Discussion with Congressman's Office regarding USCIS K-1, Processing timelines

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

This might sound silly, but would any other Californians like to start picketing at CSC? Can we legal protest in front of a DHS building (i'd prefer not to get shot?) I know at best we'll only get local media attention but its a start right?

Edited January 19, 2008 by lancer1655

[CBR 0]

I was told by my congressman's office that my petition is in "exended processing" and that if I haven't received an answer from USCIS within 45 days to let him know so he can inquire with them again.

I have read somewhere on VJ that "extended processing" has to do with the name check stage. I read on the FBI's website that most of these take 72 hours but if they receive a "hit" (meaning a name SIMILAR to yours appears in a case somewhere they have investigated at some time) they have to manually look it up to make sure it's not you. Then it can take much longer. Also that the officers assigned to the manual looking up of our names are also working on many other issues so our "case' (the real petition doesn't go there), can sit on their desk for months just collecting dust.

Anyway, I believe that is why some of our cases are taking so long and why they move on to the newer cases (august, september now) while we feel ours is ignored. They work our cases AFTER the name check stage. I was told by USCIS one of the times I called that my file was in the namecheck stage and once completed would then go to an adjucator. It makes sense, it explains alot actually when you think about it. It really sucks for those of us stuck there for no real reason.

Possibly the FBI needs to be investigated to see why they are holding us up for so long. How many of us that are held up like this really have a reason to be?

[Jesse and Hema 2]

This might sound silly, but would any other Californians like to start picketing at CSC? Can we legal protest in front of a DHS building (i'd prefer not to get shot?) I know at best we'll only get local media attention but its a start right?

Even if I lived in California, I'd prefer to stay on their "good side"

[Minya's wife 24]

We here at VJ are but a very small representation of the applications filed with USCIS. However upsetting it is for those waiting long(er) periods to get approved, for the most part the 180 day standard is being met even w/ the dramatic increase in all types immigration benefit applications being filed w/ USCIS.

I don't know what the total membership of VJ is, but I guarantee you it no where near the 300,000 AOS applications received this past summer. That's just just-AOS applications!!!! When one looks at it within the greater framework of the sheer volume of petitions processed at the various USCIS service centers and local offices, it does mitigate the "USCIS does nothing but sit on their asses" accusation.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Your just a number to them anyway...I don't think it would make any difference to your individual petition

[mox 298]

I am a May filer and I still haven't gotten approved.I think I shot myself in the foot by doing that second service inquiry.That basically gives the USCIS to sit on their backsides for another couple of months.

There's absolutely no evidence that the rank and file USCIS employees are doing anything at all of this nature. Behavior like this would be a firing offense, and very few people are willing to risk their jobs just to take a swipe at a person they only know as a file. Don't worry about it at all. At worst, your call was ignored. At best it might have moved somebody into action.

This might sound silly, but would any other Californians like to start picketing at CSC? Can we legal protest in front of a DHS building (i'd prefer not to get shot?) I know at best we'll only get local media attention but its a start right?

The Director of USCIS has demonstrated zero understanding of the problems faced by his agency, and he's demonstrated zero respect for congress. And because he is the appointee of a President who has a year left in office and can't run for reelection, he is about 99% secure in his job. No amount of picketing is going to push him into action, and no politician is going to be stirred into action over the picketing of a federal agency. I'm not trying to discourage action, I'm just saying that it's best to put that energy into the right places. Your congressman is IMHO the best place to put those energies. As I've said, Gonzalez has zero respect for congress, but congress is the only agency that has any chance at all of affecting change.

[marryme 0]

I think it also depends on the individual cases..

some may take longer then 6 months some faster..

I think they are doing their best over there...

just sometimes they maybe overloaded.

I think it will be faster if you know someone in the Service Center your filing at.

Think ahead and make some friends at the service center before you file ..

[rebeccajo 14]

This might sound silly, but would any other Californians like to start picketing at CSC? Can we legal protest in front of a DHS building (i'd prefer not to get shot?) I know at best we'll only get local media attention but its a start right?

This website actually got started that way.

[bakofoil 27]

This might sound silly, but would any other Californians like to start picketing at CSC? Can we legal protest in front of a DHS building (i'd prefer not to get shot?) I know at best we'll only get local media attention but its a start right?

This website actually got started that way.

Interesting. I'd like to know more about the history of this website. Could you tell us more or point me in the direction of a link? Thanks.

[rebeccajo 14]

This might sound silly, but would any other Californians like to start picketing at CSC? Can we legal protest in front of a DHS building (i'd prefer not to get shot?) I know at best we'll only get local media attention but its a start right?

This website actually got started that way.

Interesting. I'd like to know more about the history of this website. Could you tell us more or point me in the direction of a link? Thanks.

http://www.visajourney.com/gallery/index.p...at=3&page=2

Check out the "TSC" and "Valentines Day" photos. Click on them.

Edited January 19, 2008 by rebeccajo

[Cassie 8]

ah yes, the infamous TSC protest.

[rebeccajo 14]

ah yes, the infamous TSC protest.

Yup Yup.

[bakofoil 27]

http://www.visajourney.com/gallery/index.p...at=3&page=2

Check out the "TSC" and "Valentines Day" photos. Click on them.

Thanks Rebecca for that. So it all started as a result of people getting together to protest about visa processing delays in Texas? Thank goodness these people got together and organised all of this for the rest of us.

If this is true then it raises the question for me as to why there is so many disparaging comments from some VJ members about K1 filers getting stressed about delays on their petitions. Surely they are knocking the very motivation for this site being here in the first place.

[rebeccajo 14]

http://www.visajourney.com/gallery/index.p...at=3&page=2

Check out the "TSC" and "Valentines Day" photos. Click on them.

Thanks Rebecca for that. So it all started as a result of people getting together to protest about visa processing delays in Texas? Thank goodness these people got together and organised all of this for the rest of us.

If this is true then it raises the question for me as to why there is so many disparaging comments from some VJ members about K1 filers getting stressed about delays on their petitions. Surely they are knocking the very motivation for this site being here in the first place.

I'm not sure which came first - the chicken or the egg - ie the site or the protests.

My opinion - the 'disparaging comments' come from the fact that those who have been around a bit longer realize that what is happening now - long timelines - isn't something new. It has happened before. Everytime there's a 'hiccup' with the service, the current batch of 'hiccupees' start protesting about the unfairness, etc. They are right, I suppose, but the unfairness has happened before and the 'disparaging remarks' are made to try and help the currently frustrated see that fact.

[bakofoil 27]

I'm not sure which came first - the chicken or the egg - ie the site or the protests.

My opinion - the 'disparaging comments' come from the fact that those who have been around a bit longer realize that what is happening now - long timelines - isn't something new. It has happened before. Everytime there's a 'hiccup' with the service, the current batch of 'hiccupees' start protesting about the unfairness, etc. They are right, I suppose, but the unfairness has happened before and the 'disparaging remarks' are made to try and help the currently frustrated see that fact.

Ah I'm not referring to the gentle reminders of historical fact and advice that this is nothing new so exercise a little patience. I have no objection to that at all. In fact, it makes it easier going through the process to know that delays are not unusual. What I am referring to is jokes at newbie K1 filers expense. I just think it's unnecessary. Everyone here has been in similar boats at one point or other.

Edited January 19, 2008 by babblesgirl