My Fiance and I met 2 yrs ago, online. We have talked on the Web Cam,
Chat & Mic, phone, and through emails. He worked for the UN-Habitat in
Erbil City Iraq. He is a Kurdish man. We filed to apply for a Visa for
him, about a year ago.He was denied, due to us not being able to meet
"in person". As we all know, this would be impossible, even 2 yrs ago.
I also cannot fly there, due to medical reasons. We filed an Appeal to
their decision and my Doctor wrote a letter to the BCIS, regarding why
I cannot fly over to Iraq or any other country near there. This was
filed on Feb.25, 2004. I would like to get your opinion, if I can. Do
you think that they actually want me to risk my life, going over there
to meet with him? Also, do you think they denied him because he is
Kurdish? Thank you for your time. Trisha    email address:

motherduke,

I don't think they want you to "risk your life" so much as to obtain
proof. As was mentioned in the comments, one of the policies of
getting a visa, in regards to marrage is the face to face meeting. It
was a policy instituted for the fact, as mentioned, to prove that it
is not a sham marrage. There are/were too many instances of people
just agreeing to marry people so that they could get away from their
native land. it makes you show what you're willing to do for this
person in your life. If they request it, and one of you is physically
able to do it, then you'll probably have to. The government does not
bend the rules much, esp. with immigration.
Also, when you're dealing with citizenship, and whatnot. It is a Gov't
agency. They are very highly regulated when it comes to racial
discrimniation. Therefore, because of racial discrimination, all of
their policies are "blanket" policy. No matter if your Kurdish,
French, Antartician, or Brazilian, the same rules to getting a visa
apply. They way, they can't discriminate against origon.
It's pretty much harder anymore for anyone to acquire a visa, as this
article says, after Sept. 11th, 2001
"The events of Sept. 11, 2001, have had ramifications throughout the
fabric of American life, especially in areas dealing with foreign
policy. A flurry of new amendments to visa issuance has created a
storm of long delays and outright denials. "
http://pubs.acs.org/cen/education/8139/8139education2.html

I hope this helps you understand better why they requested what they
did, why they request it, and showing you that they are tough on
everyone, not just your fiancee because he is Kurdish.

Nenna-GA
Google Answers Researcher

Although I wish you the best of luck, I think you may have a hard
time.  The INS sees it as their job to prevent "sham" marriages --
marriages solely for the purpose of obtaining entry or citizenship to
the US.  I believe that the "meeting face to face" rule is one of the
most important ones to convince them that this isn't just a sham.

I have a Russian wife.  We were required to provide information about
the times and places we met, and pictures of us together, in order to
get our Fiance visa.  I don't believe it would have been possible to
get the visa without this documentation.