June 2013 I-130 Filers (merged)

[Sukie 1,454]

To be honest, 10 months is my current hope. It may change with the new service center (and really should!), but processing for now is looking grim. I'm very much looking forward to seeing how October goes.

About a month after I filed, I started tracking our place in line on Igor's list. At that time we were in position 313 out of 339, meaning 92% of filers were ahead of us. I used the time elapsed and that position in line to estimate how long processing would take. It took a month to go through 10%, so I guessed 10 months. As of today we're position 358 out of 476. For one, this shows the backlog is growing, since petition submissions haven't spiked in the months subsequent to my filing. No news there. But it also puts us at only 75% with nearly 3 months gone since NOA1, which hints at more of a year long processing time. If the USCIS were processing according to its goal of 5 months, my position should be closer to 50% up the list. It's not terribly scientific, but the expectations this method has set seem to tally well with anecdotal evidence and tier 2 responses. Not much of a hopeful outlook, but it's easier to be realistic now than disappointed later. And again, who knows what October will bring

I, too, have an Overland Park, KS address on my I-797 (NOA1). What I fear is that all the stand-alone i-130s from May onward have been stacked in boxes waiting for the Section 8 area to become operational. So essentially, nothing has been done AT ALL on our I-130s except that they have been numbered. I seriously do not believe that Overland Park will be staffed sufficiently to clear the I-130s at anything less than "normal" pace, which means we will have two - three months from our submission before they even start working on them. Plus the inefficiencies of starting a new office with new employees.... I don't think our June submissions have a chance of even being looked at until early November.

And yes, the K-1 approvals are driving me nuts. One would think that those of us who are already married have MUCH easier cases to clear!

Sukie

[BOS_LHR 829]

In fairness, I think that no matter where our files were located, they would still merely be numbered in boxes at this point as we're still well within normal processing times. Even May filers are within goal time, and that seems to be when petitions started stacking up in Kansas. Wouldn't it be nice if Kansas approved May petitions in October and we all successively got done for our 5 month marks? Nice thought... although that scenario wouldn't be good for the poor February-April folks who are officially overdue

[Natsukiii 35]

In fairness, I think that no matter where our files were located, they would still merely be numbered in boxes at this point as we're still well within normal processing times. Even May filers are within goal time, and that seems to be when petitions started stacking up in Kansas. Wouldn't it be nice if Kansas approved May petitions in October and we all successively got done for our 5 month marks? Nice thought... although that scenario wouldn't be good for the poor February-April folks who are officially overdue

I hope your scenario plays out. I am a May filer hoping to get approved in October/November (Priority date 5/15). I feel really bad for the February-April filers. Most of them must be at local offices that are hammered.

[Nodir 10]

Hey guys, I have Overlank Park,Kansas on my NOA1 but when I changed my address online I got a letter saying the change of address was successful and the letter came from Lee's Summit, MO. What do you guys think?

[Ugurswife 0]

I'm just going to give up and move to Turkey... Turkey is so beautiful anyways... But im a nurse here in the states. Really don't feel like waiting 1+ years... Ugh

[Ivy. 113]

[whining]

I've been with my husband for three weeks now. Two more, and then I have to go back home. I already hate it. I am sick and tired of this. Literally. I want to keep holding his hand while he sleeps and waking up to him. I wanna have more sundays like yesterday: we did not do anything! We went to the pool, watched a movie, ordered some pizza, he watched football on and off during the day, in the evening we walked the dogs.

It was perfect.

At home I will be alone and I will miss him and this whole thing sucks. Add to that the fact that we are waiting for a RFE, not NOA2 ... Urgh. My husband called USCIS, he could not get Tier 2 because of "technical problems", so he spoke to Tier 1. She said she would not recommend sending anything in without RFE because it might get lost.

Idk what to do with this now. I stopped being mad at him for messing up, now I am just sad.

[/whining]

How is everyone else holding up?

[KP & SP 9]

[whining]

I've been with my husband for three weeks now. Two more, and then I have to go back home. I already hate it. I am sick and tired of this. Literally. I want to keep holding his hand while he sleeps and waking up to him. I wanna have more sundays like yesterday: we did not do anything! We went to the pool, watched a movie, ordered some pizza, he watched football on and off during the day, in the evening we walked the dogs.

It was perfect.

At home I will be alone and I will miss him and this whole thing sucks. Add to that the fact that we are waiting for a RFE, not NOA2 ... Urgh. My husband called USCIS, he could not get Tier 2 because of "technical problems", so he spoke to Tier 1. She said she would not recommend sending anything in without RFE because it might get lost.

Idk what to do with this now. I stopped being mad at him for messing up, now I am just sad.

[/whining]

How is everyone else holding up?

I personally think that you should send in the evidence before RFE is created. Send in a copy of NOA-1 along with the evidence. Tier 1 knows nothing and I highly doubt the credibility of Tier 2 as well so if I were you I would send the evidence before RFE is created. Experienced members could correct me if I am wrong.

[BOS_LHR 829]

I get to spend a week with my husband at the end of this month, and even before I get there, I'm dreading having to say goodbye. One week together every 3 months or so is nowhere near enough. I'm trying not to think too much about it because I know there's nothing I can do until November, but it's getting harder having everything so up in the air. Trying to stay positive and focus on the wonderful time we'll get to spend together between now and approval.

Ivy, how was your experience getting through customs? What did you say about who and why you were visiting, anything about the visa, etc.? My husband and I were reading yesterday that a single denial on the VWP results in an outright ban for future entries on it, and we're both a bit spooked. I have less to worry about when visiting him since I'm not the one immigrating, but he's pretty nervous about what his experience will be next time he comes to the US. The last customs officer he dealt with was a real piece of work, and that was without ever asking about who he was visiting and why.

[Ivy. 113]

Ivy, how was your experience getting through customs? What did you say about who and why you were visiting, anything about the visa, etc.? My husband and I were reading yesterday that a single denial on the VWP results in an outright ban for future entries on it, and we're both a bit spooked. I have less to worry about when visiting him since I'm not the one immigrating, but he's pretty nervous about what his experience will be next time he comes to the US. The last customs officer he dealt with was a real piece of work, and that was without ever asking about who he was visiting and why.

I had no problems with entering the country. This is my third time since the wedding. They asked who I was visiting, why, when my husband is coming home (then I said he was an American and I am visiting him while still finishing grad school in my country), when I will finish school, when will I leave, why am I staying so long (5 weeks - because I can, lol).

They did not ask about when I intend to immigrate or if we were doing IR-1/CR-1, so I did not mention it. I had my NOA1 ready to show, though.

He asked to see my return ticked, which is something I have not been asked for more than a year and a half... so I did not print it out. I completely forgot about it. I showed him my itinerary on my phone, he saw San Antonio - New York - Frankfurt on Sept 22nd and was happy with that.

I got stamped for 6 months - 1 day, no I94 in my passport since they are electronic now and that was it.

He was not in a good mood or chatty, but not rude or unpleasant either.

[Hollyday 122]

[whining]

I've been with my husband for three weeks now. Two more, and then I have to go back home. I already hate it. I am sick and tired of this. Literally. I want to keep holding his hand while he sleeps and waking up to him. I wanna have more sundays like yesterday: we did not do anything! We went to the pool, watched a movie, ordered some pizza, he watched football on and off during the day, in the evening we walked the dogs.

It was perfect.

At home I will be alone and I will miss him and this whole thing sucks. Add to that the fact that we are waiting for a RFE, not NOA2 ... Urgh. My husband called USCIS, he could not get Tier 2 because of "technical problems", so he spoke to Tier 1. She said she would not recommend sending anything in without RFE because it might get lost.

Idk what to do with this now. I stopped being mad at him for messing up, now I am just sad.

[/whining]

How is everyone else holding up?

I know how you feel! Most of the time i hardly do anything unusual when vacationing with my husband. Lol. He was just here for 2 weeks - already 2 weeks have passed and it feels like an eternity.

I've missed it - why are you expecting an RFE?

PS: i found your site in your profile and you're so cute! And the dog is adorable.

[BOS_LHR 829]

I had no problems with entering the country. This is my third time since the wedding. They asked who I was visiting, why, when my husband is coming home (then I said he was an American and I am visiting him while still finishing grad school in my country), when I will finish school, when will I leave, why am I staying so long (5 weeks - because I can, lol).

They did not ask about when I intend to immigrate or if we were doing IR-1/CR-1, so I did not mention it. I had my NOA1 ready to show, though.

He asked to see my return ticked, which is something I have not been asked for more than a year and a half... so I did not print it out. I completely forgot about it. I showed him my itinerary on my phone, he saw San Antonio - New York - Frankfurt on Sept 22nd and was happy with that.

I got stamped for 6 months - 1 day, no I94 in my passport since they are electronic now and that was it.

He was not in a good mood or chatty, but not rude or unpleasant either.

Glad you had no troubles! As with the rest of this process it seems to be a bit luck of the draw in terms of entry experience, so we'll over-prepare and hope for the best. I would be heartbroken if one of us were turned away.

[B & G 200]

Glad you had no troubles! As with the rest of this process it seems to be a bit luck of the draw in terms of entry experience, so we'll over-prepare and hope for the best. I would be heartbroken if one of us were turned away.

I'm hoping for the best too. Flying to the States on the 19th. Im taking with me evidence of any ties that I can get my hands on. Better to lug around an extra kg of paperwork than be denied!

[Ivy. 113]

I know how you feel! Most of the time i hardly do anything unusual when vacationing with my husband. Lol. He was just here for 2 weeks - already 2 weeks have passed and it feels like an eternity.

I've missed it - why are you expecting an RFE?

PS: i found your site in your profile and you're so cute! And the dog is adorable.

Doing normal, every day stuff with him is the best. Sometimes it almost feel like you are a normal married couple, doest it?

As for the RFE, my husband did not like how the G-325a I sent him did not match his american papers (we use A4 in Europe), so he photocopied it and sent in a photocopy. Now I am waiting/hoping for a RFE.

PS Thanks a lot! I love my dog!

[Hollyday 122]

Doing normal, every day stuff with him is the best. Sometimes it almost feel like you are a normal married couple, doest it?

As for the RFE, my husband did not like how the G-325a I sent him did not match his american papers (we use A4 in Europe), so he photocopied it and sent in a photocopy. Now I am waiting/hoping for a RFE.

PS Thanks a lot! I love my dog!

*ponders* i know what you mean about A4. What do they use?? Lol.

(And it still feels a little awkward to be a 'married couple' since we don't spend so much time together in real life )

[corlitoa 6]

What do you mena whit evidence photos ? Or documents like the marriage certificate ?

I personally think that you should send in the evidence before RFE is created. Send in a copy of NOA-1 along with the evidence. Tier 1 knows nothing and I highly doubt the credibility of Tier 2 as well so if I were you I would send the evidence before RFE is created. Experienced members could correct me if I am wrong.