Celt you were right

[Hiker]

I just wrote a very detailed letter to my US Rep.  Dealing with those F@%*& Bozos at the embassy in Bogota is the biggest joke in the world.  I have sent two emails without receiving one reply.  I have made many attempts at calling them without success.  I have been transferred as many as 4 times and then always end up back with the girl who originally answered the phone.  She then puts me into some automatic system that is impossible to understand.  Enron was managed better.

[Celt]

... in response to Celt you were right, posted by Hiker on Apr 28, 2003

My perspective on the issue whether they are doing a
good job or not in the Bogota embassy is this: their
actions seem to indicate that they are operating at
about 90-95% efficiency. I am in the software business.
We have an expression for this: "Good enough for govt.
work." If [this kind of] software code got into the field,
I would be out of a job. If someone preparing taxes for
clients had this kind of efficiency, so would he. It is
difficult to think of a professional--or someone starting
out at a McDonald's-- who could keep their job,
while operating at this level. I just don't see why we should
accept it from the embassy, or any other outpost of govt.

Most gentleman who follow these posts, and plan on a trip
to the embassy, will never experience inconvenience. The
comments that these experiences are rare, and worthy of patience
and understanding, are valid. But, those stuck at the margins,
like Hiker, will see the difference between 100% and 90%.
They shouldn't have to.

In a competitive market environment, or one where "posmo" and
negative motivation are in effect, their business practices
would change in a matter of days. Since none of these conditions
exist, I think I should let my Congressman know how women travel
across a dangerous country, just to be told, "We'll call you."
Even if it is only 5-10% of the time.

[Hiker]

... in response to Re: Celt you were right, posted by Celt on Apr 29, 2003

I am on the phone this very moment with my US Representative's office.  I just explained my situation to them.  I was told the lady who handles this just had surgery and will not return for two weeks.  The guy tried to explain to me that the I 130 will take more than a year to be processed.  I explained the difference between an I129, I130, and an I130 via DCF.  He had never heard of Direct Consular Filing.  He assured me he would do what he can but we may have to wait for two weeks until the lady that normally handles these issues returns to work.  In other words !!!!  Well I will just leave those other words out.  Before calling this office I felt good that something good would come from calling.  Now I can see it is just another govt, can't put the finger up the ass, office.

Yeah I know what you mean about efficiency.  I also know very well what you are saying "close enough for govt work".  Keep in mind that a lot of your govt types that you deal with in business could not make it in your world.  I also work with software.  I code in a variety of languages.  I know that a person writing code with 98% accuracy would not make it in my profession at all.

Well I guess I just wait and see what happens.  I guess I will wait for another week or two and then look at hiring an attorney.

[Cali James]

... in response to Celt you were right, posted by Hiker on Apr 28, 2003

Howdy Hiker,

You told us on April 21st that your wife had visited the embassy that morning and was given the information that her security clearance was not yet back from Washington. Their instructions were to have your wife return home and they would call her when the information was sent back from D.C..  The security clearance comes from the State Dept. and if I'm not mistaken the embassy has little control over when it is returned.  In the past, it returned in less than 2 weeks but these days it seems to take 5 or 6 weeks.  (BTW my wife and I went through the same thing and a week or so later they called her and she returned to Bogota.)

OK so it's April 28th now, 7 elapsed days but only the 4th working day when you remember the embassy is closed for VISA business on Friday.  What's the likelyhood that anything has changed in the 4 days since your wife spoke directly to the embassy?  Anyway, I wouldn't think it too likely but even if they had received the information by now it probably takes a day or two just to organize the information and call her in for an appointment.

Regarding contact with the embassy, I emailed them once and they responded to me in less than an hour.  I used the below email address and I referenced it with her BGT case number so that they could find the case easily.

As for contacting the embassy regarding Immigrant VISA issues, their website says to call (571) 315-1566 between 3:00PM and 4:00PM only on Tuesdays or send an e-mail:
IVBogota@state.gov

Cali James

[Hiker]

... in response to Re: Celt you were right, posted by Cali James on Apr 28, 2003

[This message has been edited by Hiker]

Thanks Cali James.  That is the email address I used.  When I wrote them I tried to be very polite and not seem pushy.  But they have chosen to not respond to me.  My frustration with calling them is the mass confusion that seems to be displayed with all aspects of contacting them.  I call and get passed from one person to another.  Then I get this automated system that is supposedly in English and Spanish both, but the girl is speaking so fast and with such slurred speech that neither language is understandable.  I just want to be able to ask them if the security clearance is back yet.  I have spoken with a few people who told me stories of theirs sitting there for almost two weeks before they bothered calling from the embassy.  Also an organization who limits the time to call and inquire to one hour per week limits my faith in their ability to follow through and show any effort.  Long ago I learned to not expect too much when dealing with a government agency.  

All I needed from them was a response to one of my emails.  I may be over-reacting but I have no confidence in them.

[Jebster]

... in response to Re: Re: Celt you were right, posted by Hiker on Apr 28, 2003

Early on in my Visa process the Bogota Embassy was very prompt in answering my emails. Then, after two weeks, they simply would not respond. I also went through the telephone "maise" without anything yielded except frustration. In the end, I faxed them at the number they show on their web site, 011-571-315-2127, to the "Immigrant Visa Section", and included my email address where they could respond. They answered both times within 36 hours. You may wish to try that method.

Good luck.

[Hiker]

... in response to Try faxing them, posted by Jebster on Apr 29, 2003

I will do that.  Thanks a lot.  Yesterday I showed a little too much emotion in my post.  I had just got off the phone for the 8th time trying to do nothing but understand how to speak to someone.  The infastructure leaves a lot to be desired.