Things to Consider When Seeking Congressional Support

[Bayareaguy 156]

So I'd like to ask the old timers here: did they ever have a processing delay, and then start up processing more current applications, leaving months of petitioners behind?

I might be premature in thinking this, but I sure don't like what I saw last week. And I have been right ever since January, being disappointed after every week.

[*Snowdrop* 604]

So I'd like to ask the old timers here: did they ever have a processing delay, and then start up processing more current applications, leaving months of petitioners behind?

I might be premature in thinking this, but I sure don't like what I saw last week. And I have been right ever since January, being disappointed after every week.

Yes - that's EXACTLY what happened to me in 2007/2008.

We applied in Oct 2007 - it took over 90 days just to get the NOA1 and the check cashed. You can imagine all the Oct/Nov filers in this position were going crazy, we didn't even know if they had got the petition for 3 months.

Then in about March/April - they started sending approval notices to people who had applied in Dec/Jan/Feb, and California Service Center started approving the Oct/Nov ones but Vermont didn't - we felt exactly as you do now.

There was never an explanation as to what happened - In my head I imagine there was a huge pile of petitions piling up in room at Vermont more boxes on top of each other and then they got forgotten about or something.

At ten months the Vermont filers in this position got a notice that they were suddenly sending our petitions to CSC to help deal with the backlong (California had caught up with its current processing times). It took two weeks from the notice to get our approval.

So you see once it ends up on someone's desk it takes hardly any time to get approved if you have an uncomplicated case.

I think the system is very poor that it's not first in first out - but I know if happens often over the years so is not solely about the dream act petitions.

[StephAnn2012 50]

I agree with those who would portend to get involved in affecting changes that may help others. There will always be a contingent among us who tell us to sit down and stop rocking the boat. Please name for me, one status quo which has changed without making waves. The more we know about the people, the process and the outcomes accomplished so far, the better our argument for change. I am not a union organizer, nor do I care much for unions, but I am a firm believer in organized, sprited dissension in the face of injustice.

If everyone of us who has been pushed to the back of the bus stood up and made our voices heard with one accord, don't you think the bus driver might take notice?

Sorry for writing like this, I just watched a marathon of Deadwood and find myself in turn of the century phraseology. Please forgivest thou me.

Carry on!

[Bayareaguy 156]

Yes - that's EXACTLY what happened to me in 2007/2008.

We applied in Oct 2007 - it took over 90 days just to get the NOA1 and the check cashed. You can imagine all the Oct/Nov filers in this position were going crazy, we didn't even know if they had got the petition for 3 months.

Then in about March/April - they started sending approval notices to people who had applied in Dec/Jan/Feb, and California Service Center started approving the Oct/Nov ones but Vermont didn't - we felt exactly as you do now.

There was never an explanation as to what happened - In my head I imagine there was a huge pile of petitions piling up in room at Vermont more boxes on top of each other and then they got forgotten about or something.

At ten months the Vermont filers in this position got a notice that they were suddenly sending our petitions to CSC to help deal with the backlong (California had caught up with its current processing times). It took two weeks from the notice to get our approval.

So you see once it ends up on someone's desk it takes hardly any time to get approved if you have an uncomplicated case.

I think the system is very poor that it's not first in first out - but I know if happens often over the years so is not solely about the dream act petitions.

Well, I'm not sure if it is good or not that there is precedent...yours was K3 or CR1?

Besides the sudden floodgate of Nov-December petitions being processed, the other thing to note is July-October VJ approvals netted 2 last week. Yes, I know, error and all, but I believe that to be the lowest since...I don't know when.

This gives the appearance that, whatever low rate CSC was processing the older petitions, those few resources may now be concentrating on the Nov-Dec block.

Again, maybe I am premature sounding the alarm bell, but I sure don't like what I see.

[dd215 9]

Friday, I posted a list of Congressional Committees and Subcommittees and their chairpersons in this link...www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/424527-congressional-contacts/page__p__6147803__fromsearch__1#entry6147803....

I have noticed Friday and throughout the weekend that some people have come away from making those contacts less than optimistic. Please do not take it personally and understand that there are politics in play on the DACA-K1 issue. I realize some have warned against turning this into a political debate and I would reaffirm those warnings.

However, I would suggest..and I do understand this is a deeply personal issue to all of us; keep in mind the facts of what has taken place and when possible try to step away from the emotional effect and look at it logically.

The facts are this. DACA's criticisms in the political arena is that it is an attempt by Democrats to draw more voters because those folks filing those petitions are likely to vote Democrat when they are legally eligible. So if you you live in a state like Texas, Florida or California please do not be surprised if you walk away from your local Democrat Congressional Representative and they did not seem to help. This issue to them is a very small part of the overall puzzle for them as try to move their own agenda forward.

Instead, I would suggest refocusing your efforts on the contacts I provided in the link; specifically at 'HOUSE REPUBLICANS'. Anyone who pays close attention to the news would know that on this specific issue; if there is anyone who is likely to help our cause, it's House Republicans. I would reach to all, but at the end of the day do not be surprised to find out this is where a majority of our help is going to come from. It's not a state secret that the President's current relationship with House Republicans is extremely COLD.

None this has anything to do with anyone being Democrat or Republican or pro or anti Obama. This is our issue and this is simply the political lay of the land right now. I just wanted to point that out.

I really think where the real pressure is going to come from to turn this tide in our favor and get some better movement is from House Republican Chaired Committees. Just my opinion. So if you live in an area and are represented by a House Republican and either a House or Senate Democrat, I would definitely urge you to reach out to the House Republican first.

I hope this helps.

Thanks for sharing your political opinion. I don't agree with it because you are factually incorrect. I contacted my "house republican" congressman a month ago and his staff has been the least helpful. My two democratic US Senators staff members have been very open and pro active. So, that's number one. Secondly, as you probably know, the USCIS is part of the Executive branch. House Republicans can make all the noise they want, but ultimately the Administration will do what it wants based on its own party support, which is substantial in the Senate and the House on Immigration reform. You have a somewhat naive view of how DC politics work. It's not as "black and white" as you seem to think it is. "Our issue" is really a systemic one that needs to be addressed from a bi partisan standpoint, because we're talking US citizens of ALL political stripes here that are being unfairly treated by the USCIS. So again, thanks for sharing, but I respectfully couldn't disagree more with your analysis.

[dd215 9]

This is NOT True. K-1's being eliminated or 2 to 3 years for approvals. The Goverment is going to take your money and let you Petition and you have the right to.

Bear in mind: With No RFE (s) which is the OP's case it looks good. If there was a RFE the time period is out of even Congressional hands. It's not a picture perfect World and I feel your frustration. Waiting... and waiting and waiting.

The process has'nt changed from 2 years ago as someone said: It is the same. The reality is USCIS Guarantees NOTHING. (Estimates only and they mean little in words and you should know that. You have the right to Petition but after that you are going to be just another person among many doing the same)

I know it's hard to be patient but please try, you can't do more than that but stay in constant contact with your love(s) and keep eachother strong.

I never meant to offend the OP but just tell them the truth. It's not a battle or challenge. It's a waiting game. I have seen in the past where as VJ members write not getting approved and then I see after a week getting their NOA2.. I hope OP this happens to you as well. Tim

Totally agree. Good response.

[Bayareaguy 156]

I have seen in the past where as VJ members write not getting approved and then I see after a week getting their NOA2.. I hope OP this happens to you as well. Tim

I've been complaining since January. It's not working like that for me.

And when you see that almost no applications from your timeframe are being processed, then? How is my petition going to be processed, if they are not processing them? Well, barely processing them, but you get my point, I think?

[*Snowdrop* 604]

Well, I'm not sure if it is good or not that there is precedent...yours was K3 or CR1?

Besides the sudden floodgate of Nov-December petitions being processed, the other thing to note is July-October VJ approvals netted 2 last week. Yes, I know, error and all, but I believe that to be the lowest since...I don't know when.

This gives the appearance that, whatever low rate CSC was processing the older petitions, those few resources may now be concentrating on the Nov-Dec block.

Again, maybe I am premature sounding the alarm bell, but I sure don't like what I see.

Well it's mostly bad because it means that they still haven't worked out how to fairly manage their workloads and I think means they are just going back and forth fire fighting whichever petition load is the heaviest or furthest behind etc.

The system is unfair on numerous levels - the different kinds of petitions speeding up and slowing down at random, and luck of the draw depending on where you live and which service center you get at any particular time.

The one (very small) silver lining is that precedent shows they do get back round to your petition in time and you will eventually be able to get on with the rest of your lives like everyone before you.

I think (as other VJ members have said in other posts) that the best you can do for your personal situation is work on all the preparation for getting your spouse/fiance settled once they are here. Researching jobs, studies, home improvements etc. Getting all the information ready for bank accounts, drivers licences, driving lessons, language lessons, tours of the area for her/him, etc. It will make the time pass faster and help you feel as though you are moving forward even when USCIS is not.

There are some situations which really suck when facing a long wait for the visa process - people going through pregnancies on their own, job offers lost, exchange rates changing (that was one of my annoyances - I had a big chunk of change to bring with me and lost about $15000 because of the delay)

I am all for action which can improve USCIS's systems and overhaul how it currently works. BUT... it's not going to be solved by focusing on one specific visa type or imagining it's a specific party's problem. It's been the same under both Republicans and Democrats as far as I can tell.

Edit to answer your other question: Mine was CR1. K1s were much faster at that time than CR1s, then the following year it swapped at one of the service centers, I think Vermont, then I think it evened out and now it's slow for K1s again. And CR1s aren't too hot right now either I believe.

Edited April 15, 2013 by *Lynne*

[Bayareaguy 156]

I think (as other VJ members have said in other posts) that the best you can do for your personal situation is work on all the preparation for getting your spouse/fiance settled once they are here. Researching jobs, studies, home improvements etc. Getting all the information ready for bank accounts, drivers licences, driving lessons, language lessons, tours of the area for her/him, etc. It will make the time pass faster and help you feel as though you are moving forward even when USCIS is not.

Oh, please don't get me started.

But I do appreciate your input.

[bigdog 376]

There was no dream act when I went through the system in 2007/2008 - and I still had to wait ten months for my visa petition (with a lot of people around me waiting a lot longer) to get through USCIS. That was with no RFEs and an uncomplicated case.

I'm not saying you should not protest or try to raise awareness to help improve the system.

But be aware that over the seven years I have been reading this forum the wait times have gone crazy for each type of petition (CR1, K1, even DCF) at some point. Don't just make your campaign about this one external issue. Even without this there could be something else which is slowing things down.

In 2007 it was because USCIS failed to cope with a sudden influx of petitioners trying to beat a price rise (Family petitions doubled that year). Other long waits have been caused to family petitions because of manpower being diverted to deal with other regular visa petitions (work visas for example).

:thumbs:Great comment, how true. Maybe we can get some common sense immigration reform but I doubt it with the players we have now.

[bingowashisnameoh 17]

Thanks for sharing your political opinion. I don't agree with it because you are factually incorrect. I contacted my "house republican" congressman a month ago and his staff has been the least helpful. My two democratic US Senators staff members have been very open and pro active. So, that's number one. Secondly, as you probably know, the USCIS is part of the Executive branch. House Republicans can make all the noise they want, but ultimately the Administration will do what it wants based on its own party support, which is substantial in the Senate and the House on Immigration reform. You have a somewhat naive view of how DC politics work. It's not as "black and white" as you seem to think it is. "Our issue" is really a systemic one that needs to be addressed from a bi partisan standpoint, because we're talking US citizens of ALL political stripes here that are being unfairly treated by the USCIS. So again, thanks for sharing, but I respectfully couldn't disagree more with your analysis.

When you say '(our issue) is really a systemic one that needs to be addressed from a bi partisan standpoint, because we're talking US citizens of ALL political stripes here that are being unfairly treated by USCIS.' .....yet label the post factually incorrect and suggest I am naive to how DC politics works; it seems a little counterproductive to me.

I think anyone who read the initial post should understand I was suggesting approaching House Republicans because they are more likely to help; as opposed to every single one will help you 100% of the time.

I am happy you found a Democrat to help you. That is wonderful news. I think if you go back and read the initial thread you will see where I mentioned to reach out to all, but not be surprised if some of the Democrats do not help you. It is not naive to assume the purpose of the Dream Act or to question authority or anyone who made any decision whatsoever in regards to how the DACA petitions would be processed; especially considering you-yourself admit there is a systematic problem that effects everyone.

I absolutely agree this is a systematic problem that needs addressed from a bipartisan standpoint and in a perfect world it would be. I would absolutely love to see it. But until I see someone step up and admit they made a mistake, until I see someone make a stand and declare the system is not efficient or until I see someone demand more transparency; hoping for this to be addressed from a bi partisan standpoint in todays political environment seems pretty naive to me.

[Zipline 23]

I think (as other VJ members have said in other posts) that the best you can do for your personal situation is work on all the preparation for getting your spouse/fiance settled once they are here. Researching jobs, studies, home improvements etc. Getting all the information ready for bank accounts, drivers licences, driving lessons, language lessons, tours of the area for her/him, etc. It will make the time pass faster and help you feel as though you are moving forward even when USCIS is not.

Hogwash. I'm not the one who has a 5-month service goal.