Vermont USCIS Official Web Site

[Larry and Maria 0]

If you don't already have it:

http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffices...ont/aboutus.htm

[rlt 0]

Yeah, I had been to this site before, but there´s no email or a different phone number.

But after reading it carefully now, I tink we should all write them a letter addressed to:

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

P.O. Box 1000

Saint Albans, Vermont 05479.

Note in the heading of the letter and on the envelope: "FOR THE PERSONAL ATTENTION OF THE DIRECTOR."

They ask to mail them instead of e-mail them telling about how are they responding to customers inquiries.

As their phone service is poorless, I think it would be a good idea to let the Director know what we´ve been through.

What you think?

[Yodrak 7]

rlt,

I think that since the VSC (and the other SCs) have no phone service available to the general public - it was all shut down when the NCSC was created - the Director will not be concerned. The public information functions were taken away from the SCs, it's not their responsibility any longer.

Letting them know that they're doing a lousy job at something that isn't their job is pointless.

Yodrak

Yeah, I had been to this site before, but there´s no email or a different phone number.

But after reading it carefully now, I tink we should all write them a letter addressed to:

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

P.O. Box 1000

Saint Albans, Vermont 05479.

Note in the heading of the letter and on the envelope: "FOR THE PERSONAL ATTENTION OF THE DIRECTOR."

They ask to mail them instead of e-mail them telling about how are they responding to customers inquiries.

As their phone service is poorless, I think it would be a good idea to let the Director know what we´ve been through.

What you think?

[Larry and Maria 0]

Somewhere on one of the links of the USCIS web pages is info on the Omnibudsman [spelling?] who is supposed to be a position where conflicts are to be voiced and the customer championed to get the organization's resolution from the appropriate group, person, office, etc. -- I think, this is the purpose of that title/position. I don't know where it is on the site; try a search; I've seen it.

[rlt 0]

Somewhere on one of the links of the USCIS web pages is info on the Omnibudsman [spelling?] who is supposed to be a position where conflicts are to be voiced and the customer championed to get the organization's resolution from the appropriate group, person, office, etc. -- I think, this is the purpose of that title/position. I don't know where it is on the site; try a search; I've seen it.

The link you´re mentioning is http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/edit...torial_0497.xml

There you´ll find all the information about how to contact the Department of Homeland Security Ombudsman.

Since the DHS was responsible for the recall, I think getting their Ombudsman involved is what we need.

For those who don´t know, an Ombudsman is a person who will be in this por]sition for 2 years, having their power unlimited.

They have a contract that guarantee that they will still be employed for at least the next 5 years or so.

That´s why an Onbudsman is the right person to cry for help.

They can say whatever they want, they can go to whoever they want if they have a reason to.

If his mailbox gets flooded with inquiries about the recalled and halted k1 petitions, there´s a chance he´ll do something about it.

He might not write a new I129F, but he´ll demand explanation about why no one is doing it.

So, shall we start doing it?

[Larry and Maria 0]

Somewhere on one of the links of the USCIS web pages is info on the Omnibudsman [spelling?] who is supposed to be a position where conflicts are to be voiced and the customer championed to get the organization's resolution from the appropriate group, person, office, etc. -- I think, this is the purpose of that title/position. I don't know where it is on the site; try a search; I've seen it.

The link you´re mentioning is http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/edit...torial_0497.xml

There you´ll find all the information about how to contact the Department of Homeland Security Ombudsman.

Since the DHS was responsible for the recall, I think getting their Ombudsman involved is what we need.

For those who don´t know, an Ombudsman is a person who will be in this por]sition for 2 years, having their power unlimited.

They have a contract that guarantee that they will still be employed for at least the next 5 years or so.

That´s why an Onbudsman is the right person to cry for help.

They can say whatever they want, they can go to whoever they want if they have a reason to.

If his mailbox gets flooded with inquiries about the recalled and halted k1 petitions, there´s a chance he´ll do something about it.

He might not write a new I129F, but he´ll demand explanation about why no one is doing it.

So, shall we start doing it?

I believe you've got the right idea with DHS. The problem which you hint at is they are the souce.

Acutally, it's our elected officials who are the source; DHS just did the job, well screw job, of implementing.

A good plan with specifics would help. Maybe someone who good at it without flaming the OBM could draft something for people to cut/paste and add their own contact info, Receipt ID, Case Number, etc.

Probably sending out one email to each Senator and the US House Representative would get some noise going.

[tigretigre 0]

I could give something like that a try...if you all think I'm up to it.

I was planning to write my current and former representatives (redistricting, ha) as well as Senators Clinton and Schumer anyway. I used to work under a VAWA grant and supported the reauthorized version, and don't like to see administrative incompetence make a mockery of a worthy legislative aim. So I won't be tempted to complain about IMBRA itself, just the administrative troubles surrounding its implementation.

I haven't even gotten my NOA1 yet (sent my petition last week), so I can't crank at the Ombudsman about my own case even if I wanted to--no identifying number. However, I am in the position of wondering how much dust my newly-minted I-129F will be gathering over the next few months.

For what it's worth (and I realize that may be very little as far as many of you are concerned), I'm also a lawyer (certified for admission, but not admitted to the bar and not practicing--I work in legal publishing) and many ombudsmpersons have legal training or are lawyers themselves. There can be a bit of a "language barrier" when it comes to communicating with administrative/legal types, but I think I can overcome it.

If people want, I can take suggestions and input from people on what to say to Mr. Ombudsman, draft something, and post it for people here to critique before I revise it and send it on its way.

If people think I'm full of poop, I can see where they're coming from too...my feelings won't be hurt.

The Tigresa

[rlt 0]

I could give something like that a try...if you all think I'm up to it.

I was planning to write my current and former representatives (redistricting, ha) as well as Senators Clinton and Schumer anyway. I used to work under a VAWA grant and supported the reauthorized version, and don't like to see administrative incompetence make a mockery of a worthy legislative aim. So I won't be tempted to complain about IMBRA itself, just the administrative troubles surrounding its implementation.

I haven't even gotten my NOA1 yet (sent my petition last week), so I can't crank at the Ombudsman about my own case even if I wanted to--no identifying number. However, I am in the position of wondering how much dust my newly-minted I-129F will be gathering over the next few months.

For what it's worth (and I realize that may be very little as far as many of you are concerned), I'm also a lawyer (certified for admission, but not admitted to the bar and not practicing--I work in legal publishing) and many ombudsmpersons have legal training or are lawyers themselves. There can be a bit of a "language barrier" when it comes to communicating with administrative/legal types, but I think I can overcome it.

If people want, I can take suggestions and input from people on what to say to Mr. Ombudsman, draft something, and post it for people here to critique before I revise it and send it on its way.

If people think I'm full of poop, I can see where they're coming from too...my feelings won't be hurt.

The Tigresa

You have my support.

I think even the ones like me who had their case recalled, are not looking for a specicif answer, since it seems pretty clear that the Service Centers are not touching any petitions dated after March 5th.

I think that should be the main point of the letter.

We are all waiting for a new request that it´s probably not even implemented, and what is worse: no one tell us if they are working on it, waiting or anything.

What we should get the Ombudsman to do is go after the RIGHT PERSON. The person we fail to reach everyday.

If it´s not the NVC, if it´s not USCIS, it has to be someone. But they are throwing us to each other as if we were a ball.

We should not complain about IMBRA. We should only get acuratte information about what´s the status of recalled petitions that had already been approved, and status of the petitions that are being halted until someone decides to do something.

Tigresa, I hope it helps you to write the letter, and I hope you manage to write it asap.

[tigretigre 0]

I can write it, certainly...but...

I don't know if I can write it quickly enough to satisfy everyone here!

I'd like some input from more folks on what they want in the letter before I finish my draft, and of course I'd like some feedback on the draft itself, but I will try to balance that with the time-sensitive nature of the message to the Ombudsman (and the need to keep it short and sweet, because he won't read a long rant, I'm pretty sure).

I will also need to balance the time-sensitive nature of the message with my own need for rest...the stress of this situation has damn near made me sick.

I will shoot for a draft posting of tomorrow by 5 pm, and will send it with the suggested changes on Friday morning. If you want me to include your thoughts in the draft, please post them in this thread before then.

If that timeline is not acceptable to people, please let me know so that someone else can do this. I will still be sending a message to the Ombudsman in that case, but it will be my own personal message on my own personal time and I can't guarantee either a time of submission or that message will include your input.

So start thinking...problems AND solutions, people? Post 'em here!

the Tigresa

[rlt 0]

I can write it, certainly...but...

I don't know if I can write it quickly enough to satisfy everyone here!

I'd like some input from more folks on what they want in the letter before I finish my draft, and of course I'd like some feedback on the draft itself, but I will try to balance that with the time-sensitive nature of the message to the Ombudsman (and the need to keep it short and sweet, because he won't read a long rant, I'm pretty sure).

I will also need to balance the time-sensitive nature of the message with my own need for rest...the stress of this situation has damn near made me sick.

I will shoot for a draft posting of tomorrow by 5 pm, and will send it with the suggested changes on Friday morning. If you want me to include your thoughts in the draft, please post them in this thread before then.

If that timeline is not acceptable to people, please let me know so that someone else can do this. I will still be sending a message to the Ombudsman in that case, but it will be my own personal message on my own personal time and I can't guarantee either a time of submission or that message will include your input.

So start thinking...problems AND solutions, people? Post 'em here!

the Tigresa

Did you get my pvt message?

You can post here if you ant.

I think friday is a good they to send the letter since it´s a holiday on Monday.

Anyting I can help you with, just let me know.

[tigretigre 0]

Yup I got it :-)

I'm glad that this will work for folks.

I'll get started.

[tigretigre 0]

Prakash I. Khatri, Esq

Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman

United States Department of Homeland Security

Washington, D.C. 20528

Dear Mr. Khatri:

I recently filed a K1 fiance(e) visa petition (Form I-129F) with the USCIS Vermont Service Center; according the United States Postal Service returned receipt, my petition arrived at the Center on May 19. I have since heard some very distressing news from the Department of State concerning the processing of K1 fiance(e) visa petitions in light of the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act (IMBRA) (please see the Visa Telegram at http://travel.state.gov/visa/laws/telegram...grams_2927.html, dated May 6th, 2006). The information included news of the recall of over 1,000 approved K1 petitions from their consular destinations, and provided the vaguest of explanations concerning the future of submissions currently awaiting processing at the USCIS Service Centers. I am writing to seek some general information on the current K1 visa processing situation at the Service Centers (particularly the Vermont Center), and to offer my input on how the USCIS can best address the concerns and understandable anxiety of United States citizens and their fiancé(e)'s abroad.

I write to you not only out of concern for my own case, but out of concern for other K1 petitioners who have shared their distress with me. People seeking family-based immigration benefits suffer anxiety and frustration resulting from separation from loved ones and the uncertainty of the process by which they are hoping to be reunited with their family members. It is not surprising that the World Wide Web is home to communities of family-based immigration petitioners and applicants who seek understanding and support during this difficult time. As a member of one such community, my thoughts as I write to you are as much of them as they are of my own situation.

My areas of concern include the following:

1) The relevant federal agencies (which include the USCIS under the Department of Homeland Security, as well as the Department of State), have failed to keep the public informed of the IMBRA-related developments and how they affect the way K1 petitions will be processed at the USCIS Service Centers.

2) The relevant federal agencies have failed to provide effective channels through which current petitioners and applicants can obtain reliable, complete information concerning their pending cases.

3) Officials at the relevant federal agencies, having made the grave error of failing to implement the required procedural measures for IMBRA by the legislative deadline, have compounded that error by requiring that petitions received after that deadline be processed in compliance with IMBRA when petitioners and applicants were not themselves informed of the need for compliance.

4) Officials at the relevant federal agencies have now released information (see the Visa Policy Telegram from the Department of State) stating that petitioners for K1 visas submitting on or after March 6, 2006 will be subject to new requirements when completing Form I-129F, but have failed to explain what information (if any) the petitioner will be required to supply. References to a “new Form I-129F” and “additional questionnaires” have triggered panic among petitioners and applicants, who envision massive delays as the petitioners collect the IMBRA information and turn it over to Service Centers for processing.

The situation has become untenable for those of us who have submitted a K1 petition we think will be affected by IMBRA, and some remedies are necessary. People who have resigned from jobs, sold or purchased homes, relocated, and made wedding plans upon receipt of an approval notice (or even upon approval at the foreign consulate) are now suffering financial as well as emotional hardship as their approvals are revoked. We who have not yet received an approval notice from our Service Centers are left to wonder anxiously about the future of our petitions, and to speculate on what information will be required from us in order to proceed (as well as how long it will take to obtain it).

We are United States citizens who have acted in good faith and conformed to the laws and regulations of the United States, and the requirements of the K1 petition process as published at the time of filing. To effectively penalize our petitions for an administrative failure we could not possibly have anticipated is rapidly eroding our faith in the ability of our Government to provide transparent guidance and competent administrative service.

My proposed solutions are as follows:

1) The Department of State and the USCIS must as soon as possible publish a notice describing any new requirements for the submission of K1 petitions due to IMBRA. The notice should include information on any new version of Form I-129F that may be forthcoming, and instructions for submitting K1 petitions pending new regulations or forms. In addition to any other forms of publication, the notice should be displayed prominently on the homepage of the USCIS website, and should also be available on the Department of State web page concerning visas.

2) As soon as possible, the web pages displaying the visa processing dates at the individual USCIS Service Centers should provide a notice updating the user on the status of Form I-129F processing at the Center (i.e., whether all processing has been suspended, some processing is taking place, normal processing has resumed, etc.).

3) As soon as possible, the Departments of State and Homeland Security, as well as USCIS itself, should issue a notice providing the public with a single information resource for questions concerning the IMBRA situation as it affects pending K1 petitions. This resource should be able to provide individuals with, among other things, a) the current location and status of the individual's petition; B) any information that is still needed from the petitioner before the petition can be approved; c) an estimated timeline for approval of any petition recalled from a foreign consulate by the Department of Homeland Security.

4) Given that petitioners with cases currently pending at a Service Center, the National Visa Center, or a foreign consulate received no notice concerning any additional procedures or requirements for approval of their petitions or applications for visas, and that there is no guidance on the IMBRA requirements available for U.S. citizens contemplating a K1 petition, it may be argued that fundamental fairness requires that all K1 submissions be processed under the pre-IMBRA regulations until notice of new procedures and requirements can be widely disseminated by the relevant federal agencies. It is one thing to require that all petitions submitted after a specific date conform to a specific set of regulations made available prior to that date; it is quite another to subject all pending and future petitions to a set of regulations that do not yet appear to exist and therefore cannot be followed by petitioners, researched by attorneys, or explained to users by USCIS officials.

I recognize that USCIS and other Department of Homeland Security personnel work hard on a daily basis to provide the most efficient and thorough service possible, for the benefit of visa-seekers and for the protection of American citizens. It is disturbing, however, to witness at this critical point in the development of our country's immigration policies and procedures, such confusion and absence of transparency. I urge you to consider the issues I have identified here, and their accompanying proposals, and to recommend that USCIS take action as soon as possible. I very much appreciate your time and attention to this matter.

Very truly yours,

[my name], J.D.

[Ladylethal 12]

That's really really good, Tigre.

[Cigarovich 1]

Nice one. I wholeheartedly disagree with those who say 'all we can do is wait'! I'm sending a letter too, to director Paul Novak at VSC (see my post). I advise you to send your letter FedEx, that way you can be sure who signs for it and when.

Good luck!

[Ladylethal 12]

I sent that letter to VSC director as well, fiance posted it yesterday.