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My Congresswoman offered to help...should I take it?

By casualsurfer in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures

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casualsurfer Explorer

casualsurfer   25

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Taiwan
 Timeline
Posted

Yes, I bitched and moaned to all my state's lawmakers in DC, only my district's Congresswoman's office responded. Some nice lady asked if I wanted their help with USCIS, apparently she's done several of these in the past year to varying degrees of success, and she said I needed to fill out some forms for her office before the Congresswoman can send a letter to USCIS on my behalf.

I read on this forum a few times that people think it's not going to help at all, and in fact it may delay processing. Can anyone with actual experience getting help from their lawmakers on this matter chime in?

CR-1 for my wife
USCIS Stage
11/19/2013: I-130 Sent
11/20/2013: I-130 Received
11/20/2013: I-130 NOA1
11/22/2013: I-130 NOA1 Hard copy
04/22/2014: I-130 Expedite Request
04/23/2014: I-130 Expedite Response: Denied
05/09/2014: I-130 Status Update "your Alien Registration Number was changed relating to your I130" at 9:15am
05/09/2014: I-130 NOA2 (approved) at 3pm
05/14/2014: Case sent to NVC
NVC Stage
06/17/14: Case number and IIN assigned
06/17/14: AOS fee invoiced
06/17/14: Notice from NVC containing case number and IIN
06/17/14: DS-261 available and completed
06/18/14: AOS fee paid
06/19/14: AOS fee withdrawn from my bank account
06/20/14: AOS fee shows paid
06/20/14: AOS package sent to NVC
06/23/14: AOS package arrived at NVC
07/01/14: Sent expedite request to NVCExpedite@state.gov
07/17/14: Expedite request approved, file "immediately forwarded"
07/24/14: Received Expedite Request approval letter in mail
07/28/14: DS-260 available and completed
07/28/14: DS-2001 completed
07/28/14: Emailed AIT with both DS-260 confirmation and DS-2001
07/30/14: Interview scheduled
08/11/14: Schedule medical exam
08/19/14: Medical exam complete
08/21/14: Interview at AIT & approval
08/28/14: Received visa
09/21/14: POE

vkrishn Rising Star

vkrishn   97

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: India
 Timeline
Posted

My previous congresswoman (They changed the districts couple of yrs back) helped enquire about my case at USCIS and her office was very helpful. Some people haven't seen any positive result after contacting their legislators as well. I don't see any downside in requesting your legislator's help in making an enquiry about your case at USCIS.

 

 

 

Misha'sgirl Enthusiast

Misha'sgirl   44

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Russia
 Timeline
Posted

That's nice! Why would you " and moan" to everyone for help and then finally when someone offers it to you, you have to think about it and get advise? Well, then my advise is for you to accept the help...like Yesterday!. How many of us have tried to get help and no one responded...! Here you are with the offer so freaking take it!!!!!! It can't possibly hurt your case: only help you. Oh and it might "delay" your process but come on, the consulate will see it and think its awesome, doubling your chances of getting a visa. I mean, why wouldn't they? Someone directly connected with the U.S. gov thinks your fiance will not become a public charge and should be given entry to the U.S......signed and dated.


Haha it censors "b.i.t.c.h." but not "bitched". :)))))

75d3fe5d-a5ae-444e-9bfd-153e5d79ff5a_zps

casualsurfer Explorer

casualsurfer   25

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Taiwan
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

After only waiting for 4 weeks?? Umm nope I would not, but then again I wouldn't have "bitched and moaned" after such a short time either...

I get that waiting and having to be patient can be annoying but I think you acted way too fast on that.

I don't understand some people's comments: "only 4 weeks"? Just because you're willing to bend over and accept whatever comes your way via the USCIS doesn't mean I do. Keep in mind this agency is perfectly capable of getting I-130s out in less than 2 weeks, case and point bunch of Philippinos on this board thanks to that typhoon.

Yes I'm bitching and moaning about the over a year wait which many of you seem willing to accept as the norm. Would you accept over a year wait if a storm came and knocked your house over, then hear Bush or Obama say "you just gotta be patient, wait a year in the open while we process your paperwork." Some may say it's not the same, but in my mind if we are all paying pretty good money (ie taxes and fees), then I'm gonna be damned sure I get what I pay for.

CR-1 for my wife
USCIS Stage
11/19/2013: I-130 Sent
11/20/2013: I-130 Received
11/20/2013: I-130 NOA1
11/22/2013: I-130 NOA1 Hard copy
04/22/2014: I-130 Expedite Request
04/23/2014: I-130 Expedite Response: Denied
05/09/2014: I-130 Status Update "your Alien Registration Number was changed relating to your I130" at 9:15am
05/09/2014: I-130 NOA2 (approved) at 3pm
05/14/2014: Case sent to NVC
NVC Stage
06/17/14: Case number and IIN assigned
06/17/14: AOS fee invoiced
06/17/14: Notice from NVC containing case number and IIN
06/17/14: DS-261 available and completed
06/18/14: AOS fee paid
06/19/14: AOS fee withdrawn from my bank account
06/20/14: AOS fee shows paid
06/20/14: AOS package sent to NVC
06/23/14: AOS package arrived at NVC
07/01/14: Sent expedite request to NVCExpedite@state.gov
07/17/14: Expedite request approved, file "immediately forwarded"
07/24/14: Received Expedite Request approval letter in mail
07/28/14: DS-260 available and completed
07/28/14: DS-2001 completed
07/28/14: Emailed AIT with both DS-260 confirmation and DS-2001
07/30/14: Interview scheduled
08/11/14: Schedule medical exam
08/19/14: Medical exam complete
08/21/14: Interview at AIT & approval
08/28/14: Received visa
09/21/14: POE

casualsurfer Explorer

casualsurfer   25

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Taiwan
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Quick update: the form she mentioned is some type of privacy release form that allows them to send inquiry on my behalf.

Has anyone else filled this out?

CR-1 for my wife
USCIS Stage
11/19/2013: I-130 Sent
11/20/2013: I-130 Received
11/20/2013: I-130 NOA1
11/22/2013: I-130 NOA1 Hard copy
04/22/2014: I-130 Expedite Request
04/23/2014: I-130 Expedite Response: Denied
05/09/2014: I-130 Status Update "your Alien Registration Number was changed relating to your I130" at 9:15am
05/09/2014: I-130 NOA2 (approved) at 3pm
05/14/2014: Case sent to NVC
NVC Stage
06/17/14: Case number and IIN assigned
06/17/14: AOS fee invoiced
06/17/14: Notice from NVC containing case number and IIN
06/17/14: DS-261 available and completed
06/18/14: AOS fee paid
06/19/14: AOS fee withdrawn from my bank account
06/20/14: AOS fee shows paid
06/20/14: AOS package sent to NVC
06/23/14: AOS package arrived at NVC
07/01/14: Sent expedite request to NVCExpedite@state.gov
07/17/14: Expedite request approved, file "immediately forwarded"
07/24/14: Received Expedite Request approval letter in mail
07/28/14: DS-260 available and completed
07/28/14: DS-2001 completed
07/28/14: Emailed AIT with both DS-260 confirmation and DS-2001
07/30/14: Interview scheduled
08/11/14: Schedule medical exam
08/19/14: Medical exam complete
08/21/14: Interview at AIT & approval
08/28/14: Received visa
09/21/14: POE

dwheels76 Grand Master

dwheels76   5,468

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Nigeria
 Timeline
Posted

Quick update: the form she mentioned is some type of privacy release form that allows them to send inquiry on my behalf.

Has anyone else filled this out?

Everyone who ask for congressional help has, Its permission to allow them to ask on your behalf your personal infomation is all it is. Sign and get ot back to them.

Case Complete to Interview spreadsheet

From now on your VJ Member name will be verified. If the name you put on form to be added to spreadsheet comes up not found, you will not be added to the spreadsheet. If you don't have a timeline you will not be added to the spreadsheet.

Please Please put your VJ member name only. Not nicknames or real names whatever your VJ name is. It's below your profile picture!!

 

Come join the current Interview thread: 

DQ-to-Interview-2023-all-countries

Case Complete to Interview Spreadsheet
Case Complete to Interview Form

 

 

 

ROC I-751
5/21/2018: Filed i751 ROC
6/12/2018: NOA1 Date
3/5/2019: Biometrics Appt
12/28/2019: 18 month Extension has expired
1/9/2020: InfoPass Appt to get stamp in Passport
2/27/2020: Combo Interview (ROC and Citizenship)
3/31/2020: submitted service request for being pass normal processing time
4/7/2020: Card being produced
4/8/2020: Approved
4/10/2020: Card mailed
4/15/2020: 10 year green card received
 
 
N-400
5/21/2019: Filed Online
5/21/2019: NOA1 Date
6/13/2019: Biometrics Appt
2/27/2020: Citizenship Interview
4/7/2020: In queue for Oath Ceremony to be scheduled
6/19/2020: Notice Oath Ceremony scheduled
7/8/2020: Oath Ceremony (Houston)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

christeen Experienced

christeen   966

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Italy
 Timeline
Posted

If u want their help.. You have to fill out he form... Gives them authorization to contact them on your behalf.

10/14/2000 - Met Aboard a Cruise ship

06/14/2003 - Married Savona Italy

I-130

03/21/2009 - I-130 Mailed to Chicago lockbox

11-30-09: GOT GREEN CARD in mail!!!!!!

Citizenship Process;

1/11/2013: Mailed N400 to Dallas Texas

3/11/2013: interview.. Approved

4/4/2013. : Oath! Now a U.S. citizen!

salboreni Contributor

salboreni   12

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Timeline
Posted

The form you are talking about is a Congressional Constituent form....it allows your congressman to speak to USCIS on your behalf. If Congress offers to help..accept this help. Our Congressman helped us, and it went from 7 months with no NOA2...to an expedition all the way to the embassy. Good luck to you.

MochaMichou Explorer

MochaMichou   26

Posted
Filed: Other Timeline
Posted

Filipinos are getting processed quick because of a natural disaster. Its just humanitarian to process their cases quickly before they die in a flood. even with the help of your congressman, your application wont be processed in less than 5 months.

Be patient and Good luck.

11/16/2013 - AOS Package sent via UPS ground shipping (I-130, I-485, I-131, I-765)
11/20/2013 (DAY01) Package delivered to Chicago and signed by CHYBA
11/26/2013 (DAY06) NOA Text messages and emails received

12/05/2013 (DAY16) Biometrics letter recieved for 12-19-2013

12/09/2013 (DAY20) Biometrics done in Buffalo (early walk in)

12/18/2013 (DAY29) I-485 status changed to testing and interview

01/06/2014 (DAY 48)- Interview notice for February 10

01/24/2014 ( DAY 66)- EAD AND AP approved

01/30/2014 ( Day 72)- EAD combo card arrived

02/10/2014 (Day 83) Interview date : APPROVED on the spot!! Passport stamped and card production ordered.

February 18 : GC received. Free until November 2016

Darnell Grand Master

Darnell   8,478

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: China
 Timeline
Posted

Given your I-130 filing date in November, the Immigration Liason Staffer at the Congressman's office won't be serious to help you until 6 months has passed.

Given your wife's prior tourist trips and your righteous indignation with the CBP staffers, there's nothing an ILS human can do to circumvent your place in the I-130 adjudication queue,

unless, and until, you file a valid expedite request.

Sometimes my language usage seems confusing - please feel free to 'read it twice', just in case !
Ya know, you can find the answer to your question with the advanced search tool, when using a PC? Ditch the handphone, come back later on a PC, and try again.

-=-=-=-=-=R E A D ! ! !=-=-=-=-=-

Whoa Nelly ! Want NVC Info? see http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_Process

Congratulations on your approval ! We All Applaud your accomplishment with Most Wonderful Kissies !

 

lucybelle Proficient

lucybelle   453

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Costa Rica
 Timeline
Posted

Fill out the form. But don't hold your breath.

N-400 May 2017 Google Doc

Full timeline- 

 

Filed from abroad- Costa Rica

NOA1- NOA2: 316 days

Jan 12, 2013: Married!!
Mar 19, 2013: NOA1

Jan 28, 2014: I-130 approved

NVC- Green Card in Hand: 189 days

Feb 3, 2014: TSC sends case to NVC
April 14: Real checklist for AOS (saying tax number was incorrect when it wasn't)
April 30: Another AOS checklist, for proof of employment (which was already sent)
May 1: Checklist for IV- certified marriage certificate (even though I sent a certified one originally)
July 1: INTERVIEW!!! - APPROVED!
July 16: POE through Miami
July 22: SSN card in the mail
August 30, 2014: Green card arrives in the mail!!!
 
ROC: 366 days
April 27, 2016: Sent 300 page ROC packet to VSC via overnight mail
May 16: Check shown as charged online, received NOA 1 dated April 29
June 20, 2016- Biometrics
April 28, 2017: Approval
May 4, 2017: Approval letter arrived
May 15, 2017: GC arrives in mail
 
N-400: 190 days
May 8: Sent packet to Dallas Lockbox
May 12: NOA 1, Credit card charged
June 7: Biometrics
June 16: "In line"
Oct 2: Interview letter arrives (online status still says ''in line'')
Oct 31: Interview- Approved!
Nov 13: Oath ceremony!  Applied for passport & registered to vote on site.
Nov 22: Passport arrives (paid for expedited service and overnight delivery)
 
Journey complete! A total of 1701 days or 4 years, 7 months and 26 days.
 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

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