Number of cases processed hit new high!

[New Romantics 188]

They also specify that it's forms that are entered into the system. So it's not those that are rejected right away because of errors like not having the money order etc 

[Oregonian97 48]

2 minutes ago, New Romantics said:

They also specify that it's forms that are entered into the system. So it's not those that are rejected right away because of errors like not having the money order etc 

That's true. So I wonder if those are counted as part of the rejected then. If they are, that makes sense. 

[meladee 160]

4 hours ago, Oregonian97 said:

What's weird is when you look at the quarterly data, the numbers don't add up. Like take the (received- completed) for a certain quarter, and add that to the last pending backlog number from the previous quarter, and it does NOT equal the same as that quarter's backlog. Something funky in how they are calculating it......

I noticed this too. If you look at the footnotes included with the data (like here), it has these two statements that would account for the difference:

• Some actions taken on cases are not reflected in this report such as administrative closures and transfers between offices; thus the total pending counts cannot be calculated using data from previous reporting periods.
• Forms received, completed (approved and denied), and pending counts may differ from counts reported in previously published reports due to processing delays and the time at which the data are queried, system updates, and post-adjudicative outcomes.

[meladee 160]

4 hours ago, Oregonian97 said:

That's true. So I wonder if those are counted as part of the rejected then. If they are, that makes sense. 

The footnotes on the data say "Forms Received are the number of new applications or petitions received and entered into a case-tracking system during the reporting period." We've seen cases that have the tracking statuses "Case Was Rejected Because It Was Improperly Filed" and "Case Rejected Because I Sent An Incorrect Fee", so I expect that those are included here.

[AndiB 677]

14 hours ago, New Romantics said:

You're right actually. I noticed it too. Sometimes the numbers are way off. Like 2-3k. It can't just be people withdrawing their petitions.

looking at m&w's bar chart in Dec filers I see 3.6% withdraw and 5.3% rejected which are probably not insig when talking such large numbers...wonder if that can explain the gap somewhat too? 🤔

[Quimat 154]

So I’m just looking for clarity. When the numbers for the cases processed is calculated, it includes RFE’s right? I saw on the master list post that if you don’t include RFE’s (which don’t play a role in reducing backlog) that the total number of cases processed only hit a little over 700 last week. This is disheartening 🙁

[AndiB 677]

16 minutes ago, Quimat said:

So I’m just looking for clarity. When the numbers for the cases processed is calculated, it includes RFE’s right? I saw on the master list post that if you don’t include RFE’s (which don’t play a role in reducing backlog) that the total number of cases processed only hit a little over 700 last week. This is disheartening 🙁

yeah, I personally include withdrawals which bring it to about 800 both weeks for removal from backlog but number processed do include RFEs.

Usually we look at two diff things: number processed to see how quickly they get to a case and amount approved/denied (and in my case, withdrawn) to see how fast they're getting through the backlog. 

 

I wouldn't say it's disheartening though, both numbers are great improvements on early Jan/before xmas when it was about 800 process + 500-600 approved/denied. We've seen an improvement of 30-40% in a month or so. It may not be enough but it's not disheartening. Also remember this time last yr they were only doing about 200/week.

Edited February 6, 2023 by AndiB

[AndiB 677]

Also remember without these improvements we'd be looking at wait times *increasing*. I think no increase is still great news! I would love for them to improve and it's killing me to be apart but I also was expecting a 2yr+ wait for NOA2 if there hadn't been improvements so personally 15months is like 'thank god' to me. I understand 2021 and even early 2022 filers are still at greater wait times than when they filed though. Hopefully we do see enough processed for the number to start declining soon 🥰

[ChiuA 108]

9 minutes ago, Quimat said:

So I’m just looking for clarity. When the numbers for the cases processed is calculated, it includes RFE’s right? I saw on the master list post that if you don’t include RFE’s (which don’t play a role in reducing backlog) that the total number of cases processed only hit a little over 700 last week. This is disheartening 🙁

I also do not think it is disheartening, because keep in mind even if it comes down to only a 1-2 months reduce, it STILL is an improve and a shorter time to be with our loved one!  Honestly , I will take even a 1 months reduce to be happy  So do not get sad! A small improvement, is still an improvement!

 

[FromMexico W/Love 244]

4 minutes ago, AndiB said:

yeah, I personally include withdrawals which bring it to about 800 both weeks for removal from backlog but number processed do include RFEs.

Usually we look at two diff things: number processed to see how quickly they get to a case and amount approved/denied (and in my case, withdrawn) to see how fats they're getting through the backlog. 

 

I wouldn't say it's disheartening though, both numbers are great improvements on early Jan/before xmas when it was about 800 process + 500-600 approved/denied. We've seen an improvement of 30-40% in a month or so. It may not be enough but it's not disheartening. Also remember this time last yr they were only doing about 200/week.

Exactly they have made a massive improvement in a short period. Plus think of this, for the past few weeks ~1,000 couples per week got a notification of some sort! That is exciting. 

Edited February 6, 2023 by FromMexico W/Love

[ChiuA 108]

I actually checked our VJ timeline and I got notified , and we got actually reduced by a whole week! It does not sound like much, but me and my fiance were super happy! Baby steps do matter!  (I guess also depends on HOW accurcate it is tho it does seem pretty accurate from the current stats )

 

 

Edited February 6, 2023 by ChiuA

[Quimat 154]

5 minutes ago, AndiB said:

Also remember without these improvements we'd be looking at wait times *increasing*. I think no increase is still great news! I would love for them to improve and it's killing me to be apart but I also was expecting a 2yr+ wait for NOA2 if there hadn't been improvements so personally 15months is like 'thank god' to me. I understand 2021 and even early 2022 filers are still at greater wait times than when they filed though. Hopefully we do see enough processed for the number to start declining soon 🥰

This is why I post my concerns in this group because you all are so amazing about helping me find clarity in a situation I’m confused about! I don’t mean to sound like a Debbie Downer, I just wasn’t quite understanding what was happening. Even though we filed in November 2022, I’m recently trying to pay more attention to numbers and it’s so confusing lol! But wow yes, from 200 a week to now 800 a week is an AMAZING improvement! I need to continue to be more optimistic so thank you for helping me look at the bright side of this! ❤️

[Quimat 154]

7 minutes ago, ChiuA said:

I also do not think it is disheartening, because keep in mind even if it comes down to only a 1-2 months reduce, it STILL is an improve and a shorter time to be with our loved one!  Honestly , I will take even a 1 months reduce to be happy  So do not get sad! A small improvement, is still an improvement!

 

You are exactly right! It makes a world of difference. Small improvements really do matter in this situation! I just had a glimmer of doubt but I stand corrected 😊😊

[Quimat 154]

8 minutes ago, FromMexico W/Love said:

Exactly they have made a massive improvement in a short period. Plus think of this, for the past few weeks ~1,000 couples per week got a notification of some sort! That is exciting. 

They have absolutely made massive improvement and I’m very thankful for that! I’m trying to remain positive and optimistic and just had a moment. It happens! 

[FromMexico W/Love 244]

Just now, Quimat said:

They have absolutely made massive improvement and I’m very thankful for that! I’m trying to remain positive and optimistic and just had a moment. It happens! 

I get it!!! This is such a hard and absurd process filled with lots of emotions and it doesn't help that we are all alone and waiting on a government employee to look at our applications ~14 months after we submit an application and pay $535. 

 

Imagine this situation but in the private sector, paying a company $500 and them not telling you anything for over a year lol