Senators listen to registered voters

[EnZ 0]

To All:

I know that I just joined this website and started the K-1 process a few weeks ago while many of you have been dealing with this process for years but as an online community we can make a change. What I propose is we pick a day and we all call our respective congress people and senators and tell them, as registered voters, we are very concerned about the state of the USCIS’ processing times. I do not claim to be a political organizer or any sort of leader but just a guy who wants to be with the woman he loves. A very wise person just recently told me that “change usually happens from the ground up”. We as an online community have the ability to create a foundation for change. I have been doing research and there are numerous organizations out there that have the same goal as all of us, and I think a massive influx of telephone calls, emails and letters would really get the governments attention. These people are elected by us for us. Let’s tell them how we feel.

I just wanted to throw this idea out there; if I get enough positive responses from people then I will try to formulate a plan to get this message to all interested parties and then move forward. All input and ideas are welcome. Please feel free to PM with any questions or comments.

Respectfully,

Eric

Just for reference here is a letter from numerous groups who are just as concerned as we are about the processing times as the USCIS.

http://www.aila.org/content/default.aspx?docid=24331

[SnowyTater 0]

Okay..

I'm gonna open my big mouth again

I'm definately a newbie here too, and know very little about the entire process. I know very little about how long it used to take to process a person through the immigration gates compared to how long it takes now. I don't know anything at all about how necessary it is for it to take this long, why it does, what sort of funding goes into the system, etc.

I DO think it really sucks that everyone filing through the California Service Center have to wait longer, and if it's true that they've just come to a dead standstill then yeh, that's really bad, need to do something about that. And it would be cool if there were any feasible way for it to be more predictable how long it'll take, from day of sending the I-129 to day of getting visa in hand, so people can plan their lives more freely. I don't really know if there's a feasible way to do even that, though, what with everyone's case being very different.

Here's the thing. I don't really think it's that bad to have to wait six to nine months, I guess is the average, to be with the one you love. Don't get me wrong, it's hard, I know it's hard, I've been commuting back and forth with the guy I love for years, and we get to see each other twice a year. My point is that I'll gladly wait that long or however long it takes to be with him and to be able to marry him. I understand there have to immigration rules and policies and securities that take time like this. I'm perfectly OK with waiting all these months or years because I know how strong we are as a couple.

Personally, I'm glad it's a bit hard to get a fiance into the country. I think one of the guides on the site said that almost all, over 90% of the petitioners, do successfully get their fiance in. That's pretty amazing, I think, and I'm really glad that I don't have to worry about us being rejected and us having to find some way to live together. I'm glad it's harder to go through the process and that the process is this long, though, because I don't really want just anybody and everybody that starts up a 'fling' to be able to come into the country no problems, stay a few months until a break up, leave again, whatever, etc. I guess that might cause stability problems for the country, I don't know. I think maybe the government thinks the same way. Maybe the entire process is long and difficult on purpose; maybe the government wants to weed out the couples that think they're in love and think they're committed, but then don't even consider themselves worth all this hassle. That doesn't seem like too awful of a thing to me. Imagine how you'd feel if you gave up your citizenship somewhere, uprooted your whole life to move here, and then found out the whole thing was really just a whim and that you've really, really messed up.

I'll wait in line like everybody else, I'm okay with it. Maybe it used to be tons better but I don't know, as many problems as we have federally right now, I wouldn't prioritize this one.

If there's anybody reading that has been waiting an extremely long time, or is dealing with an embassy that makes it particularly hard for you to get over here, anything like that, I'm not talking about you. I think your cases should be improved, yes, it should be fair for everybody. I just mean the on-average six to nine months isn't that bad.

[bakofoil 27]

I agree, for the most part, with what you've said Snowy. I definitely don't think it should be easy to obtain a fiance visa for all the reasons you outlined. When we embarked on this process we anticipated that it would take six to nine months to complete. Less if we were lucky. We were and are fine with that timescale. However, I really don't think luck should be the determining factor in whether a case takes six to nine months or three to six months.

It is difficult to remain relaxed about the progress of your petition when you observe others waiting eight or more months - as is the case with a clutch of May filers who fear their petitions are irretrievably lost somewhere in the VSC system as they watch September filers being approved before them.

For those of us more fortunate I can tell you that as the six month mark approaches your nerves become frazzled as a result of witnessing those who filed around your received date being approved. You begin to fear the worst - that your petition will be one of the unlucky ones that gets left behind as everyone else moves forward. I am starting to believe that calling USCIS does little good except to generate touches on your case that are meaningless but give you something to hopefully cling on to as evidence your petition is where it should be i.e. on an adjudicators desk or as near as dammit.

For me the main bones of contention with USCIS are the differing rates of approval at the two service centers, lack of meaningful and comprehensive information about processing dates and inconsistency in approving petitions by received date.

I am more than happy to wait in line, as long as I feel assured I am where I should be in line (within reason) and there is more detailed information on USCIS processing dates for all petitions. It would be far easier to sit tight and wait patiently to be with my SO if didn't fear becoming one of the unlucky ones who have no end in sight.

Edited January 19, 2008 by babblesgirl

[DavidSimona 0]

Nice words both of you, but my question is this...do you think the government gives a #### about this kind of problem? The war, the economy...etc etc.

We might as well blame this on 911 in my opinion. In the past a fiance visa was the quickest way possible to come over...now everything has changed.

I have made 4 trips to Europe in 6 months to be with my love and you know I have more problems with passport control here than anywhere.

It's a damn shame. You have to be strong in this process and with some help from above the light will come.

Best wishes

[kaush 0]

For me the main bones of contention with USCIS are the differing rates of approval at the two service centers, lack of meaningful and comprehensive information about processing dates and inconsistency in approving petitions by received date.

Ditto for me.

I do think calling some Congressmen helps over others. If nothing, calling the Congressman atleast gets attention to your petition and brings it up from a pile of hundreds of other petitions. That is IF the Congressman did anything at all. One has to wonder if USCIS would ever clean its act up? Maybe short term if there was a large influx of complaints but then they will get back to their old habits.

Edited January 19, 2008 by kaush

[Jesse and Hema 2]

I agree, for the most part, with what you've said Snowy. I definitely don't think it should be easy to obtain a fiance visa for all the reasons you outlined. When we embarked on this process we anticipated that it would take six to nine months to complete. Less if we were lucky. We were and are fine with that timescale. However, I really don't think luck should be the determining factor in whether a case takes six to nine months or three to six months.

It is difficult to remain relaxed about the progress of your petition when you observe others waiting eight or more months - as is the case with a clutch of May filers who fear their petitions are irretrievably lost somewhere in the VSC system as they watch September filers being approved before them.

For those of us more fortunate I can tell you that as the six month mark approaches your nerves become frazzled as a result of witnessing those who filed around your received date being approved. You begin to fear the worst - that your petition will be one of the unlucky ones that gets left behind as everyone else moves forward. I am starting to believe that calling USCIS does little good except to generate touches on your case that are meaningless but give you something to hopefully cling on to as evidence your petition is where it should be i.e. on an adjudicators desk or as near as dammit.

For me the main bones of contention with USCIS are the differing rates of approval at the two service centers, lack of meaningful and comprehensive information about processing dates and inconsistency in approving petitions by received date.

I am more than happy to wait in line, as long as I feel assured I am where I should be in line (within reason) and there is more detailed information on USCIS processing dates for all petitions. It would be far easier to sit tight and wait patiently to be with my SO if didn't fear becoming one of the unlucky ones who have no end in sight.

Agreed... The issue isn't with the long waits, but the unfair nature of the process.

It would be interesting if we could somehow know the real cause behind some of the case delays. For instance, is it just stuck in some random crate and forgotten for a month or two? I doubt they are THAT negligent. Maybe they are trying to verify some of the information presented in the packet presented. Divorce decrees, for example, might take a while for them to check as legitimate, and that particular case would just get shoved back in the queue as I'd expect. My case seemed to be one of the quicker ones through, but then again, my case was as simple as it possibly could be. Some delays for more complex cases is normal, but not 4/5 month differences, I wouldn't think.

I'm rambling, but given the circumstances, they aren't doing THAT bad at handling the filing rush! Any system that gets a demand overload will experience bottlenecks and efficiency randomness....

[bakofoil 27]

You know this problem has a more far-reaching effect than fiance visas. What about the people who have already entered the country who are waiting for permission to work. Those who are waiting to vote.

[Jesse and Hema 2]

You know this problem has a more far-reaching effect than fiance visas. What about the people who have already entered the country who are waiting for permission to work. Those who are waiting to vote.

Well, why can't we just eliminate some of the requirements? For instance, why can't any person who entered the U.S. legally automatically have the ability to work? And why can't a K-1 be a multiple entry visa? (not facetious, I'm literally asking)

[bakofoil 27]

Well, why can't we just eliminate some of the requirements? For instance, why can't any person who entered the U.S. legally automatically have the ability to work? And why can't a K-1 be a multiple entry visa? (not facetious, I'm literally asking)

No facetiousness detected. Totally agree with you.

Also agree with your previous point that considering the massive influx of applications in July last year both service centers have approved the majority of petitions within the stated six months. I'm not concerned about time so much as some untidiness of the system.

[greeneyedgirlfl 0]

I really don't understand why the fees were increased so dramatically, but the workforce handling the process hasn't expanded proportionally...

I have an extremely easy case (no previous marriages, no children, no arrests). However, it scares me that because my fiance has a fairly common first and last name, it might be an extended amount of time for our application to be approved...

[bakofoil 27]

I really don't understand why the fees were increased so dramatically, but the workforce handling the process hasn't expanded proportionally...

I have an extremely easy case (no previous marriages, no children, no arrests). However, it scares me that because my fiance has a fairly common first and last name, it might be an extended amount of time for our application to be approved...

There was a report I read yesterday (sorry, for the life of me I can't find the link) but it referred to the fact that the FBI have been overwhelmed by name checks since 9/11 and simply haven't got the workforce to deal with the demand posed by immigration applications. I would like to think that some revenue could be directed towards improving the speed at which these are handled rather than reducing the overall approval time for fiance visa applications (since the majority are, as Jesse G said, being approved within six months).

I hope you don't suffer any extended delays as a result.

[ChrisB0707 4]

Nice words both of you, but my question is this...do you think the government gives a #### about this kind of problem? The war, the economy...etc etc.

We might as well blame this on 911 in my opinion. In the past a fiance visa was the quickest way possible to come over...now everything has changed.

I have made 4 trips to Europe in 6 months to be with my love and you know I have more problems with passport control here than anywhere.

It's a damn shame. You have to be strong in this process and with some help from above the light will come.

Best wishes

I agree 100%. They dont give a s--t about the feelings we have for others. They get in office and dont care about anything. The current president is an A-hole and stupid as a rock. The US spends so much money on other countries and our own country has to suffer so much. The American dollar is at its lowest in many years. The first time in 50 years the Canada dollar was worth more then the US dollar. My point is if they cant fix things like this then they wont care about little people like us. It would be great if we could get lots of people to call. People from Cuba touch US soil and they get to stay. People from Mexiaco get sent back if they come, just need to find a safe and better way for everyone. They rates for so many forms went up so much in July and they say they hired 1000's of people to help make the process faster but the interview date I have in VJ has had about 3 weeks time added to it in just about a week or so. Goodluck everyone

[chuck_n_rose 0]

It is a good idea, but you are wasting your time and energy. Count me out. By the time you see any action through all the red tape, you will have your approval and won't care after that. IGM (I got mine) will be your only care. This process has been taking long periods way before we filed. Look back at old timelines and you will there is consistency in the length of time it takes. It is only because of the fee increase that it is taking so long right now. If we were all with VSC nobody would even be talking about the topic. Good Luck to you if you move forward. You might be better to have them post more accurate info about the hold up for cases.

[SnowyTater 0]

How much have the rates gone up, anyway, anybody know? It is pretty bad...and doesn't make sense to me at all, like babblesgirl said, that the beneficiaries can't go to work as soon as they're in. They make all this hooplah about not letting anyone go onto welfare or anything like that, and all the negative portrayals of immigrants being lazy or not working or poor or whatever else - I mean...what do they expect to happen if you can't work? We were gonna do the temporary authorization to work (REA?) but it's $300 + and takes weeks or months to go through, when you have to be married in 3, so why bother? Just get hitched right away.

I thank God for this site because I would have been lost without it. I think the directions on the government sites are really lacking...but I still can't blame the processors in the offices. I don't know. I work part-time in a really busy office, and it's terrifying and looks so chaotic and disorganized, but after awhile you find out that people really know their stuff and that somehow the chaos is the most efficient way. I imagine it's kind of like that in the Centers.

At least we're not trying to emigrate OUT of the US. We considered me moving to the UK for awhile. But reading into that, it seemed like Uncle Sam will seriously be out to barbeque your a$$ on that one.

[bakofoil 27]

How much have the rates gone up, anyway, anybody know? It is pretty bad...and doesn't make sense to me at all, like babblesgirl said, that the beneficiaries can't go to work as soon as they're in. They make all this hooplah about not letting anyone go onto welfare or anything like that, and all the negative portrayals of immigrants being lazy or not working or poor or whatever else - I mean...what do they expect to happen if you can't work? We were gonna do the temporary authorization to work (REA?) but it's $300 + and takes weeks or months to go through, when you have to be married in 3, so why bother? Just get hitched right away.

I thank God for this site because I would have been lost without it. I think the directions on the government sites are really lacking...but I still can't blame the processors in the offices. I don't know. I work part-time in a really busy office, and it's terrifying and looks so chaotic and disorganized, but after awhile you find out that people really know their stuff and that somehow the chaos is the most efficient way. I imagine it's kind of like that in the Centers.

At least we're not trying to emigrate OUT of the US. We considered me moving to the UK for awhile. But reading into that, it seemed like Uncle Sam will seriously be out to barbeque your a$$ on that one.

I only know the rate for the fiance visa - it went up from $170 to $455 at the end of July last year. Totally agree with your sentiments about the work issue, seems utterly nonsensical to me that they can't make at least a temporary work provision for everyone when they issue the visa.

I also agree with Chuck. Approval times are constantly fluctuating and it's not just now that people are experiencing delays. I have to ask myself the question - if my petition had been approved 2 months ago at VSC would I even have noticed this thread?

We all want to be with our loved ones as soon as possible. Six months to NOA2 isn't bad at all. What is bad is the inconsistency and then the worries caused by a distinct lack of information and lengthy delays on name checks and EAD documents. Problems not just confined to the K1/K3 visa petitions. Those parts could be improved and would be valid areas to bring to the attention of congress. Telling your congress official in the early stages of filing that you *might* have to wait six months or longer isn't going to convince them of any hardship.

Edited January 19, 2008 by babblesgirl