Does anybody know how they work? First in -First out??

[UK-USA-K1 128]

I rarely see it mentioned, so I figured I'd add it to the discussion here. People need to remember that they do run background checks on the petitioner and the beneficiary. Files will not be adjudicated before these checks are processed. They are done by other agencies, and require informatin from the beneficiary country as well. This can also cause delays in some cases. We never hear if we have names similar to someone who may be on a watch list or who has a violent criminal history or what have you. This can lead to delays in the time it sits in a room waiting to be adjudicated. Although I think USCIS and the whole process could work better, it's not always the fault of USCIS when a file is slowed up or done out of "order".

[vbtwo 54]

I rarely see it mentioned, so I figured I'd add it to the discussion here. People need to remember that they do run background checks on the petitioner and the beneficiary. Files will not be adjudicated before these checks are processed. They are done by other agencies, and require informatin from the beneficiary country as well. This can also cause delays in some cases. We never hear if we have names similar to someone who may be on a watch list or who has a violent criminal history or what have you. This can lead to delays in the time it sits in a room waiting to be adjudicated. Although I think USCIS and the whole process could work better, it's not always the fault of USCIS when a file is slowed up or done out of "order".

Then they should have that as a status (awaiting background check), so people aren't all guessing as to what's happening with USCIS saying absolutely nothing. As it is now, it's like sending the thing into a black hole and you never hear about your petition again until it's approved or you get an RFE an unspecified amount of time later.

[UK-USA-K1 128]

Then they should have that as a status (awaiting background check), so people aren't all guessing as to what's happening with USCIS saying absolutely nothing. As it is now, it's like sending the thing into a black hole and you never hear about your petition again until it's approved or you get an RFE an unspecified amount of time later.

It actually does. Here's what my notice said (you can read the same verbage if you hover your mouse over the "initial review" circle header where you check your status:

During this step, USCIS initiates the background checks of the applicant/petitioner and identifies issues that may need to be addressed either during an interview or by asking the applicant/petitioner to submit additional information or documentation. USCIS reviews the applicant's/petitioner's criminal history, determines if there are national security concerns that need to be addressed, and reviews the application/petition for fraud indicators.

Edited June 27, 2013 by UK-USA-K1

[h_m 12]

Regardless of their wording of the "initial review" description, I think the process could do with a whole lot more transparency. Why not have a status update when the background checks are complete? How about one for when the file has been assigned to an adjudicator? Even just those two would help.

[Boy&Bell 1]

wouldn't you think that they will try to finish all Dec before starting January. Same for January- Finish them all before moving to Feb.

It's called being organized and having a process....it's just frustrating (dont mean to offend anyone) when someone who file after you gets approved first.

I mean when you make a line you arrive as soon as possible so you get taken care of first.......and you don't expect to jump in-front of the line....I dont know GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE in this process!!!!

I agree with you 100%. There should be some kind of system put in place to where it's fair for everyone. I've been waiting since January and still no approval....No offense to anyone, but it does get frustrating and it sucks!!!

I know that petitions sent to the NBC will be routed to your local field offices, but that does not happen right away. I've heard someone mention that it sometimes sits at the NBC for a couple months before being sent to your local field office and if you're from a state that's backed up with petitions or have slow workers, you'll have to wait even longer...

Anyways Good Luck to all...

[TigerFlower 61]

I always thought it was just a room full of monkeys that randomly pull charts for review... it is very frustrating. I realize they are overwhelmed, but a little more communication or notification would really keep people's tempers from reaching a boiling point.

[LoveMyTico 999]

There was a post a long time ago from a former USCIS employee. He gave some insight on how things were done. I wish I could find it. With that said, of course it is 2013 and things are worse than ever.

I do understand why they don't give too much status detail... then people would be calling asking for MORE information. They probably want to stay as general as they can because everyone works at a different pace. Some cases are easy as pie and others require RFE's or addition background checking. It makes sense for them to go in order, but I would rather the processor move on to other files instead of sit there waiting for answers on the cases that are holding them up. I agree 100% for more detailed status on the USCIS page. All we want to know is if our case is being worked on... not sitting in a cold cement storage unit in an unlabled crate..

Does anyone kinow how extensive the background check is? My new employer did a background check on me at the same time I filed our petition. It took 3 weeks for my employment check to be finished. It could be a big deal if the US government is checking on information in all the other countries. and don't forget the countries they consider HIGH RISK. My petition is going to be examined with a fine toothed comb as this is my second time petitioning. I am not worried, there is nothing to hide... I just know it will probably take longer. Even though you have to provide divorce decrees etc... I'm sure they are checking all of that. I know in Costa Rica, its like pulling teeth to get any government office to move faster than a dead snail...

[krinamej 1]

Based on what I've seen on the VJ website about people's approvals. I would say the process is something like this.

The petition or application arrives and it is checked for proper information and payment and assigned a case number. It is placed into a box with all the other same type of application or petitions processed by that person. That box goes into a storage location until is comes to the front of the line. That box is then given to a USCIS worker and they begin processing those applications/petitions. It would apprear they sort by types of petions and applications and process certain types in batches and then switch and then switch again. This is like coming up to the check-out line in a grocery store. There are long lines and short ones. Some times the long line goes faster becuase it is a lot of people with 5 items. The short line has someone paying a $22.34 bill with quaters, dimes, nickels, and $5 worth of pennies. So while it tries to be a FIFO system there are the variables of who is in front of you and whether the worker that got assigned your box goes on vacation for three weeks. Not sure why our box got picked over earlier Feb filers as I was expecting another month at least before our ROC was approved. What I do not understand is those that filed in April of 2013 and get approved in June of 2013 and others have been waiting for 6-8 months )this happens more with teh I-129F than other, but it is still a puzzle of why it happens).

Dave

I feel like it is kinda unfair how people who are waiting for 5-7 mos aren't getting approved and yet the ones who just waited for 3 mos got approved. I do feel happy for them, because it was a fast approval, however there are people waiting and waiting. I'm a March filer, so I really don't see getting approved til August or September, if I do get approved within the next month or so, I would be happy and feel bad for those who are waiting.. but then at the same time, I don't think all of the officers work at the same pace.

What you said tho, made sense. It isn't the 'Oh they just pick whatever case they want and approved/send RFE to them..' reason.

I'm just gonna wait for our turn.

GOODLUCK EVERYONE AND I WISH YOU GUYS THE BEST AND FAST APPROVAL TO WHATEVER YOU ARE WAITING FOR!

xoxo♥

[krinamej 1]

Regardless of their wording of the "initial review" description, I think the process could do with a whole lot more transparency. Why not have a status update when the background checks are complete? How about one for when the file has been assigned to an adjudicator? Even just those two would help.

Agree! So then we could see if the petition is making progress at all or what!

Brilliant brilliant!

Edited June 27, 2013 by krinamej

[UK-USA-K1 128]

Regardless of their wording of the "initial review" description, I think the process could do with a whole lot more transparency. Why not have a status update when the background checks are complete? How about one for when the file has been assigned to an adjudicator? Even just those two would help.

No doubt they could be much more transparent. You won't get any argument from me there, but that can be said about every governmental agency. It's just not something the government is good at. I tried to push my senators to improve the system for applications for family visas (relatives, spouses & fiance) in hopes they would use the upcoming immigration bill to put some fixes in the works, but it doesn't seem that went anywhere except in one ear and out the other (if it even made it past the intern who read it in the first place).

[rjm_cmyk 75]

I used to wonder how USCIS did background checks of foreign nationals. Well thanks to recent disclosures and the unintended transparency - perhaps we know they do them now