AngryTexan

Shyaushu, I truly sympathize with you, and I understand your plight. I have not visited this website for well over a year and a half, and I had no idea the process was still so agonizingly long. I applied for my wife's fiancee visa in November of 2001, and we did not receive it until March 2003. Hence the name "AngryTexan." It is truly a disgraceful situation.

Robert S., Your post did bring back some bad memories. We waited 17 months, from 10-01 to 03-03. There were some around our time period who waited even longer. To say it really sucked would be an understatement All I can say to all who are now enduring the unconscionable wait is that it WILL end. Keep the faith.

Came across the following article in today's New York Times concerning waiting periods for green cards, AOS, etc. The Black Hole reprised. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/06/nyregion/06VISA.html Not sure I did this correctly to create a link, so if anyone knows how to do it, your assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Mike, I'm an attorney, and while I do not practice family law, my instinct is to tell you that you should try to do it here if at all possible. At the very least, you should get the divorce petition personally served on her here so that a default judgment can be entered against her if she does not appear at the final hearing. If she returns to China and you have not had her formally served with the divorce petition, you could run into a real nightmare concerning notice, her ability to contest the proceeding (even in a no-fault state), etc. In most states, the court will proceed with the case in her absence, as long as she has been formally served. In any event, you should absolutely consult with a competent family law attorney in your state to review your options, given the differences in divorce law that exist between various jurisdictions. Sorry to hear the news. Feel free to PM me if I can be of any assistance, although I am only licensed to practice in Texas.

My wife lived in tropical Shenzhen, where the climate is very similar to what we have here in Houston. However, I made two trips in the winter, and always seemed to be cold, due in large part to the fact that she did not have any heat in her apartment. I mean, when it's in the low 40's and very humid, it can get uncomfortable for those of us who grew up in the South. In fact, I developed a nasty cold during my Christmas 2001 trip, which I suspect was due to the fact that I could never seem to get warm. Of course, I'm not sure if that was worse than the trips I took in the summer, when I found Shenzhen to be unbearably hot and humid. Coming from a guy who has lived his entire life near the Gulf Coast in Texas, that's saying alot. I remember the first time I walked into her apartment in July of 2001, and said a prayer of thanks when I saw a small air conditioning unit attached to the wall! I know....sounds like a typical spoiled, "soft" American!!!

Wow, where does one begin with this one............ ?

Orrin, Do you have any idea how many lies those of us in the original Black Hole group were told by GZ and DOS concerning this process, and the timelines involved? Do you realize how many guys, upon written assurances posted on the GZ website that visas would be issued the same day as their loved one's interviews, planned weddings, paid for receptions, and flew to GZ, only to have the door slammed in their face, and to be sent home without their loved ones? Do you know that I was told at one point in the process that my wife's namecheck had been cleared, and that her visa would be issued, only to be told the next day that it was a mistake, and that I would have to continue to wait (another 2 months)? Did you ever have to deal with Janice Foreman in Linda Donahue's office, who had the gall to ask me, after I had been waiting nearly 16 months, why I was so upset that applicants who had applied 6 months after I applied were receiving their visas and I was still waiting? To those of you who are considering protests, please inform me of your plans, and I will be there in Orrin's place. STILL The Angry Texan!

As is Li, Mick. You are a very lucky man indeed!!

After seeing how well Xiaolu takes care of me, and how much happier I am these days, several of my friends have inquired about the possibility of meeting her available friends in China. "Docile" and "obedient" are not words I would use to describe her. Rather, "kind", "generous", "caring", and "loving" are the ones that immediately come to mind.

Skibum, You raise a very valid point. The reuse of hypodermic syringes and needles in China is a MAJOR public health problem, and probably accounts for the fact that China has a hepatitis A infection rate that is SIXTY (60) times higher than the U.S., as recently reported in the NY Times. And with the spread of HIV in China, you really cannot be too careful. I hope that I have not offended any of the Chinese wives or fiancees by making these remarks, but it's not something that should be ignored.

Boy.....does it ever!!!!! B)

As a charter member of the Black Hole gang, I better jump in as well Great to hear from you Mark, Tine, AZWolfman, Mick, bobmal, ttlee, donahso, Robert S., and everyone else who shared our ordeal, including Eric and Owenkrout. Things are going great here. Xiao Lu was walking through the mall here a few days ago and ran into one of her friends from Shenzhen, who married a guy from Houston, and they are now attending English classes together. We also went to Dallas this past weekend to meet up with another one of her friends who now lives in Memphis, and had a great time. Speaking of the Black Hole gang, has anyone heard from JoninDenver?

We shipped some rather large framed photographs via China Post - "slow boat" surface transportation - for less than 10% of what it would have cost to go air freight on United. They arrived in Houston after about two months in perfect condition. You should be fine.

Congratulations Mick! Glad to hear the good news. Please give Li our best wishes !!!

I'm afraid the federal government has immunity Eric !!