Jump in I-129 Processing Dates During VSC Audit
Posted Oct 04, 2002

The Vermont Service Center processing dates for I-129s have taken a significant jump forward, as some readers have, no doubt, noticed. Before everyone gets too excited, this is not as good as it appears to be. The jump has been caused by the annual file audit and the need to provide examiners with a large number of case files prior to the audit.

During the audit case files are essentially "frozen" throughout the Service Center and do not move. Accordingly, sufficient numbers of files were sent to adjudications officers so that they would be able to continue working during the audit. The VSC processing times are based on the cases that have been taken off the "pending" shelf and given to the officer. The dates do not indicate an approval timeframe, just that the petitions have been moved from the shelf to the INS examiner. Therefore, the numbers have taken a premature jump.

According to the VSC, it is anticipated that cases falling within the times indicated on the chart will be adjudicated over the next month or so. In summary, it appears that the file audit was helpful in moving the processing dates ahead, since the INS examiners who have experience with I-129s cannot do other work during the audit and have to focus on completing file reviews.