Called my Senator's office - Didn't end well.

[Lex Specialis 38]

Unfortunately some times you will get that. I got the same brush off from Dianne Feinstein's office when mine was pending, but Barbara Boxer's staff was much better.

I would try calling Cornyn's people since you are not likely to get another staffer at Cruz's office except the one you are dealing with. And keep in mind, you probably have a bunch of Tea Partiers who are doing Cruz's case work. While I wouldn't swear my name to it, I wouldn't be surprised if they are less than thrilled to bring another foreigner into the country more quickly. If you know anything about Benghazi though, I am sure you would go to the front of the line

Edited June 13, 2013 by Kathryn41
to remove pejorative name

[Neonred 3,562]

I called Texas Senator Ted Cruz's office and spoke to Melissa Miller today regarding the backlog at Vermont. She was very short and rude. On top of saying "Looks like you'll just have to wait" she told me that she "wouldn't be reaching out to them (Vermont) again" because she already called for another gentleman. When I pointed out that many people were being approved from months all out of whack she brushed it off and basically called VJ contributors liars. When I told her that the recent timelines showed approvals from July - February she scoffed and told me that she wouldn't look at anything unless my case was filed before October 15, 2012.

Really frustrated with the conversation I just had.

Looks to me like you got a correct response. Sort of a "STFU until you have a real problem".

[des1867 6]

Rep Walter Jones' (NC-3rd) folks were just as unhelpful. Took them forever to respond as well.

Considering Ted Cruz wants to abolish the IRS...I dunno. Your other senator isn't exactly rushing to work on immigration either.

Perhaps you have a congressman who can help?

Try Senator Hagans office, talk to a young lady there named Jennifer. She was extremely helpful in my case.

[Gosia & Tito 199]

I called Texas Senator Ted Cruz's office and spoke to Melissa Miller today regarding the backlog at Vermont. She was very short and rude. On top of saying "Looks like you'll just have to wait" she told me that she "wouldn't be reaching out to them (Vermont) again" because she already called for another gentleman. When I pointed out that many people were being approved from months all out of whack she brushed it off and basically called VJ contributors liars. When I told her that the recent timelines showed approvals from July - February she scoffed and told me that she wouldn't look at anything unless my case was filed before October 15, 2012.

Really frustrated with the conversation I just had.

Get Cornyn. Forget Cruz. And if you want to really get her, write a letter to Cruz stating what you say, copy the papers, etc. Heck copy Cornyn on that as well. Ask to speak to her super and give them factual info.

[spareows 7]

There is no FIFO remember that, none of the centers work on FIFO bases.

There are simple things like where your fiancee is would matter too, for some countries centers can verifiy information quickly and case would move faster.

There can be other things like if either one was married in past or not etc.

Just coz one center is processing Feb and your application was in Jan at another center, Senator or Congressman is not going to question the center. for that.

Avg time us 6-7 months and if one center is processing it faster than 6 months they are not going to question them for processing faster than avg time.

Talking with the Senator's office, cases are generally processed in the order they come in. And from the USCIS website "USCIS usually processes cases in the order they are received. For each type of application or petition we have specific workload processing goals. For example, we try to process naturalization cases within 5 months of the date we receive them and immediate relative petitions (for the spouse, parent or minor child of a U.S. citizen) within 6 months of the receipt date. Sometimes the volume of cases we receive is so large that it prevents us from achieving our goals, but we never stop trying."

I'm sure they're not going to be 100% accurate, but there should be action taken to make them as close to accurate as possible.

Also, I was specifically calling to request information at VSC. I know that CSC and VSC move at different rates, and all the info I gave her came from the VSC timelines. Still, there is an issue when the USCIS website says processing times are October 15 and people from Feb are being approved without expedite while people from October are still waiting. There's obviously a backlog, but unless we stay on them and put pressure on them we won't get any results. The woman was annoyed because she said 5 people had called her about K1 visas. Good. She needs to be bugged about it, it's a problem.

[Protocol417 161]

Write your story in a more public forum and spread the word. The reason why congresspeople exist is to help their constituents, and if they flat-out refuse to do that, and even go to the length of calling people liars (which I find funny... why would people on VJ lie about when they got their approval?), then I'm sure other people would like to know about it come election time. Even if they are technically correct in their response (figuring it's under the standard turnaround times) the dismissal of your concern and grief is most telling about their character.

[spareows 7]

Unfortunately some times you will get that. I got the same brush off from Dianne Feinstein's office when mine was pending, but Barbara Boxer's staff was much better.

I would try calling Cornyn's people since you are not likely to get another staffer at Cruz's office except the one you are dealing with. And keep in mind, you probably have a bunch of Tea Partiers who are doing Cruz's case work. While I wouldn't swear my name to it, I wouldn't be surprised if they are less than thrilled to bring another foreigner into the country more quickly. If you know anything about Benghazi though, I am sure you would go to the front of the line

I am definitely trying Cornyn. I'm also going to call my representative. You're right, they were very condescending when I told them I was having an immigration issue. It's freaking Canada though, so give me a break. Lol.

Looks to me like you got a correct response. Sort of a "STFU until you have a real problem".

There is a way to say "Sorry, nothing I can do" without being rude. She was downright rude and indifferent. People need to be active about calling their representatives and bugging them to put some pressure on USCIS. It's not just about my case or an individual. It's about every single person who has been waiting for months with no end in sight. There's reasonable, and then there is unreasonable. I think current waiting times are bordering on unreasonable.

Get Cornyn. Forget Cruz. And if you want to really get her, write a letter to Cruz stating what you say, copy the papers, etc. Heck copy Cornyn on that as well. Ask to speak to her super and give them factual info.

I already did that. My blood was boiling!!!!!!

Edited June 13, 2013 by Kathryn41
to remove pejorativev name in quote

[stevie b 141]

And I understand that. I was calling in regards to many of the Vermont cases being approved out of order. Like I mentioned, from July-Feb on the most recent Igor's List. If they're doing a first in, first out, then times should be consistent. I do understand there are expedites, but several of the February cases that were processed this week did not have an expedite. That's awesome for those guys, but I was calling to ask them to look into the backlog, inconsistent approvals, etc.

I understand your comments and where you are coming from and I do not think your feelings are misplaced.

the problem is that this process and what you are trying to accomplish can not come from feelings. this whole process can be overwhelmingly emotionally charged and those emotions have to be checked at the door.

there is no way to really wrap your arms around how the process works.. I have been able to come to my own understanding that there are dozens of offices, hundreds of people adjudicating files that are all in different stages, so first in first out.. yes and no.. so the answer for your question and your understanding is no, there is no first in and first out.. that is the way it is. overall when you talk about a box shipped to an office, yes it will be handled first in first out.

if you are trying to get help on your case, then you understand you have to be beyond processing times. NOBODY will help you with the overall process. if you want to be heard, you will have to find a local or national news station that will have some interest in your cause.

this is not meant to be an attack.. you are not operating an advocacy group or a civil rights movement. you are using speaking points with you pursuits that honestly are fruitless. no government agency will respond to a request you are making on the behalf of other individuals or to try to understand petition approval dates.

keep your eye on your case.. argue your facts.. check your emotions at the doors.. and be nice to the people you are dealing with.. you will eventually get someone to help you if you really need help.. unfortunately, this is not the case for you right now

[spareows 7]

Write your story in a more public forum and spread the word. The reason why congresspeople exist is to help their constituents, and if they flat-out refuse to do that, and even go to the length of calling people liars (which I find funny... why would people on VJ lie about when they got their approval?), then I'm sure other people would like to know about it come election time. Even if they are technically correct in their response (figuring it's under the standard turnaround times) the dismissal of your concern and grief is most telling about their character.

Thank you for the advice. Like I said I wasn't asking for any special treatment, just trying to figure out the big hold up. We all need to call and be as annoying as possible to put some pressure on them. Unfortunately I'm in a state that isn't the most favorable with immigration.

[Harsh_77 718]

Talking with the Senator's office, cases are generally processed in the order they come in. And from the USCIS website "USCIS usually processes cases in the order they are received. For each type of application or petition we have specific workload processing goals. For example, we try to process naturalization cases within 5 months of the date we receive them and immediate relative petitions (for the spouse, parent or minor child of a U.S. citizen) within 6 months of the receipt date. Sometimes the volume of cases we receive is so large that it prevents us from achieving our goals, but we never stop trying."

I'm sure they're not going to be 100% accurate, but there should be action taken to make them as close to accurate as possible.

Also, I was specifically calling to request information at VSC. I know that CSC and VSC move at different rates, and all the info I gave her came from the VSC timelines. Still, there is an issue when the USCIS website says processing times are October 15 and people from Feb are being approved without expedite while people from October are still waiting. There's obviously a backlog, but unless we stay on them and put pressure on them we won't get any results. The woman was annoyed because she said 5 people had called her about K1 visas. Good. She needs to be bugged about it, it's a problem.

There is not FIFO so there is no 100% accurate or ppl who applied after you should not be processed.

Each and every case is different and they move at different pace, they give you an average timeframe for the case to move as long as you are within it there is no issue.

If say for some reason your case was stuck for over a year and yet your senator or congressman was not helping you than I can understand.

[Harsh_77 718]

Harsh people from the same countries are being processed out of order. We're not comparing CSC with VSC

Even from same countries each and every case is different and cannot be compared, as long as one's application is within the avg time frame they should be ok.

As OP is saying somone who applied after him should not be approved first, there is no FIFO system.

[spareows 7]

I understand your comments and where you are coming from and I do not think your feelings are misplaced.

the problem is that this process and what you are trying to accomplish can not come from feelings. this whole process can be overwhelmingly emotionally charged and those emotions have to be checked at the door.

there is no way to really wrap your arms around how the process works.. I have been able to come to my own understanding that there are dozens of offices, hundreds of people adjudicating files that are all in different stages, so first in first out.. yes and no.. so the answer for your question and your understanding is no, there is no first in and first out.. that is the way it is. overall when you talk about a box shipped to an office, yes it will be handled first in first out.

if you are trying to get help on your case, then you understand you have to be beyond processing times. NOBODY will help you with the overall process. if you want to be heard, you will have to find a local or national news station that will have some interest in your cause.

this is not meant to be an attack.. you are not operating an advocacy group or a civil rights movement. you are using speaking points with you pursuits that honestly are fruitless. no government agency will respond to a request you are making on the behalf of other individuals or to try to understand petition approval dates.

keep your eye on your case.. argue your facts.. check your emotions at the doors.. and be nice to the people you are dealing with.. you will eventually get someone to help you if you really need help.. unfortunately, this is not the case for you right now

You're right it is very emotional. The process is a long and draining one. But I disagree that emotion is a bad thing in this process. Things aren't going to change until people get emotional enough to demand something change. To sit back and just take what they hand you when you're dealing with an inefficient system isn't something I'm capable of doing. I am active with local immigration groups; I will continue to write my representatives regarding the faults with the current system.

As far as processing times, I don't expect anything to be done until it's past them. I really am not looking for someone to push me to the front of the line. But they aim for a 5 month turn around and right now if we're going from October it's over 7 months. That's a bit ridiculous. There has to be a better solution to this broken system, but until enough people speak up about their experiences with it, it won't change.

I don't think you're attacking me at all. And even if my pursuits are fruitless I feel better utilizing my rights as a citizen to be active in my government and push for change.

Thanks for your insight, it's much appreciated!

[Lex Specialis 38]

Try Senator Hagans office, talk to a young lady there named Jennifer. She was extremely helpful in my case.

Why would a North Carolina Senator help a Texan?

[spareows 7]

Why would a North Carolina Senator help a Texan?

I believe they were referring that post to another poster from NC who had some issues when they contacted someone.

[AdamAndDana 8]

I am definitely trying Cornyn. I'm also going to call my representative. You're right, they were very condescending when I told them I was having an immigration issue. It's freaking Canada though, so give me a break. Lol.

There is a way to say "Sorry, nothing I can do" without being rude. She was downright rude and indifferent. People need to be active about calling their representatives and bugging them to put some pressure on USCIS. It's not just about my case or an individual. It's about every single person who has been waiting for months with no end in sight. There's reasonable, and then there is unreasonable. I think current waiting times are bordering on unreasonable.

I already did that. My blood was boiling!!!!!!

I submitted an inquiry to Cornyn's office and they received the same generic USCIS reply as my local

US Congressman's office: "Case is within normal processing limits and file is currently with an Adjudicating Officer. Please allow 30-60 days for processing." My NOA1 date is Nov 9th and there is nothing unusual about our case. I feel your pain. I stopped looking at the CSC dates because it breaks my heart to see they are in February and March.

What I don't understand is that the infamous October 15th processing date is as of the March 31st USCIS update. That update was over two months ago... clearly they have moved well beyond October 15th.

I have learned that unless people go through this process, they aren't passionate about changing the system. My friends and colleagues are appalled when I tell them our nightmare with immigration.