Will the situation on Haiti delay the applications?

[yermein 0]

(Moved from K-1 to General immigration issues)

I would recommend everyone to stay on topic - the OP asked if the Haitian TPS would slow down visa processing - not if "dey took r jobz too"

(I got the reference... )

Wow! how the question got out of hand. I only posted the question just for concern for all of us that file our applications.

[karenista 1]

(Moved from K-1 to General immigration issues)

I would recommend everyone to stay on topic - the OP asked if the Haitian TPS would slow down visa processing - not if "dey took r jobz too"

(I got the reference... )

Wow I am not going to chime in on some of the more "interesting" posts on here, but I will mention that I have been trying to call the DOS to check on my application status (am waiting for interview date) for the past several days and have not been able to get through, which has not been the case a few weeks ago. When I called today there was a new automated message saying that call volume has been very high there due to the crisis in haiti, so the only way i know of right now that it is affecting us is that it is very hard to get a status update right now, which i guess i can live with if they are busy helping people who have a bit more need than i do right now...

[JD63 4]

Sorry, I couldn't resist, but I would be surprised if it delayed many people's applications. If I'm correct it was an emergency extension of current visas, and not new ones? I know the local newspaper here said they managed to wrangle up visa for a bunch of orphans that some families adopted overnight though...

[Nikita2Charles 32]

Dey fought for this country you are now enjoying.

Haitian fought for this country's independence, go check the history books, read the Siege of Savannah Georgia where they died for the freedom you are now enjoying.

dey took r jobz too

[JD63 4]

They're also indirectly responsible for the Louisiana Purchase, but i'm not sure how that factors into the OP's question

[decocker 7,198]

for the time being the only orphans getting visas were already at the final stage of the process. basically, these kids already had adoptive parents, who had visited them in haiti as required by their government.

http://www.rainbowkids.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=689

Basically, the US government is recognizing that many children were legally adopted and just waiting on visas to enter the USA. And in other cases, they are recognizing that other confirmed orphans were assigned to families and were at least half way through the adoption process, meaning that all paperwork on the adoptive family's part was complete and the adoptive family had visited the child in Haiti . In these cases (two categories specifically outlined below), the DOS is allowing these identified children to enter the US and be united with their families. If you are one of the families of these children, please visit the DOS website immediately.

my heart goes out to all those kids, and to all those hopeful parents who have, no doubt, been going through a hell of their own.

[Jl_n_JL 0]

I have heard on the news that the President is granting TPS to Haitian will that decision affect the processing time for every other visa applications.

This is on the USCIS website.

Secretary Napolitano Announces Humanitarian Parole Policy for Certain Haitian Orphans Fact Sheet

All cases will be evaluated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Depending on their circumstances, and information available some children will receive immigrant visas with permanent immigration status and will require no further processing. Those who enter under humanitarian parole status will need to have their immigration status resolved after arrival.

I think Napolitano should open up a special office to deal with these families and let the regular offices keep working as usual. I'm sure this is politically motivated. "They" don't want another New Orleans on their hands. I don't remember any special processing changes when the Typhoons struck the Philippines.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

Due to the ongoing crisis in Haiti, the USCIS Port-au-Prince Office is currently engaged in assisting with the evacuation of American citizens and addressing the most urgent immigration related issues

So, if your visa application is there (an not an emergency), your probably looking at a lengthy delay in Haiti.

USCIS also increased the call center hours of operation to deal with the large increase of call volume. This, however, should not really affect visa processing in the US, as long as it doesn't concern Haiti I would think.

(they appear to only be fast tracking orphans visa applications)

Initial Relief from USCIS for Haitian's - click.

Edited January 21, 2010 by Bobby+Umit

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Also heard on NPR about the 'fast tracked' orphans' visas - many of them have already been 3 years in the adoption/immigration process and it is just the last few months that have been sped up.

I think the biggest delay is going to be from the sheer logistics of dealing with Haiti at this moment - the total devastation of the infrastructure including the resources used by DOS in processing immigrant visas. Are the files and passports awaiting visas buried under heaps of rubble? Are the medical resources open to do the necessary medical examinations? Do the Haitian applicants even have a viable address anymore? My heart goes out to anyone who currently has a family member or fiancee from Haiti somewhere in the immigration process because I think delays will be inevitable - not because more USCIS resources are being devoted to dealing with Haitian refugees, etc. - but from the sheer mass of destruction in Port Au Prince and elsewhere.

Edited January 22, 2010 by Kathryn41

[imailin 0]

it might since there gonna be using your visa fee money, to plane all them hiatians over here with no visas required ,,but yet us american citizens have to go through all this bullcrap pay all these fees to prove our wifes not gonna be a burdon to amercan goverment what a joke i believe in helping anyone, but but but we need to be more dedicated to our own people in this country its all all all about money other words american says you not rich you have no forien wife even though your sopose to be able marry whoever your choose i know for a fact alot of peoples visas gets turned down for no reason only so they can steal the middle class peoples money.thats good old america for ya

Heartless answer.. Off topic, not relevant and you know what? you are a hater...... I hope nothing of that nature happens to us here in the US.... we are blessed enough to have 2 legs and 2 arms, most of these people don’t even have that pleasure now.....

may God help you find yourself in our sorrows.... if you have any soul.