AUGUST 2014 K-1 FILERS (TSC)

[Andie 147]

From November through early January the government grinds to a halt due to the holidays. Things will move at a normal speed (meaning slow) for the foreseeable future.

Please fill in your timeline..... it helps keep the stats on track and makes it easier for us all to get an accurate picture of timeframes.

[stef_curls 42]

UPDATE

I know y'all August filers are getting pretty close to seeing approvals trickle in, but just thought I would share this bit of news in case anyone still finds it worth their time (It would take about 5 minutes)

Kristin came up with another idea today of how we can continue to get the word out (re: the difference in processing times CSC vs TSC). She filed a complaint with the Dept of Homeland Security (DHS) through their public affairs/Office of the Inspector General (OIG). They have an online form and you can remain anonymous if you want. Our idea is to bombard the DHS OIG with complaints regarding the same issue, which is the processing times difference between the TSC and CSC. All of us in the Skunkworks have submitted a complaint via this online form and we're requesting that all of you do the same, if willing. The point being that the more complaints they receive, then maybe someone will actually take a look. As per normal, we don't expect much from this venture, but it is definitely worth a try. The link is:

http://www.oig.dhs.g...id=1&Itemid=133

They limit the complaint to 4000 characters and no attachments. When completing the form, if you want to remain anonymous, don't enter any of your personal information and click the remain-anonymous check-box at the bottom of the page. In addition, we chose miscellaneous and management from the respective drop-down boxes when completing the form. Finally, here are two examples:

The USCIS has allowed a petition processing time imbalance to develop for the Petition for Alien Fiance, form I-129F. They have taken no action to correct the problem. This petition is processed in two service centers, the California (CSC) and Texas (TSC) service centers respectively. Currently the CSC processes the I-129F petition in approximately 21 days whereas the TSC processes it in approximately 205 days. This creates a significant advantage for petitioners whose packet is routed to the CSC. The routing procedure is based on the petitioner's state of residence. Although there will always be some time difference between processing centers, this difference has been allowed to become excessive and unfair to those who file the petition, as the application fee remains the same regardless of which service center processes the petition. The USCIS has mismanaged the workload for this petition severely. Despite direct reports of the existence of such a processing times discrepancy and repeated requests for corrective action to be taken, the USCIS has not only refused to take such action, they have repudiated the very existence of the processing times imbalance completely.

----------------------------

I am writing to you on the issue of the current processing times between the two service centers of California and Texas for I-129F (Fiance) petitions. I am the petitioner, living in Rhode Island, so my I-129F was sent to Texas Service Center for processing, received 11/18/14, so I am well within the "current processing times," and I am NOT asking for an inquiry into my specific case.

My apologies if this is the incorrect avenue to pursue this issue, if so I would deeply appreciate information for who I should be contacting.

The problem is that California and Texas are currently processing (approving) these petitions at a rate of 1:8. I have spoken to filers in California that have filed long after me who have received their second notice of action and their beneficiaries are well on their way and scheduling medicals and interviews. One California filer I spoke to who had her first Notice of Action also in November just had her interview and final visa approval. I, on the other hand, and facing a wait of *at least* 4-5 more months, barring any additional delays at Texas Service Center.

An average of ~21 days (California) vs ~203 days (Texas) for these petitions is *absolutely unacceptable*.

For a visual of where these numbers and data are coming from, please look to the second set of charts at this link (Where it says “Step 2: I-129F Processing Time at Service Centers --> I-129F NOA1 to NOA2 (Approval) Time”):

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1historical

Visajourney.com is a popular resource for all immigration processes, and forum members enter their data into a timeline system, which produces these graphs. The members of this forum have no incentive to lie or provide false information, as they are volunteering to come to this site and add their data and also look to it as a source of knowledge.

Our end goal is to not only figure out WHY there is such a large discrepancy, but to *rebalance the two service centers*, whatever the solution may be.

I and several others have attempted to address USCIS directly, or through our Senators and Congressman, and we have all received the same canned answer. "They" refuse to address that this problem even exists, and often just defer us back to their "official processing times," which obviously do not reflect the large difference you see in the graphs above. However, the data does not lie.

Your time is greatly appreciated, thank you for reading.

Feel free to copy-n-paste or enter whatever you want.

Edited February 19, 2015 by stef_curls

[wbeem 568]

The OIG cite needs to list "Incompetence" among the grievances for this report.

[stef_curls 42]

Here is what I filled in

[wbeem 568]

I also went with "Management" (since they didn't have an option for "Incompetence." I modified the text prepared above to add some personal touch at the bottom.

The USCIS has allowed a petition processing time imbalance to develop for the Petition for Alien Fiance, form I-129F. USCIS management hasn't taken any action to correct the problem. Two service centers process petitions for K-1 visas, the California (CSC) and Texas (TSC) service centers. Currently the CSC processes the I-129F petition in approximately 21 days whereas the TSC processes it in approximately 205 days. This creates a significant advantage for petitioners whose packet is routed to the CSC. The routing procedure is based on the petitioner's state of residence. Although there will always be some time difference between processing centers, this difference has been allowed to become excessive and unfair to those who file the petition, as the application fee remains the same regardless of which service center processes the petition.

The USCIS has severely mismanaged the workload for K-1 visa petitions. Despite direct reports of a discrepancy of processing times and repeated requests for corrective action, USCIS has refused to take action and disputes the existence of the processing time imbalance.

This is the result of incompetent management. My tax dollars that pay for the services from USCIS are no less valid than the payments from citizens who go through the CSC. Yet, as an accident of geography, TSC petitioners are separated from their loved ones for a length of 8 times more than their CSC counterparts.

As of today, my petition is 200 days old and I still cannot get an answer from USCIS as to when I can expect an answer about the resolution of my petition. USCIS states that my petition is within the normal processing time. When I started in August 4th, that period was 5 months. They keep moving the goal posts to provide an excuse for their inability to meet a reasonable time to process a petition.

My fiancée and I are relying upon the legal immigration process before we're married. We should not be punished by incompetent management who fails to consider the human toll of such lengthy separation.

Please help us.

[av8or1 246]

Good stuff wbeem, thank you for participating.

[jignid 1]

I get nervous after 6:30om EST when I don't see approvals rolling in. I pray its a good night.

[njmike 0]

I just got my approval.

NOA1 on 8-15-14.

NOA2 on 2-19-15.

No RFE's.

I received the notification as a text at about 10:30 EST. And confirmed it by checking the USCIS site which showed the same approval.

It seems that this step is the biggest hurdle for us at TSC, so I'm hopeful that things should go smoother and quicker from here on out.

Good luck to everyone else waiting. I hope the approvals start rolling in.

[speakerbox 23]

I just got my approval.

NOA1 on 8-15-14.

NOA2 on 2-19-15.

No RFE's.

I received the notification as a text at about 10:30 EST. And confirmed it by checking the USCIS site which showed the same approval.

It seems that this step is the biggest hurdle for us at TSC, so I'm hopeful that things should go smoother and quicker from here on out.

Good luck to everyone else waiting. I hope the approvals start rolling in.

Congratulation!!

Happy for you....hope all of us get approved soon:)

[dizzdemey 31]

I just got my approval.

NOA1 on 8-15-14.

NOA2 on 2-19-15.

No RFE's.

I received the notification as a text at about 10:30 EST. And confirmed it by checking the USCIS site which showed the same approval.

It seems that this step is the biggest hurdle for us at TSC, so I'm hopeful that things should go smoother and quicker from here on out.

Good luck to everyone else waiting. I hope the approvals start rolling in.

Aww Congrats!!!! Curious though...am or pm

Did you get the text? I heard before that some ppl got texts at night.

Very happy for you guys!!!

[jonilui 9]

Every time someone says they got an approval, I have this giant hope and immediately check my status to only be disappointed. Having hope and being shut down on a daily basis is emotionally draining :/

Congrats to all the people who are approved though!

[Amachuma 17]

I just got my approval.

NOA1 on 8-15-14.

NOA2 on 2-19-15.

No RFE's.

I received the notification as a text at about 10:30 EST. And confirmed it by checking the USCIS site which showed the same approval.

It seems that this step is the biggest hurdle for us at TSC, so I'm hopeful that things should go smoother and quicker from here on out.

Good luck to everyone else waiting. I hope the approvals start rolling in. Wow! This is good news. Congratulations! Good luck on your next step.

[Andie 147]

Congratulations to those with approvals...

Seems like they are getting back on track again...

[Jabl2rom 54]

I told you wbeem. The approvals will start rolling in. Just admit you are a little excited.

[Andie 147]

2 compared with 12 yesterday... did I speak too soon?