CSC-what are they playing at!!!!

[Sinergy 3]

Its like putting spongebob behind a desk and telling him to do something, by the time he figures out how to do it the person waiting is old, grey and too old to remember what was going on!!!

[meauxna 15]

meauxna

There are a lot of reasons why cases are not processed in strict date order, but I have a feeling it's pointless to go thru them

Hang in there!

Hi, sorry for asking, but Im just curious, what are the reasons why cases are not processed in a date order??? Because I do have to do them in a date order in my job.....

Thanks for answer.

What I have picked up from reading (and there was one very helpful source who would rather not be named) is that when the files are delivered to the Service Center, they're received in the mail room where they are checked for completeness. Payment is spearated and deposited, generating a NOA (reciept).

Files are then (possibly separated by type) put into bins which hold about 25 cases each. Bins are put on a shelf in order of receipt. I don't think that each individual file received on a given day is put in any sort of order (like mine was 'stamped in' before yours, so mine goes on top). Try to remember the massive scale of operations.

When a case officer is ready to start a new batch of cases, they call for a new bin and one is delivered to their workspace. My understanding is that they can work within any given bin, ie, pull a case out of the middle, from the top etc. I don't know what each worker's practice is, or what their managers ask them to do. It has been written that the staff at VSC have a unique system that is very efficient for marriage-based cases. I don't know if that is because it's become a specialty there, they don't get other types of cases in the same numbers as other SCs or what. I also don't know why, after all these years that it's been documented, that the VSC's method has not been exported to the other SCs as a Best Practice. Maybe that's a new management technique that hasn't caught on yet (<snirk>).

But let's just say they start at the top of the bin and work their way down. If that bin took 4 days to fill up, which case is on the bottom of that bin? What if the bin took one week to fill up, or 2 weeks? From the day the bin is delivered, to the officer, all those cases are equal in priority date, but to the petitioners, there is 4, 7 or 14 days between receipt date.

Now, let's say the first case (which could be a 'last in' in terms of the bin and compared to those 'first in' the bin) is clear cut. Sufficient, correct evidence, all documents tickity boo and a fast return on the IBIS checks with nothing further to look at. Stamp, approved, generate NOA2. On to the next case. Oops, this one's got some further checking to do on it, for what ever reason. Now. Should the officer stop all processing and sit at her desk playing solitaire until that case is completed, or should she move onto the next file in the bin? I think they move on. Maybe cases #3, 4 and 7 are find and go straight through. Should their approval be delayed until case #2 comes back complete?

I'm sure I've butchered the explanation of what actually goes on there, because I'm recalling it from memory. But the point is that they are not just flinging files around on people's desks willy nilly--there actually is a system, and just because none of us knows what it is does not mean the people are not working.

Cases are not all equal and do not process at the same speed. Generally when others with a similar notice date as you start getting approved, or the case processing date is very near to yours, you can expect that your case is close behind it. I have seen it time and time and time again that just as someone goes ballistic, the case processing date is actually right on top of their NOA date and they are usually posting WooHoo within a couple of days.

Other things that oculd happen: Officers #1 & #2 each call for a bin on the same day and start working through them. Officer #2's cases all happened to clear and approve bing, bang, boom. He calls for the next bin and starts approving cases---now they appear out of date order to us because these are 'newer' cases than the other bins that are still being worked on. Meanwhile, Officer #1 is having issues with 3 cases and they are taking longer. She doesn't call for another bin until a couple/few days later. Or what happens if MsManager calls Officer #1 over to help on another project for a couple of days? Or someone goes on vacation?

My point is that cases are not received into the facility and put in a continuous line of first-in-first-out. It's slightly more general than that. Also, we will *never* know the exact nature of the processing and the security checks that take place because 'they' will never tell the public. Sort of a trade secret in the New World Order.

A last thing to keep in mind is that VJ is a good representative sample, but it's hardly a scratch on the overall statistics. Just because someone at VJ hasn't seen an approval doesn't mean the whole SC has come to a halt. When I was doing our case, one of the factoids I tripped over was the number of visa applications per year (I was more interested in Consular processing at the time). The number was, get this, 10 million visa applications to the US every year. Now, not every one of those applications requires a petition behind it, but a large percentage do. There are also a lot of petitions filed that won't have visa applications happen in the same year.

And forget the argument that they should just hire more staff if they have "too much" work. The US has nothing to gain by speeding through the immigration process. If anything, they are more interested in keeping it slow.

I have a feeling that I'm barking at a wall, but I do hate to see such distress. I wish you all peace at heart and am glad that you're filing now, and not two years ago when the average wait for a petition was over 8 months.

Edited February 17, 2006 by meauxna

[Sinergy 3]

meauxna i do acttually feel better. thanks

[meauxna 15]

I am heartbroken

irishgirl, you already know that your case has fallen out of the normal processing range, since the posted date has passed you by 30+ days, correct? *Now* is the time to get your elected officials involved. An inquiry from them might be able to get more information than you can on your own.

Researching what has happened in the past, and how people have had success when their case becomes overdue would do more to make you feel in control, imo. I highly recommend the long-running original fiance visa discussion group alt.visa.us.marriage-based for more explanation of overdue cases and how people got them jumpstarted.

meauxna i do acttually feel better. thanks

<kisses>

Just be glad I didn't beat you up asking why you didn't DCF in RO when you were there

[irishgirl73 0]

I am heartbroken

irishgirl, you already know that your case has fallen out of the normal processing range, since the posted date has passed you by 30+ days, correct? *Now* is the time to get your elected officials involved. An inquiry from them might be able to get more information than you can on your own.

Researching what has happened in the past, and how people have had success when their case becomes overdue would do more to make you feel in control, imo. I highly recommend the long-running original fiance visa discussion group alt.visa.us.marriage-based for more explanation of overdue cases and how people got them jumpstarted.

meauxna i do acttually feel better. thanks

<kisses>

Just be glad I didn't beat you up asking why you didn't DCF in RO when you were there

Thanks meauxana-I did contact my congressman & USCIS, I was told my case is being reviewed. I figured it meant the dreaded AR, but people here, as well as my congressman told me that they could just give that answer if they want to. My case was pretty straightforward, not sure what the problem is.......I was given a referral # from USCIS & told that I will hear something within 30 days. I am just frustrated hearing about cases approved in days & I have been waiting 70! again-I don't want to offend anyone going through any of the other services centers-as I know you have waited much longer than me.

[Canuck Carrie 1]

irishgirl, you already know that your case has fallen out of the normal processing range, since the posted date has passed you by 30+ days, correct? *Now* is the time to get your elected officials involved. An inquiry from them might be able to get more information than you can on your own.

I don't think the 30+ days has hit yet. The NOA1 date is Dec 14, the 'Now Processing' date is Jan 8.

(Irishgirl, I'm not talking about you like you aren't here, I just want to make sure I am understanding this as well )

[Sinergy 3]

meauxna you could have but then youd be sitting through my horribly long boring story on why i didnt!

[irishgirl73 0]

According to uscis-my case was rec'd 12/8.................here on vj I have 12/14-the day I physically rec'd it in the mail. I should change that. So yes-I am over the 30 days

[Cassie 8]

I want meauxna's post pinned somewhere please!

[JanaStepho 0]

meauxna

Thanks for the answer, i think that will stop people from emailing them before their case is overdue. But if you dont know what the system they work is exactly and you see other people getting their approvals, it makes you think that something is probably going on....

well, our case file is probably somewhere on the bottom of the box, hopefully the officer will reach the bottom of the box soon....

[irishgirl73 0]

irishgirl, you already know that your case has fallen out of the normal processing range, since the posted date has passed you by 30+ days, correct? *Now* is the time to get your elected officials involved. An inquiry from them might be able to get more information than you can on your own.

I don't think the 30+ days has hit yet. The NOA1 date is Dec 14, the 'Now Processing' date is Jan 8.

(Irishgirl, I'm not talking about you like you aren't here, I just want to make sure I am understanding this as well )

So what do ya think canuck? there isn't much I can do at this point-but I would love to know what s going on. 70 days at Vermont??? Not the kind of record I wanted

meauxana-thanks for the explanation-I am still annoyed but I do feel a bit better

[meauxna 15]

According to uscis-my case was rec'd 12/8.................here on vj I have 12/14-the day I physically rec'd it in the mail. I should change that. So yes-I am over the 30 days

If your received date is 12/8 and the posted processing date is 1/8, I'd suspect that your case is on someone's desk ready to complete any moment now.

If your case has been selected for a quality-control review of some sort, there's nothing you can do (ask the CSCers!) But the answer your elected rep got sounds quite standard for 'we're working on it' in general.

All that I can recall that you can do is put an inquiry in via 1-800# and potentially contact one of your elected reps. Sounds like you've done that.

Remember to choose just one to put an inquiry in for you (multiple inquiries lead to problems) and choose the one who has a history of showing concern and action for petitioners--not all elected reps put as much effort into this consitituent service equally. A call/letter from a Senator or Representative is not a conduit to a case being pulled forward, unless it has truly fallen behind a desk, the Service can't be compelled to work on a case outside of the system.

While Vermont is historically faster than other SCs, there is going to be variation within its subgroup of petitions. There will always be cases that are faster and slower than the mean... that's how you come up with an average.

I know that not knowing is the worst part of it. All I can do is be sitting here 4 years into it and tell you that it's a small amount of time in the bigger picture and encourage you to find other things to occupy your minds... watched pot and all that. I know that sounds sucky from someone who's 'done', but it's all I've got

[irishgirl73 0]

According to uscis-my case was rec'd 12/8.................here on vj I have 12/14-the day I physically rec'd it in the mail. I should change that. So yes-I am over the 30 days

If your received date is 12/8 and the posted processing date is 1/8, I'd suspect that your case is on someone's desk ready to complete any moment now.

If your case has been selected for a quality-control review of some sort, there's nothing you can do (ask the CSCers!) But the answer your elected rep got sounds quite standard for 'we're working on it' in general.

All that I can recall that you can do is put an inquiry in via 1-800# and potentially contact one of your elected reps. Sounds like you've done that.

Remember to choose just one to put an inquiry in for you (multiple inquiries lead to problems) and choose the one who has a history of showing concern and action for petitioners--not all elected reps put as much effort into this consitituent service equally. A call/letter from a Senator or Representative is not a conduit to a case being pulled forward, unless it has truly fallen behind a desk, the Service can't be compelled to work on a case outside of the system.

While Vermont is historically faster than other SCs, there is going to be variation within its subgroup of petitions. There will always be cases that are faster and slower than the mean... that's how you come up with an average.

I know that not knowing is the worst part of it. All I can do is be sitting here 4 years into it and tell you that it's a small amount of time in the bigger picture and encourage you to find other things to occupy your minds... watched pot and all that. I know that sounds sucky from someone who's 'done', but it's all I've got

Thanks-I have done everything I can so I just have to wait-thanks for the advice

[meauxna 15]

Clever Carrie dug up some SC tour notes that you might like! http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...wtopic=2668&hl=

thanks, Carrie!

hey, where's Val.. I was supposed to be consoling her.... probably off trying on her bikini collection in anticipation

[Drew 0]

Obviously, this topic started because my case was approved (“just” 136 days, lightning speed for CSC these days, I think), while someone else’s, filed a month earlier was not.

While we can debate on the subject – why and how (I admit, I know absolutely nothing about the way Service Centers operate), I’d like to simply drop my two cents in a piggy bank.

Here is how exactly I’ve assembled the paperwork. I’m not saying I did it”better” than somebody else, I’m also not trying to say that I got an approval because I did things my way but maybe this info will be helpful to someone.

I completely ignored allowance to include “just photocopies” of original papers in the file.

Only photocopies I had in the envelope were passport pages copies and Naturalization Certificate copy.

Divorce Certificate (US) was a certified copy with all “stamps” and signatures required.

Marriage Certificate (non-US issued, and not even issued in the country where my wife resides, “third” country that is) was also a certified copy, translated to English at the time it was certified AND Apostille attached properly at the same time.

Actually, nothing difficult to it, I’ve just gave it some thought in advance, and decided to do things the way I did.

Also, I’d like to point out that VJ site is, simply put, – a lifesaver. Thumbs up to everyone involved in such a great project. No doubt, this is a most useful info I‘ve seen on the web in my entire life.

Cheers