The Current Backlog

[rebeccajo 14]

Devil's advocate here.........

Everyone keeps saying USCIS should have prepared themselves better.

Shouldn't the petitioners have also prepared themselves for a longer wait?

[Caladan 19]

Devil's advocate here.........

Everyone keeps saying USCIS should have prepared themselves better.

Shouldn't the petitioners have also prepared themselves for a longer wait?

Nope. But I'm not the one collecting fees.

I mean, I've expected a longer wait. But would you have me do? I couldn't change the wedding date after they announced the increase. I couldn't make everyone who married in April file in April rather than waiting until 7/28. I couldn't talk the priest into letting us do a civil ceremony in June so I could file the paperwork. My family threatened to pull out of the wedding if I had a civil ceremony first and WOULD NOT BELIEVE me when I explained about the fee increase and the backlog.

So, yes, I've prepared myself. Oddly, that doesn't mean that USCIS is compensating C. for his lost income during the time where he's come to the U.S. legally, found employment, and had to stop working... we figured it would be three or four months for the EAD.

[rebeccajo 14]

Devil's advocate here.........

Everyone keeps saying USCIS should have prepared themselves better.

Shouldn't the petitioners have also prepared themselves for a longer wait?

Nope. But I'm not the one collecting fees.

I mean, I've expected a longer wait. But would you have me do? I couldn't change the wedding date after they announced the increase. I couldn't make everyone who married in April file in April rather than waiting until 7/28. I couldn't talk the priest into letting us do a civil ceremony in June so I could file the paperwork. My family threatened to pull out of the wedding if I had a civil ceremony first and WOULD NOT BELIEVE me when I explained about the fee increase and the backlog.

So, yes, I've prepared myself. Oddly, that doesn't mean that USCIS is compensating C. for his lost income during the time where he's come to the U.S. legally, found employment, and had to stop working... we figured it would be three or four months for the EAD.

Dealing with immigration guarantees you nothing. One can 'figure' something will occur within a certain timeframe - but that doesn't mean diddly. Especially given the historical pattern indicating any time there is a change, the system goes haywire.

Seriously, the only thing I would have figured on would have been a very healthy wait outside of normal times.

[lynamon 0]

After dealing with our very long wait for an interview in Montreal (huge backlog there).. then dealing with how long it took for Montreal to actually "send" out our visa .. I married long after I should have been married because the government refuses to obtain the additional workers needed when it's apparent that backlogs are forseen even by the average Joe. Huge inefficiencies in my eyes. The service is not free .. we all pay our substantial fees. If the government were run like a business, they would definitely need a huge kick in the a$$ regarding their customer service .. but because it is the government we are all to just put up and shut up and most often then not complaints just fall on deaf ears .. I'm done ranting .. thank you.

[Caladan 19]

Devil's advocate here.........

Everyone keeps saying USCIS should have prepared themselves better.

Shouldn't the petitioners have also prepared themselves for a longer wait?

Nope. But I'm not the one collecting fees.

I mean, I've expected a longer wait. But would you have me do? I couldn't change the wedding date after they announced the increase. I couldn't make everyone who married in April file in April rather than waiting until 7/28. I couldn't talk the priest into letting us do a civil ceremony in June so I could file the paperwork. My family threatened to pull out of the wedding if I had a civil ceremony first and WOULD NOT BELIEVE me when I explained about the fee increase and the backlog.

So, yes, I've prepared myself. Oddly, that doesn't mean that USCIS is compensating C. for his lost income during the time where he's come to the U.S. legally, found employment, and had to stop working... we figured it would be three or four months for the EAD.

Dealing with immigration guarantees you nothing. One can 'figure' something will occur within a certain timeframe - but that doesn't mean diddly. Especially given the historical pattern indicating any time there is a change, the system goes haywire.

Seriously, the only thing I would have figured on would have been a very healthy wait outside of normal times.

I did expect a delay. "Oh," I told myself. "Surely there will be a delay. Wouldn't it be nice to move my wedding. Ah well, judging by the times, I guess it'll probably take three weeks to get a receipt." Three weeks came and went. Then four. Then five. Evening came and morning followed.

Am I supposed to plan my life with no expectations of him ever being legal to work? We have made no major decisions. We plan to buy no cars, no house, if we got pregnant it would probably be a crisis. Perhaps that works for you. I am glad you are serenely patient and are a better person than I. It's probably better for your mental health. I'm sure it's a sign of my corrupt generation or whatever. But I am not in the wrong here for expecting minimally acceptable response times.

[LondonGooner 0]

Devil's advocate here.........

Everyone keeps saying USCIS should have prepared themselves better.

Shouldn't the petitioners have also prepared themselves for a longer wait?

Nope. But I'm not the one collecting fees.

I mean, I've expected a longer wait. But would you have me do? I couldn't change the wedding date after they announced the increase. I couldn't make everyone who married in April file in April rather than waiting until 7/28. I couldn't talk the priest into letting us do a civil ceremony in June so I could file the paperwork. My family threatened to pull out of the wedding if I had a civil ceremony first and WOULD NOT BELIEVE me when I explained about the fee increase and the backlog.

So, yes, I've prepared myself. Oddly, that doesn't mean that USCIS is compensating C. for his lost income during the time where he's come to the U.S. legally, found employment, and had to stop working... we figured it would be three or four months for the EAD.

Dealing with immigration guarantees you nothing. One can 'figure' something will occur within a certain timeframe - but that doesn't mean diddly. Especially given the historical pattern indicating any time there is a change, the system goes haywire.

Seriously, the only thing I would have figured on would have been a very healthy wait outside of normal times.

I did expect a delay. "Oh," I told myself. "Surely there will be a delay. Wouldn't it be nice to move my wedding. Ah well, judging by the times, I guess it'll probably take three weeks to get a receipt." Three weeks came and went. Then four. Then five. Evening came and morning followed.

Am I supposed to plan my life with no expectations of him ever being legal to work? We have made no major decisions. We plan to buy no cars, no house, if we got pregnant it would probably be a crisis. Perhaps that works for you. I am glad you are serenely patient and are a better person than I. It's probably better for your mental health. I'm sure it's a sign of my corrupt generation or whatever. But I am not in the wrong here for expecting minimally acceptable response times.

100% agreed and nicely put!

[John & Annie 0]

After dealing with our very long wait for an interview in Montreal (huge backlog there).. then dealing with how long it took for Montreal to actually "send" out our visa .. I married long after I should have been married because the government refuses to obtain the additional workers needed when it's apparent that backlogs are forseen even by the average Joe. Huge inefficiencies in my eyes. The service is not free .. we all pay our substantial fees. If the government were run like a business, they would definitely need a huge kick in the a$$ regarding their customer service .. but because it is the government we are all to just put up and shut up and most often then not complaints just fall on deaf ears .. I'm done ranting .. thank you.

I agree completely, it is ludicrous.

Not that this going to make anything better for you or me but they just raised the fees and lost congressional funding, they need to get their feet under them. They have authorized all of the offices for overtime and put out a call to all district offices to help the regional offices by overtime for weekend work to help clear the front and back logs.

The whole system needs to be revised and that is where we need to speak to our elected reps, neighbors and friends to make changes in this policy.

[rebeccajo 14]

Devil's advocate here.........

Everyone keeps saying USCIS should have prepared themselves better.

Shouldn't the petitioners have also prepared themselves for a longer wait?

Nope. But I'm not the one collecting fees.

I mean, I've expected a longer wait. But would you have me do? I couldn't change the wedding date after they announced the increase. I couldn't make everyone who married in April file in April rather than waiting until 7/28. I couldn't talk the priest into letting us do a civil ceremony in June so I could file the paperwork. My family threatened to pull out of the wedding if I had a civil ceremony first and WOULD NOT BELIEVE me when I explained about the fee increase and the backlog.

So, yes, I've prepared myself. Oddly, that doesn't mean that USCIS is compensating C. for his lost income during the time where he's come to the U.S. legally, found employment, and had to stop working... we figured it would be three or four months for the EAD.

Dealing with immigration guarantees you nothing. One can 'figure' something will occur within a certain timeframe - but that doesn't mean diddly. Especially given the historical pattern indicating any time there is a change, the system goes haywire.

Seriously, the only thing I would have figured on would have been a very healthy wait outside of normal times.

I did expect a delay. "Oh," I told myself. "Surely there will be a delay. Wouldn't it be nice to move my wedding. Ah well, judging by the times, I guess it'll probably take three weeks to get a receipt." Three weeks came and went. Then four. Then five. Evening came and morning followed.

Am I supposed to plan my life with no expectations of him ever being legal to work? We have made no major decisions. We plan to buy no cars, no house, if we got pregnant it would probably be a crisis. Perhaps that works for you. I am glad you are serenely patient and are a better person than I. It's probably better for your mental health. I'm sure it's a sign of my corrupt generation or whatever. But I am not in the wrong here for expecting minimally acceptable response times.

C, I am in no way a better person than you - you know me better than to think that is what I am implying. I had many dismal and dark thoughts as we waded through our 17 month AOS journey. Mostly I was concerned they had Wes mixed up with an IRA or UDA thug. I had my moments where I contemplated living in Northern Ireland.

I certainly hope you aren't so overwrought with this that you seriously believe your husband will never be legal to work. It's awful to have deadlines breathing down your neck - I've had more than my share of them since we began our immigration journey. But there IS daylight at the end of each tunnel. It may not be when we think we need it, but it is there.

I'd say the only difference between your generation and mine is that people my age can recall when NOTHING was instantaneous. It used to take a long time for most anything bureaucratic. So it's not so much a case of being 'serenely patient' as it is with having lower expectations.

And realizing that this too shall pass.

[rebeccajo 14]

100% agreed and nicely put!

LondonGooner -

I have hesitated to bring this up, but you are mighty ticked off about a problem you could have prevented. Did I not read the other day that you failed to apply for EAD several months ago because you were banking on a fast greencard?

As I have said repeatedly - this system sucks. But when you invite trouble by gambling optimistically - well in my opinion your rage is misplaced.

Becca

Edited September 13, 2007 by rebeccajo

[pushbrk 12,824]

Devil's advocate here.........

Everyone keeps saying USCIS should have prepared themselves better.

Shouldn't the petitioners have also prepared themselves for a longer wait?

Nope. But I'm not the one collecting fees.

I mean, I've expected a longer wait. But would you have me do? I couldn't change the wedding date after they announced the increase. I couldn't make everyone who married in April file in April rather than waiting until 7/28. I couldn't talk the priest into letting us do a civil ceremony in June so I could file the paperwork. My family threatened to pull out of the wedding if I had a civil ceremony first and WOULD NOT BELIEVE me when I explained about the fee increase and the backlog.

So, yes, I've prepared myself. Oddly, that doesn't mean that USCIS is compensating C. for his lost income during the time where he's come to the U.S. legally, found employment, and had to stop working... we figured it would be three or four months for the EAD.

Dealing with immigration guarantees you nothing. One can 'figure' something will occur within a certain timeframe - but that doesn't mean diddly. Especially given the historical pattern indicating any time there is a change, the system goes haywire.

Seriously, the only thing I would have figured on would have been a very healthy wait outside of normal times.

I did expect a delay. "Oh," I told myself. "Surely there will be a delay. Wouldn't it be nice to move my wedding. Ah well, judging by the times, I guess it'll probably take three weeks to get a receipt." Three weeks came and went. Then four. Then five. Evening came and morning followed.

Am I supposed to plan my life with no expectations of him ever being legal to work? We have made no major decisions. We plan to buy no cars, no house, if we got pregnant it would probably be a crisis. Perhaps that works for you. I am glad you are serenely patient and are a better person than I. It's probably better for your mental health. I'm sure it's a sign of my corrupt generation or whatever. But I am not in the wrong here for expecting minimally acceptable response times.

100% agreed and nicely put!

Yes, nicely put. Then there are the few like me who actually wanted the AOS processing to be delayed. Had I been a little more courageous, I would have waited just a few more days, to make sure our two applications got smack in the middle of that truck in the parking lot. Instead, I mailed on the 17 for delivery a full business week ahead of the deadline because I knew USCIS would be sending back (in error) for the new fee, a lot of petitions that were sent in time, with the old fee. I didn't want to be one of those.

Now I check the status online dreading a touch.

We don't want the AOS interview before December 1st, in order to avoid removal of conditions later. Already have EAD for both wife and daughter anyway.

FYI, there also seems to be a backlog of entering EADs in the Social Security system, so we can't get the daughter's SSN yet. Fortunately, there's no big rush for her to work.

[rebeccajo 14]

Yes, nicely put. Then there are the few like me who actually wanted the AOS processing to be delayed. Had I been a little more courageous, I would have waited just a few more days, to make sure our two applications got smack in the middle of that truck in the parking lot. Instead, I mailed on the 17 for delivery a full business week ahead of the deadline because I knew USCIS would be sending back (in error) for the new fee, a lot of petitions that were sent in time, with the old fee. I didn't want to be one of those.

Now I check the status online dreading a touch.

We don't want the AOS interview before December 1st, in order to avoid removal of conditions later. Already have EAD for both wife and daughter anyway.

FYI, there also seems to be a backlog of entering EADs in the Social Security system, so we can't get the daughter's SSN yet. Fortunately, there's no big rush for her to work.

Well, why didn't you wait? Just curious.

[pinay 0]

oh they told me the same thing too when i called up uscis. but then after 3 days from the day i talked to someone from uscis via phone of course, i got my noa already then after a week i got my biometrics schedule. i dont know if they are really telling the truth about the semi truck. i think thats kind of exaggerating...on the uscis site it says that they are now processing applications that was sent august 15. so i think they overcome the backlog now but still say the same thing on the phone...God bless everyone

[pushbrk 12,824]

Yes, nicely put. Then there are the few like me who actually wanted the AOS processing to be delayed. Had I been a little more courageous, I would have waited just a few more days, to make sure our two applications got smack in the middle of that truck in the parking lot. Instead, I mailed on the 17 for delivery a full business week ahead of the deadline because I knew USCIS would be sending back (in error) for the new fee, a lot of petitions that were sent in time, with the old fee. I didn't want to be one of those.

Now I check the status online dreading a touch.

We don't want the AOS interview before December 1st, in order to avoid removal of conditions later. Already have EAD for both wife and daughter anyway.

FYI, there also seems to be a backlog of entering EADs in the Social Security system, so we can't get the daughter's SSN yet. Fortunately, there's no big rush for her to work.

Well, why didn't you wait? Just curious.

We filed in late July instead of October to save a total of $1130 in filing fees. The EAD was filed before the fee increase date was known.

Edited September 14, 2007 by pushbrk

[John & Annie 0]

oh they told me the same thing too when i called up uscis. but then after 3 days from the day i talked to someone from uscis via phone of course, i got my noa already then after a week i got my biometrics schedule. i dont know if they are really telling the truth about the semi truck. i think thats kind of exaggerating...on the uscis site it says that they are now processing applications that was sent august 15. so i think they overcome the backlog now but still say the same thing on the phone...God bless everyone

The Semi-trucks are not an exaggeration, I had the conversation with a contact at USCIS. I can tell you for sure as of Monday of this week CSC still has the Semi trailer and it has not been touched.

[John & Annie 0]

Yes, nicely put. Then there are the few like me who actually wanted the AOS processing to be delayed. Had I been a little more courageous, I would have waited just a few more days, to make sure our two applications got smack in the middle of that truck in the parking lot. Instead, I mailed on the 17 for delivery a full business week ahead of the deadline because I knew USCIS would be sending back (in error) for the new fee, a lot of petitions that were sent in time, with the old fee. I didn't want to be one of those.

Now I check the status online dreading a touch.

We don't want the AOS interview before December 1st, in order to avoid removal of conditions later. Already have EAD for both wife and daughter anyway.

FYI, there also seems to be a backlog of entering EADs in the Social Security system, so we can't get the daughter's SSN yet. Fortunately, there's no big rush for her to work.

Well, why didn't you wait? Just curious.

We filed in late July instead of October to save a total of $1130 in filing fees. The EAD was filed before the fee increase date was known.

Perhaps I am being thick

But you should of saved $265.00 by filing prior to July 31, 2007. Now if you need to renew any interim benefits you will have exceeded what you would have spent on AOS($1010.00).

Edited September 14, 2007 by John & Annie