ryleeys

When people back in the States find out I'm marrying a Chinese, they immediately assume that it's a mail order bride arrangement. They refuse to believe that we met under fairly honorable circumstances. My best friend from college is a Chinese girl whose parents immigrated to the States. When I was in Korea, she suggested I vacation in China and meet her family. I took the vacation and met her cousin. I liked her and moved here. We fell in love and the rest is history. Of course, there's also a stigma against white men dating Asian women. My sophomore year of college I dated a Japanese girl (the first non-white girl I'd ever dated). I was immediately chastized for having 'yellow fever'. I don't much care what others think about me, but they make jokes to me that are inappropriate and I can't help but feel protective of a girlfriend and the possibility that people will say inappropriate things to her. At one job (when I was engaged to the Filipina), my coworkers made inappropriate sex jokes to me (they were in their 30's and I was 20, she was 19). Way too much frustration over what should be a simple issue. I love her, she loves me. My family approves, her family approves. I moved to China, dated her, proposed to her, and have hundreds of pictures of us over the course of the last 15 months being happy together. End of story.

CNN Notes Visa Issues Well, it's nice that someone picked up on this... although the article hardly does justice to the fact that it's not just weddings on hold; it's entire lives on hold for years at a time. I've emailed every columnist on CNN.com and Time.com. I've also emailed my state senators and representatives. I'm doing anything I can to draw attention to the fact that this bureaucratic snafu is hurting people as well as that it's ridiculous that, while I can reach out and contact anyone in the world in minutes, it still takes upwards of a year to process paperwork for a visa. What are you doing to help?

I live in Guangzhou and yes, a direct consular filing was a potential option initially. But back then, a DCF would have required us to get married in China and with that added, it would have taken just as long as the Fiancee Visa filing in the States. Of course, then USCIS decided to change everything and drop us into a black hole of bureaucracy. Now a DCF might be faster, but we're committed to the I-129F filing (since we've already filed it) and to getting married in the States (plans and what not). Also, the consulate in Guangzhou is quite possibly the single worst mismanaged office in all of China, Chinese or foreign run, and their staff are about as helpful as rocks.

I received this from USCIS: (Sorry for the typos, my mother was transcribing it and apparently had a jammed finger.) Anyway, does USCIS know that I'm in China and not in the States? I have no intention of flying back to the States to get my damn fingerprints. Will my biometrics appointment be at Guangzhou? Anyone else have this going on?

Over / under: 23 years.

Ah, you are correct. USCIS and DHS made errors in not talking to each other. What makes it retroactive is that the errors started on March 5th... and now, every family who sent in visa applications after March 5th simply doesn't know. We're not just talking about potential time here... we're talking about families losing money from this error. Why, oh why, are innocent people being punished for the bureaucracy's error?

I have no doubt that the new policy is intended for good purposes... but irregardless of what it's purpose is, there are two serious issues at play: 1) Making a policy apply retroactively, which tosses hundreds of people's lives up into the air - not knowing when, where, or if they'll land, is simply unacceptable. Give notice of the change, give an adjustment period, make the change, move on. The way that this happened is... I'm guessing most of the words that come to mind aren't allowed on this forum, but you get the idea. 2) It is 2006. We have instantaneous communications with a space station. Buddhist monks in Tibet have cellphones. China and Russia, two great challenges for the United States, are now for the most part all being tied together in globalization. So how in the flying **** can they justify it taking 6 months to process paperwork... much less the more common 1 - 2 years? What exactly is the point of petitioning to apply? In any non-twilight zone world, you apply, it is processed in a reasonable time, and people go on with their lives. What percentage of the time that it takes to 'process' an application is the paperwork just sitting in a file somewhere doing nothing? Meanwhile, two people that want to move to the States and make a positive contribution to the society, culture, and economy, are forced to remain in exile... (Yes, I've lost it.)

I am screwed on this one. We sent our petition in a month ago and had a few forms sent back that I forgot to sign (yeah, my mistake, quadruplicates suck). Now, haven't heard for nearly two weeks since the new packet was sent in. Obviously, this situation will hit us hard. I suppose if I'm in the United States with my fiancee before 2184, I should call the Vatican and have it declared a miracle. Anyhoo, I guess it all makes perfect sense that they are trying to make it easier for illegal immigrants and more difficult for those of us that follow the steps (the ever frickin' changing steps). I'm doing my best to contain my anger at this, but I must say, I'm tempted to go down to the market and find some bunnies to kick around.

From my trip to the consulate, if they were that organized and efficient, I think it'd be a miracle.

For anyone who has done their interview at the Guangzhou consulate, did you have an American official? When I went there to pick up some forms, I didn't see a single American official and the level of English of the Chinese there was pretty poor - considering it's the American consulate.

Yet another question... My friend (an American woman that is looking into this process) says that getting married in China and filing for a visa may be shorter, but is much more difficult because you have to deal with the Chinese government. Any thoughts on this? (You guys are great. I appreciate your experience and openness.)

I am, for lack of a better term, poor in the eyes of the United States (since I left the country almost immediately after graduating college). Will it be difficult or add major complications if my parents sign some kind of affidavit of financial support?

Forgive my limited abilities, but on this website: http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/index.htm I don't see a CR-1 visa. Or this one for that matter: http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/visas.htm

Thanks, I really appreciate the info. I'll be the first to admit, I'm completely overwhelmed by this process. I always thought marriage should be a simple thing. Who knew...

Also eliminates a possibly long and/or messy Adjustment of Status process ONCE here in the US. 195095[/snapback] Are those of you saying a "DCF" is faster saying that it's faster to get married in China, i.e. a K-3?