VSC Transfers H1Bs and I-130s to TSC and CSC, Respectively
Posted Jul 14, 2006
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Some MurthyDotCom or MurthyBulletin readers with cases originally filed at the Vermont Service Center (VSC) may receive transfer notices of their H1B or I-130 cases. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed that the VSC moved approximately 5,000 H1B cap subject cases to the Texas Service Center (TSC). Additionally, VSC moved approximately 22,000 I-130 family-based petitions to the California Service Center (CSC). The VSC reportedly moved the cases to ensure faster processing of all of these petitions in light of the high number of H1B cap cases that it received in April and May 2006.
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Individuals who receive notification that their cases have been transferred to a different service center should expect the processing of their petitions to occur at the new location. It is unclear why the I-129s were sent to the TSC instead of the CSC, since the CSC is the VSC's sister center under the new bi-specialization program. Under bi-specialization, H1B cases are to be filed at the VSC, but adjudicated either by the VSC or CSC. Had the H1Bs been sent to CSC, there would have been less cause for question, as it would have been consistent with the bi-specialization program division in the types of petitions that are processed at each service center. Instead, the CSC has accepted these 22,000 family-based I-130 petitions to assist the VSC with clearing their I-130 backlogs. As long as the petitions are fairly, quickly, and accurately processed the transfer location should be immaterial, however.