http://www.petitiononline.com/unitefam/


This link will be only a start to making yourself heard with what is going on right now. Backlog of I-130's, Chicago Lockbox returns, misinformation for advice from USCIS -

After speaking to many of you over the phone the last couple of days and sensing so much frustration and dismay, even from people that are almost done with their journey (which we newbies thank you whole heartdly) here is just another step for us to take. We can remain patient which yes we have no choice there, but some of our personaltiies draw us into raising our voices and this is one way. For the others that are being calm, god bless ya mates, we will just raise our voices a little bit more for you. Taking a legal action never hurt so I will continue to try and I am just gobsmacked as to the issue on workers visa's and them bringing their spouses here within a matter of weeks to a few months max. That is pure bs.

Sorry but proactive here and need to throw my energy into something creative for all,.

Cheers and lets move forth.

Susie

Done and signed. Thanks Susie. Would recommend applying not only to LPR (who get worse consideration than we do) but also to USC as well.

I signed it and gave some comments as well. I think the entire process is ridiculous. I don't understand why law-abiding citizens have to suffer for so long from uniting with his/her loved ones. Something has to change. Going though all these hurtles and providing redundant information seems so unproductive. I don't mind providing any information my government needs, but if I provide it, they better act on it in a useful manner and not create so many layers of BS that makes it difficult for me to be with my loved ones.

I think everyone on this site would want to sign this petition, not just certain visa types. We are all being kept from our loved ones and it's excruciating for everyone. Could this go somewhere that we will all see it?

Dotto's After all, Do they have to show 10 or 20% above poverty level and prove hundreds of documents etc etc... This is one of my goals.... Thanks for starting this petition

You all realize that this petition is asking for changes in the law for legal permanent resident petitioners, and not for USC petitioners?

hmmmm Mabey explain how that can hurt the USC trying to get our sposes to the USA??

Well, I'll try.

I've worked with political action committees whenever they lobby for a law change. And I've worked with them regarding immigration law.

As you probably already know, immigration law is pretty complex. So much so, in fact, that it's regarded by attornies as one of the most complex arenas of law one can practice. The INA is broken up into categories by different visa types, and what applies to one type of 'immigrant' doesn't apply to another.

A change in the code for LPR's would not benefit USC's. The law simply isn't written that way. This petition appears to me to be an effort to have that section of the INA modified. Unless the legislation was written in such a way to benefit ALL petitioners, USC's would not benefit.

Makes sense becca,
I would not have thought that but after looking at
more it does make sense..

Hi Susie,
I did sign the petition, but am surprised to see it has no mention of US Citizens. Are you a USC or a LPR sponsoring your spouse? If so I think a transparency in your postings would be highly desirable.

M

I am a USC - it was one of the few petitions that I saw that could apply to some one here, once I find one that states in detail spouses etc of USC will post........am trying here. But researching it now and Rebecca is correct in the wording so will just spend another few days looking for another one/ The issue that caught my eye was about workers coming over here and having the right to bring their families in a god damn heartbeat. Sorry that issue is sticking really far up in the air right now, and it is so simply wrong. I will fight it, I dont care if I lose that fight, at least I can say I tried every damn avenue available and every side street/

Cheers

Susie no you are not wrong, I see these (workers) your taking about
seven days a week.It's complete *&()^%..No need to say sorry, not
at all, there is thousands of people out here feel the same..
Drop that if I lose the fight thing..

Susie,

I signed the petition; alerting others not part of VJ family & hopefully, they will become part of this struggle. It's a great cause; keep it up! Remember, most change begins at the grassroot -- we're IT!

There's nothing wrong with signing this petition. We should all stay informed of immigration issues.

But you might want to look to organizations who have the muscle and the money to make real change. Here's a link to one of them:

www.americanfamiliesunited.org

are you suggesting we should appeal their ... i don't think appeal in the right word .... how long its going to be if we go through that rout ...

i think the fastest way a political body LISTENS is when it comes from a media ... i have said this here ones.

petitioning to these organization is good but we have to wait Months to see results .... that is if anything happens

just my thoughts


www.americanfamiliesunited.org
[/quote]

I commented on that.

Thanks Rebecca would have found it sooner or later, but with your post sooner fits my personality better. Tough day yesterday sorry....holidays are around the corner, four months no receipt, no help from USCIS - only this forum thank god that can offer some tissue for the tears that I cried with my husband last night. Sorry its so frustrating to try and understand what is going on and I think I speak for so many of us. At least if some of us had a receipt number we could actually be part of the system. But as of right now, so many applications are just being shuffled around.

Thanks Rebecca again. But can I ask you something as I do value all advice on this forum.... and I am not being negative or vendictive to anyone ....but here goes..

If you file a 1-129F why does it get into the system quickier i.e., receipt NOA1 then do our I-130's? I cant seem to get an answer on that one. If anyone has any ideas at all, even if its because they have a wings on that application, great, I just dont see the reasoning (I know I know USCIS no reasoning at all) that married couples have to be placed on the back burner.

I just feel that being an American, born and raised in California and now in Florida, that I have no more rights when it comes to this issue. I feel like crap that my country has given me a boot, no wait, make that two boots and does not care about what this country's foundation was so firmly built on. FAMILY MORALS, yikes. what has happened to my rights?

The website at USCIS is such a joke, I learned quite a while back from an Immigration Officer saying please do not even read it per se, since it does not practice really what it prints out. Information is lacking serious current information. Calling them has become a nightmare, because each time I do or another friend from VJ does, it is two different answers completely to the same question.

Sorry early in the am, venting before I do letters to the media and go off to the site you suggested. I am just so confused as many of us are. And sad that I was not aware of this problem before I became actively engrossed in to it because of my own personal situation. I will just try to do my own petition and sit outside a Target store or wherever and get it signed. At least I will feel that I did something constructive for a few days. Dont get me wrong, I work hard at my job, its just that issue has me concerned and perplexed.

All I can hope for is some resolution soon, I will not give up ever, but do hope that somewhere down the line, it evens out for future people that are going to take this journey to have their loved ones here in a timely manner, with information being given to them that is accurate.

Sighing but again, thank you for link....

Cheers to you and yours for the holidays.

Susie

Oh, Susie, I will try to answer you, even though I know the price I will pay here will be dear.

The bottom line fact here is that even though the system is broken, the system is all we've got. Unless you'd like to have your husband here illegally.

When I first joined here, a similar debate was raging. At that time K3's were taking considerably longer than K1's and there was much tension between petitioners.

Also when I first joined all four Service Centers were processing and the times between each swung wildly like a pendulum. K1 petitioners going through Vermont typically took less than a month to receive NOA2. Nebraska petitioners took 6-8 months.

Things smoothed themselves out over time and eventually there got to very little difference between processing times. The CR1 always took a bit longer because of it's inherent nature.

Since I've been here there have been at least two mature snafu's with processing and USCIS not foreseeing paperwork clogs - the implementation of the International Marriage Broker's Act and the Adam Walsh Act. Both caused a lot of hearthache and delays for petitioners - both were sorted eventually.

This mess with the processing times of all petitions (because of the fee hike) is the worst I've seen. I can't answer you about why your I-130's have been languishing but I believe that even if you had your NOA1, you'd still be in the same boat timewise. Just because you have a receipt doesn't mean your file is being 'worked'. And that's true of all types of cases.

The system is what it is. Research online and you will find that the number of immigrant petitions to this country has exploded in the last 10 years. Add to that the mandate of our President after Sept 11 2001 that the background of ALL petititioners be examined before a case can be approved. It is a wonder that the new organization known as Department of Homeland Security functions at all.

Legislation in this country moves at a snails pace as well. I believe simply because the most important person in our lives is foreign born that we should remain politically aware of immigrants issues. And I believe that vigilance should not cease once we are reunited with them. The political atmosphere in this country is not 'immigrant friendly'. That being said, however, I can assure you of this - even if you involve yourself with a political action group seeking changes in the system, the fact remains that your case will be approved before any legislation is rewritten that would benefit you. USCIS does manage to get cases through, although sometimes at a grindingly slow pace. Legitimate cases are rarely denied - files are rarely lost.

Involve yourself politically for change. But realize it is change that will benefit those who go after you. And really, that's not a bad thing.

Thank you for the time and effort to share your experience and thoughts - I agree with this totally, only point that I would correct is that getting a NOA1 would be the like a trip around the world for xmas, what some of us are looking for is that the file has been entered into the system and a receipt issued. Tis all I want for xmas right now, and my hubbie and I are willing to deal with the backlog down the road although ya know I will continue to explode now and then about the slowness of processing times. Typical for me. To have him here without proper papers, no way in the world. Illegal does not exist in our world. Guess that is part of my anger also, but lets put that aside for now.

Yes I want to make a change for those after me, for that mark if made in the world will show that I cared so much to continue the journey further than some have. I notice that you are done with your mates journey but thanks for staying on to help us newbies try to understand what is going on.

Sighing but back to the fight!!!!!

My husband may be with me, but the journey is not done. It is never done in my opinion.

There are still conditions to be lifted and there is naturalization if he desires it - those are the 'paperwork' things. And eternally he is separated from family, friends, and everything he grew up with. He is from a different culture than the people around him, speaking with an accent and taking the 'risk' of being different in a country that isn't kind to that at the moment.

He is always foreign born. Loving them means remembering that.

Cheers i agree.......and love the part about IT IS NEVER DONE!!!!!

The system is broken.

Here is the issue, i'll use very small words and add phonics. Sponsored workers, somehow, in spite of our lawmakers dedication to "security of our homeland", and "american family values" can fly back to their home countries, get married, walk into our embassies, apply for a visa, and have their new spouses here in 2-3 weeks. Companies can apply for visas to import foreign workers, pay $1000, and move them into the "accelerated processing" program through the same service centers our petitions move through. During this entire "wave of petitions", ALL 4 service centers kept their commitments to the I129 worker petition processing (6-8 weeks). I can read service center processing times as well as anyone, and I don't need phonics either. The I129's were kept on schedule in spite of the "additional workload" which is the claimed reason for delaying our applications.

Do you know why this happens? Because married families are put at the bottom of the pile. B visa holders would be less likely to come over here and work if they were put through the difficulties that we are forced to go through to get their spouses and families here. So there is a nice, easy, quick way, that if they come over here to work then of course their families can join them. They bypass everything and go straight to interview. Because BUSINESSES with MONEY have lobbied for this and the same legislators that we are trying to get to listen to us have made it so the businesses who need workers get priority.

What is needed, at any cost, is equal consideration to spouses and children. The same consideration that is given to foreign workers. The same right to accelerated processing of our petitions. The same right to direct application for non-immigrant visas at our embassies that families of foreign workers get.


David and Nitadyah

Disclaimer:



(the terms "corn-pone", "inbred", "ignorant", "mouthy", "hick" as well as all references to sheep and other farm animals do not belong on a public forum and have been carefully and painfully culled from this post for sensitivity reasons)

Shyte, couldnt have said it any better and since we have spoken I know you dont mind me grabbing this blog and posting it to some news rooms.

Cheers hun

also buzz with me news on the medical and thanks for the laughs on the phone - BRING IT ON - I will never forget that and even tho yesterday was a bad day as is each, it did make me smile a bit last night. GL TO WIFEY!!!!!!

Last one today just emailed alot of tv show hosts for this story... plese see link below. and thanks all for putting up with my rantings.


Seasons greetings to all and best of luck on your journeys!!!!


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_talk_show_hosts

Whatever that last little disclaimer has to do with what MIGHT have been a somewhat eloquent argument, I have no idea.

Their spouses, however, don't necessarily have the right to work or permanent residency status at all. That's the difference. The Ks allow you to file for residency status and work. An H4 allows you to be stay-at-home spouse. I believe the derivative off of the L is the same. Two of my friends are from AUS/NZ; he's finishing up his degree, which gives her about four months to move from J-2 status to an employment-based one or they will both have to leave the U.S. in May.

I'm not saying that the system doesn't need reform, or that it isn't beyond strange than someone can go home, get married, and come back with a spouse if they're workers but not citizens, but it's important to realize that you are comparing apples and oranges. Same thing with the expedited fee processing; it's one thing when it doesn't carry an immediate immigration number like a work visa, but I know I'd think it a little weird if someone were on their fifth 'mail-order bride' because they could afford it an a genuine, but poorer couple waited even longer.

Well thought out point.

If anyone here has a 'cross to bear' with the powers that be regarding family immigration, that complaint should become all-emcompassing rather than focusing on one aspect - ie the topic in question, speed of processing for spouses and children. On the heels and hindparts of all the failed immigration legislation last year were amendments which were detrimental to families. Because the INA is so complex, it's easy enough for a politico to 'pick' on one section of it for reform. But because the law does twist, turn and intertwine, certain family classes can be 'punished'. Or the government can select - on purpose - to punish families. Last years proposed changes were FAR from family friendly, and focused EVEN MORE on admitting aliens to this country who were considered 'valuable' - ie those with educations or degrees, those whose first language is English, etc.

If you wish to become a student of immigration, you'd be wise to keep your ears to the wall regarding all family categories. The law has traditionally 'trickled down' to become more and more restrictive. And that's not likely to improve as long as we have a public and an administration wtih an isolationist mindset.

Their spouses, however, don't necessarily have the right to work or permanent residency status at all.
An H4 allows you to be stay-at-home spouse.

Exactly, and what does a K3 allow? In fact, the two are legally classified EXACTLY the same. The classification doesnt change for a K3 visa holder until they follow through with a whole new filing process (AOS/EAD, etc) which involves more documents, more checks, more biometrics, and more fees. Only after this are they granted PR status.

K3 Visa: Non immigrant, no right to work, no PR status. 6-8 months to enter the country
B visaholder's spouse visa = Non immigrant, no PR status, no right to work. 2 weeks to enter the country

Security? Or misplaced priorities?

A K-3 has an automatic permanent residency number available for them, and may petition to work. Both of which need to be petitioned for, but an H4 has neither of those things.

I agree with you that concerns about security are misplaced. But if your argument is 'but their visa is faster' the answer will come back 'it is a simpler visa with no path to permanent status and no ability to work.' It's faster for a tourist visa, too. Same thing.

[quote name='D&N' date='Dec 17 2007, 03:54 PM' post='1426463']
Their spouses, however, don't necessarily have the right to work or permanent residency status at all.
An H4 allows you to be stay-at-home spouse.

Exactly, and what does a K3 allow? In fact, the two are legally classified EXACTLY the same. The classification doesnt change for a K3 visa holder until they follow through with a whole new filing process (AOS/EAD, etc) which involves more documents, more checks, more biometrics, and more fees. Only after this are they granted PR status.

K3 Visa: Non immigrant, no right to work, no PR status. 6-8 months to enter the country
B visaholder's spouse visa = Non immigrant, no PR status, no right to work. 2 weeks to enter the country

Security? Or misplaced priorities?

If you want to make a more convincing argument, you might want to compare the fiance times with the spousal times. If you can show that being engaged means you get here faster than being married, you'll have parallel visas in the same class that lead to the same eventual route (permanent residency), and a good case. Perhaps an amendment to the law would allow spouses to file just the I-129F, for example. But I don't see a lot of progress made on comparing family-based immigration with employment-based derivative status.

Signed. Thanks for the effort. This has been a part of my frustrtaion in the long wait to get my wife's case approved. Hope our voice is heard and the immigration laws are changed to be considerate for the legal immigrants of the country and moreoevre CITIZENS!!!
Thanks again!

Anyone can start a petition... mabey if we start a new one and word it as needed it would at least bring attention to this injustice we are all going thru... After all, there were a suggested 2.5 mil new applicants in July... If we could get 10% of those sigs it would get someones attention right??? It's worth a try!!

A K3 visa is nothing more than a pretty stamp on a passport that allows the beneficiary to get through a port of entryand stay in the US for 2 years. There is no PR number associated with a K3. There is no authorization to work associated with a K3. All of that comes through the separately filed I130 petition and subsequent application for adjustment of status. A K3 has exactly the same legal status as, yes, a sponsored tourist. Hell vacationers can get non-immigrant visas faster than our spouses can as you so elequently pointed out. (laughing)

All a K3 has to do once they are stateside is file I765 in order to work. They do not have to file the I485 to adjust status if they don't wish too.

Listen, I know you want to be noticed, and I realize you know EVERYTHING about everything with your 107 day journey and stuff, but, if, a K3 visaholder doesnt file AOS can they stay? Permenantly? Can they get a drivers license without the green card? Without finishing and following through this process?

Going back to small words and phonics. (remembering and thanking god i turned down that job at Celenese between Blacksburg and the WV border 4 years ago)

1. This is about getting into the states on US soil and being together
2. Non-immigrants........tourists, 1 day, apply at the embassy, done
3. Non-immigrants.......spouses of sponsored non-immigrants, 1 day, apply at the embassy, done, here in 2 weeks
4. Non-immigrants.......spouses of US Citizens, months and months of BS delays and paperwork
5. Non-immigrants.......foreign workers, can get accelerated processing, non-accelerated takes 8 weeks max

Are you seeing a pattern of "yeah we're pretty screwed here" yet?

I wish to see the same priority, same consideration, and same commitment to processing for a spouse as I see for a non-US worker. There is no compromise, no valid argument, no logic, or no mild "accept this process" doubletalk that makes this right or equal. In all of this TIME together is most important.

Even TOURIST visaholders marry and just stay and file AOS, we both know this. This is about at every turn - following the correct process screws US Citizens. Too late for change for us but I would like to see it fixed for the ones behind us.

David and Nitadyah

David, is it possible to have a dialogue with you without you being insulting and rude?

My 107 day journey has nothing to do with this conversation. It has nothing to do with what I know. Where I live has nothing to do with how you need to speak to me. Your insults and condescending prefaces don't help you make your point, unless that point happens to be that YOU are the one who wants to be noticed.

I don't have a problem with the 'war' you are waging. But if you are going to fight that battle you need to get your facts straight and you need to properly draw your analogies (especially since you aspire to be on television with your crusade).

As Caladan explained many of the visa types you have a problem with do not EVER have the option of adjusting status.

No a K3 cannot stay permanently either without adjusting status. They can get a driver's license in most states without having a greencard.

I realize you want the same consideration as other visa types. I realize you want to be with your wife. I do not understand why the fact my husband is already here makes me the bearer of incorrect information to you. I may have had a 107 day journey, but I have been studying this process for over three years. Each day I do what I can (since the system IS less friendly to families than it should be) to understand that process, try to help others understand it, and help speed their journey if possible.

Everybody who points out the 'flaws' in your argument isn't against the argument. But if you want to make one, you damn well better know what you are talking about.

Sorry but this hit a nerve. Quite a few times I see people who have relatively short journey's (versus what we have today) being dismissed because they have not experienced enough delay/heartache or told they do not know what we are going through. That is entirely uncalled for. Picking arguements on a board that is here to help us is not the way to fight this stupid system and it's delays. We're all stressed out about the process and taking it out on each other will not resolve anything. When presenting any arguement it is better to present the facts, Rebeccajo and others are just pointing out things which may have been overlooked that we do need to take into consideration.

We have all either gone through this process (and I thank those that stay around to help and advise those of us that came afterwards), are going through this process or are contemplating starting the journey. You should never put someone down who was LUCKY enough to have a shorter journey than you. It is not them that made the journey shorter, it was that the USCIS were working as intended. We're unlucky in that we applied at one of the worst times possible, and are feeling the brunt of USCIS's mismanagement. 6 months down the line, if USCIS have hired and trained the staff they were meant to, the new petitioners might not have to deal with this as we are having to today.

I am bitter from the PoV that someone who applied a month before we did, was in the US almost 2 months ago... while I still have another potential 2 months to go on my journey. That extra month to file has added 4 months to my journey time. Sure, I am jealous of the shorter time they were parted from their spouse, but I do not blame them and am happy that they were able to reach that point so quickly.

Firstly - quit the rude act. I understand your frustration, but this is completely uncalled for. Perhaps my over a year wait for a K1 and now over 2 years wait for AOS somehow authenticates me to speak on such matters? See how that really just does not make much sense? Perhaps a few digs on Alaska to make an even playing field?

On topic - if you are that hell bent on changing things, join a political action group/lobbyist group. Put your money where your mouth is, quite literally. I belong to one, and we have had real success with networking, and fundraising. I can tell you, any of these grassroots organizations you may wish to seek out do have a tough time against some of these mega-organizations lobbyists. The difference is everyone is supportive of family unity however votes can be bought for the "other" team. Its quite a challenge that takes years.

Get involved with enacting real change versus challenging someone's journey as not justified "enough" to speak on such topics..

I wanted to add that the real "value" in online petitions is garnering support between people who feel strongly on whatever topic is presented. It is rarely a successful tool in making any real waves higher up as you are not in any one contituency, but spread all across the whole expanse of the US. A minimum for an online petition to get a politician to bat an eye would be between 10k-15k signatures.

Grab the supporters, create a foundation base and use the petition as a platform to get volunteers and interest in the topic.

BUMP....BUMP....... BACK ON THREAD-

Anyone that wants to sign it fine, anyone that does not great.

Happy Holidays

I did comment on topic. I also requested the rudeness to stop, which is a necessary piece in keeping contructive conversation going. Thanks for the holiday wishes!

Aye me too, lets just try to be civil and help each other, cause the way i see it, we are all in this boat together, a few have gotten off but are never far from sending a life preserver and we all have different opinions, respect those and move forth. As we can all agree on one thing right now......we can not depend on USCIS to give any correct information.

Cheers!!!!!!!!

You have an approved I-130 prior to the visa being issued, correct? The K-3 basically completes the first step of a permanent residency application -- establishing an immediate family relationship -- outside of the country. You can file for an I-765 based solely on the K-3, correct? It is a non-immigrant visa with a path for permanent residency. The others are not.

I'm saying that there are differences in the privileges accorded to the people based on the visas assigned. Should it be faster? Yes. Is the security claim bullshit? Yes. Are you comparing apples and oranges? Yes, you are. If you want a better argument, compare fiancee visas (which establish the same path) with K-3s.

Pending, but not approved

I'll have to join in the defense for Rebecca.. this really has NOTHING to do with her journey... and take a look at your journey , David.. you GOT APPROVED ALREADY... so please quit complaining... you want to see a long journey, take a look at mine.. 245+ days without ANYTHING.. so really, you don't know much about waiting yourself.. you got approved within the 6 month timeframe.. some people have a shorter timeframe than you.. while others have longer... we are all in this journey together trying to bring our loved ones here.. some are just more lucky than others , as you can see.. the topic of this thread is to find someway to change that, and not try to attack others just because they are faster than you.. Yes, I even had a fight with rebecca too (but we put that behind us).. I cannot blame her for a slow USCIS system.. so you shouldn't either.. Both your I-129F and I-130 are approved, so CONGRATS on that.. at least you are on your way home.. =)

SIGNED


Maybe we can get something changed for the better.

Awwww. Thanks.

We didn't have a fight. We had a misunderstanding! *winks*

Signed

We need to change this!

We need it Now!

...just to add MHO...The fact of the matter is the system is broken. There are no consistant levels of service across the board ( not just in K-3 processing).

All this in-bickering over how long so-and-so waited, versus how long so-and-so waited and "who has the authority to speak"on the subject based on their wait time...is silly. We should be not dogging those lucky enough to have swift processing...but using the faster times vs the slower times as prime examples of just how unequal the system is! ....We should be pressuring for consistency of service across the board. The system is unfair and THAT is what we should be arguing about with the agencies/groups that can help. Not wasting time dogging one another over individual timelines-but pressuring the Govt for CONSISTANT performance based on the service you are requesting and it shouldn't matter where you live or which Office you fall under. The wait times should be roughly the same.
It's a crap shoot, mostly. Some localities have crappier offices than others.
For example-AOS depends where you live for your local office (we were lucky-we got DORA-but not EVERYONE does get that fast processing...and they should, IMO) .
We need better communication from, and more equitable service ( or at least an accurate idea of expected wait times) right across the board, from the agencies performing the various services for us all.

PS OP-Please don't take this post of mine to be saying anything against the petition! I supported it ....Just my thoughts on the time-line " misunderstandings, disagreements"...or whatever).