Immigration is no fun. And being involved in an immigration proceeding with the U.S. Government makes me realize just how inefficient the U.S. Government actually is.
René left the U.S. shortly after our wedding because he is Canadian and Canadians, by law, can only stay in the U.S. for six months per year. We filed an I-130, Immigration Petition for Relative, Fiancee, or Orphan.
This is an excerpt from the USCIS website regarding the I-130:
"During this step, USICS 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."
We thought it would take 3 months, possibly 4, for our I-130 to be processed and approved. After all, we have a very straightforward case. We did not meet online, we did met in person before we got married, neither of us has been married before, and René is Canadian! However, today marks the 167th day that we have been waiting for someone to touch our application. That is 5 months and 14 days! (We can actually track, via the USCIS website, whether or not our application has been touched.) This is very frustrating to say the least. In addition to this first step, there are two steps we have to complete after this before René can live with me in the U.S. The application has to be sent to the National Visa Center (where we again wait for someone to touch it) and then onto the U.S. Consulate in Montreal, where we are hopeful that our role in the application process will be more involved. Up to this point we have not been able to anything but wait. I have now called USCIS six times. The first time the woman told me it would be two months or more before we had word on our application. The second time the man told me I could file a "service request" (presumably to see what is going on with our application) in 68 days. Today a woman told me that they are currently processing applications from July 12, 2011 (our application date is August 23rd).
In the meantime, I am in school in Ann Arbor, and René is in Canada. The only way he can visit the U.S. is if he proves that he will leave. One of the ways he can do this is by bringing a lease for an apartment in Canada to show the border guard when he crosses. He can also bring a letter from his employer that states he is due back at work on a specific date.
So, we are waiting. Waiting and skyping, just like old times! I have said to several people that because of USCIS the only time in my life I have ever lived alone is after I got married.
My winter break is February 24th, and I have already booked my flight to Canada. René and I are counting down the days until then (18)!
In happier news: Today is my mom's birthday! Happy Birthday to my wonderful, beautiful Momma!!
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