New Interview Schedule...

[Goofpod]

I just got off the phone with the embassy ($1.60/minute). I explained that my fiancee's Oct 18th interview was cancelled, though she had traveled 500 miles to be there and was ready and waiting at the gate. I explained that it was a costly week of disappointment for us, both financially and psychologically, and now we'll have to return to Moscow at a later date. I explained that our wedding date is already booked for December 8th (we assumed that would give us plenty of time from October 18th) and it would be very expensive and difficult to reschedule it. Then I asked them to PLEASE schedule her for a new interview date before December 8th. The response was an invariable NO. December 10th is the earliest, and it would likely be longer than that. Hmmm... Ok, so not to upset anybody whose interview date is approaching soon, but how the hell do they justify postponing the missed interviews so far ahead? Doesn't it seem more fair to accomodate the people who were put out (considerably) by last week's abrupt closing first- and THEN to take in the current interviewees? There is definitely some very insensitive administration in that embassy... Say what you will, but this is a piss-poor way of handling the missed interviews. Many people spent a lot of time, money, and emotional sweat to be there for that BIG moment last week, possibly the BIGGEST moment in some of their lives. Where is the consideration of individuals' rights so inherent in the American way? Not in the American Embassy in Moscow, I assure you. Of course, compared to the losses of life and peace of mind from the September 11th tragedy this may seem trivial. Sure, I am happy that we are both alive and well, and will likely be reunited some time in the future. Sure, I will be patient and play by the endless rules. But two wrongs do not make a 'right', and to add to the frustrations of so many displaced couples by rescheduling them far into the future is very disheartening and grossly insensitive of the embassy administration.

~Ralph
Petaluma, CA

[David Egolf]

... in response to New Interview Schedule..., posted by Goofpod on Oct 22, 2001

Ralph
I would not hold my bre____ I think the embassy is going to
be closed more time than we were told, it still has not opened, I have now heard a rumor about the 25th but, I do not think this is true,,, I would not be supprised if we end up bringing our fiancee's next year. Sorry for the
post but I am being realistic, they can close for as long
as they feel like it, and with winter, they may not open until January, who knows.  

David Egolf

[Goofpod]

... in response to Re: New Interview Schedule..., posted by David Egolf on Oct 23, 2001

Wow, David, I hope this isn't true. My lady is really heart-broken from all this. You know, getting that visa is the greatest moment in some of their lives, and to be shattered so abruptly at the last minute like this- well, I know our phone conversations are becoming much tougher these days. How emotionally reassuring can you be on the telephone? I do my best.

Good luck

[Goofpod]

... in response to New Interview Schedule..., posted by Goofpod on Oct 22, 2001

Oh well, so much for the new interview date of December 10th. (Two days
after our wedding date.) I just got off the phone with the embassy to verify
the new date- I was told to call back to verify- and I was told it is now
the 18th!!! Gee, thanks. This is getting better all the time.... Especially
since her approved K-1 application EXPIRES ON THE 16th!
Time to write my congresswoman, for what it's worth...

Exasperated in Petaluma CA
(~Ralph)

[Reagan]

... in response to New Interview Schedule..., posted by Goofpod on Oct 22, 2001

What number did you call?

Thanks in advance

Kevin

[Goofpod]

... in response to Re: New Interview Schedule..., posted by Reagan on Oct 22, 2001

The embassy information office: 1-866-487-8472

It's a company in Florida that takes your credit card info and assigns you a PIN number to use. You then hang up and redial the number, and then press option 1. The billing starts when they pick up the line in Moscow. You need a new PIN EACH TIME you call! Very awkward, but the line was picked up right away in Moscow. Too bad it was fruitless.

~Ralph

[shuravi]

... in response to New Interview Schedule..., posted by Goofpod on Oct 22, 2001

I feel for you... and thanks for your replies
Do you think there's any way to apply some pressure on the administration of the embassy? Say, thru congress representatives? Or, do you know of any civil rights organization which can protect our right to get married and bring our fiancees here in a timely manner, or somehow speed up the process? I don't have an interview date scheduled for my fiancee yet, but now it looks like it's not going to happen soon.

[Goofpod]

... in response to Re: New Interview Schedule..., posted by shuravi on Oct 22, 2001

...and asked to speak with a supervisor. I was told that is not possible, and only the women who answer the telephones can deal with the scheduling. She did, however, give me a fax number to send a complaint to the main immigration office at the embassy. I'm typing that baby right now...

Here's the fax number: 7-095-728-5358

Good luck,

~Ralph