Forwarding Petitions to Lockbox?

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http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=097fb85dc4bc8210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

I'm curious if someone can explain what the above link actually means for the visa process. I just mailed my petition in last Wednesday, so I am curious what to expect. First, I'm in Texas, so should I expect them to forward my petition which I sent to Vermont back here to Texas? Secondly, does this mean they now have two more centers processing petitions for a total of 4? If so, that would likely shorten the waiting period, correct? Or are they merely using these TX and AZ centers to process the intake? To me this would add an extra step in the process and would lengthen the waiting period a little. In short, can someone please just explain how this will impact my petition?

Thanks!

[Larysa 0]

So I called to check what this new change means. It means that only future applications will be sent to the lock boxes and then will be further sent to the appropriate services centers. She didn't say why they were doing this but that if your application has already been at the California Center and started being processed there, it will continue to be processed there ( not at any other lock boxes of sorts).

[BLG 0]

So I called to check what this new change means. It means that only future applications will be sent to the lock boxes and then will be further sent to the appropriate services centers. She didn't say why they were doing this but that if your application has already been at the California Center and started being processed there, it will continue to be processed there ( not at any other lock boxes of sorts).

Thanks for the reply. I just sent mine last Wednesday, so I assume mine will be forwarded to the lockbox. I just wonder if this is a good or bad thing as far as the speed of the processing goes. Either way, I assume it will not effect it TOO much, but every little bit counts when waiting to bring ones loved one to be with them!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=097fb85dc4bc8210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

I'm curious if someone can explain what the above link actually means for the visa process. I just mailed my petition in last Wednesday, so I am curious what to expect. First, I'm in Texas, so should I expect them to forward my petition which I sent to Vermont back here to Texas? Secondly, does this mean they now have two more centers processing petitions for a total of 4? If so, that would likely shorten the waiting period, correct? Or are they merely using these TX and AZ centers to process the intake? To me this would add an extra step in the process and would lengthen the waiting period a little. In short, can someone please just explain how this will impact my petition?

Thanks!

Not in any way you will notice. The VSC has been doing this for some time already though it wasn't official. I do not know if CSC ghas been doing this also.

In the future your petition will be mailed to a lockbox. The mailing address you put on the package will not affect your processing time any more than it does now. The lockbox will be a central "hub" and will determine where your petition is most likely to be processed within the timeframe for that petition, then it will be sent to that service center for processing. The communications you receive will come from that service center.

You are entering into a process that takes YEARS to complete, the visa is only the beginning, it is not the end. It does not matter that your petition gets forwarded around the country and that doesn't take but 4 days or so in the whole process. Worrying about it is silly. Sending the package by Fedex overnight is ridiculous. Why pay for an overnight package on something that will be months in processing? Regular delivery confirmation mail is fine. Mailing time is not even a factor in the process.

This is being done in anticipation of drastically increased workload once an amnesty plan is in place (which will happen, in case you haven't figured that out) and increased fees which will be coming from USCIS before the end of the year.

It will likely make little difference in the processing of petitions that we see.

Will it speed the process? Maybe. Not likely. Remember, they are trying to be sure they comply with their stated guidelines, 5 months for an I-129f. They have no need or desire to do it sooner.If it happens, so be it.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Not in any way you will notice. The VSC has been doing this for some time already though it wasn't official. I do not know if CSC ghas been doing this also.

In the future your petition will be mailed to a lockbox. The mailing address you put on the package will not affect your processing time any more than it does now. The lockbox will be a central "hub" and will determine where your petition is most likely to be processed within the timeframe for that petition, then it will be sent to that service center for processing. The communications you receive will come from that service center.

You are entering into a process that takes YEARS to complete, the visa is only the beginning, it is not the end. It does not matter that your petition gets forwarded around the country and that doesn't take but 4 days or so in the whole process. Worrying about it is silly. Sending the package by Fedex overnight is ridiculous. Why pay for an overnight package on something that will be months in processing? Regular delivery confirmation mail is fine. Mailing time is not even a factor in the process.

This is being done in anticipation of drastically increased workload once an amnesty plan is in place (which will happen, in case you haven't figured that out) and increased fees which will be coming from USCIS before the end of the year.

It will likely make little difference in the processing of petitions that we see.

Will it speed the process? Maybe. Not likely. Remember, they are trying to be sure they comply with their stated guidelines, 5 months for an I-129f. They have no need or desire to do it sooner.If it happens, so be it.

Well since tomorrow is June 1st, and USCIS doesn't implement a fee increase without several months warning and a lengthy comment period, I don't expect there will be any increases this year.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Thanks for the reply. I just sent mine last Wednesday, so I assume mine will be forwarded to the lockbox. I just wonder if this is a good or bad thing as far as the speed of the processing goes. Either way, I assume it will not effect it TOO much, but every little bit counts when waiting to bring ones loved one to be with them!

It is not good or bad and is not being done to affect processing times which are already established, per se.

I started this process in 2007, we have had a major USCIS event every year since, and I expect it to continue every year until 2013. So far (and I am only half done) Our filings have been handled by VSC, CSC, Chicago Lockbox, National Benefits Center, the local St Albans office of USCIS...and what? Why are you concerning yourself over a mailing address and where the adjudicator sits that handles your case?

These are really just internal changes to handle things they anticipate in the future. Such public announcements are made to make you feel better about ....nothing, really.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Well since tomorrow is June 1st, and USCIS doesn't implement a fee increase without several months warning and a lengthy comment period, I don't expect there will be any increases this year.

The requirement is a 90 day comment period. The planned increase was for this year. I do not know if it will occur or not. We are just now seeing the announcemets of things they implemented last September.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

The requirement is a 90 day comment period. The planned increase was for this year. I do not know if it will occur or not. We are just now seeing the announcemets of things they implemented last September.

Well since you don't know for sure, stop saying that it will be this year. It's misleading to readers.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

The consensus on the legal blogs I've read is that this is being done to save money. A lot of manpower is needed for initial screening and fee processing, and USCIS can save considerable money by not duplicating the capability to perform this service at each service center. The lockbox system is the central hub of USCIS' direct filing system, and it's been their plan for some time to gradually transition to using the lockbox system as the central intake for many petitions.

Though USCIS will forward improperly filed petitions to the lockbox during the transition period, at least one lawyer's blog says you can probably expect this would add a 6 to 8 week delay to your petition processing, based on prior performance by USCIS when transitioning other forms to the lockbox.

http://www.masudafunai.com/showarticle.aspx?Show=5833

I seriously doubt this has anything whatever to do with speculative planning for any amnesty program. I can't fathom any agency of the US government taking action when no final legislation has even been proposed yet, both the legislative and executive branches have conceded that there's little chance any immigration reform bill is going to happen this year, and it's far from clear what the makeup of the House and Senate are going to look like after the November elections, though it's a foregone conclusion it will be less Democratic. Recent polls also show overwhelming support for securing the borders, and relatively little support for any sort of amnesty program. With the current public temperament, it would be political suicide for any politician to back an amnesty program except as an amendment to a strict border security bill. With the shifting political mood, and the changing of the guard on Capital Hill, I would expect to see legislation on border security before legislation on any sort of amnesty program, and I wouldn't expect to see either one anytime soon.

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Thanks everyone for the replies

Though USCIS will forward improperly filed petitions to the lockbox during the transition period, at least one lawyer's blog says you can probably expect this would add a 6 to 8 week delay to your petition processing, based on prior performance by USCIS when transitioning other forms to the lockbox.

http://www.masudafunai.com/showarticle.aspx?Show=5833

That's what I was afraid of. When you say improperly filed petitions will be sent to the lockbox, do you mean that those that are properly filed will not forwarded during the transition period?

Thanks

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Thanks everyone for the replies

That's what I was afraid of. When you say improperly filed petitions will be sent to the lockbox, do you mean that those that are properly filed will not forwarded during the transition period?

Thanks

No, petitions filed during the transition period will be forwarded. But, according to that attorney's blog, it may cause a delay of 6 to 8 weeks, based on what has happened to other petition types when they've transitioned to the lockbox system.

When I said "improperly filed petitions" I was referring specifically to petitions that were filed with a service center after the updated filing instructions are posted in June and before the grace period expires for the service center to automatically forward them. In re-reading the attorney's article, it looks like he thinks the potential delays have already begun, since USCIS has already begun forwarding petitions to the lockbox, though it's not clear when USCIS actually began doing this, or if all petitions are currently affected by this. If we see a rash of people not getting timely NOA1's (I've seen a few posted already) then we'll know...

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No, petitions filed during the transition period will be forwarded. But, according to that attorney's blog, it may cause a delay of 6 to 8 weeks, based on what has happened to other petition types when they've transitioned to the lockbox system.

When I said "improperly filed petitions" I was referring specifically to petitions that were filed with a service center after the updated filing instructions are posted in June and before the grace period expires for the service center to automatically forward them. In re-reading the attorney's article, it looks like he thinks the potential delays have already begun, since USCIS has already begun forwarding petitions to the lockbox, though it's not clear when USCIS actually began doing this, or if all petitions are currently affected by this. If we see a rash of people not getting timely NOA1's (I've seen a few posted already) then we'll know...

Thanks for the clarification. I guess all I can do is wait and see!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Well since you don't know for sure, stop saying that it will be this year. It's misleading to readers.

I answered the OPs question with information I receive from people I know that work at the VSC. It is the intent of the USCIS to raise fees this year. They were proposed last September with this lockbox change. The change is now official, I expect the fees to follow shortly. Political things being what they are it is beyond my control exactly when, June 1 is at least three months from the last date that fees could be implemnted this year so you are arguing about, basically, nothing...again. And have contributed nothing to the OPs question. If your intent is to follow me around and nitpick irrelevent details...you are doing a great job. If your intent is to contribute valuable and useful information...you can start anytime.

Trying to tell people there will NOT be a fee increase this year is misleading (at least as misleading as saying there will be) but saying there will be allows people to prepare for it, if it doesn;t occur, they will have extra money. How many do you think will complain?

But I know the intent you had was simply to try and prove that Gary was wrong about something. Hey, when we get to October 1 and they have yet to publish the new fees in the Federal Register, then you can say I was wrong.

Actually I hope they do hold off on the fee increases. I have to file two I-751s in October.