IR1/CR1 Backlog makes the NY Times!

[NikLR 13,227]

Is the current 5-6 months for the NVC stage I've been hearing about longer than it has been in the past? Jw.

I'm hoping, but honestly don't think it will make the USCIS change the way they do things. Yes, I'm a pessamist, but this is the government we're talking about.

No, everything is based on a) how well you complete the paperwork (checklists extend your time) and b) how fast they can review your paperwork.

[Kaylara 814]

Well, one reason for that is because they're a different kind of visa and have to marry here within 90 days and then adjust their status, which IR/CR people don't have to do. (Although CR's do have to file for a removal of conditions.) That's not the total reason, but remember, last year they were the first hit with a really crappy backlog too. However, F2A's have been getting their I130's pushed through in a few weeks, and that just shows that they're entirely capable of moving fast when they want to. Same goes for the Philippine applications from the disaster zone. (Totally understandable, btw. I'm glad that they moved quickly to help people who needed it.) So when they feel like it, they can move fast to adjudicate these applications. That is just pointing to no desire or pressure to fix this backlog, because they're not devoting the resources to clear it that they need to. I do hope that this will change very quickly.

[r060106 109]

No, everything is based on a) how well you complete the paperwork (checklists extend your time) and b) how fast they can review your paperwork.

Ok, makes sense. Thanks. So I should basically have everything ready for the NVC as soon as possible, even though I have a 3-4 more months of waiting likely? If I'm understanding you correctly.

[Salo&Romashka 83]

I think the journalist did a great job in the article. Please take note that USCIS didn't give her much to work with to explain their failures:

“a temporary increase in processing times”

“the standard ebb and flow”

"In November, the agency reported it had reduced waits to 10 months, calling that a 'significant step forward.'" (quoted from previous message to stakeholders)

“unanticipated hiring difficulties”

Laconic responses for an ongoing problem. My hope is that someone else decides to do some digging:

How does USCIS fall behind in workload when it is a fee based agency?

How can USCIS staff be assigned to process Deferred Action casework (specifically I-821D) when it grants no immigration benefit?

What happened in the hiring process to cause delays from 2012 to present?

Why is USCIS consistently late with reporting processing statistics?

[Salo&Romashka 83]

A very big thank you to the people who contributed to the article. I hope all of you find your way through the red tape to your loved ones soon.

[Kay&Jeff 7]

I have shared this story all over facebook hope it helps alittle. Im sick of life being on hold.

[NikLR 13,227]

Beyomd the initial waiting for them to recieve and then assign a case number (which involves a lot of calling and normally takes about 1-2 months) it's paying a bill, sending forms, waiting for paid, sending in documents, waiting for the next bill, completing forms and documents, waiting for case complete (more calling), waiting for an interview date (more calling) then medical, interview, get visa back, and move.

At the very least it's active instead of sitting on your butt waiting and not being able to do a thing about it.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Immigration News & Discussion.

[r060106 109]

Beyomd the initial waiting for them to recieve and then assign a case number (which involves a lot of calling and normally takes about 1-2 months) it's paying a bill, sending forms, waiting for paid, sending in documents, waiting for the next bill, completing forms and documents, waiting for case complete (more calling), waiting for an interview date (more calling) then medical, interview, get visa back, and move.

At the very least it's active instead of sitting on your butt waiting and not being able to do a thing about it.

That sounds really nice, to be completely honest. Thanks

[r060106 109]

this is really awful, and what i now realize is that K1 visa are now being dealt with more faster than green cards for immediate family/spouse who r already married. No offence to the fiancées but they r getting thru more faster than us who r married.

Yeah, it's totally unfair and makes no sense. I'm with you.

Well, one reason for that is because they're a different kind of visa and have to marry here within 90 days and then adjust their status, which IR/CR people don't have to do. (Although CR's do have to file for a removal of conditions.) That's not the total reason, but remember, last year they were the first hit with a really crappy backlog too. However, F2A's have been getting their I130's pushed through in a few weeks, and that just shows that they're entirely capable of moving fast when they want to. Same goes for the Philippine applications from the disaster zone. (Totally understandable, btw. I'm glad that they moved quickly to help people who needed it.) So when they feel like it, they can move fast to adjudicate these applications. That is just pointing to no desire or pressure to fix this backlog, because they're not devoting the resources to clear it that they need to. I do hope that this will change very quickly.

I completely agree with you about the fact that they're entirely capable of moving fast when they want to. Such a great point. That makes things even more infuriating I think. What I don't get is that, like you point out, if they have no desire or pressure to fix this backlog, why did they have such a desire to fix the K-1 backlog. They cleared that one, why can't they clear this one? I wish we had an answer to that all important question.

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

'Christopher S. Bentley, a Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesman, said the agency had seen “a temporary increase in processing times” for the citizens’ green card applications because of the deferrals program and “the standard ebb and flow” of visas.

Last year, officials said, the agency detected the problem and tried to speed up the green cards by spreading them out to three processing centers. '

Yeah nice one smart guy, except you didn't need to "detect" the problem as you created it by sitting on I-130's for months! It would be like me shooting myself in the foot then saying that I'd detected a wound. Plus two of those processing centres are on a go slow and some people who were transferred at the start of December are still waiting there. Only CSC has been processing I-130's at a reasonable speed. Nice to see them admit that the deferrals are what hurt us finally though.

Edited February 9, 2014 by Hotter Otter

[anuspras 65]

Guys, its awesome news that we made it to New York Times. However in order to make this effort a success and garner maximum attention from all ends, this is the best time to step up the pressure.... Now that we have got the necessary media attention, we need to send out our new letter earliest by next week, before the heat of the situation dies out...

We need to make sure that our letter covers all points that has been left out in the New York Times publication.... I mean the number fudging by USCIS, adjudication of petitions out of chronological order, un necessary RFE's to buy time, blatant lies and arrogant dont care attitude replies to our enquiries etc etc.... All theses needs to go into the letter... Basically the content in our letter should focus on adding 'fuel to the fire' that has been created by this New York Times publication.

So lets focus on getting this letter going by next week itself guys... 'We need to make hay while the sun shines'

[anuspras 65]

Guys, its awesome news that we made it to New York Times. However in order to make this effort a success and garner maximum attention from all ends, this is the best time to step up the pressure.... Now that we have got the necessary media attention, we need to send out our new letter earliest by next week, before the heat of the situation dies out...

We need to make sure that our letter covers all points that has been left out in the New York Times publication.... I mean the number fudging by USCIS, adjudication of petitions out of chronological order, un necessary RFE's to buy time, blatant lies and arrogant dont care attitude replies to our enquiries etc etc.... All theses needs to go into the letter... Basically the content in our letter should focus on adding 'fuel to the fire' that has been created by this New York Times publication.

So lets focus on getting this letter going by next week itself guys... 'We need to make hay while the sun shines'

[anuspras 65]

Guys, its awesome news that we made it to New York Times. However in order to make this effort a success and garner maximum attention from all ends, this is the best time to step up the pressure.... Now that we have got the necessary media attention, we need to send out our new letter earliest by next week, before the heat of the situation dies out...

We need to make sure that our letter covers all points that has been left out in the New York Times publication.... I mean the number fudging by USCIS, adjudication of petitions out of chronological order, un necessary RFE's to buy time, blatant lies and arrogant dont care attitude replies to our enquiries etc etc.... All theses needs to go into the letter... Basically the content in our letter should focus on adding 'fuel to the fire' that has been created by this New York Times publication.

So lets focus on getting this letter going by next week itself guys... 'We need to make hay while the sun shines'

[anuspras 65]

Guys, its awesome news that we made it to New York Times. However in order to make this effort a success and garner maximum attention from all ends, this is the best time to step up the pressure.... Now that we have got the necessary media attention, we need to send out our new letter earliest by next week, before the heat of the situation dies out...

We need to make sure that our letter covers all points that has been left out in the New York Times publication.... I mean the number fudging by USCIS, adjudication of petitions out of chronological order, un necessary RFE's to buy time, blatant lies and arrogant dont care attitude replies to our enquiries etc etc.... All theses needs to go into the letter... Basically the content in our letter should focus on adding 'fuel to the fire' that has been created by this New York Times publication.

So lets focus on getting this letter going by next week itself guys... 'We need to make hay while the sun shines'