Complaint letter to Senator about local Field Office

[KeratNY 76]

My wife is planning on sending this below complaint letter to our state's two senators on my behalf, and I wanted to see what people thought, and if enough of you are willing to also send something similar, perhaps we can collectively voice our concern to our federal representatives and effectuate some real change. 

 

I am sure some people here won't like me doing this, and will think me ungrateful or obnoxious, but I think the processing timelines for AOS have gotten a little ridiculous (14.5 months - 24.5 months) in my field office. I am judging that by how long it used to take as short as a couple years ago, (5-9 months) and by some other field offices which are still processing in those timeframes. Some of my language (ie "outrageous") is exaggerated on purpose to get my point across. 

 

I say that knowing full well that immigration is a privilege, not a right. And that national security and public safety are far more important than giving people green cards with a quick turnaround. As well, I am living with my spouse in the US, and have my EAD and advance parole, so I'll be the first to say I am in a really, really good position compared to others, and I am not at any disadvantage compared to others. I am lucky and grateful and happy and content. I also know that others going through K1 or CR1 or a host of other processes have similar or worse timelines and they also have to be apart from their spouse. I am grateful to not be in that position. 

 

At the same time, our Senators are there to represent us constituents and are our only real voice to push back on developments at federal agencies. The timeline going up to almost 3x as long is a negative development for the general publc. If 14.5 months - 24.5 months is the very best they can do with the resources they have, then ok we will have to accept that. But until told otherwise, I believe they can go faster, and if people don't voice their concerns they will never be aware of people's frustrations, much less feel any urgency to speed up. So I am doing this more because I want to communicate it to my representatives, and do my part to try and help the process for future filers. 

 

In short, what do people think of the persuasiveness and comprehensiveness of this complaint letter? As well as pros and cons of sending it, besides the obvious of perhaps sounding like an "ungrateful douche?

 

Letter:

 

Dear Senator Kirsten Gillibrand,

 

My name is [ ]. I am a US Citizen, a lifelong NY State resident, your constituent, and a registered Democrat. I currently live with my husband, [ ] in the neighborhood of [ ] in Manhattan. I am writing to you to complain about the lengthy, unreasonable, and outrageous processing delays at the NYC Field Office of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”), specifically for Adjustment of Status (“AOS”) applications for immigrants applying for Permanent Residency (“PR”, or a “Green Gard.”)

According to https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times, which is the official page to look up estimated processing times, the NYC Field Office estimate to adjudicate I-485s (Application to Register PR or Adjust Status to PR) for family-based applications (that is, those applying due to an immediate family connection, in our case, me as spouse) is 14.5 months – 24.5 months. Here is a screenshot:

 

Anecdotal reports from those who have completed the process confirm that this is the processing timeline. This timeline is unreasonable and outrageous, and has significantly increased over the past couple years. Two years ago, the estimated processing time was 5-7 months, then it became 7-9 months, and now it has significantly more than doubled. It is not as if the USCIS does not have the budget or resources to process these in a timely manner – the USCIS is self-funded through application fees, which costs $1,760 per person for AOS. This considerable fee has increased over past years, too. “Extreme vetting,” for applicants already lawfully inside the country, should not lead to delays this long either. I would also like to note that many other Field Offices do not suffer from these delays and are able to adjudicate applications in a more timely and efficient manner. It must be said that the increased backlog of applicants and the lengthening, frustrating timelines are mostly the fault of the NYC Field Office and it must be within their control to speed up processing to a more reasonable timeframe.

 

My husband, [ ], is a Canadian citizen, who has legally studied, worked, and visited in the US over the last several years. We met in NYC in [ ] 2015, fell in love, married in [ ], 2017, and applied for AOS on [ ]. He has received his Employment Authorization Document (“EAD”) and Advance Parole, so he is authorized to work and travel. Nevertheless, the delay in interviewing for, approval of, and receival of, his Green Card to enable him to be a legitimate PR with all of its rights and privileges, is causing us significant stress and many, many others in a similar position with this NYC Field Office.

 

I respectfully request your intervention and assistance in getting to the bottom of the lengthy and increasing processing timelines for the NYC Field Office and doing everything you can to speed it up to a more reasonable one, in line with both past timelines and other Field Offices.

 

I can be reached at the address, email address, and phone number listed in the header. My husband’s A # and our case number is also listed there. I look forward to hearing from you and a resolution of this matter.

Edited June 18, 2018 by KeratNY

[ItsSunny2Day 17]

I sincerely wish you much success in your efforts.

[GreatDane 366]

I love it - it's very well written.

[Crazy Cat 42,314]

You filed for AOS in December 2017?  It seems you are well within normal processing...

[KDMG12 9]

I personally think your letter would be more impactful if you waited a few more months. Then you’d be close to the one-year mark. You could even mention that if processing times exceed one year, you would be forced to redo the medical exam. 

 

I would also eliminate the line “This considerable fee has increased over past years, too.” Seems like a separate argument and not relevant to the main theme. But I like that you referenced other people in the same situation as you guys.

 

Best of luck. Hang in there!

[Going through 5,671]

28 minutes ago, KDMG12 said:

I personally think your letter would be more impactful if you waited a few more months. Then you’d be close to the one-year mark. You could even mention that if processing times exceed one year, you would be forced to redo the medical exam. 

This....your points will seem more relevant if you are actually one of those who are waiting a while.

 

That being said, at this point in your process (given it's only been 6 months since you filed) the most you will receive is a polite standard reply back thanking you for your communication and how their priority is to serve those in their community, and to reach out again in the future if you require any additional support.

 

Best of luck though!

Edited June 19, 2018 by Going through

[KeratNY 76]

1 hour ago, ItsSunny2Day said:

I sincerely wish you much success in your efforts.

 

53 minutes ago, GreatDane said:

I love it - it's very well written.

Thank you

 

53 minutes ago, missileman said:

You filed for AOS in December 2017?  It seems you are well within normal processing...

Yes,  I tried to say in my prelude that this is about the NYC Field Office itself and the timeline's effect on ALL applicants. I'm well aware I am still relatively early in the timeline, this isn't about me, it is about the fact that the processing timelines have slowed down SO much. If we don't tell them, how will they be aware of the slowdown and that it has a negative impact? 

 

43 minutes ago, KDMG12 said:

I personally think your letter would be more impactful if you waited a few more months. Then you’d be close to the one-year mark. You could even mention that if processing times exceed one year, you would be forced to redo the medical exam. 

 

I would also eliminate the line “This considerable fee has increased over past years, too.” Seems like a separate argument and not relevant to the main theme. But I like that you referenced other people in the same situation as you guys.

 

Best of luck. Hang in there!

I understand. Thanks for your thoughts. Like I say above, I am trying to tell the Senators that the timeline for the whole office has moved from 5-7 months to 14.5-24.5 months which is a large and unreasonable increase with a negative impact on the community, even if it hasn't affected me personally. Because my application is pending, I have standing, even though the timeline hasn't yet hurt me. And of course, it will "hurt" me in due time in that it will take 14+ months as opposed to the 5+ months it used to take. I don't think  I need to wait a few months to communicate a current problem with a federal agency in their jurisdiction that directly affects their constituents. 

 

About the fee, my point was not to complain that it is increasing, but that there is a disconnect between both an INCREASED fee and an INCREASED timeline. Those two should go in opposite directions, not the same direction.

 

18 minutes ago, Going through said:

This....your points will seem more relevant if you are actually one of those who are waiting a while.

 

That being said, at this point in your process (given it's only been 6 months since you filed) the most you will receive is a polite standard reply back thanking you for your communication and how their priority is to serve those in their community, and to reach out again in the future if you require any additional support.

I understand. Thank you. I have standing, as an application pending. And this is meant to address the Field Office's impact on a wide community, not just me. I have to reference my information so they know I have standing, but really the message is on behalf of all NYC applicants. 

 

I may very well get a standard generic response. But at least I will have done my part to reach out to our federal representatives to communicate a federal agency's impact on its local citizens.  If we all kept our views to ourselves, almost no one would reach out and they would never know the timelines have more than tripled. 

Edited June 19, 2018 by KeratNY

[GreatDane 366]

It's never too early to complain. The average wait time has more than doubled. When I applied for I-751, it was a six month wait. That was in August 2016. I'm still waiting. 

[Going through 5,671]

19 minutes ago, KeratNY said:

If we all took your view, almost no one would reach out and they would never know the timelines have more than tripled. 

Guess you missed the part where I wished you best of luck in my post earlier....

You posted wanting opinions, my opinion was just that it would have more of an impact if you waited a bit before mailing it off is all, and that the standard letter will be received back.  Unfortunately there's nothing senators/congress people can do about intervening in the speed unless a person is outside the normal processing time which (now) looks to be the 14.5+ months as you pointed out earlier. 

 

I do agree with you on how increased fees should somewhat equal increased service but alas, we are at their mercy even with that it seems.   Kind of like the MTA   :/ 

 

On an aside, I think they (senators/congress) probably do have a slight idea about increased wait times...most aspects of immigration seems to be in the forefront of the news these days, and unfortunately your letter probably won't be the first one they've received...

 

Again I wish you success with this.

 

 

Edited June 19, 2018 by Going through

[KeratNY 76]

3 minutes ago, Going through said:

Guess you missed the part where I wished you best of luck in my post earlier....

You posted wanting opinions, my opinion was just that it would have more of an impact if you waited a bit before mailing it off is all, and that the standard letter will be received back.  Unfortunately there's nothing senators/congress people can do about intervening in the speed unless a person is outside the normal processing time which (now) looks to be the 14.5+ months as you pointed out earlier. 

 

I do agree with you on how increased fees should somewhat equal increased service but alas, we are at their mercy even with that it seems.   Kind of like the MTA   :/ 

 

On an aside, I think they (senators/congress) probably do have a slight idea about increased wait times...most aspects of immigration seems to be in the forefront of the news these days, and unfortunately your letter probably won't be the first one they've received...

 

Again I wish you success with this.

Thank you for your wishes. I had edited my original post so it no longer sounded hostile to you, that was not my intention. Yes, I agree that waiting longer would have more on an impact in regards to MYSELF. But I'm not sure that would have any effect on the crazy timeline for EVERYONE, or letting senators know about these facts, which is the goal of my letter. Most people contact their senators when their own case is outside of processing timelines, to get help on their own application - my letter is to address the fact that the estimated processing timeline ITSELF is the problem, for the WHOLE community. 

 

Yes it does not surprise me that senators have an idea of the increased timeline. But I want to let them know directly myself, with facts and statistics, and let them know of its effect on their constituents. Who knows, if they get enough compelling letters, maybe they will actually try and do what they can to reverse the momentum of the timelines.  

[A&H2018 148]

Hi fellow canuck,

 

This is outstanding. If I had my EAD I would send the same. Once I get my EAD I will do so 2 months after. I feel you have already contributed lots to America and sense you are not exactly in a low tax bracket for sure your voice should count. I am the same well established for 2 plus years here, credit history everything, paid plenty of taxes and contributed lots already. Similiar to yourself my spouse is a longtime resident. Our field office is also uber slow.

 

i know people will say “this is way it is” or we are not “being polite”. But truly its ridiculous for one to be forced to wait so long for an EAD and then possibly to spend another 18 months with just an EAD needing approval. When the government already has all our data, already seen our contributions and we are simply waiting for 30 minute talk to verify it all. Rant over. 

 

Anyways, great job. 

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

2 hours ago, missileman said:

You filed for AOS in December 2017?  It seems you are well within normal processing...

Seriously.....

[Loren Y 2,756]

I wish you the best of luck also. It is amazing how long this stuff takes. I hate to say it, but the last time " We The People" we able to effect change on the government involved a little thing called the Boston Tea Party, Followed by the American Revolution, a small Invasion of Canada, and finally the Declaration of Independence signed in 1776. But, hopefully your letter becomes the " Declaration of Independence" for speeding up the immigration wait times. I'm still waiting on my NOA2 on my K1 I filed.  But that is a well written letter, and I say send it.

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

1 hour ago, KeratNY said:

 

Thank you

 

Yes,  I tried to say in my prelude that this is about the NYC Field Office itself and the timeline's effect on ALL applicants. I'm well aware I am still relatively early in the timeline, this isn't about me, it is about the fact that the processing timelines have slowed down SO much. If we don't tell them, how will they be aware of the slowdown and that it has a negative impact? 

 

I understand. Thanks for your thoughts. Like I say above, I am trying to tell the Senators that the timeline for the whole office has moved from 5-7 months to 14.5-24.5 months which is a large and unreasonable increase with a negative impact on the community, even if it hasn't affected me personally. Because my application is pending, I have standing, even though the timeline hasn't yet hurt me. And of course, it will "hurt" me in due time in that it will take 14+ months as opposed to the 5+ months it used to take. I don't think  I need to wait a few months to communicate a current problem with a federal agency in their jurisdiction that directly affects their constituents. 

 

About the fee, my point was not to complain that it is increasing, but that there is a disconnect between both an INCREASED fee and an INCREASED timeline. Those two should go in opposite directions, not the same direction.

 

I understand. Thank you. I have standing, as an application pending. And this is meant to address the Field Office's impact on a wide community, not just me. I have to reference my information so they know I have standing, but really the message is on behalf of all NYC applicants. 

 

I may very well get a standard generic response. But at least I will have done my part to reach out to our federal representatives to communicate a federal agency's impact on its local citizens.  If we all kept our views to ourselves, almost no one would reach out and they would never know the timelines have more than tripled. 

5-7 months? It was 10 months back in 2013 for my wife to adjust status. So it has only been a couple months yet for you. 

[KeratNY 76]

33 minutes ago, Cyberfx1024 said:

Seriously.....

You appear to have missed the point I have made 4 separate times - this is about the lengthy processing timeline for ALL applications in the NYC Field Office, not  mine, because like I have said from the beginning, I am aware I am relatively early on in the process. Most people contact their senators when their own case is outside of processing timelines, to get help on their own application - my letter is to address the fact that the estimated processing timeline ITSELF is the problem, for the WHOLE community. I don't think I need to wait a few months to communicate a CURRENT issue with a federal agency in their jurisdiction that directly affects  many of their constituents. 

 

I am perfectly content and happy with my EAD/AP. But I am NOT thrilled that it takes 14-24 months now to adjust status and a couple years ago took 5-7 months. The only reason my application matters is it gives me standing to communicate this...it's not like I can write a Texan senator about the Houston field office for example, because he won't care what I have to say. But my wife's elected representatives should care what she has to say. Otherwise, whether my application takes 6 months or 6 years has no effect on my writing this letter and its purpose in bringing attention from our representatives on a federal agency that is both increasing its fee and substantially increasing its estimated processing timeline.

 

32 minutes ago, Cyberfx1024 said:

5-7 months? It was 10 months back in 2013 for my wife to adjust status. So it has only been a couple months yet for you. 

This is relevant. Thanks for the info.  I have heard 5-7 months, so it looks like your case was on the longer end. But the fact that it took you 10 months and now is taking 14-24 months is worth highlighting to our elected representatives. What if no one said anything and in two more years it took 36 months to adjudicate? What about 48 months? At SOME point it is worth complaining to our representatives about the lengthening timelines. I am choosing this point simply because I am in the process now. My hope is that ALL processing times are cut down, while still being effective, even if that happens well after my application is finished processing. 

Edited June 19, 2018 by KeratNY