Complaint letter to Senator about local Field Office

[Boiler 46,119]

You have to realise you are dealing with the US government and Immigration is not that different to other Government services, a trip to the DMV was one of my first OMG welcome to America eye openers.

 

I think many of us come to the US expecting something different, after all as visitors we are mainly insulated form these issues.

 

Timelines have gone up, they have gone down, last major lengthening was due to Obama and DACA, they certainly seem to have moved longer recently and the supposition is due to volume, to be fair probably difficult to turn up the system quickly. Howwever mostly due to Government inefficiency and if you could solve that, well.....

[Roel 7,193]

Just now, Ash.1101 said:

Again though, it's nice to feel that you need to be the voice for so many people, but at least here on VJ, you may not find that much support.

Probably since majority of immigrants is just grateful they have an opportunity to move to the US to be with their loved ones (for example) and understand that waiting is just part of this process.

[Ash.1101 1,756]

4 minutes ago, Roel said:

Probably since majority of immigrants is just grateful they have an opportunity to move to the US to be with their loved ones (for example) and understand that waiting is just part of this process.

Exactly. When I saw that the wait time for ROC is pretty much 2 years or more, I didn't pitch fork up and think it was a battle I should fight at all. My husband has his extension, nothing in our lives is changing and we're not impatient people.

That and most of us here have seen some insane stories, people lashing out over the governments ineffectiveness  in things, this and that. When we hear someone writing their senator after a 6 month wait during a 2 year max estimated wait time, it's just a big brush off.  Not to mention they're definitely not the first nor the last person to talk about how they've wrote their senator and are trying to be the voice of others.

Edited June 19, 2018 by Ash.1101

[KeratNY 76]

6 minutes ago, Ben&Zian said:

"

Dear Senator Kirsten Gillibrand,

 

My name is [ ]. I am a US Citizen, a lifelong NY State resident, your constituent, and a registered Democrat. I"    

 

...Not to sound off topic but it was mentioned already, what does a democrat or republican matter here, but it is NY so, maybe gets some favoritism I suppose.

Thank you for your point. I agree she should represent all constituents so it shouldn't matter. My thought process is only that it is both true and doesn't hurt. Also if they are looking up her name they will see that anyway in the voter registration files so there's no real point in hiding it. 

[Boiler 46,119]

Why would they look up her name?

 

Some Reps have paid staff to handle such issues, others use Interns. I am sure all have standard letters that can be used to respond to common enquiries.

 

Processing times I would think is a common issue.

[Randyandyuni 2,682]

13 minutes ago, Loren Y said:

True, I was just kinda generalizing. There were more conflicts after the signing. Lucky for me I don't have to pass the citizenship test. LOL

just teasing

[Ash.1101 1,756]

4 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Why would they look up her name?

 

Some Reps have paid staff to handle such issues, others use Interns. I am sure all have standard letters that can be used to respond to common enquiries.

 

Processing times I would think is a common issue.

THIS 100%. Most things don't actually make it to the senator.


Also...

 

Quote

 the USCIS is self-funded through application fees, which costs $1,760 per person for AOS.

I'm seeing that AOS is $1,225. How are you getting 1,760$?

https://www.uscis.gov/i-485

^ Shows AOS fee as 1,225$ with biometrics included. 

Edited June 19, 2018 by Ash.1101

[KeratNY 76]

7 minutes ago, Roel said:

But they aren't going to change anything. They won't throw away half of the applications to speed up the others. They have no power to hire more USCIS workers.

 

All is going to happen you're going to receive a nice letter from them, saying that they appreciate your opinion. Sad but truth.

 

I don't mean that it's pointless to complain - its just in this situation it really nothing can be done, but wait.

And personally I think US representatives or senators have more important things on their minds than some immigrants waiting few months longer for their green cards.

I am fully expecting a generic form letter from them     Luckily the letter took just 10 minutes to write so there's no real downside. 

 

Of course if everyone thought that way about everything then no one would ever communicate their issues to the elected representatives and they would never know what is going on in their community and nothing would ever get better. 

 

I agree nothing can be done - EXCEPT make elected representatives aware of what is happening in their own jurisdiction. I am fully expecting a long waiting timeline for myself and I accept it. But shouldn't they be aware at the very least?

[Ben&Zian 4,398]

Definately doesn't hurt though to send in the letter. Mean I'm sure there are others who have sent in the same type/complaints/even abusive letters; and it is a bit stressful for some with the wait times especially in packed local offices like NYC would be I'd think. Same time, like you said, you have EAD/AP, for me, with that, sit back and relax; but again doesn't hurt by any means to send it in and see where it may go.

[KeratNY 76]

12 minutes ago, Ash.1101 said:

It's great that you're writing on behalf of all applicants, but keep in mind, not all applicants mind the wait. MOST people go in the mindset that they have their EAD and AP, they can work they can leave and come back. MOST people don't feel that they even want anything more to do with immigration than they already have. MOST people don't see the point of expressing concerns because it's not worth the time or energy. MOST applicants honestly don't care about the wait time that much, which is why you're getting so much push back. MOST applicants are just happy to be here.

Either way,  average wait times are guesstimates.
My local office was at like 18 months to 24 months when my husband went for his GC. He was approved in 66 days without interview.


Also in your note you might as well include everything else that is taking longer, such as ROC. People are getting 18 month extensions now instead of 12 month because it's expected to take around 2 years to get your 10 year green card.


Again though, it's nice to feel that you need to be the voice for so many people, but at least here on VJ, you may not find that much support.

Thank you for your points, they are good ones. I don't even "mind the wait" myself. I am patient and grateful and content with my EAD/AP.

 

But when processing times have tripled in a short amount of time, I think it is worth making the powers that be at least aware of what is happening in their own backyard. The "new normal" is 14-24 months, but what if the "new new normal" became 8-10 months for example? What is wrong with wanting to take the very first step to effectuate that process and improve outcomes for an entire community?

 

Yes, was fully expecting the lack of support, so tried to address at length in my prelude how grateful I am, I am not just whiny, immigration is a privilege not a right etc. I have been pleasantly surprised at the support from many members though. 

[KeratNY 76]

2 minutes ago, Ben&Zian said:

Definately doesn't hurt though to send in the letter. Mean I'm sure there are others who have sent in the same type/complaints/even abusive letters; and it is a bit stressful for some with the wait times especially in packed local offices like NYC would be I'd think. Same time, like you said, you have EAD/AP, for me, with that, sit back and relax; but again doesn't hurt by any means to send it in and see where it may go.

Thank you. Yes I think most people write letters about their OWN case when they are out of processing timeline. And that's all well and good. But that only deals with one case at a time, I'm thinking bigger and hope my letter is a first step in improving the process for an entire community

 

Not like that is my expectation but all I can do is let the powers that be know what is happening in their own backyard and be prepared to accept any outcome. Which I am. 

[Ash.1101 1,756]

7 minutes ago, KeratNY said:

Thank you for your points, they are good ones. I don't even "mind the wait" myself. I am patient and grateful and content with my EAD/AP.

 

But when processing times have tripled in a short amount of time, I think it is worth making the powers that be at least aware of what is happening in their own backyard. The "new normal" is 14-24 months, but what if the "new new normal" became 8-10 months for example? What is wrong with wanting to take the very first step to effectuate that process and improve outcomes for an entire community?

 

Yes, was fully expecting the lack of support, so tried to address at length in my prelude how grateful I am, I am not just whiny, immigration is a privilege not a right etc. I have been pleasantly surprised at the support from many members though. 

For myself, I've mentally toiled over immigration for years. I couldn't even imagine mustering up the want to write a letter to educate the senators who I know most likely already know. 

With that said, I'm completely indifferent on the idea wait times could change, it really doesn't matter to me as long as EAD and AP are approved. In your letter it states that many  have had significant stress due to the wait of the green card, and I just don't think you can vouch for other people on this one. 

I guess I just dislike when people try to speak for others on an opinion that heavily differs in the community.. I do honestly prefer when they write about their own cases, speaking for the masses is putting words in too many peoples mouths that you don't know are true or not. Always seems more honest when you're writing about your experience and how you feel, than when you write about an entire community that you've met an incredibly small percentage of.

Edited June 19, 2018 by Ash.1101

[KeratNY 76]

21 minutes ago, Boiler said:

You have to realise you are dealing with the US government and Immigration is not that different to other Government services, a trip to the DMV was one of my first OMG welcome to America eye openers.

 

I think many of us come to the US expecting something different, after all as visitors we are mainly insulated form these issues.

 

Timelines have gone up, they have gone down, last major lengthening was due to Obama and DACA, they certainly seem to have moved longer recently and the supposition is due to volume, to be fair probably difficult to turn up the system quickly. Howwever mostly due to Government inefficiency and if you could solve that, well.....

Oh I certainly agree. I have no expectation of an easy, simple or fast process. That is unrealistic. 

 

Solve government inefficiency? Haha probably a bit beyond the scope of my letter. I would be more than ecstatic if all my letter did was make the Senators aware of the scale of the increase in processing times. That's really all I can do. Whether that leads to any change or not is an open question but I can't even get there without taking the first step. 

[KeratNY 76]

3 minutes ago, Ash.1101 said:

For myself, I've mentally toiled over immigration for years. I couldn't even imagine mustering up the want to write a letter to educate the senators who I know most likely already know. 

With that said, I'm completely indifferent on the idea wait times could change, it really doesn't matter to me as long as EAD and AP are approved. In your letter it states that many  have had significant stress due to the wait of the green card, and I just don't think you can vouch for other people on this one. 

I guess I just dislike when people try to speak for others on an opinion that heavily differs in the community.. I do honestly prefer when they write about their own cases, speaking for the masses is putting words in too many peoples mouths that you don't know are true or not. Always seems more honest when you're writing about your experience and how you feel, than when you write about an entire community that you've met an incredibly small percentage of.

Haha well you should take a look at the "New York City AOS Filers" thread if you think nobody is stressed about the wait times. I am NOT stressed. But I have seen dozens (maybe hundreds) of frustrated posts on those threads. I admire your Utopian vision of a community thoroughly at peace with the rapid and large delay in processing timelines. I personally don't think that's the case. I don't think it is a stretch to say that a process that took 5-7 months a few years ago that now takes 14-24 months has SOME level increase in frustration in the wider community. I am not putting any words in people's mouth, just the feeling I believe that is widespread that this process causes them stress. Widespread is not the same as "every single person feels this way and says this exact thing."

 

And of course, my goal is not to "fix" this, but any movement in a positive direction in this process is a good outcome for a whole community. 

[Paul & Mallory 1,398]

I come across threads just like this one every so often, so no, you're definitely not the first. Probably not the last. That being said - I do think you have good intentions in mind, which is admirable. I definitely respect and appreciate someone willing to give something a try, regardless of the possible outcome. For some, it's also the point of just DOING something, anything, besides just sitting around and waiting. I get that.

 

However, my (own personal) opinion is this - immigration is not a customer-retention based service or business. They could care less if people get fed up with waiting and complain, or walk away completely. It isn't like Walmart price matching where we can threaten to take our business elsewhere - there IS no elsewhere when it comes to immigration. USCIS and ICE is it. Someone used the U.S. DMV as a comparable example, which is a good one. When my husband accompanied me to the DMV for the first time, I thought he was going to pass out lol He was so taken aback at how poorly ran the system is and told me how different it is in Sweden. It was definitely eye opening for him. Other government offices, like the DMV are the same - those people aren't there to make our days better, or even pleasant. People are always going to line up at the DMV regardless of the ####### service because we HAVE TO, if we want to drive or have an ID. Just like with immigration - if we want to see this process through bad enough, we wait. No matter how long that wait is.

 

My (again) personal opinion - these folks everyone writes these letters to aren't unaware of such pain points. Do they care? Perhaps. Guess that depends on the moral compass of whoever's desk it winds up on. Is it at the top of their to do list? Probably not. But you're right  - maybe if enough people make noise, someone will finally take the time to look at the bigger picture. Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets greased.... sometimes it gets thrown out and replaced with a new one.  Best of luck to you, and props for the well written letter. I work in the correspondence/response department of a large company, and if I had a dollar for every terribly written letter riddled with errors, wrong words, and misspellings.. I could pay for everyone's AOS process.