1st post former NSC adjudicator now petitioner

[TracyTN 237]

HuskerKiev, I am SO happy you are here and I appreciate your very descriptive and helpful posts. Of course, I have a few questions myself.

You mentioned files getting misplaced. Does this happen often, and if so, why? (I'm starting to feel misplaced - can you tell? LOL)

I was surprised to read that a congressional inquiry gets your case some 'attention'. I thought a congressman/woman calling at this stage was really no use to you. Since it seems to be, is there a general rule of thumb as to when the congressperson should be involved? In other words, should the petitioner wait a certain amount of time before calling their representative?

I mean - if someone involved their congress person after, say, two weeks of filing the petition, it would seem to me that would be an outrageous request (to expect special 'attention' that early on). But three months on doesn't seem like an outrageous request - unless USCIS has some sort of criteria on when its acceptable to have a congressional inquiry.

Sorry if I'm not making sense. Its early here, and I've not yet had caffeine.

[kaffykat 0]

Welcome to the Journey HUSKERKIEV. Thankyou for all this wonderful information, it gives me a little more confidence for when I ring USCIS tomorrow, knowing that they actually can see where a file is. Mine has been sitting on someone's desk for the last six months with nothing happening to it.

Bet your friend list is HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE!!!

[HUSKERKIEV 8]

HuskerKiev, I am SO happy you are here and I appreciate your very descriptive and helpful posts. Of course, I have a few questions myself.

You mentioned files getting misplaced. Does this happen often, and if so, why? (I'm starting to feel misplaced - can you tell? LOL)

I was surprised to read that a congressional inquiry gets your case some 'attention'. I thought a congressman/woman calling at this stage was really no use to you. Since it seems to be, is there a general rule of thumb as to when the congressperson should be involved? In other words, should the petitioner wait a certain amount of time before calling their representative?

I mean - if someone involved their congress person after, say, two weeks of filing the petition, it would seem to me that would be an outrageous request (to expect special 'attention' that early on). But three months on doesn't seem like an outrageous request - unless USCIS has some sort of criteria on when its acceptable to have a congressional inquiry.

Sorry if I'm not making sense. Its early here, and I've not yet had caffeine.

Short answer this morning. Basically, because congressional are such a pain for the cIS folks to respond to and a very serious matter, I would nottake them lightly, and give them the serious consideration they deserve. Sounds like you appreciate this fact.

So, Iwould never encourage a person to just file a "congressional" to jump the line" or move ahead of everyone else. Thats not the purpose. I only recommend you use this last resort when the system has broken down for some reason in your case or there are extraordinary circumstances that require an immediate intervention by your representative (ie deportation hearing etc...).

I would say if your application has not been worked with its normal date group within a reasonable amount of time taking into accountthe additional time a security hit mighttake to resolve, then it might be appropriate. But, I would err on the side of patience and use it only as a last resort. I saythis to be fareto all the other people waiting patiently in line with you.

Hope that helps.

[HUSKERKIEV 8]

HuskerKiev, I am SO happy you are here and I appreciate your very descriptive and helpful posts. Of course, I have a few questions myself.

You mentioned files getting misplaced. Does this happen often, and if so, why? (I'm starting to feel misplaced - can you tell? LOL)

I was surprised to read that a congressional inquiry gets your case some 'attention'. I thought a congressman/woman calling at this stage was really no use to you. Since it seems to be, is there a general rule of thumb as to when the congressperson should be involved? In other words, should the petitioner wait a certain amount of time before calling their representative?

I mean - if someone involved their congress person after, say, two weeks of filing the petition, it would seem to me that would be an outrageous request (to expect special 'attention' that early on). But three months on doesn't seem like an outrageous request - unless USCIS has some sort of criteria on when its acceptable to have a congressional inquiry.

Sorry if I'm not making sense. Its early here, and I've not yet had caffeine.

regarding files being misplaced. very seldo. Every time a filecahnges hands even from one officer in one cube to another in another cube , its wanded or scanned intothe system so its alwaystrackable as to who has it. The only thing that can sometimes happen is a file gets misent to the wrong place (ie the Vermont Center instead of say a district Office) butthe system will always know where it is, it just will take a few days to get it backto where its supposed to be because it has to be mailed back to its original destination etc..

So files don't get "lost" every file's location is know. Loosing a file is grounds for dismissal becaus eof the violation of the privacy act and security. Your file has too much nformation in it and each one is nottaken lightly. We treat each file as if its a persons life so to speak because it represents someone or a couple or family etc...

[TracyTN 237]

Short answer this morning. Basically, because congressional are such a pain for the cIS folks to respond to and a very serious matter, I would nottake them lightly, and give them the serious consideration they deserve. Sounds like you appreciate this fact.

So, Iwould never encourage a person to just file a "congressional" to jump the line" or move ahead of everyone else. Thats not the purpose. I only recommend you use this last resort when the system has broken down for some reason in your case or there are extraordinary circumstances that require an immediate intervention by your representative (ie deportation hearing etc...).

I would say if your application has not been worked with its normal date group within a reasonable amount of time taking into accountthe additional time a security hit mighttake to resolve, then it might be appropriate. But, I would err on the side of patience and use it only as a last resort. I saythis to be fareto all the other people waiting patiently in line with you.

Hope that helps.

That does help - thank you. I guess my only other question would be what you mean by 'normal date group' - to me, I see cases on Visa Journey that have a NOA1 date around or after mine which have already been approved, yet here we sit.

Are those folks considered my 'normal date group', or what other barometer should I use to determine that?

It FEELS like I'm languishing, but it may just be my heightened, emotional perception (moreso than reality). And I don't want involve my congressman if it would be out of order for me to do so.

And thanks, too, for your comments on a file being misplaced.

[lotsalove 0]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post so don't flame me for protocol or if I say something out of place.

I joined VJ because of two reasons. First, I just sent off my initial I-129F packet to NSC for processing and 2) I used to be an Applications Adjudicator (Immigration Officer) at the NSC (2003) so I thought perhaps I could help out someone with any questions they have on how the NSC operates. Or at least the part that I worked in. Some of the processes are the same regardless of departments. I'd be happy to give you as much info as I can as there aren't any real secrets and since I don't work there any longer I can speak about it.

As for my K-1 journey, to make a long story short, I travelled last summer to Kiev and met a wonderful woman (and her daughter) quite by accident. We spent a lot of time together during my trip, fell in love and the rest as they say is "history".

We finally got around to compiling all the docs and as I said, I sent them off to NSC yesterady so I guess I fall into the February Filers category. I hope to have her and her daughter here by August (hopefully)!

So, I make myself available to anyone who has questions about the Nebraska Service Center and its quirks or the BCIS as it were in general.

Finally, to answer a question that some of you might be thinking - "no, I can't do anything to help you specifically with your petition. Just like I have to wait in line with everyone else on mine also. Yes, i still have friends who work there, but its againstthe rules to do favors and can get a person fired. And I would never put my friends in that position." But I'd be happy to answer other non-specific questions as I can. I don't know everything but I will try to help where I can.

Thanks.

D.

huskerkiev,

you're an angel!...i hope you can really help me with my K1 visa problem.

my problem is regarding my daughter who is not listed the petition. my fiance hired a visa attorney to do the paperworks for him. the petition was approved by the USCIS only to find out that my daughter was not listed in the petition.as my interview schedule is coming, i don't know how i will go about it if they question me about having a daughter when it says no children in the section where it is being asked in the form.

my daughter is 17 years old and will be pursuing her studies in the Philippines. although we all have come up of not having her join with us there in the US, we still want her to derive a K2 visa from me. my fiance and i want her to have timely visits to us in the states once i get my visa approved. is it be possible for her to have K2 visa?

if that can't be possible, we may opt to get a multiple entry visa for her will the law permit it?

so any of the 2 options will be okay for me and my USC fiance.

thank you so much for hearing my story. God bless!

[zyggy 9]

Careful everyone, she may be a spy!!

I'm a guy and the DHS has more important things to do than hang out in websites like this . Besides that the databases we used could glean more information about you than you could/would ever divoulge on VJ! Sorry, I'm not a spy.

I hope your comment was tongue in cheek

D.

Chuckle... I used to work for INS as an Immigration Inspector (also CBP).. so I know how you feel... People used to think I was a spy too...

I just wanted to say welcome to a fellow former employee of the INS...

[rebeccajo 14]

Welcome to the Journey HUSKERKIEV. Thankyou for all this wonderful information, it gives me a little more confidence for when I ring USCIS tomorrow, knowing that they actually can see where a file is. Mine has been sitting on someone's desk for the last six months with nothing happening to it.

Bet your friend list is HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE!!!

Kaffykat, our AOS situations are very different than those of the folks who have files waiting for visa approval at the Service Centers. There's a lot less 'transparency' with our stage of the process. Somebody at the misinformation line may be able to tell you where your file is, but that's probably about it.

[maya62 7]

HUSKERKIEV,

Welcome to VJ! Thank you so much for sharing your experience and knowledge with us. As you can see, folks here are starving for information to help them understand The System. You are such a good sport to share what you know and answer questions so patiently.

Best wishes on your own visajourney!

Maya

[kaffykat 0]

Welcome to the Journey HUSKERKIEV. Thankyou for all this wonderful information, it gives me a little more confidence for when I ring USCIS tomorrow, knowing that they actually can see where a file is. Mine has been sitting on someone's desk for the last six months with nothing happening to it.

Bet your friend list is HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE!!!

Kaffykat, our AOS situations are very different than those of the folks who have files waiting for visa approval at the Service Centers. There's a lot less 'transparency' with our stage of the process. Somebody at the misinformation line may be able to tell you where your file is, but that's probably about it.

Rebeccajo, I know, I know, but at least I might be able to find out something.... (fingers crossed)

[DA BOMB 1]

Husk - you are like the best thing that's ever happened to this forum! (no offence people BUT FINALLY WE HAVE SOMEONE TO GIVE US FACTS INSTEAD OF OPINIONS!!)

You mention this yesterday:

"They also had a rack for "expedites" which were cases whose petitioners had selected/paid for "premium processing". You were slected on a rotating bais to do "expedites".

What does this mean? I WANNA BE EXPEDITED! lol

Welcome - hope we dont scare you off with all of our questions!

[rebeccajo 14]

Husk - you are like the best thing that's ever happened to this forum! (no offence people BUT FINALLY WE HAVE SOMEONE TO GIVE US FACTS INSTEAD OF OPINIONS!!)

You mention this yesterday:

"They also had a rack for "expedites" which were cases whose petitioners had selected/paid for "premium processing". You were slected on a rotating bais to do "expedites".

What does this mean? I WANNA BE EXPEDITED! lol

Welcome - hope we dont scare you off with all of our questions!

We've had facts for a while around here. You've just been reading the wrong people.........

Premium proessing is something employers can pay for expedite processing of employment based petitions. There's no such thing for 'hunny bunnies'.

[DA BOMB 1]

With all due respect to the long timers on this forum I honestly believe there are many on here who feel they just need to be heard rather than offer sincere advice based on their experiences with these institutions. My post should have been reworded to reflect the fact that we finally have someone who has worked behind the curtain to give the answers we've been longing for. I dont know about you but I would rather sit here and read his posts all day rather than some of the nonsense that takes up space on this forum. For those in the process I understand this can be an extremely frustrating time and, like myself, would rather skip the drama and get straight to the facts.

Thanks for answering my question about expediting.

[Robor007 0]

Hello and welcome to VisaJourney, HuskerKiev!

It's both helpful and refreshing to have you here. I bet you've become the most popular VisaJourney member in the shortest time! Seriously though, it's great to read your posts. Thanks so much for being helpful to the waiting masses. It's great to have a former USCIS employee among us now!

[rebeccajo 14]

I dont know about you but I would rather sit here and read his posts all day rather than some of the nonsense that takes up space on this forum. For those in the process I understand this can be an extremely frustrating time and, like myself, would rather skip the drama and get straight to the facts.

Thanks for answering my question about expediting.

Oh we have nonsense aplenty around here that's for sure.

I sure didn't take any offense to your post. But the 'longtimers' stay because they like to offer factual help and because they have the knowledge to do so.