November 2014 Filers - Texas Service Center

[MS and KK 13]

This site is great, it as you put it has given me a place to be around other people like myself and it has a wealth of information that I am truly greatful for. Thanks for your thoughtful response. Wbeem the time lines are long but as I said that is our opinion but its not not inconsistent with the processes and procedures for the agency. I don't think any one suggesest (or at least I hope not) that my feelings and emotions are any different that anyone else. I just choose to chanel them in a different way.My opinion, sorry if people dont feel im emotional enough in my thoughts about them. No one here knows my story situation or curcumstances.

Since Im all about solutions, to me the issue is that cases are not adjucitated "fairly" accross the board in a "timely" way. What would one consider "timely" and how would a tranfer of more (cases to for example California) mean faster adjudication. Maybe there should be a hard and fast requirement(probably in law or regulation) that all cases be adjucated in 4 months? All that is required now is that your case will be considered so they can go as fast or as slow as they want. So talk to the staffer of your Congressman. Remember only one of you in this process is a US citizen and hopefully a tax payer and we've already paid them to consider our cases so we are at their mercy. What shall we do withhold the fees till tha adjuticate our claims? Not gonna happen. Maybe payment of claims after adjucication would be better to expedite the process. Just thinking out loud.

[wbeem 568]

This site is great, it as you put it has given me a place to be around other people like myself and it has a wealth of information that I am truly greatful for. Thanks for your thoughtful response. Wbeem the time lines are long but as I said that is our opinion but its not not inconsistent with the processes and procedures for the agency. I don't think any one suggesest (or at least I hope not) that my feelings and emotions are any different that anyone else. I just choose to chanel them in a different way.My opinion, sorry if people dont feel im emotional enough in my thoughts about them. No one here knows my story situation or curcumstances.

I didn't mean to suggest you're not emotional, or not emotional enough. I tried to make that clear from the outset of my post because I realize that messages conveyed in text can come across as cold or harsh when that is not the intention. I simply wanted to acknowledge that you come across as one who thinks with his head. That's not a bad thing. It certainly wasn't a criticism. Aside from the points I raised where I see things from a different perspective, there were some good points in your message. No hard feelings taken or intended

[rob999 51]

I have friends from the Emirates side of the world, I'm in the Oil industry so I understand that the political movement is very different over there.

Here however (UK is very similar to the US) on the slightest knowledge of unfairness we tend to shout. For us it doesn't matter what the government specifies, it's the fact that CSC are processing in a couple of weeks and TSC are taking several months. This is quite simply unfair and we have a legal right and obligation to shout, it's part of our citizenship (and soon yours).

I understand your point MS but the political world of the US is very different and everyone has an opinion (same in UK). And we all say/shout our opinion. You might need to get used to this! It's definitely a privilege, to express ones opinions.

You may want to succumb to the political system, that's up to you. But there have been various examples in the history of the West where citizens have got up in unison and stood up for what they belief. Under such a motion laws have changed, at the end of the day our political parties are interested in votes, the more votes they get the more likely they'll stay in power, if they annoy a majority of us then they are on a slippery slope out.

That's why we shout, no matter how small the chance we shout for fairness. We care not about statistics or benchmarks, it's about fairness and being treated equally. I'm sure this sounds all grand but if one sits there doing nothing then nothing will change, if one gets up and has the confidence and stamina to shout then one should, others should support such people, at the end of the day history was changed by people that had the guts to stand up and voice their opinions.

As wbeem said, if you can simply sign the petition then you've contributed to a greater movement no matter how small you think it is.

There's no hard feelings here at all, quite simply, I live under a different culture where I know my opinion counts because any political party needs every vote they can get!

[KristinD 77]

MS and KK

Before I respond to you, for the avoidance of doubt, I believe your post was written with the intention of providing support and helpful information, and you achieved that. I can see that you have a more pragmatic approach. The reality is, that for many of us, this has become an extremely taxing emotional journey. While I see merit in, and agree with, many of the points you raised, there are a few issues where my views are different.

"...we really don't have a valid complaint other than its taking to long for us. Based on the process and procedures we are where we are supposed to be."

Disagree. Seven to eight months for phase one of the process (excluding the additional 2-3 months for the actual visa application) is wholly unreasonable. The timescales have changed. We are approaching the seven month mark since we filed. It was under five when we sent our petition. We have worked to their "call us after 5 months". When we reached the five month mark, we were told six. We are past six and have been told we have to wait for our filing date to exceed the date posted on their (outdated) "current" processing times. Going by the current rate of processing and aligning that for the purpose of predicting when this will be in accordance with the processing times as updated on the USCIS website, we would have well exceeded eight months before we could even call to ask where they are with our petition. That is assuming they have not fallen even further behind.

"I didn't think this site was and should be used to complain"

It goes deeper than simply complaining. That is not the point. Whether by way of grumbling or venting on the forum, or doing something to give us a sense of being able to do something, has a lot of merit, both emotionally and psychologically. It has also drawn very different people with similar frustrations and hardships together. That is important.

"You can't show me one person here that this has been effective for in speeding up their process using the typical time line and procedures."

True. So far. But if you don't try, you don't know. From the outset, Kristen and her team have acknowledged that this may amount to nil. On the other hand, it is getting a message out. It probably won't change anything as a stand-alone campaign, but it's probably not the only one being put together. Any benefit from this and/or any similar efforts is not likely to be enjoyed by those of us who have already filed; but it might benefit others later.

Even if you don't believe that this is going to be effective, if you haven't already done so, please click on the link and have a look at what these unselfish people have put together. It is clear that countless hours have been put into this and it has been exceptionally well compiled. I spent some time last night reading through the letters and ended up bookmarking the link. Why? Because one of the hardest parts of this journey, second only to being separated from the one you love and having no idea how long it will take to get through it all, is feeling completely alone. Honestly, nobody who is not in this situation actually gets it. It is just inconceivable to the average person that you could file for a visa (petition) and have no idea whatsoever how long it is going to take. My employers think I am trying to withhold information from them. My daughter is being teased at school because she told her friends last summer that we are moving yet she still can't even tell them when. Well meaning friends greet our "We have no idea" response with disbelief. So I've saved the link as I may very well refer people to it when I'm too tired to try explain.

Kristen and team, well done and thank you.

Just want to say thank you. I'm lucky because my fiance is here on my couch as we speak even if it's only 2 weeks. I just told him your words of support and we're both touched. We know that anything we do now won't benefit us, but hope it helps people in the future. One voice is only as strong as it wants to be. I've been busy but promise to keep trying and fighting.

[MS and KK 13]

I am and will fully support the cause but I will try to do so in a way that offers solutions for the greater good and I will address any valid specific issues about my case via the appropriate channels. Even when God willing im done personally with this process I will always be willing th help ensure others dont have to endure this pain.

So here are some recommenatins that dont have anything to do with me being upset becuase they are not moving fast enough for me or becuase I happen to live in the jurisdiction of TSC vs. CSC.

1. I think that there need to be clear adjucitation time lines and that USCIS needs to be held accountable for and to them. Maybe this requires a change in law or regulation without this they can do as they please. The way it stands now you call they keep giving you later dates and times because they are busy. Thats not ok. If they are not required by law to adjuciate a claim within X amount of time believe me they wont.

2. Since my fees support their work 100% the perhaps their compensation should reflect my level of satisfaction to their response times on the phone and the adjucitation of my claims.

3. Since my fees support their work 100% why is it they get paid up front and then hold my case hostage to their unclear ever changing time lines? Maybe the system needs to change to pay upon reciept. If I was doing a service I may have to give a deposit up front but Im also required to tell my client how long it will take and will only get paid if my contract is done to their satisfaction and under the times specified in our mutual agreement.

4. Certain countries and people here illegally should not get to have their claim adjuated faster than me. They have to get in line just like I did. If the President wants to hire 1000 new caseworkers their first priority should be to reduce current case loads and come up with ways or an alternative path to implement his executive order and not increase the processing times of people doing this the RIGHT LEGAL WAY!

I could and would start venting right now but its getting late and I wanna have a glass of Wine.

Thanks to all who particiate in this wonderful site its been the difference beteen me staying somewhat sane and loosing my mind with all this USCIS #######. I know its worth it for the man I love but it sure does drive me crazy!

[rob999 51]

I didn't mean to suggest you're not emotional, or not emotional enough. I tried to make that clear from the outset of my post because I realize that messages conveyed in text can come across as cold or harsh when that is not the intention. I simply wanted to acknowledge that you come across as one who thinks with his head. That's not a bad thing. It certainly wasn't a criticism. Aside from the points I raised where I see things from a different perspective, there were some good points in your message. No hard feelings taken or intended

Wbeem, I have seen some August NOA1 trickle through in Igor's list of NOA2's! Fingers crossed that your form is in a box where that inch of dust gets blown off soon! I guess you'll be on the case of getting the interview and medical asap? I might be throwing some questions your way in a around 5 months time for any tips above what's on this site! Hopefully by then you would have gone through POE.

[wbeem 568]

Wbeem, I have seen some August NOA1 trickle through in Igor's list of NOA2's! Fingers crossed that your form is in a box where that inch of dust gets blown off soon! I guess you'll be on the case of getting the interview and medical asap? I might be throwing some questions your way in a around 5 months time for any tips above what's on this site! Hopefully by then you would have gone through POE.

Thanks! So we are also hoping for good news soon. We will keep you posted. Feel free to ask questions when you get to the next stage. I certainly hope that in 5 months we will already be married!

I don't think we have that much longer to wait and you are correct: we are ready to progress the next stage as quickly as we can. We never imagined we would still be sitting waiting so long after filing.

[Ke&Abdi 8]

Hey guys! Its been awhile i have been very busy with work! However, i hope everyone is doing well. II have a concern...with all these religious attacks happening I can help but worry about my Fiance who is Ethiopian. ..there has been no atracks there thank God but in the surrounding countries there has...do you guys think its possible for an expedite.i pray no attacks happen there but its getting oyt of hand and scary

[KristinD 77]

Another quick update:

I know I don't respond a lot, that doesn't mean I'm not reading anything.

So along with the reporter (if you're not on the other thread, we spoke today, she's slammed because of the decision but still wants to write an article on the centers and our issues, we're touching base next week), I spoke with the Ombudsman Liason, explained everything and she agreed to bring the issue to the head of the department to see if they can legally file a complaint. She emailed back to confirm she received the files and that she was able to open them.

Stef has something in the works with a contact in Washington....and...I'm a complete idiot and forgot that I grew up two streets away from a house rep for Indiana.

Just shot him a quick email begging for help and his contacts and reminding him that he totally drove me from the airport in LA (hey anything helps, I grew up with his brother and we were on the same plane, he was heading to play college Jeopardy. Super random.)

So just because I'm silent doesn't mean that I've given up. Plus Jack is in town so trying to not spend my time on the computer.

Thoughts: Think about random connections you have, do you know ANYONE, anywhere that we can reach out to on a personal level? I'll follow up and ring the house rep in the morning.

Best,

Kristin

[stef_curls 42]

UPDATE

Kristin came up with another idea today of how we can continue to get the word out. 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

[MS and KK 13]

How do we get this info on the Home page? I know some think i'm a bit cold but I think some of the recent ideas have been great. There will be a conference call tomorrow with the Director of USCIS. I think people should join it. Pass the word.

Link:http://www.uscis.gov/outreach/dialogue-uscis-director-leon-rodriguez

Dialogue with USCIS Director León Rodríguez

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) invites you to participate in a stakeholder teleconference on Wednesday, Feb. 25 from 3 to 4 p.m. (Eastern), with USCIS Director León Rodríguez. During the session, Director Rodríguez will highlight agency initiatives and listen and respond to issues of concern to the stakeholder community.

To register for this session:

• Visit our registration page to confirm your participation
• Enter your email address and select “Submit”
• Select “Subscriber Preferences”
• Select the “Event Registration” tab
• Provide your full name and organization
• Complete the questions and select “Submit”

Once your registration is processed, you will receive a confirmation email with additional details. If you have
any questions regarding the registration process, or if you have not received a confirmation email within two
business days, please email us at Public.Engagement@uscis.dhs.gov.

Note to Media: This engagement is not for press purposes. Please contact the USCIS Press Office at
(202) 272-1200 for any media inquiries. If you have questions regarding the engagement or other stakeholder
matters, please email us at at Public.Engagement@uscis.dhs.gov.

We look forward to engaging with you!

[Catana 2]

Hey all,

Hope everyone is well - and not allowing the frustration and boredom of waiting affect you too much.

My Fiance has booked flights over to the US for next week; and tends to get a difficult time going through immigration due to the frequency he flies to me. He hasn't been over since July.

I was just wondering what other people's experiences are travelling over to visit each other? How do people tend to be treated by immigration?

[rob999 51]

Hey all,

Hope everyone is well - and not allowing the frustration and boredom of waiting affect you too much.

My Fiance has booked flights over to the US for next week; and tends to get a difficult time going through immigration due to the frequency he flies to me. He hasn't been over since July.

I was just wondering what other people's experiences are travelling over to visit each other? How do people tend to be treated by immigration?

I'm going over for the first time since submitting the 129f to Houston in a couple of weeks. I've been through Houston many times now and my experience without the K1 application was always mixed, couple of times escorted to the further inspection room with plastic seats and the real cold feeling like that you have been naughty! It turned out to be more of a inconvenience (especially after a looong flight) and you are treated like you are on a conveyor belt as they have so many people to process. I just try to stay as humble and patient as possible, answer the questions and cross the fingers that they process me quickly when I do get pulled to one side.

So now I have applied for a K1 I will have a print out of my flight itinerary to show I have booked a return flight and a copy of my work contract to show I have a job at home. Hopefully that should be good enough. Also going to Glasgow on Saturday to get my passport renewed as I have a tiny mark on my passport photo, try to give them less excuses as possible. And make sure I update my esta with new passport details etc!

[hamzaisha 7]

Hi, I am another November filer. My fiance filed the application on November 19th 2014 and we got our first NOA through email on November 24th 2014 and then the hard copy via snail mail in a few days. Now we are just endlessly waiting for something to happen. Frustrating is a very small word to describe this wait.

Edited February 26, 2015 by hamzaisha

[hamzaisha 7]

I went through this thread last night and I felt such a bond with you guys. We are all going through the same thing and I am so glad I found you guys coz now it doesn't feel like me and my fiance are the only ones going through this. Last few years have been quite frustrating and were rough on our relationship as well. It is not easy to take on this stress.

Here is hoping for the best