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Martha has a 17yo son, in July he will be 18 and unless we can get the visa SOON and get him up here, he will be drafted into the Colombian army....not a happy prospect. We didn't think this would be a problem when we filed for K-1 & K-2 back in JANUARY, but those worthless SOB's at Texas Service Center still haven't done their job and now with the additional delay of the NVC 'security check' before they even send the petition to the embassy, things aren't looking too good.

About 3 or 4 weeks ago, I went to my Congressman's office and as I previously posted, they 'feel my pain' but didn't do a *&^%$ thing about it, wouldn't even open a case or make an inquiry. Last week I went to my senator's office...at first they said "Oh, God, another 'Where's my girlfriend's visa, you low-lifes?' fiancee case", but when I explained about him getting drafted they started listening and when I said "actualy, he wants to join the US Navy when he gets here" I pressed the right button, the senator's aide said (with an 'oh, you're 'good people' attitude') "MY boy's in the Navy, it's a great career. No promisses, but I'll see what I can do for you"...I'm suppossed to call her this afternoon and see shat's going on....wish us luck.

... in response to The military draft in Colombia, posted by Michael B on Jun 16, 2003

My travel agent tells me Coombian males have to register for military service at 15 or 16.They then get an ID card relating to this.They will need that card to leave the county once they hit the required age.So for my step son we are 3 or 4 years away from him needing that to be able to return if he goes to Colombia.As time gets near we with get the exact details.

Pete

... in response to another military isue, posted by Pete E on Jun 16, 2003

Better check it out carefully, Pete, I would hate for anything to happen to him....Say, didn't you have trouble getting him out of Colombia before? Her X wouldn't sign the papers?

... in response to Re: another military isue, posted by Michael B on Jun 16, 2003

Yes we had trouble getting him out on our first trip back.We didn't know that you need a new letter of permission from the father every time the kid leaves the country.My wife  is now on good terms with the kids father,who now appreciates the advantages his son has here,so its no longer a problem.
Nobody told us this.Not my ex travel agent,not our Colombian attorney,who basicaly just did the wedding.
The thing I like about my new travel agent is that discussion and the military one came up in the first 2 miniutes of our first conversation.I sure I can count on her to help us when he ges to the age.
There are travel agents and there are ticket sellers.My former guy was a ticket seller.Every time we tried to change a ticket it was a big hassle.
My new travel agent is Barbara Houplin Garcia,All American Travel,800-433-2423.She is married to a Colombian and knows the Colombian issues well.Plus she will really work to get you the best deal.Last year my wife and step son flew to Cali in July.American Airlines is the only airline that will get you there the same day out of San Francisco.A flight leaves SFO at 6.30 AM and gets to Miami in time to catch the Cali flight,getting to Cali at 8.30 PM,6.30 M pst,12 hours total.It can cost up to $1200.Barbara got it or us for $665 Dec 01,that was in the post 9/11 airline slump.
In June 2002 she was saying wait to purchase,AA usually releases some cheap tickets late in the month for the next month.She was also watching seat availabity,to be sure we could get tickets at some price.Sure enough,late June we got the july tickets for $775.
I don't care much for American Airlines service,but not staying over in Miami is huge.A friend of mine did fly through Houston to Bogota in one day recently.I don't know if you can do Cali in one day.Houston used to be alot more money but I think he paid abouit $800.

Pete

... in response to Re: Re: another military isue, posted by Pete E on Jun 16, 2003

They've never asked for this letter when my wife departs the country with my son - maybe it's because his passport is US.  But, every time I go through the hastle of going to the consulate in Houston to get it.  In theory, I believe the US is supposed to follow the same procedure - but really you only have the airline agent to deal with - they never ask.  This time I will see if the consulate will approve a more general letter that does not have specific dates - that drive to Houston is a whip.

... in response to Letter of Permission (children travellin..., posted by cancunhound on Jun 17, 2003

If the kid has a Colombian passport and is less than 18 you nee both parents permission for him to leave the country.Unless both parents are traveing you need a letter of permission less than 60 days old from the absent parent.Even if you have the letter the father can call DAS and recind the permission.You don't need the letter if the kid has a US pasportbut maybe the father could still cause you trouble.If the fathe is not listedon the birth certificate of the child you don't need the letter.
Suppsedly you can go to court and get a court order to allow you to take the kid out of the country.If the father resists this can be more difficult.We went through this proceedure,even got the father to agree.It took a year and cost several hundred dollars in attorneys fees.Then the last time my wife was there she said the law changed again and she still needed the letter.I'm not sure that is true.Like so many things Colombian its hard to get the real story.What did we go through that process for?Regardless the father is now OK with his son leaving the country.But it could always hang over your head.He could always cause a problem.
My wife can be a citizen in 2 years and get a US passport.I think it takes longer for my step son but we better work on it to avoid any off these military type isues.I'm sure he would not like chasing rebels through the jungle.Computers,play station and movies are more his style.

Pete

... in response to The passport is key, posted by Pete E on Jun 17, 2003

I asked the consulate in Houston - do I really need to get the permission letter, they were fully aware he had a US passport - the answer is always the same - yes, or he will not be able to leave the country.  I've even told them, that the document was never asked for in Colombia on prior trips.  There are also some BS additional things you're supposed to do in Bogota upon arrival to document his arrival in Colombia - I've never bothered with that.  Bottom line I think it's just another way the government tries to nickel and dime you with fees, and perhaps monitor the amount of Colombians born abroad visiting Colombia or some other worthless BS. We've still never been asked for the paper when leaving Colombia - but I guess I'll continue to go through the hastle of getting it each trip.  What's a hastle is it can't be done via mail.

... in response to Re: Re: another military isue, posted by Pete E on Jun 16, 2003

If you can get to Houston by 1:30 pm, you can get to Cali about 9 or 9:30 pm same day, Continential to Panama City, change to Copa for Panama City to Cali, Contential does the ticketing...at least that's the way it was when I went a year ago, who knows what may have changed. I'm going to bookmark this message, when we finally get the visas, I'll give your agent a try. If Jonhatan's dad gives us any crap about the paperwork, we'll just write 'deceased' on his part of the form (that's about how J. and his sister feel about him anyway) but it's probably a mute point, looks like J. will be 18 before we get the visas (and I'll have to pay off the Colombian army) anyway.

... in response to The military draft in Colombia, posted by Michael B on Jun 16, 2003

I'm not sure what's required for your wife's son but before hiding him out I would check to see if BCIS requires a "Pasado Judicial" for him.  I'm not sure if he needs a criminal background check, (Pasado Judicial), for the visa process.  If so, I would clarify if the failure to show for a military draft would be noted in the Pasado Judicial and adversely affect him.  -TNC

... in response to Hiding Out, posted by thundernco on Jun 16, 2003

Probably would cause him to fail the criminal background check, plus, like I mentioned in a post below, Colombia won't issuse him an exit visa without it anyway...'hiding out' won't work, if it comes down to the wire, I'll wire him the $$$ (pun was accidental).

... in response to The military draft in Colombia, posted by Michael B on Jun 16, 2003

For better or worse bribe is the way to go in Colombia or simply hide him out until his visa issue is resolved. I dont see any problems with that as I am sure many ppl do just that.

BTW to server in US Navy one has to be a citizen (US citizen that is) which is about 7 years off for him (5 years of mandatory residency + citizenship backlog).

... in response to Re: The military draft in Colombia, posted by Kit on Jun 16, 2003

Re; US Navy--no, one only has to be a legal resident, I've already cleared that with a recruiter. Officers must be citizens, but enlisted only have to be a legal resident...his problem is going to be passing the entrance test, lack of English, but we'll send him to English classes (and since I've taught Spanish in HS and Comunity College, I'll be able to help him out too).

... in response to The military draft in Colombia, posted by Michael B on Jun 16, 2003

If you can't "buy him out", could you hide him for a little while somewhere?

... in response to Re: The military draft in Colombia, posted by Red Clay on Jun 16, 2003

Doubtful, without a lot of payola..they actually check at the airports and such when you try to leave the country and if you don't have a military exemption or completed your service paper, they won't let you leave.

... in response to The military draft in Colombia, posted by Michael B on Jun 16, 2003

Michael,

Does he have his High School diploma? TNC

... in response to Re: The military draft in Colombia, posted by thundernco on Jun 16, 2003

Yes, but they changed that rule, back in January, I think. I even saw a news article about it, before it became a personal problem.

... in response to Re: Re: The military draft in Colombia, posted by Michael B on Jun 16, 2003

Well I'm sorry for your stepson, but I'm glad that law was changed for a more equitable one (at least I hope it is.)

... in response to Re: Re: Re: The military draft in Colomb..., posted by thundernco on Jun 16, 2003

Personal, it's affecting us, that's true, but in the 'big picture', you are correct....but they do still have the cash buy out option, so rich kids still don't go (sounds a lot like 1969 in the US, doesn't it, for those of us old enough to have been affected by it)

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: The military draft in Co..., posted by Michael B on Jun 16, 2003

Looks like it's going to the old "Cash is King"; good luck!

... in response to The military draft in Colombia, posted by Michael B on Jun 16, 2003

If I recall correctly there is a buyout option that legally completes the obligation, based upon income but typically less than $500.  If they don't have that option anymore you still have the bribe as a backup, probably about a grand.  It's still a lottery system I believe, so he may just get "lucky".

... in response to 1 million pesos, posted by cancunhound on Jun 16, 2003

Yeah,he and I talked about that yesterday, he says they still have it, his is going to cost about 2 million...if it comes down to it, I'll pay it for him....his father (what a low life) has already refused with his usual line of 'if you need money, your mother knows what she has to do to get all the money she needs from me' (if you catch his drift....naturaly she refuses)