January 2017 I-129F Filers

[Angel&Eric 185]

 

Is it really true that only 1 case was touched on 5/4? 

nothing touched for Feb filers today, in fact, no Feb cases have been approved in May.  And only 2 RFEs.  Something  doesn't seem right.

[HazeyHaze 221]

 

We got a RFE on April 26th and just received the letter in mail today (our mailing address is in Canada). I had a week to think about why our case got a RFE; I figured it might have been that I only sent photos as evidence for our relationship/met in person in the last 2 years. And I was right!

 

Our RFE states "REQUIREMENT THAT PETITIONER AND BENEFICIARY HAVE MET IN PERSON" and in smaller font, it says "circumstances of meeting" and "personal meeting". 

 

A little background story about us... We've been dating for just under 3 years, and have been living together for about 1.5yrs. We do have a rental lease agreement signed in both names, joint bank account statements, at least 5 trip itineraries/airline booking confirmations with both names on the same page, Chinese visitor Visa issued on the same date (VISA sticker on our passports), stamps on our passports from different countries with the same dates. I definitely didn't do enough homework before sending out our petition. We will send back everything I mentioned above along with a letter signed by both of us confirming that we have met in person in the last 2 years. 

 

Am I missing anything here? Please give me some advice my friends  Thank you all in advance!

Hello. We got an RFE on April 28 but they're requesting our passport photos (we already sent them). They're lost them for sure, but we have no choice but to comply.

 

If you sent airline tickets, itineraries, and any other proof that you met in person (other than photos), then I really think they're just careless. If you didn't, then I suggest you send these documents. Photos are a huge plus, but in our packet, we also included my fiance's passport stamps, airline tickets, condo itineraries, and even movies tickets, restaurant stubs, etc.. So yeah, I suggest you send every document you have that proves that you actually met in person (and lived together).

 

Also, did you write a story of how you met in person? There's a section in the I-129F that asks that. The field provided is too small so almost everyone I know answered that question on a separate sheet of paper. 

Edited May 5, 2017 by HazeyHaze

[NatO23 235]

1 case was touched for Jan yesterday, and it wasn't an approval or RFE. Must be a change in name or something.

 

Side note...

 

3,622 January cases x $535 = $1,937,770.

 

USCIS made nearly $2m out of our month's applications alone, and they appear to have completely shut down for an entire week. I can't really find the right words for how frustrating and unfair this is.

[AkesAngel 585]

 

1 case was touched for Jan yesterday, and it wasn't an approval or RFE. Must be a change in name or something.

 

Side note...

 

3,622 January cases x $535 = $1,937,770.

 

USCIS made nearly $2m out of our month's applications alone, and they appear to have completely shut down for an entire week. I can't really find the right words for how frustrating and unfair this is.

I'm looking at December as well right now ... will let you know in about an hour after scan is finished.

[glmg21 330]

 

1 case was touched for Jan yesterday, and it wasn't an approval or RFE. Must be a change in name or something.

 

Side note...

 

3,622 January cases x $535 = $1,937,770.

 

USCIS made nearly $2m out of our month's applications alone, and they appear to have completely shut down for an entire week. I can't really find the right words for how frustrating and unfair this is.

 

 

I'm looking at December as well right now ... will let you know in about an hour after scan is finished.

I can confirm these numbers unfortunately, scan just finished, just the one case touched: Your Current Status: Notice Explaining USCIS' Actions Was Mailed. Raw data here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wcm8Lb7gtd36ERFfjWE05fUyyzzUXD6q2ngE-apbuCo/edit#gid=102712226

 

What's going on...???

 

 

[AkesAngel 585]

 

 

I can confirm these numbers unfortunately, scan just finished, just the one case touched: Your Current Status: Notice Explaining USCIS' Actions Was Mailed. Raw data here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wcm8Lb7gtd36ERFfjWE05fUyyzzUXD6q2ngE-apbuCo/edit#gid=102712226

 

What's going on...???

 

 

Yeah that's almost unbelivable :/

[doggieandsam 765]

 

 

I can confirm these numbers unfortunately, scan just finished, just the one case touched: Your Current Status: Notice Explaining USCIS' Actions Was Mailed. Raw data here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wcm8Lb7gtd36ERFfjWE05fUyyzzUXD6q2ngE-apbuCo/edit#gid=102712226

 

What's going on...???

 

 

Yeah - what IS going on? 0 Feb cases touched for us Feb filers today.

[glmg21 330]

 

Yeah - what IS going on? 0 Feb cases touched for us Feb filers today.

My theories are:

 

1) Backlog clearing - they're super behind. they may be ensuring nothing before December is left unresolved, for example, including outliers and RFE responses.

 

2) A snag in the chain - whether it's USCIS' systems, NVC's systems, or a mail issue, it may not be possible right now for them to proceed with approvals; either as a digital element of how they're logged, or in how they're physically transferred to the NVC. As a result they're just plowing through the RFEs..cases may well have been approved, but will be batch processed when they're able to.

 

3) Resource diversion - It's H1-B season, and because you've got employers and large corporations dealing with those visas, my inference is that by virtue of being more expensive and indeed time-sensitive, they take priority. K1s could just be taking a backseat. More here: https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-completes-data-entry-fiscal-year-2018-h-1b-cap-subject-petitions

[NatO23 235]

 

 

I can confirm these numbers unfortunately, scan just finished, just the one case touched: Your Current Status: Notice Explaining USCIS' Actions Was Mailed. Raw data here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wcm8Lb7gtd36ERFfjWE05fUyyzzUXD6q2ngE-apbuCo/edit#gid=102712226

 

What's going on...???

 

 

I really don't know, but it's worrying me a lot. I'm going to assume we won't get any movement today, and that this whole week will probably have just been a waste. If they don't get back to normal next week, I'll REALLY start to worry.

 

I know we won't get anywhere by calling to ask for an update on specific cases, as we'll just get the 'inside normal processing time' answer, but do you think there's any point in calling to ask if CSC has been shut down for the week or on reduced activity or something??

[NatO23 235]

 

My theories are:

 

1) Backlog clearing - they're super behind. they may be ensuring nothing before December is left unresolved, for example, including outliers and RFE responses.

 

2) A snag in the chain - whether it's USCIS' systems, NVC's systems, or a mail issue, it may not be possible right now for them to proceed with approvals; either as a digital element of how they're logged, or in how they're physically transferred to the NVC. As a result they're just plowing through the RFEs..cases may well have been approved, but will be batch processed when they're able to.

 

3) Resource diversion - It's H1-B season, and because you've got employers and large corporations dealing with those visas, my inference is that by virtue of being more expensive and indeed time-sensitive, they take priority. K1s could just be taking a backseat. More here: https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-completes-data-entry-fiscal-year-2018-h-1b-cap-subject-petitions

All solid theories - especially the 3rd one. I'm sure this will remain an unsolved mystery, but I sincerely hope that things revert back to business as normal next week. The filing feel is by no means cheap, and they've made A LOT of money from just our filing month alone. I completely understand that there are going to be 'downtime' days or training etc, but considering the impact this process has on lives, and the money that we've paid for a service, I'd really expect some communication from USCIS about it - just a bulletin about no expected activity for a week would have been better than the silence. 

 

Anyway, enough ranting from me - I know it's not going to solve anything! Thanks for your thoughts though, very interesting and potentially very accurate.

[AkesAngel 585]

December scan is done and doesn't include any good news ... only one case touched and that one was an RFE.

I'm almost thinking about if they forgot to update their data!?

[keixjil 142]

 What a weird week so far 

[djhead 14]

Hi guys, I have a quick question on the I-134

 

when I go to the embassy for the interview, does it need to be the original document? or can my fiancé send me over a copy?

 

many thanks

[keixjil 142]

 

Hi guys, I have a quick question on the I-134

 

when I go to the embassy for the interview, does it need to be the original document? or can my fiancé send me over a copy?

 

many thanks

Its debating still. Many VJers submit the wet sign I-134 to feel safe. I think I will send a original document because Vietnam is a high fraud country  

[FindHerKeepHer 244]

 

Hi guys, I have a quick question on the I-134

 

when I go to the embassy for the interview, does it need to be the original document? or can my fiancé send me over a copy?

 

many thanks

Hi hi on the uscis website when I was initially doing my paperwork they changed it to accepting scanned copies of this document. Double check - I however will be sending an original, not takin any chances