Vermont Service Center 6 MONTHS for NOA2????

[We Are The Art 46]

In our case, VSC received our I-129F on February 13 2012, we finally received our NOA-2 on September 17th. 7 months & 4 days = 215 total days! And yes it is SO frustrating to see some receive theirs within 30 - 40 days but, what can one do but wait? I was one step away from calling my Congressman when the NOA-2 finally arrived but at least it is now "in transit" to the NVC. From what I'm hearing, (per the service I hired to assist with our application) there is also a slowdown occuring with the NVC which is running approx. 30 - 40 days behind schedule before being forwarded to the Embassy (Manila) and to add to the agony, interview dates for Manila are also running about 2 months behind apparently due to flooding there earlier this year! IF all goes according to the current schedule we will have a total wait time of about 10.5 months. There is a small chance that the process is slowly "catching up" but, there is also an equal chance that some other bureaucratic or technical delay will occur before this agonizingly slow ordeal is finalized. Still, we are indeed thankful that progress is at last being made.

It's very hard to find any comfort in such prolonged waiting times ie. "more time to prepare" etc.. when the only thing that matters to you is being reunited with your fiancee'. And as far as "forgetting all about" this excruciating process once you are finally reunited, I say BS! This experience has, and will forever, leave me and my fiancee' with deep scarring and a permanent bitter taste in our mouths. I can't say that I resent the employees that perform this much needed and important service but, I CAN say that I very much resent all of the precious time that has been forever lost.

So, why the sudden and unexpected change in normal/average processing times?

When I called USCIS to inquire about the delay (which the USCIS itself recommends if/when your application runs beyond the normal/average time of 5 months) I was told the delay was due to "higher than expected numbers of applicants" overwhelming the system. I am certain this overflow is directly connected to the "executive order" issued by Obama in June of this year (Google it) which grants "children" ("children" up to 30 years old!) of illegal aliens exemption from deportation under existing immigration law. (When you call USCIS the pre-recorded message you hear even states that there is a "special" department newly established to handle all such applicants expeditously) The latest word from USCIS also indicates they are now transferring thousands of cases (as is evident from numerous recent posts here on VJ) to other offices in order to facilitate this huge influx of applicants, is it any surprise that so many legally filed cases are being unduly delayed? "Immigration Reform" my a** !

We who have filed for our loved one's to enter this country legally, and paid the required fees, and secured all of the necessary documents, and waited so very patiently, and jumped through all of the bureaucratic hoops, and literally placed our very lives at the mercy of a system which strictly dictates whether or not our chosen partners are "worthy" of admittance, are being forced to accept these conditions whether we like it or not! All for the sake of political gain.

While I may sound harsh or even bitter to some who read this, and while I admit to being a little of both in this particular matter, I do also steadfastly believe that we (American citizens) do live in the greatest country on earth and benefit greatly from the freedoms and privileges afforded us as Americans. Despite the bureaucratic difficulties and the other inevitable complexities associated with this great nation which I too often complain about, I am proud to be an American. And, I will look forward to the day that my fiancee' will become my wife and assume her proper position as the newest American citizen.

Come November, I will also not forget to exercise one of my greatest and most valuable Rights as an American...I Will Vote.

May we all secure that which truly makes this the greatest nation on earth; Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

[Nick + Elizabeth 54]

In our case, VSC received our I-129F on February 13 2012, we finally received our NOA-2 on September 17th. 7 months & 4 days = 215 total days! And yes it is SO frustrating to see some receive theirs within 30 - 40 days but, what can one do but wait? I was one step away from calling my Congressman when the NOA-2 finally arrived but at least it is now "in transit" to the NVC. From what I'm hearing, (per the service I hired to assist with our application) there is also a slowdown occuring with the NVC which is running approx. 30 - 40 days behind schedule before being forwarded to the Embassy (Manila) and to add to the agony, interview dates for Manila are also running about 2 months behind apparently due to flooding there earlier this year! IF all goes according to the current schedule we will have a total wait time of about 10.5 months. There is a small chance that the process is slowly "catching up" but, there is also an equal chance that some other bureaucratic or technical delay will occur before this agonizingly slow ordeal is finalized. Still, we are indeed thankful that progress is at last being made.

It's very hard to find any comfort in such prolonged waiting times ie. "more time to prepare" etc.. when the only thing that matters to you is being reunited with your fiancee'. And as far as "forgetting all about" this excruciating process once you are finally reunited, I say BS! This experience has, and will forever, leave me and my fiancee' with deep scarring and a permanent bitter taste in our mouths. I can't say that I resent the employees that perform this much needed and important service but, I CAN say that I very much resent all of the precious time that has been forever lost.

So, why the sudden and unexpected change in normal/average processing times?

When I called USCIS to inquire about the delay (which the USCIS itself recommends if/when your application runs beyond the normal/average time of 5 months) I was told the delay was due to "higher than expected numbers of applicants" overwhelming the system. I am certain this overflow is directly connected to the "executive order" issued by Obama in June of this year (Google it) which grants "children" ("children" up to 30 years old!) of illegal aliens exemption from deportation under existing immigration law. (When you call USCIS the pre-recorded message you hear even states that there is a "special" department newly established to handle all such applicants expeditously) The latest word from USCIS also indicates they are now transferring thousands of cases (as is evident from numerous recent posts here on VJ) to other offices in order to facilitate this huge influx of applicants, is it any surprise that so many legally filed cases are being unduly delayed? "Immigration Reform" my a** !

We who have filed for our loved one's to enter this country legally, and paid the required fees, and secured all of the necessary documents, and waited so very patiently, and jumped through all of the bureaucratic hoops, and literally placed our very lives at the mercy of a system which strictly dictates whether or not our chosen partners are "worthy" of admittance, are being forced to accept these conditions whether we like it or not! All for the sake of political gain.

While I may sound harsh or even bitter to some who read this, and while I admit to being a little of both in this particular matter, I do also steadfastly believe that we (American citizens) do live in the greatest country on earth and benefit greatly from the freedoms and privileges afforded us as Americans. Despite the bureaucratic difficulties and the other inevitable complexities associated with this great nation which I too often complain about, I am proud to be an American. And, I will look forward to the day that my fiancee' will become my wife and assume her proper position as the newest American citizen.

Come November, I will also not forget to exercise one of my greatest and most valuable Rights as an American...I Will Vote.

May we all secure that which truly makes this the greatest nation on earth; Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

I am right there with you and couldn't have said it better myself. You took the words right out of my mouth! I will forever be angry about the time we have lost. I am 31 years old and have waited my whole life to meet this man. We want a life together and a family. I will not have children after 35 years old as you greatly increase your chance of complications. After 35 a pregnancy is considered a geriatric pregnancy. Certainly, we will want to wait till he has found a decent job before we start trying as well and in this horrid economy who knows when that will be. All this wasted time makes me feel incredibly angry, when we should be beginning our lives together. Instead we're caught up in all of this red tape and the dream act. Yes, I'm not afraid to say Obama will NOT be getting MY vote. I didn't vote for him the first time and I won't be voting for him this time. I feel completely let down by my government at the moment.

However, like you I still believe America is the greatest country on Earth. If I didn't we'd have gone the other way around and be headed to the UK. Still, I'm angry. I'm bitter. I want my fiance here with me. I'm f(@*#*& heartbroken.

[TigerFlower 61]

In our case, VSC received our I-129F on February 13 2012, we finally received our NOA-2 on September 17th. 7 months & 4 days = 215 total days! And yes it is SO frustrating to see some receive theirs within 30 - 40 days but, what can one do but wait? I was one step away from calling my Congressman when the NOA-2 finally arrived but at least it is now "in transit" to the NVC. From what I'm hearing, (per the service I hired to assist with our application) there is also a slowdown occuring with the NVC which is running approx. 30 - 40 days behind schedule before being forwarded to the Embassy (Manila) and to add to the agony, interview dates for Manila are also running about 2 months behind apparently due to flooding there earlier this year! IF all goes according to the current schedule we will have a total wait time of about 10.5 months. There is a small chance that the process is slowly "catching up" but, there is also an equal chance that some other bureaucratic or technical delay will occur before this agonizingly slow ordeal is finalized. Still, we are indeed thankful that progress is at last being made.

It's very hard to find any comfort in such prolonged waiting times ie. "more time to prepare" etc.. when the only thing that matters to you is being reunited with your fiancee'. And as far as "forgetting all about" this excruciating process once you are finally reunited, I say BS! This experience has, and will forever, leave me and my fiancee' with deep scarring and a permanent bitter taste in our mouths. I can't say that I resent the employees that perform this much needed and important service but, I CAN say that I very much resent all of the precious time that has been forever lost.

So, why the sudden and unexpected change in normal/average processing times?

When I called USCIS to inquire about the delay (which the USCIS itself recommends if/when your application runs beyond the normal/average time of 5 months) I was told the delay was due to "higher than expected numbers of applicants" overwhelming the system. I am certain this overflow is directly connected to the "executive order" issued by Obama in June of this year (Google it) which grants "children" ("children" up to 30 years old!) of illegal aliens exemption from deportation under existing immigration law. (When you call USCIS the pre-recorded message you hear even states that there is a "special" department newly established to handle all such applicants expeditously) The latest word from USCIS also indicates they are now transferring thousands of cases (as is evident from numerous recent posts here on VJ) to other offices in order to facilitate this huge influx of applicants, is it any surprise that so many legally filed cases are being unduly delayed? "Immigration Reform" my a** !

We who have filed for our loved one's to enter this country legally, and paid the required fees, and secured all of the necessary documents, and waited so very patiently, and jumped through all of the bureaucratic hoops, and literally placed our very lives at the mercy of a system which strictly dictates whether or not our chosen partners are "worthy" of admittance, are being forced to accept these conditions whether we like it or not! All for the sake of political gain.

While I may sound harsh or even bitter to some who read this, and while I admit to being a little of both in this particular matter, I do also steadfastly believe that we (American citizens) do live in the greatest country on earth and benefit greatly from the freedoms and privileges afforded us as Americans. Despite the bureaucratic difficulties and the other inevitable complexities associated with this great nation which I too often complain about, I am proud to be an American. And, I will look forward to the day that my fiancee' will become my wife and assume her proper position as the newest American citizen.

Come November, I will also not forget to exercise one of my greatest and most valuable Rights as an American...I Will Vote.

May we all secure that which truly makes this the greatest nation on earth; Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Could not have said it any better. You took the thoughts right out of my head!

[Khyryke 0]

U have every right to rant rave and SCREAM!!!! I would be so extremely furious as well. I'm already annoyed and i'm a few days shy of 5 months. I look at it as it may suck terribly but it gives me time to get other stuff together. Get the house ready, Save as much money possible, work on the next step etc. I know your time is coming soon. I guess all you can do now is wait and get everything else in order and when he does arrive it will be a smooth transition for him because of all your hard work and planning!!! i really give anyone going through this process so much credit. hang in there i think you will hear something soon... i know that doesn't help but by looking at most of the other RFE situations your timeframe is nearing its end.

I like your positive attitude. I agree that this is what we can do best: "Get the house ready, Save as much money possible, work on the next step". Thanks for the advise.

[Texas22 50]

There's still a few of us hanging on from Feb as well. Anymore it feels like being approved and having my fiancé here is just a pipe dream, I'm on the verge of giving up hope and wondering if we shouldn't try this the other way around with me going to England instead. At 230+ days this has been a soul crushing experience.

Don't give up! It is so hard, I know. Stressed is an understatement at this point in time for you! Keep being pro-active, have the petitioner file a service request.

We waited an excruciating 242 days for ours (with RFE).

I am wishing you all the best in your journey! Good Luck!!