Island Girl Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 I have been struggling with the immigration process for my husband to be reunited with me here in the U.S. He finally had his interview in April at the embassy in Fiji. He was told at that time they'd like new copies of a couple of things but also that they need a copy of his alien file from when he was in the US before. Once they received all of the paperwork they'd pass the file on to the OIC in Manila (yes the Philippines). Once in Manila they'd process the file and issue an approval or a denial. That processing time is 4 to 6 months or longer. (They always have longer and that longer is always indefinite ). My attorney had told me they were really being ridiculous since they had copies in order to be able to complete the interview. -- These copies take a year or more to obtain. The last audit of the office that handles the requests for this paperwork found requests that have been sitting for over 20 years. I got in touch with my Senator's office for assistance. They said they'd try to help. They contacted the embassy and the response was the same information we had received at the interview. So I wrote back to the Senator's office and explained again - the time delay - that I was told they already have internal copies - the whole thing again. I think my frustration was a bit more evident this time. Well, the Senator's office forwarded my e-mail () to the embassy and requested a response. The response came. The embassy replied that they were moving the file on to Manila that day. That it will now be in Manila for processing -- BUT that there could be a request from that office for the records as well so there could be a delay there. I was thrilled they sent it on. I mean it is FINALLY at the last point of the process. I am worried that my correspondence (the one that was forwarded) may read as "bitchy" and they can deny for any reason really. But I can't help but think it is a GOOD THING that they moved it on considering it has been in process since 2007... Thoughts and well wishes anyone? Possible experiences? Link to post Share on other sites
Rollercoasterr Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Honey, at this point you have every single right to be bitchy. Sure, they might not appreciate it, but at least at this point they know that you aren't a push-over. They know that they can't just keep putting this off, because you aren't a naive little girl that doesn't know how to get things done. Chances are that at this point, they're so sick of you that they'll approve it quickly just to get you out of their faces. But I am SO happy that you're at your final stage. You deserve this, and he deserves this. Link to post Share on other sites
jumi Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 wishing you the best!! its definately great that the ball is rolling. love can break through anything Link to post Share on other sites
clv0116 Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 I don't understand why they/we make it so hard for people to immigrate here. Link to post Share on other sites
sb129 Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 I don't get why it has to go to the Philippines of all places? I guess you just don't argue and say yup thank you very much! IG, you know I have every digit I possess crossed for you that you are H are together ASAP. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Island Girl Posted September 30, 2009 Author Share Posted September 30, 2009 I don't understand why they/we make it so hard for people to immigrate here. Me either. Especially when it is a spouse. I understand proving the validity of the relationship. But after that - after you show that the two of you really are a couple and have been together for some time (In my case we have the lease and letter from our landlady when we moved in together here in December 2001 and then proof from then to now) I don't understand why it isn't easier. We are doing it legally and correctly. And we get this long drawn out process that is hellish. Link to post Share on other sites
alphamale Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Possible experiences? my wife was from toronto back in 93 when we got married. we applied for her green card right after marriage. we seperated 2.5 yrs later and she left to go back to canada still without her green card Link to post Share on other sites
sb129 Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 It does sound overly protracted and unnecessarily complicated- IG, I admire your patience and diligence regarding this. Link to post Share on other sites
MSUE Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 hey IG...my heart goes out to you...I hope you 2 can be reunited ASAP...and that all procedures go trough wout any further delays...keep the faith and the hope...I will keep you in my prayers Link to post Share on other sites
Author Island Girl Posted September 30, 2009 Author Share Posted September 30, 2009 Honey, at this point you have every single right to be bitchy. Sure, they might not appreciate it, but at least at this point they know that you aren't a push-over. They know that they can't just keep putting this off, because you aren't a naive little girl that doesn't know how to get things done. Chances are that at this point, they're so sick of you that they'll approve it quickly just to get you out of their faces. But I am SO happy that you're at your final stage. You deserve this, and he deserves this. Thank you. My concern is the office in the Philippines is getting the file and it is all new to them - they aren't responsible for Fiji's missteps and misinformation (caused delays) so I really don't know. But they have to get the file anyway -- that is the final destination regardless. So the fact that it is there now is a good thing. That file has made it through three other offices to get to this last stop. I am just worried they'll hold it for those copies as well. But then again even if they do - it had to then be sent to them anyway... I don't get why it has to go to the Philippines of all places? I guess you just don't argue and say yup thank you very much! IG, you know I have every digit I possess crossed for you that you are H are together ASAP. Thanks so much sb. It has to go to the Philippines because there is no OIC in Fiji. At least that is what they say. I have been told that EVERY embassy has an OIC but Fiji says they don't so anything that needs an OIC's attention goes to the Philippines. From what I have read the OIC (which stands for Officer In Charge BTW) handles the file for 15 to 20 minutes and makes their decision. At this point they have my statement, 3 tax returns, and 4 pounds of medical documentation showing how my health is severely affected by this immigration process itself and being away from him for so long. It was very touching that when the therapist I had to see (for two years) wrote up her evaluation and recommendation for the embassy she told me that she had never worked with anyone or known anyone that has the kind of relationship we have. That it is the most mature and truly supportive marriage she's ever heard of (including hers). That helped me SO MUCH because there were a couple of issues that had come up especially with my illness and trying to explain it all to him LD and she had made suggestions that had really helped. But she credited him for a lot of that because when I said something he immediately adapted and approached things from trying to understand me and my needs due to my illness. Her recommendation states it is imperative he be allowed entry immediately. Sorry - I am in one of those cycles because of the stress of this. It's good news but if I think about my bitchy e-mail or the papers getting hung up again I go into a tailspin and ramble... Link to post Share on other sites
Author Island Girl Posted September 30, 2009 Author Share Posted September 30, 2009 my wife was from toronto back in 93 when we got married. we applied for her green card right after marriage. we seperated 2.5 yrs later and she left to go back to canada still without her green card Dayum alpha! Well, he can't even come without his visa. The only good thing about it taking this long is that he'll get a 10 year permanent residence "green card" immediately where, if it happened sooner, he would have been given a temporary and would have had to applied for a Change Of Status at the two year anniversary. So after this the next step is 10 years away and it is simply an extension for another 10 years. It does sound overly protracted and unnecessarily complicated- IG, I admire your patience and diligence regarding this. Thank you but we do what we have to and we are as strong as we have to be in any situation, right? The Philippines, even if they don't request those stupid copies, still gives the time line as 4 to 6 months or longer so we have no deadline. But it IS at the last stage and they have to get to it sometime. hey IG...my heart goes out to you...I hope you 2 can be reunited ASAP...and that all procedures go trough wout any further delays...keep the faith and the hope...I will keep you in my prayers Thank you so very much MSUE. At least there is a great understanding that has come from all of this. And with all this work and effort he knows I own him. I have the pink slip - ownership papers. JK. But not really. Link to post Share on other sites
Rollercoasterr Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 My co-workers has affectionately labeled my K-1 petition as "adoption papers" because they've never seen anything like this. But I just say that whenever all this is done and over with they better give me a receipt that says "1 Canadian" on it because it feels like I'm buying him! Maybe they'll include a nice big red ribbon to tie around his head? Link to post Share on other sites
Author Island Girl Posted September 30, 2009 Author Share Posted September 30, 2009 My co-workers has affectionately labeled my K-1 petition as "adoption papers" because they've never seen anything like this. But I just say that whenever all this is done and over with they better give me a receipt that says "1 Canadian" on it because it feels like I'm buying him! Maybe they'll include a nice big red ribbon to tie around his head? I know!! The spousal paperwork is just insane. And I am quite sure there is someplace that had me sign over the firstborn as well - I think it is in the addendum to the fine print which would be the fine fine print... Link to post Share on other sites
alphamale Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 I know!! The spousal paperwork is just insane. And I am quite sure there is someplace that had me sign over the firstborn as well - I think it is in the addendum to the fine print which would be the fine fine print... IG, can't you just find another suitable guy over here? that may be easier than all this bull**** you're going thru Link to post Share on other sites
Bearandsue Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Wishing you all the best..IG. Finally some movement. :bunny::bunny: Link to post Share on other sites
Author Island Girl Posted September 30, 2009 Author Share Posted September 30, 2009 IG, can't you just find another suitable guy over here? that may be easier than all this bull**** you're going thru Aww alpha. Sure I can find another guy. I have never had a problem getting a man when I've wanted one or having them stick around for as long as I have wanted them to. Really he is the best match ever and a King among men. My friends who know us know exactly why I am still with him and going through all of this. They are the same ones that used to tell me to stop telling them things he'd do because they were starting to look at their men like "mmmhmmm and why can't YOU be more like HIM"! Seriously I have dated men from all walks of life and I have never found one even remotely close to how he is. It really is all about me (I once gave one of my brother's friends a stutter ) and how he relates to me is phenomenal. Link to post Share on other sites
sb129 Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Yes of course we do what we have to do IG, but you do do it with an admirable amount of grace and patience, even though you say you are b*tchy, you never come across that way. Link to post Share on other sites
Star Gazer Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 IG, you know I have every digit I possess crossed for you that you are H are together ASAP. Ditto x1000!!! Link to post Share on other sites
Author Island Girl Posted October 1, 2009 Author Share Posted October 1, 2009 Yes of course we do what we have to do IG, but you do do it with an admirable amount of grace and patience, even though you say you are b*tchy, you never come across that way. Thank you sb!! My brother and I were talking about an ex of mine the other day and how evil I can actually be. When I am done, I am done if you know what I mean. I told him I was just so surprised that these guys always come back. And my brother said, "I honestly don't know. I mean I CAN'T get away. I'm your brother and I am always going to be your brother but when you even give me a taste of what that is like" -- he never gets it on BLAST LOL - "I want to get away from you forever. It's horrible". He said my hubby deserves a frickin' gold medal because he can actually deal with it effectively. Hubbybear really is amazing. When I am frustrated it can come through a little bit I'm afraid although I try very hard for it not to. Although professionally and in matters like this it is never at an inappropriate level. I mean I wasn't bolding everything, swearing, or stating they were in any way incompetent. Link to post Share on other sites
sb129 Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 . I mean I wasn't bolding everything, swearing, or stating they were in any way incompetent. I would have been. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Island Girl Posted October 1, 2009 Author Share Posted October 1, 2009 I would have been. It is the knowledge that they hold The Power that keeps me from going there. I certainly feel it is deserved at this point even warranted. But still I hold back because of The Fear. :lmao: Link to post Share on other sites
Author Island Girl Posted October 1, 2009 Author Share Posted October 1, 2009 Ditto x1000!!! Maybe the next update is that his visa is ready! :bunny: Do I dare to hope...? Link to post Share on other sites
Trialbyfire Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Good luck IG! There are two things in life you don't argue with and that's Customs/Immigration officers and pregnant women! Link to post Share on other sites
sb129 Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 There are two things in life you don't argue with and that's Customs/Immigration officers and pregnant women! I agree with the first part, but IME lots of people still haven't learned the second one... Link to post Share on other sites
Author Island Girl Posted October 1, 2009 Author Share Posted October 1, 2009 Good luck IG! There are two things in life you don't argue with and that's Customs/Immigration officers and pregnant women! Let's just hope they don't give me any reason to argue...I'm not sure of my patience level at this point. Maybe this time next year I'll be able to post about how much he is irritating me being constantly underfoot! Hee Hee. Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts