Chicago lockbox is ROLLING ALONG NOW!! WOO HOO!!

[Justin and Masako 0]

hmmm...we sent Oct 2 but haven't heard anything... hmmm.

...

must have been a SLOW COFFEE DAY IN CHICAGO!!!!

so i need to ask, someone in this thread said the I-130 will go back to CSC or VSC!! it will not go to the original prcessing center???!! our service center is Nebraska, why would it not go back to there from Chicago??!!

Bill

Because I-130's are only processed by CSC or VSC, and where it gets sent depends on which state you live in. If you look at what type of applications are processed at your service center Nebraska, you'll see that I-130 is not on the list.....meaning they do not handle those type of applications. I'm not sure, but I think it was stated on your I-130 instructions which service center would process your application, based upon what state you live in.

Good luck,

-P

According to the I-130 since I am in Wisconsin it should have been sent to the Nebraska Service Center, though luckily I was keeping up on things and noticed the bit about sending to Chicago no matter what state your in. Since the I-130 instructions stated Nebraska it must have processed them at one time, even if they no longer do so.

I am not trying to start an argument or anything but since you brought up the I-130 instructions on where to send I just wanted to make a note about it.

[drbilldc 0]

Hey everyone. just got an email that the chicago lockbox center is now processing petitions sent in on Oct.09,07. Alllllllright! About time! That was FAST! They were just processing the September apps only a few days ago, if one day at that. Geez.

I sent mine in on Dec. 11 (received) so I am hoping that it will be getting some "touching and feeling" action in the next two weeks. hahaha. Yeah, I miss my hubby. Can you tell? lol.

Hope this little tidbit helps those that are affected by the LOCKBOX from H.E Double Sticks.

Tootles.

Leedah

WOOHOO!!!! they are up to 10.25.07 at this rate i will get NOA1 in like 2 weeks.. Visit My Website

Bill

[rajee 1]

Hey guys - just a quick tangential question ... If I file the 129F and 130 together - actually I plan to regardless of the answer here so let me restate ... I will be filing both together ... does this allow me to skip out on sending the forms to the chicago lockbox since they are going in together?? I know "standalone" 130's must be sent to chicago, and I figure the two petitions are separate - so am I sending in a 'standalone' 130 by defitnition or can I send it to vermont?!?!?!?!

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

[jeca 0]

If u send it to Vermont I think they will send it to Chicago anyways so why would u waste time?

[Imua 0]

I think you are right - best to just send I-130 to Chicago and at least wait for the check to clear and send a copy of the cancelled check with your I-129 as proof of filing.

[Marlita 0]

I think you are right - best to just send I-130 to Chicago and at least wait for the check to clear and send a copy of the cancelled check with your I-129 as proof of filing.

Oh gosh don't do that! Checks for I-130's are taking 3, 4, even 5 months to get cashed. I am waiting 90+ days now for a cashed check so I am stuck an unable to file for K3. You will definitely do better to send them both to VSC, and let USCIS reroute your I130, this way, the I129F is not delayed waiting for your check to clear. There is no new rule about waiting for the check to clear. Sending in both forms together is all the evidence you need. Send them both together.

[drbilldc 0]

I think you are right - best to just send I-130 to Chicago and at least wait for the check to clear and send a copy of the cancelled check with your I-129 as proof of filing.

Oh gosh don't do that! Checks for I-130's are taking 3, 4, even 5 months to get cashed. I am waiting 90+ days now for a cashed check so I am stuck an unable to file for K3. You will definitely do better to send them both to VSC, and let USCIS reroute your I130, this way, the I129F is not delayed waiting for your check to clear. There is no new rule about waiting for the check to clear. Sending in both forms together is all the evidence you need. Send them both together.

Why not just pay with money order or certified checks like i did. no waiting for the check to clear and the stub can be verified if they have cashed it or not?

[Minya's wife 25]

hmmm...we sent Oct 2 but haven't heard anything... hmmm.

...

must have been a SLOW COFFEE DAY IN CHICAGO!!!!

so i need to ask, someone in this thread said the I-130 will go back to CSC or VSC!! it will not go to the original prcessing center???!! our service center is Nebraska, why would it not go back to there from Chicago??!!

Bill

Because I-130's are only processed by CSC or VSC, and where it gets sent depends on which state you live in. If you look at what type of applications are processed at your service center Nebraska, you'll see that I-130 is not on the list.....meaning they do not handle those type of applications. I'm not sure, but I think it was stated on your I-130 instructions which service center would process your application, based upon what state you live in.

Good luck,

-P

According to the I-130 since I am in Wisconsin it should have been sent to the Nebraska Service Center, though luckily I was keeping up on things and noticed the bit about sending to Chicago no matter what state your in. Since the I-130 instructions stated Nebraska it must have processed them at one time, even if they no longer do so.

I am not trying to start an argument or anything but since you brought up the I-130 instructions on where to send I just wanted to make a note about it.

I did not file a I-130 and I was not sure, that is why I said I thought the instructions would clarify the correct service center. But on the USCIS website where you download the forms to file, the I-130 page states the following:

Effective December 3, 2007, all petitioners filing stand-alone Form I-130 are encouraged to submit their petitions to the Chicago Lockbox instead of a USCIS Service Center. I-130 petitions filed with the Chicago Lockbox will be routed to, and adjudicated at, the appropriate USCIS Service Center. This routing will be based on the petitioner’s place of residence in the United States.

Link

While the USCIS.gov website may not be the most informative, it does merit a quick perusal before filing, to make sure that no deails are missed.

-P

[SusieK 3]

hmmm...we sent Oct 2 but haven't heard anything... hmmm.

...

must have been a SLOW COFFEE DAY IN CHICAGO!!!!

so i need to ask, someone in this thread said the I-130 will go back to CSC or VSC!! it will not go to the original prcessing center???!! our service center is Nebraska, why would it not go back to there from Chicago??!!

Bill

Because I-130's are only processed by CSC or VSC, and where it gets sent depends on which state you live in. If you look at what type of applications are processed at your service center Nebraska, you'll see that I-130 is not on the list.....meaning they do not handle those type of applications. I'm not sure, but I think it was stated on your I-130 instructions which service center would process your application, based upon what state you live in.

Good luck,

-P

According to the I-130 since I am in Wisconsin it should have been sent to the Nebraska Service Center, though luckily I was keeping up on things and noticed the bit about sending to Chicago no matter what state your in. Since the I-130 instructions stated Nebraska it must have processed them at one time, even if they no longer do so.

I am not trying to start an argument or anything but since you brought up the I-130 instructions on where to send I just wanted to make a note about it.

I did not file a I-130 and I was not sure, that is why I said I thought the instructions would clarify the correct service center. But on the USCIS website where you download the forms to file, the I-130 page states the following:

Effective December 3, 2007, all petitioners filing stand-alone Form I-130 are encouraged to submit their petitions to the Chicago Lockbox instead of a USCIS Service Center. I-130 petitions filed with the Chicago Lockbox will be routed to, and adjudicated at, the appropriate USCIS Service Center. This routing will be based on the petitioner’s place of residence in the United States.

Link

While the USCIS.gov website may not be the most informative, it does merit a quick perusal before filing, to make sure that no deails are missed.

-P

P-

nice however can i edit that please <waves hand in air>

When they say that the I-130 -----> This routing will be based on the petitioner’s place of residence in the United States.

That part has changed also since some people that should have gone to CSC went to Vermont, others that were to be VSC went to California. Go figure, but just a side bar to their instructions which as most of us know, you can follow most of them but they have the option of changing their minds when the situation warrants without notifying their webmaster.

Cheers

[Minya's wife 25]

I think you are right - best to just send I-130 to Chicago and at least wait for the check to clear and send a copy of the cancelled check with your I-129 as proof of filing.

Oh gosh don't do that! Checks for I-130's are taking 3, 4, even 5 months to get cashed. I am waiting 90+ days now for a cashed check so I am stuck an unable to file for K3. You will definitely do better to send them both to VSC, and let USCIS reroute your I130, this way, the I129F is not delayed waiting for your check to clear. There is no new rule about waiting for the check to clear. Sending in both forms together is all the evidence you need. Send them both together.

As far as I know, there is no "concurrent" filing posibility for the K-3 route, but I could be wrong. The I-129F instructions, as they pertain to the K-3 state:

US citizens petitioning for K-3 visas for their alien spouses must also include evidence that they have filed form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on behalf of the alien spouse listed on this form and a marriage certificate evidencing the legal marriage between the citizen and alien.

The way I understand this, you must have a NOA1 for the I-130 and then you can file the I-129F. If both are sent at the same time, one risks having the applications rejected outright for "not following instructions" and w/ the amount of time its taking in some instances for the issuance of NOA1's, I would hate to have waited 90+ days only to have my petition sent back to me for lack of following instructions.

-P

[Minya's wife 25]

hmmm...we sent Oct 2 but haven't heard anything... hmmm.

...

must have been a SLOW COFFEE DAY IN CHICAGO!!!!

so i need to ask, someone in this thread said the I-130 will go back to CSC or VSC!! it will not go to the original prcessing center???!! our service center is Nebraska, why would it not go back to there from Chicago??!!

Bill

Because I-130's are only processed by CSC or VSC, and where it gets sent depends on which state you live in. If you look at what type of applications are processed at your service center Nebraska, you'll see that I-130 is not on the list.....meaning they do not handle those type of applications. I'm not sure, but I think it was stated on your I-130 instructions which service center would process your application, based upon what state you live in.

Good luck,

-P

According to the I-130 since I am in Wisconsin it should have been sent to the Nebraska Service Center, though luckily I was keeping up on things and noticed the bit about sending to Chicago no matter what state your in. Since the I-130 instructions stated Nebraska it must have processed them at one time, even if they no longer do so.

I am not trying to start an argument or anything but since you brought up the I-130 instructions on where to send I just wanted to make a note about it.

I did not file a I-130 and I was not sure, that is why I said I thought the instructions would clarify the correct service center. But on the USCIS website where you download the forms to file, the I-130 page states the following:

Effective December 3, 2007, all petitioners filing stand-alone Form I-130 are encouraged to submit their petitions to the Chicago Lockbox instead of a USCIS Service Center. I-130 petitions filed with the Chicago Lockbox will be routed to, and adjudicated at, the appropriate USCIS Service Center. This routing will be based on the petitioner's place of residence in the United States.

Link

While the USCIS.gov website may not be the most informative, it does merit a quick perusal before filing, to make sure that no deails are missed.

-P

P-

nice however can i edit that please <waves hand in air>

When they say that the I-130 -----> This routing will be based on the petitioner's place of residence in the United States.

That part has changed also since some people that should have gone to CSC went to Vermont, others that were to be VSC went to California. Go figure, but just a side bar to their instructions which as most of us know, you can follow most of them but they have the option of changing their minds when the situation warrants without notifying their webmaster.

Cheers

We must follow their instructions, but they have the liberty to change their minds and do as they please. They would not need to notify their webmaster if the change in processing (such as the sending of some petitions to CSC when they belonged to VSC or vice versa) is a one time situation warranted thing.

No rhyme or reason...that's how I keep sane.

-P

[christinejohn 0]

Hi Suzie, hi everybody else,

It's a long long trip and patience is the key word even if we all lose it and vent a lot...

Anyways the only experience I can share for sure is that you must not let the immgration process become an issue in your couple. Be patient and support each other through it.

Good luck to you all, oh and look at our timeline, it'll give you an idea...

[SusieK 3]

Hi Suzie, hi everybody else,

It's a long long trip and patience is the key word even if we all lose it and vent a lot...

Anyways the only experience I can share for sure is that you must not let the immgration process become an issue in your couple. Be patient and support each other through it.

Good luck to you all, oh and look at our timeline, it'll give you an idea...

Hey you,

Yes i saw ...and thank you for the kind words as I know this all too well. I actually printed that out so when I have a moment of insanity with my mate, I can read it over and over and give him a break

Thank you and best to you and this blasted system......... For to give in is to have never tried.

Cheers

[SerenityNOW 11]

Help! I am with Paula. The way I understood it from the book I was using (and what I was told by 2 immigration lawyers) is that you *must* wait for the NOA1 from the I-130 to file the I-129. If that is not true, then I could have saved potentially months by sending them off together...

Did anyone have the experience with sending the two packages in together and it worked? If so, was the time significantly less than the people doing it the other way?

This is so frustrating that the rules appear to be a moving target!

Thanks in advance for any insight. At least this could help those who haven't filed yet...

/bb

p.s. I recall seeing another current thread about this "file together or separately" issue, so maybe this topic should be combined with that one??

I think you are right - best to just send I-130 to Chicago and at least wait for the check to clear and send a copy of the cancelled check with your I-129 as proof of filing.

Oh gosh don't do that! Checks for I-130's are taking 3, 4, even 5 months to get cashed. I am waiting 90+ days now for a cashed check so I am stuck an unable to file for K3. You will definitely do better to send them both to VSC, and let USCIS reroute your I130, this way, the I129F is not delayed waiting for your check to clear. There is no new rule about waiting for the check to clear. Sending in both forms together is all the evidence you need. Send them both together.

As far as I know, there is no "concurrent" filing posibility for the K-3 route, but I could be wrong. The I-129F instructions, as they pertain to the K-3 state:

US citizens petitioning for K-3 visas for their alien spouses must also include evidence that they have filed form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, on behalf of the alien spouse listed on this form and a marriage certificate evidencing the legal marriage between the citizen and alien.

The way I understand this, you must have a NOA1 for the I-130 and then you can file the I-129F. If both are sent at the same time, one risks having the applications rejected outright for "not following instructions" and w/ the amount of time its taking in some instances for the issuance of NOA1's, I would hate to have waited 90+ days only to have my petition sent back to me for lack of following instructions.

-P

[rajee 1]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I didn't want to lose time and I also wanted to try to file both together. From what I heard on the phone, the Chicago location would be the one processing the packet - so I sent both there together ... If I had sent them to VSC the whole thing would have been forwarded to the lockbox anyway ... so I didn't want to make the process longer for no reason ... If they reject the concurrent filing of the 129F then I'll just make up a second 129F application and send it in with the canceled check and/or signature verification which I asked for through USPS ... that should work ... I hope I didn't delay my timeline in any manner by taking this route ....