VSC News

[Chet 0]

It is a sad reality. It appears that our need to be with our spouse is of low priority with them. At the moment and based on what I've read, I think they are focusing almost all their resources on naturalization and family petition is at the bottom of the food chain. Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do. Not even if we ask our congressman and senators. I sure am extremely tired of "waiting"!

I did a little more digging. Between 2008-01-15 and 2008-03-15 NOA1 dates for I-129F, there are 59 pending I-129F for K-3s at the CSC.

Of those 53 have a NOA2... 90% or so.

at VSC for the same period

there are 69 pending and only 5 with a NOA2... about 7%, and I suspect one of the 5 is invalid.

Congratulations to the CSC folks. More power to you. I'm just curious why there is such a large discrepancy.

I looked at some CSC timelines, and alot of times are like 45 days between NOA1 and NOA2 for K3 visas. Did they just close up shop in Vermont and move all the staff to California?

If so, can I move to California, and re-file?

Be careful of what you wish for. We filed Nov. 20th and the NOA 1 for the I-130 was dated Jan 28th and not received until Feb 8th, which greatly delayed the I-129 filing. The NOA 2's were issued May 8th. The I-130 has not arrived at the NVC, even though the notice said they would send it there, so now they only have the option of going the K-3 route, even though their circumstances have changed and it would be better to go for a CR 1.

I wish for you speedy NOA 2s and the opportunity to proceed on the path you choose.

CSC filers

[Enlighten one :) 5]

There are several argumentive forums around VSC and CSC not approving I129f/K3 petitions. For over 4 months now vermont has not been approving the K3, because they would approve the I130 instead. CSC was approving the I129f and the I130 peitions together and forward the I129f/K3 petition to the NVC.

As I predicted Vermont has recently started back approving the I129f petitions too. They cannot just change their policy without informing the USC. When you are trying to get your SO here with little hassle, it is hard to argue when the gov is wrong.

[Dr. Nick 0]

I think there is some kind of a turf war/internal politics going on within USCIS between the VSC and CSC and that's why there is such a huge discrepancy in processing dates for I-130/I-129F between the two. Someone from Florida wrote in another thread here at VJ that they applied for a fiance K type visa first, and it was sent to CSC. However, later on they filed I-130 and this petition was sent to VSC. There was at least one more case like this that I read about here. So, VSC may be delaying the processing of the I-130's on purpose (or because they have too much work) as to prove the point that they are overloaded and working much harder than the CSC. VSC may even be hoping for a public outcry/outrage so they would get the attention and maybe balance the load better in the future, but it's not happening since there aren't many of us, and politicians don't seem to care. All of this is really punishing us and our families, and it's so wrong, causing us so much pain and suffering for no good reason.

If anybody has any different or better info please let us all know.

[Chet 0]

I don't know if anyone got any updates related to VSC but I tried calling the RFE line to inquire about their progress and the lady said they are now processing August. I expect the update will now reflect sometime in August instead of that July 30 date for the past 3 months for the I-130 petition. The conversation was very short but the lady was semi-nice. She just said to expect another 6-8 months. I've already waited more than 6 months!!! I tried to ask her why some people filed after me are already approved but avoided the answer.

VSC SUCKS!!!

[A_I_S 0]

I don't know if anyone got any updates related to VSC but I tried calling the RFE line to inquire about their progress and the lady said they are now processing August. I expect the update will now reflect sometime in August instead of that July 30 date for the past 3 months for the I-130 petition. The conversation was very short but the lady was semi-nice. She just said to expect another 6-8 months. I've already waited more than 6 months!!! I tried to ask her why some people filed after me are already approved but avoided the answer.

VSC SUCKS!!!

Unfortunately the "expect another 6-8 months" is the approved party line that they HAVE to use because their dates say "July 2007". So it's a completely pointless answer they have to give to cover their ###.

[crismar 0]

I am experiencing the same thing at VSC, which is completely unacceptable by the way. I wonder if that center ever got the authorization to hire more people. Looks like that they didn't. Anyway, seeing how long it may take now (when I filed I felt confident from everything I read and understood that the I-130 route would only take about 3 months more and she would have immigrant status), I may just go ahead and file the I-129F. This is where they get you. Now your spouse/financeé comes into the country and you have to apply for AOS and spend more money. Sounds like a money making scheme to me.

My question is this, if I file my I-129F now, will they consider all the time that my I-130 has been pending and based on that receipt date go ahead and process my I-129F?

Edited June 17, 2008 by crismar

[Chet 0]

I am experiencing the same thing at VSC, which is completely unacceptable by the way. I wonder if that center ever got the authorization to hire more people. Looks like that they didn't. Anyway, seeing how long it may take now (when I filed I felt confident from everything I read and understood that the I-130 route would only take about 3 months more and she would have immigrant status), I may just go ahead and file the I-129F. This is where they get you. Now your spouse/financeé comes into the country and you have to apply for AOS and spend more money. Sounds like a money making scheme to me.

My question is this, if I file my I-129F now, will they consider all the time that my I-130 has been pending and based on that receipt date go ahead and process my I-129F?

I don't think the issue is around I-130 or I-129F as they both are taking equally long time. The problem is purely slowness at VSC. I filed for a K-3 via I-129F in hope that it would be the most expeditious way to get my wife here. I followed the process outlined by them and by VJ to make sure I did everything correctly. I do not mind paying the fee for the AOS and would gladly pay more (even if I have to sell my blood) if I can get my wife here faster! I would gladly pay money to take away the anguish and torture this process has caused my family. I feel so helpless when I hear my wife cries from being so far apart.

As for your question, I am not sure what time line they would use. I would hope it would be the receipt date of your I-130 when they paired it together. Then again, the inner workings of USCIS appears to be a black box. Good luck, should you decide to proceed with the I-129F!!