petitioner hour is no more

[awatson 1]

Petitioner Hour for U.S. Citizens to Discontinue

Please note that the Immigrant Visa Section will no longer be holding petitioner hour for U.S. citizens after November 15, 2010. In addition, the Immigrant Visa Unit asks that all inquiries regarding immigrant visas be directed to us using the on-line form available on our website

was anyone else aware of this? isnt this the thing where we supposedly supposed to go and show our support and all that good stuff?

[Azzudiin 26]

That is why it is closing, it was not a means to show support. Many people beleived that going and having some document notarized and then trying to show support about their relationship helped their case. The petitioner hour was designed to answer legimate questions about the application process such as "On this form I was unclear on question X, should I write blank or blank?"

I have been there, I actually had a real question, and it took me 30 seconds. I watched as others spent 30 minutes and finally had VO tell them they needed to leave because all they were doing was trying to give a verbal relationship accounting. One guy was even trying to show VO pictures and justify his relationship.

Hopefully when the new consulate is finished and staffed fully we will see some process changes at Guangzhou, but for now they have very limited space, and even more limited staff because of the facility.

[awatson 1]

i agree with you i would not want to waste my time or theirs and whether one goes or not it should not count for ones case or against it.

[pushbrk 12,894]

i agree with you i would not want to waste my time or theirs and whether one goes or not it should not count for ones case or against it.

"Shoulds" are judgment calls we really don't get to make for others in these matters. Unless the Consulate states a reason for ending the ACS, speculation about the reason(s) is, well, SPECULATION.

I speculate, the IV unit determined this was not an efficient use of their time. While it's probably reasonable to think abuse of it's intended purpose was a contributing factor, we simply don't know.

[Azzudiin 26]

"Shoulds" are judgment calls we really don't get to make for others in these matters. Unless the Consulate states a reason for ending the ACS, speculation about the reason(s) is, well, SPECULATION.

I speculate, the IV unit determined this was not an efficient use of their time. While it's probably reasonable to think abuse of it's intended purpose was a contributing factor, we simply don't know.

It is not speculation, read the most recent GAO report on consulates in China. I am trying to find the link to the report, but it stated very clearly that the GAO found petitioner hour a waste of resources because of abuse.

[pushbrk 12,894]

It is not speculation, read the most recent GAO report on consulates in China. I am trying to find the link to the report, but it stated very clearly that the GAO found petitioner hour a waste of resources because of abuse.

I'll be happy to read it. Sounds like you have. Where's the link?

[Eric & Jin 10]

It is not speculation, read the most recent GAO report on consulates in China. I am trying to find the link to the report, but it stated very clearly that the GAO found petitioner hour a waste of resources because of abuse.

I'll be happy to read it. Sounds like you have. Where's the link?

I would also like to see the GAO report on the consulates in China if anyone has a link. I have read the recent OIG Review of the consulates in China (http://www.ilw.com/articles/2010,1026-schwartz.pdf) but it does not make any mention of the Petitioner Hour (ACH) or give any hint as to why the decision may have been made to discontinue it.

[Darnell 8,478]

lets not confuse ACS and ACH, yes? Yay !

OBSTCR !!! BOHICA !!! Ouchies !