Salo&Romashka

Nebraska Service Center
Director: Jerry Heinauer
Deputy Director: Marilyn Wiles
Chief of Staff: Neil Jacobson
850 S. Street
Phone: (402) 323-6031
Lincoln, NE 68508-2521
Fax: (402) 219-6050

Contact information available to the public here courtesy of the U.S. State Department:
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/88027.pdf

Don't let the injustice that's been done to your family end a life with the one you love. I've followed your posts and see the passion that you have and I admire the way you've fought for your loved one. Remember that nothing worth having in life is easy. I would suggest that in this moment you need to rely on your faith more than ever. Seek out someone out in you could speak to in confidence if you are not ready to share it with your wife.
Respect yourself
In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Ephesians 5:28
Respect others
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
Be responsible for your actions
Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14
Hang in there, dude! Don't forget someone's counting on you.

The letter is on this thread:
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/475277-new-i-130-data-and-the-next-letter-campaign/?p=6760874
VisaJourney even improved it with a flower and a heart. We should send something tomorrow on St. Valentine's Day on behalf of separated loved ones.

I am writing you to request Congress make public the most current processing perfomance data for I-130 Immediate Relative petitions and all information related to the backlog of I-130 Immediate Relative petitions pending at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The legal requirement for Congressional oversight of USCIS operations is well founded:
In Title 8 of the U.S. Code of Regulations Congress saw it necessary to "provide for regular congressional oversight of the performance of the Immigration and Naturalization Service in eliminating the backlog and processing delays in immigration benefits adjudications." 8 U.S.C §1571 (2)
In the Homeland Security Act of 2002 Congress restated the need "[o]ne year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and each year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to the President, to the Committees on the Judiciary and Government Reform of the House of Representatives, and to the Committees on the Judiciary and Government Affairs of the Senate, on the impact the transfers made by this subtitle has had on immigration functions. 116 STAT. 2212 PUBLIC LAW 107-296—NOV. 25, 2002 SEC. 478
As a legal I-130 petitioner and a stakeholder in decisions made both USCIS and Congress, I formally request Congress to provide me and to make publicly available:
(A) The aggregate number of all I-130 Immediate Relative petitions received, and processed, by the Department.
(B) Region-by-region statistics on the aggregate number of I-130 petitions filed by an alien (or filed on behalf of an alien) and denied, disaggregated by category of denial and application or petition type.
© The quantity of backlogged I-130 Immediate Relative petitions that have been processed, the aggregate ' number awaiting processing, and a detailed plan for eliminating the backlog.
(D) The average processing period for I-130 Immediate Relative petitions, disaggregated by application or petition type.
(E) The number and types of immigration-related grievances filed with any official of the Department of Justice, and if those grievances were resolved.
Plans to address grievances and improve immigration services.
(G) Whether immigration-related fees were used consistent with legal requirements regarding such use.
(H) Whether immigration-related questions conveyed by customers to the Department (whether conveyed in person, by telephone, or by means of the Internet) were answered effectively and efficiently.
(I) the number of I-130 Petitions adjudicated in each quarter of each fiscal year;
(i) the average processing time for such Immediate Relative petitions
(ii) the number of I-130 Immediate Relative petitions pending for up to 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months, 36 months, and 48 months or more
(J) the estimated processing times adjudicating newly submitted I-130 petitions
(K) an analysis of the appropriate processing times for I-130 Immediate Relative petitions.
a description of the additional resources and process changes needed to eliminate the backlog for such processing and adjudications of I-130 Immediate Relative Petitons.
Thank you very much for your prompt attention to this matter.
Respectfully,

My methodology for looking at available data:
Pick a random field office - I looked at NYC Field office in honor of the recent article and because service center numbers are not available in one report.
Pick a recent timeframe - April-May-June 2013 (Quarter 3 FY 2013)
Processing volume total
April Receipts 7,625
May Receipts 7,136
June Receipts 5,685
Total Receipts 20,445
Performance report total
Total Receipts 0
Processing volume completions
April Completions 4184
May Completions 4038
June Completions 4778
Total Completions 13000
Performance report completions
Total approvals 12014
Total denials 690
Total completions (?) 12704
Obviously the numbers do not match up
Since the processing volumes are usually late, it's possible we see a difference of a couple days work versus final tally.
Receipts are being counted differently. It would be a data mining project for someone to add up all the field office and service center values to see if they equal the official report. 1) Download all the .csv files for the service centers and field offices for a control period. 2) Separate the relevant data to match one quarter. 3) Sum totals to see if they match the reports or even national processing volume numbers for the respective period.
Numbers from one performance report to another also fail to match up. Consider the numbers from I-130 performance report to all form type report:
I-130 performance report
Total Receipts 411,939
Total Completions* 260,009
All forms report:
Total Receipts 413,317
Total Approvals 369,476
Even when counting denials vs. just approvals, the I-130 completion number is more than 100,000 off.
USCIS is capable of tracking this data for DACA. That 'immigration benefit' receives enough attention to merit regular updates, most recently February 6, 2014. USCIS should be reporting for all casework according to the law. Last month I drafted a letter that we should have all sent out while waiting for the New York Times article. It's not too late now.
Interesting read for someone beginning to look at numbers:
http://www.cis.org/uscis-approach-to-data-release-flood-em-with-unreadable-numbers

My methodology for looking at available data:
Pick a random field office - I looked at NYC Field office in honor of the recent article and because service center numbers are not available in one report.
Pick a recent timeframe - April-May-June 2013 (Quarter 3 FY 2013)
Processing volume total
April Receipts 7,625
May Receipts 7,136
June Receipts 5,685
Total Receipts 20,445
Performance report total
Total Receipts 0
Processing volume completions
April Completions 4184
May Completions 4038
June Completions 4778
Total Completions 13000
Performance report completions
Total approvals 12014
Total denials 690
Total completions (?) 12704
Obviously the numbers do not match up
Since the processing volumes are usually late, it's possible we see a difference of a couple days work versus final tally.
Receipts are being counted differently. It would be a data mining project for someone to add up all the field office and service center values to see if they equal the official report. 1) Download all the .csv files for the service centers and field offices for a control period. 2) Separate the relevant data to match one quarter. 3) Sum totals to see if they match the reports or even national processing volume numbers for the respective period.
Numbers from one performance report to another also fail to match up. Consider the numbers from I-130 performance report to all form type report:
I-130 performance report
Total Receipts 411,939
Total Completions* 260,009
All forms report:
Total Receipts 413,317
Total Approvals 369,476
Even when counting denials vs. just approvals, the I-130 completion number is more than 100,000 off.
USCIS is capable of tracking this data for DACA. That 'immigration benefit' receives enough attention to merit regular updates, most recently February 6, 2014. USCIS should be reporting for all casework according to the law. Last month I drafted a letter that we should have all sent out while waiting for the New York Times article. It's not too late now.
Interesting read for someone beginning to look at numbers:
http://www.cis.org/uscis-approach-to-data-release-flood-em-with-unreadable-numbers

Don't let the injustice that's been done to your family end a life with the one you love. I've followed your posts and see the passion that you have and I admire the way you've fought for your loved one. Remember that nothing worth having in life is easy. I would suggest that in this moment you need to rely on your faith more than ever. Seek out someone out in you could speak to in confidence if you are not ready to share it with your wife.
Respect yourself
In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Ephesians 5:28
Respect others
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
Be responsible for your actions
Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14
Hang in there, dude! Don't forget someone's counting on you.

Don't let the injustice that's been done to your family end a life with the one you love. I've followed your posts and see the passion that you have and I admire the way you've fought for your loved one. Remember that nothing worth having in life is easy. I would suggest that in this moment you need to rely on your faith more than ever. Seek out someone out in you could speak to in confidence if you are not ready to share it with your wife.
Respect yourself
In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Ephesians 5:28
Respect others
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
Be responsible for your actions
Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14
Hang in there, dude! Don't forget someone's counting on you.

Don't let the injustice that's been done to your family end a life with the one you love. I've followed your posts and see the passion that you have and I admire the way you've fought for your loved one. Remember that nothing worth having in life is easy. I would suggest that in this moment you need to rely on your faith more than ever. Seek out someone out in you could speak to in confidence if you are not ready to share it with your wife.
Respect yourself
In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Ephesians 5:28
Respect others
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
Be responsible for your actions
Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14
Hang in there, dude! Don't forget someone's counting on you.

Don't let the injustice that's been done to your family end a life with the one you love. I've followed your posts and see the passion that you have and I admire the way you've fought for your loved one. Remember that nothing worth having in life is easy. I would suggest that in this moment you need to rely on your faith more than ever. Seek out someone out in you could speak to in confidence if you are not ready to share it with your wife.
Respect yourself
In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Ephesians 5:28
Respect others
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
Be responsible for your actions
Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14
Hang in there, dude! Don't forget someone's counting on you.

Don't let the injustice that's been done to your family end a life with the one you love. I've followed your posts and see the passion that you have and I admire the way you've fought for your loved one. Remember that nothing worth having in life is easy. I would suggest that in this moment you need to rely on your faith more than ever. Seek out someone out in you could speak to in confidence if you are not ready to share it with your wife.
Respect yourself
In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Ephesians 5:28
Respect others
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
Be responsible for your actions
Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14
Hang in there, dude! Don't forget someone's counting on you.

Don't let the injustice that's been done to your family end a life with the one you love. I've followed your posts and see the passion that you have and I admire the way you've fought for your loved one. Remember that nothing worth having in life is easy. I would suggest that in this moment you need to rely on your faith more than ever. Seek out someone out in you could speak to in confidence if you are not ready to share it with your wife.
Respect yourself
In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Ephesians 5:28
Respect others
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
Be responsible for your actions
Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14
Hang in there, dude! Don't forget someone's counting on you.

Don't let the injustice that's been done to your family end a life with the one you love. I've followed your posts and see the passion that you have and I admire the way you've fought for your loved one. Remember that nothing worth having in life is easy. I would suggest that in this moment you need to rely on your faith more than ever. Seek out someone out in you could speak to in confidence if you are not ready to share it with your wife.
Respect yourself
In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Ephesians 5:28
Respect others
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
Be responsible for your actions
Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14
Hang in there, dude! Don't forget someone's counting on you.

Don't let the injustice that's been done to your family end a life with the one you love. I've followed your posts and see the passion that you have and I admire the way you've fought for your loved one. Remember that nothing worth having in life is easy. I would suggest that in this moment you need to rely on your faith more than ever. Seek out someone out in you could speak to in confidence if you are not ready to share it with your wife.
Respect yourself
In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Ephesians 5:28
Respect others
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
Be responsible for your actions
Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14
Hang in there, dude! Don't forget someone's counting on you.

The time for letters has passed because we now have a contact claiming knowledge about the backlog. I believe we all have the right to speak directly to the USCIS spokesperson named in the New York Times article, Christopher S Bentley.
Christopher Bentley
Press Secretary at DHS/USCIS
Washington, District Of Columbia (Washington D.C. Metro Area)
Public Relations and Communications
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/christopher-bentley/7/568/636
Headquarters Press Office: (202) 272-1200

We should go to the source since no one at the lower levels of USCIS, from tier 1 contractors to service centers ISOs, is on the same page. Our fees pay for his salary and so do our taxes so I say it's time we put him to work answering our questions. Call Washington, D.C. and keep calling until you hear from them. If you were named in the article, you have even more reason to contact them because they can't ignore you at this point.

The time for letters has passed because we now have a contact claiming knowledge about the backlog. I believe we all have the right to speak directly to the USCIS spokesperson named in the New York Times article, Christopher S Bentley.
Christopher Bentley
Press Secretary at DHS/USCIS
Washington, District Of Columbia (Washington D.C. Metro Area)
Public Relations and Communications
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/christopher-bentley/7/568/636
Headquarters Press Office: (202) 272-1200

We should go to the source since no one at the lower levels of USCIS, from tier 1 contractors to service centers ISOs, is on the same page. Our fees pay for his salary and so do our taxes so I say it's time we put him to work answering our questions. Call Washington, D.C. and keep calling until you hear from them. If you were named in the article, you have even more reason to contact them because they can't ignore you at this point.

The story is gaining traction. It's now on the front page of the Drudge Report
Being covered by other news sources:
http://dailycaller.com/2014/02/09/obama-split-500000-american-families-to-legalize-illegals-before-2012-election/
Reprint in Columbus Dispatch of original article
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/national_world/2014/02/09/visa-slowdown-keeps-many-families-apart.html

More coverage:
http://www.latintimes.com/deferred-deportation-program-young-undocumented-immigrants-boosts-green-card-wait-times-families
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/370723/legal-immigrants-go-back-line-mark-krikorian

More coverage:
http://www.latintimes.com/deferred-deportation-program-young-undocumented-immigrants-boosts-green-card-wait-times-families
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/370723/legal-immigrants-go-back-line-mark-krikorian

More coverage:
http://www.latintimes.com/deferred-deportation-program-young-undocumented-immigrants-boosts-green-card-wait-times-families
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/370723/legal-immigrants-go-back-line-mark-krikorian

The story is gaining traction. It's now on the front page of the Drudge Report
Being covered by other news sources:
http://dailycaller.com/2014/02/09/obama-split-500000-american-families-to-legalize-illegals-before-2012-election/
Reprint in Columbus Dispatch of original article
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/national_world/2014/02/09/visa-slowdown-keeps-many-families-apart.html

The story is gaining traction. It's now on the front page of the Drudge Report
Being covered by other news sources:
http://dailycaller.com/2014/02/09/obama-split-500000-american-families-to-legalize-illegals-before-2012-election/
Reprint in Columbus Dispatch of original article
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/national_world/2014/02/09/visa-slowdown-keeps-many-families-apart.html

I think the journalist did a great job in the article. Please take note that USCIS didn't give her much to work with to explain their failures:
“a temporary increase in processing times”
“the standard ebb and flow”
"In November, the agency reported it had reduced waits to 10 months, calling that a 'significant step forward.'" (quoted from previous message to stakeholders)
“unanticipated hiring difficulties”
Laconic responses for an ongoing problem. My hope is that someone else decides to do some digging:
How does USCIS fall behind in workload when it is a fee based agency?
How can USCIS staff be assigned to process Deferred Action casework (specifically I-821D) when it grants no immigration benefit?
What happened in the hiring process to cause delays from 2012 to present?
Why is USCIS consistently late with reporting processing statistics?

I think the journalist did a great job in the article. Please take note that USCIS didn't give her much to work with to explain their failures:
“a temporary increase in processing times”
“the standard ebb and flow”
"In November, the agency reported it had reduced waits to 10 months, calling that a 'significant step forward.'" (quoted from previous message to stakeholders)
“unanticipated hiring difficulties”
Laconic responses for an ongoing problem. My hope is that someone else decides to do some digging:
How does USCIS fall behind in workload when it is a fee based agency?
How can USCIS staff be assigned to process Deferred Action casework (specifically I-821D) when it grants no immigration benefit?
What happened in the hiring process to cause delays from 2012 to present?
Why is USCIS consistently late with reporting processing statistics?

A very big thank you to the people who contributed to the article. I hope all of you find your way through the red tape to your loved ones soon.