anonymous_nj
Registered Users (C)
folks - looks like we are in trouble. 
"During the past two years, the visa allocation system compensated for
reduction in CIS visa number demand by making very rapid advances in the
visa cut-off dates. As the cut-off dates advanced, tens of thousands of
applicants became eligible to file for adjustment of status at CIS offices.
Heavy demand was expected as CIS began to address their backlog and finalize
action on such cases. The Visa Office has been alerting interested parties
to this possibility over the past two years, and this is exactly what has
recently begun to happen. FAMILY: As CIS demand for visa numbers continues
to increase, little if any forward movement of cut-off dates is expected
during FY-2005, and the potential for retrogressions in certain categories
cannot be ruled out. While retrogression of certain Family cut-off dates is
not likely in the immediate future, it cannot be ruled out late in the
fiscal year. This is because the CIS backlog is likely to include large
numbers of applicants in all categories with priority dates well before the
current cut-off dates. EMPLOYMENT: The increasing CIS use of numbers is
likely to require the establishment of cut-off dates in one or more
categories during FY-2005. Such action is expected in the Employment Third
preference category as early as January."
In simple English, this means that the 3.5 million persons who have played
by the rules established by Congress and waited in line to able to apply for
permanent residence under the existing system of family and employment
preferences are screwed!
"During the past two years, the visa allocation system compensated for
reduction in CIS visa number demand by making very rapid advances in the
visa cut-off dates. As the cut-off dates advanced, tens of thousands of
applicants became eligible to file for adjustment of status at CIS offices.
Heavy demand was expected as CIS began to address their backlog and finalize
action on such cases. The Visa Office has been alerting interested parties
to this possibility over the past two years, and this is exactly what has
recently begun to happen. FAMILY: As CIS demand for visa numbers continues
to increase, little if any forward movement of cut-off dates is expected
during FY-2005, and the potential for retrogressions in certain categories
cannot be ruled out. While retrogression of certain Family cut-off dates is
not likely in the immediate future, it cannot be ruled out late in the
fiscal year. This is because the CIS backlog is likely to include large
numbers of applicants in all categories with priority dates well before the
current cut-off dates. EMPLOYMENT: The increasing CIS use of numbers is
likely to require the establishment of cut-off dates in one or more
categories during FY-2005. Such action is expected in the Employment Third
preference category as early as January."
In simple English, this means that the 3.5 million persons who have played
by the rules established by Congress and waited in line to able to apply for
permanent residence under the existing system of family and employment
preferences are screwed!