Interview is Tomorrow

[Ariadne]

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..

 

IG,

 

I did all the paperwork for immigration to the US myself and never had a lawyer.

 

Then I filed the paperwork for my second husband and never had a lawyer either, and we are both citizens now.

 

So, don't stress so much about lawyers and getting the best. You don't really need any, you just need to get the embassy those documents.

[LonelyTiger]

Just wondering if everything's OK with you Island Girl.

 

Have you heard anything further in the last day or so?

[LikeCharlotte]

I am sure you are very busy at the moment but I've been reading and waiting for the news! Anything yet? What's happening?

[Bearandsue]

I am sure you are very busy at the moment but I've been reading and waiting for the news! Anything yet? What's happening?

 

 

 

So have I actually. Hope all is well

[Trialbyfire]

Hope all is well IG. Plse update.

[Rollercoasterr]

An update would be nice, you big meanie.

 

I hope all is well with everything.

[Island Girl]

Hey All

 

Okay I kind of had a crash after the stress and no sleep for 4 days.

 

So I apologize for the delay in the update.

 

The embassy gave him 2 pieces of paper and said they were necessary. My lawyer doesn't know what these papers are. So hubby mailed them to me to have the lawyer look at them and fill them out.

 

There are two originals of some paperwork that I need to get from the courthouse here. The must have seals on them.

All of these will be returned then to the embassy.

 

There is the matter of the original paperwork from when he left. There seems to be multiple filings to get this info and it depends upon what type of paperwork it was.

I have found multiple avenues to try to get this paperwork.

However, there is a guideline that says it must go through a specific department. And they have a back log of a year.

 

YES. A YEAR.

 

So I am hoping one of those other ways will indeed work out.

 

We will see.

 

I am thrilled beyond belief that HIS part is completed and paid for etc.

 

The thought of another year sucks AZZ!!

 

But I really am feeling kind of settled with it.

 

The people at the embassy told him to be sure to hurry to get the information together "because it is going to Manila and you don't want to wait longer".

So that to me was a good sign. That they told him that.

 

I guess I am just in shock that it isn't over maybe?

But it is over with. That huge worry part of it is over.

Now what we will be waiting for is out of my hands.

So I will do what I can to find some way some how to get around that kind of a time delay.

But if it is so be it.

 

On hubby's side he would not be thrilled at all to hear that. But it is what it is. There's nothing I can do about that either.

He is just going to have to be patient. Like me.

[LonelyTiger]

Thanks for the update IG.

 

It all sounds really positive, despite the little hiccup of another year - very frustrating but at the least the end is in sight.

 

If you're 'feeling kind of settled with it' that's really great.

 

Horrible having to wait - yet again - but you're both strong and you can do it.

 

Keep smiling.

[mental_traveller]

Well at least you got the main thing you both wanted.

 

Regarding the 1 year delay, I am not sure how things work "real world" over there, but have you considered a bribe? Obviously you would never do that in the US, but it may be pretty common & accepted elsewhere. If you could cut the wait to a few weeks for a cost of a couple hundred bucks, it might be worth speaking to a lawyer or someone who understands the way things are done, and see if it can be arranged.

 

About the long-sleeved shirt - if you ever really rely on something, it's best to make absolutely sure you can get it done, not to have to rely on others. The thing to have done would be to have bought one way in advance, not rely on someone else lending one at the last minute. Always have a plan B in case what you are relying on fails.

[TaraMaiden]

...I am not sure how things work "real world" over there, but have you considered a bribe? Obviously you would never do that in the US, but it may be pretty common & accepted elsewhere.

 

It's really strange you say that.

in Italy, everyone is accustomed to 'la bustina' the little envelope.

slipped into the paperwork containing a small amount of money, some things can be hurried up.

But some people do not have the money, and others will not do this on principle.

 

A person I knew slipped an envelope into some paperwork regarding permission to build a barn on his land. The request was rejected. When he protested (and of course, he did not get his money back!) the official said "Signore, ci vuole un po' di piu!"

he meant - "sir, it takes more than that!"

The bribe had been good - but insufficient.

Which makes me think that for some, even though they appear incorruptible, it's a question of everyone has their price....

At least, in Italy......

[Bita26]

Island Girl:

 

Just wanted to say a quick hi and I hope everything is going well. Stay strong and take care!

[Island Girl]

Regarding the 1 year delay, I am not sure how things work "real world" over there, but have you considered a bribe? Obviously you would never do that in the US, but it may be pretty common & accepted elsewhere. If you could cut the wait to a few weeks for a cost of a couple hundred bucks, it might be worth speaking to a lawyer or someone who understands the way things are done, and see if it can be arranged.

 

I missed this before.

 

There is absolutely no way I would ever attempt at bribing a US Embassy official or Consular.

 

That in itself could lead to a lifetime ban.

 

It may be different in other countries as far as their governments go. But these people are US officials and take that VERY seriously.

[Island Girl]

Island Girl:

 

Just wanted to say a quick hi and I hope everything is going well. Stay strong and take care!

 

Thanks Bita26!

 

I have actually been taking a two week hiatus from the whole mess.

After 2 years and 8 months of worry, I decided to set it aside for a couple weeks.

And then pick up the fight at that point.

 

It will not be near as difficult to deal with now because the interview IS done and the fees ARE paid.

So now it is gathering paperwork and waiting.

 

All of that is not nearly as stressful as it has been up to this time.

 

The waiting is still hard.

 

But if it is going to be a long time like a year+ I am going to visit at least once. That just has to happen for my mental health (AND HIS - lol).

[mental_traveller]

I missed this before.

 

There is absolutely no way I would ever attempt at bribing a US Embassy official or Consular.

 

That in itself could lead to a lifetime ban.

 

It may be different in other countries as far as their governments go. But these people are US officials and take that VERY seriously.

 

I think you misread my post, especially this bit:

 

"Obviously you would never do that in the US, but it may be pretty common & accepted elsewhere"

 

I meant if the bureaucracy of the other country was slow, and worked on a bribery system. Not US officials.

[Island Girl]

I think you misread my post, especially this bit:

 

"Obviously you would never do that in the US, but it may be pretty common & accepted elsewhere"

 

I meant if the bureaucracy of the other country was slow, and worked on a bribery system. Not US officials.

 

Since he is coming to the US all of this is only handled through the US processes.

 

He went to Fiji for his interview because the US Embassy there is the only Embassy for many of the South Pacific countries (they are tiny countries and don't have their own).

 

His interview and all of this paperwork are going through the US Embassy there and in Manila.

 

Thank you for clarifying your side.

 

There just has never been another country involved and won't be.

[taiko]

Since he is coming to the US all of this is only handled through the US processes.

 

He went to Fiji for his interview because the US Embassy there is the only Embassy for many of the South Pacific countries (they are tiny countries and don't have their own).

 

His interview and all of this paperwork are going through the US Embassy there and in Manila.

 

Thank you for clarifying your side.

 

There just has never been another country involved and won't be.

 

The Manila Embassy is use to the work of the so-called fixers. Of people denied it is normally because not enough pictures or she was already married.

 

There is no divorce, except under Sharia law, in the Philippines. And birth certificates are stamped illegitamite. So there was a cottage to get by both the nuns in control of the hospitals and the national government. Only when the records hit the computers the unmarried mother suddenly found herself married at the time of the interview. I personally know 5 couples who were either denied or pulled the marriage record and petetion at the last minute.

 

Because immigration fixers got invovled the embassy is always changing its procedures and demands of paper from both the petetioner and the Philippines government.

[Island Girl]

The Manila Embassy is use to the work of the so-called fixers. Of people denied it is normally because not enough pictures or she was already married.

 

There is no divorce, except under Sharia law, in the Philippines. And birth certificates are stamped illegitamite. So there was a cottage to get by both the nuns in control of the hospitals and the national government. Only when the records hit the computers the unmarried mother suddenly found herself married at the time of the interview. I personally know 5 couples who were either denied or pulled the marriage record and petetion at the last minute.

 

Because immigration fixers got invovled the embassy is always changing its procedures and demands of paper from both the petetioner and the Philippines government.

 

The Embassy referred to is the US Embassy there in Manila.

 

They follow US law and US procedures.

 

My case has been well documented through California. Validity of our marriage is not in question.

 

But it is good information for people in the Philippines.

[taiko]

The Embassy referred to is the US Embassy there in Manila.

 

They follow US law and US procedures.

 

My case has been well documented through California. Validity of our marriage is not in question.

 

But it is good information for people in the Philippines.

 

Of course, with lets bribe out in the air just adding my experiences.

[snowball]

Dear Island GirL

 

This is the first time I have ever replied to a posting on here, but I felt that I had to reply to this one.

 

My husband and I have went through all that immigaration crap, the forms.(never did have a lawyer) The physical for health and all that other stuff, All the never ending really down right silly forms you have to fill out which mean absoultly nothing in the long run, but we did it anyway's and had a STRESSFULL laugh over it. And yes we have the dreaded no sleep for a week interview (that was a laugh in itself)

 

But you said one sentence and one sentence only that made me worry for you.

 

He over stayed his visa island girl.......WHY did he and you not extend his stay before it was over.....he broke the law before his permanent residency was in place.

 

I don't know what they will do about that I really hope for you nothing, but it's really a simple form that you fill out so the government get's even more money out of you (seriously it's like a $150.00 ) it's crazy. But it's the law.

 

You cannot break the law before he's even in the country Island Girl

 

The last thing the immigration officer said to us after the interview was keep your nose clean. And around six months after that he was a perminent residence.

 

All the best Island Girl

 

It's hard

Sandra

[RecordProducer]

People there whom I have helped repeatedly in many many ways did not come through with a long sleeved shirt for him to wear. They said they'd let him borrow one as they have many his size. But they ducked his phone calls for three days and then he had to get on the plane for Fiji.

You married someone who cannot afford to buy a shirt? You really believe he loves you for YOU and not for your passport?

 

I am just hoping that the tattoos on his arms won't be an issue.

No, the tattoos won't be an issue. They can't. The consular officers can only stick to relevant issues and his appearance isn't relevant to his immigrant visa.

[snowball]

Hi Record Porducer

 

I saw that thread about the shirt myself and thought it a little strange that she was relying on other people to get him a long sleeved shirt to begin with.......but who know's..,,that maybe a whole other story in itself.

[Island Girl]

You married someone who cannot afford to buy a shirt? You really believe he loves you for YOU and not for your passport?

 

I don't expect you to know anything at all about the economic climate there.

 

Unless you have been there you have no idea.

 

And no he does not have much there. All of his church clothes, nice clothes, are short sleeves due to the fact that it is a tropical island.

 

When the comment was made by his cousin's wife about a long sleeve shirt it was 3 days before he was to get on the airplane to leave.

 

Not enough time to find one one in his size there (if there is one on that teenie little island).

Not enough time to buy one here and send it (it takes 2 to 4 weeks for shipments).

 

I hadn't thought anything about his tattoos until she said that. I am glad it didn't matter.

 

His size is an issue.

 

For instance when we were married I had brought a ring with me. He was sized there and I told the jeweler here but he messed up on the US size. So it was too small.

 

We found one -- ONE -- ring on the whole island that would fit him. And we were thankful for that ONE.

Even in the US you'd be hard pressed to find a men's size 16 ring in stock. It would be special order.

 

 

As to the comment that he married me for my passport -

No. He didn't.

 

Do I know this for sure?

Yes I do.

 

 

BTW - His entire immediate family is split between NZ and Australia.

He could have gone to either place long before now.

 

Yeah, we go through the arduous torture day in and day out just because I have a US passport.

 

Because MY family is here (he has lived away from his family since he was 17 he has no problem living away from them) and leaving everything and everyone I know would be more difficult.

This process was just never supposed to be this long.

 

 

DID YOU MARRY YOUR HUSBAND FOR HIS US PASSPORT?

 

 

Hi Record Porducer

 

I saw that thread about the shirt myself and thought it a little strange that she was relying on other people to get him a long sleeved shirt to begin with.......but who know's..,,that maybe a whole other story in itself.

 

The explanation is above.

[Island Girl]

He over stayed his visa island girl.......WHY did he and you not extend his stay before it was over.....he broke the law before his permanent residency was in place.

 

My husband arrived here on a visa 9 years before I knew him.

 

I didn't know he over stayed and did not file his extension.

He didn't think it was a big deal because he had been here so long.

Their community -- the islanders -- are very close knit and do not discuss a whole lot with other people.

And it is a common misconception that once you are here for 10 years you are automatically "grandfathered in".

 

I hope their perceptions have changed in the last few years. I don't know. I guess I'll find out when he gets here.

 

When I did find out I pressed the point. But his relatives (cousins, more "cousins", etc.) were telling him different and that I wouldn't know because of course I was born here and never had to deal with immigration.

 

We weren't married at that point either although we had discussed it.

 

I take sponsorship and marriage very seriously.

 

We didn't get married until over 3 years after he had left.

 

 

You cannot break the law before he's even in the country Island Girl

 

That was a long time ago when he was here before.

 

He now has a complete grasp of the laws in our country - believe me.

 

None of the other islanders here seem to - STILL -

but he does.

 

The last thing the immigration officer said to us after the interview was keep your nose clean. And around six months after that he was a perminent residence.

 

There is a bright spot in all of this.

 

When he does come he will be entering with his permanent residence visa.

We do not need to apply for an Adjustment Of Status.

 

 

All the best Island Girl

 

It's hard

Sandra

 

Yes it is.

 

Thanks.

[Rollercoasterr]

I'm baffled that someone would even make the suggestion given your history. If he was marrying for the passport he probably would've given up by now, haha.

[Island Girl]

I'm baffled that someone would even make the suggestion given your history. If he was marrying for the passport he probably would've given up by now, haha.

 

No sh*t right? LOL

 

And he could have gone to NZ or Australia --- Married one of those girls (it is a tourist destination for them after all) - or gone to either country and met a girl there.

 

Yet another case of somebody just "not getting it".