biggish data

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

I received a USCIS stakeholder email this evening encouraging DACA filers from 2012 to refile to avoid a lapse in authorization. Just wanted to note this here so we can keep an eye on numbers and assess whether this big renewal period will impact fiancé and/or spousal visas again.

USCIS email:

Dear Stakeholder,

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently posted a notice on its website with important information for individuals granted deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) prior to August 15, 2012. If you were granted DACA by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement prior to August 15, 2012 or are a DACA recipient with an employment authorization document (EAD) that will expire in the next 120 days, you must apply for DACA renewal to avoid any lapse in your employment authorization or accrual of unlawful presence in the United States.

If you have moved since your EAD was granted, please visit www.uscis.gov/addresschange to update your address on file with USCIS.

Kind regards,

Public Engagement Division
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

I just posted this in the April thread.. I feel like the backlog will not go away. They set it up so they have to keep renewing and paying a fee. So here come the first renewals... and the backlog remains. I don't see them getting to the 5 month processing time by MAY.... No way in Heck

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2014-02-19 18:59:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

If you have his number, I'll call him.

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2014-02-11 10:16:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Did you guys see this post? http://www.visajourn...a-foia-finding/

It contains USCIS internal emails that directly link DACA to our backlog. Might be worth incorporating this as "proof" into some of the appeals we're making.

and now we know where they came up the October 2012 processing date...

Lockbox plans to start assigning MSC receipt numbers to stand alone Immediate Relative I-130s October 1, 2012.

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2013-11-13 08:19:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Hi all,

This marks two weeks since USCIS announced transfers to speed up processing. So far, we have seen no positive change in adjudication rate. If the approvals don't start rolling in this week, and I mean, at least 40 per week here on VJ, USCIS is just not taking the backlog seriously enough. I guess 40 per week would merely keep up with the incoming petitions, and VJ stats are fairly reliable. This would clearly demonstrate that USCIS management feels that an eight-month separation is not long enough to give our petitions priority, and are simply not doing enough about it. Of course, if we just take what they give us, why would they change?

Leave a comment here: http://uscgreencardp...ittee.blogspot.com

Follow us on Twitter and Retweet for us. Tweet USCIS like crazy. https://twitter.com/USCI130Cmte Tweet your senators. Tweet your congressperson.

This only requires a minimal effort on your part, and really is the least you can do for your family.

you're not going to see 40 approvals on VJ even on a good day. I just wonder what will happen to April filers after they are finished transferring March, especially with no approvals coming through yet.... and then here comes the holiday season with closings all over the place.

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2013-11-04 12:44:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Just now... APRIL 1 approval.. no info just the approval I asked them to fill in their timeline.... So happy to see 2 April approvals today

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2013-10-17 17:26:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Dear Friends,

I have been doing more research about the cause for the I-130 processing delay. I think this will inform many, and clarify the issue for many. I want to warn you that some of this information may produce explosive political opinions, and so, I want to encourage everyone to think coolly, and remember that our first priority is to our spouses who are abroad. Let's try to set aside the politics.

VJ data shows that the median number of days for an I-130 approval (NOA2) was consistently 90 days for filers in November, 2012 through February 2012. But about a little less than half of February filers did not get an adjudication after 100 days, which was unusual. Then March filers did not start receiving adjudications until very recently - 6-7 months later. Since March, adjudications have virtually stopped. Of course there have been exceptions, 'expedited' cases, etc, but those exceptions have been rare.

Some people have attributed the cause of our delay to DACA, but I do not believe that this is the cause. DACA is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals ? Obama's order to Homeland Security to "exercise prosecutorial discretion" in deporting people who were brought here illegally as kids. It amounts to de facto amnesty for this class of illegally present persons. These people were allowed to start filing in August, 2012. Last year, one VJ member did find incontrovertible evidence ? based on her expert statistical analysis of USCIS data ? that DACA was affecting I-129 applications at the California Service Center, and she was an I-129 applicant for her fiancee to come to the US. In other words, she found proof that USCIS was re-allocating their labor away from I-129s to process DACA forms - I-821D, I-765, I-765WS.

But DACA could not be the cause of the I-130 delay, because I-130 processing continued through the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013 at a good pace, averaging 90 days.

Some people have also wondered about same-sex married couples, who have been eligible to file since DOMA was struck down, and USCIS came up with new regulations in June-July. I have seen remarkably fast I-130 approvals reported on these message boards from people who are same-sex binational, but it is doubtful that these numbers can account for the slowdown.

The real cause of the delay is a new "provisional waiver" program. The Obama administration announced the program in January, 2013.

This program targets immediate family members of US citizens, who are here illegally. Once they obtain the waiver they are eligible for legal residency. The waiver is not new, but Obama's program is.

The program provides broader ground for receiving a waiver, in effect, making a larger number of people eligible for legal residency. This has opened the floodgates to I-130 applications from illegal aliens who are immediate relatives of US citizens. This is defacto amnesty for illegally present family members of US citizens, and this has affected I-130 processing.

To apply for a waiver, applicants use forms I?160 or I?160a (the latter is new with the Obama program). At the same time, or earlier, they can file an I-130. Applicants were allowed to start filing for waivers in March, exactly when I-130 approvals slowed drastically, and the number of applications rose significantly.

It appears that, in response to the anticipated waiver program, the USCIS changed their organization. This is the reason for the new Overland Park facility.

I do not believe that Immediate Family I-130 petitions from these "provisional waiver" recipients are treated any differently than Immediate Family I-130 petitions from anyone else. So, we are all lumped together. What may be unfair, however, is that these "provisional waiver" recipients are probably almost all already in the US with their immediate family - their spouses - while many of us have spouses who are waiting abroad. In other words, those of us who followed the law and are separated wait in the same line with those of us who were here illegally and are together.

However unfair this may be, the law says that the immediate relatives of US citizens should receive first priority, and that covers both people who followed the law and people who did not, once those here illegally have been granted "provisional waivers". So, the Obama administration can argue that they are following the law, if people object and raise a fuss. They might not like the pressure, though, if this matter were raised by the Obama administration's political opposition, and they might be pressured to find a solution for people who followed the law.

It is doubtful to me, that AILA or immigration attorneys like Laurel Scott will be interested in segregating the waiting-line, giving preference to those who followed the law. They want the government to give legal residency for all - those here already illegally and spouse of USC's living abroad. We cannot expect them to play favorites and they won't. Laurel Scott specializes in helping illegals get these waivers, and if you read AILA's policy memos, you will see what I mean.

My spouse like many of yours, is waiting abroad for the green card. I believe that we can count on the support of AILA and others, to get our spouses here expeditiously, as long as we are not asking them to turn against the illegals. So, I believe that we can count on them to pressure the government to build up their capacity for processing I-130s and for expediting K-3s. I believe that the K-3s are our ticket, but current USCIS policy on the K3 must change.

I think that they, and USCIS, for that matter, will be receptive to the argument, that we should not be punished for following the law. And in granting waivers to immediate family members of aliens who are already here illegally, this is not equitably treating us. For equity's sake, they should dust off their K3 policy and process I-129s for married spouses faster and grant the K3s faster.

That, I believe is what we should aim for. We are not going to get our spouses here any faster by arguing with the Obama administration over their policy, although it might be marginally helpful to tell our story to the political opposition. But it does seem reasonable, that they will accept the view, that they can and should speed up K3s for spouses of USCs who are abroad, especially when their wait time has been elongated by the special grant of this privilege to others.

Love this and I agree....

I have many comments but I will probably get kicked off VJ....

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2013-10-17 08:15:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Would you like regular non-influential non-politician people to be able to sign their support for us? Because I can get butt loads of those people to back us up.

What about starting a petition on Change.org? copy and paste the blog letter. Then send it to everyone here.. and on VJ facebook.

just a thought

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2013-10-13 21:32:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Outrageous! I hope they work on your case soon and approve it quickly! You sure have more to argue with.. hope they don't give you that "It's with an officer right now" #######..

Ohhhhh I have heard it all .

As of Dec 30th I was told my cases are assigned to an officer. Recently I have been told there is a delay because my cases are undergoing additional security checks...( come to find out from my Senator's office that she has SEVERAL cases with the same excuse)

My husband and I are the most boring people. What could they possibly be checking? We don't have common last names and he comes from a country that doesn't even have a military. I have a previous marraige but my divorce decree and translation are in my package. I am a USC.... I have only ever had one speeding ticket in my entire life ( back in May 1992) LOL

My theory is... they ran out of excuses so they are telling everyone they are undergoing additional background checks that cannot be expedited... I guess they think that will make me sit down for a while....

Not a chance.

Yesterday I received a status update in the mail saying my K-3 is WITH an adjudicator but waiting for security checks to be completed. My BIG question is...... Why did it take 10 months for someone to run a security check that they KNOW may take a while ? Doesn't it make sense to have a separate security dept where the security checks are initiated so it doesn't create a problem or delay later when the file is actually on someone's desk?

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2014-02-19 07:58:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Where can I find that report on new dates from uscis?

on the top of this VJ page, click PROCESSING TIMES. Find the Service Center you want to know about and click.... It will take you to the USCIS page where they report processing times. They are AS OF DEC 31st. Which is total ####### because I filed in April and they are claiming they were processing May files in December. Lots of March filers were still being approved in January.

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2014-02-19 07:34:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

I want to be excited by this news. VJ data now showing my I130 MAY be adjudicated between March 12 and May 2 2014?

That would rock my little world.

Sadly, I'm not getting my hopes up......

Good luck, everyone.

Namaste

That figure is based on user input. Don't count on it too much. its nice to see those dates but if people don't fill in their timelines or come back and report their approvals, its not worth anything.

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2014-02-19 07:31:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Im still waiting . April 12th transferred to TSC NOV 27th.... I finally put in a service request today for being outside "normal" processing times

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2014-02-18 21:06:00

I-130 approval delayed due to K-3 petition?

both of my files are at the TSC... I had several service request and inquires done. I don't think it slows it down. I think it gives you more options. Lately the I-130 is taking along time to log in at the NVC. Lately I have seen the K-3 making to the embassy and a few already approved.

Don't get too caught up and over thinking all this. If you have an K-3 filed they will be joined and most likely adjudicated together. Keep making inquires and asking where your files are. I get a different answer everytime I call

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2014-02-22 19:15:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

I called the NBC yesterday and spoke to a first tier person (ha! that was funny. $8 an hour? and relatively clueless) who said that the backlog for CR1's is 13 months (which you can read on the USCIS site). I think a small portion of that is relevant to the shutdown, but most of it is probably due to being understaffed and focusing on other non CR1 cases. IMO the excess CR1 backlog will cause someone to focus on getting that up to a more reasonable time frame, but how long will it take for them actually decrease the backlog? I also believe that the focus from the Administration on Immigration Reform (naturalizing illegal citizens) is also occupying CIS cycles, and pushing back the time frame for the people who are trying to comply with the law and bring their spouses/relatives here legally.

I honestly believe the backlog was created because of the rush of petitions filed once the provisional waiver was passed. None of the illegals wanted to file an I-130 because they knew they would have to leave and wait for the waiver to be processed. I guess for fear that the US would know they were here and if they didn't leave to wait for the waiver , they might be deported or something. But now they are free to wait here in the US while the waiver is processed. Which kind of irritates me too. But we are all suffering because of the rush of petitions no matter what the cause.

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2013-11-06 11:18:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Malenliam from the May Filer's thread reported getting a transfer notification much like the March and April Filer's. I'm trying to get more information about her case.

Feb and March files have been getting transferred.. I know nothing of an April filers getting transferred.

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2013-11-05 10:09:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Ok, so her petition was indeed sent to Overland Park, but was approved at... Lee's Summit.

NOA1 6/16.

Now I wonder whether she was approved already cause she (beneficiary) is in the US and will be filing for Provisional Waiver?

Wouldn't be too surprised...

Yea, there should be a separate thread for filers who's spouse is already in the US. For some reason, they seem to matter more than the petitions whos spouses are overseas.

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2013-10-24 04:39:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Provisional waiver is for the illegals who are already in the US. so they don't have to go home and wait for their waiver

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2013-10-21 16:21:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

I was just told by a former immigration officer, now immigration attorney, that Overland Park is not, to her knowledge, fully operational yet.

She said that when USCIS opens a new location nothing good comes out of it at the beginning. Adjudicators are still in training then, and the same petition gets look at many times for training purposes before getting to an experienced officer and the supervisor.

She basically said that everyone whose petition is at OP is pretty much screwed.

But, she wished me luck.

its just so sad that the system is so broken. Maybe they are planning on catching up with the Feb-April files and then they will start on the files that went over to OP KS. May filers will be hitting the 6 month mark soon.. They can start complaining to the congressional offices. Not sure that will help... I feel bad for all of us... Lee's Summit and Overland Park. We were all taken... Lead to believe that being a USC actually mattered.... (sigh)

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2013-10-18 08:44:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

I am pretty sure this is correct.

When you see Igor's list (timeline), you can easily deduct that USCIS are currently handling late january to mid-march applications.

April filer will start getting approved this month, for sure (as long as this whole government shutdown thing does not last).

Regarding Overland Park, still no news from my side.

ANY ONE ELSE KNOWS ANYTHING REGARDING DIVISION 8 @ Overland Park?

I hope you are correct.

April filers are in Missouri. That would be excellent if they started to get rid of some of the backlog. The shut down does not have an affect on the USCIS processing. As the file gets to the NVC level, the shut down will have an impact. Let's hope the government quits the baby games and starts conducting business as adults.

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2013-10-09 07:36:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

With all due respect, are you sure this is not another false alarm :-)

THE PD DATE IS MAY 6

go look for yourself on the May thread

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2013-10-02 12:44:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Just received now by Email (see below).

Title of the email = Case Status Information for Receipt Number: MSCxxxxxxxxxx

did anyone got this recently ? seems that things are moving a bit :-D

(Note: Regarding the << If you have filed an I-485, I-589, I-751, N-400, I-90, I-821, I-131 or I-765 >>, we did NOT fill any of these.)

Application Type: I130 , IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN

Your Case Status: Initial Review

On October 1, 2013, your Alien Registration Number was changed relating to your I130, IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN. Please check our website at

www.uscis.gov for further updates on your case. Please wait until the end of normal processing time before calling customer service at 1-800-375-5283 for live assistance.

During this step, USCIS initiates the background checks of the applicant/petitioner and identifies issues that may need to be addressed either during an interview or by asking the applicant/petitioner to submit additional information or documentation. USCIS reviews the applicant's/petitioner's criminal history, determines if there are national security concerns that need to be addressed, and reviews the application/petition for fraud indicators.

If you have filed an I-485, I-589, I-751, N-400, I-90, I-821, I-131 or I-765, you can expect to receive an appointment notice to appear at an Application Support Center to have your fingerprints and/or photographs taken. The timing of your appointment is determined by the number of applicants ahead of you that also need a biometric appointment. We try to schedule biometric appointments as quickly as possible and in most cases you will receive your appointment notice within 30 days of submitting your application. We will send your appointment notice approximately 14 days ahead of your scheduled appointment. It is important that you keep this appointment. If absolutely necessary, you can request that your appointment be rescheduled however, please be aware that rescheduling may delay the processing of your application. Please follow the instructions on your appointment notice if you need to reschedule. Occasionally, you may receive an appointment notice to appear at an Application Support Center to have your fingerprints taken when you have filed a form other than those listed above. In these situations, you may receive your appointment notice more than 30 days after submitting your application or petition.

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status results
listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the current
processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283.

*Current processing times can be found on the USCIS website at

www.uscis.gov under Check Processing Times.

*** Please do not respond to this e-mail message.

Sincerely,

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Enter your NOA1 date on your timeline so when you get approved it will show up on Igor's list for everyone

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2013-10-02 12:25:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

just a heads up... lately, anyone who has gotten that notice has gotten approved shortly after... One happened yesterday ( MAY THREAD)

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2013-10-02 12:20:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

ONE APPROVAL FROM OVERLAND PARK!!!

FIRST ONE!!!!

LOOK INTO THE MAY 2013 Filers thread....

GREAT NEWS PEOPLE!!!!

The only approval for May was yesterday ( Oct 1st) PD May 6th File was from Missouri.

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2013-10-02 05:13:00

unfair

I noticed the same thing today. Just one more thing to piss me off.....

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2014-02-27 17:39:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

HHHHEEEELLLLLPPPPP!!!!

Wowch! you have not get Approved yet? i am an April filer too, may be you need to contact USCIS in writing.

Been there, done that 1000 times +

more than several service request, Senator inquiries, letters to TSC, Letters to the director of the service centers and more...

If I get approved this week there is a party on the APRIL thread....... Come join us !! LOL

yesterday was my 1st anniversary... and yea..... it sucked !

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2014-03-10 04:10:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

HHHHEEEELLLLLPPPPP!!!!

It's been 3 weeks now since we hv responded to a check-list stating that 2013 tax returns transcript is missing..Can someone please explain to me..Why after they review and found something to be missing it has to take another two (2) months, as if we are starting alllllllllll over again?

Since NVC hv checked the file and saw something missing/incomplete and hv sent request for such document(s), as soon as they receive it they should hv a way prepared to just get stuff together and "case complete" it. That way they can prevent back log.

OMG I feel your pain. I'm not even approved yet and I am an April Filer. I hope and pray that my K3 gets sent to the embassy because we have waited for too long already

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2014-03-01 11:41:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Today is our wedding anniversary and when I woke up and checked USCIS this is what we found.

Post Decision Activity

On January 2, 2014, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I130 IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

YAY CONGRATS !!!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY too

What was your RFE for? And what service center were you transferred to?

Edited by LoveMyTico, 02 January 2014 - 09:16 PM.

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2014-01-02 21:14:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Anyone still waiting? We received an RFE several weeks ago, requesting our marriage certificate, even though we had already provided it. Also, they had this glaring issue of stating that we got married in Seoul, Turkey. In case you don't already know, that place doesn't exist, they combined our marriage city, Seoul, Korea, with my husband's country, Turkey. This is so ridiculous, even our lawyer doesn't understand exactly what they have gotten wrong. He resubmitted our marriage certificate, and still we haven't heard anything. This is so terribly frustrating. I just want to move forward with our life. Uggghhh.

CRAZZY!!!!!

Where did they transfer you to? They have been handing out the dumbest RFE's Almost like they are buying time.

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2013-12-26 09:28:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

We have status update, just couple a minutes ago...

Request for Evidence
On December 13, 2013, we mailed a notice requesting initial evidence in this case.

Im disgusted that Texas is taking so long. If CSC can kick them out in a matter of days from transfer, then what is the problem with TSC and NSC???? SOOOO PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW.

I hope your RFE isn't anything too complicated.

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2013-12-13 10:02:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

I think you are approved. Just wait for your text/email Monday

NO, thats not an approval, but some people get that phoney message a few days before the approval.

LoveMyTico

Female

Costa Rica

2013-11-23 19:39:00