Sent Letter to Senator (Hawaii)

[mahe 0]

Hello Takeo,

Really thought I replied to this thread, but it didn't show up...so here it goes again...

I'm thinking of contacting Senator Hirono's office soon, about the hold up at CSC. Was wondering if you've heard anything else from her office recently? What type of things did you put into your letter? When did you receive NOA1?

I know your pain with bringing the dog over as well. I'm currently living in Sweden with my SO, and will be moving back to Hawaii next week, and waiting out the rest of the visa process, with our large dog. We spent the money and months waiting, so that we can clear Hawaii's quarantine. Due to the quarantine laws, NO animals (except guide dogs) are allowed to fly in the cabin, on any airline into any place in Hawaii.

Good luck to you and your fiancé, and the animals! As glad as I am that Hawaii is protected, it sure can be a pain in the "okole"...

[Takeo 6]

Hello Takeo,

Really thought I replied to this thread, but it didn't show up...so here it goes again...

I'm thinking of contacting Senator Hirono's office soon, about the hold up at CSC. Was wondering if you've heard anything else from her office recently? What type of things did you put into your letter? When did you receive NOA1?

I know your pain with bringing the dog over as well. I'm currently living in Sweden with my SO, and will be moving back to Hawaii next week, and waiting out the rest of the visa process, with our large dog. We spent the money and months waiting, so that we can clear Hawaii's quarantine. Due to the quarantine laws, NO animals (except guide dogs) are allowed to fly in the cabin, on any airline into any place in Hawaii.

Good luck to you and your fiancé, and the animals! As glad as I am that Hawaii is protected, it sure can be a pain in the "okole"...

I wish I had contacted the Senator's office earlier, never expected to be waiting over 8 months for NOA2. NOA1 date 8/7/12. I emailed from Senator Hirono's website, and after not hearing from them, I called. Staff is Marvin who handles immigration maters. He quickly sent me the consent form which I filled out, scanned, and emailed back with a one page summary. I told him about how I met my fiance, how many times we have met, the history of CSC delays, common responses from CSC when inquiries are made, etc. I just don't want the Senator's office to be given a "generic" answer. I am hoping that Marvin is experienced enough and persistent, to get a valid response from CSC. Good thing is, I see more August filers being processed, so I am hopeful! The quarantine is so strict, but we too have done all the testing and will then need to do the eval 14 days before, tick treatment, and mail the documents no less than 10 day before arrival. So strict on timelines it can drive one nuts....in addition to all the visa requirements, pain in the okole for sure! Whew! PM me if you want any more details. Mahalo! Aloha!

[jaycali 415]

It'll be more expensive but she can always try to fly over with the pet on the VWP first, and wait the interview date out in Hawaii with you.

Edited April 24, 2013 by Jay Jay

[cazzers 83]

I wish I had contacted the Senator's office earlier, never expected to be waiting over 8 months for NOA2. NOA1 date 8/7/12. I emailed from Senator Hirono's website, and after not hearing from them, I called. Staff is Marvin who handles immigration maters. He quickly sent me the consent form which I filled out, scanned, and emailed back with a one page summary. I told him about how I met my fiance, how many times we have met, the history of CSC delays, common responses from CSC when inquiries are made, etc. I just don't want the Senator's office to be given a "generic" answer. I am hoping that Marvin is experienced enough and persistent, to get a valid response from CSC. Good thing is, I see more August filers being processed, so I am hopeful!

My fiance contacted his Congresswoman 3 weeks ago...he never got a reply from her office..disappointing...but meanwhile we got approved!

Takeo, hope you get a response to your RFE soon

Mahe, they started working on October filers too, so I'm pretty sure this week, or the next one you will get a response from them

Good luck!

[stevie b 141]

Are you sure it's 90 days from visa issuance? From what I've read, it's up to 6 months. Some say it's 6 months from the medical evaluation date. So, if my fiance gets her eval 2 months before the interview, then we would have another 4 months to travel and then 90 days to marry after arriving.

visa good for travel for six months

marry within 90 days of POE

[Takeo 6]

Jay Jay,

I actually thought about that but you are right, flights from Japan, if not planned way ahead of time, is very expensive. We just got an RFE and hoping that this will all be resolved within a months time. Flights are so costly, especially during the summer, so even if we complete the visa process by end of July, my fiance may still wait a couple months so she can use her mileage.

Cazzers,

Yes, got an RFE yesterday. Since Senator Hirono's office had agreed to do an inquiry for me, I decided to email them to ask if they could inquire on what the RFE was about, hoping it could speed up the process. After exchanging a few emails, it appeared the staff person was not familiar with the RFE process and basically said calling USCIS would not be protocol for them. I tried to tell him that another forum member was able to get information from USCIS about her RFE, through her local Senator's office, and had it resolved in 2 days but he didn't understand.

Stevie B,

That's what I thought. Thanks for confirming that information. At least I know that once we are approved, it won't be a total rush for my fiance to fly here.

[cazzers 83]

I hope it doesn't take too long for you to receive your RFE. I remember my fiance received NOA1 letter in a little over 2 weeks We'll see now how long it takes to receive the NOA2 letter.

It would be so nice if they could give that info over the phone so that people can be prepaired when they receive the RFE letter.

Edited April 24, 2013 by cazzers

[SweetDelish 38]

don't forget, she doesn't have to travel with her dog, since it will be in quarantine once it arrives into Hawaii, she can send it ahead prior to the cut off date and hopefully reunite sooner when she arrives.

I sent my cat from Australia to Hawaii last August, and I arrived in December. He didn't need quarantine as Australia is rabies free, but he was quite happy and relaxed when I got here.

[Takeo 6]

don't forget, she doesn't have to travel with her dog, since it will be in quarantine once it arrives into Hawaii, she can send it ahead prior to the cut off date and hopefully reunite sooner when she arrives.

I sent my cat from Australia to Hawaii last August, and I arrived in December. He didn't need quarantine as Australia is rabies free, but he was quite happy and relaxed when I got here.

Yes, she can send her dog ahead of time, but we completed the 5-day-or-less requirements which should allow an immediate release of her dog upon inpsection at the airport quarantine center. We did a 120 day waiting period after required shots and labwork, which makes the dog eligble to be released as long as the shots are up to date and I think within 3 years of the labwork. It's pretty complicated, but the wait is way less frustrating than the wait for NOA2!