Vindictive Latino CO in Moscow

[BC]

Starting a congressional on second hand info... and when you are not affected. hmm..

funny.. the VJ main sponsor seems to be an immigration lawyer win a 100% success rate for K1's.

Did you call him/her?

It's like calling a congressman to say that you might get a speeding ticket because there's a cop sitting on your corner.

Good luck.

[Bruce]

If this Latino CO is the only male doing the visa interviews in Moscow staff must have changed since August 2004 when my wife had her K-1 interview in Moscow.  Her CO was a tall thin white guy with dirty blond hair.   I am saying this because if there is only this one Latino CO in Moscow now and there was at least one white guy last August the turnover rate amongst consular officers may be fast enough that when your interview comes up this particular speedbump may be long removed.  Of course it always pays to prepare the best you can.  If Murphys law applies this Latino CO will stay and everyone else will rotate out within the next three months.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the concern, but I'm willing to follow this through and take the heat. It is not just that these ladies were denied that irks me, it is the fact that this man would put these couples through this unnecessarily. I do not want my girl to go through this so if I can do something about it prior to her date i will. Then if this guy does catch wind of me and punish her for it I think this would probably end his career after my inquires. What do you think? You think he would have the balls to mess with her after a congressional inquiry aimed squarely at his forehead? That will of course be his choice, but I kind of doubt it.

Oh by the way thanks for getting me all nervous and second guessing myself, I needed that guys.

No seriously I must follow my heart and do what i feel is right. I never could stand idly when i perceive an injustice. Who knows maybe this will change some lifes for the better. God knows the two ladies and their beau's sure would be a lot happier today if we would have started this a few months back.

Well anyway it is too late now so please either support our cause or don't, but don't knock us for trying to bring a little bit of justice to this world:)

[wxman]

Since I work for the Federal Government, and have had dealings with constituents who write their congressmen, the process with how your letter is tranferred goes like this. The congressional offices you wrote will forward that letter, along with another letter from them asking for an explanation. The letter will be sent to the head of the USCIS or the State Dept, (I can't remember which one oversees that part of the Embassy). From there it will be sent down the line to the immediate supervisor of the CO.  The CO is not allowed to see who wrote the letter, unless of course, some disciplinary action is taken against him, in which case he has a right to fight it and then will get all documentation. His immediate supervisor must respond to the congressional letters. There is no if or maybe to that. His supervisor will look over his CO's stats, and if he thinks the guy is rejecting way too many, will probably just tell him to cool it. If the supervisor actually can find (which I highly doubt) an intent on the CO to actually sabotage visa approvals, then action can be taken. Most likely, if that is the case, the first warning will be a written reprimand, if the guy has a clean record. If not, then he could get suspended without pay, reassigned, and in the worst case fired, which again is very rare. So his supervisor will get your letter, and the congressman and you will get the supervisor's response. It may take a month, but you will hear back from them, if you gave them your name and address. 

Wxman,

Thank you for the very informative post. As far as who will be contacted read up to my earlier post today which contains an email response I got from Congressman Flake's office. It said this " I have made a request with the limited details we have to the Department of State Congressional Team, they will determine if we have enough information for an investigation on this officer or if it is not enough to make a charge."

So to answer that question it is the DOS that will be contacted.

Now as for what happens to this fella. Really my goal is just to see that everyone gets a fair shake. If a rattling of his cage will do this great, but if he needs to be removed for unfair practices then so be it. Either way he must be brought to bear for his extremely questionable decisions of late.

I also wanted to address one other thing. I have been questioned for taking action prematurely. Well I do not think so. Do you suggest that I should wait for a denial then worry about it? Do you suggest that I should just keep quiet and pray that we get the luck of the draw with a different CO? Well I do not know how things work in Italy my friend, but in America we have the right to question such action that directly affect our lives, and we have the right to do this without fear of repercussion. Sure a man in his position could cause me some grief if I waited for him to have his way with my girl, but I chose to take the first step. I'm doing my very best to understand everyones thoughts and opinions here, but the way I was raised back home in Detroit you don't wait for someone to take the first punch because 9 times out of 10 the man who takes it usually ends up the winner! Not a boast, just an observation.

Wish me luck guys I'm fighting for all of us.

[wxman]

I think you did the right thing by writing your congressman. Remember, they and all of us federal employees work for you (the American people). It is a government of the people, by the people, not one of where you answer to the government. When one thinks they are above that, then it is up to all of us to stand up. I wish you smooth sailing though all of this.

[Bruno]

[user=336]doudis2[/user] wrote:

Well I do not know how things work in Italy my friend, but in America we have the right to question such action that directly affect our lives, and we have the right to do this without fear of repercussion.

I don't know for Italia but it is certainly not very different from Belgium...

Here, we have not K1... woman can visit us on tourist visa or personal visa... if the woman have the requested document, no problem...

In case of marriage outside Europe, a immigration visa is needed... but again, only a list of document, no interview... since the husband is responsible of the wife, they don't care really about your relation...

Now, i remember that some year ago, belgium people was not happy from the work of gouverment... so, everybody in the street... and a new gouverment... yep, citizen have the real power here too

In short, we are the lucky guys in Europa, not so much problem and complex procedure like in America for bring a bride... i was surprised by shadow and his fiance... in holland, you are not obligate to be married for be together... same with a woman who is not from Europa... this is really freedom...

[wxman]

The problem in the US is not so much legal immigration as the US is 3rd in the world behind Great Britain and Germany  http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/imm_asy_see  but the problem we have with illegal immigration. Some estimate up to 15 million illegal immigrants in the United States.  http://lang.dailybulletin.com/socal/beyondborders/part_1/p1_america.asp

So instead of addressing that issue, the US government makes it harder for people to legally immigrate to the US. Makes no sense, but it's one way to slow the pace of people coming into the US, as it is beginning to overwhelm the system.

[BC]

Doudis,

Things are different, but actually better here.

If a visa is refused/denied a local judge can decide.  Also constitutional guarantees here includes rights of citizents AND legal residents to be together with their families. There are hurdles (being able to support your family) but they're not so high here.

I do know (from past experience) that congressional enquiries are a big PIA and a LOT of work for many organizations. Just because you have a senator or congressman working in your interest does not mean he alone can change laws, regulations and department policy.  Donate enough to a political campaign and maybe you can get congress to pass an exception for you as a rider to some bill.  

There's not a lot of hard evidence and first hand info here and the folks you are complaining about (above the CO) are exactly the folks that have to adjudicate your eventual appeal/review. If they really look they can almost always find something. I would have at least consulted with an experienced professional beforehand.

You dove in head first without checking how deep the water is. Even good and honorable intentions can break your neck.




 

Actually I should not have brought your home into this as it did not come out the way I intended. I guess what I was trying to say is maybe in some other places you have to be very careful when dealing with the government as it can really come back to bite you in the rear sometimes. I don't know really, this may be true or not. All I know is what I have read about and learned in history.

My point was I do not have to FEAR this man nor what he could possibly do to me or my lady. If he willfully tries to cause us grief it will end worse for him then us. Really man, he's the one who needs to be careful, not me. He is the one that has taken it upon himself to play "little miss matchmaker," LOL.

No I apologize I love the European culture and all of her differences, please do not think otherwise. Why else would I be so thrilled about marrying my dear sweet Russian lady.

Now lets drop the I shoulda, I coulda, I woulda's please. It's over with, I did it I started a congressional inquiry and I'm darned happy about it. No amount of reasoning or persuasion can help or even convince me to want to try and stop it now. I want this guy to explain to us why he is doing what he is doing and I want him to stop. He works for us and he WILL treat us with our due respect or I will pursue his termination until the ends of the earth. Yes it has become personal.

I know your are just amazed or maybe bewildered by my resolve. Why is this guy doing this? His girl has not even been "attacked" (and yes it is an attack, an emotional assault)yet. True, but would you let the enemy of your loved ones even get near them if you had even the slightest chance of preventing it? I know you would not. No man of any significant character would. Well that is why. I love her, I love her with all my heart and I will always stand up for her whether she knows it or not (she has no clue about all of this, I do not want to worry her).

So in the end, yes I did open up a can of worms, I know this my friends. But what Mr. CO is about to find out is I also opened up a can of Whoop Ass as well and my pantry is still full! Bring it on sissy boy (CO) lets see you pick on someone your own size instead of our women, lol!

[BC]

Doudis,

No apologies needed.. I understand.

The first wall I think you will 'hit' is that you personally have have no grievance.  In fact all the Consulate has to do is say they never had any contact with you or your fiancee so your grievance at this point is unfounded. The matter will likely be dropped immediately. Turbo and maybe others are directly affected so their cases will likely be heard and maybe acted upon.

There's a difference between writing your congressman to let him know your opinion on matters and initiating/requesting an enquiry.

Yes shoulda coulda is over, but still would be interesting to get an informed and professional opin.  I'm sure someone in professional circles has heard of this guy..

..and remember.. who knows.. maybe this CO is a member or guest on this board If so he/she would likely have enough info from your posts to know exactly who you are, whether or not the origins of your enquiry are known. I'm sure he will love your nickname for him.

Maybe I am 'sissy boy CO'... who knows around here

I wonder if the consulate receives emails from time to time trying to sabotage or cast bad light on relationships..

[RacerX]

wxman:

your reference was for asylum seakers - they don't contribute much to the immigration numbers - the real numbers for the USA in 2005 will be over 1 million immigrants!

doudis2,

If you are really serious about this, you should do somthing that will directly help your fiancee - there are several immigration attnys who have "connections" at the Moscow consulate.  One I know quite well: John Roth (from NY) visits them regularly and can do things you or a congressman can't.  Like wxman, I worked for the US gov (in another branch, doing petition reviews) and I recall getting inquires from 'crazies' all the time - usually we ingnored them unless there was some solid facts supporting them.  

[Bruce]

Doudis - I can not wait until you get to the AOS waiting game.  I hope you figure out a way to rattle the cage.  Some people get their AOS interview within 4 months.  Other people like myself have to wait 3 years.  It all depends on where you happen to live.   Does that sound like a fair system to you???

As for the AOS fun to come. To tell you the truth I have been through all of this before with my ex-wife of 10 years. Anyway the AOS stuff did not give me any grief last time. I know it has caused stress to others, but once my girl is here there is NO WAY she will be going home unless she chooses it so they can take their sweet ass time for all I care. As long as they do not try to deny her AOS I will be fine.

As for EAD we plan to start a family right away and we have already decide that we will NOT be daycare parents so we do not have to worry about he working, I will support us. The only real concern I have about AOS is AP. I sure would like to get that out of the way right away as a precaution. I'd hate to do this all over again just because we did not get AP before she had to fly home for an emergency or something. But other than that I will be very relaxed once she steps through immigration here in the States.

For those having trouble with AOS I do not men to belittle your situation, I am just stating how I feel about it. Best of luck to all of you.

[Turboguy]

Doudis good luck on this.  It really needs to be done and I have to have a lot of admiration for your congress people.   I voted for mine the last time but I am not too sure I will again.    The have underimpressed me so far. 

I will do all I can to help.  Right now my future is back in his hands.   That is not comforting at all.

Thanks Ray,

I'm pulling for you. Hell your the reason i started this! I loath injustice. Besides I don't want to go to prison so it is best we take care of this fellow before my girl gets denied by him, lololol!:D (Joke everyone don't get your panties in a bunch!)

Heard anything for you reps yet? Or the embassy about your additional submissions? What about the other fellow in your position?

 

[Turboguy]

Well when we were in Moscow after the interview our room overlooked the white house and the area where the embassy was.   We joked a lot.  I would say, what do you want to do now.   Do you want to go to Arabat street and walk around, do you want to go somewhere and have coffee or do you want to go bomb the embassy?

When we checked out I grabed my bags, walked to the door looked back to see if I had forgotten anything, waved to the room and said good bye room,  looked out the window and waved to the embassy with one finger in a famous position and said good bye embassy.

Here is an update on me.   Sunday night at 12:30  (8:30 am monday moscow time) I faxed 28 pages of proof and documentation to the embassy.  Monday morning I went to the office of my local congress woman Mellssa Hart, (who I voted for the last time)  I talked to Mark who is their visa and immigration specialist.   He said he would e-mail the embassy.  He listened to the tale of our jerk in moscow but without a name did not seem to want to take that too far. 

Late Tuesday as I was getting ready to leave for a two week business trip to Atlanta and Dallas, I had an e-mail from Mark.   He said that he had contacted the Moscow embassy and they had never received my packet.   He added that if he could be of further help do not hesitate to contact him   (Hummm, gonna vote for the other guy next time,  Might even kick a bunch of money into his coffers if you keep this up

This is two out of two on the Moscow embassy loosing stuff I got them.   Some of the stuff I left the afternoon following the interview was originals and gone for good.

I faxed another set of the documentation.   I e-mailed moscow and told them I had re-faxed the information and to let me know if they did not get it.  There was an e-mail from them that they had it and were giving it to the jerk who did the interview and to contact them in 5-6 working days for a decision.

I have not heard more about Robert and Irina. 


Thanks again for the help.  as soon as I get back from my trip I will push to help you more in the project.

 

 

[Jet]

Robert & Irena

Wow, quite a week for them. Robert's father and uncle were on a moscow > Saint Petersburg river cruise which arrived at Piter this past weekend. Both were incredibly ill upon disembarking and Robert and I rena went by train to meet them and see what could be done to help. At some point early in the week, Robert got hit by a car (he's OK), and I had no contact info for him as they decided on a different hotel at the last moment than he had told me. I finally spoke with him today and his plans are now to return to moscow on Sat night by train. He did say that DHL has a package waiting for them when they return, but he has no idea if it is an approval or denial until they return. Stay tuned.....update sunday

[Turboguy]

Darn,  I thought they had a tough trip before all that happend.   I hope the DHL package is good news and I am sure if it is that will make up for a lot of what they have been through.  Please keep us posted.