Call Your Congressman!

[uk2upstateny 13]

Hi everyone,

I am the UK beneficiary waiting on my NOA2 at this time. After contacting his congressman about the visa processing issues, my fiancé got a call yesterday from an apparently very pleasant and helpful representative who promised to help investigate the K1 visa processing times. Now I'm absolutely not jumping up and down saying that I should have my case processed before anyone else, but I DO hope that by speaking up we can help reform the system by some small degree, to the benefit of all. Particularly in times like this where government/public sector cuts are being made, if people don't make a bit of noise and make their representatives aware that this is a problem, the system is not likely to get better any time soon, rather the opposite.

Our thoughts were as follows:

My fiancee and I realise there are considerable waiting times involved when applying for a K1 Visa with USCIS. However, these processing times seem to be extremely erratic and are becoming longer all the time, at all the processing centres. The K1 visa was designed so that couples and families did not have to spend large spaces of time apart, but this system seems to be failing, and I would like to register my concern over this. It is hard for both my fiancee and I to plan our living arrangements, employment and personal life when the process is so hard to predict. I am registering this complaint with our case in mind, but also in the hopes that the visa system will be made more efficient and fair across the board. Our case is being processed by the Vermont Service Centre, and the receipt number is: Bla bla bla bla.

Aaaand suuuuure. I've seen other people being somewhat slated for this kind of call to action; 'it won't help', 'your case won't be processed any faster' etc..

Well, even if it doesn't help me, I hope that in whatever small way possible perhaps our one contribution will join many other voices in bringing attention to this matter. I encourage others to do the same.

[duraaraa 203]

I agree with you completely that it should be faster.

However, to try to put a positive spin on this (and believe me, I'm as stressed out as you are about not seeing my family), every day you spend apart makes your reunification even more wonderful. I was apart from my fiancee for three months before going back to her country to live with her. Tears were spilled everywhere, emotions were running high, and we were so incredibly happy. Her kids were so happy/emotionally charged, they couldn't even talk.

I just try to imagine how much better it will be after a whole year (I filed in December, but last saw them in August.)

I also imagine how much better it will be for her kids (who usually don't cry and think they are so tough) to be publicly crying/embarrassed when I go to pick them all up at the airport

Edited March 13, 2013 by duraaraa

[duraaraa 203]

By the way, as an addition, I will call my congressman if we encounter any issues, but unfortunately, in California, there are kind of a lot of hoops to jump through before you get a response.

[Ryan H 3,834]

Moved from Process & Procedures to Progress Reports.

[David&Xin 3]

we agree with u, since the average timeline is 5,5 months now, we'll do the same when here would be no NOA2 by our 5,5 months.

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

By the way, as an addition, I will call my congressman if we encounter any issues, but unfortunately, in California, there are kind of a lot of hoops to jump through before you get a response.

In my opinion we have the weakest policial representation in this state. I think maybe because California is a Democratic state and they don't have to work as hard to satisfy us.

On principle I am voting as Republican for the next major elections though I am a Democrat.

My Senators were absolutely useless and I had no Congressperson.

[Laila.Jawad 12]

In my opinion we have the weakest policial representation in this state. I think maybe because California is a Democratic state and they don't have to work as hard to satisfy us.

On principle I am voting as Republican for the next major elections though I am a Democrat.

My Senators were absolutely useless and I had no Congressperson.

I live in California and my congressman is republican and I sure will vote for him or any other republican next time because republican is way helpful thn democrats and my congressman name is McClintock and his staff member is super sweet and nice. I just love when she calls me and give me good news

[Jonny Vorn 2]

How do your contact the congressman of your state? Is it free of charge to have them ask questions on your behalf?

[KHnTX 4]

I can't post links but you can find it at house (dot) gov. In the top right there is a place to put your zip code in to find your rep.

[Andreea&Kevin 38]

How do your contact the congressman of your state? Is it free of charge to have them ask questions on your behalf?

Find your Representative http://www.house.gov...entatives/find/

Find your Senator http://www.senate.go...enators_cfm.cfm

Once you find your representative or senator, go to their website. They should have a link under their contact info with something like "dealing with a federal or government agency." This will usually give you a form to fill out stating your information and your current issue. There is also a release form, so they can contact USCIS on your behalf. The release form may be emailed to you in a response or printed as soon as you contact them. From what I've seen this must be signed and then faxed or mailed back to them.

You can also call them and ask to speak to their immigration liaison. This is the person who will actually do the work anyways.

There are no additional costs to do this, make your tax dollars work for you.

[SolarAbyss27 0]

In my opinion we have the weakest policial representation in this state. I think maybe because California is a Democratic state and they don't have to work as hard to satisfy us.

On principle I am voting as Republican for the next major elections though I am a Democrat.

My Senators were absolutely useless and I had no Congressperson.

It seems that the Democrat congressmen only care about helping the people illegally in the country and not about citizens or people trying to immigrate legally. Hopefully with the transfer of I-821D to the TSC the I-129Fs at the CSC will speed up. Just in case I wrote my senator who is fortunately a Republican.

[izabela 10]

NYC senator absolutely useless + rude... Just sent a letter to congressman...

[JensJrny2Ray 367]

It seems that the Democrat congressmen only care about helping the people illegally in the country and not about citizens or people trying to immigrate legally. Hopefully with the transfer of I-821D to the TSC the I-129Fs at the CSC will speed up. Just in case I wrote my senator who is fortunately a Republican.

I don't think being "democrat" or "republican" has anything to do with it.

[Bayareaguy 156]

As a data point, my congressman is a democrat, and has been useless as of yet.

[Saolsona 2]

Hi Mairead(?)

Just wanted to say, fair play to you. I think you're absolutely right and love the way you worded your thoughts on the issue. The system is failing its original goals and intentions. Also, the erratic way that some applications are processed with no apparent reason must be so frustrating for people. I appreciate that there are sheer volumes of applications to deal with but for some types of applications to suffer delays because there is a push on to address other visa types per politics (ie DACA), and for people to see other applications posted one if not two months after theirs getting approval when they still haven't heard anything themselves, is a genuine cause for concern. Once someone at USCIS starts to look at a case, it would be great if there was a notification that it's come to the top of the pile at least. As it is, it just disappears into this black hole that can take anywhere from 5 to 8 months with no word in the interim and no opportunity to ask because they can simply leave their estimated processing times as far back as they choose.

We applied in November to CSC and they haven't updated their estimated processing times since 5th February although they say they like to update it on the 15th of each month. So, people who applied on 19th July are now waiting almost 8 months but still cannot enquire and have to watch as some people who filed in August receive their approval.

I'm sure individuals at USCIS work as hard as they can but the system needs some overhauling by the looks of it. And its down to the people in charge to do that. If enough people bring attention to this via their Congressman/woman then that can only be a good thing.

Once again, fair play to you and I hope you get your NA02 soon so you can get on with the rest of your life.

All the best,

Karen