I love Sunshine

Yes, I think Sunshine was interviewed by James. She will pick up her visa on Saturday, a day later than expected. It appears that GUZ is running behind a bit, probably with so many pinks being issued recently! Another of her 001 K-1 friends interviewed with her on Wednesday but her visa also will also not ready until Saturday. For those who want to understand the visa issuance process a bit more, once the SO is approved with a pink, he/she will pay 20 RMB for a shipping fee to get a EMS tracking number. This tracking number can be checked online for delivery. The SO should remember to bring the extra 20 RMB to the interview, since he/she will pay immediately after receiving her pink paper. The fee is slightly higher (up to 35 RMB for next day service) if you wish to have the passport shipped by EMS to another Guangdong province address, the express courier service (think Express Mail by USPS). However, this is only available within Guangdong province for some unascertainable reason (even GUZ doesn't have an answer since it is out of their jurisdiction to guarantee this). ILS

Way to keep the PINK trend alive! Now it is time to get started with making a future together! Congratulations to the two of you! ILS

Don, I hope they can separate your good Ping from the "bad" Ping that is making your lives hell. Hope GUZ can finally put the evil twin issue to rest. Let Zachary, Phil and I know if you need Team Alpha and Team Bravo to be on the alert. I guess this gives her better reason to consider taking your last name (as opposed to keeping her own) once you get married! ILS

I am wondering if you can get some information from a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) inquiry. You can do this yourself and there is no need to involve a lawyer: http://www.usdoj.gov/oip/ Contact information for the USCIS FOIA is listed here: Contact information for the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) FOIA is listed here: However, it is in the exemptions to solicitation of information under these acts that problems and discrepancies arise. The nine exemptions to the FOIA address issues of sensitivity and personal rights. They are (as listed in Title 5 of the United States Code, section 552): 1. (A) specifically authorized under criteria established by an Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy and (B ) are in fact properly classified pursuant to such Executive order; 2. related solely to the internal personnel rules and practices of an agency; 3. specifically exempted from disclosure by statute (other than section 552b of this title), provided that such statute (A) requires that the matters be withheld from the public in such a manner as to leave no discretion on the issue, or (B ) establishes particular criteria for withholding or refers to particular types of matters to be withheld; 4. trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained from a person and privileged or confidential; 5. inter-agency or intra-agency memoranda or letters which would not be available by law to a party other than an agency in litigation with the agency; 6. personnel and medical files and similar files the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy; 7. records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes, but only to the extent that the production of such law enforcement records or information (A) could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings, (B ) would deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication, (C ) could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, (D) could reasonably be expected to disclose the identity of a confidential source, including a State, local, or foreign agency or authority or any private institution which furnished information on a confidential basis, and, in the case of a record or information compiled by a criminal law enforcement authority in the course of a criminal investigation or by an agency conducting a lawful national security intelligence investigation, information furnished by a confidential source, (E) would disclose techniques and procedures for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions, or would disclose guidelines for law enforcement investigations or prosecutions if such disclosure could reasonably be expected to risk circumvention of the law, or (F) could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of any individual; 8. contained in or related to examination, operating, or condition reports prepared by, on behalf of, or for the use of an agency responsible for the regulation or supervision of financial institutions; or 9. geological and geophysical information and data, including maps, concerning wells.

Excellent news! I hope you can pass with flying PINK success!

Prior to the interview: After an uneasy night with little sleep, Sunshine got to the line in front of the consulate around 7:20. By this time, the lines were already quite long. A guard with a bullhorn was speaking to the crowd. Sunshine found 4 other 001 friends, including 2 that we met the night before at the Westin (one was CR-1 from Shanghai like Sunshine, the other was a K-1 from Liaoning). Her friends had arrived early and so were close to the front of the line. Other guards were busy shooing other bystanders as far back as possible, and didn't want me to take a photo of the queue (which I did and will post later). Overall, I was a bit surprised at the casual dress of the people waiting in line, many of whom had been preparing for a good part of a year for this big moment. Many were wearing jeans and tennis shoes and a t-shirt. Sunshine and her friends dressed in business attire, and I think that helped their confidence. She had heard in 001 that the waiting area was cold, so brought a business jacket, but the temperature was just fine. I think like most places, the waiting area is really cold when it is hot outside (overcompensation for the outside temperature). The temperature that October morning was quite nice. The other girl from Shanghai remarked that most people in line appeared to be from villages, but to Shanghai people, everywhere in China but Shanghai is a village! Sunshine went up around 7:35, and I carried her heavy bag with the kitchen sink up to the 4th floor, as far as I could, and she went up to the 5th floor. She got her fingerprints done and took the oath with all the others. The Liaoning friend, whom I thought would get a blue slip (one visit by her SO, couldn't speak any English, SO not in attendance) went up first. She left after her interview and the others couldn't locate her, but she claimed later she got the pink as well. The Shanghai girl and Sunshine were called at about the same time. Sunshine's VO was a younger man she remarked was handsome. He was the same VO that took her (and others) fingerprints, but different from the one I met at ACH. The interview: She approached his window clutching the lump of documents in folders, passports visible on top. VO: (in Mandarin) May I have the two passports? SO: (gives her passport and mine to him) VO: (in Mandarin) may I have the I-134 and taxes? SO: (gives them to him in a plastic folder) When she passes the I-134 and tax forms to him, she notices she didn't take them out of the plastic folder she had them in. Sunshine said (in English) "Oh, sorry!" VO: (smiles, says in English) That's ok. From then on, the entire interview was given in English, a natural change without the VO even asking if she wanted to interview in English or not. VO: When and how did you two meet? SO: Hongqiao Airport. Gives the exact date in May 2005 VO: How many times has be been over to see you? SO: We lived together before when he was in China, but he has been here 7 times since he went back last year. I have a sheet that gives details (she holds up an excel spreadsheet that gives details of our itineraries to the glass window and the VO glances at it). Do you want to see this? VO: (after a brief glance) No, that is ok. VO: When did your fiancee get divorced? SO: In February of this year. VO: Was he married when you two met? SO: Yes, but he separated from his ex wife in 2004. I have documents if you need them. (she gives him my ex-wife's certified copy of her re-marriage license to another guy, which I found in a public record search, and her 2006 taxes. He takes them and enters her SSN into the computer and gives them back to her). SO: Do you need to see his divorce certificate? VO: No, that is ok. VO: Do you have photos? SO: (gives him one of the two albums, with photos dated and labeled). He looks through them quickly, then returns them. The VO then signed his name on a document and reached around and got a pink piece of paper. When Sunshine saw this, she was visibly happy with a big smile, and the VO smiled back at her reaction. She came down about 10:30, a very happy girl with the radiant smile I love so much! The VO kept the information I had in support of the I-134, but Sunshine said this is normal and we should get this back when she picks up her visa. I only worry about this because it has some original check stubs and letters written by my university; I imagine I will need these documents again for AOS. Anyone else know if these will be returned with the visa? Some other notes: Her friend from Shanghai was interviewed at the same time and got a pink slip as well. The friend (a CR-1) had been to the US many times on business trips and received many questions from her VO on why she went to the USA previously. While waiting in the 4th floor coffee shop, I met a retired American man who was living in Beijing and had been married for 3 years. His wife could not speak English and he spoke little or no Mandarin and therefore had to rely on family members of hers to communicate sometimes. I can only imagine how much patience they must have for each other. His wife came down and showed her blue slip for not having an I-134 or I-864 (there was one box checked that mentioned an absence of one or the other form). He mentioned he gave the form to the embassy last year when he applied for a tourist visa for her (she was denied this visa) and seemed unhappy that the US Consulate didn't just locate the I-134 from last year. I mentioned this website and told him how it would help him know what to expect. He did mention that the visa consultants ("vultures") that wait for people leaving with blue slips offered to look over her case prior to her interview for $300 to advise her on her chances. $300??? Wow! The bottom line: I strongly believe going to ACH helped my case, particularly because my financial situation was not straightforward in 2006. Going to ACH allowed me to explain it prior to her interview. The hotel we stayed in was great. It was the Grand Palace Hotel, very close to the consulate building. It will be difficult for your SO to get a good night's sleep before her interview, but this place was comfortable. Most of the documents we prepared, like chat records, weren't asked for. However, with a 2.5 year history, 7 visits to China in the last year, having lived together, and me having previously lived and worked in China, our relationship was pretty evident. There was a lot of focus on my ex-wife, particularly since my divorce was recent. Having her 2006 taxes (we must exchange them for child support reasons) was helpful and having her SSN was important to the VO. At ACH, I also gave her US naturalization certificate number and the approximate date of her citizenship. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the many great people here on CFL, and I think this made a big difference in my confidence and Sunshine's confidence too. I saw lots of others leave with blue slips (all were girls leaving alone, not with their SO), so being there in GZ with her also made a difference, at least to Sunshine. I hope this is helpful to others. Sunshine said the EMS number the Consulate gave her is not in the computer as of now, even though this is the second day. I don't know if her visa issuance will be delayed, but getting the pink is the big victory for us. Thanks again CFL!

Don, Sorry to hear yet another delay awaits Ping. I wonder if there is an FBI delay because they need to sort out her common name. I hope they can get this resolved without another long namecheck. They certainly had her time to thoroughly investigate her then. Did they take the fingerprint when she arrived for her interview? That might have triggered something too, but that should be sorted out when she arrives, not at this point. Do other CFLers agree? In any case, I wish you the best. You have been waiting for a long time and certainly want to get started on the rest of your life! ILS

I cannot say enough thanks to everyone here at CFL for supporting us on that morning. Thanks for all your kind words and support! I am in the process of flying back to the US. Once I get back, I will give you the information about Sunshine's interview. Without the great people on CFL, I think we would have less of a chance (and certainly less confidence) on that day! Many thanks to all of you! ILS

Zachary, It's good to know you didn't have to use 'the invincible claw of fear' on the VO I was impressed by your ability to speak Mandarin so confidently and your rapport with Lychee in the brief time I saw the two of you. I think that had the VOs had a chance to step into your lives (and that of many others here) and see how some people interrelate, it would strongly reaffirm that you are a bona fide couple. Congratulations on your pink slip! Maybe you will see Sunshine picking up hers tomorrow. (I am in Tokyo now, already flying back to the USA). As far as the one-way ticket goes, the round-trip rule is not true at all. There are many agencies that will issue a one-way ticket and you won't have any problems once you arrive in the USA, as others have already said. I know we have made one-way reservations with United Airlines, and they didn't mention any round trip requirement at all. ILS

All CFL: A quick hint below about Sunshine's luck today... more details to follow after we go to celebrate a bit! Pink- its my new obsession Pink its not even a question, Pink, on the lips of your lover, cause Pink is the love you discover Pink as the bing on your cherry Pink cause you are so very Pink its the color of passion cause today it just goes with the fashion Pink it was love at first sight Pink when I turn out the light Pink gets me high as a kite And I think everything is going to be all right No matter what we do... Tonight you could be my flamingo coz pink is the new kinda of lingo Pink like a deco umbrella Its kink - but you don't ever tell her Pink it was love at first sight, and Pink when I turn out the light Pink gets me high as a kite And I think everything is going to be all right No matter what we do tonight I want to be your lover I wanna wrap you in rubber As pink as the sheets that we lay on Pink its my favorite crayon, yeah Pink it was love at first sight Pink when I turn out the light Pink its like red but not quite And I think, everything is going to be all right No matter what we do tonight

Don, CONGRATULATIONS! It was great to meet you yesterday at ACH. I am glad to hear the good news! It sounds like your Ping was well-prepared for your interview. Hope she can make you smile when she speaks quickly like she made the VO do! ILS

Zachary, I will be outside the consulate at around 1330 hours, since they start letting people in at 1400 hours. I don't think you will have much luck bringing your computer inside. I don't believe they will even allow cellphones. For those of you playing along at home, here is what Zachary plans to bring into ACH: http://www.seattlehurlingclub.org/website/blog/images/whoop-ass.jpg

He may be lexdisic dislexic and meant to say "live"

Sunshine didn't have time to get to Citic bank to pay her fee before her medical appointment but was told by the hospital folks in SH it was okay to pay at the consulate. I didn't know that paying at the consulate was an option until she mentioned it, but she also heard on 001 that doing it that way was okay.

Hi Zachary! Will we see you at ACH on Oct 22? I guess I'll look for the guy in the commando outfit looking to kick *ss and take names! ILS

That's great Gordon! I am glad you are able to get a date before December! That means you can make firm plans for the holidays after you get PINK! ILS

My guess is you will have a December date. If the assignments go as the past few months have, they will begin assigning for December interview dates the first week of November. Having said this, there are occasions when they find a spot in the following month at short notice. Of course, you want things to be decided quickly after such a long wait, but a week or two more to prepare can be viewed as a good thing at the P-4 stage, unless you are currently all prepared and ready to go (and plan to be there for her interview!)

Excellent news! Congratulations! Look forward to your writeup. ILS

I am a week behind you, so keep them in that pink-giving mood! Good luck to you and your SO!

An excellent report, Illinois Dave! You feel you are preparing for "Jeopardy": they could ask anything, and you have to be fully prepared for anything, ready to give the VO at the slightest whim. And I'm so glad you go the PINK! Enjoy your time with your SO and hurry back to the US with her. CONGRATULATIONS!

Hi Dave, Let's hope you softened them up for Sunshine and me I am confident you did well and are basking in the glory of pink! B) ILS

The show will go well, despite no ACH. As for having a net or not, you do! It is CFL! (Working without a net doesn't guarantee failure, just makes you pay more attention to your gut instincts! ) We will be wishing you luck! And we October folks will soften them up for you in November!

My SO has heard several cases recently on 001 where people have met this 125% poverty threshold and STILL got a blue slip. Granted they cleared it but not extensively. So that threshold is not a true litmus test and it is believed that the VO still has the right to ask for additional evidence/assets or a co-sponsor. From 001, it seems that there is a focus on financial information recently. Cases where the I-134 was not looked into in detail are getting more rare.

I'm hoping we can uphold that tradition. Yes, if this has been shown to be true, I hope we can uphold this as well! By the way, Congratulations!

Here is a link to a story about how the man who got hit is trying to find the girl. It is in both Chinese and in English. This attempt to find the girl who helped him made bigger news in China than the event. http://bbs.tongji.net/thread-508415-1-1.html And here is the original posting by the man who was hit, which garnered a lot of negative publicity about this event: http://dzh.mop.com/dwdzh/topic/readSub_41_7774831_0_0.html