Sami & Farz

Congrats!!!!!

Hi everyone, was wondering what "expedited request" means and how we August filers can file one? I contacted my senator, that did absolutely nothing, anyone living in San Diego California who knows who would be able to help me?

Try these links:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=16a6b1be1ce85210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/129797-expedite-tips/

The second link is a pretty helpful thread about what each of the expedite criteria includes. Hope this helps!

It didn't help us at all and I'm July one!

How did he do? Because the woman working for the Congresswoman has no power!

And she won't even talk to me because it's not legal. Oh I forgot we're just a bag full of dirt

And for the expedite what did you ask? Financial loss? Humanitarian? Because that's what she told me it has to be done in a certain way!

She won't even talk to you about it? I didn't know that wasn't allowed. Maybe she doesn't know what she's doing?

My senator's representative was very respectful, and informative. As far as the expedite goes, I based it on the humanitarian condition. The situation in Afghanistan doesn't seem to be getting that much safer. I also mentioned my concerns with the security handover to inexperienced Afghan soldiers.

Who knows if contacting their congressman worked or not but most August filers that have been approved have contacted their congressman. I think my fiance should call his senator tomorrow with a whole new heap of facts and figures which I will get to work on shortly while my fiance sleeps

I would like to think it is a pile of files. They were dated 6th August and I am 7th August. Please, please let me be in the same pile!

While I would love to share your optimism, I think I am stuck with pessimism

I'm an August 20th filer, and my visa just got approved today with my senator's help. My senator's office and I had been in contact for about 3 weeks trying to figure out what the hold-up was. Finally this morning we filed an expedite request. By this afternoon our case had been approved! I won't change my timeline until I get the package they said they would mail me, however. Bottom line: contacting your senator and/or congressman can help big time. Good luck to you!

Congrats to you. My senator said there's nothing she can do. I wish I had your senator look into my case instead. So happy for you and your lover!!!!

She really said that "there was nothing she could do"? That's a bunch of bs imo. There's a lot they can do. I'm completely bummed about the situation you're in and that many of the k-1 filers are in. By the looks of it, it looks like it was only one senator that told you this. Hopefully your other senator and congressman can help more. And, if not, maybe consult with an immigration lawyer? Hang in there. I wish I could tell you more, but I can only speak from my experience. Anyways, thanks for your congrats and well wishes.

August 20th filer here. I know you've all heard this before, but you need to contact your senator and/or congressman. When I filed a request they all eventually contacted me (the senators faster than the congressman). I worked closely with the senator's office who got back to me the fastest for a few weeks. We finally handed in an expedite request this morning. Sometime in the afternoon my senator's office emailed me back saying that my application had been approved! I thought that she had made a mistake and meant that my expedite request got approved, but when I checked the USCIS website just now the status for my case had moved from "initial review" to post-decision activity. It said that they had mailed something today, so I won't update my timeline until I get their package in the mail. All I can say is don't sit by (and I know many of you aren't), get into contact with your elected officials. In the meantime, my prayers are with all of you.

It's almost been two weeks and I haven't heard back from the Senator. I called last week to see if they received my letter, and the lady on the phone said she did and they would contact me when they looked into it. I'm going to try calling tomorrow and following up, but i'm honestly losing hope. I got an email back from my service request stating I'm still in the normal processing time. No, i'm not, when I applied and decided to go through with fiance visa instead of getting married and doing spouse the processing time was FIVE MONTHS and when I paid the fee I was expecting a decision in FIVE MONTHS, Obama said legal immigration would be priority, damn what a joke.

I hope that they will get back to you soon. From my experience, both of my senators and congressman got back to me eventually. The senators were both faster then the congressman, but I was glad for the response. Now with that being said, one of my senators sent an expedite request to the USCIS this morning. By the afternoon (of the same day) my senator's office mailed me back saying that my visa has been approved. I was in complete disbelief at the speed of their decision. I just checked my status on the the USCIS website. This is what it said:

Post Decision Activity

On April 15, 2013, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283. For approved applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include USCIS sending notification of the approved application/petition to the National Visa Center or the Department of State. For denied applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include the processing of an appeal and/or motions to reopen or reconsider and revocations.

I won't update my timeline until I have the noticed they mailed to me in my hand. So, all I can say is don't stop calling (and I know you won't). Eventually your senator or congressman might ask you to file an expedite request. Just be prepared to state your case well to them. Good luck to you, and my prayers are with all of you who are going through this prolonged process.

Hi...what interview are you speaking of? He already had one...hence the visa issuance.

Hahaha of course, I feel stupid now Anyways, enjoy your lives together. May it be filled with many blessings inshallah.

Congrats! Inshallah your interview will go smoothly, and you will be together in no time. I pray everyday for my approval to come soon.

From the USCIS website news alert -

USCIS California Service Center Has Reopened

The USCIS California Service Center (CSC) has reopened on March 27, 2013 following a temporary closure due to plumbing issues. Deliveries have resumed and USCIS does not anticipate any delays due to the closure.

Last updated:03/27/2013

NOWHERE does it say that 48,000 files have been ruined. In fact, they make a point to say that they do not anticipate any delays due to the closure. (Then again, if they already weren't working on our cases, and the plumbing issue caused them to not work on cases, I guess technically there wouldn't be any delays. Haha)

If you want the link: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=e7b078ba572ad310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e7801c2c9be44210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

Hahaha, good catch!

I also emailed my congressman and he did not reply. But senator Barbara boxer did, for which I'm praying will do something positive for my case. All I can say is, you get what you settle for, and I'm not willing to settle and wait longer than I was told to. They said 5 months, then 6, then 7, now 10. Unacceptable.

I applaud your spirit. I pray that your senator can get something done. My congressman hasn't replied either haha. But today I received an email from the other senator I tried to contact, and his office will start looking into my case too. Inshallah my two senators can work together to get something done. Maybe all this noise from us will speed up the USCIS.

Not heard a thing yet from my fiance's congressman. Just seems hopeless! USCIS national average for processing I-129f is 10.2 months

Have you guys tried contacting any senators? Both of my senators have replied, but not my congressman (yet).

Have they tried contacting on your behalf? Please keep me updated as I just filled out the documents they need to inquire for me. Goodness gracious, I really pray this does some thing. I'm running out of hope.

The assistant emailed me back today saying that she has sent an inquiry to the USCIS and that she would update me on what happens. I feel your pain for sure. At least the wait will make the reunion all that much sweeter

Congrats! I hope CSC start to step up their game soon inshallah

Hi guys, I've mentioned before I emailed two senators and a congressman.. I JUST received a email back from senator Barbara boxer, I will copy and paste it below;

Thank you for your recent request for assistance with a federal agency.

Please be assured that your matter will receive serious attention, and that I will make every effort, consistent with federal law and ethics standards, to assist you. However, I will need to have your written consent on file before I can open a formal inquiry into your case. In most cases, such consent is required by federal law or regulation.

Therefore, please send your written and signed request for assistance to:

U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer

70 Washington Street, Suite 203

Oakland, CA 94607

In your statement, please include your name, your address, your phone number, any relevant identification numbers (such as your Social Security or alien registration number), a brief description of your case, and your signature.

If this is an emergency, please call my Oakland office at (510) 286-8537, and a member of my staff will assist you.

Once again, thank you for writing.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer

United States Senator

I hope this helps, I'm willing to try anything at this point. Will keep you guys updated.

I received a somewhat similar letter from one of my senator's office about a week ago. The assistant that emailed me was very nice, and we've been in touch ever since. I just emailed her about the recent processing times update and how the CSC still has K-1 processing times at July 18, 2012.

Congrats, and thanks for the heads up!

I'd be willing to sign as well

I'm loving all the toilet jokes haha. At least we're all in this together.