IR1/CR1 Backlog makes the NY Times!

[Sukie 1,460]

I only beg to differ with one thing the reporter said, and that is that it is "unlawful" for someone to visit during the immigration process. My partner and my father have already written me in a panic, as my partner is coming for a 4-week short visit (via VWP) in a few weeks....

I know that all of you do not have the option of having your foreign spouse visit - and for that I am sorry.

Sukie

Edited February 9, 2014 by Sukie

[nightingalejules 678]

Yes, I have also been several times to the States while my I-130 is processing. I imagine it's easier to describe it as being "illegal" than to go through the whole explanation - hard to get tourist visas, harder to prove intent to return to your home country, some people getting turned back at the border. It's not illegal, so that part of the article is inaccurate, but it would have taken almost an inch of column space to describe the real issues, and that's really sort of tangential to the subject of the article.

I'm sure my mother-in-law will freak out when she reads that part, but I can explain it to her. It does make our plight seem potentially more sympathetic to the average reader, with no skin in the game.

[BOS_LHR 829]

this article was not only in ny times

http://www.startribune.com/nation/244569881.html

I was excited to see this picked up by another outlet, and then hugely ticked to see the comments. There are only two right now and both are advising that we essentially quit b*tching and have our spouses immigrate illegally to get it over with. Are you KIDDING ME. Thanks America. Now I can feel betrayed by my government and my neighbors. But it's all the more reason not to give up. People don't care because they don't understand, and there's clearly a lot more education to be done.

[thedude6752000 360]

I was excited to see this picked up by another outlet, and then hugely ticked to see the comments. There are only two right now and both are advising that we essentially quit b*tching and have our spouses immigrate illegally to get it over with. Are you KIDDING ME. Thanks America. Now I can feel betrayed by my government and my neighbors. But it's all the more reason not to give up. People don't care because they don't understand, and there's clearly a lot more education to be done.

Pretty sure they are both conservatives criticizing illegal immigration through backhanded, ironic comments.

[BOS_LHR 829]

Pretty sure they are both conservatives criticizing illegal immigration through backhanded, ironic comments.

I get the commentary on illegal immigration, my point is that the responses illustrate a complete lack of caring and concern for how broken USCIS is or how it's affecting citizens. People can't see beyond illegal immigration issues to care about legal ones. It's disappointing although, admittedly, not surprising.

[r060106 109]

I get the commentary on illegal immigration, my point is that the responses illustrate a complete lack of caring and concern for how broken USCIS is or how it's affecting citizens. People can't see beyond illegal immigration issues to care about legal ones. It's disappointing although, admittedly, not surprising.

My hypothesis is that people don't care about that which doesn't affect them. And because the immigration process for spouses of US Citizens only affects only a percentage of a percentage of the population, nothing will change and no one will make any outcry because they don't know what it's like or how bad it truly is. It's just that simple, and sad.

[dwheels76 5,468]

My hypothesis is that people don't care about that which doesn't affect them. And because the immigration process for spouses of US Citizens only affects only a percentage of a percentage of the population, nothing will change and no one will make any outcry because they don't know what it's like or how bad it truly is. It's just that simple, and sad.

Unfortunately since most people refuse to educate themselves and believe everything they see on TV and internet they are filled with "Catfish" and now the new "90 days to Visa" mess. And say why the hell we want THESE people here.

That's why we have to put a face to all this immigration. Legal immigration. So they can see real husbands, wives, children and not be so absorbed in 419 Nigerian scam and terrorist from MENA's. We are real people with real love and just trying to live together happily. Dang.

[r060106 109]

Unfortunately since most people refuse to educate themselves and believe everything they see on TV and internet they are filled with "Catfish" and now the new "90 days to Visa" mess. And say why the hell we want THESE people here.

That's why we have to put a face to all this immigration. Legal immigration. So they can see real husbands, wives, children and not be so absorbed in 419 Nigerian scam and terrorist from MENA's. We are real people with real love and just trying to live together happily. Dang.

I completely agree with you. Well said.

That 90 Days show drives me up a wall.

[Salo&Romashka 83]

The story is gaining traction. It's now on the front page of the Drudge Report

Being covered by other news sources:

http://dailycaller.com/2014/02/09/obama-split-500000-american-families-to-legalize-illegals-before-2012-election/

Reprint in Columbus Dispatch of original article

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/national_world/2014/02/09/visa-slowdown-keeps-many-families-apart.html

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

I've emailed the BBC a link to the article with my own synopsis as they often do stories and analysis on the USA on their website and what they publish is usually well respected.

[thedude6752000 360]

This is awesome! We need to get this to Fox News ASAP.

[mtlguy 59]

I applaud the media attention. and the "much deserved" over excitement. but let's get real to avoid setting our hopes too high:

This matter affects 0.13 % of the US population. with politics, as you may know, it's all about numbers (for votes of course). 0.13% seems to be an acceptable collateral damage.

families apart, or what not, will pass by as: "oh poor folks...it must be tough. now what's on the other channel?"...

it's the reality of things. it's bad luck, and we just happen to be the recipient of it. I won't be expecting much change. not the in near future. that's why a bureaucracy is defined as such.

[thedude6752000 360]

I applaud the media attention. and the "much deserved" over excitement. but let's get real to avoid setting our hopes too high:

This matter affects 0.13 % of the US population. with politics, as you may know, it's all about numbers (for votes of course). 0.13% seems to be an acceptable collateral damage.

families apart, or what not, will pass by as: "oh poor folks...it must be tough. now what's on the other channel?"...

it's the reality of things. it's bad luck, and we just happen to be the recipient of it. I won't be expecting much change. not the in near future. that's why a bureaucracy is defined as such.

It's an emotional issue, especially when you throw in the legal/illegal thing. A lot of people are hopping mad at the idea of giving anyone "illegal" residency or citizenship, and our case is more ammo for them. IMO it would be in our best interests to hitch our wagon to theirs and attempt to turn our plight into a bludgeon against amnesty and the administration. The other side would be quick to pick us up, which would give a lot of publicity to our cause.

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

I applaud the media attention. and the "much deserved" over excitement. but let's get real to avoid setting our hopes too high:

This matter affects 0.13 % of the US population. with politics, as you may know, it's all about numbers (for votes of course). 0.13% seems to be an acceptable collateral damage.

families apart, or what not, will pass by as: "oh poor folks...it must be tough. now what's on the other channel?"...

it's the reality of things. it's bad luck, and we just happen to be the recipient of it. I won't be expecting much change. not the in near future. that's why a bureaucracy is defined as such.

I'm sure it won't create any great change as like you say the issue doesn't affect enough people, however, one of the things a lot of us want is more accountability and information from USCIS and evidence of their shortcomings being revealed in the mainstream media may well help towards this.

Another positive side effect of this article is that we all have something to show family and friends when they ask why our processes are taking so long!

[mtlguy 59]

I'm sure it won't create any great change as like you say the issue doesn't affect enough people, however, one of the things a lot of us want is more accountability and information from USCIS and evidence of their shortcomings being revealed in the mainstream media may well help towards this.

Another positive side effect of this article is that we all have something to show family and friends when they ask why our processes are taking so long!

Totally agree with you on the last point. I've been trying to educate my in-laws and step-kids about the inner workings of the US immigration.

This article will definitely shed some light and provide some answers when everyone in my wife's family asks her: "How come he's not here with you already? Aren't Canadians allowed to walk freely into the US?"