Senator/Congressman

[classicrock68 0]

Dear VJers:

Seem to recall some postings here about calling your Senator's office/Congressman to call USCIS on your behalf. It may not make much of a difference. I may get a touch out of it, if anything. Anyway, with the elections next week, they may lend me an ear (or two if I get lucky..kidding). I was wondering if I should call the Senator or the Congressman. I am in North Carolina. Has anyone gotten in touch with their congressman/Senator in NC and can provide any tips/words of wisdom?

Thanks

[villaspurs 65]

Dear VJers:

Seem to recall some postings here about calling your Senator's office/Congressman to call USCIS on your behalf. It may not make much of a difference. I may get a touch out of it, if anything. Anyway, with the elections next week, they may lend me an ear (or two if I get lucky..kidding). I was wondering if I should call the Senator or the Congressman. I am in North Carolina. Has anyone gotten in touch with their congressman/Senator in NC and can provide any tips/words of wisdom?

Thanks

Congressional inquiries used to be meaningful--at least they were when a former adjudicator posted on here (Husker Kiev). Nowadays, however, it doesn't work--they can't do anything until you're out of the processing time posted on USCIS's website. They might be able to move things along once you get to the embassy, however!

[spookyturtle 9,466]

You just applied in September. You are still within normal processing times.

[Alli and Léo 0]

I have seen some on VJ that have gotten lucky because they had a senator or congressman with a lot of pull...like Senator Clinton. You should really weight until you reach the 6 month mark which is when congressmen can actually have an impact on USCIS but you never know when you will get a congressman with a lot of pull so it may not hurt to try once before your 6 month mark. In a fair system however it should not matter which congressmen you use and everyone would have to wait for the which ever month mark (FIFO). Anyways, when you do contact your congressmen or senators...the system is very similar no matter which state you are in. You can go online and download a consent form or privacy release form. You must fill this out before your congressmen can assist you. No need to write a long letter. There will be space on the form to explain your problem...the fewer words the better. It is also good to include a cover sheet and copies of your NOA1s. They will need your receipt numbers. I find that I like to fax the pages to the offices because I know that everything arrives that same day. If you do not hear anything...then make some phone calls. You have 2 Senators and 1 Congressman for your district. I would contact all 3 because some choose not to help. Good Luck.

Edited October 31, 2008 by Alli and Léo

[KimandRuss 0]

It's considered unethical for them to help you before your case has gone over the estimated processing time so most will only tell you to call/write when you have waited longer than you should be. Even then, many still do very little.

Not to mention it may not help your popularity here.

[sara..... 371]

after u have passed the six month wait u can contact ur congressman and senators.......but unless u have one that is really pushy prolly will only earn u a touch and a letter sent back to them from ur service center its about all they can do is ask.......i have heard that once it reachs the embassy stage that they can be more useful to u......at this point they can only inquire.....good luck

sara

[Alli and Léo 0]

Well, I'm not here to win a popularity contest...only here for the knowledge...to learn about the process and help others if I can. I admit that I am certainly not perfect so I do my best not to judge others. We don't always everyones unique situation. Some have special needs and are therefore looking for assistance in expiditing the prcoess because of these needs. I am not saying that this is that situation...only try to give the facts. Some get pushed to the front...it has happened. Others might get pushed to the front...it's a possibility. But everyone where applicable should be applied to the First In First Out process (wish it would always happen). It is always important to proceed ethically. However, if one is set on contacting a congressman...they will find a way with or without our help...why not post the info so that others in need can also benefit? We are as a support group not to judge. An it does hurt to become familiar with your congressmen now because it benefits to know exactly who in the office you will need to correspond with and how to proceed so that when the appropriate times comes (whenever that might be) you can do so. I only state the past events...because every case is different and everyone's needs are different. I like to keep an open mind.

Sorry if my comments offended anyone...only here cause I want to help and be helped.

[Brad and Vika 129]

I was in touch with a Congressional Aide when the six months was put out there by USCIS. That was the reason for the inquiry, and they were told to call back after six months, among other things. Congressional calls won't speed things up usually, but they can provide some reassurance that the process is moving and that the file hasn't vanished or anything. I was glad that the call was made for me.

[MLD 0]

Yeah, I think most folks have it correct on this posting. You can contact your congressman/senator but there's nothing they can do or will do until you're outside processing times posted on the website. Once it gets past those processing times (believe me I know how that feels..!), they can help. I got the most help from my Congressman.

[cdneh 3,112]

It's considered unethical for them to help you before your case has gone over the estimated processing time so most will only tell you to call/write when you have waited longer than you should be. Even then, many still do very little.

Not to mention it may not help your popularity here.

All good advice. You haven't even been waiting for two months yet.

You won't be out of processing times for nearly four and a half months .

[PlatyPius 5]

Give them a call once it's been over 9 months. Then maybe they - and I - will feel sorry for you.

[coyote 3]

Dear VJers:

Seem to recall some postings here about calling your Senator's office/Congressman to call USCIS on your behalf. It may not make much of a difference. I may get a touch out of it, if anything. Anyway, with the elections next week, they may lend me an ear (or two if I get lucky..kidding). I was wondering if I should call the Senator or the Congressman. I am in North Carolina. Has anyone gotten in touch with their congressman/Senator in NC and can provide any tips/words of wisdom?

Thanks

I am convinced that it helps and I've been told that it does by congressional staff. It may not get your petition approved in six weeks, but my experience has been that it does move it along. I didn't start working with congressional staff until we were pretty far along, almost 4 months, but we did get approval a month later. Sorry, but don't know the congresspeople from North Carolina. I would choose one who has a good record on immigration -- and a responsive and reliable staff person. I also think I might wait until after the election, since you may be looking at some changes in representation.

In general, they say pick your pony -- in other words, choose the representative who will follow the case through. But if you're not happy with the service you're receiving as a constituent, then you can go elsewhere.

[rocks 494]

Give them a call once it's been over 9 months. Then maybe they - and I - will feel sorry for you.

exactly. we waited 5 months for ours, why should anyone else not have to wait the same amount of time?