AOS Timeline 44 days only

[rebeccajo 14]

Guess a lot of it is luck of the draw.

No it isn't luck of the draw.

It's a crash course in efficiency being propogated by USCIS because they are about to have to answer to the House and Senate for the 500 million they were given 5 years ago to clear the backlog. Feeding applications from overlogged service centers to California, where they are hiring temporary office workers to rush through petitions to make statistics look good.

It's bollox and it needs to stop. If I and my husband need to be interviewed to see if our relationship is legitimate, then so does everybody else. Everything else is just horse manure in my book.

[Killer_Clown_2009 0]

Guess a lot of it is luck of the draw.

No it isn't luck of the draw.

It's a crash course in efficiency being propogated by USCIS because they are about to have to answer to the House and Senate for the 500 million they were given 5 years ago to clear the backlog. Feeding applications from overlogged service centers to California, where they are hiring temporary office workers to rush through petitions to make statistics look good.

It's bollox and it needs to stop. If I and my husband need to be interviewed to see if our relationship is legitimate, then so does everybody else. Everything else is just horse manure in my book.

Hmm, well I disagree, but we can agree to disagree.

[rebeccajo 14]

Guess a lot of it is luck of the draw.

No it isn't luck of the draw.

It's a crash course in efficiency being propogated by USCIS because they are about to have to answer to the House and Senate for the 500 million they were given 5 years ago to clear the backlog. Feeding applications from overlogged service centers to California, where they are hiring temporary office workers to rush through petitions to make statistics look good.

It's bollox and it needs to stop. If I and my husband need to be interviewed to see if our relationship is legitimate, then so does everybody else. Everything else is just horse manure in my book.

Hmm, well I disagree, but we can agree to disagree.

Of course we can. But what is the part you disagree with? That some couples don't need to be interviewed? If so how do you justify that statement?

[Killer_Clown_2009 0]

Well, i think a lot of it IS luck of the draw. A lot depends on when someone happens to apply and then there are other factors such as the name check that seems to slow people down. A lot of that is plain luck. Government agencies are pretty fluid and change all the time or so it seems (I worked in government for 10 years).

I don't have an issue with some people not having an interview, it seems to me to be a process put in place due to a backlog that needs to be cleared. I don't think the entire motivation is for it statistics either. It'll speed up the process for everyone, including those like me, who are certain to get an interview. it's actually kind of nice to see an agency loosening up on something low risk like a K-1 AOS interview, rather than making it more difficult.

Edited November 27, 2006 by jane2005

[rebeccajo 14]

Jane, USCIS has stated in memos that they are pulling files from backlogged offices to send to CSC. Therefore, if one happens (as we did) to be processed through a district office that isn't busy, there's no 'luck' about it. A CSC transfer isn't available to us at all.

It's rather like filing an I-129F - it goes where it will go because of where you live. We have all seen what it means to live in an area that is served by the Vermont Service Center. There's no 'luck' there - it's a better managed center.

USCIS has also stated that they are pulling files that appear to need no immediate interview. I can only assume they are drawing some conclusion (by the looks of the paperwork) as to whether or not marriage fraud is involved. How they can come to such a conclusion from a stack of papers is beyond me.

When I earlier referenced approving without interview a petitioner from a high fraud post, I was not commenting specifically about the OP's intentions nor their website. I am commenting on the fact the Filipina beneficiaries are put through sheer hell at the consulate level - now somehow when they are stateside that 'concern' of the US government has vanished?

I'm sorry, I don't buy that. It's number crunching.

Look at the USCIS website and find their monthly newsletters. You will see plainly stated in the September 06 issue that they have taken cases such as my husbands, which are stuck in namecheck, and have DROPPED them from the data of backlogged cases cleared.

As you've worked in government, tell me - where is the accountability in picking and choosing which data you will present in your reports?

[Killer_Clown_2009 0]

Sorry, it's too late for me to go look up the USCIS newletters.

I guess I simply don't get what is so wrong with these files from backlogged offices being processed at CSC quickly. The process is benefiting the clients who are in the system. These people have already been through the VISA application process and it's not as if they are unknown entities.

As for the "luck" aspect, I guess i can't explain to you what I mean.

I'm sure USCIS has mismanagement issues as do most large government agencies. I don't know anything about USCIS reports or who they need to account to, so I can't really comment on that.

A few years back when I was looking into applying for a K-1 visa, I recall that the AOS process at the district office that I was going to deal with was taking well over a year (and sometimes 2 full years). Now it's down to 6 months, so I guess I feel "lucky" that my own AOS process should be finished by the middle of next year.

[rebeccajo 14]

Certainly we all want the system to be improved. No one will dispute that. But let's have it make sense. Actually taking steps out of the process for certain people hardly seems fair, does it?

How are the CSC files getting through security clearance faster than others? Is the FBI given a list of these pulled files and told to process them ASAP and not to allow them to linger as they are with the thousands of others already stuck in namecheck? Nobody knows.

Here's a link to an Associated Press Article that references the cases removed from statistical data as well as the temporary workers.

http://www.federalnewsradio.com/?sid=914402&nid=78#

Edited November 27, 2006 by rebeccajo

[Girona40 0]

Another page on VJ

It seems that this sudden fast processing is not just happening at AOS either. I could hardly believe that a fiance visa was approved in 7 days!

I think Rebecca has hit the nail on the head, when she says it is all about statistics and number crunching. I do remember reading that there were millions backlogged, awaiting FBI checks, and the USCIS removed ALL OF THEM from their numbers. They, basically, reduced their backlog figures in one swoop by saying that these were not part of THEIR backlog but the FBI's. It certainly made the USCIS figures look a lot better.

Discussing this with my husband, he came up with a theory that is totally plausible. The USCIS has horrific backlogs, which are just getting worse. To make it look better for them they are speeding people through visa application and AOS on marriage-based petitions. This makes the figures look good when it comes to how many green cards they have issued. But.........are these people going to be held up when it comes to Removal of Conditions? Being approved as a CLPR is not the end of the story.

Section 216, which applies conditions to AOS, gives the beneficiary only a 2 year Green Card. This was enacted to reduce the possibility of marriage fraud. This is where they can further investigate whether your marriage is bona fide.

It will be interesting to see whether those being approved now will face more scrutiny at the time of Removal of Conditions.

As Rebecca stated, the USCIS cannot complete all the required background checks and process these applications fully in 44 days. They are either going to thoroughly check you in the beginning of the process, as many of those with longer timelines have been, or they are going to check you thoroughly in the end (Removal of Conditions).

Many of us had the long time lines and interviews after we filed our I-485's, but when it came to Removal of Conditions we just sailed through it, no interview. I bet you will start seeing more couples attending interviews when their I-751 is adjudicated.

Just something to think about.

[no name 1]

Make that x 3! Now I know I'll have expectations for my case once I file and will prolly be let down on it.

haha, no kidding, me too!

CONGRATS!

[rebeccajo 14]

Girona, that Vermont seven day fiance' petition approval isn't something new at all. That kind of processing has been happening up there for ages.

I don't think speedy petition approvals and speedy AOS approvals are apples to apples. A petition is just a petition and is NOT even a visa approval, let alone a status adjustment giving permission to an immigrant to legally remain in the US.

Regarding interviews at the I-765 stage, it's been discussed previously that this is indeed what will be happening with those not being interviewed now. If that does become the case, then all USCIS has move the pipeline clog up a couple of years. Nothing has been solved.

It's also been discussed that effective Jan. 1, 2007, USCIS will not be conducting interviews unless the security clearance is complete. If that comes to pass, I can hardly wait to hear the howling about the incongruities in the process. One will either be transferred to CSC and approved lightning fast with no interview, or linger at the district office level with no interview for ages.

[John & Annie 0]

How did USCIS mistreat your husband?

take a look at our timeline.

10 months between filing and our interview.

7 months stuck in FBI name check.

twice denied the opportunity to go to college because he was "out of status" and couldn't qualify for financial aid or student loans.

we've been unable to qualify for a mortgage.

he's been unable to work and contribute to our household income.

yet, if he'd entered illegally, he would have politicians lining up to hand him instant resident status, not to mention handing out welfare, medicaid, pell grants, in-state tuition, food stamps, section 8 housing...shall i continue??

it's ridiculous that those who follow the rules and do everything the right way spend years and thousands of dollars along the way, at all times being treated as if the ultimate goal of USCIS were to see just how miserable they could make the transition to making the US their home.

and there's not a damn thing we can do about it.

There is something that we all can do. Contact your Senators and Congressman. Annie and I are deeply commited to getting this changed. It is absolute B.S. that our government has these delays. We need to get this fixed.

We are pretty irked that they allowed Annie to have the Visa and NOW they decide to take their time to do a "name check."

After going through the visa process, the conditional card should come as a matter of course upon the submission of the Marriage Certificate(prvided you are married within the 90 days). The interview to remove the conditions is where everything should be thouroughly vetted for fraud.

Frankly it scares me, that we could allow potential terrorists into the country under this loophole.

Please everyone, act locally to affect Globally.

Edited November 27, 2006 by John & Annie

[rebeccajo 14]

How did USCIS mistreat your husband?

take a look at our timeline.

10 months between filing and our interview.

7 months stuck in FBI name check.

twice denied the opportunity to go to college because he was "out of status" and couldn't qualify for financial aid or student loans.

we've been unable to qualify for a mortgage.

he's been unable to work and contribute to our household income.

yet, if he'd entered illegally, he would have politicians lining up to hand him instant resident status, not to mention handing out welfare, medicaid, pell grants, in-state tuition, food stamps, section 8 housing...shall i continue??

it's ridiculous that those who follow the rules and do everything the right way spend years and thousands of dollars along the way, at all times being treated as if the ultimate goal of USCIS were to see just how miserable they could make the transition to making the US their home.

and there's not a damn thing we can do about it.

There is something that we all can do. Contact your Senators and Congressman. Annie and I are deeply commited to getting this changed. It is absolute B.S. that our government has these delays. We need to get this fixed. We are deeply offended that they allowed Annie to have the Visa and NOW they decide to take their time to do a "name check." After going through the visa process, the conditional card should come as a matter of course upon the submission of the Marriage Certificate(prvided you are married within the 90 days). The interview to remove the conditions is where everything should be thouroughly vetted for fraud. Frankly it scares me, that we could allow potential terrorists into the country under this loophole.

Please everyone, act locally to affect Globally.

John, what makes you think Annie is caught in namecheck?

[Irisheyes 0]

Girona, that Vermont seven day fiance' petition approval isn't something new at all. That kind of processing has been happening up there for ages.

I don't think speedy petition approvals and speedy AOS approvals are apples to apples. A petition is just a petition and is NOT even a visa approval, let alone a status adjustment giving permission to an immigrant to legally remain in the US.

Regarding interviews at the I-765 stage, it's been discussed previously that this is indeed what will be happening with those not being interviewed now. If that does become the case, then all USCIS has move the pipeline clog up a couple of years. Nothing has been solved.

It's also been discussed that effective Jan. 1, 2007, USCIS will not be conducting interviews unless the security clearance is complete. If that comes to pass, I can hardly wait to hear the howling about the incongruities in the process. One will either be transferred to CSC and approved lightning fast with no interview, or linger at the district office level with no interview for ages.

I hope you're right Rebecca, I hope these people are interviewed at removal of conditions....call it sour grapes if you like, but every one of these posts make my blood boil. I know I finally did get my interview date for Dec, but we filed in JUNE 2005!!!! That's 18 months, count 'em! For those who just don't get it, it is literally torture to be stuck in this limbo for all this time. Our mortgage rate was affected, I cant start my 401K, I'm tired of throwing money at the USCIS. I have no status in this country and I'm sick to f88king death of being a non-person!!!

USCIS certainly does have a lot to answer for, and I for one have absolutely no respect for or faith in any government agency in this country after all this. I'm all but ready to pack us all up and go home, only for the fact that I'm determined to see it through after all this struggle!

[Jenn! 918]

It's also been discussed that effective Jan. 1, 2007, USCIS will not be conducting interviews unless the security clearance is complete. If that comes to pass, I can hardly wait to hear the howling about the incongruities in the process. One will either be transferred to CSC and approved lightning fast with no interview, or linger at the district office level with no interview for ages.

But CSC transfers undergo security checks too. One could end up waiting just as long at CSC as they do to get interviewed.

[rebeccajo 14]

It's also been discussed that effective Jan. 1, 2007, USCIS will not be conducting interviews unless the security clearance is complete. If that comes to pass, I can hardly wait to hear the howling about the incongruities in the process. One will either be transferred to CSC and approved lightning fast with no interview, or linger at the district office level with no interview for ages.

But CSC transfers undergo security checks too. One could end up waiting just as long at CSC as they do to get interviewed.

Have you seen anybody at CSC waiting as long as at other offices, even if namecheck is involved?

It's my opinion that the California cases are being given special treatment including expedite of namecheck.