Meeting Monday with the NY Times National Immigration Correspondant

[ILYSB 1]

So i think this is wonderful that you stand on behalf of all of us just stagnantly waiting....this process is totally ridiculous (speaking for myself/fiancee) my case was received Feb 12 and this is the last ive heard anything. I tried to file an expedite and was denied before even given the chance to submit proof, then upon requesting an email address to state my claim, was denied again. Most contact was done over the phone so i cant really help u with much but i do have plenty of denial letters....seems like this is a big part of the process. I have so many unanswered questions...Why is it that one headquarter can process the applications so much faster then another...how is this possible?! Why is is that i go almost 3 months without any updates to my case and only 3 days each time to receive a denial letter to my requests?! Why does it seem like this process has no reguards for us as humans with emotions...its just about as heartbreaking as being apart from my love?! Thank you again for your efforts, i surely hope your voice is heard! I appreciate you!!

[KristinD 77]

Praying and sending good vibes for a week that doesn't make us all sad.

[KristinD 77]

Hi everyone,

Just got off the phone with Julia. She's reading over the docs I sent her and we're going to touch base and brainstorm on how to make this newsworthy and her angle if she can find one that's compelling enough for the times (she sympathizes with us and gets it but it's national so gotta make it work). As I figured making this about K1 is way too small so, she's looking at the processing times and also at visa journey. I will keep everyone up posted. Love

[yuna628 9,527]

Hi everyone,

Just got off the phone with Julia. She's reading over the docs I sent her and we're going to touch base and brainstorm on how to make this newsworthy and her angle if she can find one that's compelling enough for the times (she sympathizes with us and gets it but it's national so gotta make it work). As I figured making this about K1 is way too small so, she's looking at the processing times and also at visa journey. I will keep everyone up posted. Love

Thanks Kristin, every little bit helps somehow. If anything I would think highlighting what fiancé and spousal visa applicants have to go through would be good. Not just to show the horrible waiting times and inefficiency, but maybe even dispelling myths about the immigration process in general you know?

[Squamish 10]

Thanks Kristin! You are a bulldog in a good way!! I sure have learned a lot since I started this journey and am so grateful for Visa Journey and everything I have learned.

My fiancé is coming here to visit because we both know the way things are we will not see each other for months more. If our file along with the others that have been waiting

were sent to California (like they should have been) we would have had some hope we would be married soon. When I see how the new ones were routed to the CSC and are even now getting approval dates it makes me sad for the rest of us that are at TSC. Maybe something good will come out of all of this.

[DerekYolande82 4]

So i think this is wonderful that you stand on behalf of all of us just stagnantly waiting....this process is totally ridiculous (speaking for myself/fiancee) my case was received Feb 12 and this is the last ive heard anything. I tried to file an expedite and was denied before even given the chance to submit proof, then upon requesting an email address to state my claim, was denied again. Most contact was done over the phone so i cant really help u with much but i do have plenty of denial letters....seems like this is a big part of the process. I have so many unanswered questions...Why is it that one headquarter can process the applications so much faster then another...how is this possible?! Why is is that i go almost 3 months without any updates to my case and only 3 days each time to receive a denial letter to my requests?! Why does it seem like this process has no reguards for us as humans with emotions...its just about as heartbreaking as being apart from my love?! Thank you again for your efforts, i surely hope your voice is heard! I appreciate you!!

More than seven months later and yep still can't enquire on what's going on. So so unfair! Hope u guys don't wait this long!

[ILYSB 1]

I feel ur pain...im a newbie to vj so im just realizing how daunting this process can get..but we dig deep and continue to look ahead....hoping one day our happiness will be fulfilled! Hats off to all those that keep hope alive...the support helps;)

[Pennycat 880]

1. I-129fs have been delayed at various service centers for a long time, much longer than there was such a thing called DACA. It's now TSC that has delays. It used to be CSC and VSC (which stopped handling I-129fs).

2. USCIS created a service center in Arlington, VA to handle DACA matters and only DACA matters. TSC sometimes blames DACA for its slowness, but who knows how valid that is. ]

3. While DACA will increase the workload for USCIS, it will also increase its funding to afford more facilities and personnel. That's how USCIS was able to open up a new center in Arlington.

In other words, DACA is NOT the reason for TSC being so bad. Perhaps it has made some impact, but it is far from the sole or even biggest cause. TSC has slowly morphed into the awful service center that it is today.

Edited to add: best of luck to you on Monday OP! Wish I could help you out, but I was one of the "lucky ones" back in August that was transferred to CSC.

The Arlington service center was leased to deal with DAPA, which is the program that is currently stalled because of a court injunction. Not a single fee has been paid by DAPA applicants yet (because the program isn't in effect). DACA applicants did not pay fees above and beyond the work authorization, which is something that everyone pays for in addition to other USCIS filing fees. DACA did not have any other filing fees. USCIS is a 100% fee funded agency. Even though the program is stalled due to a court injunction, they are still paying the lease on the building. Where do you think that money is coming from? You can watch the Senate hearing regarding this issue here:

http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/meetings/oversight-of-us-citizenship-and-immigration-services-ensuring-agency-priorities-comply-with-the-law

[Pennycat 880]

You realize DACA applicants have to pay a fee right? $485/application? That's why I said it will increase USCIS' funds.

UCSIC link:

http://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/consideration-deferred-action-childhood-arrivals-daca

Everyone pays those fees. The $80 biometric and $380 work authorization. What most other immigrants *also* pay for is filing fees ($340 for an I-129f, for example), to offset the cost of someone looking at a petition to see if you qualify for a particular program *and then also* the $380 for the work authorization.

[KristinD 77]

The Arlington service center was leased to deal with DAPA, which is the program that is currently stalled because of a court injunction. Not a single fee has been paid by DAPA applicants yet (because the program isn't in effect). DACA applicants did not pay fees above and beyond the work authorization, which is something that everyone pays for in addition to other USCIS filing fees. DACA did not have any other filing fees. USCIS is a 100% fee funded agency. Even though the program is stalled due to a court injunction, they are still paying the lease on the building. Where do you think that money is coming from? You can watch the Senate hearing regarding this issue here:

http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/meetings/oversight-of-us-citizenship-and-immigration-services-ensuring-agency-priorities-comply-with-the-law

Thanks I forwarded

On a side note....I put in a general inquiry on my case April 27th. I now have the inquiry number and am waiting for the official notice in the mail. Let's see if it says anything hahahahahahaha I hope I get it soon so everyone can have a good laugh on Friday. It was shocking to see something show up on my file.

[usmsbow 795]

The Arlington service center was leased to deal with DAPA, which is the program that is currently stalled because of a court injunction. Not a single fee has been paid by DAPA applicants yet (because the program isn't in effect). DACA applicants did not pay fees above and beyond the work authorization, which is something that everyone pays for in addition to other USCIS filing fees. DACA did not have any other filing fees. USCIS is a 100% fee funded agency. Even though the program is stalled due to a court injunction, they are still paying the lease on the building. Where do you think that money is coming from? You can watch the Senate hearing regarding this issue here:

http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/meetings/oversight-of-us-citizenship-and-immigration-services-ensuring-agency-priorities-comply-with-the-law

Everyone pays those fees. The $80 biometric and $380 work authorization. What most other immigrants *also* pay for is filing fees ($340 for an I-129f, for example), to offset the cost of someone looking at a petition to see if you qualify for a particular program *and then also* the $380 for the work authorization.

1. Thank you for the correction on DAPA vs. DACA.

2. I'm aware of USCIS being funded 100% by fees. i have said as much numerous times, including on this thread. The person I was responding to was inferring that DACA cases did not pay any fees whatsoever.

[Pennycat 880]

1. Thank you for the correction on DAPA vs. DACA.

2. I'm aware of USCIS being funded 100% by fees. i have said as much numerous times, including on this thread. The person I was responding to was inferring that DACA cases did not pay any fees whatsoever.

I didn't read them has having said that (they did say "drain on the taxpayer" which to me I didn't connect with USCIS because USCIS has nothing to do with the taxpayer).

I think the issue is that some people (and I really have no opinion on this either way, just see the disconnect that exists in opinions) view the $485 for DACA as something that they ALSO pay as part of their immigration journey, in addition to their visa and interview fees etc. Now, DACA applicats don't need visas because they're already here. They don't pay the green card fee or fees for interviews associated with green cards because they're not getting green cards etc. But it is clear that folks are more than a little frustrated that people getting same-or-faster service and are paying less **overall** into the fee-dependent organization that is screwing them over.

The DAPA thing and the building in Crystal City....that's a whooooole other issue.

[Boiler 43,400]

Political considerations are often more significant than fairness.

[desi123 21]

Ok everyone. Here's my final push. I've done everything else I can think of to bring light to the topic of the fogotten K1 visas. I am meeting with the NY Times National Immigration Correspondant Monday. She already has our stories. Now we need to bombard her with the cold hard facts.

I need letters/ emails from TSC, from your congressmen, etc. (black out your names if wanted)

Touch points for our conversation:

• Processing time differences
• Denial of processing time difference
• Calling about case status
• Not being able to put in an inquiry
• Days you've been waiting
• TSC slow down since March 27
• Things they said when you've asked about your case

She has the letter on behalf of Pres. Obama to us and an email from the Senate Judiciary Comittee about the shock they were in when they did not transfer files. I will also share all of my correspondance with her and my emails back and forth with the Ombudsman. I look forward to including my response from TSC about my inquiry (though a Tier 2).

Love you guys! I don't think that an emotional angle will make her want to write a story. We need documentation. If you have scanned docs please send them to: helptscnow@gmail.com

Best,

Kristin

hi, have u met? Any updates ?