February Filers - a question

[MM_MS 0]

I don't understand how so many people are touched or receive their NOA2s before so many others who filed waaaay ahead of us? It seems to me that there are lots of people ahead of the February Filers, yet we're starting to be processed. Am I nuts??

My fear is that if others who filed ahead of us aren't being processed then who's to say the very same thing wouldn't happen to any one of us? It seems so arbitrary. This reminds me of the long bread lines in Russia twenty years ago. How could anyone feel good about being placed in front of others who are as hungry, cold, and tired?? How can one celebrate ... at the expense of others. Seems wrong. Clearly I'm not understanding something.

Could someone please help me understand this a little better? I'm perplexed and feel bad(!). Note: I was a big jerk and poo-poo'd someone's NOA2 announcement (and legitimate excitement) because I'm distressed knowing there are people ahead of us in line and are still waiting.

MM (MS would be handling this quandary much better than me)

Edited May 9, 2007 by MM_MS

[kitkat1 5]

Every case is different and takes a different amount of time to process. There are all kinds of things that can cause a delay with one case that might not be an issue with another. So you can only use average timelines as an estimate.

[kengumbo 0]

We have absolutely no control over this stupid unexplainable process. We can sign petitions and write letters to government officials all day long, but that may help to change the future of this process. For now, I have accepted the system as it is. I have no choice.

Many Vermont filers have filed after me and they now have their approvals. I am still waiting but I am so happy for them. I will celebrate with each of them. I am thrilled to see anyone get an approval. None of this, in my opinion, is "at the expense of others". It is not as though someone receiving an approval can call up and trade it for someone waiting longer. I also feel so sad for those that have been waiting longer than others. This system sucks.

But for now, it is what it is. Nobody is choosing to get approvals before others. And I will continue to celebrate for all the successes. It keeps me optimistic and sane.

[Dwarf_Ogress 0]

I'm happy for everyone who is that one step closer to being with the one they love! It gives me hope as well as inspiration.

[trueimage 0]

The former adjudicator that is among us said that petitions are put in a box on racks. The adjudicators go to the racks and take one. There is no FIFO (first in first out) system for the boxes on the racks so it's kinda the luck of draw at that point. Your box will be picked up and your petition will be processed. Hang in there. I know it's hard.

[msu17 0]

I totally see where you are coming from. My fiance says the same thing on a daily basis, which is why he doesnt like to come on here. It is SO frusterating to see people with NOA1 dates weeks after others being approved first. So exciting for them, but so frusterating for us! You would think with all the brilliant people in this world we could have a better "first come first served" system. Until then, not much we can do but sit back and laugh at how ridiculous this is... Hope your journey goes quick!

[Dan&Tiffany 0]

I'm happy for everyone who is that one step closer to being with the one they love! It gives me hope as well as inspiration.

Well put. I have to admit, I get bitter at the inequity of the CSC vs. VSC timelines, but I get bitter at our government's apparent lack of organizational skills - not at those lucky guys & gals on the East Coast (unless of course they make gushing "FINALLY APPROVED" comments .) Seriously, even then - just get serious pangs of jealousy, but I can understand...even waiting for a month to be with your soulmate, your best friend, your everything...it's too long.

It's not fair, but all we have. So best of luck to all of us (including aforementioned lucky ones at VSC) for the speediest journey available to us.

[Aniomaman 0]

You will only be giving yourself more stress by being negavtive and unhappy because people are being approved, no one on VJ or anywhere will have control on how people re approved. Some cases are more complicated than others and I don't see any sense in putting someone's approval on hold just because someone from Jan has an RFE or something, it just doesnt make any sense. Yours will come, as for now deal with 'cos there is really nothing you can do about it.

[MM_MS 0]

The former adjudicator that is among us said that petitions are put in a box on racks. The adjudicators go to the racks and take one. There is no FIFO (first in first out) system for the boxes on the racks so it's kinda the luck of draw at that point. Your box will be picked up and your petition will be processed. Hang in there. I know it's hard.

You know, that was my assumption - that CSC would use a FIFO system and process petitions and communication with petitioners in chronological order. Sure they have to pull aside a few petitions for evaluation, but I imagined only a handful.

I expected that the most of us would be processed in order ... in a straight forward (predictable) manner. I feel bad for others, and I know that doesn't help. What an eye-opening experience this has been!

[TracyTN 237]

Ask the Nov and Dec stragglers how they feel about this supposed 'FIFO'.

[TimsDaisy 0]

Most of it is done in a roughly FIFO manner. But because these are physical packages of documents, not computer generated ticket numbers, it can't possibly be in EXACT order, unless we want just ONE adjudicator working at a time.

Think about it: let's say there are 4 boxes and 2 adjudicators (I've used this example a lot already, I know). Let's say there are 100 apps in the 4 boxes, 1-25, 26-50, 51-75, 76-100. Now, adjudicators A and B pick up boxes 1 and 2 and start working. This means that app 1 and 26 get their day in the sun at the same time. So 26 kinda gets lucky, right? Now what if adjudicator B's kid gets sick and he misses a day. The schedules are even less exact.

For people within about the same filing range, I think the practical realities explain the not-exactly FIFO process. For the long-time stragglers, like our current Nov and Dec lost children - THAT probably gets chalked up to some other sticky cog in the process. Or someone's #######-up.

There were people after me, even Feb filers, who were getting approvals before me. I wasn't *too* far behind, but I still wanted to flick people in the nose who filed after and were approved before me, even as I was simultaneously happy for them.

And, bottom line, we DON'T want them to enforce a strict FIFO system because it would likely cause EVERYONE to go more slowly.

It's a ####### system, but this roughly progressive approval order is less problematic to me than the disparity between VSC and everyone else. THAT'S a lot different than the FIFO concerns.

[msu17 0]

I completely agree with you, however I still fail to see how someone late in the month (20's) gets approved before the beginning of the month. Not that many people can be pulled for special processing... Oh well, the VSC/CSC time thing is MUCH worse than this!

[MM_MS 0]

Ask the Nov and Dec stragglers how they feel about this supposed 'FIFO'.

Exactly! I know it doesn't help anyone (makes it worse) to be negative, but I've got this image of the 1980s Russian bread lines. Everyone is hungry and this visa line is long!!

[jlcross 0]

"And, bottom line, we DON'T want them to enforce a strict FIFO system because it would likely cause EVERYONE to go more slowly."

I'd settle for a "loose" FIFO system.

It is six months ago today that they received our package. Hasn't even been touched since November 18, 2006. Now, as per their M-620 publications (http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/f_english.pdf), they do state that ..."we process cases that are the same type based on the order of when they were filed." um.... bullhonkey. The woman at the USCIS phone center tried to explain that to me. When I pointed out the fact that I know of people after me that have gotten their NOA2's she decided to read it to me off her computer screen again. When i asked her again she told me that she "doesn't have access to that information".

Let's see, what else was there? Oh yeah... the defined "service level goal" for an I-129f petition is six months. One might think at this point they could give at least a few answers to a few simple questions like, say, "Do you still even have my petition"? One might think they could do this, but one would be wrong. In fact not only will they not tell you anything after six months, they still won't tell you anything if you reach that lovely little date they post on their "currently processing" webpage. You must wait 30 days after that lovely little date. So as of now, that will take me to 8 months before anybody becomes even slightly accountable for answers.

It is also interesting to note that in that same M-620 publication they state that "The extra 30 days is to allow time for any notice from us to reach you as we process your case". Now I'm sorry if I got this wrong, I did go to public school after all. But wouldn't that technically mean that a decision or notice would be sent out prior to this 30 day period. Those extra 30 days are not defined as "extra processing days if we don't make the cut in the first seven months". And one might again think that when speaking to a USCIS rep on the phone during these 30 days they might be able to say something like "Hey, somethings coming". I'm sure one would be wrong there too.

Coincidentally the USCIS people must be bad with simple math. The woman at the call center tried to tell me they update the "currently processing" website bi-weekly. (hmmm, let me think.... 5/9/07 minus 4/18/07...hmm....carry the 2.....oh, yeah 3 weeks) Gifted they are.

And one might think that when you ask to speak with a supervisor that you might actually get to speak with a supervisor. One would be wrong again.

Don't trust a thing you read with regards to timelines, especially if it comes from the USCIS.

Moral of this story.... Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. MM_MS, I appreciate the sentiment of your post, but if you get your NOA2 soon.... take it and run. I'm certain many other that have waited as long and longer than I have can agree with that. I wouldn't wish the pain and frustration of this experience on anyone, except people that work at the CSC. Karma can be a beotch.

This rant is now concluded

Edited May 10, 2007 by jlcross

[kengumbo 0]

There are many, many solutions to this very simple problem. But workers at CSC will wake up and go to work tomorrow and do the same thing they did today and yesterday. Leadership needs to acknowledge the system is broken, outdated, and inequitable. Until that happens, nothing will change.

We have a loose FIFO system now, sort of. The data supports that. But there are gaping holes and people seem to get bypassed by months and months. This is unfair and unnecessary even without the use of computers!

I am angry and disappointed with this entire process. This is where I direct my anger, not at those receiving approvals. The VSC vs. CSC processing time discrepancy is so unfair and there is no justifiable explanation. But who is aware of this? Can we speak loud enough to make them aware?

OK, I am rambling and need to stop...