K1 September 2014 Filers (TSC)

[pfrederiksen 22]

Well, I just got a call from my congressman's office.

They've told him that TSC isn't processing any applications that were filed after August 11. Which obviously isn't true. He is frustrated because they've given him different answers every time he's called, so he's still working the whole thing.

[av8or1 246]

I was the one trying to help you, then VJ banned me. They told me not to send them messages. I replied with a . I was banned for 5 days. They will never be able to stop me from getting on VJ because I can use Proxies and create different accounts but i wanted to be polite and respect their decision. I blame VJ for scaring people. A few CSC folks on some threads they said that they will help us. However when they saw that VJ moderator marked our thread as spamming they changed their mind.

Ah yes, that *was* you. Sorry about the ban. Thanks for the effort.

[CharlieTanger 76]

So can I write a letter to my congressman and senator in regards to TSC Processing times? Do you think if I inclue my name it could in some way "hurt" my application process? Maybe in spitefulness? IDK maybe me just other thinking.

Anyone does anyone have a template that I can use?

[av8or1 246]

This is probably not quite the kind of idea you had in mind, but here goes.

We know that part of the problem is as you describe - high turnover of those with a vested interest in resolution. What happens is that after several months of waiting, people start to get upset and that's when there is a surge of support for all and any kind of action to be taken. By the time this happens, those unhappy filers are only a few months for approval. As you and Kristen have pointed out before, for there to be any effect, people have to push through this fight for the long haul. I wonder if the approach would be to start a hand-off. Find filers who are willing and able to work with you so that when the current cases are eventually out of TSC, those recent filers are already on board and can start doing the same. It is very difficult to stick with it, not so much due to lack of investment in getting some satisfactory response from USCIS, but more due to the time involved in the next stages of the process where the couples are trying to tie up matters in the beneficiary's home country and preparation is fully under way in the US by the petitioner. I think people genuinely find their time is at a premium once the petition is sent to the consulate.

Yeah, this is on-point; once folk receive their NOA2 they move on to the next stage. And that next stage does indeed consume your time. Been there, done that, got the shirt. So I understand. And there is little incentive to stay-on and continue the fight, that's certain. But we may have a solution already in place for the notion of carrying on the fight in the future.

That's because in the Skunkworks group we have a wide date-range of filers. I'm the "oldest" with a 9/11 NOA1 date and the most recent has their NOA1 date in February. With that we can hopefully pass on the torch to those who come after us.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[pfrederiksen 22]

So can I write a letter to my congressman and senator in regards to TSC Processing times? Do you think if I inclue my name it could in some way "hurt" my application process? Maybe in spitefulness? IDK maybe me just other thinking.

Anyone does anyone have a template that I can use?

It wont hurt (but probably won't help).

[av8or1 246]

So can I write a letter to my congressman and senator in regards to TSC Processing times? Do you think if I inclue my name it could in some way "hurt" my application process? Maybe in spitefulness? IDK maybe me just other thinking.

Anyone does anyone have a template that I can use?

Sure, you can write to them. You'll have two basic options:

1) They can make a direct inquiry on your behalf. You'll need to send them a privacy release form of some kind. Unless you're outside the "normal processing times" window, they'll likely simply cite that date (currently August 02, 2014) and leave it at that, telling you to inquire back once the date has passed you by.

2) Have them inquire regarding the time difference in general for all of us. This will likely not generate much of a reply from them nor will they be able to affect change. However, it'd be another voice, another knock on the USCIS/TSC door, another data point for them. So that in and of itself is good.

It will not hurt your petition whatsoever to do this. As for templates, there have been several. Look way back in this thread (page 15 maybe???) and there are a couple of them posted.

Let us know what happens.

Edited March 25, 2015 by av8or1

[CharlieTanger 76]

Sure, you can write to them. You'll have two basic options:

1) They can make a direct inquiry on your behalf. You'll need to send them a privacy release form of some kind. Unless you're outside the "normal processing times" window, they'll likely simply cite that date (currently August 02, 2014) and leave it at that, telling you to inquire back once the date has passed you by.

2) Have them inquire regarding the time difference in general for all of us. This will likely not generate much of a reply from them nor will they be able to affect change. However, it'd be another voice, another knock on the USCIS/TSC door, another data point for them. So that in and of itself is good.

It will not hurt your petition whatsoever to do this. As for templates, there have been several. Look way back in this thread (page 15 maybe???) and there are a couple of them posted.

Let us know what happens.

Thanks! It's actually page 17 for anyone who's interested, just found it.

And since I'm not past the average processing time for me they definitely won't respond to that. I do just want to be involved in another push for us. Would I simply mail that letter directly to my congressman/senator's office?

[av8or1 246]

Thanks! It's actually page 17 for anyone who's interested, just found it.

And since I'm not past the average processing time for me they definitely won't respond to that. I do just want to be involved in another push for us. Would I simply mail that letter directly to my congressman/senator's office?

That's correct, option 2 makes the most sense for you at this point. You want to save option 1 as a weapon in your arsenal for when the "normal processing times" window has passed you by. If you use that weapon too soon, you might experience difficulty getting the rep's office to help you again. And yes, simply print out your letter and mail it to both of your senators as well as your local congressional rep.

[CharlieTanger 76]

That's correct, option 2 makes the most sense for you at this point. You want to save option 1 as a weapon in your arsenal for when the "normal processing times" window has passed you by. If you use that weapon too soon, you might experience difficulty getting the rep's office to help you again. And yes, simply print out your letter and mail it to both of your senators as well as your local congressional rep.

Great! Thank you! So basically I'm just creating a generic letter about how long the processing times are. Should I mention my case at all or VJ data?

Have you by any chance heard back from any of them?

[pfrederiksen 22]

Great! Thank you! So basically I'm just creating a generic letter about how long the processing times are. Should I mention my case at all or VJ data?

Have you by any chance heard back from any of them?

Do what you feel is appropriate. I'd personalize the letter instead of using a template though.

I've heard from everyone I've contacted to some degree.

[CharlieTanger 76]

Also my senator had a Washington office and State office...send to both?

[pfrederiksen 22]

Also my senator had a Washington office and State office...send to both?

look at their website and see how to contact them. I've done everything over email.

[Janelle2002 3,865]

Texas Service Center TSC

Director: David Roark

Deputy Director: Angela "Kristi" Barrows Chief of Staff: Marnie Drumheller

4141 N. St. Augustine

Phone: (214) 962-2626 Dallas, TX 75227

Fax: (214) 962-1451

[dogsinboots2014 3]

Also my senator had a Washington office and State office...send to both?

Your best bet is to do an email. It gets to staff much, much faster.

If you want to send a physical letter, I'd send to the DC office because it'll get sorted by staff and assigned to the right person quicker than a state office. Physical mail has to the go to a testing facility and then brought to the Senate and scanned, so it takes a few weeks for physical letters.

[CharlieTanger 76]

Your best bet is to do an email. It gets to staff much, much faster.

If you want to send a physical letter, I'd send to the DC office because it'll get sorted by staff and assigned to the right person quicker than a state office. Physical mail has to the go to a testing facility and then brought to the Senate and scanned, so it takes a few weeks for physical letters.

Ok then should I send both mail and email? Or just email?