bdrew612

Following!

Does anyone here speak Creole? I think this would be a great opportunity to ask about the backlog....

http://www.uscis.gov/outreach/upcoming-national-engagements/national-creole-language-engagement-konsey

I'm on there! @MrsDrewy007

Funny! I sent Marco Rubio a tweet yesterday lol

I agree, we need to move beyond the petitions. I don't think bombarding USCIS with case inquiries is particularly a great idea, as that could only cause more delays with actually processing petitions.

Why don't we all reach out to our congressperson with our case, get to know the staffers (I think that was mentioned previously in this thread), and tell them our story. It's also a good opportunity to let our congressperson know that we do not support amnesty (at least, not without adressing this backlog FIRST).

I also second bck's idea.

There's a couple things; K-1 filers DO have to prove a bona fide relationship (I really think that statement should be removed altogether).

Also, this paragraph: If you have your receipt number, you can go to the USCIS website and see processing times. USCIS average processing times vs Service Center your case may be sitting at and no matter what day you check it, still says last update as of October 31, 2013. Your case is in the midst of all other immigration cases.

Are you referring to an individual case as an example? Or in general? If it's the latter, that paragraph is outdated as USCIS is technically updating their processing times every month (even though we all know the dates they provide are not accurate). We should all pat ourselves on the back, it's because of our uproar that they started putting in monthly updates for the I-130!

I've seen on this site that the NOA1 can be used as proof of leaving the US (as the embassy where the spouse will get their visa is on the NOA1). I think we should state that it is incredibly difficult to obtain a visitor's visa (to differentiate from people who live in VWP countries). I think if we specify that it is difficult to obtain the visitor's visa, that will get the point across that our spouses go through intense scrutiny?

Also, K-1 petitioners do have to prove a bona fide relationship before they get their visa, and I don't think it would be in our best interests pit ourselves against K-1 filers. I DO however, think we should highlight the fact that K-1 filers are geting approved at an accelerated rate compared to spousal visas.

Given that there is going to be several letters sent out, I think it would be a good idea to seperate the issues?

Jayjaym, I think that's a great re-wording!

Wow! How did you get yours approved so fast?! Many congrats!!! And your local office is my home town :-)

Perhaps something along the lines of

'Once the petition is filed, our foreign spouses are often advised by legal counsel against visiting the US while the petition is being processed. Even after we start the process to immigrate our family member legally, we are still subject to intense scrutiny and possible rejection to visit family members in the United States.'

???? Would that work? Open to suggestions!

This is great!

The only statement I would suggest editing is the sentence that family members are not allowed to visit while the petition is pending (as many have been able to visit during the process). I think we should leave out anything that can be reatively easy to disprove.

Just got off the phone with Sen Klobuchar's office. I'm goung to be sending her office copies of the letters we've sent to USCIS, the Community Idea fiasco and some data that shows USCIS is not doing their job!

On a side note, her staffer remembered me lol

You should not have any problems. My husband flew here on VWP and we got married in the US. He flew back, no issue.

When you visit, make sure you can provide ties that you'll return to Ireland (return ticket, copy of the I-797, letter from employer or university that you are still active). I've seen many threads from people with pending I-130s and travel to the US on the VWP and there's rarely any problem visiting. :-)

First, welcome back thedude.

Second, let's do this. I'm happy to help with writing (I think there should be a few of us on board in this area). I also think it might be a good idea to have a social media coordinator, too.

Congrats!!!!!!

It really sucks to admit it, but the distance does put a strain on the marriage. My husband and I have the dumbest arguments and we both know deep down, it's the distance. We've been married 5 months, and instead of figuring out who we are as a unit, we're having a Skype-marriage still living our daily lives as individuals. I know our situation could be a lot worse, but I'm not happy that I only get to see my husband 3 hours a day (Skype) and in person 2 or 3 times a year. No married person would be satisfied with that.

My friends here, bless them, TRY to get it, but they really don't. My sharing and posting of our struggle is getting less and less attention. I've been reduced to an immigration status in conversations. And if one more person asks me "so, how does it feel to be married?" I am going to punch them.

It is nice to vent to people who understand. This was a good idea thedude. We're all in this struggle together and it is awful, but hang in there. You and your wife will make it through this and will come out even stronger than before. Don't give up, and don't feel bad for having a moment of exasperation. We all have those. It doesn't take away the love you have for your wife.

September filer here. It's not unusual that you haven't heard anything yet. :/

Might I recommend signing up for British Airways Executive Club! The trips accumulate miles and I'm hoping to have a rewards flight in August

This reminds of a joke I saw online, Excerpts from Court Reporters. I think this sums it up:

Q: Now doctor, isn’t it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn’t know about it until the next morning?
A: Did you actually pass the bar exam?

Unless there's something bizarre about your case, skip the attorney. They'll take A LOT of your money and feed you BS. I've learned more on this site than from any attorney I've talked with

I hope you didn't pay for that consultation!

The big thing is to provide proof of strong ties that you'll return to the UK after your visit (a copy of the I-797, a letter from your employer).

From what other UK people have shared here, you should have no problem visiting (many say they weren't even asked to provide proof). I think it's a benefit of being in a country with a VWP! If you had to apply for a visitor's visa, then I'd think you'd have a tougher time. You should be fine. My husband is visiting in March!

OH! Make sure you apply for your ESTA if you haven't already (it's good for 3 years).

I don't think it will mess up your process. Your file isn't going to get touched for a few months at least (September filer here, hasn't been touched since they took our money!).

Whatever Embassy you listed on the I-130 as where you'll be getting your visa from is where you'll need to be once the I-130 is approved. I'm not sure what Korea's immigrant rules are, but I would look into that before going there for an extended period of time.

P.S. I think it's great you both have some way to be together throughout this ordeal! My husband and I only see each other every 3 months and it is TOUGH - but, as he says, a few months apart is worth having the rest of our lives together

I think highlighting a comparison with the Deferred Action petitions will get the media interested. The common dude on the street wouldn't know the difference between a K-1, K-3, I-130 and probably won't take the time to read it. Comparing our backlog with the DACA provides the 'punch' journalists are looking for when writing a story (in my honest opinion). Everyone in the States is familiar with the controversy surrounding illegal immigration, but hardly anyone is aware of the legal process. If the public is informed of what we're going through, maaaaaaybe we can get some action...?

The big fun is getting approved is only the first step in this process. Then the file goes to the National Visa Center (where I heard a few months ago they've been moving at a snail's pace, too).

Basically, when it's all said and done, the K-3 and I-130 are running about the same time. Really, with an I-130, that's more cost effective than the K-3 anyway.

With the I-130, when you arrive in the US, you don't need to adjust your status, you're entering as a permanent resident already (or conditional permenant resident, that depends on how long you've been married). If you arrive in the US on a K-3, you'll need to file and pay for the I-485 to adjust your status.

I never in my life thought I'd know this much about US Immigration.

Hi there! I'm in Minnesota But my husband is still in England

He's planning to visit soon, though.

I know what you mean, I'm not from Minnesota and the culture here is very different from what I'm used to. I've been here about 4 years and it's been tough to make new friends.

It means that as of November 30, 2013 TSC is saying the last I-130 petition that was adjudicated had an NOA1 of March 12, 2013.

If you look at the immigration timelines on this site, you'll see that USCIS' dates are not accurate!

I've talked with my Congressman, Senator and an attorney and everyone is echoing the sentiment that is often posted here; the K-3 visa is obsolete. Apparently, once upon a time I-130s were taking years to approve, so the K-3 was designed so familes could be reunited while the I-130 was being processed (if ONLY that was USCIS' goal now). Fast forward to present day, the K-3 and I-130 have about the same processing time, so it won't get you in the US any quicker. But, if you enjoy filling out paperwork, then go for it

In the meantime, there's a great community of people here anxiously waiting for our spouses to come home