DSP

I fully support the right of everyone to switch countries if they want to, dammit. Remember that the target of our ire is not the illegal immigrants, it's the system that made it difficult for everyone and practically impossible for them. Any step towards reform is a step in the right direction.

That said, yes, I would be completely ticked off if I found that our case, where we are waiting in distress for a process taking several months while we are forced to live apart, is taking a back seat to cases where the immigrant spouse didn't even wait for legal permission. THEY get to spend time together because they didn't follow the rules. WE have to force ourselves to drive to the airport and put our beloved spouse on an airplane and not see them until we don't know when, because we do want to do things the right way.

I have felt that pain at the airport, too. Some take the 'easy' way, short circuiting the system and in all likelihood lengthening the process for those of us who chose to follow the law and the legal path to immigration. Why do we do it? I can only speak for myself. I do it because I try to be a law abiding citizen. And there is another, more personal, reason. I don't want to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder. And even if we could be together today, the pain of being ripped apart with little hope of reuniting would be far greater than the pain that I suffer today. So I chose to look toward a bright future, albeit delayed.

This party has really died.

Just a lull.... we'll ramp it up again this week.... fingers crossed

Good luck!

Good luck! This is our week as well. We're a few days behind you

I left England on January 6th. The next planned visit is when he goes for his visa interview in London, early spring hopefully. We try to be together about every three months.

We are four days behind you! Fingers, toes, everything crossed on some news very soon!

Even if you got pregnant USCIS could care less. You got to love our government some times.

I know! But it's another widespread misconception.... hahahaha... no pun intended

Haha I got the same feedback from others too. It is sad that we are treated in such a inferior position that We are even lower than illegal immigrants.

I really miss my husband ... This costs us mental physical and financial stress ....

I always get the same response. We're engaged... waiting for I129F and fiance visa. Everyone asks, "Can't you just marry him and bring him home?" Not that simple. I've even had people suggest I get pregnant to speed up the process... no way!!! I have grown kids! No more children for me...

CONGRATULATIONS! Our NOA1 date is July 24.... seen approvals week before and week after. Hoping to hear something VERY soon!

Best of luck on the rest of your journey!

I have met with my Representative's office. All I got in return is a standard response that our case did not meet the expedite criteria. That is not what I was asking for but it was the only response I received. I, too, want American citizens who are following the rules to have first priority.

I'm offended that anyone would think that our relationships are somehow inferior because we are not physically together. My fiance and I have been together for 2 1/2 years, and when we are not by one another's side, we are in communication every day. The distance has ENHANCED our communication and made our relationship strong, not to mention the sacrifices we ALL go through to stay together. Nothing about this is easy and if we ever take each other for granted then it is our own stupidity. We have a joke that if we ever fall out, we'll just look at each other and say "3741" (our distance apart) and petty disagreements will melt away. We truly love and appreciate one another, or we wouldn't be going through this frustrating process. People in less committed relationships would have said "this is too hard" long ago. I think we're all heroes!

Back to the original topic... here's a link for a petition (especially for Vermont Center couples). Sign it if you will. There is power in numbers.

OOOOPPPSSS! Won't let me post a link because I don't have 5 points?????

168 days for us... was hoping to get NOA2 notification while I was in England over the holidays so we could celebrate together... no such luck!

Reading back through the thread, I saw some discussion about "crazy things" couples do on line to stay close while so far apart in miles. Things that we do outside daily emails, text messages, chats, and phone calls...We listen to concerts and interviews together (both big music fans; we met at a festival in London) and chat while we listen. We also listen to BBC4 quite often (mostly dramas) and discuss what we are listening to via chat (I have to listen online). We try to schedule at least one "date" a week. Our latest "crazy thing" was our version of the 12 Days of Christmas, specifically tailored to our 2 1/2 years together and it also served as a countdown to my upcoming trip.

Hello! Relatively new to the forum... NOA1 July 24th. I'm very happy to see July petitions being approved and even happier that in 48 hours I'll be on a plane to England! I think it's a great idea to keep in touch with filers from the same time period. Heaven knows we don't hear much (if anything) from USCIS while we wait and wait and wait. I'll check back in after the New Year begins; taking a hiatus from computers for a few weeks. I know all of you in long distance relationships understand that perfectly.

Happy holidays to all and let's hope our dreams come true in 2013.... the earlier, the better!

My first post.....We are July I-129F filers. Today is day 154. Watching similar timelines, the average from NOA1 to NOA2 is 172 days. VJ estimates January 20ish. This also falls in line with USCIS timelines if you extrapolate from the most recent update (Oct 30). It really does seem to be "the luck of the draw" when all statistics point to an estimated approval date, then you read here about couples who are still waiting waiting waiting way past projections. I know each case is different, but this process seems so random at times, which makes a hard situation even harder. At least we are getting a short respite by getting to spend the holidays together; I fly out Sunday.

Good luck and I sincerely hope you get some good news to make your holidays a little brighter!