My new family.....

[GrizGator]

Donkeys do fly after all!!!! On her 4th try, my mother-in-law finally got a tourist visa. She'll come to visit us for three weeks in December. As some of you may remember, the last time she got turned down, I wrote a long letter to my Congressman. My biggest complaint was that the embassy was not permitting my mother-in-law to present evidence to convince the CO that she had no intention of illegally staying in the U.S. on her visit. They asked almost no questions and did not look at any of her paperwork. I outlined all of the reasons why my MIL should be given a visa and pointed out that they should judge her by her assets and her remaining family in Bogota and not her part-time job income. We did not get any satisfaction then, but reading between the lines, I got the feeling that she might get a better review next time.

She went to the interview on Tuesday and this time they actually asked her some questions about her income, her intentions, her family, etc. This time the CO seemed to be satisfied and gave her the visa. I'll never know if my letter to the my congressman made a difference, but I'd like to think so. At any rate, the tourist visa saga is over. Persistence paid. My wife is very happy....we all are.

[GrizGator]

Haven't been around much since the board changed over....so don't know if anyone I know is still around. However, for anyone who has followed my story, wanted to let you know that my wife and daughter are now U.S. citizens! My wife had her interview in late October and passed the test. She was sworn in and just received her new passport in the mail yesterday. My 13 year old automatically became a citizen when her mom did, but we had to file the N-600 (and pay $460) so that we can get her an actual naturalization certificate. Overall, all is well. My mother-in-law comes in from Colombia in two weeks for a visit.

[Ricardo]

Congrats Griz. Hopefully your mother-in-law being able to come for visits will make life easier.

I think there are a few people left on the board from the old days, but many are no longer posting. Maybe we should start and "oldtimer" roll call post?

[JMitch1959]

Originally Posted by GrizGator

Haven't been around much since the board changed over....so don't know if anyone I know is still around. However, for anyone who has followed my story, wanted to let you know that my wife and daughter are now U.S. citizens! My wife had her interview in late October and passed the test. She was sworn in and just received her new passport in the mail yesterday. My 13 year old automatically became a citizen when her mom did, but we had to file the N-600 (and pay $460) so that we can get her an actual naturalization certificate. Overall, all is well. My mother-in-law comes in from Colombia in two weeks for a visit.

Congratulations Griz.
I think new Citizens of this nation often are more aware of the privilege and responsibility of being Citizens, than those of us who were lucky enough be born into this great nation.

I hope your mother in law is able to stay for the holidays, and I'm sure you all will have fun.
If she's from Bogota, than she may really enjoy the warm Florida weather. That would be a wonderful place to spend the holidays. I get tired of cold, foggy winter days, and sometimes wish I were in a more tropical place, like Cali, for example. I've been busy the past few years because of Medicare enrollment, which is from Nov. to February. Unfortunately, it precludes, me and my family from visiting my wife's family in Colombia, because of my work, during the winter holidays.
I love the holidays in Cali. Mickey says they're quite spectacular in Medellin too.
What the hell ever happened to Sailover? Does he think there's a membership fee here or something? Sailover and post sometime, or I'll come visit you. I've been watching you, and I know where you live.
Ciao

[Colombia Vacations]

WOW Griz. Congratulations! It's been a good couple of months for you.