No More DCF in Philippines Starting in July? USCIS?

[coa24 69]

29 minutes ago, user555 said:

Emailed Manila: Hello, I want to file next week but your appointment system isn't showing any dates available. I saw that you might be closing in July.

 

<MPHInquiry.CIS@uscis.dhs.gov> wrote:
Yes, we regret to inform you that all USCIS International Offices, including Manila, will be closing permanently in the near future. To assure your I130 petition is processed without delay you may mail the completed I130 petition to the USCIS lockbox in the United States. More closure information will be forthcoming on our website. You can find additional filing information on the form I130 webpage. Thank you for your understanding and please accept our apologies for any inconvenience,

 

USCIS Manila Field Office

 

My response today: Your website still claims that direct filing is an option. " If you are filing with USCIS Manila, you must submit the petition and supporting evidence in person." I want to file in person in Manila. If I mail my form to the lockbox, I am going to have a huge delay versus direct filing. Who is going to update that website and why don't you communicate with US citizens about this?

 

user555, I am sorry that this has come to you at a very bad time. I can only imagine the heartache this causes, especially since it was something you were counting on. If getting to the USA is a must, perhaps your wife can file for a tourist visa first. Then file for the spouse visa after that. Of course she would need to keep her travel obligations under the tourist visa by returning to the Philippines at the specified times. Just a thought. I am sure someone will correct me if this is not allowed of course.  

[Hank_ 9,174]

5 hours ago, user555 said:

Emailed Manila: Hello, I want to file next week but your appointment system isn't showing any dates available. I saw that you might be closing in July.

 

<MPHInquiry.CIS@uscis.dhs.gov> wrote:
Yes, we regret to inform you that all USCIS International Offices, including Manila, will be closing permanently in the near future. To assure your I130 petition is processed without delay you may mail the completed I130 petition to the USCIS lockbox in the United States. More closure information will be forthcoming on our website. You can find additional filing information on the form I130 webpage. Thank you for your understanding and please accept our apologies for any inconvenience,

 

USCIS Manila Field Office

 

My response today: Your website still claims that direct filing is an option. " If you are filing with USCIS Manila, you must submit the petition and supporting evidence in person." I want to file in person in Manila. If I mail my form to the lockbox, I am going to have a huge delay versus direct filing. Who is going to update that website and why don't you communicate with US citizens about this?

 

 

You're flogging a dead horse.  DCF is history.   Follow their instructions and file with the USCIS lockbox.

[Hank_ 9,174]

4 hours ago, coa24 said:

user555, I am sorry that this has come to you at a very bad time. I can only imagine the heartache this causes, especially since it was something you were counting on. If getting to the USA is a must, perhaps your wife can file for a tourist visa first. Then file for the spouse visa after that. Of course she would need to keep her travel obligations under the tourist visa by returning to the Philippines at the specified times. Just a thought. I am sure someone will correct me if this is not allowed of course.  

Rub a lamp on the tourist visa idea.     ... not very likely from the Philippines.

[coa24 69]

Too bad...I don't know how people can be without their spouse for as long as they go for. It is very hard....

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

36 minutes ago, coa24 said:

Too bad...I don't know how people can be without their spouse for as long as they go for. It is very hard....

It's part of the immigration process for most of us. 

[user555 196]

4 hours ago, Hank_ said:

 

You're flogging a dead horse.  DCF is history.   Follow their instructions and file with the USCIS lockbox.

This was my question to them. I understand DCF in Manila has been shutdown (other countries like Brazil are still accepting applications at the local USCIS office). But there still has not been an official notice from them. Everything we know about this is from a user posting on this forum. My question still stands and I will wait to hear back from them: Who is going to update that website and why don't you communicate with US citizens about this?

[Hank_ 9,174]

Don't hold your breath while waiting..    

[payxibka 10,045]

59 minutes ago, user555 said:

This was my question to them. I understand DCF in Manila has been shutdown (other countries like Brazil are still accepting applications at the local USCIS office). But there still has not been an official notice from them. Everything we know about this is from a user posting on this forum. My question still stands and I will wait to hear back from them: Who is going to update that website and why don't you communicate with US citizens about this?

More than one member 

[Falcon Cara 378]

Looks like I stand corrected.

 

How about Trump go after all those H1B visa and stop them, I heard that was suppose to happen almost 2 years ago.

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

4 hours ago, Falcon Cara said:

Looks like I stand corrected.

How about Trump go after all those H1B visa and stop them, I heard that was suppose to happen almost 2 years ago.

He has already been going after the H1b visa holders by cutting back the visas, making it harder for a company to seek them out, and most of all make it next to impossible for H1b holders spouses to work here in the USA as well.

Edited May 8, 2019 by Cyberfx1024

[user555 196]

15 hours ago, Hank_ said:

Don't hold your breath while waiting..    

Their response today: 

Thank you for your follow up email to our office. We share your disappointment regarding the response you received on May 7, but due to delays in the updates to our public website (which will provide more detailed closure information) we wanted to inform our interested petitioners about the status of our office. We anticipate the website will be updated early this week. The website content and updates are unfortunately controlled from Washington, D.C. The website will provide the information which includes a link to the USCIS I130 webpage. This link includes instructions on how and where to file (including the address in the U.S. to mail your completed petition and fee). You are welcome to visit our public window and we would be happy to review your I130 petition prior to mailing to USCIS lockbox facility. We hope you find this additional info helpful.

 

Sincerely,

[Hank_ 9,174]

Basically the same thing they already told you, only more detailed ..  only not in braille      

[user555 196]

On 5/8/2019 at 1:45 AM, Hank_ said:

Basically the same thing they already told you, only more detailed ..  only not in braille      

Here is something on a USCIS site: https://my.uscis.gov/en/appointment/intl

It's not under the USCIS Manila page, but it's under the appointment page. It's a step in the right direction. 

"NOTICE! Please note an important processing update for this office: Effective May 6, 2019, the Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, should be filed by mail with the USCIS lockbox facility in Chicago." I'm not blind so I don't need to know braille. 

[Just Paul 4,595]

The USCIS website is updated . . .  DCF is being sent to lockbox

 

https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-uscis-office/international-offices/philippines-uscis-manila-field-office

[user555 196]

They claim "The office began redirecting Forms I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, to the USCIS Lockbox on May 14, 2019." Liars. It was May 6.