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First of all, my congrats to you and your new family. Sorry I couldn't catch up with you doing my last visit. I'm a little (actually alot) curious as to why you & your lady have to wait so long for the visa to leave Colombia. Could it be because, you reside in Canada or because she has a child? Both? My time is not too far away. For now, the plan is to have the civil ceremony in Bogota to get the paper work in motion, then return to Cali for what I personally consider the REAL CEREMONY!!! HOPEFULLY....HOPEFULLY, I can be as lucky as DougY, and get the whole show done in 2 weeks or less.

Next, for all those engaged & married guys still around. After your lady received her visa to leave Colombia & enter the U.S. Did you accompany her to the U.S.? Whether you did or didn't could you describe what you guys went through at Miami or Atlanta airport/immigration ctrs. For now, I'm leaning towards coming in with Stivalis if our papers aren't issued within the time I previously stated. Our ladies first trip to the U.S. I would imagine could be somewhat intimidating to say the least.

Thanks in advance....Hoda

... in response to Hey Cdrab "Clint" & marrie..., posted by Hoda on Nov 17, 2001

Howard,
My wife had her visa delayed a couple of weeks and I had to fly home and send more documents.When she and her son came to the US I met them in Miami.I did not fly to Cali to escort them in.It took a couple hours after the plane landed before they came out of immigration.My wife said it was no big deal,they just had to wait awhile.I immagine she did not use the citizen line as is suggested below.We didn't know that was possible.At this initial interview with the INS on entering they start the process for the green card and we got it in the mail in 6 weeks.

Pete

... in response to Re: Hey Cdrab "Clint" & ma..., posted by Pete E on Nov 18, 2001

Pete,

The officials in Miami didn't question her or your boy about anything? I'm asking because, a couple of other guys ladies had a little bit of a rough time getting through. Neither the airline, nor immigration would even confirm that their ladies were on the arriving flight. Right now, I'm leaning toward coming in with her. I don't want Stivalis to experience any unnecessary drama her first time here....

Peace...Hoda

... in response to Time in Miami, posted by Hoda on Nov 19, 2001

Hoda,
 Even if you fly with her, there will still be a few minutes [I think] that she will be separated from you while she goes through immigration [and you don't]
 
  My wife has entered several times through Miami and Atlanta in recent years and never had a problem, not even any funny treatment or trick questions, etc.
 
  My mother-in-law flew into Atlanta this past weekend from Peru. When immigration asked her why she was here, she said to visit her daughter. They asked, "is your daughter married to an American guy?" She said yes. They said, "congratulations!", LOL.

... in response to Re: Time in Miami, posted by Red Clay on Nov 19, 2001

I am under the impression that your wife / fiancee can come through the American Citizen line with you, even if she is not travelling on a US passport.  I would not expect that you would be separated.

Also, I have heard that Orlando is a good port of entry.  However, Orlando might be easier to use from Europe than Latin America.

... in response to Re: Re: Time in Miami, posted by Richard on Nov 20, 2001

I thought the only port of entries from S.America were Miami or Atlanta. Anybody have any additional info to add on POE in the States?

Peace...Hoda

... in response to Interesting...., posted by Hoda on Nov 20, 2001

iv heard also LA and Houston

... in response to Interesting...., posted by Hoda on Nov 20, 2001

I ran a couple of quick searches on Travelocity and found:

Houston to Cali via Panama City.  Some flights on a Copa Airlines connecting with American Airlines.  (I never heard of Copa Airlines.)

Also, Avianca had direct and connecting flights from JFK to Bogata

You may have to take several planes, but you do have alternatives to Miami and Atlanta.  (Disclaimer: I've been traveling to Kiev Ukraine from Fort Lauderdale FL to Kiev Ukraine via Detroit and Amsterdam.  It's the long way arround but it's cheaper and quicker than Miami to Kiev with only one change of plane.)

... in response to Interesting...., posted by Hoda on Nov 20, 2001

What about Houston, Newark or any other major airport ?? As long as they got a customs and immigration I would think any could be. A good question though, maybe we can find the right answer.

... in response to Hey Cdrab "Clint" & marrie..., posted by Hoda on Nov 17, 2001

Hi Hoda,
The reason I have to wait so long is that it doesn't matter if you marry her or bring her up on  a fiancee visa, in canada it still takes approx 9 months. The first three months for your approval and then the 6 months for her approval.
 I hope everything goes well for you and stivalis and maybe sometime in the future our paths will cross again.
Take Care
Clint

... in response to Hey Cdrab "Clint" & marrie..., posted by Hoda on Nov 17, 2001

Hoda,
My wife is about to make her first trip to Colombia and back, and she's gonna do it alone. She has the I-551 stamp in her passport, so hopefully she will not have any problems.  I did ask the INS officer at our AOS interview about which line they have to wait in upon re-entry, and he told us she could use the US Citizen line. I'll be able to tell you for sure in 2 weeks.

Later,
Mike