Response from Maura Harty

[JimKlein]

I need the two or three responses that were received from Maura Harty. I believe they were from faxes sent in December. I am looking to put together the chain of events and especially the one stating that they were receiving clearances in two to three weeks. I am talking with someone in Charles Schumer's office. He is on the Subcomittee on Immigration.

 

Jim

[Mike and Ying]

Do you want the recording of her voice mail saying it will only take 1 to 2 weeks? If so PM me with your e-mail add. and I will send it to you.

Mike

[AngryTexan]

I think the recording was actually the voice of Kathryn (is that right?) Cabral, but it would still be very helpful in showing what a mess we are facing.

[Mike and Ying]

I think the recording was actually the voice of Kathryn (is that right?) Cabral, but it would still be very helpful in showing what a mess we are facing.

Yes, you are correct.

[Ana]

i received this over email in mid-jan (jan 14?). it is posted on this board under "email from harty/resubmission" it is a form response that many other people also received. good luck!

 

Dear Ms. xxx:

 

The Secretary of State has asked me to respond to your fax of January 2

requesting information about the immigrant visa application of xxx.

Let me assure you that all of us at the Department of State fully

understand

that delays in visa issuance are seriously complicating the lives of

applicants and of those who are waiting for their arrival.

 

Your spouse's case is currently pending completion of required

security-related vetting through an interagency clearance process.

Changes

to this process made in July 2002, together with communications

problems,

computer issues, and vastly increased work volumes, had the effect of

delaying many clearances, especially those dating from the period July

to

October 2002.

 

The vetting process has been substantially improved since November.

The

majority of new clearance requests are now processed within

approximately

two weeks.

 

We are working to clear up the older clearance cases so that the visas

can

be processed to conclusion. We are taking two separate, overlapping

actions

that should resolve the vast majority of the immigrant and fianc?e)

visa

clearances pending for the American Consulate General at Guangzhou.

First,

visa staff at Guangzhou, who recently began working overtime on

weekends,

are identifying longstanding visa clearance requests and resubmitting

those

requests.

 

Second, we are also working with technical experts here in Washington

in an

attempt to find new ways to expedite the clearance process using State

Department computer systems.

 

In addition to these efforts, we have sent additional staff to

Guangzhou,

and are working to send more, in order to assist with the heavy volume

of

visa work pending there. We have also identified some longer-range

steps we

can take to simplify the process for handling future visa cases.

 

The Department of State, in its visa processes, will continue to carry

out

scrupulously all legal and procedural requirements for the protection

of the

security of the United States. When Mr. xxx's clearance process is

concluded, the Consulate will notify him. I hope and trust that the

outcome

will be favorable, and will not be delayed much longer.

 

Please feel free to contact us if we can be of assistance in the

future.

 

Sincerely,

 

Maura Harty

Assistant Secretary

Bureau of Consular

Affairs

[owenkrout]

It is not from Harty, but there was a press release clear back on September 24, 2002 that promised speedier reviews and that the security check would be expected to take less than one month.

 

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2002/13641pf.htm

[owenkrout]

I have the same thing as Ana, coming from Cabral and dated January 10th.

[AZwolfman]

I also have the same form letter as Ana. It is from Cabral, Jan 13.

I have one from Lisa Piascik, Jan. 30, in response to another letter to Harty.

Response from Piascik

 

I also received this response from Ms. Harty on Jan. 3:

 

Thank you for your message. I very much regert the delays

you describe. We are working hard to work through them just as quickly as

possible. That has included sending additional people to the consulate and

greatly exanding the consulate's working hours to process cases

expeditiously. I will make sure we look directly into your case. Sincerely,

Maura Harty

[Eric&Yuhui]

I also have the same form letter as Ana.  It is from Cabral, Jan 13.

I have one from Lisa Piascik, Jan. 30, in response to another letter to Harty.

Response from Piascik

 

I also received this response from Ms. Harty on Jan. 3:

 

Thank you for your message. I very much regert the delays

you describe.  We are working hard to work through them just as quickly as

possible.  That has included sending additional people to the consulate and

greatly exanding the consulate's working hours to process cases

expeditiously.  I will make sure we look directly into your case. Sincerely,

Maura Harty

I have about 3 of those myself..

[Robert S.]

I need the two or three responses that were received from Maura Harty. I believe they were from faxes sent in December. I am looking to put together the chain of events and especially the one stating that they were receiving clearances in two to three weeks. I am talking with someone in Charles Schumer's office. He is on the Subcomittee on Immigration.

 

Jim

Hello Jim,

 

Please see the thread I revived which has the two responses I received.

 

- Robert