Tips on Letter to a congressman

[ANDRES_MARINEL 0]

Does anyone know any tips any idea on how to write either an email or what to say to your state or city representative? I want to contact my state representative and Im not sure what to say or how to write them a letter to see if the can help me.

If anyone who have written a letter before to his/her representative if you have an example please add it to this messege, any ideas on what to put in the letter. VJP please help me out.

THanks

[iceyspots 0]

Does anyone know any tips any idea on how to write either an email or what to say to your state or city representative? I want to contact my state representative and Im not sure what to say or how to write them a letter to see if the can help me.

If anyone who have written a letter before to his/her representative if you have an example please add it to this messege, any ideas on what to put in the letter. VJP please help me out.

THanks

I've found that the best way is to find their website, and write a detailed email explaining what happend.

Make sure you start off politely, and include all the neccesary information about your case. Dont automatically assume they know what "RFE" is. write it out as request for further evidence. Explain it in a timeline fashion.

Explain any contact that you've already had with your service center. Make sure you explain how you want the situation resolved.

Inlcude information like Recieved Dates, Notice Dates, RFE dates, and touches. Good luck

[mrc 0]

I don't know...if you're thinking of writing them a letter to complain about the amount of time you've had to wait for a petition approval, you may want to think again. I'm pretty sure they'd probably tell you to "pound sand" since you've only been waiting less than two months, at this point.

Just my thoughts...

[ANDRES_MARINEL 0]

Does anyone know any tips any idea on how to write either an email or what to say to your state or city representative? I want to contact my state representative and Im not sure what to say or how to write them a letter to see if the can help me.

If anyone who have written a letter before to his/her representative if you have an example please add it to this messege, any ideas on what to put in the letter. VJP please help me out.

THanks

I've found that the best way is to find their website, and write a detailed email explaining what happend.

Make sure you start off politely, and include all the neccesary information about your case. Dont automatically assume they know what "RFE" is. write it out as request for further evidence. Explain it in a timeline fashion.

Explain any contact that you've already had with your service center. Make sure you explain how you want the situation resolved.

Inlcude information like Recieved Dates, Notice Dates, RFE dates, and touches. Good luck

Thanks I appreciate your help

I don't know...if you're thinking of writing them a letter to complain about the amount of time you've had to wait for a petition approval, you may want to think again. I'm pretty sure they'd probably tell you to "pound sand" since you've only been waiting less than two months, at this point.

Just my thoughts...

It does not matter how long you've waiting for your got damn NOA2 if you see there are people up there who have been approved already but what i want is to write something where everybody would get a little bit of help not just me.

[iceyspots 0]

andres, I'd wait a little bit if you are planning on trying to get a congressional inquiry on NOA2 dates.

I've been waiting since March and I didn't contact my congressperson until this month.

[luv2teach77 41]

This is the letter I sent to my governor regarding the wait I had to endure for my EAD....

Mr. Shimkus,

I am writing to you in connection with two ongoing applications I have filed with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service. In particular, I would greatly appreciate it if your office could look into the status of the I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (EAD) which I submitted at the end of May, 2005. Below I have outlined the details of my case.

On March 11th 2005 I entered the US on a K-1 Fiance Visa which had been issued by the US Embassy in London, UK at the end of February 2005. At the end of April, in accordance with the conditions of my K-1 visa, I was married. I then set about putting together two applications which were sent to the USCIS District Office in Chicago. The first was the forms and supporting documents for an I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (AOS). The second was the forms and supporting documents for an I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (EAD). Both applications were mailed on May 24th and the USCIS mailed me two I-797C notices of action which I received on June 18th, stating that both applications had been received. The notices of action (NOA) for both the I-485 and I-765 asked me to arrange a Biometrics appointment at my local USCIS office in St. Louis. I did as instructed and attended a Biometrics appointment on July 26th. The online case status for my I-765 application stated a projected processing timeline of between 30 and 90 days.

On July 21st, I received a letter from the USCIS, requesting additional evidence in the form of a Vaccination Supplement (Form I-693). According to the letter, this request was associated with my I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status as no mention was made of my I-765 Application for Employment Authorization. I returned the completed vaccination supplement to the Missouri Service Center (Otherwise known as the National Benefits Center) on July 28th, 2005 and received and online case update on August 3rd that the requested document had been received and that processing would resume on this application. Since August 3rd, I have had no word on the progress of either of these applications.

On September 7th 2005, I arranged an INFOPASS appointment at my local USCIS office in St. Louis for September 16th in the hope that I would be able to successfully request an Interim Employment Authorization Document. September 16th would be 92 days since receiving an NOA for my I-765 application. I had checked on the USCIS website about the conditions under which an Interim EAD could be issued and found the following information at http://uscis.gov/text/howdoi/ead.htm …

“What is an Employment Authorization Document?

U.S. employers must check to make sure all employees, regardless of citizenship or national origin, are allowed to work in the United States. If you are not a citizen or a lawful permanent resident, you may need to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to prove you may work in the United States.

USCIS issues Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) in the following categories:

• EAD: This document proves you are allowed to work in the United States.

• Renewal EAD: You should apply for a renewal EAD six months before your original EAD expires.

• Replacement EAD: This document replaces a lost, stolen, or mutilated EAD. A replacement EAD also replaces an EAD that was issued with incorrect information, such as a misspelled name.

• Interim EAD: If USCIS does not approve or deny your EAD application within 90 days (within 30 days for an asylum applicant; note: asylum applicants are eligible to file for EADs only after waiting 150 days from the date they filed their properly completed original asylum applications), you may request an interim EAD document. “

Also further down the same page on the USCIS website I found the following…

“If USCIS does not approve or deny your Employment Authorization Document application within 90 days (within 30 days for an asylum applicant; note: asylum applicants are eligible to file for EADs only after waiting 150 days from the date they filed their properly completed original asylum applications), you may request an interim Employment Authorization Document. You must go to your local USCIS office and bring with you proof of your identity and any documents that USCIS has sent you about your employment authorization application. Please click here for more information on USCIS field offices.”

I attended my INFOPASS appointment on September 16th, bringing with me the I-797C notice of action issued in connection with my I-765 Application and my passport and state ID. When I explained to the woman answering questions that it was now 92 days since receiving an NOA for my I-765 application and that I would like to request an Interim EAD, I was told that she couldn’t do anything because “The 90 day count after which an Interim EAD can be issued doesn’t start until the date that your Biometrics were completed”. There is no mention of this requirement on either the USCIS website or the online case status that gives the projected processing time for the application. When I showed her printouts of the webpage that I’ve quoted above, I was told that an I-765 application is not considered complete until Biometrics have been completed. Again, there is no mention of this condition on any of the documentation available from the USCIS.

I would have been happy to go home and wait, potentially until October 24th, for the new 90 day mark to be reached before I contacted the USCIS. However, I have been made aware through an online immigration forum which I am actively involved in, that other people in my exact situation have successfully requested an interim EAD at their local USCIS office on the 91st day after they received their I-797C notice of action. It appears clear to me that it has been left up to the individual field offices to interpret the 90 day rule as they see fit. When the officers adjudicating these requests hold the power to fundamentally affect someone’s life so powerfully by withholding the permission they need to go out and legally earn money, I think it is a disgrace that the guidelines governing the issuance of such an important document are so fluid.

Having spent 8 months in the UK waiting for my initial visa application to be approved, I had more than enough time to research the process that I would have to go through once I arrived in the US. My wife and I were fully prepared for a wait once I was in the US, before I would be in a position to look for work and truly start contributing to my new life. However, at the moment I feel like I have done everything that the USCIS has requested and barriers are still being placed in my way.

I would be hugely grateful if your office could use the information that I’ve provided to look into the situation I have outlined. I want nothing more than to be able to go out and start looking for work. If your office could either look into the current status of my EAD application, or provide me with something concrete that I can present to my local USCIS office in St. Louis, so that they cannot dispute a future request for an Interim EAD, I would be most appreciative.

Yours Sincerely,

The woman who dealt with my case praised me on the information included in my letter. As one of the previous posters stated, assume they know nothing about the immigration service and provide as much information as you can in a logical (preferably chronological) order.

Good luck

Mark

[mrc 0]

Does anyone know any tips any idea on how to write either an email or what to say to your state or city representative? I want to contact my state representative and Im not sure what to say or how to write them a letter to see if the can help me.

If anyone who have written a letter before to his/her representative if you have an example please add it to this messege, any ideas on what to put in the letter. VJP please help me out.

THanks

I've found that the best way is to find their website, and write a detailed email explaining what happend.

Make sure you start off politely, and include all the neccesary information about your case. Dont automatically assume they know what "RFE" is. write it out as request for further evidence. Explain it in a timeline fashion.

Explain any contact that you've already had with your service center. Make sure you explain how you want the situation resolved.

Inlcude information like Recieved Dates, Notice Dates, RFE dates, and touches. Good luck

Thanks I appreciate your help

I don't know...if you're thinking of writing them a letter to complain about the amount of time you've had to wait for a petition approval, you may want to think again. I'm pretty sure they'd probably tell you to "pound sand" since you've only been waiting less than two months, at this point.

Just my thoughts...

It does not matter how long you've waiting for your got damn NOA2 if you see there are people up there who have been approved already but what i want is to write something where everybody would get a little bit of help not just me.

Simmer down, sparky. It does matter when you got your GOT DAMN NOA1 because you are going to be dealing with YOUR case...not anyone else's. You think that congressman will want to hear your generalized view on the process? He or she will want to know the SPECIFICS on YOUR case.

Then when you tell them you've been waiting less than two months, they'll politely tell you to give them a call back in a couple more months. kthx

[ANDRES_MARINEL 0]

andres, I'd wait a little bit if you are planning on trying to get a congressional inquiry on NOA2 dates.

I've been waiting since March and I didn't contact my congressperson until this month.

I see what you mean jaime but after i send any letter or something to a congressman i want to make sure what i have to put down. I"m not going to do it now i'll wait for that a little bit more.

This is the letter I sent to my governor regarding the wait I had to endure for my EAD....

Mr. Shimkus,

I am writing to you in connection with two ongoing applications I have filed with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service. In particular, I would greatly appreciate it if your office could look into the status of the I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (EAD) which I submitted at the end of May, 2005. Below I have outlined the details of my case.

On March 11th 2005 I entered the US on a K-1 Fiance Visa which had been issued by the US Embassy in London, UK at the end of February 2005. At the end of April, in accordance with the conditions of my K-1 visa, I was married. I then set about putting together two applications which were sent to the USCIS District Office in Chicago. The first was the forms and supporting documents for an I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (AOS). The second was the forms and supporting documents for an I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (EAD). Both applications were mailed on May 24th and the USCIS mailed me two I-797C notices of action which I received on June 18th, stating that both applications had been received. The notices of action (NOA) for both the I-485 and I-765 asked me to arrange a Biometrics appointment at my local USCIS office in St. Louis. I did as instructed and attended a Biometrics appointment on July 26th. The online case status for my I-765 application stated a projected processing timeline of between 30 and 90 days.

On July 21st, I received a letter from the USCIS, requesting additional evidence in the form of a Vaccination Supplement (Form I-693). According to the letter, this request was associated with my I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status as no mention was made of my I-765 Application for Employment Authorization. I returned the completed vaccination supplement to the Missouri Service Center (Otherwise known as the National Benefits Center) on July 28th, 2005 and received and online case update on August 3rd that the requested document had been received and that processing would resume on this application. Since August 3rd, I have had no word on the progress of either of these applications.

On September 7th 2005, I arranged an INFOPASS appointment at my local USCIS office in St. Louis for September 16th in the hope that I would be able to successfully request an Interim Employment Authorization Document. September 16th would be 92 days since receiving an NOA for my I-765 application. I had checked on the USCIS website about the conditions under which an Interim EAD could be issued and found the following information at http://uscis.gov/text/howdoi/ead.htm …

“What is an Employment Authorization Document?

U.S. employers must check to make sure all employees, regardless of citizenship or national origin, are allowed to work in the United States. If you are not a citizen or a lawful permanent resident, you may need to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to prove you may work in the United States.

USCIS issues Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) in the following categories:

• EAD: This document proves you are allowed to work in the United States.

• Renewal EAD: You should apply for a renewal EAD six months before your original EAD expires.

• Replacement EAD: This document replaces a lost, stolen, or mutilated EAD. A replacement EAD also replaces an EAD that was issued with incorrect information, such as a misspelled name.

• Interim EAD: If USCIS does not approve or deny your EAD application within 90 days (within 30 days for an asylum applicant; note: asylum applicants are eligible to file for EADs only after waiting 150 days from the date they filed their properly completed original asylum applications), you may request an interim EAD document. “

Also further down the same page on the USCIS website I found the following…

“If USCIS does not approve or deny your Employment Authorization Document application within 90 days (within 30 days for an asylum applicant; note: asylum applicants are eligible to file for EADs only after waiting 150 days from the date they filed their properly completed original asylum applications), you may request an interim Employment Authorization Document. You must go to your local USCIS office and bring with you proof of your identity and any documents that USCIS has sent you about your employment authorization application. Please click here for more information on USCIS field offices.”

I attended my INFOPASS appointment on September 16th, bringing with me the I-797C notice of action issued in connection with my I-765 Application and my passport and state ID. When I explained to the woman answering questions that it was now 92 days since receiving an NOA for my I-765 application and that I would like to request an Interim EAD, I was told that she couldn’t do anything because “The 90 day count after which an Interim EAD can be issued doesn’t start until the date that your Biometrics were completed”. There is no mention of this requirement on either the USCIS website or the online case status that gives the projected processing time for the application. When I showed her printouts of the webpage that I’ve quoted above, I was told that an I-765 application is not considered complete until Biometrics have been completed. Again, there is no mention of this condition on any of the documentation available from the USCIS.

I would have been happy to go home and wait, potentially until October 24th, for the new 90 day mark to be reached before I contacted the USCIS. However, I have been made aware through an online immigration forum which I am actively involved in, that other people in my exact situation have successfully requested an interim EAD at their local USCIS office on the 91st day after they received their I-797C notice of action. It appears clear to me that it has been left up to the individual field offices to interpret the 90 day rule as they see fit. When the officers adjudicating these requests hold the power to fundamentally affect someone’s life so powerfully by withholding the permission they need to go out and legally earn money, I think it is a disgrace that the guidelines governing the issuance of such an important document are so fluid.

Having spent 8 months in the UK waiting for my initial visa application to be approved, I had more than enough time to research the process that I would have to go through once I arrived in the US. My wife and I were fully prepared for a wait once I was in the US, before I would be in a position to look for work and truly start contributing to my new life. However, at the moment I feel like I have done everything that the USCIS has requested and barriers are still being placed in my way.

I would be hugely grateful if your office could use the information that I’ve provided to look into the situation I have outlined. I want nothing more than to be able to go out and start looking for work. If your office could either look into the current status of my EAD application, or provide me with something concrete that I can present to my local USCIS office in St. Louis, so that they cannot dispute a future request for an Interim EAD, I would be most appreciative.

Yours Sincerely,

The woman who dealt with my case praised me on the information included in my letter. As one of the previous posters stated, assume they know nothing about the immigration service and provide as much information as you can in a logical (preferably chronological) order.

Good luck

Mark

Thank you very much Mark i'll take your letter as an example

Does anyone know any tips any idea on how to write either an email or what to say to your state or city representative? I want to contact my state representative and Im not sure what to say or how to write them a letter to see if the can help me.

If anyone who have written a letter before to his/her representative if you have an example please add it to this messege, any ideas on what to put in the letter. VJP please help me out.

THanks

I've found that the best way is to find their website, and write a detailed email explaining what happend.

Make sure you start off politely, and include all the neccesary information about your case. Dont automatically assume they know what "RFE" is. write it out as request for further evidence. Explain it in a timeline fashion.

Explain any contact that you've already had with your service center. Make sure you explain how you want the situation resolved.

Inlcude information like Recieved Dates, Notice Dates, RFE dates, and touches. Good luck

Thanks I appreciate your help

I don't know...if you're thinking of writing them a letter to complain about the amount of time you've had to wait for a petition approval, you may want to think again. I'm pretty sure they'd probably tell you to "pound sand" since you've only been waiting less than two months, at this point.

Just my thoughts...

It does not matter how long you've waiting for your got damn NOA2 if you see there are people up there who have been approved already but what i want is to write something where everybody would get a little bit of help not just me.

Simmer down, sparky. It does matter when you got your GOT DAMN NOA1 because you are going to be dealing with YOUR case...not anyone else's. You think that congressman will want to hear your generalized view on the process? He or she will want to know the SPECIFICS on YOUR case.

Then when you tell them you've been waiting less than two months, they'll politely tell you to give them a call back in a couple more months. kthx

well i'm not going to argue with you. I wish you good luck in your case since you're in TSC

[AndyMisiu 0]

I understand your need to get help from your congressman. Waiting 1 week is too long in my book. However, one should keep in mind that you are well within processing times. All cases are different, and yes, some do get approved before others. It's hard to see the lucky ones get approved when you've been waiting longer, it doesn't seem fair. In my opinion, I would wait until you had solid reason to request there help. First impressions mean everything in life. You don't want yours to be unnecessary. I also understand that maybe you are just planting a seed in there minds for later help. I'm not sure if that will work. I copied a sample of the letter on this site incase of future need. So, thank you!! you did a good job on provoking the information. Sometimes information gets buried too deep in the pages. Good luck to you! and keep the faith. You will be approved in due time, your time.

(man I hope this post is uncontroversial!! we'll see )

[ANDRES_MARINEL 0]

I understand your need to get help from your congressman. Waiting 1 week is too long in my book. However, one should keep in mind that you are well within processing times. All cases are different, and yes, some do get approved before others. It's hard to see the lucky ones get approved when you've been waiting longer, it doesn't seem fair. In my opinion, I would wait until you had solid reason to request there help. First impressions mean everything in life. You don't want yours to be unnecessary. I also understand that maybe you are just planting a seed in there minds for later help. I'm not sure if that will work. I copied a sample of the letter on this site incase of future need. So, thank you!! you did a good job on provoking the information. Sometimes information gets buried too deep in the pages. Good luck to you! and keep the faith. You will be approved in due time, your time.

(man I hope this post is uncontroversial!! we'll see )

[/quote

I feel you because if you post something other people wont like it and start to critizes you.

I copied the example the gentleman posted it.

[Tim&Poonam 0]

It also wouldnt hurt to tell him/her that you voted for them. LOL!

[iceyspots 0]

It also wouldnt hurt to tell him/her that you voted for them. LOL!

haha!! Good point!!

[DHJ1326 0]

GOOD LUCK !!!!

I tried writing my congessman, who is James Sensenbrenner, Chairman of the committee that

oversee's the USCIS. I thought my letter would help get things moving, but..........

Sensenbrenner's office called me the very next day (after receiving the letter) and after

a long sales pitch about how great things are at USCIS and how rapidly things are improving,

I was told, 'that's the way it is, and there is nothing that can be done', !!! My response,,,,there

is a lot that can be done, NEXT TIME VOTE FOR SOMEONE ELSE !!!!!!!

[BlueSurf 0]

I posted a similar thread last week which received much of the same response - "be patient" and "don't expect much". I had a rather insulting phone conversation with my congressman's aide in Wash DC before I posted my thread here...

Today, I stopped in the local office of my congressman and sat and visited with the local aide. He was much more sympathetic than the Wash DC staffer I spoke with on the phone. I think it just goes to show that the government is made up of individuals who all have their own views and priorities.

My urgency has always been to get my "family" here for the start of school. I admitted to the aide today that this was a totally unrealistic hope at this point. But, I also explained that I was insulted by their office when they toss it back in my lap with the statement "what would you have us do?!". I don't have the answers. They are the government officials with some semblance of authority, and I expect them to give me answers and solutions to the government problem. That is what I explained to the aide today, and he totally agreed with me.

I am traveling to spend time with Valentyna the end of next month. I explained that I wanted some positive news to convey to her when I see her. That is all I asked, and the aide did not think that was asking too much. He was going to make some calls.

Being realistic and understanding at the same time that you seek to hold people accountable is one road to a more successful exchange with them, in my experience...

[Tim&Poonam 0]

Maybe even offer to campaign for him/her. LOL