If you could change one thing about the immigration process, what would it be?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I would improve communications. A great deal of our frustration - which almost led to our breaking up just before our NOA2 for the K-1 - was caused by the big abyss of 'nothing' - no information, no response, no reliable information or feedback. Our application had vanished into a black hole. Through the whole process it was like that, punctuated by serious misinformation from the 'Help Line' as well as obvious 'end run' attempts by Help Line staff to prevent us ever talking to an actual knowledgeable immigration official.

The forms, the instructions and the correspondence are very poorly written so that the actual meanings are unclear and difficult to decipher. It is almost like they are afraid to put something in writing to try not to say anything definitive just in case they have to change their minds later but still have to send something written. There is a wide variety of letter and form content that really could be standardized to provide a clear response. The most recent email 'RFE' statement for the Removal of Conditions or Naturalization applications is a good example - they are not sending an RFE - they are sending an ASC appointment for biometrics. How difficult is it to programme a standard letter that says a biometrics appointment letter is on its way rather than a request for further evidence which you must provide and all processing is stopped until they get it back?

Sure, I would love it if the processing times were faster and the fees were less but a great deal of the frustration we experienced was due to the lack of or poor communications so that is the number one thing I would change.

Edited January 30, 2010 by Kathryn41

[trailmix 77]

I said better communication - between clients and USCIS/NVC and the consulate.

The consulate in Montreal doesn't take phone calls and about 50% of the time they will answer an email. The wait times for an interview are long and the reason given is 'understaffing'. Seems to me that the CO's job at a consulate would be one that government employees might want, the fact that they are understaffed indicates a problem at the consulate.

For Canadians it is very much a black hole. If you are asked to submit additional information it takes a month, minimum, to even hear back from them. Interviews are rarely given out much in advance.

When you are asked to submit more evidence, say for domicile - they will not tell you what they want, you can have a pile of evidence that has proven to be enough historically - they will reject that and say you haven't satisfied them that you are reestablishing domicile - send more proof - but no real specifics of what might satisfy that.

At least 2 U.S. citizens have been told they will need to relinquish their Canadian permanent residency in order to prove they are reestablishing domicile in the U.S. - where does a U.S. government official get the authority to ask a Canadian PR to relinquish this??

Which all goes back to communication. At least tell us why things are this way - then we can either choose to understand and go along with it, or insist, through our representatives, to have it changed.

/rant

[johnnybgood265 3]

I would like to see the USCIS employees attend some type of class before taking there positions. The class would be how to treat people with more respect,compassion and understanding. Also to quit messing with them over there medicals. If you already passed a complete physical then thats it. None of this ####### on going to get a civil surgeons OK. Because you have already done that stuff once. I feel its just another way the govt rips you off. Then they wonder why everyone hates to deal with them.

[sachinky 464]

I agree with Kathryn. The essentially five month wait between us sending in our petition and our NOA2 severely tested our relationship. I don't know if we would've made it through if we were going for a K-1 instead of a CR-1. The blackhole of USCIS is something that needs to be fixed.

[CDAgirlMI 51]

Having gone the K1 route, the thing I'd change (being in the position I'm in right now), would be:

Allow outside of U.S.A travel. Why can't I go back to Canada before I'm married/before AP?? It's months before K1's can travel.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Having gone the K1 route, the thing I'd change (being in the position I'm in right now), would be:

Allow outside of U.S.A travel. Why can't I go back to Canada before I'm married/before AP?? It's months before K1's can travel.

This would also benefit many other Canadians (such as those on TN-1 who marry USC's) who face the same difficulty.

[trailmix 77]

Having gone the K1 route, the thing I'd change (being in the position I'm in right now), would be:

Allow outside of U.S.A travel. Why can't I go back to Canada before I'm married/before AP?? It's months before K1's can travel.

That's a very good point - I have always found this to be extremely odd.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

I wouldn't change a thing, I think the process is good as is.

I can't decide if that is my answer or not. The whole reason I ended up going DCF (IR-1) in the first place was because I was so overwhelmed and annoyed with the K-1, AOS, ROC process I left the country. Germany was far, far less BS in that department. But the DCF was not a terrible experience? Hmm.

[sara..... 371]

i wish it had been multiple choice on the pole

I would change the amount of wait time for processing the initial petition.....and hold the service centers accountable for their black holes that they like to use

there should be real communication with the person filing the petition for the visa after all its our life we are talking about.....and it is unrealistic to make us wait so long with the way that acknowledgedly is now days it should not take freaken two years to give an noa2.......

embassies should be made to at the very least treat people with respect we are all human......being a potential immigrant

does not make anyone less of a person or the right for someone in a supposed respectful and superior position to treat someone from a third world country as less than human!

i will stop now i have a lot of ideas but.........as always politics and policy will not get anything done to really change our immigration system for the better.........

just my opinion

sara

[K and L 27]

I would double (at the very least) the minimum income required to satisfy the Affidavit of Support.

I think it's ridiculous that my graduate RA stipend meets the 125% income requirement, because I can tell you: even with my roommate, I am NOT living the high life over here. If I didn't have a summer job, I don't think I could support two people on my income.

ETA: And if my birth control would fail, it's a good thing *I* am the USC, because I would have to go on mean tested programs. I wouldn't have a choice.

Edited January 30, 2010 by K and L

[rin and john 71]

I can't decide if that is my answer or not. The whole reason I ended up going DCF (IR-1) in the first place was because I was so overwhelmed and annoyed with the K-1, AOS, ROC process I left the country. Germany was far, far less BS in that department. But the DCF was not a terrible experience? Hmm.

Pretty much in line with my earlier post; rather than the embassies just processing DCFs, have them do all applications (since they handle the lionshare of visas anyway). USCIS would only do the AOS (although with DCF that is done prior to US entry, as well)

[ScottThuy 140]

I would require that both parties attend all interviews... plain and simple... and online forms if I could choose 2 things

[DanielParul 50]

I want better communication between those filing and USCIS. Give us some people who can truly answer our questions! (besides lawyers)

[RebeccaAndPhil 5]

Maybe we could forward this thread to USCIS and it will motivate them to improve communications. Wouldn't that be nice

[Christi and Ian 24]

--E-Filing should be an option.

--Communication. They should be able to update you with up-to-date information and tell you where you are in the process instead feeding you the generic lines.

--2 months MAX. to approve the initial petition.

--Actually, dump the CR-1s and K-1, altogether. Allow spouses/fiancees to secure a B-2 tourist visa based on evidence of relationship/bonafide marriage at the interview to enter the U.S. and then file for AOS.

--Cheaper forms.