Hello All!

I figured I would provide you with the details of my 45 mins long conversation with USCIS officer and two CSRs. I called VSC and spoke to Mark (immigration officer # IF027). He looked up my I-130 and I-129F (K3) - generated no touches - and told me told me that I can get these expedited as these are outside normal processing. My 1-30 was received by USCIS almost 7 months back in mid December 2007 and I-129F was received by VSC 4 months back in beginning of February 2008.

The officer explained that I-129F is to expedite the I-130 petition and they have been instructed to process all I-129Fs within 90 days of receiving them. Since mine has clearly been longer than that, I can call USCIS and request a CSR to electronically submit an expedite request to VSC.

Given his advice, I called and spoke to a CSR next. The CSR said that there's nothing she can do as my petitions are within processing times. She said that VSC is currently processing I-130's as of July 2007 and I-129Fs as of February 2007. She said that it will probably take another 4 -5 months before my 1-29F or I-130 is approved. I kept emphasizing what the officer told me but she just didn't want to listen. She said the only reason she will expedite my petitions at this point would be if my wife is pregnant, severely ill, or other very compelling reason. After bickering with her for a brief while, I apologized for calling and hung up.

Now, given all this, what should I do? Should I get my Congressman involved? Who will be my congressman? My driver's license is from Michigan, but over the last two years I have lived in three different states and have not spent a full 12 months in any one state. The address provided to USCIS is my Atlanta address. So who will be my Congressman, one from Michigan or Georgia?

Anyhow, figured I would provide everyone with this account and I'll leave it open for interpretation. Right now I am a little confused and frustrated at what I found out today.

Thanks!
Fahad

Your congressperson (don't forget Senators) should be where you consider your permanent home, but in reality, use whomever will lend you there ear and take your situation seriously and make the inquiry on yor behalf.

I guess the key to success in USCIS is WHO is working on your case. All their "rules" change according to each officer. This is so wrong.
I hope you have success with your senator and congressman. If my case waits that long, I don't know what I would do!!! I don't believe when they said 4-5 more months for your case! Come on! That is insane!

My guess is that you had a well-meaning officer on the phone and that the 90 day processing time is a guideline, not a rule and therefore doesn't earn you an expedite.

Is that Feb date official? Maybe you could put in a service request on the 129F, but not an expedite.

I just looked -- the official date for the 129F is November 17 so you're not even outside of the official processing dates (which would be the official date + 30 days).

I don't think you have any recourse, unfortunately.

That's what I am thinking as well. However, I was just going off the 180 days processing time that I have read about in several places. However, I guess the current processing time frames most definitely negate the 180 days of processing time that I have read in the past!

-Fahad

I think the 180 days thing is what they had hoped to achieve, but it is no where in sight at this point. You can request an expedite, but they have to meet the criteria requested. You can find a list of acceptable reasons to file an expedite on the USCIS website.