FredGarvin has left 170 comments

FredGarvin comments on my wife finally got to see snow...

One of my childhood friends (since little league baseball), married his highschool sweetheart -- we are all from South Florida. Both of thier families were very close, did many things together (fishing, boating in the Bahamas/keys as families, etc..) ---

7 years and 3 children later, she ends up banging her physical trainer at the gym.


What does this have to do with Colombian/American marriages?

Love/Marriage is a subjective thing -- I get questioned alot from female friends, "why did you get married to a Colombiana?". The answer of coarse is always, "If you need me to explain love to you, then you will never understand relationships and why people get married".

Somewhere along the way, the culture clash I guess, there is a disconnect, mostly in the form of jealosy or contempt, because of those interracial/cultural relationships.

Is it fair? Who the hell gives a ratt's butt. It's your/your spouse's responsibility to live up to eachother's vows/commitments, and no one else's.

...Regardless of where you/your spouse may come from.

FredGarvin comments on RECEIVED APPROVAL LETTERS FOR I-130 AND I-129F!!!

Ok -- I understand now...

So, how long? If you are not having problems with the mail arriving, I'd guess about 2-3 months until the interview if there are no problems or no delays in collecting your documentation.

We simply had to be proactive in this process because we still never recieved Packet #3, but Packet #4 finally arrived AFTER my wife got the visa. By "proactive" I mean faxing/sending the forms contained in Packet 3, followed up with phone calls to set the interview date. I requested that the Packet #4 be sent to me here in the U.S., then I sent that to my wife (Cartagena).

Hope this helps.


Take Care,

FG

FredGarvin comments on Fiancee K-1 Visa

Calling the Embassy... Have the U.S. Citizen call and speak with the Embassy staff --- I recently saw a post on VJ -- when the Colombian Spouse/Fiancee calls and speaks spanish, they get treated poorly. But when the US Citizen calls and speaks English, the staff are polite and helpful.

I can tell you from personal experience that each time I (US Citizen) called and spoke in English, I had absolutely no problems.


FG

FredGarvin comments on RECEIVED APPROVAL LETTERS FOR I-130 AND I-129F!!!

Your story is a bit confusing -- you say that you had already filed an I-130 & I-129F before you were married?

I assume then that these were for the K1 visa? Not sure...

Normally, you get married first then upon return you would file those 2 petitions in order to start the process for either the K3 or CR1 visas.

"So, what's next?"

For which visa? Once the petition arrives in Bogota, you should recieve another 797C notice with a new petition number that starts with BOG....

You are now waiting for "Packet 3" which contains the forms/apps your spouse should send back in order to process your case for the interview. There will be several forms to complete -- just follow the instructions in the Packet.

Next is to get the Packet 4 --- containing furthur instructions and an interview letter/invitation.

"How long until the interview,"

Depends upon if you are proactive or not. Colombian mail system is hit or miss and you can either sit back and wait for the Packets 3/4 to arrive(we never recieved either), or you can find out exactly what forms are contained in the Packets, download them, fax and send them into the embassy. Followed up with phone calls.

Have a look at the "Colombia Club" thread on Visajourney.com --- detailed instructions are laid out for you.

"and what would happen if the I-130 comes out first?"

Then it comes out first. You can choose to pursue the CR1 or K3 visa. It's entirely up to you.

"and What Affidavit of Support form to use??"

It all depends upon the visa type you are trying to get. The K3 requires the I-134. I believe the CR1 requires the I-864.


You REALLY need to get over to Visajourney.com and read up on the "Guides" section. It's all very clearly laid out for you to determine the best options.

FG

FredGarvin comments on Current Status: Approval notice sent WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP

Essentially 2 "tracks" have started --- you can follow the CR1 visa tract or the K3 tract (if you sent in the I-129F petition).

Read the guides section on Visajourney.

FredGarvin comments on We receive I797C

What Visa? At this point, the CR1 visa process has started (approved I-130). You can also go for the K3 visa too.

...It's entirely up to you to determine which is best, but go to visajourney and you can find the timelines for each of the visa classifications. It's all there for you to see -- and will answer your question as to "how long?"...

If you are going for a K3 visa, then the next petition to be approved is the I129F. Once approved it will then be forwarded to the US consulate in Bogota.

Your spouse will then recieve Packet #3 from the Embassy. She/He will need to follow the instructions to return the requested items. After this, your spouse will recieve Packet #4 which will contain futhur intstructions (ie, to complete the medical exams, pay for the visa, etc..) --- this packet will also contain the invitation letter for the interview, including a date.

I already posted some tips earlier in this thread -- I listed out what my wife and I went through. This is important because the mail system in Colombia is not so good and it's possible that you will have delays if you simply wait around for the Packets to arrive.

IMPORTANT: go to visajourney.com and read the guides section that has information on your visa type.

FredGarvin comments on We receive I797C

Its difficult to help if we do not know what the visa type is.

FG

FredGarvin comments on Current Status: Approval notice sent WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP

First off, you need to visit visajourney.com and review the guides section to determine which visa type you want to apply for.

Is this application for a spouse or fiancee?

Answer that question, then we can talk some more.

FG

FredGarvin comments on Dial 911, Colombian Chicas are disappearing at an alarming rate.

Kadler,"'Right wing, Left Kadler,

"'Right wing, Left Wing? Both conspiracies to keep down the workingman.'"

While I can understand the line of thinking, I wholeheartedly disagree....

Membership in any political party does not determine one's happiness, success in relationships, or even economic standing. Perhaps some influence can be projected by each of the varying ideologies, but for most people, success in love, career, life, or whatever, will ALWAYS come down to one's own personal responsibilty and how they might apply the lessons that they have learned.

The alternative is to do nothing about it, or as some people describe or defend, to be a victim of a system.

"Nothing wrong with your education system over there in the Land of the Free it would seem."

It's a comlex issue/topic. I did a quick search on graduation rates of kids in the Public School system and found that, looking at a particular local level, it varies. For instance, Detroit Mich has a graduation rate of %21 of incoming freshman! While on the national level, that rate is at %70.

For me personally, it's what is taught at home that is most important. If the parents don't give a ratt's butt about their child's prospects, then most likely that child will be susceptable to far larger barriers than a child whose parents invoke discipline in the home and participate in the student life of that child.

In other words, a teacher or school system can provide the learning material and a portion of influence, but it's the student and the student's support system that is largely responsible for the success of a child's education.


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FredGarvin comments on Dial 911, Colombian Chicas are disappearing at an alarming rate.

Strobers, listen to my Grandfather.... "Profits before everything. That's why this country is in the toilet,"

I cannot think of another country where there is more economic opportunity, more people taking advantage of that opportunity, more home ownership, etc... than in the U.S. --- it is far from being in the toilet.

...And to say otherwise is incredibly disingenuous.

"You have this attitude that if people get screwed, it's there fault, even if they were laid off because the company packed up to go to Mexico."

No, what I said is that it's peoples own responsiblity to put themselves in a position to take advantage/exploit economic opportunity. I also added that you have totally ingnored the history of what people (the previous generation, and the generation before them) did in order to make a better life for themselves and their families. This is quite important because without learning from those experiences of our grandparents, we lose perspective on what it takes to succeed in a capitalistic system.

"Sure the shareholders benefit, but you are forgetting about the people who are the backbone of the enterprise, the ones that provide the service which helps a company grow."

EVERYONE is free to invest. There are millions of "average" Americans (whatever that means), or the backbone as you put it, that have seen enormous benefits due to their investments. To say otherwise is just silly.

"They are forced into jobs that pay minimum wage."

It's a free society and economy -- one can choose to be stagnant and do nothing or better themselves in whatever way that is required. There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing what it takes (say taking a lower paying job), while retraining or creating wealth from other avenues. The point is, giving up because the norm has changed is not an option.

"You have this attitude that if people get screwed, it's there fault, even if they were laid off because the company packed up to go to Mexico. "

That attitude comes from a source that has been the most valuable to me personally than any book, class, job that I have experienced -- my grandfather. I clearly remember him and I discussing what he went through to build a sustainable living for himself/family.

He said, "...there is no such thing as job security and you will need to have many skills and talents in order to cover your ass."

...I heard that at a young age and it was a powerful influence on me and forced me to make damn sure I listened to what every single teacher in school had to say, the variety of books I read after school, the differing experiences of the manual labor jobs I took from 15-20 yrs old, and most importantly, the mental preparedness for exploiting the vast amount of economic opportunity that is in front of all of those who live in the United States.

BTW, In my case, my position (software programmer) was outsourced to Medellin, not Mexico.

FredGarvin comments on Dial 911, Colombian Chicas are disappearing at an alarming rate.

"Garvin - my 401k is worth about $4.01 thanks to the Enron and the Worldcom maleficence -- just a thoughtful commentary as I beg for pennies this XMAS."

Who told you to put all of your nestegg into one basket? Or, why in the hell did you listen to them? Why is that anyone elses fault but your own?

It has been, what, going on 6yrs since that fall out? What have you been doing since then? There are many free resources that have helped hundreds of thousands of investors formulate successful and low risk plans. Get out and educate yourself.

FredGarvin comments on Dial 911, Colombian Chicas are disappearing at an alarming rate.

"Exalting is dignifying someone or holding them in high regard. When a U.S. company makes a choice to shut down their operations and move to another country because it's cheaper, how is that dignifying the displaced workers? "

Corporations are not in business to dignify anyone. They either turn a profit or they don't -- if they don't, then no jobs for anyone.

It's the "job" of the displaced worker to create MORE demand in the marketplace for the skills/talents that they posess in order to attract opportunity, or at the very least, put themselves in a position to exploit that opportunity.

"In the majority of cases they aren't retrained for another job and they sure aren't going to be sent overseas in order to keep working for the company."

Why is this anyone's responsiblity other than a worker? Who is stopping them from acquiring the skills/talents necessary to advance? Hint: in my previous post I mention the idea that the generation before us, as well as the generation before them did whatever was necessary to exploit the opportunties within a growing economy. Why should it be different for those in today's generation?

"They are just cast off like a piece of trash. "

That's YOUR perception. I don't view people that in that way -- most make an effort to build a better life for themselves and their families regardless of what situation that they might be in. That's very respectable, far from your description of them as a piece of trash.


"At the same time this is happening, the company is enjoying record profits because at their new location they can pay a crappy wage, for long hours, in dangerous conditions, because there is little or no regulation. The U.S. sure isn't going to make them change the way they do business."

1. Those profits are also benefiting shareholders. Every hear of a 401K? Proft Sharing? Well, Millions of Amercian workers have seen enormous benefits because of thier investments into the very same companies you so loathe.

2. Plenty of blame can be sent around regarding regulations. In many instances, trade agreements address these issues. But it takes 2 to come to an agreement which does include working conditions, child labor, and wage issues -- all of which are most definitely factors for projecting U.S. influence to create better conditions.

FredGarvin comments on I have a question, why do these men have to go to other country for a woman

OMG... "Seeking old fashioned values is a stretch in our relationship -- role reversal -- I clean the house and cook now however I did draw the line when she asked me to meet her at the front door after a hard day at the office butt naked and in high heels. We old men still have a little pride."

...That is friggin' hilaaaaarious, TJ....

FredGarvin comments on Dial 911, Colombian Chicas are disappearing at an alarming rate.

Tie into Colombia via "Economic Globalization" "Meritorious efforts" include, gutting the industrial sector in the mid west, leaving working people unemployed, and outsourcing their work to the cheapest bidder, sweat shop conditions, dangerous work environments, child labor abuse, poor pay and fourteen to eighteen hour work days including weekends."

I dunno, reading this just proves G5's point... "Liberals believe that weakness and victimhood are virtues to be exalted". What part of the above is not "running to the aid" of those unable to defend themselves (victims of Globalization)?

...While at the same time not one hint/suggestion of what the benefits of economic opportunity creates where none existed before. Also, no attempt was made to depict how the generation before us, and the generation before them, did what was necessary to build a better future for themselves and their families --- I don't see how any other society can build thriving economies unless the hard work to build a foundation is done. No matter who/which "business maverick" is profiting the most.

Edit to include Colombia:

I admit that it is quite frustrating that the value of my wife's skills is not rewarded to what I would expect. At face value it's just damn unfair (as mentioned by Strobers), yet I also understand that a developing Colombian economy does not support what I "think" should be a fair wage. In other words, worker compensation level is still depressed to the point where that Colombian business owner sees as "safe" within that particular market.

From my personal perspective, 2/3's of the "developed" world is creating unprecedented economic opportunity for those societies within it. The rest, and in some respects Colombia included here, are people with their face pressed against the glass, eager for a piece of that opportunity.

FredGarvin comments on Colombia conflict draws in minors

"Any suggestions of what the average citizen in the USA and/or Colombia can do to help eliminate the problem?"

I would suggest that you begin a healthy reading diet on the subject, eventually you can perhaps become a voice that will be heard or project some influence.

By far the best books I have read are by Thomas P.M. Barnett

"The Pentagons New Map" And "A Blueprint for Action"

The focus is on transnational terrorism, but the concept of young males recruited into guerrilla armies is included in that scenario. Essentially it will always come back to opportunities that are afforded to societies. It will definitely make you weight the positives and negatives of Globalization and how that concept began, atrophies(sp), and expands.

Anyway -- the author does a good job of leaving out partisan politics (even though he is a Gore-Voting Democrat), the content is very straightforward.

FG

FredGarvin comments on Chavez scary? Ask yourself, where do you get your beliefs? U.S. media sources

Non-Colombian(at ths point), but had to chime in... "Just like the threat Suddam posed with all those weapons of mass destruction."




...So, Mango, I guess what you are saying is that you don't arrest a mass murderer because he killed 15 people. You arrest him because he did it with a gun. And if he is NOT arrested with a gun in his hand, then it was a bad idea to arrest him!

Right?

FredGarvin comments on Embassy hasn't posted December interview dates?

Not possible. Our interview "Is it possible that no interviews were scheduled for December due to Holidays?"

Not possible. Our interview is Dec 15th.

Regarding the "Packets"... We have never recieved any packet. I was able to accomplish everything by downloading the forms contained in Packet 3, fax and sent in, followed up by calling the embassy to get the interview date (they only accept calls on Wed 2pm-4pm).

The only reason why I was able to obtain Packet #4 was by calling and requesting that they send it to me here in the U.S. -- then I sent it to my wife in Cartagena via DHL ($70).

Also, check out the "Colombia Club" thread going at the Visajourney community. Tons of info.

Hope this helps.

Take Care,

FG

FredGarvin comments on HOW LONG WILL IT ACTUALLY TAKE????

Terrryman & RJ,

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?autocom=custom&page=guides

This is a very good page to review to understand the process for each visa type (K1, K3, CR1, etc...).

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/

This is a very good page to review the Timeframes for each of the visa types. What they have done is take VJ members timelines and created trendlines for the various visas. Essentially, it's a real-world statistic made up of actual visa petitioners.

"Can an immigration attorney get it done faster or cheaper? What is the fastest and cheaps route?"

Depending upon your particular case, it might be a good idea to use the services of an immigration attorney. Especially if there is history that might impede the process (difficult to know unless you discuss this).

Can an attorney get it done faster?

Totally depends on the petitioner. If you are proactive, have reviewed the process, and do not have complex case --- you and many others (including me) can do it without an attorney. The timeframe is irrelevent if you are an IA or not --- I seriously doubt that an IA "with a connection" in the USCIS/NVC/Foriegn Cosulate can do a damn thing about speeding up the process.

...If so, I'd love to know about it ;-)

Here is why I decided to not use an IA: Orginially, I paid $100 for an "information packet" from an IA. After reviewing it, I determined that I just wasted $100 because,

1. That same info (actually, more complete info) is found for free on VJ.
2. Essentially, an IA will just tell you to get this form, get these supporting documents, send it to this address.
3. If the IA "takes care of" the process by having you send the completed forms and supporting docs to them, you have no control over WHEN they might send it in. I have read several items where this had caused serious delays in their petition timeline.

Can an attorney get it done cheaper?

bbwwwwwwwwwwwhahahahahhahah!

Yeah. I'll just leave it at this: I refuse to pay thousands of dollars to someone who is going to TELL ME what forms to get and supporting documents to compile.

For what? I mean, there is so much information available to me, I just couldn't understand why I should pay someone (and alot) to do the work.

Anyway, of course I am a bit biased here. So, go see for yourself at VJ, review as much as you can, ask a bunch of questions --- there are good people there that have a ton of real-world experience.

...and it won't cost you a dime.


Take Care,

FG

FredGarvin comments on How long until the interview in Bogota?

Jester,I merely suggested Jester,

I merely suggested that the OP go to VisaJourney.com and review the "Shortcuts" one can take to reduce the time for getting a CR1 visa approved. You OBVIOUSLY did not go to the website to determine what these shortcuts were and simply throw out a blanket statement that suggests we need to contact you, possibly pay you a fee, in order to get help.

If you are truly interested in being a member of this community, then stop advertising your e-mail address, and offer your "help" right here on PBH.

It's very simple. Here's how you do just that....

--- CR1 visa help and some "timesavers" you can implement ---

1. About 2 weeks after you recieve the NOA2 from USCIS, the NVC assigns a case number. Approx 2 more weeks after that, they will generate the I-864 fee bill and the DS-3032 "Choice of Agent". To find this out, call NVC on a Tuesday.

2. Once these are generated, the system is ready (that day) to accept these from the applicant. By downloading the DS-3032, then going to idautomation.com, you can create the barcode to place on the form. Complete the form and send it in.

*This saves a good chunck of time by NOT WAITING for NVC to send the docs to the spouse, then back to you.

3. This same process can be done with the I-864 and reduce the time by downloading and generating the forms (with barcodes) yourself. In essence, this process allows you to reduce the wait time by not waiting for the NVC to send the documents -- once they generate it, they are ready to accept it. So, taking a bit of action you don't have to wait weeks/months for them to send you things.

4. This same process can be used for the DS-230 as well. Have your spouse download the form, complete it, then go generate the barcode.


Now, these are just "tips" and I recommend that you fully review and ask the pertinent questions you might have by going here:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=117

This will detail the exact processes you need to do in order to REDUCE THE TIME required for the CR1 visa.

So, Jester --- are these suggestions "shortcuts"? Perhaps a bad description. But by doing just a couple of specific things, you can most definitely reduce the time required to get that CR1 visa.



FG

FredGarvin comments on How long until the interview in Bogota?

VisaJourney has... There is a "shortcut" process for the CR1 visa you can follow to reduce the wait time. Do a search for "James' Shortcuts". I was working on the same tract, but the K3 moved along so much faster that I stopped the CR1 tract.

I think the total time for a CR1 is about 1 year, so, determine the amount of time you have already spent working for the CR1 to figure out how much wait time you have remaining.

FG

FredGarvin comments on We receive I797C

Forgot to mention annagd3,

What I posted above is AFTER the embassy recieves the approved petition. UC is correct, you will get another notice from the NVC which states that they have sent the petition to Bogota and will also include a case number that begins with BOG...

You will need this number each you call the embassy (although they have been able to locate our info/petition by providing a name).

FredGarvin comments on We receive I797C

Some advice:1. Depending on Some advice:

1. We NEVER recieve the Packets #3 & #4. (Cartagena)
2. We downloaded the DS-230, 156 then faxed and sent in by courier.
3. After one week, we then called the Embassy on a Thursday between 2-4 to make sure it arrived.
4. Called again to see if they mailed out the Packets 3 & 4
5. After waiting one month with no packets, we SCHEDULED the interview by calling into the Embassy, explaining to them that the Col mail system friggin' stinks --- we were able to get the interview date very quickly.
6. During the SAME CALL to schedule the interview, I requested that they send me (in Florida) the Packet #4, this has a letter for the medical exam your spouse needs. After it arrived in Florida in about a week, I then sent her via DHL, Packet #3 and 4, as well as the affidavit of support and all other documents.
7. My wife is off this Thurs for Bogota (one week early) in order to do the medical exams and finally the interview.

Hope this helps...

Also -- there is a thread going at VisaJourney.com titled "Colombia Club". The entire process is laid out, including the forms, packets, and other pertinent info.

If I had to do it all over again, I would not have wasted time by waiting for the colombian mail system to deliver the Packet #3 and #4 !!!! It's a joke, so you will have to do everything I describe above if you don't want to wait 2 months for the packets to reach your spouse!


FG

FredGarvin comments on US Immigration Questions?

Victor,It's always good to Victor,

It's always good to have a resident expert on immigration issues....


A little tip: Do less "advertising" here at PBH, and simply be someone who is willing to offer up advice/comments --- in essence, if you can become that person who is always willing to help out with visa questions, you are more apt to get referrals for your business.

Not trying to be confrontational here, it's just something that I have learned over the years of doing business online. By helping others out, you become a valuable resource where people are actually seeking you out ---

Anyway --- have you been to VisaJourney.com? I guess you could fill a decent niche (personalized immigration help), but I gotta tell ya -- there is simply a TON of info available regarding immigration processes. So much info that one can easily "do" the work without an attorney or any outside help at all!

I suppose you can attract some business for those not willing to seek out the info themselves or very complex cases. But personally, I always thought "why in the world do I need and immigration attorney? All he/she will do is tell me to fill out these applications, get these supporting documents, send them to this office, etc...."

But I do understand that for complex immigration issues, someone like you can be very valuable. So, glad to see you and hope you become a valuable resource here at PBH!

Take Care,

FG

FredGarvin comments on Latina Households- 7 people to a household

"In the US with big salaries and "Keeping up with the Jonses" this way of thinking is gone and most US households find two working parents supporting 2 SUVs, a pool, the bigger and bestest house, and Nanies and daycare for the kids the parents hardly get to spend time with."

That's quite the generalization there...

1. You "get" that big salary by adding value to the marketplace. We can choose to increase that value by acquiring advanced degrees, increased work experience, risk taking (via business building), savings and investments or most often and combination of all.

2. You don't "get" that salary because you have NOT added enough value to the marketplace.

The bottom line, it's up to each one of us to create as much value to others in order to create demand for your skills, talents, and anything you might have to offer. But those big salaries just are NOT given, they are earned.

A fool will live beyond their means. Still, it's their own damn fault, not the systems' fault.

"Out of the 7 adults and 7 children that share these apartments the ones that don't have a job at the time do laundry, food shopping, cleaning and whatnot. When the rest of the "Household" gets back from work food is shared, everyone eats together and the person who cooked did so for everyone. "

Unless there are medical reasons for the "ones" who do not have a job, then I'd have to say it's nobody's fault but their own to have not attracted a business to employ them, or for not doing anything about it.

FredGarvin comments on England/Colombian Marriage Visas Granted in 2 Days?

Norma, ...Norma, you are joking, right?



Sorry that I can't offer any advice other than to goto visajourney.com --- although it's U.S.-focused, I am fairly certain that someone can provide you with much more info.

FredGarvin comments on

"To me, they seem like very good “pretextos”, i.e., excuses, for not agreeing to Uribes requests. I don’t believe for a second that they [the US government] are really concerned about human rights records etc. "

I'd revise your statement from "U.S. Government" to "World Community" that doesn't give a rat's butt about human rights.

It's how we ALL have witnessed the millions dead in Central Africa during the 90's, all the "ethnic cleansing" in the Balkans, and the 2 million starved to death in N. Korea.

...The U.N. is very good at debating these things for months on end, but without action, we will ALL continue to just witness these events.

Economic Globalization comes with Global norms (rule sets). Getting plugged into that economic rule set is the beginning of a long journey for any society. With so many who claim to want economic opportunity (a clear positive for all), but don't want those norms to apply to them, I'd say it's a losing proposition.

FredGarvin comments on how long for the I-130 to go through?

"so am wondering is it that they do not update their info or could it be that they are extremely slow?"

I believe each time a "set" of applications is processed, the website is updated. Also, "slow" can be applied to any large governmental processing system, so I don't think 3-4 months is long enough to warrant notifying your congressman/woman to look into the matter.

In general, expect to wait 7-9 months to complete from start to finish the process for a K3 visa. A bit longer for a CR1 visa.

Perhaps the best resource you can use is VisaJourney.com --- there you will find an entire history of "timelines" from which to help you answer your questions. You can also find an enormous amount of support from the community of people that reside there.

Take Care,

FG

FredGarvin comments on Bomb in Bogota

Or... "I find it most annoying when people invent serious (but vague) accusations without a thread of evidence. I know that in the US this is a regular practice in entertainment "shock" journalism (a la Coulter or O'Reilly), "

You mean similiar to Newsweek's accusations of Guantanamo gaurds flushing a prisoner's Koran down the toilet? I think I remember that little fabricated story caused some deaths (9 of them). And this was not an editorial, it was reported as facts -- Perhaps that should be expected when the "reporter" uses statements made by a detainee...

...O'Reilly may opine, as well as Coulter, but that is exactly what they are -- opinion pieces.

I think a better argument would be that reporting the facts shouldn't consume ANYONE -- partisanship across the spectrum has engulfed and influenced just about everything that makes the "news". We simpletons just need to take everything in with a grain of salt, along with a healthy dose of our own fact-finding.

FG

FredGarvin comments on Does anyone know the implications of the scenario wherein a Colombiana

I think it's pretty darn straight forward. Don't you?

Student Visa = Entrance into U.S. for STUDY.
K1 Visa = Entrance into U.S. for MARRIAGE.

"Does she have to return to Colombia for anything?"

She/They will have to prove that the marriage is real/true and that the intent was not to defraud (i.e. she married just for the citizenship) for the Adjustment Of Status process to succeed. Probably not going to be an easy road, but then again I did not go through what you describe.

If you cannot prove the marriage is not a fraud, then there is the possiblity of deportation and no chance for re-applying for 10yrs (I think that's the number).

"Is this a no-no?"

Uhhhhhh, yeah -- I think it's a no-no. That's why they call it a STUDENT VISA, it's for study not marriage. Will it be difficult to convince US Immigration that the marriage is not a sham? Probably.

From the tone of the comments you made, it sounds as if the goal to immigrate to the US on a student visa, but have it in your mind that once here all she will need to do is:

a. Find some schlub to marry OR
b. Already have your U.S. Citizen sweetheart and intend to marry anyway.

I dunno -- I would not make the immigration process any more messy by going through the wrong channels to get to where you want. If you want to be married to the immigrant then:

1. She gets a Student Visa, then she should come here to study. Period. Finish study and return to Colombia. THEN,
2. Get married in Colombia then proceed forward for a K3/CR1 visa.
3. Proceed forward for a K1 visa and get married in the U.S.

Those 3 are your options. No more.

FG

FredGarvin comments on American Reguirements for Columbia

Also... You also misspelled "Colombia"... ;-)

U.S. citizens will only need their U.S. passports to enter Colombia as a tourist. No special visas are required, however there is a time limit to your total length of stay. I am sure someone here can provide the exact specifics.

Guns/Knives/Mace/ect... --- I am not sure, but I have a hunch that the answer to your question is no. I could be wrong, but I don't think that concealed weapons permit holders have reciprocity with foreign countries -- like we have in the U.S. between states.

Before you arrive, you will be given a form to fill out during the flight -- some of the questions will relate to what items you are bringing into the country. When you enter, you will present the completed form and your passport to the customs agent, they might ask you a couple of simple questions. But essentially it's an easy process.

They very well might search your luggage, including bomb/drug sniffing dogs that walk throughout the airport.

FG

FredGarvin comments on Retired Colombian Military fighting for freedom in Iraq next to Americans

mcraig --- I think you have overlooked my point....

I used the example of the Battle of The Bulge in order to reject a previous comment that "Iraq is a disaster". Point being --- it's not a disaster.

"war your number of 2,500 KIA is astonishing to lose so few brave men taking over two countries an giving freedome to 28 million. "

This was exactly my point --- yet what do we see? Some stupid "Death Counter" at the bottom of the tv screen, seemingly the MSM's effort to strike a cord when it hits a certain level (remember that magical 2000 kia? --- it was rediculous and incredibly offensive to the brave Americans fighting there).

"An then again for some reason you think freedom is free would you please look at how man american lives where lost for our freedoms an then give us your 100,000 (proven lie facts are 30,000)stupidity numbers."

You might want to re-read my comments. Again, I pointed out that history shows just how costly war is -- the Ardennes Offensive was incredibly bloody. However, without coalition victory over the Germans during this battle, the ultimate outcome of the war might have been different (at the very least MORE lives were spared).

As far as the Clinton admin, and without getting into details, I'll just say that I agree with your assessment. But,

"Now , you want to blame someone else for taking care of the problem that you liberals left."

You are mischaracterizing me. Period. If you take a closer look at my writting, I am actually defending the Iraq conflict.

FG

FredGarvin comments on New to the forum and need some information

That was nice. I appreciate it, David...

FG

FredGarvin comments on Retired Colombian Military fighting for freedom in Iraq next to Americans

"To me 1 person dying in war is a disaster."

The "dying" happening in the Iraq war is not necessarily solely from war itself. The dying is also (and perhaps more so) because of a larger, much broader regional change (religious, economic and societal), which is outside of many people's perception of "American Occupation" as the cause of the current violence. It's this regional shift/change (that is partly religious, economic and societal) which is and will be causing fierce resistence through violence and terror.

"Especially when it is a war that shouldn`t have been fought."

Shouldn't have been fought? Do you honestly think that oppressive regime's will not nor can be forced to change? In the big flick, globalization (information exchange) has been causing an INEVITABLE change in the Middle East as a whole (with or without the Bush admin's big boom happening there). Cultural revolutions are incredibly threatening to the mullahs and the leaders of state-run societies.

It's silly to think that there was NOT going to be inevitable violence in that region of the world --- and it's very likely that it was inevitable that the U.S. would need to intervene.

FG

FredGarvin comments on Retired Colombian Military fighting for freedom in Iraq next to Americans

Yes Greg, I used the comparison (and provided a few statistics) to rebut your argument that Iraq is a disaster and to help you write more convincing arguments by giving you an example to support your "disaster" claim. Maybe I wasn't clear, but I was pointing out that perhaps then you think 81,000 American casualties over 1 battle during WWII was/is a disaster????

Point being, without that victory, how many more deaths would have occured? How much longer would the war have lasted? Would the coalition ultimately have been victorious without this?

Now we can take a critical look at the Iraq conflict with some perspective -- notice, I just don't say, "No it's not. Iraq is not a disaster"...

...By the way, the world HAS BEEN a very dangerous place prior to the current Bush administration.

FG

FredGarvin comments on Retired Colombian Military fighting for freedom in Iraq next to Americans

Greg,"Iraq is a total Greg,

"Iraq is a total disaster...."

You really need to preface this kind of comment with logic. Before you type, you might want to build-in some context (good or bad) or a simple reason instead of spitting out such a broad inaccuracy.

Here's a great example of how to do just that...

"Perhaps Iraq is not the disaster that people conjur it to be beacuse of the media's continuous counting of war related deaths. For example, perhaps the argument can be made that without U.S. victory over the German's ARDENNES OFFENSIVE in 1944, defeating Nazi Germany may not have come so quickly.

At the very least, more Amercian and German GI's would have perished. In fact, it cost 81,000 American casualties, including 23,554 captured and 19,000 killed and 100,000 German casualties, killed, wounded or captured during that short battle."

With that said, the reader has a better frame of reference of whether or not to take your comment seriously -- at least they can now compare the realities of previous and current wars. Now, I understand that it's easier to just blather anti-war statements and expect everyone to agree, but I personally simply discount your statements because of the way you have framed it.

FG

FredGarvin comments on New to the forum and need some information

ill,Personally, NOTHING ill,

Personally, NOTHING that has come "easy" to me is valued more than those things I have put maximum effort and patience into in order to achieve. This same concept has been applied to my wife's and my visa process from the outset, and has allowed us to approach the entire time period with less stress/strain on our relationship.

With that said, you will both have to accept the fact that the road which leads to your spouse's entry into the U.S. can be a long one. Depending on the complexity of your case, you might be able to:

1. Obtain an approved I-130 in 2-4 months (maybe less in some cases)
2. Obtain an approved I-129F in 2-4 months
3. Obtain an interview appointment in 1-2 months after Packet 3 is recieved.
4. You will definitely be able to pick up the visa the day after a successful interview.

I gotta tell you, this is a great site to get some very good info and general comments on the visa process. But if you are looking for the whole picture, including details (such as downloading and filling out the correct applications) then I recommend you head on over to VisaJourney.com --- there are simply a TON of tools you can use to gauge how long the visa process will take (check out the "Guides" section first!). Looking at the "TimeLine" section would have given you your answer without even posting your question here ---- not suggesting you shouldn't post here, but there is PRECISELY the info you are looking for at visajourney....

For some personal comments on your posting....

Where to get married?

That should be a question you and your fiancee should be discussing. The pertinent questions/thoughts might be:

Married in the U.S. ---

1. Will your fiancee's family be able to attend?
2. If not, is that important to her?
3. Cost for ceremony and travel.

Married in Col ---

1. Your family, with USA passports definitely HAVE the ability to travel to Colombia.
2. Will they WANT to travel to Colombia? If not, how will YOU feel?
3. Cost for ceremony.

My personal experience is that we decided to marry in Colombia. Originally, this was because we believed that the K3 visa was a very good option (however, the IMBRA laws seriously affected our timeline). The cost of the ceremony was quite inexpensive compared to having it in the U.S., HOWEVER! We are still planning on a reception (again) once we are together here in Florida --- so, the cost might even be more after 2 receptions....

Finally -- the family issue.... Essentially, my own family was simply scared to travel to Colombia. I was understanding of that and did not push the issue, and I had already knew that it was unlikely they would make the trip -- so it just wasn't that big of a deal to me. But YOU might want to consider this situation!

Anyway -- good luck to you and your fiancee. And please do your homework and INCLUDE your fiancee in the ENTIRE process, do whatever it takes to help her understand the timelines, the costs, and every little twist that you might be subjected to.

Take Care,

FG

FredGarvin comments on Chavez this year alone has paid 3 billion dollars to the Russians for military equipment

juanalejo ---"It would be juanalejo ---

"It would be great just to see the face of those many cocky compatriots of yours whose ignorance and arrogance have caused so much harm to humanity."

Neither you or I can deny the amount of aid that originates from the people of the United States of America. If you percieve American citizens as you do, then perhaps you are not seeing the entire picture -- and that's fine! But you might want to dig up some more balanced research before you barf up rhetoric as yours...

Again -- where should we (the world) be looking for examples of equality in the workforce, education, and economic opportunty? Iran? Syria? What????

If the United States of America is SO BAD, then who should we be looking to????

You reak of arrogance AND ignorance yourself, yet you do not want (or simply cannot) expouse your own solutions -- it's simply a tired approach to discussing geopolitics with the uninformed. I offer a logical question, and recieve no answer from you -- just an angry diatribe of how evil American citizens are...

FG

FredGarvin comments on Chavez this year alone has paid 3 billion dollars to the Russians for military equipment

Then what happens? "but I am able to be fair, you yankees are unfair, invading countries for the sake of OIL, narcotrafic hipocricy (where are all the big cat yankees narcotrafinants who buy tons of Colombian cocaine and resell it to the children in the USA?). I hope i am going to live enough to see the world closing their commercial doors to USA, just to have a test of their own medicine. USA probably will go more down that the today's Cuba"

Juan,

Geopolitics and Free-Trade issues are incredibly complex -- so much more so than to warrant a statement like "war for OIL". It's kinda hard to take you seriously. Seriously...

Now -- let's say you get what you want? What happens to local economies around the globe should they lose an incredibly large consumer base?

Who will step in to make huge contributions to the advancement of medicine and technology? Syria?

What happens when all investment of capital is removed from around the globe? Where does the trade of captial, goods and services go? Are you suggesting that the better approach is for individual countries/societies to keep to themsleves? What is the data that suggests less investment = greater economic growth?

Who will provide strong examples of women rights? Or should the world follow the example of sharia law and implement that kind of treatment/fairness to women?

FG

FredGarvin comments on US Terrorocracy Promotion in Colombia

"What fre trade agreement are you talking about? the one that Colombia and th USA are still writing? "

An agreement was made back in Feb of this year...

http://usinfo.state.gov/ei/Archive/2006/Feb/27-265723.html

But you are probably right about it's approval in Congress....

FG

FredGarvin comments on US Terrorocracy Promotion in Colombia

griff,The essence of all griff,

The essence of all the talk about free trade with the U.S. is this....

There are a TON of people who oppose any of it, yet NEVER explain what would happen should those foreign economies (and small businesses) not have the opportunity to reach the U.S consumer base. Or at least OUTLINE what would happen, who would be affected, if trade is non-existent with the ENORMOUS consumer base that the U.S. market provides. Headlines such as "The U.S. Terrocracy" foments the idea that -- if the big satan would just go away, the world would be a better place. Again, failing to point out what that local businesses and economies would be affected negatively without the opportunity to sell goods/services outside of the country aimed at the U.S markets.


FG

FredGarvin comments on I got my notice of approval for my I-130

Yes -- you can send in the I-129F application and supporting documents as soon as you recieve the NOA1 for the I-130.

The I-129F application form is the same for both K1 and K3 petitioners. The only difference is that K3'ers imply "spouse" wherever "fiancee" is written.

You really need to read through the DETAILED guides for the K3 process at VisaJourney.com --- it's the best source of pre-compiled information I have found.

FG

FredGarvin comments on I need info about K3Visa and begin the process

Anna --- http://visajourney.com

There is a boat load of pertinent information there for you, including instructions, forms, and answers from many people who have already gone through the process....

K3 process overview:

1. Get married --- You become the beneficiary, your husband the petitioner.
2. Download the form I-130 as well as ALL G-325A forms.
3. Upon your husbands return to the U.S., he files the I-130 with all required supporting documentation.
4. Upon reciept of the I-130, USCIS will send a notice that they recieved the packet.
5. After your husband recieves the I797 (NOA1), he can then send in the I129F (application for the K3 visa).
6. Once the I-129F is approved, it is forwarded to the embassy in Bogota.
7. Wait for the embassy to send you (the beneficiary) Packet 3 which includes DS-230 Part I
8. Return the completed packet and wait for Packet 4 and your interview date.

Of course this is all a general outline of the process and I encourage both you and your husband to review the "Guides" on visajourney site. The entire process is clearly laid out, including all forms/applications you will need. Not saying to leave PBH, but you will find many more resources pertinent to obtaining a K3 visa there!!!

Hope this helps...

FG

FredGarvin comments on US Terrorocracy Promotion in Colombia

"It also urged that consideration be given to the possibility of setting up an ILO office in Colombia in order to facilitate dialogue between the Government, the social partners........"

Actually, the June 1, 2006 announcement states that an agreement has been met by both parties. This includes setting up ILO offices within Colombia AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, IN PART, DIRECTLY FROM THE COLOMBIAN GOVERNMENT.

FG

FredGarvin comments on US Terrorocracy Promotion in Colombia

Could you please date the sources? This sounds like an initiative back in June 2005....

FredGarvin comments on How long for my I-130?

"nope, can't fax anything to them, they want the forms back that they sent you, because faxing will screw up the barcode for your receipt/case number."

Well....

You can download the coversheet (DS-230 Part I), open in Microsoft Word, select and remove the existing barcode, then go to:

http://www.idautomation.com

Here you can generate the new barcode and paste into the DS-230 Part I --- I believe that the first step in the process of getting an interview is WAITING for the embassy to send the beneficiary this DS-230 for them to return part 1/coversheet, as well as a photocopy of their passport's biographical page. So we are simply removing the wait time for the DS-230 to arrive and pre-assemblying the information, which is then faxed in.

Perhaps they no longer accept these faxes, but I do know others who have done this process for K1 applications and saved them significant wait time.

FG

FredGarvin comments on How long for my I-130?

It took approx 1 month to recieve the NOA1 notice of the I-130 --- prompting me to send in the I-129F for my wife's K3 visa. Our I-130 was approved in about 4 months.

Also -- we did get, and are still affected by the IMBRA laws. That is, it has added about 2-3 months of additional processing time. Currently, we are at a point where I returned the RFE in regards to the IMBRA stuff and are now anxiously waiting to hear of the I-129F approval and subsequent sending to Bogota.

After it reaches Bog, we intend to pre-prepare the necessary forms for the beneficiary, as well as the Affidavit of Support and documentation required of the petitioner (me). Supposedly, some shortcuts can be taken --- the faxing in of the DS-230 (I think) is ok and could shorten the time to obtain the interview from 2-3 months down to 1 month. Dunno for sure, I am still investigating this process.

FG

FredGarvin comments on US Terrorocracy Promotion in Colombia

Refering to ALL OF THEM. Because Free trade creates interest from organizations like The International Labour Organization, improving or establishing comprehensive initiatives that lead into adoption/placement of basic principles into the underlying constitution followed by sound legislation that benefits the population as a whole as it moves forward into the future.

Groups like the ILO have the clout to influence how that framework is built. We can see this exemplified in the benefit of those who earn minimum wage. Things such as (btw, all of this has been ratified and instituded by the Colombian government),

- ALL workers are entitled to severence pay in relation to their work duration
- Minimum wage increases cannot be inferior to inflation
- Pregnant women cannot be terminated from their employment or during thier 12 week paid maternity leave
- All workers receive 1 months additional salary per year in an individual savings fund
- All low wage workers recieve subsidies for transportation, clothing, and CASH PER DEPENDEDNT/CHILD

Additionally, homicide in union related cases are on, and have been on the decrease. Not saying union-related homicide isn't a problem, but at some point the problems needs to be addressed with REAL ANSWERS. I would argue that without free trade, the time frame for dealing with this particular issue is greatly increased.

FG

FredGarvin comments on US Terrorocracy Promotion in Colombia

What does your "research" tell us about the thousands of Colombians, employed by Colombian firms? How many of these companies/employees will be negatively affected should their CURRENTLY EXISTING opportunities for trade with an incredibly LARGE consumer base disappear?

FG

FredGarvin comments on US Terrorocracy Promotion in Colombia

"Contrary to these claims this article shows that the US continues to back Colombian counter-insurgency efforts which essentially amount to a strategy of state terrorism under a democratic façade (terrorocracy)."

I'd say the author has no concept of right and wrong.

"Moreover, this policy continues to be pursued because the US has long employed counter-insurgency warfare to stabilise social formations conducive to US political and economic interests."

This policy is also conducive to economic interests of Colombians who desire economic, educational, health, social, and basic human freedom opportunities.

"In Colombia this strategy continues to have profound consequences for human rights, social justice and democracy"

Just bitching and moaning from someone who can provide NO real answers. Yet I am supposed to assume that without U.S. involvement, the world would be a better place? That if the U.S. would simply go away, only then the world could frolic together with bunny rabbits under beautiful rainbows!

FG

FredGarvin comments on US Terrorocracy Promotion in Colombia

The crystal ball is very simple to read: States lacking security do not cultivate free markets. Period. The U.S.'s interests in Colombia have metled into 2 --- free trade and reduction in narco activity. The point is, if you let the narco crowd rule, the negative affects on the current markets/economies would be severe -- resulting in many MORE "thousands of deaths and millions of displaced".

I doubt that stopping aid to Colombia will have any benefit to it's situation. Actually, the results could be disasterous should this occur because as decreases in security roll out, economic decreases exponentially fall --- leaving an unsecured population with little economic opportunity.

FG