Any U.S. Military Here?

[OKC_German 3]

Just wondering if there is some active military here and if they tried the expedited processing. I submitted a 129F and 130 back in Sept, and only recently did I find a link on the the USCIS main page for "special benefits for military members". After reading their FAQ, they say the military members qualify for expedited processing of the I-130. They even provided direct phone numbers and email address for contacting USCIS. Well, I've been working with them all this week. Not impressed. Personally, I don't know why they exist, they can't do anything. I've tried sending numerous emails, all of which I received replies in a timely manner, which was nice. Unfortunately, they had so many grammatical errors they were difficult to understand. I was wondering if the individual I was communicating with was doing this on purpose in order to cause confusion or if English was not their primary language.

Anyway, after many email exchanges, all they said was tha the I-129F "was" the expedited processing of the I-130. Which didn't make any sense. They said I could get expedited processing once the package reached the Dept of State, but at that point, who needs it? I mean the Frankfurt embassy operates fairly quickly, what I need is the VSC to get in gear! Speaking of which, I asked about the hold up at VSC and why the timelines are not updated. They said that the USCIS timelines were up to date and accurate. Which is a lie of course.

So, bottom line, this "special benefits" phone line and email exist, but when its all said and done, they really can't do anything at all. I was hoping that with me being in the military, holding a top secret clearance, entrusted with military secrets and multi-billion dollar equipment, that the same government who trusts me with this would trust my decision for choosing a wife. But alas, its not the case.

Has any other military members had the same success? More or less?

[Laura+Tom 2]

There is no expedite for just 'being in the military'. I was under the impression that you only qualified for expedite if you had a pending deployment, however even sometimes that is not the case.

[OKC_German 3]

Yeah, thats what seems to be the case. But, it makes you wonder why they even have that stupid service. If they can't do anything for us, then shut the service down, and move them to work at the VSC so it at least speeds up that shop! Well, back to waiting and going crazy.

[Laura+Tom 2]

Yeah, thats what seems to be the case. But, it makes you wonder why they even have that stupid service. If they can't do anything for us, then shut the service down, and move them to work at the VSC so it at least speeds up that shop! Well, back to waiting and going crazy.

I think it was set up mainly for naturalization purposes.

[ruby_jade 0]

my case was expedited a few months ago because my husband is deployed at that time...

they really needed proof like we have to give them my husband military orders of being deployed and a letter from his CO..

we also contacted a senator in SC and they are really a great HELP tp us more than that military helpline in USCIS..

Edited January 9, 2009 by ruby_jade

[OKC_German 3]

Update.

We just got both our I-130 and I-129F approved on 9 Jan. I began sending emails to the military helpline at the NSC on Monday and they said they basically told me that there was nothing that they could do, but they would "look into it" for me. Well, on Thursday I sent them an email thanking them for all the help and then the next day, approved. Not sure how it happened, but if you're active duty military I would give the helpline a try. You never know!

[pushbrk 13,112]

Yeah, thats what seems to be the case. But, it makes you wonder why they even have that stupid service. If they can't do anything for us, then shut the service down, and move them to work at the VSC so it at least speeds up that shop! Well, back to waiting and going crazy.

Even the availability of expedited processing due to upcoming deployment is circumstancial. They might approve an expedite if it could result in uniting the family before the deployment but there would be no point in an expedite that would fail to reunite the couple. An example would be, you just filed and the deployment is in 60 days. There's no way the complete visa process including the Consular stage can be completed that fast.