Fingerprinted 9 years ago with a different identity

[raevsky]

If he hides the truth and gets caught, he shall be denied this entry and very likely will be barred for lifetime from getting US visas.
If he admits having used a different name, the outcome depends on the circumstances. Why he did it in he first place and whether he would have been eligible for visa that time provided he used his real name.

 

[Zabra]

If he hides the truth and gets caught, he shall be denied this entry and very likely will be barred for lifetime from getting US visas.
If he admits having used a different name, the outcome depends on the circumstances. Why he did it in he first place and whether he would have been eligible for visa that time provided he used his real name.

Once more thanks for the massive supportive ideas coming from everyone on this thread.
some members on the site have suggested he takes an Immigration lawyer, i question the change that might come from the presence of a lawyer in a case like this ?

maybe he should just go in on the interview day and before signing the Ds 230 forms and before swearing to the oath,
admit t of haven used diiferent names or has sought entry into the US by fraud or misreprentations, and give his reasons why.

if there is a chance of a positve outcome, he could then seek the services of an immigration lawyer to follow up the process

 

[raevsky]

First, immigration lawyer could save you some money. For instance, if your having used a fake name the first time disqualifies you from visa now, you might not need to continue the process at all, and pay at the consulate.
Second, doing this NOW (updating forms) will possibly save you time in namecheck in the future. Those are the things a lawyer is supposed to investigate depending on your personal circumstances and tell you.

And what is the purpose to delay telling the truth until swearing in?

 

[Britsimon]

Once more thanks for the massive supportive ideas coming from everyone on this thread.
some members on the site have suggested he takes an Immigration lawyer, i question the change that might come from the presence of a lawyer in a case like this ?

maybe he should just go in on the interview day and before signing the Ds 230 forms and before swearing to the oath,
admit t of haven used diiferent names or has sought entry into the US by fraud or misreprentations, and give his reasons why.

if there is a chance of a positve outcome, he could then seek the services of an immigration lawyer to follow up the process

If there is a positive outcome he won't need a lawyer - everything after that point is straightforward. The suggestions to consult a lawyer are to help get a positive outcome and to avoid a very negative outcome.

 

[gabam]

You will need a lawyer dear. A lawyer would prepare a strong case for you, a case which could get you the green card. But if you go there without a case prepared, and lie to the consular officer, and your lie is caught, you will be banned for sure. So would you like to take such a risk, I am sure not. But if you say that, ok I will just tell them the truth without any help from the lawyer, then it could also make things complicated. Several questions would rise that why you had a different, and such questions would be complicated in nature and way beyond a lay man's answering ability. While Immigration lawyers deal with such cases on daily basis, they know how to handle them. See bro, we will be equally happy as you if you get this visa. A brotherly suggestion for you is to seek a lawyers guidance, and go well-prepared to your interview. I don't know why but I am feeling that you can get this visa as long as you be honest with everything and don't lie to them. Best of luck!!!

 

[SusieQQQ]

Um, I'm not sure about the practicality of finding a decent US immigration lawyer in Japan? Also at my consulate (I don't know if this is widespread or not) we were specifically told we could not bring anyone to assist with the interview, including lawyers. So he would have to get all the advice etc up front. Also if he is denied, as far as I know it is very difficult to appeal - and with a Sept interview there is no time to follow up before fiscal year end.

My personal experience with US consulates is that honesty has always just been the best approach.

Also (yes!) Raevsky has a point, albeit one that I would use in a different way - if the reason for previous denial will result in disqualification - if you tell them at the start, they will turn you away before you pay the fee (at least that is how it would have worked at my interview, there was a kind of preliminary screening before paying the fees). No point wasting the fees to find out just before you sign that you are refused. That's if he even gets that far without being "caught out" by the fingerprints first. Tell me which looks better: being honest, or (in the eyes of the CO) only admitting the truth when you've been caught out? In the latter case I would think he would be far less inclined to believe him at all...

 

[Sushihanako]

Actually I'm Japanese living in Tokyo, and I know some Japanese citizens consult US immigration lawyers in Japan to obtain US visas. From the fact, I think he can find some lawyers in Japan, especially in Tokyo. Also, nowadays it is possible to consult lawyers in the US remotely like via e-mail or on phone call if he prefers.
Good luck!

 

[Matap]

This guy missed the opportunity to disclose everything out front when filling DS-230 form. This form has a space to disclose names previoulsy used. Now he is preparing the field to miss the visa and lose his money.
As many of you suggested, the guy needs to consult an immigration lawyer asap preferably before the interview. Generally, the first meeting with a lawyer is free. During the meeting the lawyer will tell if something can be done and the way to do it or tell if the case is without any good account. In this last case, there is no need as Raevsky suggested to move forward with the visa application.

 

[Zabra]

First, immigration lawyer could save yousome money. For instance, if yourhaving used a fake name the firsttime disqualifies you .

What is the usual procedures during an interview?....
first paying the interview fees or singing the form or swearin in?
Also im not so sure a lawyer would be accepted at embassy without an appiontment or coming together with him on his interview day.
If he seeks a lawyer now, is it possible the lawyer can contact the cosulate regarding his case before the interview?

 

[SusieQQQ]

First, immigration lawyer could save yousome money. For instance, if yourhaving used a fake name the firsttime disqualifies you .

What is the usual procedures during an interview?....
first paying the interview fees or singing the form or swearin in?
Also im not so sure a lawyer would be accepted at embassy without an appiontment or coming together with him on his interview day.
If he seeks a lawyer now, is it possible the lawyer can contact the cosulate regarding his case before the interview?

At my interview:
1. There were specific instructions beforehand that you could not bring anyone including a lawyer to assist at the interview.
2. We first went to a window where someone took our fingerprints, checked our documents and asked us some questions. Once he was satisfied that we had a good chance of getting the visa, he instructed us to go pay. I know that at our consulate, people who have had problems have been told at this stage that they have the option of not paying the fee as they are unlikely to succeed. As I have mentioned before, after each set of fingerprints the guy would examine his screen for a bit. I am almost certain that the prints are being cross-checked here as they are entered onto the database. And as you will know from an answer in another forum that you started the same thread, someone has posted about someone they know being caught out at this stage.
3. Then we paid
4. Then we had the interview proper. Some of the questions were repeats of what we had been asked by the first guy. He did ask how many times we have been to the US. It is entirely possible that if we hadn't been he would have asked if we had ever applied for a visa.
5. DS230 signed at the end.

 

[scusyxx]

SusieQQQ,

just wondering, where was your interview?

At my interview:
1. There were specific instructions beforehand that you could not bring anyone including a lawyer to assist at the interview.
2. We first went to a window where someone took our fingerprints, checked our documents and asked us some questions. Once he was satisfied that we had a good chance of getting the visa, he instructed us to go pay. I know that at our consulate, people who have had problems have been told at this stage that they have the option of not paying the fee as they are unlikely to succeed. As I have mentioned before, after each set of fingerprints the guy would examine his screen for a bit. I am almost certain that the prints are being cross-checked here as they are entered onto the database. And as you will know from an answer in another forum that you started the same thread, someone has posted about someone they know being caught out at this stage.
3. Then we paid
4. Then we had the interview proper. Some of the questions were repeats of what we had been asked by the first guy. He did ask how many times we have been to the US. It is entirely possible that if we hadn't been he would have asked if we had ever applied for a visa.
5. DS230 signed at the end.

 

[Zabra]

Hi

SusieQQQ,

just wondering, where was your interview?




He did the interview in Africa back 9 years ago and next interview in Tokyo.
He has been thinking to just call off everything , he says maybe stopping at this stae will save him
time and not loosing his money and not getting his passport stamped or banned from entrying the US.

or should he just give it a try, ? what will be will be. atleast he tried be fore giving up

 

[SusieQQQ]

He did the interview in Africa back 9 years ago and next interview in Tokyo.
He has been thinking to just call off everything , he says maybe stopping at this stae will save him
time and not loosing his money and not getting his passport stamped or banned from entrying the US.

or should he just give it a try, ? what will be will be. atleast he tried be fore giving up

Maybe he should try giving the embassy a call first to speak to them and see what they say. After all even if he doesn't get a ban now, if this is a problem it will still come up when he needs a B1/B2 or even VWP entry as his fingerprints will still be checked for both. It could save him money of course re not spending on visa fees (and medicals if they haven't done those yet).

 

[Sushihanako]

Zabra, just FYI,

It seems like the order in the interview process varies embassy to embassy.
I found a blog (written by a dv-2013 selectee in Japanese language, URL pasted at the bottom) describes the interview process at the US embassy in Tokyo.
According to the blog, the process is as below.
1. Documents submission
2. Payments
3. Fingerprints acquisition
4. Interview

https://greencardandlife.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/dv-2013-2nd-mile-stone-面接-その2/

 

[Roselyna]

Zabra, I don't really know where in Africa he had the interview. had it been in GH, I would say its easier if he is using the same date of birth. He would only swear an affidavit of change of name, have it published and that's it. If with a different date of birth, he would have to go through the procedure with change of date of birth on the affidavit and have the document gazetted and he is done. But would still have to inform the embassy first. Probably with an email before the interview.
Good luck to him though!

 

[Zabra]

Thanks very much for all the support and advices been given on this thread.
Its such an ill luck case , but he says its a one time opportinuity and he will rather take the odds and go in for the interview.
He want to do his best rather than sit back and regret later.

Miracles exist and cases are treated in unique different ways.
What ever will be the outcome he will he have to face it soon .
lets put this in our prayers and ask for a positive end.

 

[keisuke]

Hey i just want to let you know I applied for an american visa years ago when I was still in africa using a date of birth that is different from the one I have now. I had my dv interview 3 days ago and the only question I was aked was why i have 2 date of births? I had a good explanation prepared for them. Finally the lady said i understand, I have no more questions to ask you and all your documents are in order, thus my interview was successful. Your bro should have a legal document stating that he bears both names and he is one and the same person. Hopefully all will be well. Best of luck to him

 

[SusieQQQ]

Hey i just want to let you know I applied for an american visa years ago when I was still in africa using a date of birth that is different from the one I have now. I had my dv interview 3 days ago and the only question I was aked was why i have 2 date of births? I had a good explanation prepared for them. Finally the lady said i understand, I have no more questions to ask you and all your documents are in order, thus my interview was successful. Your bro should have a legal document stating that he bears both names and he is one and the same person. Hopefully all will be well. Best of luck to him

Hey, that's an interesting post. A question: did you tell them you had previously applied with a different d.o.b, or did they pick it up off their system?

 

[keisuke]

They picked it up off thier system, looking back I remember the officer collecting my documents asked me if I have ever been to the states just after I had my finger prints taken,so I guess my info showed up.

 

[Zabra]

They picked it up off thier system, looking back I remember the officer collecting my documents asked me if I have ever been to the states just after I had my finger prints taken,so I guess my info showed up.

I must admit that you very lucky Bro. Any misrepresentation could lead to a visa disqualifiction.
Your case is abit different from his. He completely changed both names and d.o.b due to politcal reasons.
Is there any kind of legal documents that could be issued to proof that he is thesame person even though with different names and d.o.b?
In your incase did you bring such a document with your on your interview day? and did you informed the embassy about your case before your interview day?
if you dont mind i would like to hear more about how yr case and interview. thanks