Letter from Congressman with initial app filing?

[omgponies! 0]

I am sure the feeling on the board about sending a letter from a congressman with the initial filing is not to, hat it smacks of being heavy handed BUT....have a look

1. My father is in pretty tight with his (and my) congressman, he might write a more personal letter on our behalf. We (my partner and myself) have actually met and been photographed with the congressman.

2. I grew up with a kid (I was actually very good friends with his brother) who is now a congressman. What if he would write me a letter as well?

What about the plan to use two or none or just go with the one from our congressman?

Please feel free to give me your thoughts.

[BBCC 16]

The letter of one congressman is enough.

This is based on my own pre-9/11 experience attempting to secure a B-2 for the parents of friends already in the US as LPR.

Good luck.

[Ning 619]

I am sure the feeling on the board about sending a letter from a congressman with the initial filing is not to, hat it smacks of being heavy handed BUT....have a look

1. My father is in pretty tight with his (and my) congressman, he might write a more personal letter on our behalf. We (my partner and myself) have actually met and been photographed with the congressman.

2. I grew up with a kid (I was actually very good friends with his brother) who is now a congressman. What if he would write me a letter as well?

What about the plan to use two or none or just go with the one from our congressman?

Please feel free to give me your thoughts.

You are thinking of sending some letters from these politicians because you think they will have some influence of the speed of the process? It isnt heavy handed as much as ignorant.

These are the same congressmen that flee when the discussion of immigration reform come up. Ask them to submit to you the last action they took in the area of immigration. The laws havent changed for 60 years.

Congess has zero influence over the workings of immigration . There are some cases seen here on V J where a politician did improve a difficult situation but most of the time they do nothing.

Best thing you can do is have them write these letters. Then sit back knowing you did all you could do. If it makes a difference it will show in the length of time you case takes to run its course. Two or three letters could mean your case is done in record time. If so there will be hundreds of people meeting their congressman on the golf courses to take pictures & write letters.

[omgponies! 0]

Hey thanks and sarcasm for free too, what a deal.

Actually, I had not thought about the speed at all, I just want it approved honestly. Yes, you are very correct that these are the same congressmen that whinge on about immigrants and immigration these days - still, it is their duty to serve. Bear in mind that most hostility is not xenophobic but simply anti-illegal immigration and directed primarily at the south-of-the-border crowd. My partner is Asian, no children, has an education, has a job history, is well traveled internationally and has a bank account.

I guess you missed the point about my father being a friend and supporter of the congressman. Yes, I would like to know that I have done absolutely everything, come what may.

Finally, I guess you don't play golf if you think you are going to garner anyone's good will by hound them down a golf course in order to whine about how your app isn't being processed fast enough for you is going to be some help. The photo incidentally was at a local town hall. My father and the congressman are on first name basis although I am not saying they are friends or certainly not pals.

Odd, you berate the idea - but then tell me to have them written.

Edited March 9, 2012 by omgponies!

[Orando 57]

I would say it depends on how important your father or friend is to the congressman. If your father or friend helps to bank roll the congressman's political campaigns, favors can get called in. If there is no money or money bundling moving from your father or friend to this congressman's political campaigns, I would not get my hopes up on the letter having any effect. Money talks in Washington DC, money carries favor, a phone call to the right people by the congressman, calls in a favor, viola, your petition gets put on the fast track. The congressman needs incentive to do this and go out of his way. I do not think being friendly cuts it, politicians are friendly with a lot of people, they are friendly with fewer who put up the cash to keep them in office.

Edited March 9, 2012 by Orando

[Ning 619]

Hey thanks and sarcasm for free too, what a deal.

Actually, I had not thought about the speed at all, I just want it approved honestly. Yes, you are very correct that these are the same congressmen that whinge on about immigrants and immigration these days - still, it is their duty to serve. Bear in mind that most hostility is not xenophobic but simply anti-illegal immigration and directed primarily at the south-of-the-border crowd. My partner is Asian, no children, has an education, has a job history, is well traveled internationally and has a bank account.

I guess you missed the point about my father being a friend and supporter of the congressman. Yes, I would like to know that I have done absolutely everything, come what may.

Finally, I guess you don't play golf if you think you are going to garner anyone's good will by hound them down a golf course in order to whine about how your app isn't being processed fast enough for you is going to be some help. The photo incidentally was at a local town hall. My father and the congressman are on first name basis although I am not saying they are friends or certainly not pals.

Odd, you berate the idea - but then tell me to have them written.

Didnt this begin with " feel free to give me your thoughts".

Odd that you dont understand what I said. You want to believe that you need to use some politician to get what you want. You want people the react to a photo of your father & some congressman. Who cares? I can get a photo of my congressman with a phone call.

Interesting that you think there is something special because she is Asian rather than Mexican for example. No kids, a job & a bank account and has traveled. So what? That hasnt got anything to do with her case really.

I said to send in the letters so you think it did some good. Then see what the actual affect on the case is. If you are right your case will be complete with zero problems & in record time.

If you lack a sense of humor this will be a difficult journey indeed. I will be taking golf lessons. Then again I am here in the USA after having my visa granted. You on the other hand have only just begun. Good luck

[Ning 619]

I would say it depends on how important your father or friend is to the congressman. If your father or friend helps to bank roll the congressman's political campaigns, favors can get called in. If there is no money or money bundling moving from your father or friend to this congressman's political campaigns, I would not get my hopes up on the letter having any effect. Money talks in Washington DC, money carries favor, a phone call to the right people by the congressman, calls in a favor, viola, your petition gets put on the fast track. The congressman needs incentive to do this and go out of his way. I do not think being friendly cuts it, politicians are friendly with a lot of people, they are friendly with fewer who put up the cash to keep them in office.

Yes but this guy grew up with the brother of a congressman. And he has pictures of his own father on the steps of the townhall. He didnt even need to play a round of golf to garner influence. They are on a first name basis but not really friends of even pals.

The real question is who will read them & why are they needed.

[Orando 57]

Yes but this guy grew up with the brother of a congressman. And he has pictures of his own father on the steps of the townhall. He didnt even need to play a round of golf to garner influence. They are on a first name basis but not really friends of even pals.

The real question is who will read them & why are they needed.

Well, the case officer may read them and they are not needed. For them to have any effect, the congressman would have to call in a favor and the file would be papered with his letter...otherwise, the file would just go to the bottom of the pile like the rest of them. I am sure congressmen would have no problem with their staff writing such a letter and he would sign it, just doesn't mean much if a favor is not called in I think. Even when cases are past the 5 month service standard, it seems the congressman's call has little effect. The congressman would have to get in touch with the person that runs that service center and have him put the file to the top it seems.

Edited March 9, 2012 by Orando

[omgponies! 0]

WOW. I have no illusion that a politician is going to "get me what I want". I simply hope that the person looking at my partners file will think better of it than not having it. No more and no less.

Yes, you can get a photo of your congressman with a phone call - but that is not a photo WITH your congressman and especially with my future wife and the congressman together. You are very correct, it might not be any help at all, none; it obviously holds no merit with you, but even a subconscious "that's nice" by the reviewer is a plus not a minus.

Just WOW, the only reason I bring up what ethnicity she is because YOU were the one to note the hysteria and hyperbole in the US - YOUR comment:

These are the same congressmen that flee when the discussion of immigration reform come up. Ask them to submit to you the last action they took in the area of immigration. The laws havent changed for 60 years.

No children, money in the bank, university education and traveled to the US 3x. You don't think that has weight? You really are either a troll or just plain mad.

If it were only about getting my partner to the USA we have already accomplished that. She has a tourist visa, but thanks for the well wishes.

Me, I play golf here regularly here AND in the US. Good luck with the golf and if you meet any congressman on the par3 give them my regards 8-D

Thanks Orando.

Edited March 9, 2012 by omgponies!

[Ning 619]

WOW. I have no illusion that a politician is going to "get me what I want". I simply hope that the person looking at my partners file will think better of it than not having it. No more and no less.

Yes, you can get a photo of your congressman with a phone call - but that is not a photo WITH your congressman and especially with my future wife and the congressman together. You are very correct, it might not be any help at all, none; it obviously holds no merit with you, but even a subconscious "that's nice" by the reviewer is a plus not a minus.

Just WOW, the only reason I bring up what ethnicity she is because YOU were the one to note the hysteria and hyperbole in the US - YOUR comment:

These are the same congressmen that flee when the discussion of immigration reform come up. Ask them to submit to you the last action they took in the area of immigration. The laws havent changed for 60 years.

No children, money in the bank, university education and traveled to the US 3x. You don't think that has weight? You really are either a troll or just plain mad.

If it were only about getting my partner to the USA we have already accomplished that. She has a tourist visa, but thanks for the well wishes.

Me, I play golf here regularly here AND in the US. Good luck with the golf and if you meet any congressman on the par3 give them my regards 8-D

Thanks Orando.

I am sorry you just dont get it.

The inital petition is reviewed by USCIS. They dont require, request nor need a letter from a congressman to deal with your petition. The idea that the congessman will construct a letter saying he knows your father is fine. But the officer with USCIS isnt concerned with your father or the good congressman. Your father isnt submitting a petition.

No the other info has no " weight". I am not a troll nor mad. I am just better informed than you are & willing to understand & learn.

I misunderstood & thought you were married already. You will have to do that before you file.You are not going to be denied because your relationship isnt strong enough. This wont even be a factor due to the two years & time spent together especially whne it was in Thailand ect.

Your only real problem will be the matter of support. That wont even be a factor until you get to the NVC stage. This means you have about 6 months to figure out how to handle the fact that you dont work & cant support her on your own. That may be ok but you will have to understand how to present that info to NVC.

Your partners tourist visa may not work once you file the petition. She could be denied entry when trying to use it.

I'll be on the course or under the bridge attempting to learn the art of trolling as you suspect. I think my problem will be that I am too tall to qualify. Maybe its easier to get mad.

[Stu4Lee 66]

Please feel free to give me your thoughts.

Somehow I get the feeling from reading your replies so far, you will send them in whatever the responses are here.

Good luck

[TBoneTX 45,333]

I am sure congressmen would have no problem with their staff writing such a letter and he would sign it

This might present (or evoke) problems at the consular level. Congressional Ethics rules prohibit Congressmen from personally interceding in consular matters such as visa-issuance (which is why Congressional staffers do all the work in that regard). Because USCIS forwards everything in the petition to the consulates, it might tread on those Ethics rules.

Also, the Bangkok embassy is not exactly known for being powderpuff. A CO there who sees a letter from a Congressman, regardless of topic, may react poorly: "This blowhard is treading on MY sacred turf." Proceed as you wish, but if I were in your shoes, I'd save the responsiveness of the Congressman's office for the consular phase, in case of visa refusal. Why fire your biggest cannon right away, especially considering that USCIS doesn't need such a letter and won't care if you include it?

[Laure&Colin 558]

My husband has pictures with President Obama. I don't think it would have helped the case if we sent them.

You can go ahead and have them write these letters. However this is not gonna have any kind of effect on your case.

Nobody at USCIS is even gonna read these letters until they come to your file for adjudication - in about 5 months.

At the NVC stage, they just collect documents, they won't go through your file beyond the forms, and they are the ones who'll schedule your interview, so don't expect an early date because of the letters.

Then there's the consulate. How will they react to these letters? They will most probably discard them (how is a letter from someone who has no personal knowledge of the bona fide of your relationship gonna be any useful to them). Worst case scenario, they will be unhappy with you for thinking that they'd be working on your case more promptly because your dad knows someone.

There's no bypass in this process. People contact their congressman and senator when something goes wrong and they need help dealing with the government agencies. What you're planning is not heavy handed, it's useless, and I dare say it's a good thing: I don't think it would be fair if people got easy approvals just because they happened to have been in school with a baby congressman.