biggish data

new USCIS timelines

I never thought the day would arrive that I would say that the IRS appears to be the very model of administrative efficiency and transparency. Can you imagine if the USCIS was in charge of collecting taxes?? They'd still be collecting from the 1970s.

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-04-21 16:10:00

Vermont go to Hell

Found another VSC I-130 approval on the timelines (another quiet member--TitanTheVice). He filed in mid-August! This looks more like FIFO. Congrats to him!

http://www.visajourn...le.php?id=42458

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-04-24 15:05:00

AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER FILER WHO GOT THEIR NOA2

I found this in the timelines. It is a VSC approval from last Sunday. He sent his I-130 on August 7th!

http://www.visajourn...le.php?id=46066

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-04-23 06:18:00

Approvals

Another good source on security checks:

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY: Office of Inspector General,
A Review of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Alien Security Checks

http://www.dhs.gov/x...06-06_Nov05.pdf

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-05-09 21:43:00

Approvals

Here's another good info source . . . Not specific to I-130s, but does describe the use of the IBIS (see pages 41-49).
This GAO report was issued more than two years ago; . . . you can see that backlogs at USCIS are not a new problem.

IMMIGRATION BENEFITS: Improvements Needed to Address Backlogs and Ensure Quality of Adjudications

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0620.pdf

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-05-03 10:10:00

Approvals

Rather than come up with wacky conspiracy theories about the USCIS checking people's email (I mean, . . . really!!?!), start with some facts:

http://www.uscis.gov...hecks_42506.pdf

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-05-03 07:21:00

tax advice -does it affect immigration process

Found an article about tax rebate and foreign spouses:

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Rebate excludes many taxpayers with foreign spouses
By JULIANA BARBASSA
The Associated Press
Sunday, May 11, 2008

http://www.washingto...8051101200.html

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-05-12 06:02:00

Eighty Accused in Immigration Weddings Scam

Another big fraud case this week in Texas; sixteen people arrested:

http://www.dallasnew...n1.462b607.html

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-05-14 16:27:00

Eighty Accused in Immigration Weddings Scam

QUOTE (Dr. Nick @ May 10 2008, 05:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (foreverido @ May 9 2008, 09:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Arlington @ May 9 2008, 09:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Read it and get enraged:

80 accused in immigration weddings scam:
http://www.cnn.com/2...d.ap/index.html

I hate when some people make it bad for us. sigh

Those 80 people don't make us miserable. That's USCIS's job. There are laws to deal with fraud etc., honestly don't think that I can accuse those 80 for the three months receipt delay and the fact that USCIS is not honoring the date received as promised but rather going by NOA1 date. If it was as simple as finding and punishing those 80, and then we wake up the day after and USCIS has changed into modern, transparent, efficient, lean and mean machine, I would take those 80 bad guys down personally, one at a time.

You're right. I didn't mean to say that this was wholly responsible for our problems and delays. But I would suppose, based on what I read here, that a significant effort by USCIS to "connect the dots" has been going on recently. Given how thin their resources, it probably didn't help us. We also may have been in for another round of scrutiny based on this; looking for who fits the pattern they observed. Anyway, I hope the USCs who participated in this disgrace enjoyed the $2,500 they "earned." That'll pay for about two days worth of their lawyer's time.

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-05-10 14:11:00

Eighty Accused in Immigration Weddings Scam

Read it and get enraged:

80 accused in immigration weddings scam:
http://www.cnn.com/2...d.ap/index.html

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-05-09 21:57:00

any VSC people from Virginia?

I sent a request for help to Senator Warner's office a couple of weeks ago (using the generic form on his website). I got a nice note back from Ms. Kennedy, his immigration staff assistant. She basically said sorry, but until the date on the USCIS website passes my date (which she was reading as the date of the NOA1---I didn't have the mental energy to start that debate!), the congressional offices can't do anything. All the same, if they start to get a blizzard of complaints about the same issue, perhaps that will at least bring the problem to their attention. After all, I don't think any of us wants a special favor from the congressionals, just that they advocate on all of our behalfs. In other words, I don't need them to ask why I'm not approved yet, . . . I'd rather have them ask, "Why the hell is your pathetic service center still at July 30th and what the hell are you going to do about it?" I plan on writing her back when the new dates come out for May 15th (which I don't expect will have changed).

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-05-18 18:34:00

Approved I-130

QUOTE (bnm @ May 20 2008, 11:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Clarifying to My VJ friends, because I was asked in private to some questions

I recieved email about the approval and case status is updated and was touched also in May 20. Just one day after approval.

Congratulations!! This is welcome news!!!

BNM, were you one of the people who received touches to their file in late-April/early-May?

That's great! Celebrate!

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-05-20 11:29:00

Vermont Approvals

QUOTE (KipandSarahJayne @ May 2 2008, 11:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Arlington @ May 2 2008, 04:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Catt @ May 2 2008, 11:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Arlington @ May 2 2008, 05:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I got a touch today too!!!! Wow!!

Arlington, if I may ask, what got touched: your I-130 or your I-129F?

Cat

Just I-130. Went from 2-24-08 to 5-02-08.

Arlington, thanks for posting this information .... it looks like thay are definately working on your file ..... looks like there's a race here .... could it be Cornishman? ..... Briff? ..... or Arlington? ... who will be the next to post approval?
If you guys have a December or January NOA1 ... it's time to put some cash on the roulette table as it looks like your numbers are going to come up very soon.
How absolutely bloody exciting!

Don't forget jonbless! He got touched recently too and he's been waiting even looonger!

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-05-02 10:51:00

Vermont Approvals

QUOTE (Catt @ May 2 2008, 11:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Arlington @ May 2 2008, 05:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I got a touch today too!!!! Wow!!

Arlington, if I may ask, what got touched: your I-130 or your I-129F?

Cat

Just I-130. Went from 2-24-08 to 5-02-08.

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-05-02 10:10:00

Vermont Approvals

QUOTE (KipandSarahJayne @ May 2 2008, 07:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (briff2000 @ May 2 2008, 11:59 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Cornishman - I just got a second touch too. Desperately hoping it is an approval coming not an RFE!!!

Oh my goodness Briff .... my fingers are crossed for you, hopefully you'll get an approval within the next few days .... c'mon VSC, let's have another approval before the end of the week .... #######, it is the end of the week .... let's make it TODAY !!!!!

I got a touch today too!!!! Wow!!

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-05-02 10:03:00

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish I could not look for 2 weeks. What's the saying: "a watched pot never boils"?

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-04-20 22:24:00

Good work hyd!!!

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-04-11 11:51:00

QUOTE (hyd617 @ Apr 8 2008, 07:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Arlington @ Apr 8 2008, 06:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (kitty loves moudi @ Apr 8 2008, 03:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (shrewdgal @ Apr 7 2008, 09:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (hyd617 @ Apr 6 2008, 04:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Shrewd, lsma we can't forget about you ppl.
i just really hope this coming week we all (sep,oct,nov filers) get our approvals.

any news from anyone?

Sorry to report nothing on this front yet shrewd, anybody else?

I see that username "iewi" was approved yesterday (October VSC filer):

http://www.visajourn...?showuser=44318

yaaaa.. an october filer... hmm NEVER seen his posts... whered u find him?

Go to the top of the screen (not the tabs at the very top--but just under the search bar) where it says "Immigration Timelines". From that screen, look at the far left-hand side and you will see "Visa Display Options." Beneath that, there is K1, K3, and CR-1. When you click on each of those, you see all records in the database. You can then filter for just Vermont. After you do that, then you can click on the tops of the columns (the little arrows) to sort the data by date. I sort by the "NOA2" date to see who has received something recently.

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-04-08 07:42:00

QUOTE (kitty loves moudi @ Apr 8 2008, 03:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (shrewdgal @ Apr 7 2008, 09:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (hyd617 @ Apr 6 2008, 04:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Shrewd, lsma we can't forget about you ppl.
i just really hope this coming week we all (sep,oct,nov filers) get our approvals.

any news from anyone?

Sorry to report nothing on this front yet shrewd, anybody else?

I see that username "iewi" was approved yesterday (October VSC filer):

http://www.visajourn...?showuser=44318

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-04-08 06:18:00

Received NOA1 in mail today! Check was cashed earlier in the day. Our I-130 was sent on 10-10-07 and received at VSC on 10-12-07. The date on our NOA is 1-11-08. I checked the USCIS "Case Status Online" and we still are not in the system. All-in-all a good day.

Thanks to the Lockbox folks for making up 3 months worth of backlog in 2 weeks.

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-01-15 19:15:00

CASE COMPLETE at NVC

QUOTE (hyd617 @ Jun 3 2008, 07:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

HIIII

IH MY OGHS i cant type im soo shkyyy

my case at NVC got complete today June 3rd!!!!!!!!!!!! she said call back in second week to get interview date!!!

oh my goshh thanks to alll here at NVC couldnt do it with out yall!!

this is awesome i wil post the conversation in abit im gona go call my husband in india!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The master of James's Shortcuts!!! Congratulations!! I am studying your timeline to see what I can learn!!

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-06-03 19:05:00

DS 3032 Processing delay

I also received our IV bill today. Got an email response to the email that I sent inquiring about the hard copy that the NVC received on June 12th. The moment I got the email response from NVC, I went on-line (CEAC) and there was my bill waiting for me. No response yet to the email that my wife sent on July 1st. But who cares at this point!

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-07-09 16:03:00

DS 3032 Processing delay

I'm glad I'm not the only one experiencing this problem. I sent in a hardcopy via certified mail that was received at NVC on June 12th. The automated messaging said as late as July 1st that the NVC was still waiting for it. I had my wife send in an email version yesterday thinking that there had been a problem with the hardcopy.

I mean, how hard can that be to enter?!?!? It is one page??!?*!&$ (and not a full page at that!)

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-07-02 12:26:00

Processing Times for Vermont I-130 - July 30,2007

QUOTE (MsZ @ Mar 28 2008, 11:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

http://spreadsheets....RR7hdWQYg3KbwRg is the right spreadsheet to get a clear view of what VSC is up to.

Unfortunately, that spreadsheet is not a clear picture of what VSC is doing because it leaves out those who applied for I-129F in addition to their I-130 (which are probably a majority of married filers).

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-03-28 10:42:00

Processing Times for Vermont I-130 - July 30,2007

QUOTE (Jason&Dani @ Mar 28 2008, 09:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I got of the phone with customer aggrivation a few moments ago and the reason told to me was because of the applications going back in fourth from CSC and VSC. I guess CSC just sent a bunch of July applications over there. Really does make me wonder if they did misplace a ton of applications in the whole backlog issue. But atleast CSC went from July 30th to September 5th in 1 month, for now >.> until VSC sends back those July applications

Dealing with USCIS is like dealing with slick talking street hustlers.

But this doesn't seem to be a plausible explanation at all. If you look at Eresh's latest posting,

http://www.visajourn...h...t&p=1702111

there were only two July CSC'ers who were not yet approved, Asherah and Mohgli. Are these the files they were talking about? I haven't seen any postings from either that would indicate this is true of them. Plus, if the VSC is showing a completed date for I-130s of July 30th, then this means that these July files that they received from CSC are now complete. Either way, it doesn't make sense.

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-03-28 09:51:00

Dec. Vermont Filers - Can you check online?

This was posted on USCIS web site last week (Jan. 15th):

==========================================
http://www.uscis.gov...5jan08_FAQs.pdf

Q : I received my receipt notice, but when I check my case online it does not appear. How do I get my case added to the system so I can check its progress?

USCIS had an unprecedented number of applications filed over the summer. Our efforts to enter these applications into our systems have caused a delay in the transfer of information from our case control system to the Case Status Online system. We are experiencing delays of up to 3 to 4 weeks between receipting your application and its status being available www.uscis.gov. If you have additional questions after your information is available on Case Status Online, please call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

Arlington

Male

Ecuador

2008-01-26 07:39:00

affidavit of support

can a green card holder do affidavit of support for somebody?

yes

mrsfrisbey

Female

Italy

2011-06-25 17:16:00

Canadian girls are beautiful, nice and friendly

Aw shucks. We try. Have fun with your fiance in Virginia! So many VA filers here!

Tala202

Female

Canada

2014-03-14 18:46:00

HAHA I was freaking out, man. I've been with my fiance for 6 years and I just couldn't bear the possibility of getting a visa denial for that because I'm no junkie...

*woman, but yea I totally understand. You'll be fine, don't worry.

Tala202

Female

Canada

2014-03-14 18:20:00

I know very subjective. Look at how much Jamaicans are scrutinized and penalized. Someone just recently in UK admitted to over 10 years ago using pot. 1 year ban.

I know someone there man has been a user for over 20 years and just quit before medical. Doctor said no issue no problem. Now we will see if interview flies. And this is an avid user who said he quit because he is immigrating.

Immigration is wayyyy to subjective they break their own laws and its illegal and we all take it up the tail. sorry I am mad now.

That's messed up. But then they go and legalize it in the US. I mean, I get that it's illegal and all, but it's so darn common and I just don't feel like having used it once 10 years ago deserves a denial and ban.

Once when I was crossing the US border, they pulled my bag out and said their dogs smelled marijuana on it (to this day, I can't figure out why). They started searching it and asking questions about my drug use and one of the first things the guy said to me was "Look, we don't care if you have used it in the past, just don't bring it into my country". That made me feel like these past run-ins with drugs wouldn't be so important. O well. Immigration is too subjective!

Your right one night shouldn't me up your future. I think, this one area that, if nothing ever became of it, meaning you were never accused of, or been caught doing, they don't need to know of. If asked then I would advice not say anything. I'm not advocating everybody to lie, but I think this is one area that they are little to stricted. Why should it matter, if you are truly not using drugs, what you had tried years ago.

I joined the military, as an army MP, I had told the military that had experimented with pot two times, when I was younger. I had to get a waiver to be able to get my security clearance of secret. If I was able to get a waiver for that then one person should not get banned from getting a visa.

I agree. Way too harsh.

I just used a lamp to look through the medical results envelop without opening it and I could see that the boxes which say CLASS A CONDITIONS and CLASS B CONDITIONS aren't marked, but the box that says NO APPARENT DEFECT, DISEASE OR DISABILITY ***is CHECK***! what does that mean? I could also see the doctor didn't check the boxes that talk about addiction and drug abuse. Do you think I am in good shape based on this information?

A) It's funny that you did that

B) I think you're fine.

Tala202

Female

Canada

2014-03-14 18:11:00

Not odd at all. Do a search on VJ) on people who admitted marijuana use long ago getting denied at interview. It's been a popular subject lately. Its very subjective with certain countries just more strict. No one knows what the CO is writing in the notes either. They may tell you anything and say all is fine and it well maybe but CO has final authority.

That's crazy! So what are you supposed to do? Let one night from college ruin your future? That's so messed up

Tala202

Female

Canada

2014-03-14 14:09:00

I believe it was pot

Now that's just odd..

Tala202

Female

Canada

2014-03-14 12:42:00

My roommate had a visa denied because his fiancée said she tried drugs over ten years ago.

What kind of drugs? I could understand that for things like cocaine, but marijuana? I doubt they'd be that strict if it's not still in your system.

Tala202

Female

Canada

2014-03-14 12:31:00

Interview date set, but tourist visa will expire

Not the only but also the best way is to call the U.S Embassy in Ankara or Istanbul.It's not a child's game or it's not a light thing to hand it up.By the way I'm not a lowyer but I'm a citizen of this country,and the only thing I can say is,if the police told her like that you wrote ,there must be something that they know.Advice..do not take any risks about both the visa and exiting the country.With no doubt,the rightest answer will come from the U.S Embassy.Call there as soon as possible..Be sure they will help you any informations yo want to get.Good luck.

chileck

Female

Turkey

2009-07-08 14:16:00

Recent divorce red flag

I agree deeply with tngirl21809. Shouldn't forget that...What goes around comes around. To judge someone without knowing really, is so hard ,but having a lot of knowlegdes ( I'm sure the consular officials really have much more than every applicants..!! therefore they take this process seriously...rightfully!!) The only advice can be given is;
Think deeply before you act, to avoid yourself thinking deeply after you act..

chileck

Female

Turkey

2009-07-09 09:05:00

QUOTE (karen123 @ Jul 23 2009, 05:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thank you so much to everyone for your quick and detailed replies. It looks like we will just have to go with the K1 and wait as long as it takes, as I cannot reside in Turkey for 6 months right now and therefore cannot meet the residency requirements for the DCF. And yes, I have heard that K3 is obsolete...best to go with the CR1, as processing times are now equivelent, but for time's sake it looks like the K1 is the way to go for us. And great to hear from someone else from Turkey--I might send questions your way in the future once we start the process. So happy to find this site!

Good morning,
Whenever & whatever you need any informations,I can help you with a pleasure.Beside this, your decision is right about going with the K1.Don't worry anything about it,sooner or later he'll get his visa in one way.Tell your fiance to register any forms in Turkey,there are 2 forums which are the best.If he gives his nick name,I can help him there too.(I mean in the forum) I'm sure by talking in our native language and in our native time,he can get info fast & the best.Get the documents a.s.a.p and apply for the K1 visa.Good Luck both of you.

* Important please note this, your fiance will need a birth certificate,in Turkey there are 2 types of it and also ?n Turkish applicants there is a common misunderstanding about it since we use ''?dentitiy card'' when someone asks for our certificates. But this is not the same what the USCIS wants.Tell him to take '' Vukuatl? Nüfus Kay?t Orne?i''.. I have to write it in Turkish,because this is the word that he can understand easily.Tell him like that,he will understand exactly.

chileck

Female

Turkey

2009-07-23 05:07:00

It covers a long period of CR1 visa type but the best side is,everything will be ready when the applicant enters the U.S.no need to deal with S.S.N or work permit etc.She mentioned that she wants to become together a.s.a.p. and because of this I advice her to apply for K1 visa.As she isn't a resident, of course she can't live ?n Turkey for a year but she can come and marry and then apply for K3 visa,but she can't wait here of course,she has to return to U.S and they have to wait the crazy months or even a year.It can be taught K1 & K3 visas are alternatives of each other,but the couples who don't want to stay far away for a long time,they mostly apply for K1 visa.By the way,under what K3 visa is obsolote?I don't understand the reason of obsolotion of it.

Karen123,as your fiance is a Turkish & lives in Turkey and the application will be from Istanbul or Ankara.The best thing he has to do is to register any immigrant forms in Turkey,the best and the current answers are going to come from there,not only the applicants but also the immigrant lawyers answer and redirect the people daily 7/24.If there's something to obsess you,you can ask whatever you want.Think deeply and decide the best,waiting without knowing the certain date is so boring.Good luck again.

Edited by chileck, 22 July 2009 - 06:31 PM.

chileck

Female

Turkey

2009-07-22 18:29:00

You can check it out here;but I have to say,for my country there are so many changes about immigrations and you may wait for a long time to get DCF visa.I insist on that the fastest way to become together is applying for K1 visa.Although my fiance is a US citizen and he has a residence permit,we never thougt to apply for DCF visa.By the way,these are just my opinions according to my readings and hearings,decision is only yours:) I just want to share since I know how difficult it is to live in different countries and also it's too hard to get any info to decide what to do,by not knowing the foreign country's procedure.

http://www.visajourn...h...om&page=dcf

chileck

Female

Turkey

2009-07-22 17:10:00

QUOTE (karen123 @ Jul 22 2009, 02:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hello,

I am a bit overwhelmed by reading all of the State Dept. info and questions and answers on this site. My fiance is a turkish citizen and I am a US citizen. We were planning on filing for a K1 Visa, but it looks like that takes at least 6 months. What I am wondering is if he could come back to the US with me sooner if we were to marry in Turkey and file with the embassy there--but as I am not a Turkish resident I do not know if this is possible. In general what is the fastest way to be together--regarless of citizenship status, greencard processing, etc. We just do not want to be apart for 6 months and I have to return to the US in the Fall.

Hello Karen,
Of course it is possible to marry him in Turkey,there's no rule that if someone is not a Turkish resident he/she can't marry in this country.If you marry in Turkey,you have to apply for K3 visa and it's the hardest way as everyone knows ( in the meaning of waiting time).K1 is the fastest way to get the visa,if everything is ok that they want to see.Where does your fiance live in Turkey? He can get a lot of informations and advices or whatever he wants to learn,in Turkish forms.As he is an applicant from Turkey,he can easily learn what he needs to do from Turkish Forms.He's not going to be alone,there are a lot of applicants there sharing their knowledges,and help each other.I'm a Turkish Citizen,if anything you want to ask about Turkish procedure about visas,help you as much as I can with pleasure.Good luck.

chileck

Female

Turkey

2009-07-22 16:27:00