Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	So, the estimated time isn't as bad as I thought it would be.....     Based on timeline data, your I130 may be adjudicated between November 13, 2013 and December 4, 2013*.   I'll actually be in CR with my hubby at the time.. God Willing !!   I have email on my phone in the moutains, and it would be nice to be able to celebrate with him in person instead of video chatting   ! ! !! !   I don't like the fact that we will probably not be spending our first anniversary together in the US..I'll  just be happy they get things rolling.. The wait is killing me but its such a small amount of time when you consider you get the rest of your lives together.....  ( Im trying really hard to believe that... maybe if I say it over and over...  HAHAHA)	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-26 08:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Okay everyone... I talked to a Tier 2 rep at USCIS yesterday and told her that we've filed in April. Here's a paraphrased version of the questions I asked and her responses to my questions:   Q1: What's the status of my case? A1: It's in the backlog (hasn't been processed yet). Unfortunately,we have had a huge backlog and because of this processing times have jumped up to approximately 9 months.   Q2: Where's my file at? Is it going to be transferred? A2: Your file is at NBC and it will be transferred if there's a need (depending on NBC's workload)   Q3: What about the new processing facility in Kansas? Are they not going to process visas? A3: The facility is opening in Kansas, but these type of visas won't be processed there ( I wonder what she meant by this since a few people already have received their NOA1 from Kansas!)   Q4: Can you still give me an estimate as to when will my case be adjudicated? A4: Most probably before the end of November     And that's all. I hope what she said about November turns out to be true.   The USCIS does not process your visa...  The USCIS is only adjudicating the petition to grant you an interview.  It is up to the Embassy when you go to the interview.    It seems you can get all the answers you need right here.   Most tier 2 operators give sketchy info. If you call tomorrow , you'll get different answers.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-26 04:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	I included my wife's birth certificate because I read many times that people were getting RFEs for not including the beneficiary's certificate (wrongly). So I thought I better be safe than sorry. Was this a mistake on my part? Or will they just disregard it completely? Thanks. I included it in my package because... well....... my attorney put it all together and he said we were going to eliminate all possibilities of an RFE if we can. I waited for all my translations before I sent my package just to be sure ....I had my marriage certificate in my hands 10 days after I got married , which is pretty much UNHEARD OF from Costa Rica.  I could have filed in March, but I had serious  issues with translators not wanting to translate official documents for IMMIGRATION... go figure....  HA HA..     I included  copies of  both of our Birth Certs and passports. I had to have all his stuff translated anyway...  His birth cert was the true original from the hospital. It is so old... its almost dust.  Hard to read... I wasn't taking any chances of it falling apart before I could get it translated.  LOL Edited by LoveMyTico, 25 September 2013 - 12:43 PM.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-25 12:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	It might because a copy of your spouse passport was part of the packet for the I-130. I sent a copy of every single page of my husbands passport and the biometrics page of the new one.   His passport expired April 1st.  We sent the papers on April 10th. He knew it was expiring so he was on that the day after we got married.  He would have needed  a new one regarless of expiration because when he re-entered CR, the BP agrent ripped his Visa out and damaged the page.  It was a big rip and a hole.    You'll most likely get an RFE for that.   Get it ready and only send it in when they ask for it so it doesn't get lost.    and keep a copy for yourself because things get lost between offices.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-25 12:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Yea that's wrong I'm married I applied for i130 the uscis received it April 10th. I understand where your coming from but my wife's passport is expired so she is going to renew it and I was thinking since her marriage certificate last name is changed to mine then maybe when she get her new one she can just change it now before they give her a hard time at the interview which who knows how long that will be till. Edit your timeline so you will show up on Igor's list. are you an April filer?   If her passport is expiring, she will need to get a new one anyway before she can fly.  I would say, copy the biometrics page of the new passport and send it along with your paperwork to the NVC when you get your approval from the USCIS..  They will see her current passport has expired (since you already  sent a copy of her entire passport with your original package.)	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-25 11:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	It off topic but I was wondering does my wife to get her passport last name switched over to mine before her interview? your showing K-1 in your profile.  She can't do it until you actually get married.   And if K-1 is incorrect....  well.....  no one has to change their name.. I married a man from Costa Rica. They think it is strange that a woman would change her name to the husband's name.  They don't do that there.   Since I am american, I will eventually change my name, but I want to travel and it is a huge pain in the A$$ to change everything.  I have to change my license and SS card first, then change my passport so I can continue to travel.  I am sure they will ask for my passport stamps at the NVC or interview level so I am not trying to confuse the process by having 2 passports with 2 different names.  I would suggest waiting until the whole process is over... but that's just me.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-25 11:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Well I'm April 1rst and nothing on mine.. But song just came on the radio that said "wait till tomorrow fat boy". Haha. Tomorrow by Silverchair Please I want my approval before.. They find life on Mars A new president My funeral Hell freezes over Ect... That is a great song..  The only part that makes sense is when they say TOMORROW...  hahahahaa.    I want my approval before.....   I fly back to CR in November   Halloween would be better   the government shut down....     btw.. a friend of mine works at the SS office.  She told me they have been working Saturday and Sunday for the last few months  but they are getting ready to be furloughed next week. They are just waiting to  hear...... She mentioned another government office ( I forget which one she said) already gave up working on  Fridays.     This governemnt shutdown better not delay the USCIS Got married: 27 Dec 2012: Filed I-130 at USCIS Phoenix Office: 1 April 2013 USCIS Phoenix : Received email and text that it was accepted on 4 April Received: NOA1(I-797C) in mail on 8 April and I-130 is now at NBC Lee Summit MO Receive email NOA2 was approved:  24 September 2013 WooHoo!! CONGRATS ! ! ! !   I was hoping u'd show up tonight !!	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-24 20:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	there was one April approval today! with PD 1st April on VJ Igor's list scroll up....	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-24 19:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	I hope  this isn't a fluke...  I hope they are really getting it together.    Guys it seems like NBC is coming back to life - hopefully they are coming back to life. PLEASE  say it ain't so......  HAHAHHAHA     I hope someone assigned all the April boxes..   I am definitely calling tomorrow  just for the hell of it.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-24 19:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Looks like it was k-3 yea, but was it the K-3 that was approved or the I-130?	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-24 18:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Its a NEW day....  I hope we all see some moevement...      Today I will be spending time looking for a cheap flight....  I have one on hold but it is for an extra day.. I really didn't want to stay that extra day BUT... The ticket is $200 more if I leave tuesday. So, its either spend $200 more on  a ticket and go back to work on Wednesday, OR   Stay the extra day and lose $200 days pay....   Its all the same....    I have til Saturday to find something less than $518.    Of course I'd rather lose the $200 days pay instead of spend it on a ticket and lose time with my hsuband.... Not sure my job will enjoy it though.  I understand whar you are saying...I say the same thing to my husband. September 18th was my anniversary and I wasn't with my hubby. First one we missed together . I cried like a baby. This process is really terrible. I hope things change soon. Yep,  I know how you feel .  I am married but I can't be with him...  I will see our anniversary come and go also.  None of this nonsense will be over by March 9th  ....	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-24 05:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	They  have to start approving the backlog... This is crazy	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-23 20:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	So,  no approvals for the I-130's today   BUT.... none for the K1's either...     This thread is quiet today....	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-23 16:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	I know that many (or most) of you here are living apart from your spouses and that is extremely difficult.  I have been living in India with my spouse for the past 5 (going on 6) months and while the wait is easier being with him, it is still extremely frustrating.  I miss the US, I miss being able to work and do simple things on my own.  Adapting to a new country AND waiting for us to be able to go to the US to start our family and new careers is frustrating.  Even though we are together, everything is STILL on hold.  Luckily, I've been working on cruise ships for 2years prior, so I'm used to missing the major holidays with family, but it doesn't get any easier.     However, the biggest frustration is not being able to make all the phone calls and inquiries that most of you are able to do based in the US. I'm one of those that would be on the phone every other day with USCIS , congressman, etc if I could be.  So I really just wanted to thank all of you that ARE doing that and reporting your information on here.  I'm trying to keep my hope alive based on the info you all report.  Even tho I'm with my husband, I still know how difficult the waiting is.  So thank you all for your persistence in gathering information and keep it coming!     Here's to good news for all of us in the month of October!  If I were with my husband, I wouldn't care how long the papers took to be approved.  Its very hard to plan trips to visit since I have kids and a job here.   I really think the flood of approvals is coming.  Waiting really sucks for everyone. I look at the 16 month average wait as BS.  They are using those numbers because they pretty much stopped processing during those months.  Of course that is what the numbers will look like with no approvals.   I do feel like the flood is coming.  We will start seeing approval postings soon !!      I know there is an email address somewhere that you can use to try and get information.  Or send an email to your senators office. They will help you make an inquiry. I guess my airplane ticket fee is tame comparably...mine is usually 400-500 to see my husband in Nova Scotia, but because I'm a grad student and he's just a sous chef its a lot of $ for us. Luckily Im seeing him in 2 weeks! NICE  ! !  !   I know that airline ticket prices can change by the hour, so I'm on it today !!  I have seen ticket prices go from $450 to $650 within 30 minutes  for the same exact flight..   its such a joke !!	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-23 04:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Yeah, ours is normally like $1.5-1.6k too, $507 sounds quite tame. I went back to hold it for 7 days so I could pay for it on payday and it went up $100.00   Tuesday is usually when the prices change for airline tickets, so I am waiting to see that heppens this Tuesday. I hope they drop again.  I don't want to pay $600	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-22 19:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	$507??????? Wow...mine is like $1,800. But, it will worth the money to travel to see my wife. I can't see no more tears in her eyes. I am also thinking about moving there permanently or at least until she gets the visa. I am just tired of waiting for nothing in return. IF I pick a day before or a day after, its almost $1000.00.       The postal service is hideous in Costa Rica but I was just pleasantly surprised... I sent a 10lb box from PA on Saturday afternoon, It arrived at my husband's house  today .    That is pretty much unheard of. I did not send it global. I sent it the cheapest way without tracking.....  They told me it would be 6-10 days. I was expecting on 12 or 15.     sooooo... something good happened today !    It might be small, but it put a smile on my husbands face and that is all that matters.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-20 15:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	I can't suprise my husband because I don't speak spanish. It is hard enough to get around CR with my horrible broken Spanish.   Plus, The taxi ride from the airport to the closest town is about $100.00 and then another $15.00 for a 4X4 taxi to get up the mountain to where he lives . Probably more because I'm a GRINGA.  Gringas pay more ! ! ! LOL LOL Nobody has a car besides him so there isnt' anyone who can pick me up.   He lives about 2 hours from the airport, 40 minutes of that is straight up a dirt mountain road...   I played ring around the rosie with the dates and I found a ticket for $507.00... I'm pretty  happy.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-20 12:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Hey people, quit paying attention to the VJ statistics - at this point, it's useless and besides, there are many people not on VJ. I made up my mind yesterday not to worry about this immigration process anymore and spend more of my time talking with my wife via Viber. We talk and sleep over the phone, which is consoling. Hearing her voice keeps me stronger and I will take a surprise visit in December. She has been asking when I am coming and I keep telling her perhaps not. She will be surprise to see me at the airport in Dec. At this point f**** USCIS, NVC, Congress! These f****ed up bureaucracy won't keep me from being happy. it is useless.. I agree.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-20 08:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	How nice to wake up to this:     Estimates/Stats : There are not enough recent approvals in the timeline system to accurately approximate when your I-130 will be approved. Please see the Timeline Stats page to see recent approvals.     Last night It was Dec 2nd to Dec 27th.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-20 04:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Reading this report made me cry. ..   How could things possibly be worse!!!!!!      I'll be watching the news and praying everyday that the government can get it together.   I guess I am visiting my husband again in November. UGGHHHH.  I can't afford the $1500.00 ticket for Christmas/New Years and I don't have any more vacation days left.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-20 04:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Considering the fact that nothing really has been going on as far as i-130 is concerned, few days of shut down wouldn't be a such a big deal.   its not the USCIS part I'm worried about, its the NVC and the embassy where you do your interviews.  They will shut down which creates more backlog. They wouldn't be issuing any type of Visas... which would create a back log of interviews.  NVC would go from 8 weeks to 16 weeks.   SUCH a bummer	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-19 19:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	I hope this doesn't get the stamp of DISAPPROVAL....   I was reading the March thread and came across something that I never thought of....   http://www.laborimmi...r-2013-edition/   I really hope they get moving and just keep going	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-19 12:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Different atmosphere's bring different thoughts.. I'm in construction so the amount of illegals is high.. Yes illegals and they call themselves that also!! I have sat at the construction office and watch one guy come in and apply for job and use a SS card.. Then another guy come in 5 minutes later with the same SS card!! Basically to get a job you need a SS card but because of privacy laws the employer can not check to see if it is valid.. (At least that is what the companies always tell me).. Another example I was on a project and I notice a guy was missing.. I inquired where he was at and was told he was deported.. They caught him drinking and driving.. A week later he was back working on another project.. Sooo if everyone can tell me this is acceptable and there should be no consenquence for illegal immigrants then why are we waiting on immigration?!? Just sneak your spouse here right now!! Trust me it has crossed my mind.. But I know it's wrong and believe that things should be done lawfully.. That's why I wait.. Knowing others don't care what is wrong or right and they benifit from it while I wait.. Yeah it makes my blood boil! e-verify  e-verify  e-verify         Lovemytico, please stop now!	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-19 09:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	I'm not assuming anything I just share information about something I know, but you are the one assuming the all undocumented people have hundreds of kids and don't pay taxes and that is not true. But I am really tired of reading about all the insults you give to people without documents, I was here to share experiences with other people in MY situation waiting for NOA2 not to trash others persons. That's interesting  you would reply like that . I only asked you a question.   Yes or no would have worked too.   It seems to me there are lots of people lving under a rock or in a perfect little bubble. I never said it doesn't happen..... I said there was a very small percentage. You don't live in my town and you don't know the people I know.   So I stand by my stmt.... It is accurate   In the United States we are allowed to have our own opinions...( yes or no?)  In reality,  undocumented is just a nice way of saying illegal.  And that is my OPINION.  You shouldn't take my comments personally.  Pass over my comments if you don't like them.   I'm not the only one who shares the same opinion....so chill   Incase you haven't read the news lately, Illegal immigration is a huge HUGE problem in the US.  goto   NUMBERSUSA.COM.  Take off your rose colored glasses, it'll be easier to read.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-19 04:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Anyone know how expedited processes works? For ex. If my wife is pregnant can we file for an expedited visa so our child can be born in USA? What are the approval rates for pregnancy cases? Thanks Ther are tons of threads about expeditiing.  Unfortunately, Childbirth is not a reason to expedite.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-19 04:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Actually they do pay taxes, IRS assign something call ITIN number so they can use it instead of SSN to pay taxes, I worked for a tax agency and I filled a lot of taxes for people without SSN. Just curious.... Are you assuming every person who doesn't have a SS #  files for a  ITIN #?  If I had money to bet, I'd bet it is probably something like .5% who actually do.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-18 17:59:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	You all are so funny when it comes to illegals and reading online or watching news about it.. I'm in the south and illegals are becoming a way of life because of the lack of enforcement with laws.. Do not believe everything you read because "studies" or "news" are not accurate.. 1. Young illegals brought here or born here.. The whole family is still here and the whole family is illegal 2. Marry just for visa.. Yes it's true in many cases 3. Illegals pay taxes.. This is far from true on most accounts because none will pay taxes because it is the same as telling the government your illegal.. BUT with some jobs that require SSN then shared IDs are used so a minimum amount of taxes are payed in this case.. They usually file exempt while paying SS tax, Medicare, ect but not federal or state.. 4. The illegal immigrant laws are not enforced and when they are enforced by each state in deporting illegal immigrants or trying to include things like biometrics for employment the federal government claims it is "unconstitutional" so there is very minimal consequences So to be here illegal is not perfect but it is not very difficult.. And there should not be a double standard and laws should be enforced to the fullest.. If a person breaks into my house (young, hungry, old, poor, or rich) I expect them to go to jail.. No double standard!! AWESOME TIM !!	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-18 16:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	I have no control over the path my file took. So yes, we are all going through the same process. There's no need to take your frustrations out on me simply because my case got processed faster. I gave up a lot to move to Toronto to be with my husband, and there's no stopping anyone else from doing the same to be with their SO. No sweetie, you have NO IDEA how we all feel.  You do however have control over the snide comments.  You are trolling around this thread and chiming in here and there and now you are saying we could "just move" like you did....What did  you sacrifice?    You have no idea what others are facing. Do you have children? A child with a medical condition that keeps you close to the Childrens Hospital?  A mortgage on a home that is now not worth what you owe? a Custody agreement that keeps you where you are?   I'm guessing NO.  Don't come here and tell us that you "know how we feel"  when you are already approved and through NVC.     YOU are living with your husband... We are all ( for the most part) separated and we are still at the mercy of the USCIS  .  Goodie for you that you are approved.  Have a little bit of sympathy or empathy for those of us who aren't as fortunate as you. No need to be snide and tell us there is nothing stopping us from moving...  UGHHHHHHHHH       Edited by LoveMyTico, 18 September 2013 - 03:46 PM.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-18 15:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Like I said, I'm not going to argue about facts when they're easily accessible, so believe what you want to believe.    We're all going through the same process and it can be frustrating, but berrating others for their choices is pretty low. isn't your file already approved and through the NVC already????    Isn't there a thread for that?     You are going though same process as others? really look at your timeline and look at the people who are living away from their spouse since Jan, Feb, March, April timeline. Congrats to u that your case is almost done but don't tell me that you know what other people are going through. AGREED....	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-18 14:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	If they are illegal, only way they are employed is if they have fraudulent documents or the employer is hiring them illegally. Or they are working under the table. If under the table or illegally employed, then they are not paying any taxes. Only tax one would be paying is the sales tax on purchase.   I have a 10 year old car with paint completely flaked on the top of it. My Stipend is not enough to repaint it or buy a new car. Yet I like to travel in a decent looking car. Should I steal one since all I am doing is trying to make better life for myself?       BOOOYA ! ! ! !    gracias !!!   I agree.   I drive a 1997 Ford Mustang sold to me for $800.00 because my Honda civic was on its last leg. I would love to drive something nicer but unfortunately I'm not UNDOCUMENTED..LOL LOL LOL    The illegal guy down the street from me drives a brand new Denali.  Without a license and legal registration  and he has a landscaping business and  BRAGGED to me that he makes $10,000.00 a month.  he also works in the morning at a local restaurant doing prep before he goes to work for himself.  I know his whole deal... His wife is illegal too and waitresses...  DO YOU THINK SHE REPORTS HER INCOME???   come on....   There is a family on my street where 3 of the four kids scammed to get a greencard.. How do I know?  I THOUGHT they were my good friends.  I fell for their lies and I feel totally stupid about it.  THEY PLAYED ME.    Two of them have a booming business which they had before they were legal and the other one shacks up with someone different than the guy she married to get her greencard. (Only a month after she was married to her victim)    She drives a 2013 Toyota Corolla.  I could go on.... and on....  By the way,  they all bragged to me that they all had apartment buildings built and are making tons of money from the rent in their country .. And I have seen the apartment buildings. They are for real...  it makes no sense why the legitimate relationships have to jump through hoops and wait so long and the illegals get through without one question	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-18 14:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	I understand you're upset, but attacking these people and their families is not the way to get things done. There are plenty of risks associated with immigrating illegally to another country, and if those people are willing to face the consequences, then so be it. They're just trying to live their lives, the same as you. Generally, the only difference between these people and you and I is that they are undocumented. They pay taxes, they benefit local economies - they simply don't have documentation.   There are worse things in the world that should be addressed before we go around punishing people for trying to make a better life for themselves.   Yes, the government needs to focus more on completing spousal visa applications in a timely manner. And yes, the entire process needs an overhaul, but sitting here and belittling and degrading groups of people is not going to fix it. I don't agree with you but we are all  entitled to our own opinions.  So we can agree to disagree.   It would take too long to explain why I feel that way..  and BTW... I have several friends in that situation, so I'm not attacking them... its our government for allowing it to get like this.  our governemnt for passing laws that they don't even enforce.  so let's let this one go.     and I have to laugh when you say face the consequences.....  that's just it... there aren't any.    And maybe they pay sales tax, but they don't pay income tax...	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-18 12:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	I think the letter should describe the govt sponsored musical chair. How dream act created the back log and then transferred to NBC, which created back log there and then shifted to field office which overwhelmed the local office which are not staffed for these huge numbers. You can also add some graphs from the USCIS website showing how the local offices which were handing 200-300 ( JAX, florida for eg) now has 1200 pending ones. And when local office couldn't handle, they are opening the Overland office and all the petitions are sitting somewhere is Lee's summit or overland. Add that legal citizens are pushed to the sidelines to give amnesty to illegal people and in contrast to illegal immigrant (children) who may or may not face separations, we are in fact already facing long time duration of separation. We need to show facts as well as drama. I never even thought of all this...   Now I'm even more pissed off....  I have an issue with illegals getting away with being here and being able to benefit from our country after entering illegally and staying.   And I am trying to follow the law and the book by filing the I-130.   I can point out all the illegals in my neighborhood. Most of them drive BRAND NEW SUV's and have businesses, not to mention the 150 children they keep having with the hopes that one of them can file papers for them later ( and I heard one of them tell someone that exact statement, so I'm not makign that up) ... Last time I checked, we have immigration laws that say that is illegal and its not allowed.  BUT here we are rewarding them .. now they get their papers processed first??   #######???    Not very lady-like... but this really makes me angry Edited by LoveMyTico, 18 September 2013 - 11:38 AM.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-18 11:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Data was updated on the USCIS site. The national processing average for the I-130 is posted at 16.6 months as of July 31    Field office volume indicates petitions were still being transferred in July, too.  Don't ya just love how it takes them 6 weeks to post data from July????  How convenient for them to post that data right when the Kansas facility is about to start processing.  Buying time much?    UGHHH they make me sick	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-18 10:57:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	I agree.   We all seem to have been conditioned to accept 5, 6, 7.....12-14 months processing time before being reunited with our families. I believe that just 4 months is too long for this process. We aren't being provided this service for free. We can never ever get this valuable time back.    An interesting fact, the average U.S. marriage lasts just over 7 years.  Of course there are longer and shorter length marriages, but if we take the average length and then consider the current 12-14 months immigration times, the process is taking around 20% of time out of the average marriage.  20%!!!  If I told you that you only had 10 days to live and that I was going to take 2 of those days from you, would you be upset?   USCIS and the NVC are bringing in large amounts of money from all the petitions. On top of that, all of these I-130's involve one U.S. Citizen taxpayer. We pay our taxes to the government and then pay the fees for the immigration processing in addition - 2-3 months for the entire process seems reasonable. I have no problem with paying the fees, but the unresponsive customer service, lengthy delays, processing mistakes creating further delays, total lack of empathy, processing virtual blackhole, and what seems to be an entirely broken system, all add up to an unreasonable process. The system is broken and we need to push this as much as we can, when we can.   One of the reasons I think this issue doesn't get the attention it deserves, is because by the time people get frustrated and desperate with the process they end up getting approved and then move on - very few people want to relive this nightmare once they are finished with it. It's a continuously revolving door with experienced people always moving on and new people always entering. WHAT YOU SAID.....   Well put... I agree    I hate to put an end date to a marriage  but the statistics are true.  Divorce is like 50% in the US and a second marriage has even a lesser chance of survival.  Then add the immigration nightmare.... UGHHHHH	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-18 04:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	I just sent my email to 3onyourside.   maybe I'll send another one tomorrow to the other address   I tweeked the letter a bit..... and I added something about the US is supposed to be keeping families together....blah blah... I used my first name and last initial and my number.  maybe they will call... maybe they wont, but at least I did something   this was my subject line   USCIS ISSUES ; BACKLOG and SLOW PROCESSING TIMES   Edited by LoveMyTico, 17 September 2013 - 09:36 PM.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-17 21:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Ok.. I have to put my reasonable thoughts to this.. I don't mind causing a major public pleed but timing has to be correct.. I'm at 5 1/2 months which is only 2 weeks past due of the "goal". Even with bill collectors, people are given 90 days before action is taken sooo until 8 months have passed I think our voices will be over looked.. Timing is everything to make the proper statement and not sound like a group of people whining wanting things "Now". The wait sucks but all entered this knowing I-130 approval is goal of 5 months but told roughly 6 months at the beginning.. I agree.. I don't want to sound like a whinny baby..... HOWEVER... by the time it gets investigated...  we will be at the 6 month mark......	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-17 21:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	All, I have the draft letter below. Please FAX it to CBS and still CALL ALSO no later than Friday. If you could please report back so we know how many contacts CBS must have received from us.   If there is anything I missed or that you guys feel we need to include in the letter, then let us know or you can do it individually on the letter you will fax.   We need to be strong and not allow USCIS to control our lives by PAUSING it. We are simply descent Citizen wanting to be with our love ones.   >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Simply report here: CBS CONTACT STATUS: 1. 2.   =============================================================== Here is the draft letter:   CBS,   It came to our attention in a forum (visajourney.com) that the local CBS network in Philadelphia can help us with an investigation and broadcasting on how unfair the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services has been to US Citizens with a lengthy processing time of I-130 ?petition for alien relative? and providing no information as to why petitioners have to wait beyond 5 months (USCIS processing goal) singly at the USCIS stage.   As a group we collectively agreed to contact CBS Philly. Your network will receive many contacts from members of this forum seeking your help.   The entire immigration process for US Citizen petitioning for their spouses from USCIS to National Visa Center to US Consulate abroad used to be normal (6 ? 7 months) approximately; but now some of us have petitions that have been pending at the USCIS alone for over 7 months; meaning we are looking at a 14 months or beyond to reunite with our spouses. The wait is harmful on one?s spirit and we implore CBS attention to investigate this issue specifically at the USCIS National Benefits Center in Lee?s Summit Missouri; where petitions are just being piled up with no real action.   USCIS is quick to catch the $420 petition fee with a deplorable customer service providing inconsistent, inaccurate information upon customer?s request.   We refuse to just fold our arms, allowing this bureaucratic government agency put a hold on our lives. We just want to be able to live our lives with our spouses, carry on planned projects and simply enjoy the beauties life has to offer. Most of us are confused and have nowhere to turn, even US Senators and Congressmen are incapable of assisting us; leading us to wonder why did we even vote for them?   Our last hope rest with CBS to publicize this issue and to draw the bureaucratic folk?s attention in DC to do something about this unexplainable I-130 petition lengthy processing for US Citizen trying to reunite with their love ones.   Your Sincerely,   Your name Your number =============================================================== should we mention the K-1s getting processed before the I-130s?	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-17 20:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	newsdesk@cbs3.com    The email address   http://philadelphia..../station/cbs-3/    The website   Newsroom 215-977-5333 (News) 215-233-3333 (Tips Only) 800-223-8477 (Toll-free) 215-977-5658 (Fax)     I don't think it would be a tip.. I'm guessing that calling the News desk is the best bet OR   another idea....  maybe we could all create a form letter ( sound familiar?)  and fax it over...  March thread is in too   http://www.visajourn...-nbc/?p=6517908 This is a great Idea.... Edited by LoveMyTico, 17 September 2013 - 07:53 PM.	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-17 19:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	Once we get a list of volunteers, LoveMyTico will provide the phone number, date to call the network to call. We should all plan to call within a specified time slot.   List of those who are in for the call: LoveMyTico longtrip   Everyone will actually have to look up the local CBS network in their town. OR if you want, we can call my local CBS3 in Philly...whatever everyone thinks will have the biggest impact.  Even if we all leave a message on the same persons voicemail.           and everyone has to report back with how the conversation played out with the network....	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-17 18:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports	April 2013 I-130 Filers	@LoveMyTico: If we cannot regroup, I like your idea of all of us calling one network station and I am sure they will make a story out of it. If we agree to call, we should all do it the same day and express of frustration with USCIS. AGREED.. OK  Who's in?	LoveMyTico	Female	Costa Rica	2013-09-17 18:42:00