Why is Houston field office so slow??

[Visitor User 253]

3 hours ago, Ben&Zian said:

Yea something must be going on because we were late February 2017 filers and approved without interview December 2017.

Waived interview based on backlogged you think?

[Visitor User 253]

5 hours ago, emekus94 said:

Houston is out of control
I have yet to find anyone on VJ that filed after May 2017 have an interview. It's like they shut down operations

There are also like no infopass appts ever.

Plus, Houston is only open 4x a week for 7 hours each day (7:15-3pm)
I mean no wonder the backlog is crazy. U would think they would at least extend some hours/hire more staff and get the ball rolling

Harvey backlogged?

[Visitor User 253]

4 hours ago, Selma and Nermin said:

I went to an infopass 1 month ago. The office told us Houston is working on Jan 2017 case right now.

January 2016 or 2017?

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

14 minutes ago, Visitor User said:

Waived interview based on backlogged you think?

 

No doubtful. For K-1, you didn't always need to have an interview. Could depend on the info given in the original I-485 petition, or I've heard that if the local office hits a certain monthly or quarterly quota of interviews they don't have to do any others. Now though as I understand it interviews are required no matter what, that's what I've heard anyways.

Edited August 9, 2018 by Ben&Zian

[emekus94 1,125]

33 minutes ago, Visitor User said:

Harvey backlogged?

no
Harvey was a 3 days event
It might slow you down a month TOPS, but not an entire year!

[Selma and Nermin 139]

34 minutes ago, Visitor User said:

January 2016 or 2017?

2017

[Selma and Nermin 139]

26 minutes ago, Ben&Zian said:

 

No doubtful. For K-1, you didn't always need to have an interview. Could depend on the info given in the original I-485 petition, or I've heard that if the local office hits a certain monthly or quarterly quota of interviews they don't have to do any others. Now though as I understand it interviews are required no matter what, that's what I've heard anyways.

It seems like people between May and June have not received anything. I honestly think my husband and I have an easy case, we are as clean as can be haha.

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

Hard to say again. I bet local offices like USCIS in general have there slow and fast periods. Perhaps we got lucky and nailed the fast time. Could be several reasons really; but what they are I personally couldn't say. 

 

And definately wasn't Harvey. We were in the thick of it out here by Katy in the Addicks area with all 5-6 feet of water, but still by December got GC in the mail so. Doubt it would have had any long term affects.

[Visitor User 253]

24 minutes ago, Selma and Nermin said:

2017

So the USCIS site was off by 6 months. 

[Visitor User 253]

29 minutes ago, Selma and Nermin said:

2017

Is it possible to get an email update from Houston every month?

[Joel&Julia 78]

April 25, 2017 Houston filers here. 

 

We had an infopass appointment this week and asked why Houston has this dubious distinction of one of the top backlogs in the country and whether there might be any hope in the future of getting caught up.  The representative mentioned Harvey and something about wet case files being shipped to Oklahoma and back for some reason. She also mentioned policy changes that require a lot more interviews than they ever had in the past, with no additional funding to help with the work load. She mentioned that there are 14 people processing all the applications in Houston.

 

My take away was that processing times in Houston are going to keep getting worse until there is a major change in policy.

[Visitor User 253]

1 hour ago, Joel&Julia said:

April 25, 2017 Houston filers here. 

 

We had an infopass appointment this week and asked why Houston has this dubious distinction of one of the top backlogs in the country and whether there might be any hope in the future of getting caught up.  The representative mentioned Harvey and something about wet case files being shipped to Oklahoma and back for some reason. She also mentioned policy changes that require a lot more interviews than they ever had in the past, with no additional funding to help with the work load. She mentioned that there are 14 people processing all the applications in Houston.

 

My take away was that processing times in Houston are going to keep getting worse until there is a major change in policy.

Wet case filing? You mean the package is damaged by water? The parent(s) have to attend the interview now when sponsored by son/daughter. I think we should have the option to go to San Antonio, Austin or Dallas if it is quicker. Can they ask for more funding from the Feds? The Gears road is the new location I am sure they spent a lot to build that one.

[Visitor User 253]

Hello. Will I be able to get a replacement Social Security Card because the first one was lost if I walk in the social security office and show my EAD? EAD was issued on category 09 based on pending I-485A? (Still pending). I am also assuming the new card will not have 'NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT' label on it.

 

10703 STANCLIFF RD 
HOUSTON, TX 77099 

 

is the address I am considering.

 

I would have to mail the original EAD document if I don't do this in person? Sounds like a big risk.

Edited August 10, 2018 by Visitor User

[Track13 35]

7 hours ago, emekus94 said:

no
Harvey was a 3 days event
It might slow you down a month TOPS, but not an entire year!

Actually, Harvey shut down USCIS for like 2 weeks, but I agree that this is deeper than that. Everyone, even I believe work visa applicants, are being called in to interview now. 

[Track13 35]

2 hours ago, Visitor User said:

Hello. Will I be able to get a replacement Social Security Card because the first one was lost if I walk in the social security office and show my EAD? EAD was issued on category 09 based on pending I-485A? (Still pending). I am also assuming the new card will not have 'NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT' label on it.

 

10703 STANCLIFF RD 
HOUSTON, TX 77099 

 

is the address I am considering.

 

I would have to mail the original EAD document if I don't do this in person? Sounds like a big risk.

This isn’t relevant to the original thread, but to answer your question, there’s no harm in walking in. I wouldn’t mail an EAD card...those things are like diamonds.