Mystery or coincidence??

[Rob & Angie 0]

Hello fellow VJ'ers

I just wanted to share some interesting points about my case to maybe help others in similar situation.......

I just got approved March 20th 2012 after a 7 month 1 day wait. I filed on Aug 19th 2011, had an RFE on Jan 13th 2012 asking for another passport photo of me. On March 1st my Congressman made inquiry to Vermont Service Center; the reply on March 7th, was that following my RFE, Vermont had 60 days in which to reply, which worked out to March 27th if counting 60 straight days, or April 23rd if the days were business days. Honestly I was getting worried, and even a little annoyed at the time it was taking, I saw many others getting approved who had only been waiting 4 months! I was told there really was nothing I could do, even getting Congressman to make another inquiry would not help, I was told USCIS does not report to Congress.

So.....I wrote a letter to the President! Using the White House web site, on March 15th. On March 24th I also wrote a letter to St. John of San Francisco (I am a convert to Russian Orthodox) who I was told during his life helped many immigrants.

March 20th I got my approval. Miracle or coincidence? I am not saying either one was the reason, in fact I do not even wish to ever find out what IF anything occurred, I like not knowing, and it sure makes a great tale one day for any grandchildren I might have.

[Moomin 292]

The president can't really do that much for your case; Immigration is a privilege.

I'm not trying to say it's none(miracle/coincidence), just that USCIS works in its own mysterious ways - the decision is made within 60 days, meaning your petition could've been approved any day (usually) within that period of time.

Congrats on your approval

[Rob & Angie 0]

I maybe should have been more clear about my letter to the President. I did not ask him to help get me approved in any way, I merely asked if it would be possible to make an inquiry as my Congressman had, and I told him how long I have been waiting, that I really loved my fiance, and if the delay was due to having to do a manual background check, that I am not a terrorist, nor smuggler or drug dealer!! On the website, there is an option that I chose for 'Help With a Government Agency' I know the president did not intervene, but just maybe, maybe a white house staffer called or emailed USCIS and that prompted the case officer to look again at my file

Likewise my letter to St. John was just a request for a speedy answer to my application, and that it be approved.

[islandgal 74]

I think your email may have been forwarded onwards by the Office of the President and some action taken.

Glad your case was approved.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I tend to hold to the dictionary definition of miracle, and not the more loosely applied Christian version. A miracle is "an event that appears inexplicable by the laws of nature". There's nothing inexplicable about a petition being approved. Tens of thousands of them are approved every year. What's more, when and whether a petition is approved is entirely in the hands of men (and women). The laws of nature don't apply.

Now, many Christians like to see miracles in the most mundane of daily events, such as the apparent face of Jesus on a piece of toast. Yet they are a tad more critical when a skeptic produces an equally amazing piece of toast bearing the likeness of Elvis Presley.

I don't think this is any sort of miracle, but if it reaffirms your faith then feel free to embrace it. Congratulations!

BTW, USCIS does report to Congress. They are required by law to send reports to Congress every year on a variety of subjects. They don't, however, answer to Congress. They are part of the Department of Homeland Security, which is a cabinet level agency of the Executive Branch of the federal government. This means that, ultimately, they answer to the President.

[Darnell 8,478]

I think it had much to do with sidereal motion. Tempus Fugit !

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hello fellow VJ'ers

I just wanted to share some interesting points about my case to maybe help others in similar situation.......

I just got approved March 20th 2012 after a 7 month 1 day wait. I filed on Aug 19th 2011, had an RFE on Jan 13th 2012 asking for another passport photo of me. On March 1st my Congressman made inquiry to Vermont Service Center; the reply on March 7th, was that following my RFE, Vermont had 60 days in which to reply, which worked out to March 27th if counting 60 straight days, or April 23rd if the days were business days. Honestly I was getting worried, and even a little annoyed at the time it was taking, I saw many others getting approved who had only been waiting 4 months! I was told there really was nothing I could do, even getting Congressman to make another inquiry would not help, I was told USCIS does not report to Congress.

So.....I wrote a letter to the President! Using the White House web site, on March 15th. On March 24th I also wrote a letter to St. John of San Francisco (I am a convert to Russian Orthodox) who I was told during his life helped many immigrants.

March 20th I got my approval. Miracle or coincidence? I am not saying either one was the reason, in fact I do not even wish to ever find out what IF anything occurred, I like not knowing, and it sure makes a great tale one day for any grandchildren I might have.

Coincidence, but you can believe otherwise if you want.

Congratulations