How many supporters are here?

[B&L 19]

Not really, but I'm not an expert on writing. Only thing I could suggest would be for making the process more transparent and asking what steps will be taken to address the backlog and what kind of effect it would have.

For example, they might say, "We are adding more people to go through the applications." But that doesn't really tell us anything. It would be much more useful to have them say, "We currently have 20 people working on 1-129f's, and this month we have added 10 more. We currently have a backlog of 3000 applications that are over 5 months, and we expect to get through all the July applications by April 15, the August applications, by April 30th, etc. and expect to be back to a 5 month time frame by the end of May."

Ahhh, but I'm dreaming....

I added this. What do you think?

The information on the USCIS website is also not very helpful, is it possible that on top of a possible improvement in processing times, more comprehensive information on backlogs, and estimated timeframes could be posted on the USCIS website?

[Rob & Rachel 24]

If you do the math, they have only had 1 or 2 people working on I-129Fs since December

Yes, and that doesn't surprise me. What would surprise me is if they admitted it.

[MattandRose 0]

Hey I think this is an awesome idea! Im going to print off 2 one for my fiance and one for myself. Do you think we should add something about DACA or just stick to the fact that the processing times are too long?

[Andreea&Kevin 38]

Is the plan to e-mail or mail the letters? I have found 2 different addresses. I think second could be outdated, didn't find on USCIS site.

For mailing General Correspondence, please use the following address:

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

US Citizenship and Immigration Services

California Service Center

P.O. Box 30111

Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-0111

Customer Feedback:

We strive to provide quality service to our customers. If we have not lived up to this commitment, we would like to know. If we have met or exceeded your expectations, please let us know that as well. To comment on the services provided at this office, please write to the Center Director, at:

US Citizenship and Immigration Services

California Service Center

24000 Avila Road, 2nd Floor

Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Note in the heading of the letter and on the envelope: "FOR THE PERSONAL ATTENTION OF THE DIRECTOR."

If I had to make a guess as to his email address it would be Donald.W.Neufeld@uscis.dhs.gov or Donald.Neufeld@uscis.dhs.gov

[B&L 19]

Hey I think this is an awesome idea! Im going to print off 2 one for my fiance and one for myself. Do you think we should add something about DACA or just stick to the fact that the processing times are too long?

I'd say if you want to make any changes or additions to yours then you're welcome to do so. Me personally, I think they know why K1s are being processed slowly, but that's just me. Feel free to add them if you want to.

Is the plan to e-mail or mail the letters? I have found 2 different addresses. I think second could be outdated, didn't find on USCIS site.

For mailing General Correspondence, please use the following address:

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

US Citizenship and Immigration Services

California Service Center

P.O. Box 30111

Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-0111

Customer Feedback:

We strive to provide quality service to our customers. If we have not lived up to this commitment, we would like to know. If we have met or exceeded your expectations, please let us know that as well. To comment on the services provided at this office, please write to the Center Director, at:

US Citizenship and Immigration Services

California Service Center

24000 Avila Road, 2nd Floor

Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Note in the heading of the letter and on the envelope: "FOR THE PERSONAL ATTENTION OF THE DIRECTOR."

If I had to make a guess as to his email address it would be Donald.W.Neufeld@uscis.dhs.gov or Donald.Neufeld@uscis.dhs.gov

I was thinking physical mailing of letters, grabs more attention. As for the address, I assume it's the first, especially if you can't find the second one on the USCIS website. If we find out his email address, then emails would be good along side the letters.

[Andreea&Kevin 38]

I'd say if you want to make any changes or additions to yours then you're welcome to do so. Me personally, I think they know why K1s are being processed slowly, but that's just me. Feel free to add them if you want to.

I was thinking physical mailing of letters, grabs more attention. As for the address, I assume it's the first, especially if you can't find the second one on the USCIS website. If we find out his email address, then emails would be good along side the letters.

I'd just like to add, those emails are based on others I have seen. His email is in no way public info. If you use these and they are correct, you do so at your own risk.

Edited March 28, 2013 by Andreea&Kevin

[MattandRose 0]

Should we send letters in the mail and Fax? does anyone have a fax number?

[B&L 19]

I'd just like to add, those emails are based on others I have seen. His email is in no way public info. If you use these and they are correct, you do so at your own risk.

Perhaps someone more informed can come in and say if it's a good idea to try emailing? On one hand it could be effective as it would be more unexpected and certain they'd reach him. But at the same time, we don't want to jeopardize anything or email if we're not supposed to.

[B&L 19]

Should we send letters in the mail and Fax? does anyone have a fax number?

We were just going to have the US Fiance send a letter in the mail, but if you want to fax along with that. That's fine too. I'm looking for a fax number, but can't seem to find one.

[Rob & Rachel 24]

I added this. What do you think?

Sounds good, doesn't hurt to ask!

[B&L 19]

My current estimates put us at around 10-20 letters. That's a great start, we just need to increase awareness of this idea and get more people on board. I think if we can get anywhere above 40-50, it'll definitely grab the attention we're looking for. It's a wonderful benefit of having a great community like VJ.

[Moomin 292]

There was a member who did some pretty neat statistics recently, showing what the impact has been. The numbers aren't hundreds of petitions waiting longer - it's more.

Get some media involved. Tag USCIS on pictures on facebook, get a group. People are lazy and if you want to get people involved when they otherwise wouldn't, you need to get through to them in different ways. Hence why I mention facebook. Create a sarcastic/funny/sad picture with few words on it, spread it around. Send a box full of bubble wrap/peanuts(lightweight) with the G1145 and a money order of 20 cents/ a return stamp and envelope wrapped in along with "we're getting more fragile with more waiting!" - something along the lines of that. A letter disappears so fast among thousands. If the tier 2 operator gives you their name/rep # when speaking to them on the phone, address the box to them.

VJ is such a small fraction and if prior petitions only received 100 members/signatures, I don't think 40-50 letters to the USCIS will have that big of an impact compared to thousands of petitions.

Lastly but not least - I'd definitely argue for WHY it's important that I129f petitions can't wait 8 months. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for a shorter wait however it could backfire and USCIS would just up the processing goal to 8 months. No where does it say that processing goals can't change for good. You need to add why it's important to lower the waiting time and why i129f deserves the same attention. It's far from the first time USCIS does it(TPS, as an example) so apparently, other petitions and applications get priority.

As an example, no one ever knew of this story until someone brought it to our attention; http://www.visajourney.com/news/2011/11/13/man-says-infant-daughter-died-during-bureaucratic-nightmare/

Edited March 28, 2013 by moomin

[B&L 19]

VJ is such a small fraction and if prior petitions only received 100 members/signatures, I don't think 40-50 letters to the USCIS will have that big of an impact compared to thousands of petitions.

I agree with what you say. Those prior petitions were for the White House's attention, however, this is more targeted at the people actually in control of what is done at the CSC, so I don't think as large a number are needed.

[serjmsv 0]

We should do both, you got my support.

[Scott65 27]

Is the plan to e-mail or mail the letters? I have found 2 different addresses. I think second could be outdated, didn't find on USCIS site.

For mailing General Correspondence, please use the following address:

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

US Citizenship and Immigration Services

California Service Center

P.O. Box 30111

Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-0111

Customer Feedback:

We strive to provide quality service to our customers. If we have not lived up to this commitment, we would like to know. If we have met or exceeded your expectations, please let us know that as well. To comment on the services provided at this office, please write to the Center Director, at:

US Citizenship and Immigration Services

California Service Center

24000 Avila Road, 2nd Floor

Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Note in the heading of the letter and on the envelope: "FOR THE PERSONAL ATTENTION OF THE DIRECTOR."

If I had to make a guess as to his email address it would be Donald.W.Neufeld@uscis.dhs.gov or Donald.Neufeld@uscis.dhs.gov

Hey all... just FYI (I am a IT tech) ... email address that is correct is the one without the middle initial donald.neufeld@uscis.dhs.gov Confirmed the address with telnet as being a valid email to the USCIS server. I would think a barrage of email's from everyone coupled with a follow up by snail mail would be a great approach! He can always press the delete button and throw out the mail. But would make a good statement.

Edited March 29, 2013 by Scott65