How effective are the backlog reduction efforts?

[illumined 14]

Theoretically the goal is to get processing times back down to historical norms by September this year, with I-130s being back down to the far more reasonable level of 6 months. But honestly, how successful has it been? Processing times seem to keep going up, not down. Any thoughts on what their efforts are, and if anyone knows what they've tried that's worked and what hasn't?  

[Gigizaza 7]

The ways Ive learned they sped things up is by waiving interviews. Some people get very lucky. Trust me alottt of people want to come here theres probably tens of millions of applications per month. I’ve been waiting over 6 months and Im hearing people who applied after me are getting accepted. 

[powerpuff 6,734]

6 minutes ago, Gigizaza said:

The ways Ive learned they sped things up is by waiving interviews.

Just to note though that consular interviews are never waived - it’s only for those who are seeking benefits while already in the US such as adjusting status or removing conditions on Residency. However, it does “free” up manpower so they can focus on other things like adjudicating more I-130s which would shorten the wait, not sure how effective that strategy is. They announced interview waivers months ago