Expedite due to National State of Emergency?

[llaz 232]

Hello All,

My fiancee lives in Chile, we are getting pretty close it seems to getting a NOA2 (hopefully), so I am not entirely sure asking for expedition would be even worth it. My fiancee and I are curious, however, due to the massive wildfires that are affecting various parts of his country and due to the fact that the President of Chile has declared a National State of Emergency, would that be enough to ask for expedition of our case based on emergency situation?

 

My fiancee lives in a park reserve that is surrounded by the wildfires, his family is being directly affected in every part of the country they live in so its not like he has a place to go where he could get away from it. It feels like its just a matter of time before the wildfire starts threatening his side of the mountain as its literally just on the other side of the mountain. 

Does anyone have experience with National States of Emergency and asking for expedition? 

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-chile-wildfire-idUSKBN1542XI

Edited January 21, 2017 by llaz

[Transborderwife 4,666]

You can try, but unlikely.  People with civil wars have been denied.

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

They would probably assume your fiance could just move elsewhere or stay with a friend somewhere else instead of remaining in that area; but like above, does not hurt to try and ask for it.

 

Also if you're nearing the NOA2 though, like you said might not even be worth it. The expedite really only speeds up the USCIS process, you still then have the NVC and embassy stages; those would each require their own expedite requests I believe, if they offer it at all.

[geowrian 22,337]

You're free to try, but I also don't think it would be approved. That said, I see you're an early Nov. filer. You'll most likely get a NOA2 within the next week or so...faster than the expedite would take to process.
 The expedite doesn't carry over to the NVC or embassy stages.

[pantonia 39]

Agreed with others. It doesn't hurt to try, but it's unlikely to do anything, since the wildfires aren't really a strong reason for a person to leave a country. You should be done quite soon though. I did my k-1 in Chile and my whole process between the I-129f and K-1 approval lasted 5 months and only because I was delayed by about a month by a silly RFE.

[HoosierEh 21]

FYI. Expedite requests do 'hurt' with their time and effort.  Not for your personal case of course but it does have an effect on their time in considering other emergencies.  Even lawyers use expedite request sparingly. 

 

I know it's difficult and concerning going through this but context is important - it would still take months with any expedite request and subsequent action. 

 

I hope she finds shelter and is kept safe.  Best hopes for you all! 

Edited January 27, 2017 by HoosierEh

[Ermin&Zijada 141]

Unrelated, but fyi fiancee is the term used for females. 

[pantonia 39]

6 hours ago, HoosierEh said:

FYI. Expedite requests do 'hurt' with their time and effort.  Not for your personal case of course but it does have an effect on their time in considering other emergencies.  Even lawyers use expedite request sparingly. 

 

I know it's difficult and concerning going through this but context is important - it would still take months with any expedite request and subsequent action. 

 

I hope she finds shelter and is kept safe.  Best hopes for you all! 

I meant it doesn't hurt to try, as in "call and ask". I agree it can definitely hurt time and effort-wise.