K1 September 2014 Filers (TSC)

[av8or1 246]

Good for you WRT preparing for the next hurdles in the process. We've done that too and are simply waiting on our NOA2. So we'll see. There are still a good number of August petitions in the queue. I don't expect the workload balancing announcement to yield much for us September filers, but if anything can be/is done in the way of increasing the priority of the I-129F now that the imbalance has been brought to light, then maybe that can help us. TBD.

[wbeem 568]

Has TSC just stopped working this week? There are hardly any approvals and they are all random expedites (or wrongly completed timelines) and then a few late September, October and an August petition. I think it's like a lucky dip.

I don't think June is unreasonable as long as none of you are in the unlucky 220+ day batches. We were approved last week and I think we will safely have our interview before the end of May, so for September filers, June isn't unreasonable if your consulate is efficient.

Hoping tonight and tomorrow brings some good news for September.

[yuna628 9,676]

Just some thoughts, with Passover and Easter coming up, many might be taking vacation time, if not now, but very soon. We don't know how long ago the directive decision to transfer came to light, but I suspect perhaps it happened last week (when things suddenly seemed slow after a brief burst). I imagine what's going on is not a lot of working due to the fact that they then have to take those cases and ship them somewhere and there has to be a process for doing that? Maybe that explains why there are random later dates being approved.

[pfrederiksen 22]

Just some thoughts, with Passover and Easter coming up, many might be taking vacation time, if not now, but very soon. We don't know how long ago the directive decision to transfer came to light, but I suspect perhaps it happened last week (when things suddenly seemed slow after a brief burst). I imagine what's going on is not a lot of working due to the fact that they then have to take those cases and ship them somewhere and there has to be a process for doing that? Maybe that explains why there are random later dates being approved.

You would get notified if your paperwork got transferred.

The random dates of approval are most likely that background checks don't come back in the order they are submitted.

[yuna628 9,676]

You would get notified if your paperwork got transferred.

The random dates of approval are most likely that background checks don't come back in the order they are submitted.

I know I will get notified when and if it happens.

Though unfortunately I don't buy the explanation about background checks. I'm a skeptic ya know. ;-)

[pfrederiksen 22]

I know I will get notified when and if it happens.

Though unfortunately I don't buy the explanation about background checks. I'm a skeptic ya know. ;-)

What about it don't you buy? It's the most reasonable thing about the whole process.

[av8or1 246]

I know I will get notified when and if it happens.

Though unfortunately I don't buy the explanation about background checks. I'm a skeptic ya know. ;-)

+1 WRT the background check thing. That said, there's little point in arguing the matter, it is what it is. :-)

[SR_ZJ 4]

Does anyone know what is going on with the case transfer from TSC?

[wbeem 568]

Does anyone know what is going on with the case transfer from TSC?

At this stage, nothing more than what was posted in the thread dedicated to the topic. We should know soon enough though.

[JamesRenee 47]

I would like to post this for those of you who would like to take the steps that I did & I fully believe this this is the way I get an approval as up until last night- I was where the rest of you are. At the beginning of February, I like many others wrote my State Senator to do an inquiry into my case. I filled out the form, wrote the letter, etc. I was told that they would "get answers for me". I followed up with my Senator twice after that & never got a response. At that point I decided to go in person- which I think is important- to my Comgressman's office and file an inquiry through them. That was March 3rd. The woman at my Comgressman's office told me that they have liaisons (that's also important) that work directly with USCIS in looking into petition statuses. That same night- the woman I spoke with at the Congressman's office emailed me to let me know she had begun the inquiry. Last week I received generic email from my Stare Senaotr basically telling me I wasn't within the "timeline" of being able to inquire and to "try and understand" how slow Texas is. That day was probably the worst day in this process...I felt defeated and hopeless. I posted the letter on VJ as an example of the lies that some government agencies try to peddle. I was told that I had jumped the gun & would regret doing the inquiry so early & that I should just wait it out like everyone else was doing. The comments were so defeating that I took my letter down because I couldn't take one more person telling me that all I can do is wait. Two days later- the woman from the Congressman's office called me (didn't email, called) and told me she had good news. She had gotten in touch with a Supervisor at TSC who had told her that because I was after 5 months I did indeed have a right to an inquiry. She then said that they would have an officer look at our file and would get back to the congressman within 10 days as to the status. Now- I had read a few posts where people had heard this same thing and within days had an approval. But I had no expectations at this point...just hope. Last night we received our approval. I struggled a lot with how I wanted to post this as I know there are many September filers yet to be approved and I in no way wanted to "flash" my approval in anyone's face. I read your stories everyday...I know the pain you all feel. My heart breaks for everyone stuck in this pit of a service center. But in my opinion- and yea I know there are people who just love to put there two cents in all the time...this actually works. If you can get your Congressman (and I say that because my Senator did nothing) to actually speak with a supervisor in Texas I firmly believe you can get help with getting approved. I do not believe that the hold up has to do with background checks or any of the other things I keep hearing. At last 200 days it is my opinion again that it is simply a matter of pulling a file from a cabinet and approving it. If it takes so long for background checks then why are there people at CSc being approved in under 30 days? Think about that. Do I think our background check was extra speedy and that's why we were all of a sudden approved? No. I believe it's because this woman got ahold of a supervisor and got our petition pulled from whatever cabinet it was collecting dust in. Whether or not you agree is fine...this is my way of trying to help those who feel helpless & like there's nothing you can do because there is. I spoke with that woman again today to not only than her but to find out what I could do to continue to be an advocate for those stuck at TSC. I do not want to be someone who gets approved & goes on my way. So regardlrss of anything- I will continue to try to bring to light the issue that is clear as day with the processing discrepencies. If anyone would like help with what to say to your congressman or help in general with filing an inquiry PM me and I woudk be more than happy to help in any way I can. I apologize for the length but I felt this was important to share.

[yuna628 9,676]

What about it don't you buy? It's the most reasonable thing about the whole process.

Let's just say I know some people that know some people. Not saying that we don't get background checked, but the reason for the delays have nothing to do with it, nor the order they are handled. Not saying that the information you have isn't credible of course. I'm sure the contact you have believes what they are being told, but I don't think they are being told to tell you anything that remotely has anything to do with the real reason why. But it is what it is, you know? You're doing what you can. Let's hope some good comes of this. I personally think the pressure people have been putting has made an impact, if not messages to the WH themselves. But how much of an impact remains to be seen.

James congrats for you! I believe you had an advocate that was doing their job, and had the real ability to have some sway.

Edited March 27, 2015 by yuna628

[coa24 69]

JamesRenee way to go glad you had someone who was willing to fight for you. It truly means a lot, I am sure, especially when you have someone who is willing to take the extra step for you. Perhaps others will have the same experience as you and will get the approval they are hoping for. Congrats .

[dogsinboots2014 3]

Let's just say I know some people that know some people. Not saying that we don't get background checked, but the reason for the delays have nothing to do with it, nor the order they are handled. Not saying that the information you have isn't credible of course. I'm sure the contact you have believes what they are being told, but I don't think they are being told to tell you anything that remotely has anything to do with the real reason why. But it is what it is, you know? You're doing what you can. Let's hope some good comes of this. I personally think the pressure people have been putting has made an impact, if not messages to the WH themselves. But how much of an impact remains to be seen.

James congrats for you! I believe you had an advocate that was doing their job, and had the real ability to have some sway.

Since none of us work for USCIS unless someone is withholding major information, it seems that the disagreement on information people have on the hold up/background checks will always exist. I'm sure everyone will insist their sources are correct. Yes, some people have been provided bad information by Senate/House offices, but as we just saw with JamesRenee, sometimes they are right and very, very helpful. So happy for you guys!

[ascertainLovE 165]

I would like to post this for those of you who would like to take the steps that I did & I fully believe this this is the way I get an approval as up until last night- I was where the rest of you are. At the beginning of February, I like many others wrote my State Senator to do an inquiry into my case. I filled out the form, wrote the letter, etc. I was told that they would "get answers for me". I followed up with my Senator twice after that & never got a response. At that point I decided to go in person- which I think is important- to my Comgressman's office and file an inquiry through them. That was March 3rd. The woman at my Comgressman's office told me that they have liaisons (that's also important) that work directly with USCIS in looking into petition statuses. That same night- the woman I spoke with at the Congressman's office emailed me to let me know she had begun the inquiry. Last week I received generic email from my Stare Senaotr basically telling me I wasn't within the "timeline" of being able to inquire and to "try and understand" how slow Texas is. That day was probably the worst day in this process...I felt defeated and hopeless. I posted the letter on VJ as an example of the lies that some government agencies try to peddle. I was told that I had jumped the gun & would regret doing the inquiry so early & that I should just wait it out like everyone else was doing. The comments were so defeating that I took my letter down because I couldn't take one more person telling me that all I can do is wait. Two days later- the woman from the Congressman's office called me (didn't email, called) and told me she had good news. She had gotten in touch with a Supervisor at TSC who had told her that because I was after 5 months I did indeed have a right to an inquiry. She then said that they would have an officer look at our file and would get back to the congressman within 10 days as to the status. Now- I had read a few posts where people had heard this same thing and within days had an approval. But I had no expectations at this point...just hope. Last night we received our approval. I struggled a lot with how I wanted to post this as I know there are many September filers yet to be approved and I in no way wanted to "flash" my approval in anyone's face. I read your stories everyday...I know the pain you all feel. My heart breaks for everyone stuck in this pit of a service center. But in my opinion- and yea I know there are people who just love to put there two cents in all the time...this actually works. If you can get your Congressman (and I say that because my Senator did nothing) to actually speak with a supervisor in Texas I firmly believe you can get help with getting approved. I do not believe that the hold up has to do with background checks or any of the other things I keep hearing. At last 200 days it is my opinion again that it is simply a matter of pulling a file from a cabinet and approving it. If it takes so long for background checks then why are there people at CSc being approved in under 30 days? Think about that. Do I think our background check was extra speedy and that's why we were all of a sudden approved? No. I believe it's because this woman got ahold of a supervisor and got our petition pulled from whatever cabinet it was collecting dust in. Whether or not you agree is fine...this is my way of trying to help those who feel helpless & like there's nothing you can do because there is. I spoke with that woman again today to not only than her but to find out what I could do to continue to be an advocate for those stuck at TSC. I do not want to be someone who gets approved & goes on my way. So regardlrss of anything- I will continue to try to bring to light the issue that is clear as day with the processing discrepencies. If anyone would like help with what to say to your congressman or help in general with filing an inquiry PM me and I woudk be more than happy to help in any way I can. I apologize for the length but I felt this was important to share.

Congrats on your approval. I've waited so long that for me an extra month or two of waiting is all the same to me. Whether I am approved tomorrow or in May or never, the damage is done -- a year of our lives is wasted and will never return.

[av8or1 246]

JamesRenee-

I'm glad to see a fellow September filer who has received their NOA2. As others have said, congratulations! That said, I would not think that your results are typical and probably not repeatable either, certainly not on a large scale. I mean if it was as simple as waiting until the goal time (in this case of 5 months) to pass you by, then have your local congressman's office get on the hotline with the TSC, have them tell a supervisor that they failed to meet their goal WRT a specific, given constituent and then get a petition approved (I'm simplifying, I realize, but you get the point) then everyone would be doing it.

And having said that, out of fairness I have forwarded your post to congressman Carter's office to get their feedback. I've asked if this kind of thing is repeatable. So we'll see what they come back with.