Congressional Inquiry

[Dean iWait 0]

Here is the USCIS response to my senator's office inquiry:

“Hello

At this time the petition is in line for further processing along with many others having received the response to the request for additional information on 07/24/06. You may wish to follow up for further status after allowing an additional 60 days if your constituent does not hear from that office after that period.

Congressional Liaison Specialist

USCIS California Service Center”

I seemed to have heard these type of canned responses before. LOL!

Here is her response back to me:

Dean - I received the attached “non” response from the California Service Center. I replied asking them to be more specific on when the application would be processed since prior to the request for additional evidence, the application should have been processed no later than August. I’ll let you know what response I receive.

YES! GO! GO! GO! I may actually vote for this guy.

[kitkat1 5]

Dean - the best news here is that you found someone who has a clue and realizes this is a non-response! Here's hoping she pushes hard and gets your petition moving!

[rosyanne 0]

All I can say is: good luck!

[rebeccajo 14]

Can I be devil's advocate here for just a minute?

I realize the K1 filings are a total mess right now and folks have been waiting what seems like ages.

Sometimes though I look at timelines and I get confused. I joined VJ almost 2 years ago. Even as late as last summer, a 4 to 8 month processing time for an I-129F approval was not uncommon at all. And that was pre-IMBRA. I know you are going to look at my timeline below and think to yourself 'what does she know' and you'll be exactly right. I was one of the lucky ones. But I had loads of filing buddies that suffered ridiculous waits, especially at Nebraska. Some waited nearly a year just for NOA2.

Before I get flamed - I realize you all have been jerked about horrendously. And I think you have every right to be tense, nervous and upset. I guess all I'm trying to say is that your situations really aren't all that 'new'. Filing for a visa just sucks, period. The really old timers tell me it's actually WAY better than it used to be.

Hang in there folks. I hope it gets better.

[kitkat1 5]

Rebeccajo - you're obviously totally right. The problem now is that people who filed in March/April/May and returned their IMBRA RFEs in July still haven't been approved, while people who filed in August and even September have already been approved. For people like Dean, it comes down to that it's 60 days after his RFE return date and he's still waiting, while he's surrounded by others who just filed who have already been approved. So the out of order stuff makes it super hard to take . .

[rebeccajo 14]

Rebeccajo - you're obviously totally right. The problem now is that people who filed in March/April/May and returned their IMBRA RFEs in July still haven't been approved, while people who filed in August and even September have already been approved. For people like Dean, it comes down to that it's 60 days after his RFE return date and he's still waiting, while he's surrounded by others who just filed who have already been approved. So the out of order stuff makes it super hard to take . .

I bet it does.

Unfortunately that's not a new thing with DOS either. Or the consulates. This isn't a first in first out system. From my readings it's actually which box your file is in, which analyst grabs what box, how fast they work, which order they take things out of the box, and whether or not they are allowed overtime. I'm serious here now people. Do you realize that this is pretty much a paper system? It's very archaic given the level of technology we live in. You are literally talking about file boxes being shipped across the nation and around the globe.

One reason Vermont has always been quicker is their director authorizes overtime in the family based unit. My understanding is that other service centers have other visa sections which they regard as more important.

[Kirsten L 0]

Oh man...What a crock of crud that response was!! BLECCHHHHH!!!! This is the kind of malarkey that just has to STOP! Incidentally, I'm referring to the USCIS response...NOT to RebeccaJo's just above me. I have nary an unkind word for her...EVER!

Anyway, so glad you've got someone who also saw it for the NON-answer it was and who has chosen to pursue it. May she get the answers you so richly deserve!!!

Edited October 5, 2006 by Kirsten L

[Hornet 2]

yeah at least she realizes it's a BS response. My congressmans office just makes excuses for USCIS.

Paper pushers covering over paperpushers butts!! I think.

I just got home Tuesday and got a response to mine.

"They indicted that your Petition for Alien Fiance is with an officer who is reviewing the merits of the case"

They've had my RFE for over 60 days! How long does it take to review the dang thing??

"merits of the case" makes me a little nervous?? and no update since Sept 6??

211 days when others are being approved in under 30? no excuse!

rebeccajo wrote

"My understanding is that other service centers have other visa sections which they regard as more important."

I believe that. look at work visas dates!! non-citizens get better service.

And how can they get exchange-students done so fast?? Didn't ALL or Most of the 9-11 hijackers get here on student visas??

NOT ONE got here on a Fiance Visa! Wake up USCIS!!!

[ready4ONE 5,400]

Just wanted to say good luck, hopefully this gets you some action, and more importantly your approval!

[AndyMisiu 0]

Dean,

You know that I for one am pulling for you. We have similar cases and have shared similar fears. You now know after seeing my approval and many others alike that everything will be fine. I can share in your frustrations over the waiting and seeing others approved ahead of you. I'm sure you've read a couple of my ranting posts about it. At first I was one of those people who sympathized for USCIS and the IMBRA process. I posted on hear for people to be patient and to except the process for what it is, for the most part that statement is still correct.

Now, the way I interpret the response that was given, is you are in line to be reviewed by an adjudicating officer. I'm not sure but I would want to know if I was with one, or not. I would maybe contact another Senator and have them find out that question. If you really want to be pushy you can write a letter for expedited service and explain that you are outside normal processing times for RFE's. That is what was suggested by a customer service rep at VSC. I don't know if it worked or not, I can say that it probably didn't. The response I got from my Senator was that I'm with an adjudicating officer, and that meant it was being worked on. So, everything was probably coincidence.

However, I'm not one to take "nothing" as an answer and you have every right to find out what's taking so long. Maybe the expedited service request can bring attention to a misplaced case. Not saying that your misplaced, I'm sure that's not the case, but why not cover every base you can. Sitting and doing nothing will for sure bring no answers and it sure won't help you to feel that you are doing everything you can.

Good Luck Dean!! I'm praying for you!!!

[kitkat1 5]

I would maybe contact another Senator and have them find out that question. If you really want to be pushy you can write a letter for expedited service and explain that you are outside normal processing times for RFE's.

Geez Andy - Dean already HAS a congressional contact who has acknowledged the stupidity of the CSC response and has already emailed back to get a "true" case status for him. What on earth would be the point of going to another senator or requesting an expedite (when obviously there are no grounds for an expedite and it would be denied, just like in your case)? Both moves be a tremendous waste of time.

He has a good contact, she IS helping him. He does need to give her a few days to get a response. As you know, these things do not happen over night, but there is no reason in this situation to continue contacting people. At some point, you simply have to chill and let them do their job!

[Dean iWait 0]

Thanks for all the kind words everyone. Seems like I finally have someone in my senators office that sees things my way rather than seeing it USICS's way. I really feel like if they give her another BS response she won't stand for it and will continue to fight for me and I really couldn't ask for more than that. When I talked to my other senators office it was like I had gotten the USCIS cutomer service line. Started reading my current status and current processing times to me from the USCIS website for pete's sake! Grrrr.

[AndyMisiu 0]

I would maybe contact another Senator and have them find out that question. If you really want to be pushy you can write a letter for expedited service and explain that you are outside normal processing times for RFE's.

Geez Andy - Dean already HAS a congressional contact who has acknowledged the stupidity of the CSC response and has already emailed back to get a "true" case status for him. What on earth would be the point of going to another senator or requesting an expedite (when obviously there are no grounds for an expedite and it would be denied, just like in your case)? Both moves be a tremendous waste of time.

He has a good contact, she IS helping him. He does need to give her a few days to get a response. As you know, these things do not happen over night, but there is no reason in this situation to continue contacting people. At some point, you simply have to chill and let them do their job!

yeah! maybe your right! I'm just a pain in everyones ###!! you should see how I am at work but I get things done and I stay on top of things. My persistence and drive might not be something that is helpful in this process, but it is in my line of work. I guess it just spills over into the process. Your right KitKat!! Dean should just relax!! sorry Dean!! don't worry!! your approval is on it's way

Although I have to say, that making a phone call or faxing a letter is far from a waste of time. It's not like it takes day's to do this. It should only take 30 minutes to an hour of your time, which is well worth it. It didn't effect my petition negatively and for sure didn't hurt.

But to each there own!! either way you go about it!! you'll have an approval soon.

[TucsonBill 0]

*sigh* I havn't even gotten my RFE yet (non IMBRA), and I can't help but feel a little depressed reading this. We're not actually planning on getting married until February, but at this rate..... I wonder!

Bill

[nfs 0]

Didn't ALL or Most of the 9-11 hijackers get here on student visas??

NOT ONE got here on a Fiance Visa! Wake up USCIS!!!

good point!