why CA service center

[stech786 236]

I just filed my i-130, G325 and i-130A. The USCIS sent me an email saying that my case is received & sent to California service center for processing.  But I live in Virginia. All of my brothers who went through similar process has receipt # starting with EAC which is Vermont service center. So, why my case is in California? I mailed package to IL, Chicago address.

 

Thanks

[payxibka 10,045]

9 minutes ago, stech786 said:

I just filed my i-130, G325 and i-130A. The USCIS sent me an email saying that my case is received & sent to California service center for processing.  But I live in Virginia. All of my brothers who went through similar process has receipt # starting with EAC which is Vermont service center. So, why my case is in California? I mailed package to IL, Chicago address.

 

Thanks

Load balancing.  It is not regionally distributed anymore

Edited May 16, 2018 by payxibka

[geowrian 22,337]

Black magic, AKA internal routing rules. It's not based on your location. USCIS Service Centers don't conduct interviews, so there's no benefit in having it go to the one physically closest to you.

[stech786 236]

 

18 minutes ago, payxibka said:

Load balancing.  It is not regionally distributed anymore

 

based on visa bulletin they are current only Sep 17 cased, but based on VISA processing center, they they say CA sevice center is on Oct 2016.

 

9 minutes ago, geowrian said:

Black magic, AKA internal routing rules. It's not based on your location. USCIS Service Centers don't conduct interviews, so there's no benefit in having it go to the one physically closest to you.

 

I thought after IL, Chicago office, they goto Vermont. Since, when did they change these rules?

 

Thank for quick response

 

[payxibka 10,045]

1 minute ago, stech786 said:

 Since, when did they change these rules?

Ever since they went to the "lockbox" system.  A few years if I remember correctly

[stech786 236]

Just now, payxibka said:

Ever since they went to the "lockbox" system.  A few years if I remember correctly

 

Sorry to ask, what is Lockbox system?

[bad4tatt 168]

1 minute ago, stech786 said:

 

Sorry to ask, what is Lockbox system?

LockBox is where you sent your application. There they make sure you filled out the application correct and added the correct fee. From there it gets sent to whichever office.

[payxibka 10,045]

Just now, stech786 said:

 

Sorry to ask, what is Lockbox system?

You used to submit directly to the USCIS service centers based on the region of your residence.  They then changed to a central mailing location for all petitions (ie. lockbox) and then they assign and distribute from there

[payxibka 10,045]

8 minutes ago, stech786 said:

 

 

based on visa bulletin they are current only Sep 17 cased, but based on VISA processing center, they they say CA sevice center is on Oct 2016.

 

 

I thought after IL, Chicago office, they goto Vermont. Since, when did they change these rules?

 

Thank for quick response

 

Look again on the reported times for CSC.  The Oct. 2016 is for Perm Residents.  It appears they don't even list a range for USCs

 

Edited May 16, 2018 by payxibka

[Binna 108]

27 minutes ago, stech786 said:

 

 

based on visa bulletin they are current only Sep 17 cased, but based on VISA processing center, they they say CA sevice center is on Oct 2016.

 

 

I thought after IL, Chicago office, they goto Vermont. Since, when did they change these rules?

 

Thank for quick response

 

What category (immigration type) of I-130 form did you file for?

 

Besides balancing the loads, it looks like USCIS distributes applications based on the type of I-130 application. For example looking at the USCIS processing times for California center, I could only see Other relative of a U.S. citizen or relative of a lawful permanent resident under the family-based preference categories. If your I-130 falls into this categories then you are probably in the right center.

[stech786 236]

4 hours ago, bad4tatt said:

LockBox is where you sent your application. There they make sure you filled out the application correct and added the correct fee. From there it gets sent to whichever office.

 

Thats what I think too. But if everyone who is sending i-130 to on location, then I would create large backlog.

 

4 hours ago, payxibka said:

You used to submit directly to the USCIS service centers based on the region of your residence.  They then changed to a central mailing location for all petitions (ie. lockbox) and then they assign and distribute from there

make sense

 

4 hours ago, payxibka said:

Look again on the reported times for CSC.  The Oct. 2016 is for Perm Residents.  It appears they don't even list a range for USCs

 

Yes I am a greencard holder filing for wife oversea. Then what are those VISA Bulletin board dates for priority dates? https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2018/visa-bulletin-for-june-2018.html  It says, they are running on priority dates Sept 2017. But CA location says, 2016 

 

4 hours ago, Binna said:

What category (immigration type) of I-130 form did you file for?

 

Besides balancing the loads, it looks like USCIS distributes applications based on the type of I-130 application. For example looking at the USCIS processing times for California center, I could only see Other relative of a U.S. citizen or relative of a lawful permanent resident under the family-based preference categories. If your I-130 falls into this categories then you are probably in the right center.

Yes I am a greencard holder filing for wife oversea. Then what are those VISA Bulletin board dates for priority dates for? https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2018/visa-bulletin-for-june-2018.html. It says, they are running on priority dates Sept 2017. But CA location says, 2016 

 

 

 

Thanks to everyone contributing!!

[geowrian 22,337]

Just now, stech786 said:

But if everyone who is sending i-130 to on location, then I would create large backlog.

Not really. The lockbox only takes in the petition, scans it, checks very basic requirements, processes payment, etc. They go through the forms very quickly since they aren't reviewing the content within them. That's where it's handed off to the service centers.

[stech786 236]

10 hours ago, geowrian said:

Not really. The lockbox only takes in the petition, scans it, checks very basic requirements, processes payment, etc. They go through the forms very quickly since they aren't reviewing the content within them. That's where it's handed off to the service centers.

I'm trying to understand why CA office and not vermont. my older brother was a US Citizen & his case was in vermont. I am thinking because of his citizenship it was at different service center? I understand that part that one service center scan docs and cash the check. In my case, its CA office. Will it move to another service center after that for further review. Or will they review my case, once visa become available. 

 

Lets say, my priority date is May 11, 2018. Should I be watching VISA bulletin board dates here https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2018/visa-bulletin-for-june-2018.html

 

Or should I be watching dates listed here https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

 

Thanks for contributing 

 

[geowrian 22,337]

1 hour ago, stech786 said:

I'm trying to understand why CA office and not vermont. my older brother was a US Citizen & his case was in vermont. I am thinking because of his citizenship it was at different service center? I understand that part that one service center scan docs and cash the check. In my case, its CA office. Will it move to another service center after that for further review. Or will they review my case, once visa become available. 

 

Lets say, my priority date is May 11, 2018. Should I be watching VISA bulletin board dates here https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2018/visa-bulletin-for-june-2018.html

 

Or should I be watching dates listed here https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

 

Thanks for contributing

Many family-preference I-130s (i.e. an LPR filing for a spouse) do tend to go to CA from what I've noticed. As for the exact reason why yours did, nobody here can say for sure. CSC will review your case and adjudicate it, unless they decide to transfer the case....which they sometimes do to help rebalance the load.

 

For I-130 processing times, use the USCIS chart in the second link. The visa bulletin determines when the PD will become current, but that's a separate function from when they will adjudicate the I-130. In the vast majority of cases, they will approve the I-130 before the PD is current, so the approved I-130 will just sit at NVC waiting for the PD to become current so the case can proceed.

[payxibka 10,045]

2 hours ago, stech786 said:

I'm trying to understand why CA office and not vermont. my older brother was a US Citizen & his case was in vermont. I am thinking because of his citizenship it was at different service center? I understand that part that one service center scan docs and cash the check. In my case, its CA office. Will it move to another service center after that for further review. Or will they review my case, once visa become available. 

 

Lets say, my priority date is May 11, 2018. Should I be watching VISA bulletin board dates here https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2018/visa-bulletin-for-june-2018.html

 

Or should I be watching dates listed here https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

 

Thanks for contributing 

 

It is best not to clock watch or you will just drive yourself crazy