Legal Question in Immigration Law in California

Re: Waiting for visa from Mexico

It isn't clear from your question if your petition has been approved by the INS Service Center, but since it's been a year, it's probably approved. Your "reference number" is most likely a WAC number from INS Laguna Niguel (since you're in California).

If your wife lives in Mexico, it's going to be the US consulate in Ciudad Juarez that will send her an appointment. Before that, they'll send her an immigrant visa package that she'll have to complete, and medical checkup, etc. It takes a few months after INS approval for the consulate to schedule an interview. Once your wife has an interview, if it's successful, she can cross the border immediately the same day!

Liem Doan, Esq.