California Service Center

[TimsDaisy 0]

The process will never change if you sit in fear and say nothing. No one is going to take retribution against your petition. The people processing these papers are just average people like us with their own lives and problems and things to do at work and at home. I highly doubt they'd really care enough about you to junk your petition. Not to mention, the people you would call to talk to either through USCIS or your congressional office aren't going to be standing next to your file setting it on fire or hiding it in a drawer somewhere.

Not to mention: government jobs, especially ones like these, have extremely strict procedures and requirements that must be followed or people get in trouble. Their kind of job, since it's for a public agency, is susceptible to TONS of public scrutiny. One whiff of impropriety and its curtains.

I really wish I didn't see comments on VJ so often that expressed a desire to speak up for our rights to the same government resources as residents of the few states in VSC territory, but expressed a stronger fear that speaking up would cause a mysterious loss of petitions or time.

Not. going. to. happen.

TimsDaisy, you seem to be pretty well educated on this matter, so in your opinion what is the best course of action. I have seen many threads about writing letters to our representatives or about signing petitions on the matter. In your opinion, what is the best thing we can do? Is writing a letter to my representative the best course of action to take? I have been wanting to let my voice be heard on this matter, but was somewhat unsure about the best way to go about it.

Thank you!

Karoline

First off - hey, post movers! I was expecting this one to get moved when I read it, but what the heck form is this one? Why not move it to the progress report K1 subforum where there's already a bunch of "hey, what's up with this slow stuff" posts? Anyway . . . .

As to the question: I would call my congressional office (use www.house.gov to find your member of congress, using your zip code, or www.senate.gov, and look at your state to find the senators). Call the district office (that'd be the one in your hometown or state, rather than the one in DC), and ask to speak to whomever handles immigration case work. Explain your situation. Explain that you know that the processing times posted online are merely a cover and that the real time is 2.9 months (as reported by the USCIS in other fed publications). Be courteous, but explain all you can, as effectively and calmly as possible. Cite your frustration about the differences in processing times for 75% of this country as opposed to the luck 25% who go through VSC. Ask if the congressperson is aware of this disparity.

You won't get swift action, most likely - they aren't magic. But if we, as a community, keep our policy area on the radar at a time when other areas of immigration law are getting attention, it can't hurt. There's no guarantee it will help. But the only 100% certain thing is that if we DON'T bring attention to the effects of these processing times and the fundamental unfairness of the VSC vs the other SCs, then NOTHING will ever change at all.

Have you written? Just seems easy enough to gather up all of us CSC bitchers and write one letter petition style. Do you agree? I'd be willing to offer my PO Box for a collective bundle to present to the service center or whoever it is that will listen...or hell...all the parties involved.

You'll get conflicting responses from Congressional staffers about what they find most effective or eye catching. A bundle is less effective, however, because, unless you're gathering letters SOLELY from people who live in the same member's district, they'll just get inter-officed to the writer's congressional representative anyway. I also view petitions - a single letter with a bunch of signatures - less effective than everyone taking the time to pen their own story - or call and explain it to a live person. Or fax or email, however you want.

The more individual action, the better. And even that doesn't guarantee swift action. But it helps make people aware - which is the first step. Keeps us on the radar, etc.

[Dwarf_Ogress 0]

I did what TimsDaisy suggested and I contacted my district office and spoke to the lady who handles immigration cases. She was very nice and well informed. She is mailing me a release of information form and as soon as I send it back to her, she will contact CSC and find out what the delay is. I did mention to her that there are MANY people who are also waiting longer than I have been and she said she would look into it. I strongly advise everyone waiting to contact someone, nothing will be done if we are not heard.

Thanks TimsDaisy!

Good luck to us all!

[John & Annie 0]

Thanks to TimsDaisy this thread is going in the right direction.

A petition will not help you, this is not high school. A petition is only as good as the lawmakers behind the petition.

What it will take is the education the general public on why immigration needs reform. It will take each of those people getting off their tails and contacting their senator and congressional reps to initiate and enact change.

It takes people getting involved in the political process and realizing that each individual really makes a difference.

There are many ways to get involved, just do something

Edited April 20, 2007 by John & Annie

[reach449 2]

Thanks for all the inputs here at this thread. I hope this thread will continue and grow. I never thought that I would get so many responses. Thanks Daisy for all of you information.

We can call our Congressmen and Senators, but I fear that if changes are going to be made it will take a long time. Most likely long after we are finished with our petitions and this is all behind us. Nothing happens fast with the U.S. goverment, especially changes. The goverment is always happy with the status quo. They forget or don't care how much of a personal thing this is to us. They are dealing with people's lives, but don't even realize it.

It is a shame that this country is bringing in 25,000 Iraq refugees and begining the process of legalizing the illegal immigrants that are already here in this country. While we go through the legal process of bringing our loved ones to this country and get put on the "back burner". It just isn't right. However, we are dealing witht the impersonal goverment machine that only listens to who shouts the loudest. And right now immergration reform is getting illegal aliens legal, not improving the process of getting persons that are applying for entry to this country legally. It is really a screwed up situation that if it ever gets fixed, it will probably not be in our lifetimes.

Sorry, for seeming so gloomy and pessmistic, but am I on the right track with what I am saying?

Thanks,

reach449

Edited April 21, 2007 by reach449

[wissooner 0]

Well, I have already contacted my elected representatives and let them know about the problem of the difference of processing times between the two centers. I wasn't asking for any action on their part for me, (yet) I just wanted them to know that I wasn't happy with the way USCIS was handling things...

[Dan&Tiffany 0]

Well, I have already contacted my elected representatives and let them know about the problem of the difference of processing times between the two centers. I wasn't asking for any action on their part for me, (yet) I just wanted them to know that I wasn't happy with the way USCIS was handling things...

Same here. Still no response, and I sent it to both Senators and my State Rep almost two weeks ago. Waiting for the 2 week mark then making a follow up contact by phone. No sense in this. It really is ridiculous, and if we don't complain, no one else is going to.

[DollThrift 0]

i just wanted to post a quick note to let everyone know that the CSC actually IS still up and running. i received my NOA2 last night at 6.45pm (i find it hard to believe they work past 5pm...) via email and am expecting the hard copy in about a week. HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF.

amount of time between NOA1 and NOA2: 92 days

[Beauty for Ashes 257]

i just wanted to post a quick note to let everyone know that the CSC actually IS still up and running. i received my NOA2 last night at 6.45pm (i find it hard to believe they work past 5pm...) via email and am expecting the hard copy in about a week. HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF.

amount of time between NOA1 and NOA2: 92 days

lucky you.. we have the same response date and I just got touced. No NOA

[TracyTN 237]

i just wanted to post a quick note to let everyone know that the CSC actually IS still up and running. i received my NOA2 last night at 6.45pm (i find it hard to believe they work past 5pm...) via email and am expecting the hard copy in about a week. HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF.

amount of time between NOA1 and NOA2: 92 days

That's darn near speedy!

Try 128 days...!

[kari lina 0]

First off - hey, post movers! I was expecting this one to get moved when I read it, but what the heck form is this one? Why not move it to the progress report K1 subforum where there's already a bunch of "hey, what's up with this slow stuff" posts? Anyway . . . .

As to the question: I would call my congressional office (use www.house.gov to find your member of congress, using your zip code, or www.senate.gov, and look at your state to find the senators). Call the district office (that'd be the one in your hometown or state, rather than the one in DC), and ask to speak to whomever handles immigration case work. Explain your situation. Explain that you know that the processing times posted online are merely a cover and that the real time is 2.9 months (as reported by the USCIS in other fed publications). Be courteous, but explain all you can, as effectively and calmly as possible. Cite your frustration about the differences in processing times for 75% of this country as opposed to the luck 25% who go through VSC. Ask if the congressperson is aware of this disparity.

You won't get swift action, most likely - they aren't magic. But if we, as a community, keep our policy area on the radar at a time when other areas of immigration law are getting attention, it can't hurt. There's no guarantee it will help. But the only 100% certain thing is that if we DON'T bring attention to the effects of these processing times and the fundamental unfairness of the VSC vs the other SCs, then NOTHING will ever change at all.

TimsDaisy, Thank you so much for such a thorough reply. I'm planning to make the call on Monday to my district office. I've also put together a letter to send as well. I figure it can't hurt to put it in writing as well.

I also just wanted to say that I have already received my NOA2 back in February, and my fiancé already has his interview date scheduled for May 4th So, I'm not doing this for my own benefit, as bringing to the attention of the government the frustration of the processing time differences between CSC and VSC will have no affect on my petition. I know some people have said or maybe thought that there is no point in bringing the situation to the government's attention because nothing will be done in time for our cases. While it is more than likely true that changes won't be made for our petitions, but it is still important for us to let our voices heard for the others who will go through this process behind us. If the processing times between service centers do get evened out someday, we may not get any real benefit from it for ourselves, but it will feel good to know that we've helped others who will go through this process behind us. The same way that we all help each other out here on VJ. And you never know, it may even directly affect your family some day. My father immigrated here from Germany in 1973, and I met my fiancé 10 years ago while visiting my family in Germany and now he's immigrating here. Having parents from 2 different countries and cultures instilled in me a love of learning about other countries and culture, and that definitely played a part in appreciating and falling in love with my fiancé. So here I am bringing my fiancé to the United States, just as my mom brought my dad here 34 years ago. My point is that sometime later, maybe even 10, 20, 30 years down the line, some of our children may also go through this process and if we let our voices be heard now then I hope it will be much smoother for those that do. So, any who may be thinking that there is no point to say or do anything about this issue because it won't affect us or our petitions, I just wanted to let you know why I think it's important that we do this for those who will follow us in the process.

My 2 cents

Karoline

Edited April 22, 2007 by kari lina

[John & Annie 0]

Well, I have already contacted my elected representatives and let them know about the problem of the difference of processing times between the two centers. I wasn't asking for any action on their part for me, (yet) I just wanted them to know that I wasn't happy with the way USCIS was handling things...

Same here. Still no response, and I sent it to both Senators and my State Rep almost two weeks ago. Waiting for the 2 week mark then making a follow up contact by phone. No sense in this. It really is ridiculous, and if we don't complain, no one else is going to.

Two weeks is hardly any time for them to get a response. But i would recommend contacting them to ensure that the letters did go out. I call one of my Senators office two months later and thet stll had not sent a letter. I raised hell, they apologized and now keep me updated.

[hmm1 0]

Well, I have already contacted my elected representatives and let them know about the problem of the difference of processing times between the two centers. I wasn't asking for any action on their part for me, (yet) I just wanted them to know that I wasn't happy with the way USCIS was handling things...

Same here. Still no response, and I sent it to both Senators and my State Rep almost two weeks ago. Waiting for the 2 week mark then making a follow up contact by phone. No sense in this. It really is ridiculous, and if we don't complain, no one else is going to.

Two weeks is hardly any time for them to get a response. But i would recommend contacting them to ensure that the letters did go out. I call one of my Senators office two months later and thet stll had not sent a letter. I raised hell, they apologized and now keep me updated.

Well, I contacted my congressman again today...last time I received a failry speedy answer...and hopefully this time I will too...

[Dan&Tiffany 0]

Contacted again today...Getting impatient. I was able to get through to both of the Senators, but the Rep I haven't been able to contact. I did read on another thread that there were rumors floating about of people quitting at CSC. CSC Lost Petition

This is a bit worrisome. What next, eh?

[DakotaK1 1]

It really pisses me off also that Vermont gets the the Visa faster than the rest of us!!!!

BUT I seriously think instead of us all moaning we should all try do something together,like collect Emails and then mail them all off to them or god knows what. Apparently America has the world power...when I look at how poor they are doing our Petitions makes me think other things...

[Dan&Tiffany 0]

Just an update: Got a letter from one of the Senators in the post today. Reads as follows:

Dear Ms. Tiffany

Thank you for your recent correspondence and for bringing this matter to my attention. The decisions of federal agencies have a direct impace on the lives of many Texans. For that reason, I understand the importance of this issue to you. As your United States Senator, I am happy to offer my assistance.

Accordingly, I have contacted the appropriate officials at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and asked them to provide a response to your concerns. I will write you again as soon as I receive their reply to my inquiry.

I appreciate having the opportunity to represent you in the United States Senate and to be of service in this matter.

Sincerely,

John Cornyn

United States Senator

So...yeah...not exactly what I expected. As I'd mention - my letter wasn't really expressing assistance in expediting my case in particular (at this point), but more discussing the difference in processing times and the overall length of the family based visas. Also worth mentioning - I did expect to hear from this one over the other Senator as he is up for re-election next year (convenient).