Letter from the NBC confirming 13 month processing time

[Becky and Les 2]

I received my NOA1 on February 20, 2013 stating that it was being routed to the NBC. Since then, I have been told numerous stories about the wait time by various Tier 2 representatives. The last time I called was on August 21 and I was told my application had been 'touched' and sent to my local field office. I asked for a service request to find out when it had been sent there because when I called in July, I had been told that it would stay at the NBC and it should not be sent to my local field office unless something was wrong with it. The August 21 rep. submitted a service request stating that I should have some information by September 5. I was also advised that I could make an info pass request to discuss it with my local field office. So, had the Tier 2 submit the service request and I made an infopass appointment and went on August 28. My local field office told me that my application was still at the NBC and that it wouldn't be going to the local office unless there was a problem – they did see the service request and restated that I should have an answer by the 5^th of September. However, on the 6^th of September, I hadn't heard anything so I emailed and faxed my Senator to get involved. I specifically asked them to find out where my application was and what the timeline was.

This is the email my Senator received as an answer on September 11:

After a review of our systems it was found that Case MSC xx xxx xxxxx, Form I-103 filed on behalf of Leslie Hudson is currently pending.

NBC continues to receive I-130's and ship them to the field for adjudication. Based on the current volume of pending immigrant visa petitions, our current processing time for I-130's is approximately 6 months from the date of this response.

NBC will review and adjudicate I-130 Immediate Relative requests for expedite (if the file is located at the NBC.) If you request your case to be expedited the case will need meet USCIS expedite criteria. All expedite requests must be accompanied by supporting documents that demonstrate that one or more of the expedite criteria have been met.

I called my Senator's office on September 16^th to thank them for the answers as it is different than anything I had been told by Tier 2 reps or my local field office. However, I also wanted to advise them that the information given did not tell me anything about my case in specific, rather it told about the general processing of cases. I also asked if the 6 months mentioned was for my case (since it has already been waiting there for 7 months). Here is the answer I got:

The I-130, MSC xx xxx xxxxx is currently pending at the NBC.

The estimated processing time for I-130 petitions is an additional six months from today’s date. These delays are due to workload factors not related to your constituent’s case. If your constituent does not receive a decision or other notice of action from USCIS by that date, please contact your USCIS congressional liaison at NBC1.congressional@uscis.dhs.gov.

USCIS is committed to adjudicating immigration benefits in the order received and in a timely and efficient manner. We regret any inconvenience that results from delays in processing.

So, I suppose that this isn't really anything new, other than confirmation for my own 'edification' that the USCIS portion of this process really is expected to take 13 months now...at least for those of us unlucky sods who filed in February. That said, I'm not convinced that any of them actual have any clue how long it's really going to take.

[hunnymoon 5]

The estimated processing time for I-130 petitions is an additional six months from today’s date. These delays are due to workload factors not related to your constituent’s case. If your constituent does not receive a decision or other notice of action from USCIS by that date, please contact your USCIS congressional liaison at NBC1.congressional@uscis.dhs.gov.

Is this a general inquiry email address? Have you emailed and gotten an answer back? Just asking bc I want to send an email too. We all should just bombard their inboxes. We are US citizens and deserve to be treated like ones. My friend already has his wife over... he's on an H1B visa, applied for a visa for his wife in March and she is already here!!! #######?!?!?!

This is completely pathetic... they say they regret the inconvenience this delay is causing - a mere sorry isn't gonna cut the deal.

Edited September 26, 2013 by hunnymoon

[letmein 0]

Yes it's ridiculous.. folks on H1 (work related) and F1(students) can get their sposes and children in a jiffy and US Citizens and GC holders have to wait longer.. not fair ..welcome to USCIS! Not being sarcastic but it's upside down..If you or anyone you know who has applied for H4, it's literally when you get the appointment at the embassy (which can be a week or two from the time you send in the application - in Pak. courier servie takes in the applications on behalf od US embassy). Then at the embassy simple interview process and voila..H4...not so for sposes of USC and GC holders!

[Becky and Les 2]

I'm fairly positive that it isn't a general enquiry address. I think that whoever emailed me from my Senator's office just forwarded the email on including the address. I suspect that it's a means of contact for congress, not us little people.

I can't say anything bad against people on student/work visas. I'm glad that visitors to our country don't have to go through what we have to go through being without our spouses. I do, however, wish it was as equal and fair for those of us who are citizens or residents.

Oh, and I'm not reading any kind of apology in there. A 'regret' isn't an apology. Or maybe I'm just having a cynical night.

Edited September 26, 2013 by Becky and Les

[camden 20]

Thanks for sharing, I'll keep the email address in my file. Hopefully I won't have to use it.

[baltoro 27]

Hi Becky And Les,

Did you had any luck with moving your case? My PD date is also 25 Feb 2013 and I am still waiting for any movement for my wife I-130. My local congressman's office has USCIS but their response is very much along the same lines as yours with no specific meaningful information.

I'm fairly positive that it isn't a general enquiry address. I think that whoever emailed me from my Senator's office just forwarded the email on including the address. I suspect that it's a means of contact for congress, not us little people.

I can't say anything bad against people on student/work visas. I'm glad that visitors to our country don't have to go through what we have to go through being without our spouses. I do, however, wish it was as equal and fair for those of us who are citizens or residents.

Oh, and I'm not reading any kind of apology in there. A 'regret' isn't an apology. Or maybe I'm just having a cynical night.

[Becky and Les 2]

Hi Okemo.

No, our case wasn't moved. It was eventually processed and is now at the NVC, but my Senator didn't/couldn't help with it at all. Though if you're still at the USCIS stage, then you might want to contact your Senator and/or the USCIS cause I don't see why or how it could've taken this long!! Sorry for not having any good answers .

Hi Becky And Les,

Did you had any luck with moving your case? My PD date is also 25 Feb 2013 and I am still waiting for any movement for my wife I-130. My local congressman's office has USCIS but their response is very much along the same lines as yours with no specific meaningful information.