bbattiste has left 90 comments

Comments:

Soon your wife will receive a packet with instructions on what to bring and setting an appointment for the medical. I think you'll receive a similiar packet as well. From what I remember, she doesn't need to bring a lot of stuff because much of the paperwork has already been processed. We still brought evidence of our relationship, but my wife did not need to show it.

bbattiste comments on U.S. Visa Changes

I think this is what you are refering too Havertown, PA USA (PRWEB) February 21, 2006 -- The U.S. Congress last month passed tough new conditions on U.S. men who seek a romance partner abroad through dating services. The new mail order bride law, called "International Marriage Broker Regulation Act" or IMBRA for short, was enacted in response to the death cases of two immigrant women in Washington State who were abused and murdered by their American citizen husbands. IMBRA was quietly inserted onto the back of the widely-applauded Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to help prevent domestic violence, and will go into effect March 06, 2006.

This new law requires any U.S. mail order bride company, now called an "International Marriage Broker" or IMB for short, to FIRST secure from any gentleman customer extensive background information such as criminal and domestic violence history, and provide a copy of this to the foreign lady client in her native language and obtain a signed, written consent as to that specific man from her BEFORE the couple even communicate. There are stiff penalties on the IMB mail order company for any violations of these requirements, including up to $25,000 civil fine and up to 5 years in federal prison.

The proponents of this law, notably Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), argued that this would force full disclosure of men's violent records, if any, and enable the foreign lady customers of IMB mail order companies, which they say range up to 5000 with some charging hefty fees, to decide for themselves if they want to communicate and marry these men.

While the purpose of this new law is indeed laudable, it will actually cause much MORE HARM THAN GOOD for all concerned and is both UNNECESSARY and probably UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

1) The law will "CHILL" the FREE SPEECH rights of U.S. citizen men, operating as a "PRIOR RESTRAINT" on their basic First Amendment rights to even say "Hi" to a lady abroad. And the forced disclosure of personal information and documents to total strangers such as IMB mail order company employees and foreign women simply to communicate is a gross VIOLATION OF PRIVACY RIGHTS. Wendy McElroy, in her "iFeminist" Op-Ed piece for Fox News last month, insightfully remarked that this law "brands all American men as abusers", declaring that now "the 'Ugly American' has become an article of federal law, supported by Congress".

2) Most IMB mail order companies work with hundreds and even thousands of U.S. men and foreign women, thus making the onerous COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS for individual signed releases IMPOSSIBLE TO MEET. Many such companies will be forced out of business, move offshore or go underground. Many foreign women, who know that there are thousands of happy marriages across the U.S. and some even among their family and friends, would thus actually have fewer romance options with American men and probably be less well protected from potential abuse.

3) Existing law, which is expanded on by this law, fully protects foreign women from potential abuse anyway in the VISA PETITION PROCESS: The foreign woman is provided domestic violence information on her rights, and supplied with the man's background documents in her language by the Embassy Officer BEFORE she secures a visa to enter the U.S. to see her gentleman suitor.

bbattiste comments on Can my colombian fiancee use US Medicaid benefit?

We just had our baby in Colombia It did not cost us anything except $50 dollars a month for insurnace and everything was covered. But when it came to getting the paperwork it was a headache. You can PM me and I can give you the details. We missed a few things and had to make an extra trip to Bogota and then it took a month longer than expected to get our son out of the country.

bbattiste comments on Jealousy and colombianas...

Yep...Just get used to it My wife arrived in the states just three weeks ago and her jealousy seems to be a little better. Before arriving in the states she was jealous of my female dog and didn't like it when I talked with her 15 year old niece who is not your typical attractive colombiana. So, my wife has a bit of a problem too and we have been together for more than two years.

Before my wife arrived in the states I bought a house from an attractive single mother. Well, out of the blue this woman stops by to see the house while she was visiting the neighbor at 7:30 in the evening. It was a very ackward situation, but to my surprise my wife only asked a few questions and let it go. I was never involved with this women, but while I was buying the house she did detain me several times just to talk. This time I don't blame my wife if she is a little jealous. Although nothing happened between me and this woman, I imagine my wife might be wondering if anything did. The times when my wife should be jealous,she isn't...and when she shouldn't be, she is. At times, they are hard to figure out, but it is worth it.

bbattiste comments on k1 and health insurance question

I have BCBS My company uses Blue Cross and I had no problem getting health insurance for my wife, step-son and my son...all who do not have SSN's yet.

bbattiste comments on my colombian wife wants to go back to colombia

How long has she been living with you in England?

bbattiste comments on social security card

Good Question My wife arrived 5 days ago on a CR-1 and I was wanting to know the samething...I think we receive it in the mail, don't we? Also soothing, does your wife's visa have herename with your last name or the same name as her cedula?

bbattiste comments on How reliable is

They are very reliable I have bought 3-4 from them to Colombia and they are always cheaper than the rest. I got one two days in advance from them and it was $400 less than the rest. But yes they are reliable and youi will get the ticket that you paid for.

bbattiste comments on Problem at Airport...

What Airport?? My wife and 11 year old son will be entering the country for their first time this week.

bbattiste comments on What happens at Miami w/ CR-1 visa?

Worry about getting out My wife had her CR-1 interview on the 23rd as well. She had to fly back to Bogota from Cali on the 27th to get it. (Me no happy happy)

Anyway, don't worry about getting into the US worry about getting out of Colombia. My wife had to postpone twice...but it is mainly due to our 1 month old son. My wife was denied at the airport the first time because our son did not have both passports...he only had an american passport. We then had to cancel again because the country requires a notorized letter from me giving permission for him to leave the country. Okay, no problem, I'll fax it. No, it must be a signed document from the Colombian Consulate...so off I go for a 4 hour drive to the nearest consulate in Los Angeles. Before I go the consulate promises to fax the document to DAS in Cali that day...great, but two days later it still hadn't arrived and they say they will not accept a faxed copy from me. Okay, I'll mail it, but it is not gauranteed until Wednesday. Therefore, we cancel again...still in fear that they will find another reason not to let me wife leave.

If it is just your wife, you'll probably have no problems. But just make sure before leaving.

bbattiste comments on Case numbers?

My wife's was BGT200569xxxx and it was issued within a week after the NVC received it from UCISC.

bbattiste comments on What else could go wrong?

You Are Not Alone I am still waiting, but I agree with the posts above. My wife (Xiomy) and I were married in March. I filed an I-130 soon after and due to my ignorance I was thinking I filed a K-3. At that time, K-3's were taking 6 months so I was expecting my wife in September. She did not get her CR-1 interview until Friday December 23 and she had to return to pick up her visa on the 27th. I was hoping she and my son would be here for Christmas. Once she received her visa and a passport for our son on the 27th, I changed the tickets to the 31st. On that day she went to the airport with family and friends...they said goodbye as she proceeded to go through immigration, but immigration would not let her through because our baby did not have a colombian passport. Therefore, my wife is still in Colombia. She also told me that immigration wants a letter from me(notorized)saying that I give my permission for the baby to travel. No problem as long as they will accepted a faxed letter, if not it will be another week or two. Anyway, my relationship with my wife has grow very much and we have learned how to deal with difficult situations. Yes, I am disappointed, but I am happy she and the baby are doing well.

bbattiste comments on What else could go wrong?

I hope she lives in Bogota After the baby is born, it is necessary that you, your wife and the baby be present at the embassy to apply for a passport. It cost $147.00 and the baby is also issued a SS# and birth certificate. If she does not live in Bogota you can do it the same day as the interview, but they issue you an emergency passport so you can travel in a few days, normally it takes a week to get the passport. Also, if you are in Colombia for the birth, then you can go to the embassy and fill out the papers and then when your wife goes for the interview she can take the baby and complete the paper work then. If she lives in Bogota then just go to the embassy a few days after and fill out the application...no appointment is necessary. I had to make several trips to Bogota from Cali to get this done.

BTW my wife, my stepson and my 4 week old boy arrive in the US today. As I write this it is 3:30am on the west coast and 6:30. She is currently at the Cali airport.

http://www.travel.state.gov/family/family_issues/birth/birth_593.html

http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsc127.shtml#English

http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsc070.shtml

http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsc039.shtml#English

http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsc064.shtml#English

bbattiste comments on My Wife Says Goodbye

Thanks Silviat I think she will be fine and your advice gives me a lot of comfort. I think she will be interested in emailing you, so shortly after we will get in touch with you. Thanks again

bbattiste comments on My Wife Says Goodbye

Thanks Silviat I think she will be fine and your advice gives me a lot of comfort. I think she will be interested in emailing you, so shortly after we will get in touch with you. Thanks again

bbattiste comments on She's pregnant, I-129F benificiary question

Yea..He is a Citizen My son was born in Colombia on 11/30/2005. I think the process is the same, although I am married. You, your son and the mother must go to the embassy together to apply for a passport. Since your baby will be born an American Citizen he does not need a visa, just a passport which is issued at the embassy. When you arrive at the embassy enter through the side for citizens. When you get inside, you will need to fill out an application for the passport and birth certificate, costing $147.00. You will be interviewed about your relationship with the mother and both you will need to sign the forms. Also, you need two cinco by cinco photos of your son. They do not require a DNA test. just that all of you are present at the embassy. On the day that you visit the embassy you will receive the child's birth certificate and then they will send you the passport in about three weeks, but if travel is immediate they can issue an emergency passport the same day.

I had to present our registered marriage certificate and a registered copy of the child's birth along with all the other documents of both parents...our birth certificates, baptismal, etc. You can apply at the embassy any day after the child is born, but I doubt if you will want the baby to travel to the US until the mother receives her visa. So I suggest that you go with you wife on the day before her interview to apply for the passport and request an emergency passport. But if she does not live in Bogota, you can go to the embassy a few days after the birth and fill out all the necessary forms...then your wife with your son can complete them at the embassy once she is able to travel. I had to do this since I needed to return to the US for work and could not stay until my wife had her interview. But the birth certificate, SS# and passport are all issued at the embassy for a small fee of $147.00. You can check these websites as well.

http://www.travel.state.gov/family/family_issues/birth/birth_593.html

http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsc127.shtml#English

http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsc070.shtml

http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsc039.shtml#English

http://bogota.usembassy.gov/wwwsc064.shtml#English

bbattiste comments on wife received cita for january but.....

Be glad it is a Thursday My wife and her son just had a CR-1,2 interview on Friday and she has to return from Cali tomorrow to pick it up. I am not sure if it is packet 3 or 4, but both my wife and her son received with the appointment date and DS-230 part 1 and 2 in the mail. They each received appointments on the same date along with instructions for the medical exam. My wife said her son had very little to do at the interview, but she handed in papers for him as well. I believe they should all receive separate packets. Not sure what to do, but maybe make copies of all her stuff, fill it out for the boys and take it to the interview. They each also received a single letter saying that they must bring this single sheet of paper, birth certificate and baptismal certificate to the interview. Not sure the purpose of it since a few days later they received the appointment date with more instructions.

bbattiste comments on A guide for Visa

UC...I understand I do appreciate your infornmation and I know you have helped a lot of people on this site. You were not the only one telling me that in March. Besides, it was my ignorance that caused me not to file a K-3. I acually thought I was filing the K-3 by submitting the I-130. Just like the 129f is a K-1, I was thinking the I-130 was the K-3. I didn't realize this until after I received approval of my I-130 with the impression that it would only be 3 more months instead of 6 months. I was a little disappointed when I finally figured it all out. Anyway, my wife has her interview tomorrow so I hope all goes well. Your info through the last year has been very helpful. Thanks again

bbattiste comments on A guide for Visa

Hey Utop How come when I was filing for my wife back in March you were not an advocate of the K-3, but today you tell everyone to file for the K-3?

bbattiste comments on K-1 approved, but can we get married in Colombia?

How Would They Know? Why not get married in Colombia with a big ceremony and all that...then come to the US on the K-1 and get married and file all the necessary paperwork here. Then you don't have to wait nine months to bring your wife here.

bbattiste comments on Confused about the K-3

I am not real sure what it is you are asking, but make sure that you send in a 129f once you receive NOA1 of the I-130. It cost nearly $200 more but it is worth because it seems like I-130 are taking a lot of time now. I did not file an 129f (k-3) and if I had it would have saved me nearly $5000.00. I sent mine in March and my wifes CR-1 interview is this month. K-3's sent in March were receiving interviews in September...since September, I have had to visit my wife twice for three weeks...losing two weeks pay and paying for two flights from the west coast.

bbattiste comments on Prepping for my trip to the oven

My wife is the same way. She gets very freaked out when I change near the 2nd floor window and the building across the street is boarded up too. But she has no problem breast feeding and walking around the apartment with her breast or breast showing and her 11 year old son's friends are in the house or other males.

bbattiste comments on My day at the Embassy in Bogota

Thanks UC I read the website before going..I think that page and another page which said nothing about the child being present. I also called the 877 number twice that costs $15 and they said that the parent with US citizenship must go to the Embassy for the passport. Neither time was I told to bring my wife and baby. When I returned, there was some obscure page on the website that at the bottom said you must bring your baby.

bbattiste comments on CR-1. What should I send?

Just Wait for More Documents My wife has her CR-1 interview Dec. 23rd and the petition was approved on July 7th.

In about a month both you and your wife will receive the Agent of Choice form...it asks what address should the NVC send the following documents to. You want to send it in and use your address...it requires you wife's signature, just sign it for her and send it in. Then 10-15 days later you will receive a $70 bill for the Affidavit of Support form, send it in and 2 weeks later you will receive that form...be prepared to have tax forms for the past 3 years. Once the NVC receives that document, they will send another bill for $380 for the DS-230. Once the bill is received, they send you part 1 of the DS-230...again it requires you wife's signature, but just sign her name and send it in. Then the NVC will review your case, taking about a month, and send it to the Embassy in Bogota. The Embassy will then send DS-230 part 1 and 2 along with an interview date to your wife...this is packet 4. She needs to fill out those documents and and take them to the interview. In all, it takes about 6 months at a minimum. Good Luck.

bbattiste comments on Happy Thanksgiving

Good Luck Russ My wife is pregnant, waiting for her visa and named Xiomy too. She is having a c-section November 30th and has her interview 12-23. I am going to Palmira tomorrow and and hope to have them her on Christmas day.

bbattiste comments on Picking Up Visa at Embassy

Mr. Gator I am not following what you are saying. This quote is for immigrant visas:
"Once a visa is approved, the beneficiary must return to the Consular Section, on the next business day at 4:00PM to pick up the visa personally. The beneficiary may assign a representative to pick up the visa with a notarized letter of authorization."

And this quote is for non-immigrant visas:
"If the consular officer approves the visa, based on the interview, your passport will be delivered to your home seven to 10 working days after the interview, through the DOMESA messenger service. The DOMESA representative has a small office near the exit and entrance to the waiting room. In order to receive your passport with the visa, you must pay DOMESA before leaving the Embassy after your interview."

If I am not mistaken an immigrant visa represents relatives, wives, fiances and non-immigrant visas are tourists and workers...those intending to return to Colombia. So I think my wifes only choice is to pick it up the following business day...that is what the website says. Therefore, I am still confused on how my wife will obtain her visa. Must she spend Christmas and that weekend in Bogota and wait until Monday or Tuesday?

bbattiste comments on Picking Up Visa at Embassy

Check the Embassy Webpage DP As of July 1st, 2005 the embassy is distributing immigrant visas the following business day after 4 PM at the embassy...but, thanks.

bbattiste comments on Change interview date possible?

No scheduling I called the 877 number listed on the embassy webpage to see if I could request a certain date since my wife is pregnant and he basically wouldn't let me. He acted as if he didn't understand me. It was a waste of time.

bbattiste comments on Change interview date possible?

Samething I just found out that my wife has her interview scheduled the same day. My concern is that she is flying there from Cali and she won't be able to pick up the visa until the next business day which is the Monday after Christmas. She needs to return to Cali for the weekend.

Also, I called the Embassy yesterday and paid the 15 bucks to request an interview date and they just ignored me and even told me that my wife had not been scheduled an interview date yet. She received the letter today. It is difficult.

bbattiste comments on who is giving the wrong info?visa center or embassy?

After I sent in the DS-230 it took the NVC 4 weeks before they sent it to the Embassy. The NVC sent me a letter the first week of November saying the case was complete and sent to Bogota. On November 21st I called the Embassy to see if I could schedule a specific date since my wife is having a baby on the 30th..they said they have not scheduled my wife an appointment and it could be several months due to backlog. My wife did receive a letter from the US Embassy in mid November saying they received her documents, but not appointment date.

bbattiste comments on What do you think constitutes fluency?

What Am I? I can read the majority of spanish, but when I speak I use only four verbs....I go, I can, I need and I desire. Oh, and I eat.

bbattiste comments on Requesting Interview Date?

You're right Utopia They should all get fired!!!! The place sucks and they treat everyone like Sh*t. Seriously though...is there anything I can do or should I just wait more? What is the one hour time on Tuesday?

bbattiste comments on JUST LOOK AT THIS PICTURE IT WILL BLOW YOU AWAY I PROMISE

You are such a stud!!!! Gosh, I wish I could be just like you.

bbattiste comments on Business Migrant

I would delete this... and redo it spelling Colombia correctly or else you will not hear the end of it.

bbattiste comments on Bringing a Diamond Engagment Ring to Colombia

Have a fake one placed in a setting and then put the real one in when she gets to the US.

bbattiste comments on Discouraging news from an immigration attorney

We're going into our 8th month I sent in my I-130 on March 23rd and my case was just completed on October 26th. Now probably two months for the interview. So in all it will take 9 months. I started out with a lawyer, but after many delays on thier part I decided to do it on my own. It is better that way. I hate to admit this, but I paid an immigration lawyer $1800.00 to file everything for me and all they did was the petition (tonto). They were so slow in reponding and ignorant of the process that I ended up doing it on my own...it was no problem. Also, the NVC told me that I did not need a lawyer.

bbattiste comments on Cat and dog hair?

I've Never Heard of Either The cats hair in the nose or a cat sleeping in one's bed.

bbattiste comments on How my life changed forever

Do you have the audio version or Cliff Notes? I started to read this because it sounded interesting since I stumbled upon a Colombiana two years who is now my wife, but I never did finish it...I am a slow reader.

bbattiste comments on Catholic church requirements for wedding.

Mine too Our priest did not require the documents to be translated. I was baptized in the Catholic Church, but never confirmed. The priest was hesitant, but still married us without me being confirmed. My wife had to take some classes for confirmation and a few premariatal classes on her own as well.

bbattiste comments on For Sale: Frequent Flyer miles

Yes What airline and how shall I contact you?

bbattiste comments on change of address

I just waited I moved while my wife's petition was pending. I waited 35 minutes and made the change over the phone. She told me it was not necessary to fill out the AR-11.

bbattiste comments on Getting married in Colombia

It took less than an hour. The Father of our ceremony was very thorough, but had us on our way in about 50 minutes.

It depends on if it is a civil or church wedding. The Catholic Church required I have a letter of singlehood signed by a priest and two others who know me well (my mom and brother). He also required another letter of recommendation written by a priest in the US, my birth certificate, baptismal certificate, and my confirmation. He almost called off the wedding about two days before because I was not confirmed in the Catholic Church. I am not a practicing Catholic, but thankfully my mom attends a Catholic Church regularly and was able to get all this from her priest. Once we received the Marriage Certificate we had to register it in Colombia and about a week letter we received "Registro Civil de Matrimonio." I then sent off my I-130 and waited and waited and waited. I was advised, at the time, that a K-3 was not necesary, but had I filled one out my wife would be here today rather than in two more months. Good Luck

bbattiste comments on Colombianos en Las Vegas

Yo vivo en Las Vegas... con mi esposa de Palmira, pero no se mucho de fiestas or festivales aqui.

bbattiste comments on When will Bogota embassy post new interview dates?

I am not an expert, but I was under the impression that if they receive the application before the 20th you'll be given a date for the following month and will be posted by the 27th.

bbattiste comments on How do you call your honey?

My wife calls me... Mi Amor and everyone else too.

bbattiste comments on Does pregnancy change status???

Thanks UC I have sent in the DS-3032 and the payment for the application. I should be receiving the biographical part in a few days. I think it will be wrapped up in a few months. We're trying to be patient. Thanks

bbattiste comments on Does pregnancy change status???

I'm just kidding UC...He's right Actually when I applied I was some what ignorant of the process and was not even aware that I could also apply for a K-3 as well. Both UC and the person assisting me with the paperwork felt it was not necessary to apply for a K-3 at that time. I didn't know the difference between an I-130 and K-3 until after my I-130 was approved. It was then too late to apply, but those who did apply for a K-3 in March, and/or April are now receiving thier interviews. UC is very knowledable of the process and I was only joking. YES it is my fault and I am kind of annoyed with myself for not being more aware of the process.

bbattiste comments on Does pregnancy change status???

No tampoco My wife got pregnant one, two, three or four days after our wedding in Palmira in March and it didn't do a thing. I only filed a I-130, should have filed a K-3...she'd be here now (utopiacowboy's fault...he told me the K-3 was not necessary). The NVC told me that pregnancy is good thing, but not life threatning. Therefore, I have to go to Colombia for the birth of my son in December. It is likely that her interview will be around her due date and the NVC said we'll have to wait until after the birth to make it to Bogota rather then the NVC try to expedite it.

bbattiste comments on culture shock

Last time I checked Mass. and Conn. were 97% white.

Page: 1 2 Next »

If you're not a part of this travelicious experiment just yet, just sign up here. It's free & easy.

About poorbuthappy | About the travel guides | Travel guide editing | Community rules | RSS feeds