Aug 2013 I-130 filers

[Eastyo 100]

The problem is that USCIS essentially does what it wants with its data. I've been following I-130 threads for over a year now, and at no point in that time have USCIS' wildly fluctuating estimates tallied with user experience here on VJ. There has been a random smattering of approvals across the months, and at first it was mostly CSC blazing through its petitions, but now there are additional outliers. Three Texas approvals have happened for mid-June filers this week, for instance, while earlier filers at the same center are skipped over. Things like that lead me to believe there's still some kind of data manipulation going on. I think if USCIS wants its average processing time to be 5 months again by May, they can make it happen -- but not by processing everything that's out there. They'll achieve it by balancing the processing of older petitions with newer ones to meet their numbers, a "fake it 'til you make it" sort of strategy. I hate to be a conspiracy theorist but there is simply no way they're adhering to a first in, first out policy, and it's hard not to see a certain intent in that. The average processing time shouldn't be relied on as an indicator of their true performance, and the current processing date is useful only insofar as it allows petitioners to file service requests. I hope that these figures will become more meaningful in the future, but I recommend looking at the processing volume and trends chart alongside user timelines on VJ to make guesses at what's going on.

But wont this approach just cause them more pain in the long run with excessive service requests?

Based on your knowledge, when do you think we will see August approvals? I have heard everything from March to June!

The problem is that USCIS essentially does what it wants with its data. I've been following I-130 threads for over a year now, and at no point in that time have USCIS' wildly fluctuating estimates tallied with user experience here on VJ. There has been a random smattering of approvals across the months, and at first it was mostly CSC blazing through its petitions, but now there are additional outliers. Three Texas approvals have happened for mid-June filers this week, for instance, while earlier filers at the same center are skipped over. Things like that lead me to believe there's still some kind of data manipulation going on. I think if USCIS wants its average processing time to be 5 months again by May, they can make it happen -- but not by processing everything that's out there. They'll achieve it by balancing the processing of older petitions with newer ones to meet their numbers, a "fake it 'til you make it" sort of strategy. I hate to be a conspiracy theorist but there is simply no way they're adhering to a first in, first out policy, and it's hard not to see a certain intent in that. The average processing time shouldn't be relied on as an indicator of their true performance, and the current processing date is useful only insofar as it allows petitioners to file service requests. I hope that these figures will become more meaningful in the future, but I recommend looking at the processing volume and trends chart alongside user timelines on VJ to make guesses at what's going on.

And i agree with you, they are fudging the numbers big time, however i thought that they had to process in the order they were received?

My PD is August 22, I would really like to think i could get my visa in hand by October 2014....

[festamati89 40]

letter time everyone?

[Eastyo 100]

letter time everyone?

Yep i think so, a sort of "i know what you are doing" letter. But who wants to lead it?

[festamati89 40]

Yep i think so, a sort of "i know what you are doing" letter. But who wants to lead it?

ill do what ever to help but im not the best person to write it lol

[Eastyo 100]

ill do what ever to help but im not the best person to write it lol

We need some Kaylara help lol

[BOS_LHR 829]

But wont this approach just cause them more pain in the long run with excessive service requests?

Based on your knowledge, when do you think we will see August approvals? I have heard everything from March to June!

And i agree with you, they are fudging the numbers big time, however i thought that they had to process in the order they were received?

My PD is August 22, I would really like to think i could get my visa in hand by October 2014....

They won't get a flood of service requests if they keep holding back the processing date to keep very few people eligible =\ Filers in March and April are struggling with this now -- they've been waiting a hugely long time, but that date is set to Feb 13 so they have no recourse available. The average processing time says 8.7 months, so they've passed that, but USCIS will won't allow service requests because they're treating Feb 13 as the only bar they've set.

Their official procedure is to process according to first in, first out. You can even find where it says so in the adjudicator's manual online. But that's blatantly not what's happening. Take a look at the CR1 timelines on VJ, you'll see approvals even within individual service centers are jumping around. The last 10 at NSC went from April, to May, to March, to May, to April. Texas is even more all over the place. There's no pattern discernible here, it's just chaos. That being the case, I don't think it's possible yet to predict what will happen for August. April filers are still significantly held up while May-July are seeing random batches of approvals. If some kind of rhythm or regularity emerges we can try to do some forecasting.

As far as a letter goes, I've been involved writing the past two and I'm happy to help with future efforts. Whether or not they result in action directly visible to us, I for one couldn't bear simply sitting through the process without knowing I had exercised every option available to me. There is no stone I would leave unturned when it comes to ending this painful separation.

[Eastyo 100]

They won't get a flood of service requests if they keep holding back the processing date to keep very few people eligible =\ Filers in March and April are struggling with this now -- they've been waiting a hugely long time, but that date is set to Feb 13 so they have no recourse available. The average processing time says 8.7 months, so they've passed that, but USCIS will won't allow service requests because they're treating Feb 13 as the only bar they've set.

Their official procedure is to process according to first in, first out. You can even find where it says so in the adjudicator's manual online. But that's blatantly not what's happening. Take a look at the CR1 timelines on VJ, you'll see approvals even within individual service centers are jumping around. The last 10 at NSC went from April, to May, to March, to May, to April. Texas is even more all over the place. There's no pattern discernible here, it's just chaos. That being the case, I don't think it's possible yet to predict what will happen for August. April filers are still significantly held up while May-July are seeing random batches of approvals. If some kind of rhythm or regularity emerges we can try to do some forecasting.

As far as a letter goes, I've been involved writing the past two and I'm happy to help with future efforts. Whether or not they result in action directly visible to us, I for one couldn't bear simply sitting through the process without knowing I had exercised every option available to me. There is no stone I would leave unturned when it comes to ending this painful separation.

So it is not the "average time" that dictates service requests but the data of the data that is 3 months out of date! WHAT A JOKE!!! What is this agencies problem?

Can you post copies of the other letters that were sent please?

[BOS_LHR 829]

Yep, all they care about is the processing date. None of those other averages mean anything to them, nor are they basis for filing a service request.

Here are the first, second, and third letters. The first two were coordinated in advance, but the third was in reaction to the updated data they posted last month and we pulled that effort together in just a day.

[Eastyo 100]

Yep, all they care about is the processing date. None of those other averages mean anything to them, nor are they basis for filing a service request.

Here are the first, second, and third letters. The first two were coordinated in advance, but the third was in reaction to the updated data they posted last month and we pulled that effort together in just a day.

Thanks, did you get any replies?.

So i take it the method was that everyone printed this out and sent it themselves? Where did the addresses of the cc list come from?

[BOS_LHR 829]

Thanks, did you get any replies?.

So i take it the method was that everyone printed this out and sent it themselves? Where did the addresses of the cc list come from?

The first letter did receive an indirect reply. After we voiced our concerns, USCIS issued a letter to stakeholders the next day addressing them.

Essentially contact info for some important/influential figures at USCIS was dredged up and members made suggestions for who to add to the list. On the chosen dates, as many of us as possible faxed these letters directly to recipients' offices in addition to emailing them copies. If you want to do some background reading, here are the threads where the letters were authored, recipient list discussed, etc.: First, second, third.

[aditya3245 113]

We need to do something - this is utterly acceptable. A letter should be sent

[Eastyo 100]

We need to do something - this is utterly acceptable. A letter should be sent

Yep, roll up who wants to lead us

Lets also see what USCIS have to say when they do their updates. However with the number fudging they are doing, don't expect much (if any) movement on the Feb 13th date (insult)

[r060106 109]

They won't get a flood of service requests if they keep holding back the processing date to keep very few people eligible =\ Filers in March and April are struggling with this now -- they've been waiting a hugely long time, but that date is set to Feb 13 so they have no recourse available. The average processing time says 8.7 months, so they've passed that, but USCIS will won't allow service requests because they're treating Feb 13 as the only bar they've set.

Their official procedure is to process according to first in, first out. You can even find where it says so in the adjudicator's manual online. But that's blatantly not what's happening. Take a look at the CR1 timelines on VJ, you'll see approvals even within individual service centers are jumping around. The last 10 at NSC went from April, to May, to March, to May, to April. Texas is even more all over the place. There's no pattern discernible here, it's just chaos. That being the case, I don't think it's possible yet to predict what will happen for August. April filers are still significantly held up while May-July are seeing random batches of approvals. If some kind of rhythm or regularity emerges we can try to do some forecasting.

As far as a letter goes, I've been involved writing the past two and I'm happy to help with future efforts. Whether or not they result in action directly visible to us, I for one couldn't bear simply sitting through the process without knowing I had exercised every option available to me. There is no stone I would leave unturned when it comes to ending this painful separation.

What I don't get is why K-1s are blazing through with their NOA2s, but the rest of us aren't. Do you have any hunch or insight as to why this is? It infuriates me. They wait half a month, if that. It's pathetic.

[aditya3245 113]

k-1s get vetted at their adjustment of status

The i-130 (per uscis) makes them a special kind of qualifying relative. One that can breeze on by.

Spouses on the other hand are mostly terrorists.

So.

There.

Light hearted humor aside - my lawyer told me that Consular processing gives applicants a level of benefit of doubt not.granted to adjustment of status benefeciaries.

Imagine k1s as AOS candidates - they initially get to breeze on by but later get scrutinized more

What I don't get is why K-1s are blazing through with their NOA2s, but the rest of us aren't. Do you have any hunch or insight as to why this is? It infuriates me. They wait half a month, if that. It's pathetic.

Edited January 17, 2014 by aditya3245

[Kaylara 814]

K1's are a non-immigrant visa. IR1/CR1 are an immigrant visa. At least that is how it was explained to me.