VSC Comatose Once More

[Blob18 111]

Yep...I check it too many times a day as well....but the simple LONG TERM fact is. Basically we have approx. 100 VJ users register each month. If VSC is to not continue to fall farther behind they must now work 100 each month. At basically the halfway point of the month..they have about 27...at this rate they will fall 15 days farther behind each month.

For those of you who wait for you Aos and other milestones in this process, at least you are together so now your wife can listen to you whine in person.

100% with ya there! Could care less how long AOS takes etc. We both arent going anywhere and the fact that she would be here is enough for me.

[Andy and Kayla 45]

Maybe I was a bit presumptuous to assume another failure from VSC, but I meant what I said about them being a holdover from the Soviet Union.

Accountability to the citizens is the hallmark of good government. The worst governments in the world are the least accountable, Iran and North Korea among them.

Here in the United States, almost all branches of the government are accountable. Congress is accountable, and last November, the voters sent half of them to the unemployment lines. But USCIS seems to have carved out an exception for itself, and look at the results!

I am sorry if I am not more positive, but I do not believe in false hope, and a positive attitude without a solid factual foundation to back it up is, to me, false hope. And I have yet to see that solid factual foundation to build my hope on. I would rather assume the worst and get pleasantly surprised when things go better than to assume the best and get cut down, once more, when things go wrong.

While I am certainly not an optimist, I am not a pessimist either. I am a realist. I build my expectations on the evidence that I see, not on the hopes that I want to see.

Maybe that doesn't work for some of you, and if that is the case, then certainly don't listen to a realist like me.

I don't mean to be argumentative, but the assumption that VSC has stalled and we'll all be stuck here indefinitely has no more "solid factual foundation" than our choices to be positive. *shrug* You've made that belief based on two days of data from a list that a) depends on people to update immediately or at all, which isn't what happens and b) only contains numbers from a small percentage of people with petitions at VSC in the first place. It also doesn't account for all of the people who aren't signed up for text/email or who don't get the texts/email but the NOA2 with this week's date may show up their mailbox next week. Igor's List is helpful but it has its imperfections.

People with more positive outlooks base that belief in the scrapings we do see, in the fact that we know TPS petitions are drawing to a close and in the fact that any organization that's getting as many calls as VSC must be right now will want to stop them. USCIS is poorly organized and has a general disregard for the citizens, yes, but they aren't a malicious group of people who are intentionally holding petitions just to ruin your day.

I find the "I'm sorry I'm not positive, I'm just realistic" card a little offensive because it insinuates that everyone else is living in a fantasy world and your beliefs alone are rooted in fact. We're all trying to do the best we can with the fragmented information we have. You can choose to be negative and monger hopelessness where it doesn't need to be or you can take a step back and focus your energies elsewhere *at least* until you're past the processing time on the USCIS website. I know it's frustrating to see others go through and finish with USCIS in 2 months (I'm with you on that one) and then be caught in a slow spell, but that speedy timeline is never guaranteed. When you're over your designated time, they're at fault but for the time being you're well within the given processing time, as frustrating as that may be and again, I'm in the same boat, and the best you can do is stop driving yourself insane by stalking Igor's List.

I know it's easy to do that and to overanalyze every piece of date (or lack thereof) that pops up when that's one of our only sources of information and I'll say again that I, too, think it should be a more transparent process. Having said that, it isn't good for any of us and it only leads to obsessing, especially if all you're willing to draw are negative conclusions.

[Andy and Kayla 45]

Maybe Al was presumptious to think us peasants deserve better than being told "you waited 5 months, Ok, go away and wait 30 more days and then call back!" Reminds me of the guy named Peggy with USA Prime Credit in the TV commercial!

My NOA1 was July 23. I look at Igor's list and see several who applied before me still waiting in line (or just haven't updated...). I'm not sure if the noise that I made the with congressional representatives and with emails to VSC made the difference and if the others waiting chose not to make any noise - and I think I'll shut up now before someone from VSC sees this and revokes it or pours maple syrup on it before they send it forward to NVC. OK - signing off to go have a drink - or several! Good luck to all the other poor peasants!

That isn't what I said at all.

I agreed wholeheartedly that it was frustrating, that the process should be more clear, that USCIS should be held accountable, that people over the designated timeline have every right to stomp their feet and utilize their government representatives. I'm angered on behalf of everyone from July and August who is over their 5 month mark and isn't being given any help. I'm really not sure how you gathered otherwise from my post, although I suspect it wasn't read in its entirety and this is just someone jumping on one word, taken out of context, out of an entire post.

The other issue, of course, is that AI isn't over his 5 month mark.

Edited January 15, 2011 by Andy and Kayla

[Al422 221]

100% with ya there! Could care less how long AOS takes etc. We both arent going anywhere and the fact that she would be here is enough for me.

Well, I would care if the AOS took, say, 5 years. But if it took 6 months or 8 months or 10 months, none of that would matter Elena would be here, and after all the money I spent to get her here, we would not be going on any international travels anytime soon, anyway.

The other issue, of course, is that AI isn't over his 5 month mark.

What does that mean?

Does it mean that my opinion that making American citizens wait 5 months for their NOA2 is way too long is an invalid opinion?

Does it mean that I can't prepare for war with USCIS knowing that it is likely I will have to fight it at that mark?

And does it mean that I cannot urge other people here to stand up for their rights?

[MochiKamo 93]

I don't mean to be argumentative, but the assumption that VSC has stalled and we'll all be stuck here indefinitely has no more "solid factual foundation" than our choices to be positive. *shrug* You've made that belief based on two days of data from a list that a) depends on people to update immediately or at all, which isn't what happens and b) only contains numbers from a small percentage of people with petitions at VSC in the first place. It also doesn't account for all of the people who aren't signed up for text/email or who don't get the texts/email but the NOA2 with this week's date may show up their mailbox next week. Igor's List is helpful but it has its imperfections.

People with more positive outlooks base that belief in the scrapings we do see, in the fact that we know TPS petitions are drawing to a close and in the fact that any organization that's getting as many calls as VSC must be right now will want to stop them. USCIS is poorly organized and has a general disregard for the citizens, yes, but they aren't a malicious group of people who are intentionally holding petitions just to ruin your day.

I find the "I'm sorry I'm not positive, I'm just realistic" card a little offensive because it insinuates that everyone else is living in a fantasy world and your beliefs alone are rooted in fact. We're all trying to do the best we can with the fragmented information we have. You can choose to be negative and monger hopelessness where it doesn't need to be or you can take a step back and focus your energies elsewhere *at least* until you're past the processing time on the USCIS website. I know it's frustrating to see others go through and finish with USCIS in 2 months (I'm with you on that one) and then be caught in a slow spell, but that speedy timeline is never guaranteed. When you're over your designated time, they're at fault but for the time being you're well within the given processing time, as frustrating as that may be and again, I'm in the same boat, and the best you can do is stop driving yourself insane by stalking Igor's List.

I know it's easy to do that and to overanalyze every piece of date (or lack thereof) that pops up when that's one of our only sources of information and I'll say again that I, too, think it should be a more transparent process. Having said that, it isn't good for any of us and it only leads to obsessing, especially if all you're willing to draw are negative conclusions.

I completely agree. All this commotion based on scant data samples that may or may not represent the population data. The Visa Journey population is a tiny subset of all individuals who filed for a K1 visa and day to day activity cannot be extrapolated to get definite readings on any VSC rates. Furthermore, the data is based on user input and is prone to being late, missing, incorrect, etc.

Anyhow, we now have a couple Visa Journey data points for January 14.

1 Jaye K and Chenara C 2010-07-15 2010-07-23 NONE-My Fiance is a Genius 2011-01-14

2 Russell and Anna 2010-07-16 2010-07-23 2011-01-14

Edited January 15, 2011 by Yagisama

[Al422 221]

I completely agree. All this commotion based on scant data samples that may or may not represent the population data. The Visa Journey population is a tiny subset of all individuals who filed for a K1 visa and day to day activity cannot be extrapolated to get definite readings on any VSC rates. Furthermore, the data is based on user input and is prone to being late, missing, incorrect, etc.

Anyhow, we now have a couple Visa Journey data points for January 14.

Since I already stood down from that position, I think this is moot.

I don't mind being called wrong. And when I agree with you, I will acknowledge it. The person who wrote that I jumped to the wrong conclusion based on this little tidbit of data is right, and I already agreed with him.

[Andy and Kayla 45]

Well, I would care if the AOS took, say, 5 years. But if it took 6 months or 8 months or 10 months, none of that would matter Elena would be here, and after all the money I spent to get her here, we would not be going on any international travels anytime soon, anyway.

What does that mean?

Does it mean that my opinion that making American citizens wait 5 months for their NOA2 is way too long is an invalid opinion?

Does it mean that I can't prepare for war with USCIS knowing that it is likely I will have to fight it at that mark?

And does it mean that I cannot urge other people here to stand up for their rights?

It means that USCIS set that guideline and whether or not I agree with that guideline (I don't) they aren't breaking any promises at this point in time. That's their disclaimer and for now it holds up. I'm not referring to what the timeline SHOULD be; I'm referring to what is IS at this point in time. *shrug* If we're going to talk about things that are based in fact and not what we wish it to be, here's a prime example.

I feel like you're equating having a positive attitude with approving of the way USCIS is currently doing things and that's not the case.

I've said it many times, I support and encourage people utilizing their tools. I support severe reform in the immigration process and USCIS' methods especially. Before those 5 months are up, though, it's their game and their rules. Once they step outside of their own guidelines, you're free to exercise all of your rights and hassle the hell out of them. I've never said otherwise and taking action when it's appropriate has never been the focus of my posts in this thread. *shrug* Attitude and breeding preemptive hopelessness is an entirely separate issue.

And on a much less important note, I'm the "her" posting.

Edited January 15, 2011 by Andy and Kayla

[Retscpo 5]

AI, you're clearly an intelligent person and I understand the frustrations. I believe everyone has the right to be frustrated by this process and by the way the system works. I'm sorry the last time you went through this was much smoother than now. I agree that petitions filed by the citizens should be priority on the part of the government body attending to those citizens. I agree that people going over their 5 month wait and being shooed away should utilize their state representatives. I agree that the system should be more transparent. I get all of that.

That being said, we're all waiting. The service centers have sped up and slowed down without rhyme or reason for years and so while it's great you were approved in 4 weeks the first time, that is by no means a guarantee of the same speed. You go into this process hoping for the best and expecting the worst. *shrug* It's annoying and I thought I would have my NOA2 at least a month ago, but we don't. I miss my fiance, too. I'll probably end up having a longer journey than you because I have a notoriously slow consulate to work with next; it's my understanding that the one you guys will be going through is relatively quick. I'm happy some people don't have 4-6 more months post-NOA2.

Point being, this is hard for everyone. I know not all people are naturally bubbly and positive and sunshiney and . That's fine; you don't have to be. There are people, however, that are choosing to be positive. There are a ton of Igor's List members who have not logged on for months. There are a ton of VJ members who don't log on every day and who won't update immediately. There are a BIG ton of people who aren't VJ members.

*shrug* I think it's overly pessimistic to post a thread with this title after the progress slowed (from what we can see on VJ) for 2 days. It's overly impatient and presumptuous and it breeds hopelessness and frustration among people who are trying to just get through this. Don't get me wrong; you have the right to your feelings and I don't blame ANYONE for being frustrated with this process. I don't blame ANYONE for being sad that they can't be with their loved one right now. But dwelling and stewing and losing it when the service center slows for 2 days does not help anyone, especially you. Take a step back. Take care of other things in your life that you'd like to have settled when she does come, and at the very least, if you can't do that, refrain from the excessive swooping in on posts where people are trying to find things to be happy about and be hopeful for. It isn't "false hope" - maybe it isn't as quickly as we would like, but we are going to get through this. It's silly to suggest we'll all be in NOA2 limbo forever - and it saves a lot of our sanity to look for the good things and to keep busy.

You can choose to deal with the process in whichever way you choose, but please stop trying to get as many people as you possibly can on board the negative train.

Nicely done!

[Penny Lane 8,159]

It means that USCIS set that guideline and whether or not I agree with that guideline (I don't) they aren't breaking any promises at this point in time. That's their disclaimer and for now it holds up. I'm not referring to what the timeline SHOULD be; I'm referring to what is IS at this point in time. *shrug* If we're going to talk about things that are based in fact and not what we wish it to be, here's a prime example.

I feel like you're equating having a positive attitude with approving of the way USCIS is currently doing things and that's not the case.

I've said it many times, I support and encourage people utilizing their tools. I support severe reform in the immigration process and USCIS' methods especially. Before those 5 months are up, though, it's their game and their rules. Once they step outside of their own guidelines, you're free to exercise all of your rights and hassle the hell out of them. I've never said otherwise and taking action when it's appropriate has never been the focus of my posts in this thread. *shrug* Attitude and breeding preemptive hopelessness is an entirely separate issue.

And on a much less important note, I'm the "her" posting.

Well said.

[Paul_Sasha 4]

Are you a USC? Real USCs know what their constitutional Rights are....Immigration is not one of them.

The system is not broken folks, the SCs are just very busy with all types of visas.

If you want to pay more so they can increase their staff, then let your congress know, if you don't like the background checking, might have to find a new country, I dont have comment for that considering the state of world affairs right now.

Maybe Zero immigration across the board would be best?

I for one would have gladly paid an extra fee for expedition. I would have paid if there was a guarantee of actual action. Between phone bills, mail, the odd FEDEX and now my second tip over. $1000 or less of an expedition fee pails in comparison.

The reality is that once USCIS and VSC fall behind, the system cannot handle it. It cannot handle our calls, it cannot handle actually being able to speak to an immigration officer, it cannot handle the congressmen who try to get through their end of the hurdles, yes - even using their staff.

USCIS maybe need to form a special expedite division but only with guaranteed timelines.

The system we have is the only one - but it is clearly broken.

maybe we too need a stimulus package - seems like everyone else except real people got one

the USCIS stimulus package for immigration..............

[JiaYou 22]

If only my fiance could dunk, she'd have a visa in no time. Alas she's short and throws like a girl.

[dogspot 90]

If only my fiance could dunk, she'd have a visa in no time. Alas she's short and throws like a girl.

High 90s fastball wouldn't hurt either.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

It is a violation of the Terms of Service for Visa Journey to post comments making personal attacks against other posters. 3 such posts have been removed along with 2 commenting on the posts. Any further posts of this type will lead to a thread ban for the poster.

[glockman51 0]

Excuse the blood on the page!!! take it easy guys we are all waiting and yes it sucks.

[Blob18 111]

USCIS just released Nov. 2010 stats....Yea, I'd say they are PREEEEETTTYYYY backlogged on I-129Fs

http://dashboard.uscis.gov/index.cfm?formtype=6&office=6&charttype=1