What did legal immigrants from other countries do wrong? How can they use "training" as an excuse to suspend all legal immigration for such a long time?
Hi everyone! I’m Karol Suarez, a news correspondent based in Houston. I’m looking to speak with families in Texas who have been affected by the worldwide pause on immigrant visa interviews, including families who have been separated, faced delays, or whose lives have been disrupted by the pause. If this has affected you or your family in any way, I’d like to hear your story and learn how it has impacted your life.
Please DM me or email me at karol.suarezaponte@nbcuni.com
I m a professional classical violinist from Europe. Been to the US twice in the last 3 years, on a j1 visa working while I was still a student just for the experience, and then on a tourist visa, traveling.
Besides this, I ve traveled the world having concerts especially across europe, I was selected to represent my home country in Japan in a concert tour among the parliamentary delegation and the prime minister, so its a huge thing for me that sits on my CV.
Also, I m one search away from google, all the info is public to them.
I had this job offer at a christian campus in the US, to build up an orchestra with the kids from there, on a R1 non-immigrant temporary visa.
USCIS approved my case, but my visa was denied for not having strong ties to my home country.
The interview took 40mins, but I was asked only 2-3 questions, related to what I did on my j1 visa (dishwasher) and tourist visa. In rest, the officer just took its time going back and forth to other colleagues processing the case. So no, I didn't get asked any other questions related to the job, or who am I? He just didn't care...I was placed on administrative processing, and got my answer a week later.
My immigration lawyer said to go back to a 2nd interview, and explain the case better, because I didn't have the opportunity to speak and I was viewed as a dishwasher trying now to be an orchestra director.
My problem now is how am I going to prove strong ties to my country? I m still young, I just graduated college and was planning to pursue my masters degree, but this R1 opportunity came up and decided to take it. My career without a masters degree is basically dead these days and that's the only true thing that keeps me tied to my home country. I don't own a home or land.
Edit: Response to why the visa category suits my case: I’m a religious Christian as well. They needed someone who is both religious and qualified to take care of the orchestra. Being an orchestra director is just one part of my job. The other part is serving as a Minister of Music and helping lead their other services, including the Sunday service.
My job title is "Minister of Music and Orchestral director" . But thank you for all the comments so far, I will definitely adress this. I m trying to do this the right way.
Has anyone had their second interview yet? If so, how did it go?
Basically interviewed for a J-1 visa for residency (post-graduate medical training) in the US in July and was initially approved then passport returned with 221g slip.
Case been in admin processing since then and I requested a status update 30 days ago to which they said your case is under administrative processing which we can’t expedite.
I asked for another status update yesterday and they told me “Kindly note that your case is not currently undergoing any processing and is refused under 221g.”
What does that mean???? Am i refused fully or does it mean it’s on pause or what? What can I do now?
I have till October 31 and my position will be gone.