The CSC I-129F Frenzy

[I & B 273]

To the frustration of many, CSC started the year with "competing agency priorities" (USCIS words, not mine) and was approving I-129F petitions at record low rates. The numbers given here are taken solely from VJ members updating their timelines.

January: 18 NOA2, 4 RFE

February: 15 NOA2, 8 RFE

March: 26 NOA2, 3 RFE

April began like the previous months of 2013:

First week of April - 4 NOA2, 0 RFE

And then the CSC frenzy began! Starting slowly at first with November/December approvals, the momentum picked up quite quickly and shifted to July-September approvals:

April 8: 6 NOA2

April 9: 5 NOA2

April 10: 0 NOA2

April 11: 6 NOA2, 1 RFE

April 12: 8 NOA2, 2 RFE

April 13: 0 NOA2, 2 RFE (Saturday)

April 15: 12 NOA2

April 16: 14 NOA2, 3 RFE

April 17: 26 NOA2, 5 RFE

April 18: 26 NOA2, 7 RFE

April 19: 31 NOA2, 4 RFE

April 20: 10 NOA2 (Saturday)

This is a breakdown of the April approvals by NOA1 month:

July: 19

August: 53

September: 32

October: 1

November: 14

December: 29

It is good to see CSC clearing out their backlog. Congratulations to all that have been approved!!!

I hope this continues until they are back to a 5 month processing timeframe.

Very useful compilation. It looks like they are on the verge doing completions at a rate of 4000-4500 per month now. If they keep that up, they can definitely clear the backlog over the next few months. I'm waiting a few more days to see if the rate holds and then I'm going to calculate some projection graphs based on these VJ numbers. Things are definitely looking up.

[storminnorman 9]

now is not the time to let on the pressure to fix the system. It is great that things are moving again

http://wh.gov/e1uJ

[monalisapod 0]

I'm WACXXXXXXXX26 (depending on the numbers in between), and I was approved on the 19th. You should surely be approved soon!

We received a notice today but it's still in INITIAL REVIEW, however it says: "On April 22, 2013, your Alien Registration Number was changed relating to your I129F, PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)."

I hope we'll get an approval the soonest. We've waited for so long already

Edited April 23, 2013 by monalisapod

[2far 185]

Sounds like its coming for you!!!

[FrenchieKaty 0]

It's kind of weird that they seem to change the alien registration numbers so late for some people. We received a RFE and the number was changed a few days later (after we had sent bac the package) which was really close NOA1. I don't think it means anything for us but if they do change yours after 7 months it might mean something.

Am i right to assume that they try to finish up all 2012 petitions to start the 2013 ones?

[glenmar 34]

We received a notice today but it's still in INITIAL REVIEW, however it says: "On April 22, 2013, your Alien Registration Number was changed relating to your I129F, PETITION FOR FIANCE(E)."

I hope we'll get an approval the soonest. We've waited for so long already

We got the message 11:30 am cst on 4/19. At 1:30 am cst on 4/20 we got the approval text message. Same thing happened with the person who was 1 case number down from me. I checked theirs too.

[monalisapod 0]

We got the message 11:30 am cst on 4/19. At 1:30 am cst on 4/20 we got the approval text message. Same thing happened with the person who was 1 case number down from me. I checked theirs too.

I checked our status today and still the same message: "alien registration number changed". I still don't have a clear understanding as to what this really means. Some says that it's a possible RFE or approval is on the way while the others would say that it's a system glitch or error. Either way, I'm storming the heavens that all of us who are still waiting will receive our NOA2 the soonest possible time and finally be reunited with our loved ones whom we missed so bad.

[glenmar 34]

I checked our status today and still the same message: "alien registration number changed". I still don't have a clear understanding as to what this really means. Some says that it's a possible RFE or approval is on the way while the others would say that it's a system glitch or error. Either way, I'm storming the heavens that all of us who are still waiting will receive our NOA2 the soonest possible time and finally be reunited with our loved ones whom we missed so bad.

I'm wondering if it has something to do with the petitioner. I am a naturalized citizen and I used to have an alien registration number. I can't remember but I think the I-129f form asks for your alien registration number. It could be that the system is deleting the alien registration number of the petitioner. Did anyone get this message who is not a naturalized citizen and never had an alien registration number? In any event I would be very surprised if you didn't get a case update today.

[2far 185]

Very useful compilation. It looks like they are on the verge doing completions at a rate of 4000-4500 per month now. If they keep that up, they can definitely clear the backlog over the next few months. I'm waiting a few more days to see if the rate holds and then I'm going to calculate some projection graphs based on these VJ numbers. Things are definitely looking up.

Things are looking up! And as much as I have loved your previous posts with graphs and projections, I'm just not sure how meaningful they would be at this time. The reason I say this is because you would have to assume they are processing on a first in-first out basis. The responses have been so random from NOA1 date. Sure, they have concentrated on July - September, but it varies wildly within that range. Also, we have to assume that this flurry of activity will be short lived. Hopefully, they will clear out all of the backlog before they reallocate the resources, but one never knows. Then it will be back to business as usual.

[I & B 273]

Things are looking up! And as much as I have loved your previous posts with graphs and projections, I'm just not sure how meaningful they would be at this time. The reason I say this is because you would have to assume they are processing on a first in-first out basis. The responses have been so random from NOA1 date. Sure, they have concentrated on July - September, but it varies wildly within that range. Also, we have to assume that this flurry of activity will be short lived. Hopefully, they will clear out all of the backlog before they reallocate the resources, but one never knows. Then it will be back to business as usual.

That's a fair enough point. The calculations should still be valid for the average approval time, however; it's just that the increased variation increases the likely error for any single data point. And that's a big part of the reason I'm waiting on saying more until I see a bit more data. In any case, if those calculations getting forwarded to senate/congressional offices had even a slight effect on the USCIS choosing to play catch-up so aggressively, then they have done their job.

[B&L 19]

That's a fair enough point. The calculations should still be valid for the average approval time, however; it's just that the increased variation increases the likely error for any single data point. And that's a big part of the reason I'm waiting on saying more until I see a bit more data. In any case, if those calculations getting forwarded to senate/congressional offices had even a slight effect on the USCIS choosing to play catch-up so aggressively, then they have done their job.

It could be suggested that the pressure we've been putting on them has worked and it's simply a matter of them just giving us what we asked for like a spoiled child. But, I'm very much okay with that, provided it doesn't lead to a repeat of what happened meaning all those left after the backlog clearing end up waiting another 7-8 months, starting the cycle again.

[monalisapod 0]

I'm wondering if it has something to do with the petitioner. I am a naturalized citizen and I used to have an alien registration number. I can't remember but I think the I-129f form asks for your alien registration number. It could be that the system is deleting the alien registration number of the petitioner. Did anyone get this message who is not a naturalized citizen and never had an alien registration number? In any event I would be very surprised if you didn't get a case update today.

My fiance became a naturalized citizen when he was about 10 years old so I guess you may be right about what you said. We are still waiting for any updates today. Its been 2 days already since we receive the "alien registration number changed" update.

[Jaz&Bry 9]

I'm wondering if it has something to do with the petitioner. I am a naturalized citizen and I used to have an alien registration number. I can't remember but I think the I-129f form asks for your alien registration number. It could be that the system is deleting the alien registration number of the petitioner. Did anyone get this message who is not a naturalized citizen and never had an alien registration number? In any event I would be very surprised if you didn't get a case update today.

I don´t think the alien registration number relates to the petitioner. My fiance is a USC through birth in the US and we still got the same message.

I assume the beneficiary is assigned that number since he/she is the alien.

I think only since the beginning of the new year they change the alien reg, number immediately after receipt of the petition.

Back in 2012, they did not change it before they actually picked up the file and worked on it.

So if a 2012 filer receives that message, it could mean their NOA2 is coming up.

For 2013 filers, it doesn´t really mean anything, I believe, since it comes shortly after NOA1.

Edited April 27, 2013 by Jaz&Bry

[glenmar 34]

I got my hard copy noa2 a couple of days ago and it still has my alien registration number as well as a new one assigned to my fiancée....so much for my theory.

[paws057 9]

I wonder if this sudden flood of approvals, if it keeps up, will lead to a new backup downstream at NVC and then at the consulates. I'm not complaining, it's just a thought.

I wouldn't think so. The current back log of I-129F's is caused by the DACA applications so the NVC has had it pretty easy for a while now. As far as the Embassy goes I would think that would depend on the country your loved one is from. Some may be very busy and others maybe not so much. Let's just hope things go a little smoother the rest of the way to the finish.