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After 7 days of trying to reach the Texas Service Center by phone
I finally got through, only to be put on hold for an additional 20 minutes before connecting with an agent.

The receipt I received back for the INS after sending in my package for the I129 Petition clearly stated that “it usually takes between 30 to 40 days from the date of receipt to process this type of case.”  They received my package of Feb. 22. According to the agent I spoke with they are now only processing Dec. 15 petitions. Of course I had to ask the question why they made such as statement on my receipt, knowing that the processing time was at least 2 months behind.  His comment was, “that was then and this is now.”

I just might move to Nebraska and re-file.  New Director or not, this has got to be by far the worst Customer Service Center of the lot.  What a joke.  And you know what?  They could give a s&#t.

RC

... in response to Texas Service Center processing time, posted by RC on Apr 18, 2001

Sorry to hear they are still Sooooooo slow...mine took the full 90 days. And I only got action after my lawyer filed a formal complaint with Washington....he's on his way here with the last friggin detail so I can FedX my package to my Fiancee...she might be in Bogota in 2 weeks...finally...if he has the number and name of who to call in DC, I'll post it.

Houndog

... in response to Re: Texas Service Center processing time, posted by Houndog on Apr 18, 2001

Houndog,

The worst part of this is that I quoted the 30 to 40 day timeline, as touted in the “Notice of Action”, to my lady.  Now I have to figure-out how to explain to her that it will be another 3 months, baring not unforeseen problems, before the preliminary part of the process is even complete.

I am not the type who sits by and gets caught watching the paint dry.  Did you use Bala to initiate the written complaint to Washington?  

Since I only live about 100 miles from Mesquite, maybe a weekday trip might be in order.  It would be interesting to see if this new Director is serious about effecting changes in their poor service’s.  At least we will see if he even takes appointments.  I am not naive in believing that by my complaining in person this would result in anything positive.  Nor would the outcome be any different.  At least it might give me an opportunity to vent my frustration.  Perhaps the outcome might even make for an interesting post.

Regards,

RC

... in response to Re: Re: Texas Service Center processing ..., posted by RC on Apr 19, 2001

Here is a number in Washington DC to try...I don't think you posted how long you have been waiting...however the full 90 days is normal for the TSC....they are actually a very busy center with thousands of Immigrants from Mexico as well as many other countries that immigrate to this part of the US. Try this...Ken Ellwood...202-514-0078...Field Operations Officer W.D.C.

Hope that helps, Houndog

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Texas Service Center process..., posted by Houndog on Apr 19, 2001

Thanks,

RC

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Texas Service Center process..., posted by Houndog on Apr 19, 2001

TX for the infor.  Point of fact it has been 51 days.  If they are now only processing mid Dec. petitions, 90 days would be optimistic for my timeline.

Tx Again,

RC

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Texas Service Center process..., posted by Houndog on Apr 19, 2001

No I didn't use Gary Bala...A friend of mine  is an Attorney...He is dating a girl in Lima...thanks to my success and prodding...LOL....he is also helping JunFan....

Question for Red Clay.....He would like some info on getting hisa girl from Lima a tourist visa...any scoop appreciated...

Regards, Houndog

... in response to Re: opps..BTW..and question for Red Clay..., posted by Houndog on Apr 19, 2001

Hounorable Hound,
      Carmen got her first tourist visa from Peru in 1999 I believe. It was before we met. Her first B2 visa was good only for a total of one year. She made her first trip to the US in the fall of 99, also before we met. Upon returning to Peru from her first trip, she applied for and received a 10 year tourist visa good for multiple entries. (guess they assumed that if she didn't "defect" the first time, she was a safe risk)
  At the time she got her first visa, things in Peru were somewhat more stable than now, economically and politically speaking.{Georgina can correct me if I'm wrong) Now their economy is worse, many people laid off who had good jobs, and there are more people who the INS thinks want to leave for good. So, fewer visas granted, although two of Carmen's girlfriends applied and were approved in January. Both of them have good jobs at a large university there, this is also where Carmen worked. We have wondered how it seems that everyone who works at this particular college gets approved for visas (or at least almost everyone that she knows who has tried)
  Carmen was relatively well-off financially there, and has all her family still there, so I guess she just seemed to meet the "requirements". She says that when they asked her why she wanted to visit the US, she replied "Quiero conocer Mickey Mouse."......visa APPROVED!

   Maybe your friend can tell his girl to claim she works at San Ignacio De Loyola. Seems to work for everybody else, LOL.
  Sorry I don't presently know any real scoop, I think anything she could do to appear wealthy, by their standards, would help her chances.

... in response to Re: Re: opps..BTW..and question for Red ..., posted by Red Clay on Apr 19, 2001

Things change...see the archives (if Patrick gets them working again) about 2 months ago for when my lady, Y., tried to get a toursit visa (from Colombia)....instant 'NO' and she said that aprox. 400 people were there (with appointments and all the required documents) that day and NOBODY got a tourist visa, nary a single one.

... in response to things change, posted by Michael B on Apr 19, 2001

Michael, I think Peru is a little different. It seems like there is some poibility of getting one from there. You are correct..Colombia....there is no way(without bribery of course) to get a tourist visa from Colombia.

But my friend is a lawyer, sometimes they can get things done, others can't.

Regards, Houndog

... in response to Re: things change, posted by Houndog on Apr 19, 2001

My wife and I just helped her parents get a tourist visa to come visit us here.  I think it helped that they were both in their 70's.  We had to file an affidavit of support and send an "official" letter of invitation, but there was almost no questioning at the embassy in Bogota when they had their interview today.  I think it's a different story for someone younger though.

... in response to Actually, posted by Patrick on Apr 20, 2001

Really...that is very interesting...actually my friend mentioned something about supplying an AOS. I thought that sounded risky especially since they are not supposed to stay. It seemed like if they had a support mechanism they could easily just stay here. I'm going to pass this along to him. It might help.

Regards, Houndog

... in response to Re: Re: opps..BTW..and question for Red ..., posted by Red Clay on Apr 19, 2001

I'm going to pass all this along to my friend. He is going for his second visit on May 10th. He has a harder time than some saying I Do...so I think he wants the extra leeway a tourist visa provides. He said she is the most wonderful caring woman he's ever met so I'm helping to push him to make the big leap...LOL..

Thanks Again, Houndog

... in response to Re: opps..BTW..and question for Red Clay..., posted by Houndog on Apr 19, 2001

Tell your friend to check out this website:

http://usembassy.state.gov/lima/

If he doesn't speak Spanish, he can click on
English Version, then go down the screen and click on Consular Section. There he will find info. about the Tourist visas.

It is very difficult to get a visa down there, but some people are lucky enough. She will have to show that she have enough assest and familie ties that she will not stay in the USA.

Before getting married. I applied 3 times for a tourist visa. Was denied 2 times and approved once.

Good luck to your friend. Any other questions. Just drop me a note.

Georgina

... in response to Your request  for info, posted by Georgina on Apr 19, 2001

...

... in response to Re: Texas Service Center processing time, posted by Houndog on Apr 18, 2001

Most immigration attorneys tell you to expect a longer processing time than what they say. You are the first regular citizen I can remember that actually was able to reach a human in their office by phone. That is a major victory.
 My wife filed for a tourist visa extension back in September. The letter said it was taking 90-120 days, she has not received an answer yet [7 months]

... in response to Re: Re: Texas Service Center processing ..., posted by Red Clay on Apr 18, 2001

I certainly can sympathize with your position.  I believe, at least at a minimum, they should be able to up-date the “Notice of Action” receipt, to reflect a more current processing timeline.  There is absolutely no excuse for this except laziness and general apathy.  

In their documentation it states to contact them with any questions.  We both no that statement is a joke because you can never get through to them.  If you are lucky enough to get through you are put on-hold for God knows how long.  

My process it getting in touch with them was easy.  After 7 days of experiencing busy signals, I put my phone automatic redial and engaged the speakerphone.  When my phone encountered a busy signal it disconnected automatically and redialed the number again immediately.  Since I work from my home this process was easy.

I just put on a movie, sat down in my chair with a cold one, and let technology take over.  It took about 45 minutes before I finally got through.  Once I got the recorded announcement I just waited for an agent.  That is when I found out that they were only now processing mid Decembers petitions.

Regards,

RC

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Texas Service Center process..., posted by RC on Apr 19, 2001

Just dial, when you get the 'for blah blah blah press 1...' recording, take the option that says 'I want to rat out some poor gardener/busboy up here trying to send a little money home to feed his kids'......they actually DO answer that line.

Then play innocent 'Opps, wrong button, but since we're talking anyway, what about my case of .....'

... in response to Want to get INS on the phone?, posted by Michael B on Apr 19, 2001

Do they really have a "snitch" line?? I never stayed on hold long enough to hear that, LOL.

... in response to Re: Want to get INS on the phone?, posted by Red Clay on Apr 19, 2001

Yes. 214-655-5384, option 5 on the voice menu