Texas service center processing time 2015

[stef_curls 42]

UPDATE

Kristin came up with another idea today of how we can continue to get the word out regarding the gross discrepancy in processing times between CSC and TSC. She filed a complaint with the Dept of Homeland Security (DHS) through their public affairs/Office of the Inspector General (OIG). They have an online form and you can remain anonymous if you want. Our idea is to bombard the DHS OIG with complaints regarding the same issue, which is the processing times difference between the TSC and CSC. All of us in the Skunkworks have submitted a complaint via this online form and we're requesting that all of you do the same, if willing. The point being that the more complaints they receive, then maybe someone will actually take a look. As per normal, we don't expect much from this venture, but it is definitely worth a try. The link is:

http://www.oig.dhs.g...id=1&Itemid=133

They limit the complaint to 4000 characters and no attachments. When completing the form, if you want to remain anonymous, don't enter any of your personal information and click the remain-anonymous check-box at the bottom of the page. In addition, we chose miscellaneous and management from the respective drop-down boxes when completing the form. Finally, here are two examples:

The USCIS has allowed a petition processing time imbalance to develop for the Petition for Alien Fiance, form I-129F. They have taken no action to correct the problem. This petition is processed in two service centers, the California (CSC) and Texas (TSC) service centers respectively. Currently the CSC processes the I-129F petition in approximately 21 days whereas the TSC processes it in approximately 205 days. This creates a significant advantage for petitioners whose packet is routed to the CSC. The routing procedure is based on the petitioner's state of residence. Although there will always be some time difference between processing centers, this difference has been allowed to become excessive and unfair to those who file the petition, as the application fee remains the same regardless of which service center processes the petition. The USCIS has mismanaged the workload for this petition severely. Despite direct reports of the existence of such a processing times discrepancy and repeated requests for corrective action to be taken, the USCIS has not only refused to take such action, they have repudiated the very existence of the processing times imbalance completely.

----------------------------

I am writing to you on the issue of the current processing times between the two service centers of California and Texas for I-129F (Fiance) petitions. I am the petitioner, living in Rhode Island, so my I-129F was sent to Texas Service Center for processing, received 11/18/14, so I am well within the "current processing times," and I am NOT asking for an inquiry into my specific case.

My apologies if this is the incorrect avenue to pursue this issue, if so I would deeply appreciate information for who I should be contacting.

The problem is that California and Texas are currently processing (approving) these petitions at a rate of 1:8. I have spoken to filers in California that have filed long after me who have received their second notice of action and their beneficiaries are well on their way and scheduling medicals and interviews. One California filer I spoke to who had her first Notice of Action also in November just had her interview and final visa approval. I, on the other hand, and facing a wait of *at least* 4-5 more months, barring any additional delays at Texas Service Center.

An average of ~21 days (California) vs ~203 days (Texas) for these petitions is *absolutely unacceptable*.

For a visual of where these numbers and data are coming from, please look to the second set of charts at this link (Where it says “Step 2: I-129F Processing Time at Service Centers --> I-129F NOA1 to NOA2 (Approval) Time”):

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1historical

Visajourney.com is a popular resource for all immigration processes, and forum members enter their data into a timeline system, which produces these graphs. The members of this forum have no incentive to lie or provide false information, as they are volunteering to come to this site and add their data and also look to it as a source of knowledge.

Our end goal is to not only figure out WHY there is such a large discrepancy, but to *rebalance the two service centers*, whatever the solution may be.

I and several others have attempted to address USCIS directly, or through our Senators and Congressman, and we have all received the same canned answer. "They" refuse to address that this problem even exists, and often just defer us back to their "official processing times," which obviously do not reflect the large difference you see in the graphs above. However, the data does not lie.

Your time is greatly appreciated, thank you for reading.

Feel free to copy-n-paste or enter whatever you want.

Edited February 19, 2015 by stef_curls

[TabeaK 516]

Done.

[rob999 51]

So I took data from Igor's list to see how many forms TSC is processing in a week as I read some people were asking. I removed any forms that were processed in less than 100 days to eliminate expedited and confused CSC.

So the data shows the first date of the week since mid august last year, second column is average length for people who received their NOA 2's that week and third column is how many forms TSC processed that week.

Clearly shows good evidence in TSC getting slower (unfortunately). Did someone say that there was a transfer around August/September last year?

I can't work out how to add the picture as it wont show up in My media, hopefully this link will work

http://www.visajourney.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=36772&fullsize=1

[Wooderz 314]

Interesting data Rob. Yes, there was a transfer in early August and from what I could tell, those people were largely approved within about a month or 6 weeks. My guess is that uptick you see in September are the transfers being approved but still show as TSC on Igors list bc of the way the timelines list transfers as a separate field. I see people confuse lockbox with TSC and have TSC and then transferred to CSC erroneously come up in the TSC igors list all the time.

[CharlieTanger 76]

Do you think that many RFE's have to do with the slower times of the TSC? Also, the TSC has the larger cities to handle as well.

So do you think if you don't have RFE's it's processed quicker (or even a little quicker)?

[TabeaK 516]

About 2-4 weeks quicker usually, yes.

Though, cynically speaking, some TSC filers get RFEs for documents that were already submitted - either they have lost them or the RFE buys time.

[Bridget102579 0]

I received my Noa1 on July 22, so around 7 months ago. I called USCIS customer service today and was told the TSC had updated their information on February 11th, and that as of right now USCIS is still processing cases from the end of June 2014 so "maybe" I will have some movement on my case in around a month if there wasn't a high volume of petitioners in July. It's very difficult to wait. I feel for everyone in these forums who are waiting. I see people who have children and cannot have intact families and people who are maintaining households without their loved ones waiting for these petitions to be processed. So the answer I got today was that TSC is estimating around an 8 month processing period.

[Gill&Grant 5]

Hey Guys,

This is my first post here! I received NAO1 in October the dreaded TSC address is on it as my fiancées state is MD I assume we are Texas? When I check my uscis status it just says received.....I feel I have no information or no clue of when to expect NAO2! How do you know if you are one of the lucky ones transferred to CSC.....is it true Vermont S C is gone.....is it just TSC and CSC now?

Sorry too many questions any advice would be so appreciated!

[yuna628 9,528]

Hey Guys,

This is my first post here! I received NAO1 in October the dreaded TSC address is on it as my fiancées state is MD I assume we are Texas? When I check my uscis status it just says received.....I feel I have no information or no clue of when to expect NAO2! How do you know if you are one of the lucky ones transferred to CSC.....is it true Vermont S C is gone.....is it just TSC and CSC now?

Sorry too many questions any advice would be so appreciated!

Hi there, yes indeed you will be at Texas Service Center. The service center you are sent to is based upon the state you live in. TSC handles the east/south and CSC handles middle/west. As a fellow October filer you can probably expect that your NOA2 may come sometime in May/June. At the very earliest late April, but I wouldn't count on it at all. Always plan for the long haul, and be surprised if it comes sooner.

[Gill&Grant 5]

Well it is nice to find another October Filer inBaltimore!! .....but that is really crappy news! Is there any thing I should be doing right now to save time later?

[Wooderz 314]

Well it is nice to find another October Filer inBaltimore!! .....but that is really crappy news! Is there any thing I should be doing right now to save time later?

Come join us on this thread http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/523533-october-2014-filers-texas-service-center/page-21

The best way to figure out what's going on status-wise with TSC is by checking the monthly TSC only threads in the k-1 progress forum.

While you wait for noa2, the beneficiary can look into gathering their required docs. For example, my fiancé has ordered copies of his birth certificate and is going to get the shots soon. And then he will get his police certificate (it's good for a year for the London embassy but other emabssies may have different rules).

Check your regional subforum to see if they have a guide for your embassy that might tell you what you are able to do while you're waiting for noa2.

[LEL 20]

Was TSC closed today due to the bad weather?

[Gill&Grant 5]

Thank you...that's really helpful .......I feel a bit hopeless as it's only been 4 months....so I am going to go ahead and start preparing the post NAO 2 docs now to save time down the line! it's all we can do I guess

[pmanltd86 0]

I don't post that often and was pretty frustrated with all the TSC posts and length of processing time. However, in some magic world, my I-130 was approved today (NOA1 was November 12, 2014). Not sure if I was a lucky case, but I'm just posting to let all of you know to keep having faith, maybe there's a turn occurring at the TSC!

[yuna628 9,528]

I don't post that often and was pretty frustrated with all the TSC posts and length of processing time. However, in some magic world, my I-130 was approved today (NOA1 was November 12, 2014). Not sure if I was a lucky case, but I'm just posting to let all of you know to keep having faith, maybe there's a turn occurring at the TSC!

Just to clarify here, you filed an I-130 or a K1 fiancé visa? Two different things...