Olya and Jose

I know how you feel. I felt EXACTLY the same. We got our NOA2 2 weeks ago, after waiting for 6 months and 2 days. When I contacted my congressman, I was told exactly the same, to wait and then it will be expedited. I waited and when I called Congressman again, they contacted USCIS again, and next day, I got the approval. And according to NVC, my application is an "expedited case".

I have a friend that works for State Dept. He said that when they get contacted by Congressmen, it is very annoying. But because it is annoying, those cases tend to get put on top of the pile so as not to be annoyed again. From my talks with him, the system is essentially communist. No incentive to go faster, they only wish to not be annoyed. Process sucks and very little accountability.

Just hang in there, be patient and be strong. Once you get the NOA2, the sun does come out!

Update... got my text... NOA2 today on March 8!!! woohoo! VSC is still full of lazy communists but at least finally onto the next step after 6 months.

I'm all for it. Here is what I posted on another thread here...

My NOA1 date is September 9, 2010. Last touched on October 3, 2010. I just got off the phone. The customer service guy confirmed that the "normal processing time" was 5 months as stated online and on their internal database, and so he was about to process an expedite request. Then, all of a sudden, he was told that he is unable to process since the Vermont Service Center has now changed the "normal processing time" and I need to wait 17 more days (i.e., March 25) before I am considered to be outside of the "normal processing time".

The conclusion.. 197 days is now the "normal processing time" at VSC.

Like everyone else, I'm supremely frustrated. I know people that work for this agency...come late, leave early, and spend half the day joking with colleagues... with no care about the heartache and suffering of thousands of people who must wait and wait due to their lack of diligence. And they want collective bargaining rights.. ha!

My NOA1 date is September 9, 2010. Last touched on October 3, 2010. I just got off the phone. The customer service guy confirmed that the "normal processing time" was 5 months as stated online and on their internal database, and so he was about to process an expedite request. Then, all of a sudden, he was told that he is unable to process since the Vermont Service Center has now changed the "normal processing time" and I need to wait 17 more days (i.e., March 25) before I am considered to be outside of the "normal processing time".

The conclusion.. 197 days is now the "normal processing time" at VSC.

Like everyone else, I'm supremely frustrated. I know people that work for this agency...come late, leave early, and spend half the day joking with colleagues... with no care about the heartache and suffering of thousands of people who must wait and wait due to their lack of diligence. And they want collective bargaining rights.. ha!