Megan & Luke

This is some positive news on the TSC front.. finally. While I am extraordinarily frustrated and grumpy about CSC having petitions approved within 2-3 months from NOA1, I would at least be comforted in knowing I may not have to wait LONGER than my 'expected' 5 months at TSC.. Crossing fingers, here's to hoping. Get those petitions MOVING!!!

I'm to the point that I struggle to find words to describe how I feel about this process anymore.
My fiance and I are new filers - July 2 - but at this rate I'm losing hope fast that this is going to be adjudicated faster than I lose my mind over it. I've tried to scale back - my fiance and I agreed to check the case status together, only once, on the weekends that we spend on Skype.
To begin with - being told we have to let another person who knows nothing about us make the decision that we can be together (arguing it's our choice for the USA doesn't help, no matter what someone has to decide for us) is just infuriating.
Second, to have the timeline just stomped all over depending on the whim of USCIS, caseload, presidential decrees or whatever the heck is going on this week.
All that is happening is that I am growing angrier by the day - which doesn't bode well, since we only just began this process and we have a long wait.
The imbalance at CSC vs TSC infuriates me, the approvals of new filers while old filers wait infuriates me, the inability of congressmen/women to be able to do anything about this infuriates me, the fact that they have no trouble cashing my check quick-time but then take who knows how long to actually do anything about my petition infuriates me, the fact that as a law abiding, tax paying American citizen my request gets equal or less treatment than DACA filers infuriates me... Oh god I could go on and on.
My fiance and I have been long distance for over 5 years, yet this process is just killing any hope I had of us being together within a year from our file date. This is the hardest thing we'll ever do and it's unfortunately being drug through a system that is incredibly flawed.
*mutter*

I'm to the point that I struggle to find words to describe how I feel about this process anymore.
My fiance and I are new filers - July 2 - but at this rate I'm losing hope fast that this is going to be adjudicated faster than I lose my mind over it. I've tried to scale back - my fiance and I agreed to check the case status together, only once, on the weekends that we spend on Skype.
To begin with - being told we have to let another person who knows nothing about us make the decision that we can be together (arguing it's our choice for the USA doesn't help, no matter what someone has to decide for us) is just infuriating.
Second, to have the timeline just stomped all over depending on the whim of USCIS, caseload, presidential decrees or whatever the heck is going on this week.
All that is happening is that I am growing angrier by the day - which doesn't bode well, since we only just began this process and we have a long wait.
The imbalance at CSC vs TSC infuriates me, the approvals of new filers while old filers wait infuriates me, the inability of congressmen/women to be able to do anything about this infuriates me, the fact that they have no trouble cashing my check quick-time but then take who knows how long to actually do anything about my petition infuriates me, the fact that as a law abiding, tax paying American citizen my request gets equal or less treatment than DACA filers infuriates me... Oh god I could go on and on.
My fiance and I have been long distance for over 5 years, yet this process is just killing any hope I had of us being together within a year from our file date. This is the hardest thing we'll ever do and it's unfortunately being drug through a system that is incredibly flawed.
*mutter*

My fiance and I are only a month into this waiting period between NOA1 and NOA2 and it puts the last 5 years of long distance to SHAME. I'm pretty sure this is the hardest thing we will ever have to do.
The only thing we can do is just wait it out. Getting angry some days is just required because it's all so frustrating - we have no timeline, he doesn't know when to leave his job, when do I get my new apartment? It isn't like these things are small adjustments - they are basically our entire lives being uprooted and changed.. all at the whim of when USCIS decides they want to adjudicate our petition.
I definitely feel the struggle of those who have had others apply after them and were approved before them. It's baffling. This entire process lands you knee-deep in government bureaucracy, whether you want it or not. The decisions of our Senate, House and the President can all reflect on normal citizens trying to live their lives (hence the recent DACA and immigration issues). Really, all we want is simple, to be with our loved ones and start to actually live the lives we are supposed to be living. I almost want to say 'that isn't too much to ask, is it?'.. but it is.
It's funny when my friends ask me how it is to be engaged and plan a wedding and I look at them like "what is a wedding?". One friend remarked to me today how she is going to remember me when she gets stressed over what color lights to hang near the head table and remember some people have it worse. This process is NOT for the faint of heart. The one thing that I think is important is finding ways to make this time special. I keep trying to remind myself of that when I get annoyed, impatient and frustrated with this.
You will probably never experience something like this in your life.. ever. This process turns love and family into a series of steps, applications and fees. It breaks down the very idea of being "in love" to something so mechanical and monotone. It's up to each of us in our relationships to make the time still special. You're engaged! For normal couples they will spend the next 8 months fighting over the color of the napkins at the table and if the centerpieces should have real or fake flowers. Couples like us break down every bit of our relationship into answers to questions that will determine if we can be together.
Sure, I would gladly take the former.. but think 20 years from now when you have kids (if you want them). Imagine the kind of story you will have - it's not the norm and it will be something that sticks with your children or those you tell. Our story was amazing and unique from the get-go and this process just adds another insane, amazing layer.

Believe me, I understand where you are coming from. I remarked to my fiance last week that it's amazing we did five years of long distance and we weren't OK with it, but it was tolerable. Now that we have filed, I am a basket case. I check the case status page a few dozen times a day, and so does he. Finally we agreed that we wouldn't look at it all week and we would check it once a week on Saturday when we spend the entire weekend together.
We were assigned to TSC, so the wait is even more frustrating and nervewracking. I finally saw him in May after a long long long wait and while it was the most amazing month of my life, it made things so much harder. I just want him to be here and it feels like we are putting everything on hold because we can't get an actual timeframe.
Annoyingly, we created our own timeline based on the average "5 months", which got him here in March or April 2015. This was for financial reasons, but now with TSC so far behind I am incredibly discouraged. Every day that passes it gets worse - and we only just filed! Even setting our OWN timeline it's hard! I know how you feel. I cycle from impatient, to angry, to sad, to optimistic every day. I try not to think about it, but if I'm honest, it's all I think about.
I hope your journey goes smoothly. There's so many of us here who are going through, or have gone through this process. Family and friends will never understand the way these folks do. It's a great community - even if you feel like you are being selfish or overreacting.. we get it <3
The biggest thing I have found that helps, is not to apologize for your emotions about this. It's a bureaucratic process we have to go through which is so far the opposite of what love is. We should be allowed to feel things and not apologize for it. If you want to be sad, do it. This process strains everything - you know you will be together.. but when? how? how long? what if they reject us? what if we have to wait even LONGER? You need to get those things out - this is a great place to do that.
There's a song I was listening to just after we filed, from Dierks Bentley (sorry if you don't like country) It sums up every reason why I am so impatient.
Cause when a man wants to be with a woman
There ain't no way of gettin' there too fast
When you know who you wanna spend
The rest of your life with you wanna start
The rest of your life
As soon as you can

Believe me, I understand where you are coming from. I remarked to my fiance last week that it's amazing we did five years of long distance and we weren't OK with it, but it was tolerable. Now that we have filed, I am a basket case. I check the case status page a few dozen times a day, and so does he. Finally we agreed that we wouldn't look at it all week and we would check it once a week on Saturday when we spend the entire weekend together.
We were assigned to TSC, so the wait is even more frustrating and nervewracking. I finally saw him in May after a long long long wait and while it was the most amazing month of my life, it made things so much harder. I just want him to be here and it feels like we are putting everything on hold because we can't get an actual timeframe.
Annoyingly, we created our own timeline based on the average "5 months", which got him here in March or April 2015. This was for financial reasons, but now with TSC so far behind I am incredibly discouraged. Every day that passes it gets worse - and we only just filed! Even setting our OWN timeline it's hard! I know how you feel. I cycle from impatient, to angry, to sad, to optimistic every day. I try not to think about it, but if I'm honest, it's all I think about.
I hope your journey goes smoothly. There's so many of us here who are going through, or have gone through this process. Family and friends will never understand the way these folks do. It's a great community - even if you feel like you are being selfish or overreacting.. we get it <3
The biggest thing I have found that helps, is not to apologize for your emotions about this. It's a bureaucratic process we have to go through which is so far the opposite of what love is. We should be allowed to feel things and not apologize for it. If you want to be sad, do it. This process strains everything - you know you will be together.. but when? how? how long? what if they reject us? what if we have to wait even LONGER? You need to get those things out - this is a great place to do that.
There's a song I was listening to just after we filed, from Dierks Bentley (sorry if you don't like country) It sums up every reason why I am so impatient.
Cause when a man wants to be with a woman
There ain't no way of gettin' there too fast
When you know who you wanna spend
The rest of your life with you wanna start
The rest of your life
As soon as you can

I don't think anyone is trying to say that I-129F petitioners are better or more important than any others. We are all starting to fight amongst ourselves and that's just making this more stressful for everyone.
What I think is being asked is that everyone is treated fairly, as a U.S. citizen, regardless of the petition you file for immigrant of a relative/spouse.
I understand that perhaps they receive more I-130's, and the higher completion rate helps as the petitioners may have been waiting longer. This is fine - we are just asking to be treated equally.
No one is asking TSC to ignore I-485 or I-130 petitioners - if they are so far behind, have CSC handle MORE I-129F petitions. Clearly they do not have enough work if they are processing within almost 80% of the national average of 5 months.
Let's not fight
(fixed petition number I-485)

I don't think anyone is trying to say that I-129F petitioners are better or more important than any others. We are all starting to fight amongst ourselves and that's just making this more stressful for everyone.
What I think is being asked is that everyone is treated fairly, as a U.S. citizen, regardless of the petition you file for immigrant of a relative/spouse.
I understand that perhaps they receive more I-130's, and the higher completion rate helps as the petitioners may have been waiting longer. This is fine - we are just asking to be treated equally.
No one is asking TSC to ignore I-485 or I-130 petitioners - if they are so far behind, have CSC handle MORE I-129F petitions. Clearly they do not have enough work if they are processing within almost 80% of the national average of 5 months.
Let's not fight
(fixed petition number I-485)

I don't think anyone is trying to say that I-129F petitioners are better or more important than any others. We are all starting to fight amongst ourselves and that's just making this more stressful for everyone.
What I think is being asked is that everyone is treated fairly, as a U.S. citizen, regardless of the petition you file for immigrant of a relative/spouse.
I understand that perhaps they receive more I-130's, and the higher completion rate helps as the petitioners may have been waiting longer. This is fine - we are just asking to be treated equally.
No one is asking TSC to ignore I-485 or I-130 petitioners - if they are so far behind, have CSC handle MORE I-129F petitions. Clearly they do not have enough work if they are processing within almost 80% of the national average of 5 months.
Let's not fight
(fixed petition number I-485)

I don't think anyone is trying to say that I-129F petitioners are better or more important than any others. We are all starting to fight amongst ourselves and that's just making this more stressful for everyone.
What I think is being asked is that everyone is treated fairly, as a U.S. citizen, regardless of the petition you file for immigrant of a relative/spouse.
I understand that perhaps they receive more I-130's, and the higher completion rate helps as the petitioners may have been waiting longer. This is fine - we are just asking to be treated equally.
No one is asking TSC to ignore I-485 or I-130 petitioners - if they are so far behind, have CSC handle MORE I-129F petitions. Clearly they do not have enough work if they are processing within almost 80% of the national average of 5 months.
Let's not fight
(fixed petition number I-485)

I don't think anyone is trying to say that I-129F petitioners are better or more important than any others. We are all starting to fight amongst ourselves and that's just making this more stressful for everyone.
What I think is being asked is that everyone is treated fairly, as a U.S. citizen, regardless of the petition you file for immigrant of a relative/spouse.
I understand that perhaps they receive more I-130's, and the higher completion rate helps as the petitioners may have been waiting longer. This is fine - we are just asking to be treated equally.
No one is asking TSC to ignore I-485 or I-130 petitioners - if they are so far behind, have CSC handle MORE I-129F petitions. Clearly they do not have enough work if they are processing within almost 80% of the national average of 5 months.
Let's not fight
(fixed petition number I-485)

I don't think anyone is trying to say that I-129F petitioners are better or more important than any others. We are all starting to fight amongst ourselves and that's just making this more stressful for everyone.
What I think is being asked is that everyone is treated fairly, as a U.S. citizen, regardless of the petition you file for immigrant of a relative/spouse.
I understand that perhaps they receive more I-130's, and the higher completion rate helps as the petitioners may have been waiting longer. This is fine - we are just asking to be treated equally.
No one is asking TSC to ignore I-485 or I-130 petitioners - if they are so far behind, have CSC handle MORE I-129F petitions. Clearly they do not have enough work if they are processing within almost 80% of the national average of 5 months.
Let's not fight
(fixed petition number I-485)

I don't think anyone is trying to say that I-129F petitioners are better or more important than any others. We are all starting to fight amongst ourselves and that's just making this more stressful for everyone.
What I think is being asked is that everyone is treated fairly, as a U.S. citizen, regardless of the petition you file for immigrant of a relative/spouse.
I understand that perhaps they receive more I-130's, and the higher completion rate helps as the petitioners may have been waiting longer. This is fine - we are just asking to be treated equally.
No one is asking TSC to ignore I-485 or I-130 petitioners - if they are so far behind, have CSC handle MORE I-129F petitions. Clearly they do not have enough work if they are processing within almost 80% of the national average of 5 months.
Let's not fight
(fixed petition number I-485)

I support this also. If you need help in drafting a letter, I will help as needed. I've already written to my senator about this situation – not about my case in particular because we're only at ~1 1/2mos. since filing, but with the overall inefficiency at TSC and the huge discrepancy between the two service centers – I've yet to receive a response.
It's unfair to those of us following legal immigration law having our application delayed because we were sent to TSC simply based on our state of residence. All Americans have a right to the same, reasonable processing time, regardless of where you live when you file.

My fiance and I looked over the dashboard on Saturday and I was lamenting how they can't even keep us updated - It was showing APR 14... At least now it's showing MAY 14!
Sadly, the numbers plummeted even more. The only positive is that there seems to be a decrease in I-129F's received as well. Not a lot, but some from the previous month.
I will be all for this, but I will hold off a bit. My fiance and I only filed July 2 and any contact from me now would seem ridiculous. If I hit my 5 months I'll be making a ruckus.
I've said this in another post, and nothing against any CSC filers, but it's almost a slap in the face when CSC is approving within 30-60 days and TSC is at 5.5+ months. Why can't USCIS start transferring? Honestly, if CSC needs more work they can definitely find some at TSC.
Good luck to those who try and contact now! I will do so if this drags on, but definitely going to wait a bit - it's only been two weeks and I don't know what will happen. We may even get transferred (boy I hope so) and it's too early for that.

My now fiance and I have been together around 5.5 years. All of that time has been apart - We've had one month long visit and we just submitted our paperwork July 2.
I know how you feel; you are anxious, impatient, angry and bitter towards USCIS for taking so long, the world in general for making this process so difficult, etc.. You aren't wrong to feel those things at all, I think you need to feel them to get them out. I struggle more with this process and the waiting than my fiance does. In our relationship he is the optimistic one while I am the cautious one. In my eyes I see the possibilities of things going wrong and how LONG this might take.
He suggested I start trying some things: Start planning other things. Be excited about your move in together, plan what kind of place you two want to get and what kind of rooms you want and how to decorate it. My fiance and I are planning on having children, so I went out and bought a few 'before pregnancy' books (What to Expect series is good..) and began talking with him about what we'd have to do to be ready. Since you two are not married, why not discuss marriage plans? My fiance and I talk about this on the weekends when we can see each other. I put together a small, intimate wedding just us with a small budget (under $2000.00). That small budget gets me REALLY involved looking for sales on dresses, deals for B&B's, etc.. It's tough but keeps my mind off the waiting.
Don't get me wrong, there are days where I am just DOWN. I check the USCIS case status a dozen times a day (but so does he). I check processing timelines constantly and I watch Igor's List. It's so hard to live without a timeline. You want to start the US part right now! If you had a NOA2, it's much easier to plan and be OK with the length for the interview. The longest part of this process is the time waiting between NOA1 and NOA2. The interview and medical are nothing in comparison. Once he has visa in hand, you can book that plane ticket ASAP.
Please try to think it over and think it through. The route he has suggested will probably take you much much longer to achieve than the K-1. If you filed in March, August is your cutoff of 5 months. When the 6th month begins, put in a request from your Senator or Congressman. The dates on the USCIS website are not always correct. It isn't a hard set date, look through the K1 timelines here and you can see there are some folks who get it earlier without expediting. You've already put time into this, don't give up on it now. Talk about your future together. Discuss bills, bank accounts, family, home.. jobs. Do it in a way that is US not ME or HIM. Using US helps, ME and HIM reminds you constantly you are separated.
Ignoring any of the above, take care of yourself. Find a hobby or even start a blog or website detailing your experience if you want. Make it private and give the password to family members and friends so they can follow along. You will be stronger for this if you both work at waiting just a little longer. It will be worth it. My fiance and I did not see each other for five years. Our month long trip in May decided everything about our future for us - it was worth waiting even for that.
Don't focus on what is going wrong - the waiting, the time frame, the distance - Focus on the fact that you can make this work. You said your work schedules are tough to work around. Do you mind telling me the difference between them? My fiance and I have worked around both of us having different jobs with numerous scheduling conflicts. There are ways - maybe not what you'd prefer - but remember that there will be times in married life, living together, where you will feel just as disconnected. Work around the conflicts and you'll be happier for it - even if it's not your ideal outcome right now.
Good luck

My now fiance and I have been together around 5.5 years. All of that time has been apart - We've had one month long visit and we just submitted our paperwork July 2.
I know how you feel; you are anxious, impatient, angry and bitter towards USCIS for taking so long, the world in general for making this process so difficult, etc.. You aren't wrong to feel those things at all, I think you need to feel them to get them out. I struggle more with this process and the waiting than my fiance does. In our relationship he is the optimistic one while I am the cautious one. In my eyes I see the possibilities of things going wrong and how LONG this might take.
He suggested I start trying some things: Start planning other things. Be excited about your move in together, plan what kind of place you two want to get and what kind of rooms you want and how to decorate it. My fiance and I are planning on having children, so I went out and bought a few 'before pregnancy' books (What to Expect series is good..) and began talking with him about what we'd have to do to be ready. Since you two are not married, why not discuss marriage plans? My fiance and I talk about this on the weekends when we can see each other. I put together a small, intimate wedding just us with a small budget (under $2000.00). That small budget gets me REALLY involved looking for sales on dresses, deals for B&B's, etc.. It's tough but keeps my mind off the waiting.
Don't get me wrong, there are days where I am just DOWN. I check the USCIS case status a dozen times a day (but so does he). I check processing timelines constantly and I watch Igor's List. It's so hard to live without a timeline. You want to start the US part right now! If you had a NOA2, it's much easier to plan and be OK with the length for the interview. The longest part of this process is the time waiting between NOA1 and NOA2. The interview and medical are nothing in comparison. Once he has visa in hand, you can book that plane ticket ASAP.
Please try to think it over and think it through. The route he has suggested will probably take you much much longer to achieve than the K-1. If you filed in March, August is your cutoff of 5 months. When the 6th month begins, put in a request from your Senator or Congressman. The dates on the USCIS website are not always correct. It isn't a hard set date, look through the K1 timelines here and you can see there are some folks who get it earlier without expediting. You've already put time into this, don't give up on it now. Talk about your future together. Discuss bills, bank accounts, family, home.. jobs. Do it in a way that is US not ME or HIM. Using US helps, ME and HIM reminds you constantly you are separated.
Ignoring any of the above, take care of yourself. Find a hobby or even start a blog or website detailing your experience if you want. Make it private and give the password to family members and friends so they can follow along. You will be stronger for this if you both work at waiting just a little longer. It will be worth it. My fiance and I did not see each other for five years. Our month long trip in May decided everything about our future for us - it was worth waiting even for that.
Don't focus on what is going wrong - the waiting, the time frame, the distance - Focus on the fact that you can make this work. You said your work schedules are tough to work around. Do you mind telling me the difference between them? My fiance and I have worked around both of us having different jobs with numerous scheduling conflicts. There are ways - maybe not what you'd prefer - but remember that there will be times in married life, living together, where you will feel just as disconnected. Work around the conflicts and you'll be happier for it - even if it's not your ideal outcome right now.
Good luck

My now fiance and I have been together around 5.5 years. All of that time has been apart - We've had one month long visit and we just submitted our paperwork July 2.
I know how you feel; you are anxious, impatient, angry and bitter towards USCIS for taking so long, the world in general for making this process so difficult, etc.. You aren't wrong to feel those things at all, I think you need to feel them to get them out. I struggle more with this process and the waiting than my fiance does. In our relationship he is the optimistic one while I am the cautious one. In my eyes I see the possibilities of things going wrong and how LONG this might take.
He suggested I start trying some things: Start planning other things. Be excited about your move in together, plan what kind of place you two want to get and what kind of rooms you want and how to decorate it. My fiance and I are planning on having children, so I went out and bought a few 'before pregnancy' books (What to Expect series is good..) and began talking with him about what we'd have to do to be ready. Since you two are not married, why not discuss marriage plans? My fiance and I talk about this on the weekends when we can see each other. I put together a small, intimate wedding just us with a small budget (under $2000.00). That small budget gets me REALLY involved looking for sales on dresses, deals for B&B's, etc.. It's tough but keeps my mind off the waiting.
Don't get me wrong, there are days where I am just DOWN. I check the USCIS case status a dozen times a day (but so does he). I check processing timelines constantly and I watch Igor's List. It's so hard to live without a timeline. You want to start the US part right now! If you had a NOA2, it's much easier to plan and be OK with the length for the interview. The longest part of this process is the time waiting between NOA1 and NOA2. The interview and medical are nothing in comparison. Once he has visa in hand, you can book that plane ticket ASAP.
Please try to think it over and think it through. The route he has suggested will probably take you much much longer to achieve than the K-1. If you filed in March, August is your cutoff of 5 months. When the 6th month begins, put in a request from your Senator or Congressman. The dates on the USCIS website are not always correct. It isn't a hard set date, look through the K1 timelines here and you can see there are some folks who get it earlier without expediting. You've already put time into this, don't give up on it now. Talk about your future together. Discuss bills, bank accounts, family, home.. jobs. Do it in a way that is US not ME or HIM. Using US helps, ME and HIM reminds you constantly you are separated.
Ignoring any of the above, take care of yourself. Find a hobby or even start a blog or website detailing your experience if you want. Make it private and give the password to family members and friends so they can follow along. You will be stronger for this if you both work at waiting just a little longer. It will be worth it. My fiance and I did not see each other for five years. Our month long trip in May decided everything about our future for us - it was worth waiting even for that.
Don't focus on what is going wrong - the waiting, the time frame, the distance - Focus on the fact that you can make this work. You said your work schedules are tough to work around. Do you mind telling me the difference between them? My fiance and I have worked around both of us having different jobs with numerous scheduling conflicts. There are ways - maybe not what you'd prefer - but remember that there will be times in married life, living together, where you will feel just as disconnected. Work around the conflicts and you'll be happier for it - even if it's not your ideal outcome right now.
Good luck

Hi!
When I wrote my letter I did it in my first person voice, I, me, we. I think it's more personal that way and the I-129F is really a petitioner's application, so it would make sense. All of the letters I drew up for ours were in that style. We haven't had an approval yet so I can't say whether it's right or wrong, but I would say that they'd rather see it in a personal style.
Good luck!

Hi!
When I wrote my letter I did it in my first person voice, I, me, we. I think it's more personal that way and the I-129F is really a petitioner's application, so it would make sense. All of the letters I drew up for ours were in that style. We haven't had an approval yet so I can't say whether it's right or wrong, but I would say that they'd rather see it in a personal style.
Good luck!

Looks like we've received some updated processing times as of May 31, 2014.. Posted today by USCIS
https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processTimesDisplay.do
Looks like the posts floating around about Texas Service Center STILL on December filers is correct, at least according to the latest posted times for the I-129F.