Petition to sign if interested

[Alt name 1]

I commented on that.

You all realize that this petition is asking for changes in the law for legal permanent resident petitioners, and not for USC petitioners?

[SusieK 3]

There's nothing wrong with signing this petition. We should all stay informed of immigration issues.

But you might want to look to organizations who have the muscle and the money to make real change. Here's a link to one of them:

www.americanfamiliesunited.org

Thanks Rebecca would have found it sooner or later, but with your post sooner fits my personality better. Tough day yesterday sorry....holidays are around the corner, four months no receipt, no help from USCIS - only this forum thank god that can offer some tissue for the tears that I cried with my husband last night. Sorry its so frustrating to try and understand what is going on and I think I speak for so many of us. At least if some of us had a receipt number we could actually be part of the system. But as of right now, so many applications are just being shuffled around.

Thanks Rebecca again. But can I ask you something as I do value all advice on this forum.... and I am not being negative or vendictive to anyone ....but here goes..

If you file a 1-129F why does it get into the system quickier i.e., receipt NOA1 then do our I-130's? I cant seem to get an answer on that one. If anyone has any ideas at all, even if its because they have a wings on that application, great, I just dont see the reasoning (I know I know USCIS no reasoning at all) that married couples have to be placed on the back burner.

I just feel that being an American, born and raised in California and now in Florida, that I have no more rights when it comes to this issue. I feel like ####### that my country has given me a boot, no wait, make that two boots and does not care about what this country's foundation was so firmly built on. FAMILY MORALS, yikes. what has happened to my rights?

The website at USCIS is such a joke, I learned quite a while back from an Immigration Officer saying please do not even read it per se, since it does not practice really what it prints out. Information is lacking serious current information. Calling them has become a nightmare, because each time I do or another friend from VJ does, it is two different answers completely to the same question.

Sorry early in the am, venting before I do letters to the media and go off to the site you suggested. I am just so confused as many of us are. And sad that I was not aware of this problem before I became actively engrossed in to it because of my own personal situation. I will just try to do my own petition and sit outside a Target store or wherever and get it signed. At least I will feel that I did something constructive for a few days. Dont get me wrong, I work hard at my job, its just that issue has me concerned and perplexed.

All I can hope for is some resolution soon, I will not give up ever, but do hope that somewhere down the line, it evens out for future people that are going to take this journey to have their loved ones here in a timely manner, with information being given to them that is accurate.

Sighing but again, thank you for link....

Cheers to you and yours for the holidays.

Susie

[rebeccajo 14]

Oh, Susie, I will try to answer you, even though I know the price I will pay here will be dear.

The bottom line fact here is that even though the system is broken, the system is all we've got. Unless you'd like to have your husband here illegally.

When I first joined here, a similar debate was raging. At that time K3's were taking considerably longer than K1's and there was much tension between petitioners.

Also when I first joined all four Service Centers were processing and the times between each swung wildly like a pendulum. K1 petitioners going through Vermont typically took less than a month to receive NOA2. Nebraska petitioners took 6-8 months.

Things smoothed themselves out over time and eventually there got to very little difference between processing times. The CR1 always took a bit longer because of it's inherent nature.

Since I've been here there have been at least two mature snafu's with processing and USCIS not foreseeing paperwork clogs - the implementation of the International Marriage Broker's Act and the Adam Walsh Act. Both caused a lot of hearthache and delays for petitioners - both were sorted eventually.

This mess with the processing times of all petitions (because of the fee hike) is the worst I've seen. I can't answer you about why your I-130's have been languishing but I believe that even if you had your NOA1, you'd still be in the same boat timewise. Just because you have a receipt doesn't mean your file is being 'worked'. And that's true of all types of cases.

The system is what it is. Research online and you will find that the number of immigrant petitions to this country has exploded in the last 10 years. Add to that the mandate of our President after Sept 11 2001 that the background of ALL petititioners be examined before a case can be approved. It is a wonder that the new organization known as Department of Homeland Security functions at all.

Legislation in this country moves at a snails pace as well. I believe simply because the most important person in our lives is foreign born that we should remain politically aware of immigrants issues. And I believe that vigilance should not cease once we are reunited with them. The political atmosphere in this country is not 'immigrant friendly'. That being said, however, I can assure you of this - even if you involve yourself with a political action group seeking changes in the system, the fact remains that your case will be approved before any legislation is rewritten that would benefit you. USCIS does manage to get cases through, although sometimes at a grindingly slow pace. Legitimate cases are rarely denied - files are rarely lost.

Involve yourself politically for change. But realize it is change that will benefit those who go after you. And really, that's not a bad thing.

Edited December 17, 2007 by rebeccajo

[SusieK 3]

Oh, Susie, I will try to answer you, even though I know the price I will pay here will be dear.

The bottom line fact here is that even though the system is broken, the system is all we've got. Unless you'd like to have your husband here illegally.

When I first joined here, a similar debate was raging. At that time K3's were taking considerably longer than K1's and there was much tension between petitioners.

Also when I first joined all four Service Centers were processing and the times between each swung wildly like a pendulum. K1 petitioners going through Vermont typically took less than a month to receive NOA2. Nebraska petitioners took 6-8 months.

Things smoothed themselves out over time and eventually there got to very little difference between processing times. The CR1 always took a bit longer because of it's inherent nature.

Since I've been here there have been at least two mature snafu's with processing and USCIS not foreseeing paperwork clogs - the implementation of the International Marriage Broker's Act and the Adam Walsh Act. Both caused a lot of hearthache and delays for petitioners - both were sorted eventually.

This mess with the processing times of all petitions (because of the fee hike) is the worst I've seen. I can't answer you about why your I-130's have been languishing but I believe that even if you had your NOA1, you'd still be in the same boat timewise. Just because you have a receipt doesn't mean your file is being 'worked'. And that's true of all types of cases.

The system is what it is. Research online and you will find that the number of immigrant petitions to this country has exploded in the last 10 years. Add to that the mandate of our President after Sept 11 2001 that the background of ALL petititioners be examined before a case can be approved. It is a wonder that the new organization known as Department of Homeland Security functions at all.

Legislation in this country moves at a snails pace as well. I believe simply because the most important person in our lives is foreign born that we should remain politically aware of immigrants issues. And I believe that vigilance should not cease once we are reunited with them. The political atmosphere in this country is not 'immigrant friendly'. That being said, however, I can assure you of this - even if you involve yourself with a political action group seeking changes in the system, the fact remains that your case will be approved before any legislation is rewritten that would benefit you. USCIS does manage to get cases through, although sometimes at a grindingly slow pace. Legitimate cases are rarely denied - files are rarely lost.

Involve yourself politically for change. But realize it is change that will benefit those who go after you. And really, that's not a bad thing.

Thank you for the time and effort to share your experience and thoughts - I agree with this totally, only point that I would correct is that getting a NOA1 would be the like a trip around the world for xmas, what some of us are looking for is that the file has been entered into the system and a receipt issued. Tis all I want for xmas right now, and my hubbie and I are willing to deal with the backlog down the road although ya know I will continue to explode now and then about the slowness of processing times. Typical for me. To have him here without proper papers, no way in the world. Illegal does not exist in our world. Guess that is part of my anger also, but lets put that aside for now.

Yes I want to make a change for those after me, for that mark if made in the world will show that I cared so much to continue the journey further than some have. I notice that you are done with your mates journey but thanks for staying on to help us newbies try to understand what is going on.

Sighing but back to the fight!!!!!

[rebeccajo 14]

Yes I want to make a change for those after me, for that mark if made in the world will show that I cared so much to continue the journey further than some have. I notice that you are done with your mates journey but thanks for staying on to help us newbies try to understand what is going on.

Sighing but back to the fight!!!!!

My husband may be with me, but the journey is not done. It is never done in my opinion.

There are still conditions to be lifted and there is naturalization if he desires it - those are the 'paperwork' things. And eternally he is separated from family, friends, and everything he grew up with. He is from a different culture than the people around him, speaking with an accent and taking the 'risk' of being different in a country that isn't kind to that at the moment.

He is always foreign born. Loving them means remembering that.

[SusieK 3]

Yes I want to make a change for those after me, for that mark if made in the world will show that I cared so much to continue the journey further than some have. I notice that you are done with your mates journey but thanks for staying on to help us newbies try to understand what is going on.

Sighing but back to the fight!!!!!

My husband may be with me, but the journey is not done. It is never done in my opinion.

There are still conditions to be lifted and there is naturalization if he desires it - those are the 'paperwork' things. And eternally he is separated from family, friends, and everything he grew up with. He is from a different culture than the people around him, speaking with an accent and taking the 'risk' of being different in a country that isn't kind to that at the moment.

He is always foreign born. Loving them means remembering that.

Cheers i agree.......and love the part about IT IS NEVER DONE!!!!!

[Alt name 1]

The system is broken.

Here is the issue, i'll use very small words and add phonics. Sponsored workers, somehow, in spite of our lawmakers dedication to "security of our homeland", and "american family values" can fly back to their home countries, get married, walk into our embassies, apply for a visa, and have their new spouses here in 2-3 weeks. Companies can apply for visas to import foreign workers, pay $1000, and move them into the "accelerated processing" program through the same service centers our petitions move through. During this entire "wave of petitions", ALL 4 service centers kept their commitments to the I129 worker petition processing (6-8 weeks). I can read service center processing times as well as anyone, and I don't need phonics either. The I129's were kept on schedule in spite of the "additional workload" which is the claimed reason for delaying our applications.

Do you know why this happens? Because married families are put at the bottom of the pile. B visa holders would be less likely to come over here and work if they were put through the difficulties that we are forced to go through to get their spouses and families here. So there is a nice, easy, quick way, that if they come over here to work then of course their families can join them. They bypass everything and go straight to interview. Because BUSINESSES with MONEY have lobbied for this and the same legislators that we are trying to get to listen to us have made it so the businesses who need workers get priority.

What is needed, at any cost, is equal consideration to spouses and children. The same consideration that is given to foreign workers. The same right to accelerated processing of our petitions. The same right to direct application for non-immigrant visas at our embassies that families of foreign workers get.

David and Nitadyah

Disclaimer:

(the terms "corn-pone", "inbred", "ignorant", "mouthy", "hick" as well as all references to sheep and other farm animals do not belong on a public forum and have been carefully and painfully culled from this post for sensitivity reasons)

[SusieK 3]

The system is broken.

Here is the issue, i'll use very small words and add phonics. Sponsored workers, somehow, in spite of our lawmakers dedication to "security of our homeland", and "american family values" can fly back to their home countries, get married, walk into our embassies, apply for a visa, and have their new spouses here in 2-3 weeks. Companies can apply for visas to import foreign workers, pay $1000, and move them into the "accelerated processing" program through the same service centers our petitions move through. During this entire "wave of petitions", ALL 4 service centers kept their commitments to the I129 worker petition processing (6-8 weeks). I can read service center processing times as well as anyone, and I don't need phonics either. The I129's were kept on schedule in spite of the "additional workload" which is the claimed reason for delaying our applications.

Do you know why this happens? Because married families are put at the bottom of the pile. B visa holders would be less likely to come over here and work if they were put through the difficulties that we are forced to go through to get their spouses and families here. So there is a nice, easy, quick way, that if they come over here to work then of course their families can join them. They bypass everything and go straight to interview. Because BUSINESSES with MONEY have lobbied for this and the same legislators that we are trying to get to listen to us have made it so the businesses who need workers get priority.

What is needed, at any cost, is equal consideration to spouses and children. The same consideration that is given to foreign workers. The same right to accelerated processing of our petitions. The same right to direct application for non-immigrant visas at our embassies that families of foreign workers get.

David and Nitadyah

Disclaimer:

(the terms "corn-pone", "inbred", "ignorant", "mouthy", "hick" as well as all references to sheep and other farm animals do not belong on a public forum and have been carefully and painfully culled from this post for sensitivity reasons)

Shyte, couldnt have said it any better and since we have spoken I know you dont mind me grabbing this blog and posting it to some news rooms.

Cheers hun

also buzz with me news on the medical and thanks for the laughs on the phone - BRING IT ON - I will never forget that and even tho yesterday was a bad day as is each, it did make me smile a bit last night. GL TO WIFEY!!!!!!

Edited December 17, 2007 by SusieK

[SusieK 3]

The system is broken.

Here is the issue, i'll use very small words and add phonics. Sponsored workers, somehow, in spite of our lawmakers dedication to "security of our homeland", and "american family values" can fly back to their home countries, get married, walk into our embassies, apply for a visa, and have their new spouses here in 2-3 weeks. Companies can apply for visas to import foreign workers, pay $1000, and move them into the "accelerated processing" program through the same service centers our petitions move through. During this entire "wave of petitions", ALL 4 service centers kept their commitments to the I129 worker petition processing (6-8 weeks). I can read service center processing times as well as anyone, and I don't need phonics either. The I129's were kept on schedule in spite of the "additional workload" which is the claimed reason for delaying our applications.

Do you know why this happens? Because married families are put at the bottom of the pile. B visa holders would be less likely to come over here and work if they were put through the difficulties that we are forced to go through to get their spouses and families here. So there is a nice, easy, quick way, that if they come over here to work then of course their families can join them. They bypass everything and go straight to interview. Because BUSINESSES with MONEY have lobbied for this and the same legislators that we are trying to get to listen to us have made it so the businesses who need workers get priority.

What is needed, at any cost, is equal consideration to spouses and children. The same consideration that is given to foreign workers. The same right to accelerated processing of our petitions. The same right to direct application for non-immigrant visas at our embassies that families of foreign workers get.

David and Nitadyah

Disclaimer:

(the terms "corn-pone", "inbred", "ignorant", "mouthy", "hick" as well as all references to sheep and other farm animals do not belong on a public forum and have been carefully and painfully culled from this post for sensitivity reasons)

Shyte, couldnt have said it any better and since we have spoken I know you dont mind me grabbing this blog and posting it to some news rooms.

Cheers hun

also buzz with me news on the medical and thanks for the laughs on the phone - BRING IT ON - I will never forget that and even tho yesterday was a bad day as is each, it did make me smile a bit last night. GL TO WIFEY!!!!!!

Last one today just emailed alot of tv show hosts for this story... plese see link below. and thanks all for putting up with my rantings.

Seasons greetings to all and best of luck on your journeys!!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_talk_show_hosts

[rebeccajo 14]

The system is broken.

Here is the issue, i'll use very small words and add phonics. Sponsored workers, somehow, in spite of our lawmakers dedication to "security of our homeland", and "american family values" can fly back to their home countries, get married, walk into our embassies, apply for a visa, and have their new spouses here in 2-3 weeks. Companies can apply for visas to import foreign workers, pay $1000, and move them into the "accelerated processing" program through the same service centers our petitions move through. During this entire "wave of petitions", ALL 4 service centers kept their commitments to the I129 worker petition processing (6-8 weeks). I can read service center processing times as well as anyone, and I don't need phonics either. The I129's were kept on schedule in spite of the "additional workload" which is the claimed reason for delaying our applications.

Do you know why this happens? Because married families are put at the bottom of the pile. B visa holders would be less likely to come over here and work if they were put through the difficulties that we are forced to go through to get their spouses and families here. So there is a nice, easy, quick way, that if they come over here to work then of course their families can join them. They bypass everything and go straight to interview. Because BUSINESSES with MONEY have lobbied for this and the same legislators that we are trying to get to listen to us have made it so the businesses who need workers get priority.

What is needed, at any cost, is equal consideration to spouses and children. The same consideration that is given to foreign workers. The same right to accelerated processing of our petitions. The same right to direct application for non-immigrant visas at our embassies that families of foreign workers get.

David and Nitadyah

Disclaimer:

(the terms "corn-pone", "inbred", "ignorant", "mouthy", "hick" as well as all references to sheep and other farm animals do not belong on a public forum and have been carefully and painfully culled from this post for sensitivity reasons)

Whatever that last little disclaimer has to do with what MIGHT have been a somewhat eloquent argument, I have no idea.

[Caladan 19]

Their spouses, however, don't necessarily have the right to work or permanent residency status at all. That's the difference. The Ks allow you to file for residency status and work. An H4 allows you to be stay-at-home spouse. I believe the derivative off of the L is the same. Two of my friends are from AUS/NZ; he's finishing up his degree, which gives her about four months to move from J-2 status to an employment-based one or they will both have to leave the U.S. in May.

I'm not saying that the system doesn't need reform, or that it isn't beyond strange than someone can go home, get married, and come back with a spouse if they're workers but not citizens, but it's important to realize that you are comparing apples and oranges. Same thing with the expedited fee processing; it's one thing when it doesn't carry an immediate immigration number like a work visa, but I know I'd think it a little weird if someone were on their fifth 'mail-order bride' because they could afford it an a genuine, but poorer couple waited even longer.

[rebeccajo 14]

Their spouses, however, don't necessarily have the right to work or permanent residency status at all. That's the difference. The Ks allow you to file for residency status and work. An H4 allows you to be stay-at-home spouse. I believe the derivative off of the L is the same. Two of my friends are from AUS/NZ; he's finishing up his degree, which gives her about four months to move from J-2 status to an employment-based one or they will both have to leave the U.S. in May.

I'm not saying that the system doesn't need reform, or that it isn't beyond strange than someone can go home, get married, and come back with a spouse if they're workers but not citizens, but it's important to realize that you are comparing apples and oranges. Same thing with the expedited fee processing; it's one thing when it doesn't carry an immediate immigration number like a work visa, but I know I'd think it a little weird if someone were on their fifth 'mail-order bride' because they could afford it an a genuine, but poorer couple waited even longer.

Well thought out point.

If anyone here has a 'cross to bear' with the powers that be regarding family immigration, that complaint should become all-emcompassing rather than focusing on one aspect - ie the topic in question, speed of processing for spouses and children. On the heels and hindparts of all the failed immigration legislation last year were amendments which were detrimental to families. Because the INA is so complex, it's easy enough for a politico to 'pick' on one section of it for reform. But because the law does twist, turn and intertwine, certain family classes can be 'punished'. Or the government can select - on purpose - to punish families. Last years proposed changes were FAR from family friendly, and focused EVEN MORE on admitting aliens to this country who were considered 'valuable' - ie those with educations or degrees, those whose first language is English, etc.

If you wish to become a student of immigration, you'd be wise to keep your ears to the wall regarding all family categories. The law has traditionally 'trickled down' to become more and more restrictive. And that's not likely to improve as long as we have a public and an administration wtih an isolationist mindset.

[Alt name 1]

Their spouses, however, don't necessarily have the right to work or permanent residency status at all.

An H4 allows you to be stay-at-home spouse.

Exactly, and what does a K3 allow? In fact, the two are legally classified EXACTLY the same. The classification doesnt change for a K3 visa holder until they follow through with a whole new filing process (AOS/EAD, etc) which involves more documents, more checks, more biometrics, and more fees. Only after this are they granted PR status.

K3 Visa: Non immigrant, no right to work, no PR status. 6-8 months to enter the country

B visaholder's spouse visa = Non immigrant, no PR status, no right to work. 2 weeks to enter the country

Security? Or misplaced priorities?

Their spouses, however, don't necessarily have the right to work or permanent residency status at all. That's the difference. The Ks allow you to file for residency status and work. An H4 allows you to be stay-at-home spouse. I believe the derivative off of the L is the same. Two of my friends are from AUS/NZ; he's finishing up his degree, which gives her about four months to move from J-2 status to an employment-based one or they will both have to leave the U.S. in May.

I'm not saying that the system doesn't need reform, or that it isn't beyond strange than someone can go home, get married, and come back with a spouse if they're workers but not citizens, but it's important to realize that you are comparing apples and oranges. Same thing with the expedited fee processing; it's one thing when it doesn't carry an immediate immigration number like a work visa, but I know I'd think it a little weird if someone were on their fifth 'mail-order bride' because they could afford it an a genuine, but poorer couple waited even longer.

[Caladan 19]

A K-3 has an automatic permanent residency number available for them, and may petition to work. Both of which need to be petitioned for, but an H4 has neither of those things.

I agree with you that concerns about security are misplaced. But if your argument is 'but their visa is faster' the answer will come back 'it is a simpler visa with no path to permanent status and no ability to work.' It's faster for a tourist visa, too. Same thing.

[SusieK 3]

Their spouses, however, don't necessarily have the right to work or permanent residency status at all.

An H4 allows you to be stay-at-home spouse.

Exactly, and what does a K3 allow? In fact, the two are legally classified EXACTLY the same. The classification doesnt change for a K3 visa holder until they follow through with a whole new filing process (AOS/EAD, etc) which involves more documents, more checks, more biometrics, and more fees. Only after this are they granted PR status.

K3 Visa: Non immigrant, no right to work, no PR status. 6-8 months to enter the country

B visaholder's spouse visa = Non immigrant, no PR status, no right to work. 2 weeks to enter the country

Security? Or misplaced priorities?