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[This message has been edited by jediknight]

just wanted to mention that i had the opportunity and pleasure to meet Gary Bala in barranquilla last month. I found him to be very knowledgeable, curteous and patient. He gave me advice on how to proceed and answered all of my questions, so if anyone has any doubt about the visa process or needs to consult a lawyer I would recommend him.
JK

... in response to Immigration Attorney, posted by jediknight on Jul 4, 2005

Gary consuled my wifes family regarding tourist visas a week ago while he was in Cali. It would be hard to find a more patient and knowledgable immigration attorney. I will use Gary again and recomend those frustrated by attornies to speak to Gary. You will be pleasantly surprised ..

... in response to Immigration Attorney, posted by jediknight on Jul 4, 2005

I'll second that...

You forgot to post his Web site:

http://www.garybala.com/

... in response to Re: Immigration Attorney, posted by Ray on Jul 4, 2005

[This message has been edited by Gary Bala]

Many thanks, guys!

My pleasure to help out anyone I can within
the time and case-load restraints I have.
I enjoyed my recent trip to Colombia in June,
and meeting with clients and friends.

Here's an update on recent immigration stuff for you all:

**I met with the Consular Agent for the U.S. Consular Office
in Barranquilla to discuss some issues. (For anyone who may
not know, this office only handles non-visa immigration issues
such as passport issues.)

**Our all-new Immigration website is now online. We're still
working out a few bugs. But the new site adds some interactive
features to the old site's content, and continues to offer people
a lot of free information. Many thanks to Josh Wilcox, E-Maze
and friends and supporters who offered ideas and suggestions.

See: www.VISA-Attorney.com

**USCIS now has a periodic newsletter you can subscribe to,
if you wish.
USCIS Today Newsletter published by Office of Communication
(July 2005)(Inaugural Issue)
http://uscis.gov/graphics/publicaffairs/USCISToday_July_05.pdf

If you wish to subscribe to the Newsletter (or get notice
of any updates on the USCIS website), go to this page:
http://uscis.gov/graphics/exec/cns/index.asp

**USCIS has a new temporary Acting Director, Michael Petrucelli,
who took over for Eduardo Aguirre who will be Ambassador to Spain.

**Travel Tip - TSA (Transportation and Safety Administration) is
authorized to break open any locked baggage in air transit.
Your choices are to travel with unlocked bags or use TSA-approved
locks. These TSA-approved locks can be opened without breakage
by TSA personnel. Thus, you can keep things safely locked, without
fear of lock breakage during transit.
http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_multi_image_with_table_0234.xml

A couple of media developments while I was visiting Cali:

**Felicity Schaeffer, a Phd fellow at Univ. of California, Santa Cruz,
who is writing a book on International Romance marriages,
attended one company's large social tours in Cali. I spoke with
her, and believe that her book will be objective and balanced.

**A reporter from Time Magazine was also doing research for an
upcoming article also on International marriages, specifically
on Latin brides and fiancees. A few of the gentlemen in town
spoke with her, and I also had the opportunity to answer some of
her immigration questions. Look for the article sometime soon.

Happy holiday.

... in response to Re: Re: Immigration Attorney, posted by Gary Bala on Jul 4, 2005

(If I may steal that line from Steve Martin)

Gary, if you feel up to commiting a real miracle, for a reasonable price, send me an email. Re: my step daughters' (yes, that's plural) status. Address is in my profile. Thanks.

... in response to Re: Re: Immigration Attorney, posted by Gary Bala on Jul 4, 2005

Gary, can you comment for the guys and me on the posts below regarding the I-130? Is that now a viable route to go or do you recommend the K1 instead?

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Immigration Attorney, posted by papi on Jul 4, 2005

Steve,
I essentially agree with UC's comments below.

I-130 vs. K-3
The I-130 (CR-1 resident visa process) is running faster
than the K-3 spousal visa at this time. National Benefits Center
(NBC) which handles the K-3 has recently made a small improvement
in processing time, with K-3 petition approvals now running about four
months or so from petition filing date. Even still, the I-130 process (from
start to visa issuance) is overall moving quicker and yields a much more
desirable visa than K-3 (or K-1). If NBC can someday get K-3 approval time
back down to 30 to 60 days from filing date, K-3 may be an option again worth
pursuing (mostly since the K-3 moves through National Visa Center and
Embassy much more swiftly than CR-1).

I-130 vs. K-1
As for the K-1 visa process vs. I-130, yes, the K-1 is quickest-moving procedure
for most people (especially for people covered by the jurisdiction of the Vermont
Service Center), if speed alone is the over-riding consideration.
Again, there are always more factors to consider such as more petition work
and money. K-1 will later-on require more immigration petition work and fees,
such as mandatory AOS, and optional AP & EAD. But again, I-130 yields a more
desirable visa (conditional residency - green card), which includes work
and travel permission.

I also agree with Ray's point below that too many people are too often focused
on just "how to get her here as fast as possible", without properly analyzing
the task at hand: finding and selecting the right potential partner, making
good joint decisions with her about the marriage, where and when and how,
and then choosing the best immigration and visa option based on the current
pros and cons of each option.

Good luck.

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Immigration Attorney, posted by Gary Bala on Jul 4, 2005

“National Benefits Center… has recently made a small improvement in processing time”

Gary, why do you think the NVC is apparently catching up on the K-3 backlog? Because they finally started paying attention to the intent of congress in the Life Act by giving K-3’s priority processing? I don’t think so. I suspect that the only reason they are ‘making progress’ is because most people just gave up on the NBC and stopped filing K-3’s.

I think it would be very interesting to see how the K-3 submission rate has been running in recent months as compared to previous years. Do you have any access to that info?

Thanks,

Ray