Hi All,

Just thought I'd post this for future reference, for Iranians going through the Ankara embassy....

A USC friend of mine recently went to Ankara to attend his Iranian wife's CR-1 interview. All went smoothly until the ConOff discovered she has a degree in Chemical Engineering. Even though she hasn't yet worked in that field, having her degree was enough to prompt a further security check. They specifically told her this was the reason for the security check...which is understandable given the current situation between Iran and USA.

It's rare to hear of a Moslem woman having to undergo further security checks, so I thought I'd share this one.

Rene

Sad story

How so?

Is not the attempt to keep our country safe by doing additional security checks a warranted measure in your eyes?

I agree, Rete. It's not a sad story. It's unfortunate that the couple couldn't get the visa approved the same day, but it's completely understandable that they're double checking anyone with a chemical engineering background these days.

I posted this for other Iranians going through Ankara, to expect delays in security checks if their SO has any type of degree or work experience in the field of chemical engineering / chemistry.

Rene

Depends whether these measures are without limits and allowed to ride roughshod over everything else. IMO the terrorists have won in America, but this is only because the people have allowed them to so do. Other countries have managed to live, manage and stop terrorism without changing their whole way of life and adopting a paranoid, bunker-down mentality. Why can't the US?

It is a sad story because, although necessary, the additional security checks means that family members and loved ones are often seperated for extended periods of time.

It is also sad that the world situation is what it is that makes it necessary to suspect others of being terrorists based on their country of origin and education.

It is sad that terrorism is a reality.

Let's all move to Canada.

Too cold!

And my apologies as I didn't mean that I thought "Yippee, they've been put on hold"

Its not a sad story and it is far from over with and will 99.99% have a very happy ending for the couple.

Too wishy, washy for my taste. Lovely countryside, very polite and pc people but their government is, IMHO, worse than ours.

And you are entitled to your opinion. Perhaps it warrants another move on your part to an area of the world best suited for your political conscious.

There's still much work to do over here, I believe. Far better to work in those places that require the most healing.

I agree. Europe was plagued with terrorist acts for years, IRA all over Britain. Well, in fact the world over has experienced horrible acts of terrorism. But still these other countries have not reacted in the same paranoid, disciminatory (everybody is a terrorist until proven otherwise) manner. Given the enormity of the acts here gave great pause, but after 4 years, its time for sense to prevail. There are such things as risk benefit analysis which seems to have all been thrown out the window for 100% certainty which is never possible.

I only hope that the US I have always known comes back to reality because this present distortion is a sad legacy for the country.

My 2 cents.

It is a sad story... and only the ones suffering know exactly how it feels...
I know 99.99 % are happy but rest are human too and they deserve to be with their loved ones as well.
just the criteria of their screenings and length of times is something they have to really work on!
waiting for months for these "Additional Security Checks" and then noy knowing when is it ever going to end does feel very different..........
Rene, I have known this, that they are doing admin review also based on the degrees u have in some countries, another reason then having a common name for admin processing is having a degree in computer engnieering... i guess we are just the perfect candidates for every possible check... and God knows when it is going to end...........

Sanna

You have to admit 17 months for a security check is rediculus.