Demand Action in MTL!

[HRubin 67]

Alright group I wanted to share some info that I received at the meeting I had with my senator's office today and I'm hoping you would all be willing to help me out-

 

I addressed concerns regarding the long interview wait times at Montreal and how this backlog is going to increase exponentially with Visa services being suspended for such a long time. Basically I wanted to know what is their game plan was to tackle this problem...

 

The liaison was actually extremely sympathetic to our scenarios and was very honest with me regarding what we can do to enact some change. While a full out policy change would be virtually impossible she said a bipartisan inquiry into the Montreal operations from multiple senators would garner some attention.

 

This is what was done last year to investigate the historically long wait times with the USCIS. After the inquiry the operations were suddenly allowing more electronic submissions and cases started moving a bit faster (not a whole lot faster but still better than probably most of our experiences with the Nebraska Service Center). 

 

She said this would be a realistic option in trying to increase efficiency and case processing with the Montreal Consulate. In order to get this done though it would need to be a large number of senators that have seen their constituents affected by this consulate. She asked if I could pull a list of names of people who are in or have been in a similar situation with the Montreal consulate, their state, and the senator with whom they have worked with. 

 

My goal is to inundate her with a huge list of names that there will be no choice but to pursue our matter. Once she receives this she will touch base with the respective immigration liaisons from each couple's state. This would apply to anyone that has already had their interview with MTL, is currently waiting, or will soon be documentarily qualified. I do ask that if you have already gotten your interview that you include how long your wait time was to receive your date and to please help us out!

 

If you are interested in helping me compile this please email me your name, state, and senator you have reached out to and I would be more than grateful to pass the information along. 

 

Feel free to message me through VisaJourney. I am also planning on reaching out to folks through facebook groups so you may see my name pop up there as well. Thank you for your help and lets take some action!

Edited June 16, 2020 by Ryan H
Reason for edit: to remove personal email address.

[MovingToFlorida 71]

On 6/9/2020 at 8:10 PM, HRubin said:

Alright group I wanted to share some info that I received at the meeting I had with my senator's office today and I'm hoping you would all be willing to help me out-

 

I addressed concerns regarding the long interview wait times at Montreal and how this backlog is going to increase exponentially with Visa services being suspended for such a long time. Basically I wanted to know what is their game plan was to tackle this problem...

 

The liaison was actually extremely sympathetic to our scenarios and was very honest with me regarding what we can do to enact some change. While a full out policy change would be virtually impossible she said a bipartisan inquiry into the Montreal operations from multiple senators would garner some attention.

 

This is what was done last year to investigate the historically long wait times with the USCIS. After the inquiry the operations were suddenly allowing more electronic submissions and cases started moving a bit faster (not a whole lot faster but still better than probably most of our experiences with the Nebraska Service Center). 

 

She said this would be a realistic option in trying to increase efficiency and case processing with the Montreal Consulate. In order to get this done though it would need to be a large number of senators that have seen their constituents affected by this consulate. She asked if I could pull a list of names of people who are in or have been in a similar situation with the Montreal consulate, their state, and the senator with whom they have worked with. 

 

My goal is to inundate her with a huge list of names that there will be no choice but to pursue our matter. Once she receives this she will touch base with the respective immigration liaisons from each couple's state. This would apply to anyone that has already had their interview with MTL, is currently waiting, or will soon be documentarily qualified. I do ask that if you have already gotten your interview that you include how long your wait time was to receive your date and to please help us out!

 

If you are interested in helping me compile this please email me your name, state, and senator you have reached out to and I would be more than grateful to pass the information along. 

 

Feel free to message me through VisaJourney. I am also planning on reaching out to folks through facebook groups so you may see my name pop up there as well. Thank you for your help and lets take some action!

Is this only for spousal visas? We are an F3 visa (adult children of US citizens) and had our interview scheduled at Montreal consulate. Interview was canceled 5 days before it when the consulate closed due to the pandemic. We are still living in Canada planning to move to Florida. 

Edited June 16, 2020 by Ryan H
Reason for edit: to remove personal email address in quote.

[RPete 73]

On 6/9/2020 at 8:10 PM, HRubin said:

Alright group I wanted to share some info that I received at the meeting I had with my senator's office today and I'm hoping you would all be willing to help me out-

 

I addressed concerns regarding the long interview wait times at Montreal and how this backlog is going to increase exponentially with Visa services being suspended for such a long time. Basically I wanted to know what is their game plan was to tackle this problem...

 

The liaison was actually extremely sympathetic to our scenarios and was very honest with me regarding what we can do to enact some change. While a full out policy change would be virtually impossible she said a bipartisan inquiry into the Montreal operations from multiple senators would garner some attention.

 

This is what was done last year to investigate the historically long wait times with the USCIS. After the inquiry the operations were suddenly allowing more electronic submissions and cases started moving a bit faster (not a whole lot faster but still better than probably most of our experiences with the Nebraska Service Center). 

 

She said this would be a realistic option in trying to increase efficiency and case processing with the Montreal Consulate. In order to get this done though it would need to be a large number of senators that have seen their constituents affected by this consulate. She asked if I could pull a list of names of people who are in or have been in a similar situation with the Montreal consulate, their state, and the senator with whom they have worked with. 

 

My goal is to inundate her with a huge list of names that there will be no choice but to pursue our matter. Once she receives this she will touch base with the respective immigration liaisons from each couple's state. This would apply to anyone that has already had their interview with MTL, is currently waiting, or will soon be documentarily qualified. I do ask that if you have already gotten your interview that you include how long your wait time was to receive your date and to please help us out!

 

If you are interested in helping me compile this please email me your name, state, and senator you have reached out to and I would be more than grateful to pass the information along. 

 

Feel free to message me through VisaJourney. I am also planning on reaching out to folks through facebook groups so you may see my name pop up there as well. Thank you for your help and lets take some action!

My Fiance and I reached out to two of his senators about this issue and his state rep, with no response....We added our voices to the mix, but I don't think they were heard.

Edited June 16, 2020 by Ryan H
Reason for edit: to remove personal email address in quote.

[HRubin 67]

14 hours ago, MovingToFlorida said:

Is this only for spousal visas? We are an F3 visa (adult children of US citizens) and had our interview scheduled at Montreal consulate. Interview was canceled 5 days before it when the consulate closed due to the pandemic. We are still living in Canada planning to move to Florida. 

Hi there- I would love to include you on this since you have also experience the long wait times for an interview with Montreal. If you want to private message me or comment here you name and state I will get you added. Thank you!

12 hours ago, RPete said:

My Fiance and I reached out to two of his senators about this issue and his state rep, with no response....We added our voices to the mix, but I don't think they were heard.

I would love to include you on the list I am creating- I think the more of us the better!

[Montrealy 73]

It’s great that you’re taking the initiative to do this. Only the government can get away with charging you thousands of dollars to take months or years to glance at your file for half a minute. Any amount of accountability you can introduce into that cesspool of inefficiency, mismanagement and laziness would go a long way.

[2Ps 49]

On 6/9/2020 at 8:10 PM, HRubin said:

Alright group I wanted to share some info that I received at the meeting I had with my senator's office today and I'm hoping you would all be willing to help me out-

 

I addressed concerns regarding the long interview wait times at Montreal and how this backlog is going to increase exponentially with Visa services being suspended for such a long time. Basically I wanted to know what is their game plan was to tackle this problem...

 

The liaison was actually extremely sympathetic to our scenarios and was very honest with me regarding what we can do to enact some change. While a full out policy change would be virtually impossible she said a bipartisan inquiry into the Montreal operations from multiple senators would garner some attention.

 

This is what was done last year to investigate the historically long wait times with the USCIS. After the inquiry the operations were suddenly allowing more electronic submissions and cases started moving a bit faster (not a whole lot faster but still better than probably most of our experiences with the Nebraska Service Center). 

 

She said this would be a realistic option in trying to increase efficiency and case processing with the Montreal Consulate. In order to get this done though it would need to be a large number of senators that have seen their constituents affected by this consulate. She asked if I could pull a list of names of people who are in or have been in a similar situation with the Montreal consulate, their state, and the senator with whom they have worked with. 

 

My goal is to inundate her with a huge list of names that there will be no choice but to pursue our matter. Once she receives this she will touch base with the respective immigration liaisons from each couple's state. This would apply to anyone that has already had their interview with MTL, is currently waiting, or will soon be documentarily qualified. I do ask that if you have already gotten your interview that you include how long your wait time was to receive your date and to please help us out!

 

If you are interested in helping me compile this please email me your name, state, and senator you have reached out to and I would be more than grateful to pass the information along. 

 

Feel free to message me through VisaJourney. I am also planning on reaching out to folks through facebook groups so you may see my name pop up there as well. Thank you for your help and lets take some action!

Hi HRubin, Can you please add me to this group as well. I shared a snapshot of your post to NVC Facebook group if you don't mind. I have asked my husband to email his senator, so I  will email you after we hear back. Again thanks for this initiative.

Edited June 16, 2020 by Ryan H
Reason for edit: to remove personal email address in quote.

[ashley_ann 179]

Thank you for taking this initiative. I am sending this to my fiancé but I’m also going to post a link to this thread in a group I’m in on FB hopefully you will have some support. If there is anyway I can help as a Canadian please let me know @HRubin

[arae 81]

To clarify, are you asking for people who have already been in touch with their senators about this process? That's what I'm getting from the above "in order to get this done though it would need to be a large number of senators that have seen their constituents affected by this consulate. She asked if I could pull a list of names of people who are in or have been in a similar situation with the Montreal consulate, their state, and the senator with whom they have worked with"

[HRubin 67]

On 6/12/2020 at 10:01 AM, arae said:

To clarify, are you asking for people who have already been in touch with their senators about this process? That's what I'm getting from the above "in order to get this done though it would need to be a large number of senators that have seen their constituents affected by this consulate. She asked if I could pull a list of names of people who are in or have been in a similar situation with the Montreal consulate, their state, and the senator with whom they have worked with"

Hi! It would be great if the list I compile is all from people who have reached out to their respective senators to inform them that they wish a formal inquiry be made into the MTL consulate. However, I am still including anyone that has had or will have an interview in MTL. Would you like me to add you to the list? 

On 6/12/2020 at 8:03 AM, ashley_ann said:

Thank you for taking this initiative. I am sending this to my fiancé but I’m also going to post a link to this thread in a group I’m in on FB hopefully you will have some support. If there is anyway I can help as a Canadian please let me know @HRubin

Thanks so much for the support! Will you be getting an interview in MTl or have you had one? I could add you to our list. 

[ashley_ann 179]

12 hours ago, HRubin said:

 

Thanks so much for the support! Will you be getting an interview in MTl or have you had one? I could add you to our list. 

I am waiting for an interview. At this moment I was (and still) waiting for my packet 3 when all this happened. On a normal day it can take 2-3 months to receive your packet 3 from MTL. and another 2-3 for an interview but of course with the back log and cancelations to deal with I'm sure its going to be way longer now 🤦‍♀️

[sbell 0]

Please add me to the list. Got the first ‘ok’ online March 13 and currently still waiting for the second update / P3. 

[ashley_ann 179]

17 minutes ago, sbell said:

Please add me to the list. Got the first ‘ok’ online March 13 and currently still waiting for the second update / P3. 

yeah I got the first okay April 30th and nothing since

Edited June 14, 2020 by ashley_ann

[Ptitchou 117]

DQ on May 22, also awaiting next steps. Not sure which senator or representative to contact in PA though. Seems we have several?

Edited June 15, 2020 by Ptitchou

[Ptitchou 117]

Does anyone have an example of a letter describing this situation for contacting their senator or congressman? I'd like to know how best we should phrase this. 

[geowrian 22,337]

On 6/9/2020 at 11:10 PM, HRubin said:

This is what was done last year to investigate the historically long wait times with the USCIS. After the inquiry the operations were suddenly allowing more electronic submissions and cases started moving a bit faster (not a whole lot faster but still better than probably most of our experiences with the Nebraska Service Center). 

I would just point out that the long wait times at USCIS for family-oriented cases was not historic. Within a decade or so prior to that the processing timelines were significantly higher. The whole reason the K-3 visa existed back then was because an IR-1/CR-1 was taking years (2-3 years) to obtain.

I-129Fs for a fiance/fiancee were taking 18+ months back shortly after DACA went into effect due to the sudden influx and priority changes.

Much the "historic" processing timelines were with other benefits (namely asylum cases as they nearly always grow in timeline, and somewhat with work visas). Numerically limited categories also took longer at USCIS, but this is a consequence of PDs taking longer to become current. There is no benefit (plus drawbacks in CSPA coverage) for processing petitions more quickly on those categories...taking long at USCIS only a detriment there in limited cases when the petitioner passes away before approval, and is a benefit most times.

 

This isn't to diminish the fact that there was an increase in processing timelines since 2016, but just pointing out that this was well within the normal ebb and flow of immigration. Many people don't follow timelines outside of their involvement, which is often a sliver of the bigger picture.

 

The digitization of information has been in process for several years, and is still ongoing. The timing of the inquiry (these happen regularly) and those measures being put into place are mostly unrelated.

 

On 6/9/2020 at 11:10 PM, HRubin said:

She said this would be a realistic option in trying to increase efficiency and case processing with the Montreal Consulate. In order to get this done though it would need to be a large number of senators that have seen their constituents affected by this consulate. She asked if I could pull a list of names of people who are in or have been in a similar situation with the Montreal consulate, their state, and the senator with whom they have worked with. 

translation: She wants ammo to justify more funding and staff.

 

On 6/9/2020 at 11:10 PM, HRubin said:

Feel free to message me through VisaJourney or by email at ******@gmail.com. I am also planning on reaching out to folks through facebook groups so you may see my name pop up there as well. Thank you for your help and lets take some action!

Reminder that this is a very public website. Please do not post any personal information in the forums.

 

On 6/10/2020 at 8:20 AM, MovingToFlorida said:

Is this only for spousal visas? We are an F3 visa (adult children of US citizens) and had our interview scheduled at Montreal consulate. Interview was canceled 5 days before it when the consulate closed due to the pandemic. We are still living in Canada planning to move to Florida. 

Note that F3 visas are currently banned per an EO.