USCIS using our fees for grants instead of solving the backlog problem

[Steeleballz 7,550]

59 minutes ago, Nature Boy Flair said:

a whole page of off topic posts arguing about what is off topic. God help me but I love this place.

 

   Half of them were yours. And I don't think anyone was arguing. We all know what the topic is.

[Unidentified 2,930]

3 hours ago, Steeleballz said:

 

   Half of them were yours. And I don't think anyone was arguing. We all know what the topic is.

 

Clearly not since we've been off topic since the first page and people who are off topic are telling others who are off topic that the first group is "confused" about what the topic is about. Which doesn't even make sense. How can one group of people be more off topic than another who is also off topic? 

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

5 hours ago, Steeleballz said:

 

  You were responding to them. In fact you asked the question directly to them. 

 

  The OP is not talking about illegal immigrants either. People are introducing off topic material to the discussion and then getting confused about what is being discussed. I'm ignoring your posts on illegal immigrants because they are off topic and side tracking the actual discussion that people are trying to have. 

So ignore me by not responding.  But until a person is a USC, I don't think they should be able to vote.  Legal or illegal immigrant.

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

21 minutes ago, Unidentified said:

Clearly not since we've been off topic since the first page and people who are off topic are telling others who are off topic that the first group is "confused" about what the topic is about. Which doesn't even make sense. How can one group of people be more off topic than another who is also off topic? 

You are a breath of fresh air in CEHST.  I love you (today).

 

But in his defense,  MOST posts in CEHST are off topic by page 2...

.

[Steeleballz 7,550]

21 minutes ago, Unidentified said:

Clearly not since we've been off topic since the first page and people who are off topic are telling others who are off topic that the first group is "confused" about what the topic is about. Which doesn't even make sense. How can one group of people be more off topic than another who is also off topic? 

 

  The subject is about LPR's and naturalization. The OP brought up the idea that the grant's are related to turning immigrants into voter in the first post. I would say that is a bit more on topic than those discussing illegal aliens voting. At least it actually relates to something the OP brought up initially. 

 

  

[TBoneTX 45,284]

It's time for a reminder of what happens when certain LPRs aspire to citizenship:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/382775-mrs-t-b-the-citizenship-test/

 

[OptimusSpice 164]

Yes, I did bring up what does look like a political agenda regarding voting.  And in a later post, I did state that I don't have a problem with LPRs getting help in obtaining citizenship (though I think it should be through private organizations and not provided by the US Government), and I don't actually have a problem with Immigrants who become citizens voting.  Perhaps I shouldn't have brought up the topic of voting because it has led to a lot of discussion about voting rather than the application of funds and the USCIS budget vs backlog. 

 

The point I was trying to make is that I feel like the USCIS is mismanaging their funds as badly as they are mismanaging their case load.  Maybe $10 million wouldn't make a big difference in a one time event.  These grants are not one time events.  They are yearly.  Also, they did raise the fees by 21% in 2016 - and it was stated in several places that the fee increase was supposed to help resolve the backlog (google it, I'm not linking articles as there are plenty available with a simple search).  I don't understand the logic that says "we can't handle our current case load and we have to raise the fees to help resolve that, but while we are at it, we are going to spend millions on grants that will ultimately result in more applications and a higher case load".  This just doesn't make sense.  It's like saying "I can't pay all my bills on time, and i'm going to start a "gofundme" to help get some extra money so I can pay these bills on time, but while I'm at it, I'm going to use my credit card and buy all new furniture".  The backlog has not been reduced, it has in fact grown and rather than shortening processing times, they have lengthened them.  

 

I guess my question, and my frustration is - if they had applied the $73 Million that has been spent in the last decade on these grants on staffing/training and reducing the backlogs - would they actually be able to manage their case load with some semblance of reasonable time frames?  It's difficult to believe that those funds wouldn't have helped processing times.  

 

https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-announces-fy18-citizenship-and-assimilation-grant-opportunities

"Since 2009, USCIS has awarded approximately $73 million through 353 grants to immigrant-serving organizations. These organizations have provided citizenship preparation services to more than 200,000 lawful permanent residents in 37 states and the District of Columbia. The funding of these grant opportunities is supported by fee funds." 

 

I have come to learn through this entire process that NOTHING USCIS does makes any logical sense.  They operate with zero accountability.  They have mismanaged and made a huge mess of the immigration process in every possible way.  For an agency that holds our futures in their hands that is very frustrating.  If I could move to my fiance's country, I would.  I'm a mother of 4 sons ages 8-13 and because my fiance cannot be with me, functionally I manage raising them and a full time job (that I cannot change in any way or I lose my ability to sponsor my fiance) alone.  I can't move there.  I cannot and will not abandon them.  I will not put them through a disgusting custody battle and try to take them from their father.  He and I may have our irreconcilable differences, but I will never interfere with the ability for those boys to have a relationship with him - what he does with that opportunity is on him.  So we have no other recourse but to wait on USCIS.  We are in the waiver process (which is also a nightmare of a mess and the introduction of the I-601a is the biggest slap in the face I've ever seen but that's another topic) so he cannot even come here to visit me.  I have to go to him if we want to actually share a touch.  It's all just one big huge excruciatingly painful process and the mismanagement is beyond infuriating.  Regardless of the forces and motives behind it.

[Keith & Arileidi 437]

15 hours ago, Satisfied said:

I applaud your sensibility and your ability to recognize a mistake being made.  As the immigrant yourself, it is apparent this is not a good practice.  If only everyone here could see that.

Who are you to tell us that they all pay taxes?  

If they work, pay rent/mortgage, or buy goods from a physical location.

They pay taxes.

 

 

[Dashinka 24,493]

1 hour ago, Keith & Arileidi said:

If they work, pay rent/mortgage, or buy goods from a physical location.

They pay taxes.

 

 

That is a big assumption for an entire population of people.  I am sure some pay all their required taxes, some may pay some of their required taxes, and some may skate by as under the radar as possible.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

2 hours ago, Keith & Arileidi said:

If they work, pay rent/mortgage, or buy goods from a physical location.

They pay taxes.

 

 

Some taxes . Not income 

 

They take way more out of the system than they put in.

Edited August 1, 2018 by Nature Boy Flair

[Keith & Arileidi 437]

45 minutes ago, Nature Boy Flair said:

Some taxes . Not income 

 

They take way more out of the system than they put in.

If they work ,they pay income tax. 

Only exception would be "under the table" or tip heavy jobs. 

If that's the case , American citizens who have these same jobs are also not paying taxes. 

Edited August 1, 2018 by Keith & Arileidi

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

Just now, Keith & Arileidi said:

If they work they pay income tax. 

Only exception would be under the table or tip heavy jobs. 

If that's the case , American citizens who have these same jobs are also not paying taxes. 

No they dont . I have been on the inside of this.  .

[yuna628 9,676]

5 hours ago, OptimusSpice said:

Yes, I did bring up what does look like a political agenda regarding voting.  And in a later post, I did state that I don't have a problem with LPRs getting help in obtaining citizenship (though I think it should be through private organizations and not provided by the US Government), and I don't actually have a problem with Immigrants who become citizens voting.  Perhaps I shouldn't have brought up the topic of voting because it has led to a lot of discussion about voting rather than the application of funds and the USCIS budget vs backlog. 

 

The point I was trying to make is that I feel like the USCIS is mismanaging their funds as badly as they are mismanaging their case load.  Maybe $10 million wouldn't make a big difference in a one time event.  These grants are not one time events.  They are yearly.  Also, they did raise the fees by 21% in 2016 - and it was stated in several places that the fee increase was supposed to help resolve the backlog (google it, I'm not linking articles as there are plenty available with a simple search).  I don't understand the logic that says "we can't handle our current case load and we have to raise the fees to help resolve that, but while we are at it, we are going to spend millions on grants that will ultimately result in more applications and a higher case load".  This just doesn't make sense.  It's like saying "I can't pay all my bills on time, and i'm going to start a "gofundme" to help get some extra money so I can pay these bills on time, but while I'm at it, I'm going to use my credit card and buy all new furniture".  The backlog has not been reduced, it has in fact grown and rather than shortening processing times, they have lengthened them.  

 

I guess my question, and my frustration is - if they had applied the $73 Million that has been spent in the last decade on these grants on staffing/training and reducing the backlogs - would they actually be able to manage their case load with some semblance of reasonable time frames?  It's difficult to believe that those funds wouldn't have helped processing times.  

 

https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-announces-fy18-citizenship-and-assimilation-grant-opportunities

"Since 2009, USCIS has awarded approximately $73 million through 353 grants to immigrant-serving organizations. These organizations have provided citizenship preparation services to more than 200,000 lawful permanent residents in 37 states and the District of Columbia. The funding of these grant opportunities is supported by fee funds." 

 

I have come to learn through this entire process that NOTHING USCIS does makes any logical sense.  They operate with zero accountability.  They have mismanaged and made a huge mess of the immigration process in every possible way.  For an agency that holds our futures in their hands that is very frustrating.  If I could move to my fiance's country, I would.  I'm a mother of 4 sons ages 8-13 and because my fiance cannot be with me, functionally I manage raising them and a full time job (that I cannot change in any way or I lose my ability to sponsor my fiance) alone.  I can't move there.  I cannot and will not abandon them.  I will not put them through a disgusting custody battle and try to take them from their father.  He and I may have our irreconcilable differences, but I will never interfere with the ability for those boys to have a relationship with him - what he does with that opportunity is on him.  So we have no other recourse but to wait on USCIS.  We are in the waiver process (which is also a nightmare of a mess and the introduction of the I-601a is the biggest slap in the face I've ever seen but that's another topic) so he cannot even come here to visit me.  I have to go to him if we want to actually share a touch.  It's all just one big huge excruciatingly painful process and the mismanagement is beyond infuriating.  Regardless of the forces and motives behind it.

Even if it's 10 mill per year for many years it still would not be enough to make a change. Yes they raised fees, as they do frequently. I don't recall them ever saying such fee increases would relieve backlog, and if they ever implied that it's not only silly but flat out lying. K1s are handled by only one service center now (I remember the days when that service center would pass applications in mere days while the rest waited for up to a year!). It used to be handled by two, and the service was even worse back then in those days. There are so many other factors involved in backlog that it is not solved entirely with money alone. I'm going through the ROC process with my husband - and we will likely be waiting well over a year. So long in fact, we'll be starting on the citizenship process before anyone should even touch his ROC file. There was a whole big issue ongoing when we sent in our ROC application. They could barely cope with handling the applications, they weren't cashing checks because they were too busy handling different applications, and according to some excuses being forced to cope with an inefficient new computer system. They weren't getting NOA1 letters out on time and some people were being denied jobs, loans, and having a host of other issues because of it.

 

Nothing with the agency does make sense. Their accountability is limited, and it was created intentionally that way. Even with the efforts of some with the previous administration the help that was provided was only small. It helped those in the line in front of us, and not those that had already been waiting. I personally believe the current admin is even less disinterested in the subject matter. Why would they make it easier?

 

 

And guys: honestly, paying taxes is not a requirement for voting. For the last time in these few instances - it is a state's right's issue, and when it is allowed it is limited to tiny towns usually for things involving a school board or mayor, or local issues. It is not for federal elections, and is not to my knowledge even for representatives or governorships. There is nothing in federal law that prohibits this, and you can easily look up our history about immigrant voting to see how very limited it is. You may disagree with it, but chances are you do not live in a state that allows it. And if you do, get lobbying or move. State's rights are important and there for a reason.

[Keith & Arileidi 437]

1 hour ago, Nature Boy Flair said:

No they dont . I have been on the inside of this.  .

I'm pretty sure my wife paid income taxes last year. 

[Dashinka 24,493]

20 minutes ago, Keith & Arileidi said:

I'm pretty sure my wife paid income taxes last year. 

I agree with you, legal immigrants pay taxes.  Not so sure about illegal immigrants.