak...waiting again! I hate waiting.

[Lucky_One]

I hope it goes well; this has been an exhausting process for you and him.

 

But where IS your lawyer? Our lawyer went to all NIS meetings with us, every step of the way (and none were local). Why wasn't he/she with your husband?

[Island Girl]

I hope it goes well; this has been an exhausting process for you and him.

 

But where IS your lawyer? Our lawyer went to all NIS meetings with us, every step of the way (and none were local). Why wasn't he/she with your husband?

 

Because I could not pay for him to go to Fiji.

He said he'd just charge the hourly rate -- still THOUSANDS of dollars. yeah right. LOL

 

My husband had to go to the embassy in Fiji. There is no embassy in his country.

And I could not afford to go either.

I WISH I WAS IN FIJI.

Ahhhhh paradise!

[Lucky_One]

Ah. We paid a flat rate ($6k) for everything, payable in two installments.

[65tr6]

So it ISN'T all over with. I still have even more to do.

 

IG, did you check out the forums I had suggested earlier ?...I am glad you have Attorney representing but trust me the folks out there know more than some of these attorneys.

 

It is still not too late...Post your current situation there and you will plenty of help. You need more than moral support....you need solid immigration advice and you will get it there.

 

With Immigration, always be prepared for the worst but ofcourse hope for the best.

[SpanksTheMonkey]

Yes immigration is terrible in general.

But the consensus seems to be that the US is the most difficult.

It hasn't helped that laws have changed several times over the last two years. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

 

He actually has a 92% success rate which is quite impressive.

 

 

 

At this stage in the game that would be futile.

We are at the end.

 

The follow up documentation gets supplied and everything an attorney does, is done.

I hear you.. I had one once that boasted like a 100% success rate and she was just total crap and I found out was WAYYY over charging..

 

I dropped her like a bad habit and got a new one that actually knew how to do work and get me a result lol...

 

Yes I would Imagen the USA is the hardest to gain lawful entry into its a dam shame really the hoops they make ya jump Thu I just hope it all pays off for you guys in the end.

 

A pro rugby player?? Lucky girl omg thats hot.. we have the all blacks here and there GREAT! **Sigh** lol even tho I don't know the 1st thing about rugby .. again Best wishes to you guys!