Does Congressional help work?

[Mvivori 3]

I’m a us Citizen bringing my Filipino wife and stepchildren to the USA.  Filed I-130 on June 30, 2021 and Wifey is now at NVC since June 10, 2022.  Everything fine with her.  I screwed up the I-130’s for my stepchildren so they are way behind.  I need to get them Approved at USCIS so they can be merged with my wife at NVC without holding my wife up.   I’m very fortunate that I have a good friend who is a US Senator and he has offered to help.  Am I just in Never Never Land thinking he can help.  My question is very simple; can a US Senator really help or will it piss off the bureaucrats?  I don’t want to accept his help if I run a risk of screwing this up again.  Does Congressional help work?  Thanks

[Chancy 6,233]

2 minutes ago, Mvivori said:

My question is very simple; can a US Senator really help or will it piss off the bureaucrats?  I don’t want to accept his help if I run a risk of screwing this up again.  Does Congressional help work?

 

US senators/congresspersons can inquire about your case on your behalf, but they have no authority to push your case through.  They are helpful if USCIS is unresponsive to your direct inquiries.  Other than that, you will have to follow the normal process and wait in line like everyone else.

 

[Crazy Cat 39,640]

6 minutes ago, Mvivori said:

I’m a us Citizen bringing my Filipino wife and stepchildren to the USA.  Filed I-130 on June 30, 2021 and Wifey is now at NVC since June 10, 2022.  Everything fine with her.  I screwed up the I-130’s for my stepchildren so they are way behind.  I need to get them Approved at USCIS so they can be merged with my wife at NVC without holding my wife up.   I’m very fortunate that I have a good friend who is a US Senator and he has offered to help.  Am I just in Never Never Land thinking he can help.  My question is very simple; can a US Senator really help or will it piss off the bureaucrats?  I don’t want to accept his help if I run a risk of screwing this up again.  Does Congressional help work?  Thanks

1.  If you have not done so, contact NVC ASAP and request they hold your wife's case until the children's cases reach NVC.

2.  If you have not done so, immediately contact USCIS and request an expedite of the children's cases. 

 

A Senator's help will cause no problems. 

[Lil bear 3,842]

3 minutes ago, Mvivori said:

I’m a us Citizen bringing my Filipino wife and stepchildren to the USA.  Filed I-130 on June 30, 2021 and Wifey is now at NVC since June 10, 2022.  Everything fine with her.  I screwed up the I-130’s for my stepchildren so they are way behind.  I need to get them Approved at USCIS so they can be merged with my wife at NVC without holding my wife up.   I’m very fortunate that I have a good friend who is a US Senator and he has offered to help.  Am I just in Never Never Land thinking he can help.  My question is very simple; can a US Senator really help or will it piss off the bureaucrats?  I don’t want to accept his help if I run a risk of screwing this up again.  Does Congressional help work?  Thanks

Congress representatives make enquiries on your behalf but they don't get to jump the queue…the enquiry will result in being told that the applications are within normal processing. You will need to slow down the processing at NVC of your wifes application and let the childrens catchup 

[Verrou 1,901]

28 minutes ago, Mvivori said:

I’m a us Citizen bringing my Filipino wife and stepchildren to the USA.  Filed I-130 on June 30, 2021 and Wifey is now at NVC since June 10, 2022.  Everything fine with her.  I screwed up the I-130’s for my stepchildren so they are way behind.  I need to get them Approved at USCIS so they can be merged with my wife at NVC without holding my wife up.   I’m very fortunate that I have a good friend who is a US Senator and he has offered to help.  Am I just in Never Never Land thinking he can help.  My question is very simple; can a US Senator really help or will it piss off the bureaucrats?  I don’t want to accept his help if I run a risk of screwing this up again.  Does Congressional help work?  Thanks

senator can only inquire. other than that, same thing like other. most of the time the answer will be " just wait for your processing time" unless its outside processing time. 

[Chancy 6,233]

21 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

If you have not done so, immediately contact USCIS and request an expedite of the children's cases.

 

I second this.  Request an expedite and say that their mom's case is already at NVC.  If you do not get a timely response or you get denied, sending the expedite request again through the US senator will help get your expedite request more attention (but no guarantee of approval).

 

[SalishSea 16,899]

34 minutes ago, Mvivori said:

I’m a us Citizen bringing my Filipino wife and stepchildren to the USA.  Filed I-130 on June 30, 2021 and Wifey is now at NVC since June 10, 2022.  Everything fine with her.  I screwed up the I-130’s for my stepchildren so they are way behind.  I need to get them Approved at USCIS so they can be merged with my wife at NVC without holding my wife up.   I’m very fortunate that I have a good friend who is a US Senator and he has offered to help.  Am I just in Never Never Land thinking he can help.  My question is very simple; can a US Senator really help or will it piss off the bureaucrats?  I don’t want to accept his help if I run a risk of screwing this up again.  Does Congressional help work?  Thanks

If by "help" you mean "pulling strings" to circumvent the queue or hasten an approval, then no.

 

They can make inquiries when there are delays that are through no fault of the petitioner.  In this case, you know what caused the delay, and it was not due to USCIS itself.

[PWB 213]

If you have a situation where clearly a mistake was made during the processing and neither  USCIS or the Consulate are cooperative, Senate involvement can work.   It worked for me.

[Pinkrlion 2,611]

They can only send inquiries.  If USCIS response is they are in the process of approval, that is all you will get.  They cannot make USCIS process their petitions.  

[Mvivori 3]

Neither USCIS or NVC has been uncooperative as of now.  I’m just trying to eliminate a 6 month or longer delay for my minor step children (6,8) to be approved. My wife’s I-130 was approved without any issues.  My income supports all 4 of us and with them being so young there’s nothing to challenge.  Neither has a fathers name on their Birth Certificate which isn’t unusual here.  I’m just trying to get the children's I-130 approved expeditiously so they can join their mother at the NVC without holding her approval and Embassy Interview up.  I’m a natural born US Citizen with a spotless record and we have been living together in the Philippines almost 3 years and married for just over 2 years.  My point is our marriage is genuine.  I truly pray our Senator can help.  Thanks for your feedback.

[Crazy Cat 39,640]

3 minutes ago, Mvivori said:

Neither USCIS or NVC has been uncooperative as of now.  I’m just trying to eliminate a 6 month or longer delay for my minor step children (6,8) to be approved. My wife’s I-130 was approved without any issues.  My income supports all 4 of us and with them being so young there’s nothing to challenge.  Neither has a fathers name on their Birth Certificate which isn’t unusual here.  I’m just trying to get the children's I-130 approved expeditiously so they can join their mother at the NVC without holding her approval and Embassy Interview up.  I’m a natural born US Citizen with a spotless record and we have been living together in the Philippines almost 3 years and married for just over 2 years.  My point is our marriage is genuine.  I truly pray our Senator can help.  Thanks for your feedback.

Have you taken the steps outlined in this thread?  

1.  If you have not done so, contact NVC ASAP and request they hold your wife's case until the children's cases reach NVC.

2.  If you have not done so, immediately contact USCIS and request an expedite of the children's cases.