Frankfurt Consulat 601 Waiver

[Wes&Steffi]

Hey everybody. I am sorry, but I am worried. I heard that the consulat in Frankfurt suppose to work on your waivers very fast. 6-8 weeks is the average.
I know to most consulats waiting almost 9 weeks now is not a long time, but has anybody any idea why it takes this long now at Frankfurt. I have never heard anybody go over 8 weeks there. They did sent me an email. I filed at the consulat on Feb 22nd and DHS received my case on Feb 26th. I am just worried...I am in my ninth week.
Anybody else waiting???
Steff:waiting:

[lilikoi31]

I am also waiting for my answer from Frankfurt. Its now 5 weeks ago since my interview. The officer has told me, please allow us 6-8 weeks and by than you will hear from us. Well it seems to me also very long that you waiting now 9 weeks. When I look to all the timelines via Frankfurt, they all get there answer in about 1.5 months, like banana...4 weeks , or Cinthia 1 month , 1 week, 1 day, or Paul and Kerry .... Just hang in there Steffi, I am sure it will come any minute. All the best to you.

[sclovis25]

we turned ours in at the end of january, still waiting :((

[dgregory]

The answer to the Frankfurt office delays problem may be that there is a new Officer-in-Charge. Apparently, Jeffrey Sapko, the former OIC, has been reassigned to the new USCIS office that is being opened in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. Too bad for us, because the Frankfurt office had the fastest waiver turnover time of any office. I guess we should give the new OIC a chance to get organized!

I found this out by Googling “Jeffrey Sapko”

In March, my girlfriend received a decision from the AAO on her appeal of a waiver denial from the Frankfurt Office. Her son had been denied an immigrant visa for misrepresentation in July 2005, in Bern, Switzerland. They applied for a waiver in November 2005, and it was denied in January 2006 in Frankfurt. She appealed that decision, and last month the AAO concluded that the original visa decision lacked legal merit and that there was no misrepresentation. Their letter stated that the previous decision of the OIC will be withdrawn and the (waiver) application declared moot. The letter also said that “All documents have been returned to the office that originally decided your case (Frankfurt). Any further inquiry must be made to that office.” In other words, a similar decision to the one that blueblue posted back in August.

Excellent news! However, when we emailed Frankfurt in March about what we should do next, they first replied by saying that they hadn’t received our documents or the decision yet. We emailed them again last week, and they haven’t replied. We still don’t know what to do next, or what, if anything, could still possibly go wrong.

Just in case this helps, the email address for Frankfurt is: uscis.frankfurt@dhs.gov

Good luck to all of us!

[Wes&Steffi]

Ahhhh that is some news. Do you know by any chance when Jeffrey Sapko left the Frankfurt consulat? I now understand why it seems to take longer than it did. I just heard back from the consulat and they did send an email stating that they have 90 days for their processing time.

Sclovis25 I noticed that you are dutch and filed your waiver at the Amsterdam consulat. Do you know when the Frankfurt consulat received your waiver package?

Lilikoi and I both filed directly at the Consulat in Frankfurt...myself on Feb 22nd and lilikoi mid March. Well I wish you guys all the best. Let us know.
I had an overstay and nothing else and really was hoping I would have maybe wishfully been home by now. But we all have to be patient....Good luck!!!!

[Pinkpig]

I wonder if Laurel knows this? She has mentioned previously how good he was to work with and how that consulate was running smooth with waivers. Hopefully the new person will keep status quo.

[dgregory]

I have read that the Raleigh/Durham USCIS office will be opening for the first time tomorrow, April 28. Groundbreaking was June 5, 2007. Presumably, Mr. Sapko got a few weeks break to relocate from Germany and organize the new office. I don't see any notice about a new OIC in Frankfurt. Either the position is still vacant, or an announcement is pending. My guess is that the current delays in Frankfurt are attributable to this change in administration/personnel.

[sclovis25]

Ahhhh that is some news. Do you know by any chance when Jeffrey Sapko left the Frankfurt consulat? I now understand why it seems to take longer than it did. I just heard back from the consulat and they did send an email stating that they have 90 days for their processing time.

Sclovis25 I noticed that you are dutch and filed your waiver at the Amsterdam consulat. Do you know when the Frankfurt consulat received your waiver package?

Lilikoi and I both filed directly at the Consulat in Frankfurt...myself on Feb 22nd and lilikoi mid March. Well I wish you guys all the best. Let us know.
I had an overstay and nothing else and really was hoping I would have maybe wishfully been home by now. But we all have to be patient....Good luck!!!!


I heard that they recieved it febuary 7th. I just wrote them as well last week, nothing back yet. Keeping my fingers crossed. Good luck to everyone.

[Wes&Steffi]

That would make sense. Because when we called last week the lady told us they have just 5 waiver cases right now...one still from November...3 in February and one in march. Looks like sclovis25 and I are 2 out of February and lilikoi is the one in march.
We were also told that they send us the papers directly, no notification via email or phone call. Just the ones that dont live in Germany.
I am in waiting mode and its hard to wait. When we wrote them an email they answered in 10 days. I know that this week is a short week and the holiday ...I know they are closed on Thursday....but maybe also Friday...who knows....
Everybody keep in touch ok

Good luck:waiting:

[sclovis25]

That would make sense. Because when we called last week the lady told us they have just 5 waiver cases right now...one still from November...3 in February and one in march. Looks like sclovis25 and I are 2 out of February and lilikoi is the one in march.
We were also told that they send us the papers directly, no notification via email or phone call. Just the ones that dont live in Germany.
I am in waiting mode and its hard to wait. When we wrote them an email they answered in 10 days. I know that this week is a short week and the holiday ...I know they are closed on Thursday....but maybe also Friday...who knows....
Everybody keep in touch ok

Good luck:waiting:

Wow thanks for the info. I wonder whats taking so long with the one for november? I was really hoping to find out something before the summer, we have a little bulldog that cannot fly in the summer and when/if we DO get approved it will have to be before june, or after september that we can leave with him. I am hoping for the best, but expecting the worst.

Ad me if you like and we can let each other know when we hear anything.


Sara

[Cynthia]

Steffi, lilikoi and Sara,... hope to hear something soon. Hang in there...{hugs}

[lilikoi31]

Today is it 6 weeks ago when I filed in Frankfurt.When I called last week regarding our additional paper what we have send over for the 601, I had a Lady on the phone, she was very very nice...well she could not give me to much informations but she said ..but there is no problem to call and to ask for the status of the file.
I thought, now I have 6 weeks and it should not take so long to send out when the answer is negative, but now it looks like all the cases are on hold. Is there somebody who is calling today....please post it when you have any news.Good luck.

[lilikoi31]

According to the message from Frankfurt today...the processing time now can take 90 and plus days...does not matter if the outcome from the answer will be positive or negative...
Good luck....

[blueblue]

[QUOTE=dgregory;174452]
Excellent news! However, when we emailed Frankfurt in March about what we should do next, they first replied by saying that they hadn’t received our documents or the decision yet. We emailed them again last week, and they haven’t replied. We still don’t know what to do next, or what, if anything, could still possibly go wrong.

[QUOTE]

Congrats to your friend! We had the same problem after getting the AAO decision but news not getting back to the embassy. This is what we did to push it along, they've already waited long enough IMO.

1) Scan and email a copy of the AAO decision letter to the embassy.
2) Have her lawyer (if they have one) send notice of the AAO decision to the embassy.
3) Call the embassy, confirm they received the notice from you, ask them what they need to proceed.

In our case, they started the name check again based on the scanned version but wouldn't move forward officially until they got the one from the AAO.

If it is still not there after 4 weeks, call the AAO and ask them to fax it directly to the embassy. Tell the AAO the contact name and fax number for the embassy. Call the AAO the next day to be sure they sent it. Call or email the embassy to confirm they received it.

[dgregory]

Thank you, blueblue, for your timely advice.

The attorney who did the appeal for us, Sarnata Reynolds, did an excellent job. Unfortunately for us, she is no longer in private practice - she now works for Amnesty International.

We will follow your advice, and possibly consult with another attorney who helped us before the appeal.

I'll let you all know what happens when I know. Thanks again!

[Wes&Steffi]

Thanks Cynthia...we are still waiting. Its been 10 weeks for us today. But I did call the consulat Tuesday and they also told me right now it takes 90 days on the average.
We will keep you posted
Thanks everybody!

[Wes&Steffi]

Ohhhh man I am going crazy. Its been 11 weeks ..almost 12 weeks and still havent heard a thing. How is everybody else doing? Is this the punishment?

Steffi

[lilikoi31]

I have almost 8 weeks ...and nothing either.Its so difficult to get any kind of informations...I dont even know if they have received our additional paper what we have send via fax to dhs, 2 weeks ago.Have no idea who to ask...its such a stress...
Maybe someone else found something out....
Happy Holidays to the Germans.
And good luck to all of you.

[sclovis25]

The amsterdam people called my hsuband yesterday at work, they want him to have his court proceedings translated from sweden so they can look at it. He was arrested in sweden 5 years ago then found not guilty by reason of self defense. we had the charges and pardon trarnslated at a cost of 500 dollars, they want the ENITRE court proceedings translated now, which will cost between 20-30k. That's not going to happen, so we are trying to figure out what to do. Im so depressed and down about this.

[blueblue]

, which will cost between 20-30k.


That's outrageous, IMO. You should find another translation service, there has got to be one better than that. You could probably even do it yourself if you are proficient enough. Or maybe a family member? It doesn't have to be a professional, just done correctly and certified that the person is proficient.

Anyway, here is a web source, have no idea if this cost is better but they will give you a quote with an online request: http://www.translation-services-usa.com/index.shtml
There are many others.

[Cynthia]

Ohhhh man I am going crazy. Its been 11 weeks ..almost 12 weeks and still havent heard a thing. How is everybody else doing? Is this the punishment?

Steffi

oh dear...12 weeks?!?... :( I'm so sorry Steffi....

Let's hope we hear something soon....Keep on pressing forward...

Lilikoi,...thinking about you too...

[Wes&Steffi]

Ohhh Sara I am so sorry to hear about your case. I hope you guys and your lawyer can talk to the consulat and make them understand that this much money is ....I have no words for that on what to say about this much money. I hope you will hear something positve back and they are willing to work with you. Thinking of you
Steffi

[lilikoi31]

Hi Sara, that is really a lot of money ....I am so sorry that you have to go through this now...after all this procedure now this at the very end. I would ask the embassy if you can do it on your own, maybe they will agree on it. All the best to you.

[lilikoi31]

Hallo Sara, I wonder if you hear something from frankfurt and lawyers regarding the translation.I hope you do not need the translation or you can do it on your own. Please keep us posted. All the best to you.

[sclovis25]

Nothing yet, My husband talked to the lady at the Amsterdam consulate today, she is just saying we have to do it.
Even though the package they sent us at first just asked for the charges and outcome to be translated, which we did.

Germany is communicating to us via the Amsterdam office for some reason, and the Amsterdam office is refusing to talk to our lawyer because they are saying they don't have down on paper that she is our lawyer, so she needs to write them and then my husband is going to have to take off work and go down to the consulate and sign permission...it's just silly, they know she has been trying to talk to them for months, back in January they said they had no need to talk to her as the reason they were ignoring her emails and phone calls.

She contacted the Germany office and has yet to hear anything back, going to have a phone conference with her at 11 am texas time tomorrow, let you guys know if anything new comes up, doubt it will though. I know one thing Im not paying that much money for something that isn't even guranteed, even if it was that's too much to ask of anyone... Will this #$%$ ever end?!

Thanks for the translation source BTW!

Thanks guys, good luck and good bless!

[blueblue]

the Amsterdam office is refusing to talk to our lawyer because they are saying they don't have down on paper that she is our lawyer, so she needs to write them and then my husband is going to have to take off work and go down to the consulate and sign permission...

Did your attorney file the G-28 with your papers?
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=44bd4154d7b3d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCR D&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1 RCRD

You should be able to sign this and provide it to the embassy rather than having to go in person.

[sclovis25]

Thank you blue blue

[lilikoi31]

Thanks Cynthia...its almost 9 weeks . No phone call or mail ...nothing at all from Frankfurt. Its so frustrating.
Good luck to all of you.

[Wes&Steffi]

We asked for an update on our case via email on Thursday. USCIS replied back yesterday from Frankfurt stating that our waiver is done by the end of this month. So everybody wish us luck...1-2 weeks. My heart is jumping out of my chest.
Sara how are you doing?
Thank you Cynthia. It really does look like that Frankfurt takes now at least 90 days.

Good luck Lilikoi31...I am always thinking of you.

[lilikoi31]

Hi Everybody,
I consider to give up...
After 15 month fighting ,I am totally burned out..lost more than 30 pounds, was running all together 10 times to court to keep the custody of my us born child...fight almost on daily base with my husband now...the stress is eating me, I feel like a wrack. I wish all of you all the best. L.

[sclovis25]

Im sorry lilioki, Hopefully you will soon be approved and the stress with be lifted and your relationship can heal.

We have proposed to the
Consulate they allow us to translate the court summery which is about 36 pages insted of the 300+ they are wanting, the cost would be around 2k but much more doable than 20 k. Hopefully they will be ok with that.

[lilikoi31]

Hi Sara,
I wonder how good the communication is with the consulate. Do you have to wait always long before you get any response.
I wish you all the best and hope so much they are fine with your offer.
And that you get your approval very soon. What is your timeline now. When was your interview? You waited already more than 90 says or?

[sclovis25]

My husband had his interview with the consulate in Amsterdam Jan 22nd I believe. We turned in everything and they told us that he as well had to have a hardship letter stating why it would be hard for him to not be approved. I have no idea why from what I have heard this is not normal and no one has heard of it. So they sent us home that day and held our stuff for a week while we wrote that up. They told us the frankfurt office recieved our package on feb 6 or 7. So it has been well over 90 days and dosn't look l ike we are going to hear anything till we get this BS with sweden cleared up.. Good luck!

[sclovis25]

My husband had his interview with the consulate in Amsterdam Jan 22nd I believe. We turned in everything and they told us that he as well had to have a hardship letter stating why it would be hard for him to not be approved. I have no idea why from what I have heard this is not normal and no one has heard of it. So they sent us home that day and held our stuff for a week while we wrote that up. They told us the frankfurt office recieved our package on feb 6 or 7. So it has been well over 90 days and dosn't look l ike we are going to hear anything till we get this BS with sweden cleared up.. Good luck!


About the communication thing, I haven't heard anything from the Frankfurt office, my lawyer is currently trying to talk to them but I don't think she has had much luck either, but she was out of the office most of last week so hopefully we will get some clairification this week. My husband is in touch with the Amsterdam office on an almost daily basis and they are being difficult, they need to just tell us EXACTLY what they need but they are being cryptic. He asked them to send him an Email or letter telling him exactly what they want translated and she refused and said they would let him know via phone. So whatever, just ridiculous

[SES]

Lilikoi, don't give up !!!
I know it's easy for me to say to be strong because I am done but it was time when I wanted to give up. I was loosing hope... I was wrong... You will have the answer you are waiting very soon, maybe today, maybe next week. I know, every day has 24 hours but please, be strong. Just wait few more weeks.

[Cynthia]

Lilikoi, don't give up !!!
I know it's easy for me to say to be strong because I am done but it was time when I wanted to give up. I was loosing hope... I was wrong... You will have the answer you are waiting very soon, maybe today, maybe next week. I know, every day has 24 hours but please, be strong. Just wait few more weeks.

~ditto~ Lilikoi, {big hugs}...Keep on pressing forward, no matter how hard it gets. Don't let it beat you just yet. You've been strong this far, keep up the good job. Thinking about you... Stefi and Sara, you both too... Keep your chin up, Lilikoi. {hugs}

[Wes&Steffi]

Hey everybody. Well this is our 14th week. 90 days are over, but last week like I mentioned before me and our laywer received an email from USCIS Frankfurt saying our decision will be in by the end of this month. Iam so nervous and Just hoping that our son and I can reunite with my husband and little girl very soon.
How is everybody else doing? Sara any news if they accepted your proposal?
Good luck
Steffi

[zoosaloo]

Steffi, did you hear anything yet from the consulate??? i know im a pain about it but honestly i think im just as nervous about it as you are...i think of you and your situation a lot and pray that you will unite with all of ur family very very soon....15 months is horror imo and i dont understand how "they" think thats helping any...well lemme know whats up when you know.
as for me...me and my hubby decided that he wants to come here and either start filing or wait some years get settled here and see what happens with immigration laws..

[Wes&Steffi]

Hey Stephy,
Nothing yet. Today its been 14 weeks since we filed for the waiver. My hubby called DHS yesterday in the US and they said its still in processing. I have no idea why say would send me an email saying our case will have a decision by the end of this month. Well I guess we still have today.
I am glad you decided for your future. do you have an idea when he might come over here? I wish we would have had that option, but we didnt. My husband has been in Germany 4 times on vacation and we couldnt survive here and he wouldnt be able to find a job here.
I will let you know if I hear anything
Steffi

[zoosaloo]

Steffi i pm'ed you

[lilikoi31]

Hi Steffi,
now we having end of the month...wish you so much you having your final answer by now...so that you can plan your future with your kids and hubby.
IWe have send an e-mail on May 16, and did not received an answer yet.
Good luck to all of you.

[Wes&Steffi]

Hey lilikoi,
nothing yet. We havent heard a thing. I am at the end. This waiting is killing my family. its been 14 weeks and i am so nervous.
We have no idea what to do because we dont want to bother them too much. It is so hard to communicate with them. They dont answer phones and now not even emails.
I will let you know.
Hope you hear something from them next week....

[sclovis25]

I came to check, I was hoping you would have an answer by now wes&steffi, I see you do not. I am thinking I will hear something after you. My husband keeps thinking it will come any day now, but I am not so optimistic.

[Wes&Steffi]

Hey Sara,
nothing yet. Nothing at all. We are so worn out, I cant tell you. The pressure and wait is really getting to me and my husband. Did you send in some translations? I will keep you guys posted. Being away from my husband and little girl for almost a year now has really taken its toll on me emotionally and physically. I hope we all hear something soon.

[mymexicanman]

i hope u will hear something soon.

[lilikoi31]

Hi Sara, does it mean you could work it out with the translation, and you waiting for the final answer now. I hope I understood right...and your count down is running together with Steffis.

[sclovis25]

Crap, no word about the translation yet, we are getting the 30 pages done anyways and will give them too them as soon as they answer us about it, or maybe just send them in anyways. Hope we all hear good news soon!

[zoosaloo]

Steffi
Haste irgendwas gehört? ist ja auch schon ne woche her dass du was hättest hören sollen.
schön langsam fang ich an mir sorgen um dich zu machen. meld dich doch bitte mal

[mymexicanman]

ne sie hat nix gehoert, ihr mann wollte am dienstag bei den behoerden anrufen... sie hat auf jeden fall noch nix gehoert....
schade...

[zoosaloo]

=( ist echt doof...wennse schon sagen dass sie bis ende letzten monats was hätten hören sollen hätten sie ihnen wenigstens sagen können dass es noch bearbeitet wird....ich hoffe alles geht klar mit ihr

[mymexicanman]

ich drueck auf jeden fall die daumen.

for the english speakers :
she didnt hear anything yet. unfortunatly.... her husband was going to call but she heard nothing yet.
i am sure she will be online sometime this week and hopefully has good news...

[Wes&Steffi]

Hey guys,
sorry I have been pretty down for the last few days. I just dont understand why we just dont hear anything from the consulat, even when we were told about a month ago that by the end of may we will have a decision on our case. Every day passes and we are getting more and more depressed. This is pure hell.
I will let you all know if I hear anything. Talk to all of you soon. Nobody says a thing, but still processing as of last Thursday.

[mymexicanman]

Hey guys,
sorry I have been pretty down for the last few days. I just dont understand why we just dont hear anything from the consulat, even when we were told about a month ago that by the end of may we will have a decision on our case. Every day passes and we are getting more and more depressed. This is pure hell.
I will let you all know if I hear anything. Talk to all of you soon. Nobody says a thing, but still processing as of last Thursday.


awww steffi i am so sorry. i really hoped for u to get somekind of an asnwer today. did ur husband get in tough with someone ? why dont u call them again ? I woudl bug them everyday, hey i would even go there in person. like u said wth. this is not right seperating families like that.

[zoosaloo]

yeah call em and be like wut the hell is wrong with you ppl dont u understand how stressing and depressing all this is? yeah i know they dont really care but still...i also would bug them about it everyday till they can tell you at least something....i really hoped you heard something by now...this waiting must be hell....if you need to talk we always have an open ear for ya

[lilikoi31]

What you talking about...who you wanna call...nobody is taking in Frankfurt at the DHS the phone...and everybody knows it is not smart to call around......I think she did enough with involving the congress man, now she MUST wait ...we all feel sorry to hear how difficult it is on her and her family..
Good luck to all of you...

[mymexicanman]

What you talking about...who you wanna call...nobody is taking in Frankfurt at the DHS the phone...and everybody knows it is not smart to call around......I think she did enough with involving the congress man, now she MUST wait ...we all feel sorry to hear how difficult it is on her and her family..
Good luck to all of you...


E X C U S E - ME !!!!

[Wes&Steffi]

Wow guys...no fighting lol. My husband called the DHS in the US yesterday and the lady was very nice and took his number down because she didnt understand what it said in her computer. She saw my file, but she said something weird was going on. She even typed Frankfurt an email while Wes was on the phone with her. She took his name and number down and said she would call him back.
I am not sure what is going on, but Frankfurt seems to have shut down. No communication for anybody, not even our congressman has received communications with them since last week. I dont want to bother Frankfurt too much. Just the unknown is very hard and thinking by the end of last month I would have had a decision. You just cant get an answer or a sign of life lol.

[lilikoi31]

I know, we wrote an e-mail 3 weeks ago and no answer. And they monitor how often you call, thats what the operator in Frankfurt is telling,it makes it not any better to call, when the decision is out we will hear.Even the lawyers advising not to call to often, like every week.Its not fighting, its just so hart already...wish we could call and had only one time the right perlon on the line who is giving us the information, what the status of the case is and if they have received all the additional papers...thats why I asked here...where to call...Sorry,

[sclovis25]

What the heck? It has shut down? I heard something in a private message about them pushing us aside till after the election? Im going to ask my husband to call the Amsterdam office and ask what is goign on in Frankfurt, probalby won't get an answer but worth a shot.

[lilikoi31]

I think it is strange...nobody gets an answer from Frankfurt at all.
At least responding to an e-mail, just letting the people know what the reason could be for the delays like with Steffi,..but this un-knowing , thats killing.

[sclovis25]

My husband called today and they said nothing has been shut down. Apparently they are just slow, as we saw wes and steffi were just approved! So happy for them, hopefully we are next!

[Wes&Steffi]

No Sara nothing has shut down. Its just a long long process. I hope you all hear something very soon. But they do work on the cases, but just at their own speed. Good luck...please keep me updated.

[lilikoi31]

I just received an answer to my e-mail from Frankfurt...
Within one week I will get the decision...
I am so nervous.
Good luck to all of you.

[douginguam]

I just received an answer to my e-mail from Frankfurt...
Within one week I will get the decision...
I am so nervous.
Good luck to all of you.

Good luck to you - at least you know when the nervousness will stop:eyes:!!

[Wes&Steffi]

Lilikoi...I am thinking of you and cant wait to get your call and say....Steffi I have been approved. I know now its the hardest part and the time seems to stop, but call me anytime and I will be here to listen

[sclovis25]

lilikoi, you will hear good news, I am positive of it. tried checking on you the past few days the site was down. Probably an explination around here I missed. Im keeping my fingers crossed and hoping to hear your good news soon!

Sara