Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Disparity Between VSC and CSC and	QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Mar 6 2008, 10:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm not sure where one would draw the line for when a visa 'must' be issued. A visa to admit someone to the United States is not the same thing as granting permanent residency or citizenship to someone who is already here. If it were, Homeland Security would never have been created. The focus of our nation now for admission to the US is security clearance of immigrants. You have spoken in other posts of seeking publicity to raise the hue and cry amongst the general public regarding the service. You would never convince that public that speeding up the process and admitting citizens who have not been interviewed by a consulate and produced a police certificate as to their background, that those immigrants should automatically be admitted. And well such admissions should not occur. I'm not asking for a lack of those checking on those admitted - its should be more thorough as it is admittance of a foreign national to the US. However, the timeline should be sacrosanct, just like the 180 days you were talking about. 6 months tops, and staff fully for that. I asked for 30 days in another thread. Its all a question of staffing, since the process takes around 15 minutes each, its just the volume which takes the time. Therefore, lets keep the process going as is, just staff it up. Even just making the process more open and transparent would help a lot. If I knew where in the queue I was and when I can expect anything to happen, then that would help. Right now its just an intractable black hole. Why not some action? Journalists love stories like this. Pick a military couple as an example, show how govt delays are keeping that family apart - show it on national television - ask the presidential candidates - what would YOU do about the horrendous delays -etc etc. Seems to me like it would be a somewhat compelling underreported issue. BTW, are there any lobbies which specialize in this stuff? Politicians seem to listen to them more than use regular peeps. Does AILA do anything? Thanks...Chris	Chris Future	Male	Canada	2008-03-06 13:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Disparity Between VSC and CSC and	QUOTE (lancer1655 @ Mar 6 2008, 10:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> On the original topic, there are probably only two solutions to the inbalance between the centres and neither are very likely. Either A. They re balance the states to whom the Centers serve (which is a really bad thing in the short run, ie. lots of petitions were messed up/lost last summer do to last shift) or B. They quietly remove the CSC director and place him somewhere else whilst taking one of the VSC managers and placing him in CSC to retool their system) Neither are likely to happen. Hey Lancer: Agreed. I don't think the centers are even tracked on their # of visa issuance in relation to each other. They are probably tracked at a higher level which just shows the overall average reducing due to the efforts of the VSC. So the I-129F backlog looks like its moving, but that only due to the VSC whipping them out in 1/5 the time the CSC does. So Sec. Gonzalez sees the reports looking brighter and brighter. I still wonder why the CSC is where it is. Usually the offices are out in the middle of the country somewhere in a jobs depressed area - part of the government job creation program - maybe that area of LA is economically depressed and that why they dropped it there. Of course if the VSC gets too fast and really rips through its backlog, they may decide to ship some of our cases to them. Not sure if thats good or bad - every time something is moved there are chances for loss. - - - - > Today's Official "Sulu Countdown" VSC: 17 CSC: 6 (Ratio: 2.83:1) - - - - > Edited by Chris Future, 06 March 2008 - 01:27 PM.	Chris Future	Male	Canada	2008-03-06 13:26:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Disparity Between VSC and CSC and	QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Mar 6 2008, 06:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The namecheck issue catches many petitioners for adjustment of status also. This is what happened to my husband and why his card was delayed for 17 months. There is an entire thread in the AOS forum which addresses this issue. There are VJ members who have been waiting three, four and five years just for the greencard. Last month, USCIS issued a change in policy wherein beginning this month, they will no longer hold a greencard petitioner hostage for more than 6 months due to namecheck. The card will be issued, but lifting of conditions and indeed, naturalization may still be delayed until the namecheck is complete. I should also add that sometime when Colin Powell was still around, he spoke to USCIS and stated the goal of the administration should be six months for family reunification. At the time that was considered a 'mandate' of sorts - it still remains a goal. Yes, name check is a huge issue. The whole system is just so riddled with inconsistencies, favoritism, black holes, file losses, its not funny. I read about the 6 month issue. Thats was a good move. I think someone should just impose a 6 month negative option deadline on our visa as well: if they are not processed from beginning to end within 6 months, the visa is automatically issued. Why not? Like that ruling, we can catch offenders during the naturalization process. If its good enough for GCs it shoudl be good enough for us, don't you think?	Chris Future	Male	Canada	2008-03-06 13:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Disparity Between VSC and CSC and	QUOTE (rebeccajo @ Mar 6 2008, 04:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Again guys, you're mixed up on what gets processed where and why. I129Fs are processed in CA and VT (Service Center). As you already know. I485's (greencard or AOS) are processed in your local (District Office). I751's (lifting conditions) are processed in all four of the Service Centers (CA,TX, VT, NB). They are considered low priority. N400's (naturalization) are also processed at the local offices. Naturalization applications are not 'in line' with your fiance petitions at all. For your information, the president long ago mandated these petitions to take top priority over all other types. There is also a codified time limit within the INA (180 days) wherein the petitioner must receive an answer. Filing for citizenship is the highest request an immigrant can ask of this Nation. The government considers itself to be honored to receive this request. It doesnt matter which center processes what - at the high level decisions are made as to which centers are staffed based on priority. If they want to process more N-400s, then they add more staff to the local offices, not CSC. Therefore this influx is affecting us indirectly by sending more resources away from processing our petitions. So you are saying that citizenship requests do take priority over citizens request to reunite with family?	Chris Future	Male	Canada	2008-03-06 09:19:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Disparity Between VSC and CSC and	QUOTE (lancer1655 @ Mar 5 2008, 10:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I thought Obama was pro Chinese Wall/mass deportation? McCain is pro amnesty. According to his website he is pro-amnesty too, but in a weird way. He says anyone here illegally should not be allowed to work, but pay a fine and be allowed to stay in the country and go to the end of the line for citizenship. Considering how long its takes to get citizenship, have no idea what he thinks all these people will do while they are waiting. Get on welfare? He does mention fixing the dysfunctional system and united families, but his only action on that front is to say no to the new points system for visas, which only affect non-spouse/child cases, so not us. Clinton wants the above plus to allow non-citizens to bring in their spouses. Now those petitions take even more time than ours. She wants them to take the same amount of time, which will probably burden our system even more. McCain's site says nothing on family visas. Edited by Chris Future, 06 March 2008 - 02:24 AM.	Chris Future	Male	Canada	2008-03-06 02:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures	Disparity Between VSC and CSC and	QUOTE (mox @ Mar 5 2008, 10:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Chris Future @ Mar 5 2008, 09:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> We are unlucky enough to have two events shape our schedules - the backlog of new filings from the fee increase, which they state will carry on to 2010, and the fact that there is an election this November. I predict that we wont see an acceleration of our visas until after November. What do you think? I think the situation will remain as-is for at least 2 more years. That's how long it's going to take President Obama to get someone in there who can do the job, and for that person to actually affect change. Actually, you are probably more right with the two year prediction. Oh yes and BTW, President Obama will probably also sign an amnesty bill before then, legalizing those in the country who entered the country illegally to be with their loved ones, while those of us still waiting for CSC approval pull out the rest of our hair.	Chris Future	Male	Canada	2008-03-06 01:07:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	CSC hasnt encash I129F check yet	Hi Chazzie--I was worried at first too because it seemed like everyone who filed in early May and before had their checks cashed and cleared in two days. It took mine a week. I think what happened is the change in processing; the I129F is now forwarded from the CSC to a centralized lockbox in Texas. That's where my check cleared. I'm sure it will be cashed soon. Hang in there!	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-06-07 19:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	Approved!	Hey..everybody out there :-) We got an email this morning that they have sent our NOA2 on 2nd of August, so just some days and we even have the paper copy.! I am so so happy! After 4 month of hearing NOTHING..it just jumped out of the box! So guys..dont worry if you check your status every day and nothing changes...at some point, they work on your case..even if all those that filed later get approved first. Greetings, Anna and Josh That's great--congratulations! We were just approved, too. Best of luck to you! Maybe Joern will see you at the embassy.	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-08-03 15:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2010 CSC K1 Filers	Hi Marena! It looks like you and I are on the same exact path, with me a little behind you. I live just north of San Francisco so we must have the same local office as well. Hope you don't mind if I stalk your profile to see what's happening! ~Ellen	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-05-19 22:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2010 CSC K1 Filers	If there are so few of us May filers, maybe the process will be faster! Just wishful thinking, I guess. Congrats on the NOA and good luck to both of you, too! ~Ellen	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-05-19 10:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2010 CSC K1 Filers	I looked through the topics and couldn't find any May CSC Filers--anyone out there? I sent the 129f yesterday Priority Mail and confirmed it was received today. The wait begins...	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-05-18 23:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2010 K-1 CSC	My Fiance had his interview today. He said the woman congratulated him and he should be expecting his visa in 7-10 days. AHHHH!!!! So happy! Yay--congratulations!	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-09-23 10:21:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2010 K-1 CSC	Just an update on our process (we've been MIA for a while sorry).....I just got back from a trip in France visiting the fiancé and his family for my birthday. While there we received our interview date from the consulate scheduled for September 22.....Medical on the 20th. Such a good birthday gift from the consulate! So so happy and excited we'll be together for good sooooooooon. Good luck to you all. I hope everything is going smoothly and moving quickly! Yay! Congratulations and Happy (Belated) Birthday!	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-09-06 20:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2010 K-1 CSC	Hi Guys, Just an FYI, we received the NOA2 7/31 and the package was sent from the NVC 8/6- my fiance just received a letter in the mail asking him to fill out some forms online and return them. He will then be able to make an appointment for his interview in Frankfurt. I have not received anything since the NOA2 but welcome the news! We are hoping to have everything done and the fiance visa on his passport in a month... Would love to hear about other May filers experiences after the NOA2 and package 3 (I have not received it). Best, Marena Hi Marena--Gratz on the progress! I never got the letter from the NVC, either; only the NOA2. I reached them by phone and they told me our case had been sent to the Frankfurt embassy. The packet 3 is the letter your fiance received. After he sends back the forms they request, they'll send him a letter telling him his interview date. Joern got his packet 3 last Saturday and mailed it Monday. Sarah-Jax did the same and she already received her interview date for 9/1. That's fast. (Yay, Sarah!) The three (I guess that's actually six) of us have very similar timelines.	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-08-21 00:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2010 K-1 CSC	I have Packet 3 sitting nicely in my room, and I haven't done anything about it yet. I don't want to continue with this process, yet a small part of me is holding me back from cancelling the process... so I'm just sitting here and waiting. LOL. Am I crazy? Edited to add: Oh yes, CONGRATULATIONS to all you lovely May filers who got approved! Where there's love there's hope...you have some time to try to work through the problems. I'm wishing the best for you.	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-08-10 08:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2010 K-1 CSC	I was able to reach the NVC tonight and they told me our file has already been sent to the Frankfurt embassy. Yay!! I tracked the packages sent to Frankfurt (I LOVE this website and all the helpful people) and I think it must have been the one sent last week that arrived August 6. I'm so thankful this part has gone so smoothly. (Knocking on wood.) Hope all of you have the same experience and that it goes well for all of us until the ones we love are happily home in our arms.	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-08-09 23:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2010 K-1 CSC	APPROVED!!!!!!!!!! OMG I am SOOOOOOO happy!!!!!!!!! Congratulations!! YAY!!!	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-08-05 23:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2010 K-1 CSC	Approved!!!!! I received the I-797 in the mail today. Our NOA2 date was Thursday, July 29. The USCIS website still says "initial review". As so many have said, don't be discouraged if you're not seeing any updates. Good luck everyone!!	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-08-03 00:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2010 K-1 CSC	Guys, I know this is a bummer for all those still expecting a NOA2, but we got our Interview scheduled for 31 of August. I am gonna faint. I wish you all the best guys gonna keep you notified:D GOOD LUCK!!!Sending all of our good luck to you guys. No, it's not a bummer at all for those of us waiting; it gives us hope that others are progressing. Great news on the interview scheduled so soon! We were touched again today. I wish I knew what that meant, but I guess at the least it means something is happening. I'm thinking positive.	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-07-30 14:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2010 K-1 CSC	You know, I do wish I could somehow "give" you my NOA2. Crazy though, huh? It's funny how, in comparison to your case, my case wasn't touched at all until NOA2! Funny how CSC works. But all the best to you - RFE or not! That's so sweet of you. I'm still hoping you can make it work out and you'll need your NOA2. I agree about the CSC. There doesn't seem to be any standard they follow; all their reviewers appear to do things differently.	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-07-30 08:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2010 K-1 CSC	We were touched today! Keeping positive thoughts that it's a good thing and not an RFE.	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-07-29 21:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2010 K-1 CSC	My fiance just called me to tell me we GOT APPROVED!!! He found the NOA2 in the mail box today, but it is dated July 19!!! I am so happy! Good luck to the rest of you, guys! As frustrating as this waiting game is, we are getting there... I don't think I can sleep tonight... Congratulations!! So the CSC really was working last week; I was beginning to think they might all be on vacation. Great news!	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-07-24 14:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2010 K-1 CSC	Happy for you who got your NOA2! Congrats! As for me, it's my 73rd day since NOA1 (dated May 4). We haven't been touched since May 6! Does this mean that no one has really looked at our file since we got our NOA1? I'm friends with some applicants with the same concern as mine, they also don't have their NOA2 after 70+ days. Some haven't been touched since NOA1 date, too! Urgh! But at least, I'm not alone :-p Seems like the CSC has slowed down quite a bit in the last month. Very few CSC May filers have received their NOA 2's so far. Looks like the CSC isn't quite through April yet. From what I've read on this site, not getting a "touch" doesn't mean anything. Some people are never "touched" and get approved...and in some cases the USCIS gives the NOA2 and doesn't update the website, so people don't know until the hard copy arrives in the mailbox. I'm nervous because I was "touched" twice a couple of weeks after my NOA1. Could be a bad thing, could be a good thing...could be nothing. I'm grateful we all have each other, though. Without this website I'd be sooooo in the dark. Best of luck to you and all of us May filers. Let's hope the CSC starts cranking next week.	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-07-16 14:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2010 K-1 CSC	VSC is moving a lot faster than CSC, it seems! I saw a VJer who filed with VSC in mid-May and got her NOA2 in mid-June. And her interview is at end-July. That's super fast! I saw that too. Someone in another topic said the VSC sent a bunch of files to Texas because they were so backed up at the VSC, and that it's those that have been approved so quickly. Usually it seems like time flies, but these days it's dragggggggging.	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-07-03 15:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2010 K-1 CSC	Our file was "touched" both yesterday and today...I wonder if that's a good thing. Maybe it has something to do with that processing change and sending the files from the central processing center back to to the service centers.	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-06-03 16:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2010 K-1 CSC	I was browsing some of the other CSC topics and see everyone seems to be reporting the same thing; there's been no activity at the CSC this week. I sent my 129F Monday; confirmed it was received Tuesday (by the post office) but my check hasn't been cashed yet and of course no NOA1. Maybe they're all on vacation this week...	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-05-21 11:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	May 2010 K-1 CSC	Hi everyone! Thanks for sending us the link to this thread; don't know why I couldn't find it. I sent the 129F on May 17. Good luck everyone!	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-05-20 09:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	K1 June 2010 CSC Filers	Hey J, was your check also cashed in Texas? Cause ours was and I'm wondering now if that means that our package was sent on to the Texas Service Center and - if so - things will go quicker. Seeing that quite a few people went from NOA1 to NOA2 really fast got me really excited . Hi Severina--I saw your German flag and thought I'd respond, though I'm a May filer. My understanding is that checks are all forwarded to Texas from (at least) the CSC, but that your case will return to California for processing. That's what happened with mine; it definitely went back to California after the check was cashed in Texas. Too bad, because I've seen people speculating that the 8 day approvals we're seeing from the VSC are really files that were sent to Texas for processing. Maybe you'll be lucky, though, and yours will stay there. Best of luck to you! ~Ellen	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-07-09 14:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2010 K-1 CSC	our visa got approved today! finally. so happy Yay! Congratulations!!	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-09-13 10:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2010 K-1 CSC	I see 4 NOA 2's from the CSC today (Igor's List). 3 from March and 1 from April, so things are happening. Good luck April filers! Can't wait for them to finish with all of you so they can start May!	Ellen&Joern	Female	Germany	2010-06-08 23:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	I-130 Assembling Instructions	Hi All: I am preparing my package for I-130. I have an idea on how to assemble the package, but I would like to hear about how YOU assembled you package; staples, 2-hole punch, dividers, tabs, type of folder/binder, etc...In other words, I want to hear about things to use and things not to use. Also, any of you have a Cover Letter Sample? Any attachments/links would be appreciated.	Ever	Male	Venezuela	2009-04-30 18:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	May Filers, Is this a good month to file?	Hi All: Just want to know about people who filed or are filling in May 2009. I sent my application on the 23rd. Is this a good month? Has anyone gotten NOA1? Best Wishes to all!!!! Ever	Ever	Male	Venezuela	2009-05-28 14:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Any May i-130 Fillers	Good Luck!! I sent mine on the 23rd. Please keep me posted on your notices to compare time frames. Good Luck!!	Ever	Male	Venezuela	2009-05-29 00:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Claming Foreign as spouse on taxes	I have a copy of her passport. Can I notorized it even if she is not present?	Ever	Male	Venezuela	2009-06-02 23:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Claming Foreign as spouse on taxes	What is a "motorized copy of your wife's biographical page"? Is it a notorized copy of Form G325A?? I will be doing the same for next year (I married this year).	Ever	Male	Venezuela	2009-06-02 22:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	For CR1 IV packet submitting without PCC	What is PCC?	Ever	Male	Venezuela	2009-08-23 18:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Marriage Certificate Translation	You can do it yourself. Just follow the guidelines (certifying). I did mines and had no problem. You can really save yourself some money. =) Let me know (send me a message) if you need templates. Good luck!!	Ever	Male	Venezuela	2010-03-04 17:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Visiting US on a B2 visa while awaiting I-130	My wife from Venezuela came as tourist for the holidays. Our interview date was January 7, 2010. Since she had airline tickets, we asked the embassy to reschedule. They moved the interview to March 4, 2010 (TOMORROW). Any how, she had no problem at the airport. No questions asked. We had a wonderful time. I guess every case/officer is diferent. I did read negative stories, but we had nothing to hide and decided to try. She was prepare with documents and proof that she was intending to return to the country, just in case they asked. Good Luck!	Ever	Male	Venezuela	2010-03-03 17:34:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	name change	I wonder why you need this? When you get the citizenship, you can change your last name, middle name and even first name if you'd like - all without troubles with the consulates and native passports Well, not everybody wants citizenship... Besides, I can totally relate to the OP - I wanted to change my name so badly (it's a good name in my country, but here it's just so not American!!!) that I didn't even apply for my OPT - we went right to AOS, mostly because I couldn't wait to change it.	Sid and Nancy	Female	Russia	2006-12-16 20:27:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion	Mailed my packet this morning	Just mailed my I-751 packet this morning...I wrote two separate checks, one for filing, and the other for the biometrics.. Plan to go back to HK for a visit this May..Hope everything will be going smoothly. A little stressed about it right now...Wish me luck~ Good luck!!!!!!	Sid and Nancy	Female	Russia	2007-01-27 13:42:00