|
January 10, 2003
Maura A. Harty
Asst. Secretary Of State
Bureau Of Consular Affairs
Department Of State
Subject: Name check delays
Dear Ms. Harty,
We
are trying to bring to your attention the situation with name check and
visa issuance delays for Russia. Although there have
been checks cleared in the second half of November there are still many
people who were interviewed in July and August and have not received
clearances as well as many with check submission dates from August through
November that have passed the two month deadline promised by Department Of
State earlier. It is apparent that there is another backlog of
administrative checks building up.
It
has been brought to our attention that there has been an initiative to
clear backlog for China and that all
resubmitted and new petitions are to be processed in two weeks timeframe.
US State Department says
the delay is due to 9/11-related name clearance security checks, yet tourist and business
visas continue to be issued while only family-based applicants, many
already approved in face-to-face interviews, are at a standstill. K-type
and other visas continue to be issued in a timely fashion out of other
consulates worldwide, including countries that present a clearer threat to
national security than Russia.
�We are all agonizing over the time that we
are separated from our loved ones. This anguish is compounded by the fact
that the State Department refuses to tell us when the wait will be over.
We
would like to request that proper attention and priority be given to the
Family and K-1 visas for Russia. The following seems to
be of utmost concern:
�
Family and K-1 visas need to receive priority as delays affect
thousands of families in many negative ways.
- Name checks and visa issuance should be prioritized for
processing in their chronological order.
- There should be ways to expedite processing for emergency
cases, pregnant fianc�e�s and other relevant circumstances
- There should be a reasonable timeframe for name checks as some
of us have been waiting 60, 90 and even 150 days for the clearance.
- That interviews be conducted while awaiting the name checks so
that backlogs do not occur while security clearances are stalled.
- That every effort be made to ensure that the Moscow Embassy
has the resources it needs to issue visa in a timely manner after
security clearances are issued.
We
know that you will share our concern regarding the importance of timely
name check processing and visa issuance. We further look forward to your
help for all petitioners dealing with Russia.
Sincerely
yours,
<YOUR
NAME HERE>
|
