OK so I wanted to give some updates as we start the new week. A couple of people have asked me how they listen to the hearing. Well no – it is not a “hearing” as such. The Judge has ordered the government to produce a report on how much progress they have made, both at KCC and the embassies. So – there is no hearing – we will wait for the Judge’s decision. It could come in a couple of days or we might wait until the end of the month. We really don’t know. I, on the other hand, have produced a report/declaration for the legal teams to be prepared to refute the suggestion that KCC have done all they could have done. Frankly, I think they could have done more, if they had been clearly instructed to do so. I produced a video explaining why I am saying that below. So – don’t wait for today about the court case. Just continue to push your cases assuming the deadline is unchanged. The lawyers have noted that KCC have scheduled appointments that people literally cannot attend. They will use that as evidence that the government have not acted in good faith. Likewise they have noted that KCC seem to be changing their tone somewhat, suggesting they will not schedule anymore cases. Again, that is more evidence adding to the argument that there should be an extension. People have also also asked about the Visa Bulletin – I do expect it to be published today. Lastly, I hope you are all subscribed to my youtube channel – I am posting info on there in live Q&A sessions, so it’s a good way to hear about latest developments. Below is my latest Q&A video from yesterday. |
Leave a Reply
Heath Insurance for immigrants
September 24, 2020 at 05:19
Any information on DV 2022
September 23, 2020 at 15:00
Is they any vb are published so far
September 23, 2020 at 17:48
No.
September 23, 2020 at 02:54
Brit you are so knowledgeable you could have been am Amazing Lawyer. Keep on the good work its very encouraging?????
September 22, 2020 at 18:51
Hello sir,
At all kcc is trying to their job, I’ve received my 2nl this afternoon for an appointment on the 24th of September, just two day to manage but I’ll try do be ok despite the fact that I still have a piloce certificate to do.
Am from Cameroon in group 4.
THANKS and hope my visa will be issued before the deadline of 30th September.
September 23, 2020 at 00:18
Best of luck
September 23, 2020 at 16:05
@K Martial congrats. Am also from Cameroon and ain’t group. What is ur case numbern. Just the first two digits please. I want to know my state cos am 48***. Thanks.
September 23, 2020 at 16:08
*Am in group 4
September 25, 2020 at 12:53
@BIH, my case nbr is 359xx and I have my documents ok since February.
Now medical and interview has already been done, just waiting for the results to collect it and bring to the embassy. Just hope there’ll be enough of time
September 22, 2020 at 12:38
Does anyone know how long does it take for a medical report to come out after you finish doing the DV medical tests. If it’s more than two weeks than I won’t bother doing it as DV2020 ends in 8days.
September 22, 2020 at 14:01
It varies. Ask the physician, not the internet.
September 22, 2020 at 15:09
Just as Simon mention, it varies. Request for expedited processing of results, if that’s an option. I got mine within 5 working days, bless that clinic. Obviously, bring previous vaccination records by all means, but I would wait until seeing the physician for any new injections, i.e. rotavirus is not applicable to us adults. I know this sounds weird, but we were asked to show any scars from chicken pox, supposing we had it as kids. This is important as if the doctor can’t see the scars clearly enough, the physician may request a blood test to verify chicken pox immunity, and that may prolong getting results. A bit nerve racking, but a worthwhile experience.(I need to pack in more protein into my diet!)
September 22, 2020 at 12:07
Situation just got worse here in Sierra Leone, as a suspension of issuance of immigrant and non-immigrant visas to Sierra Leoneans is being enforced by the DoS, DHS and the U.S Embassy in Freetown.
Reason being that the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) is resisting to sign acceptance of Deportees from the United States, as stated by the DHS. The GoSL claims some of the Deportees are not Sierra Leoneans, but DHS also claims that these Deportees hold a Passport from the GoSL.
This will really hurt DV2020 and maybe DV2021 winners from Sierra Leone. We pray for Allah’s intervention.
September 22, 2020 at 23:59
Yes I heard about that. Awful.
September 22, 2020 at 07:42
Clearly understand you have no time, but quick facts about analysis of State Department report that can help.
__
Processing speed
– Issued Visas and scheduled interviews for 14 (4 – 21 Sept) days – 1500 visas and less 1000 cases scheduled;
– At the same time from March 20 till May 14 (my interview date for case 2020EU00021887) they have scheduled for interview more than 10.000 cases (5000 per month, 2500 per 2 weeks). Means its 2,5 time less than they have planned.
Overall stats 2019 and 2020
– All visa types in 2020 were reduced at 50% comparing to 2019 (F-1 F-2A IR-1 IR-2) but DV visas – reduced at 77%
Its clear they didn’t want to process them and it is also 2-2,5 times less than all other types.
They have enough time to process scheduled interviews but in fact they haven’t made everything. There was only one person in Russian Embassy due to plaintiffs reviews. Their goal was – plaintiffs.
September 22, 2020 at 22:33
Thanks.
September 22, 2020 at 05:34
Hey Brit
It is absolutely unfair to see U.S Embassy Addis Ababa in Ethipia to see that they are doing nothing since the judge’s order. Asking through email and lots of calling but replied to us to wait and see. Please loud for us. For your info, there is no plaintiffs here. I am in group 3
September 22, 2020 at 06:26
Anyone from Nairobi group 4 that have their interview scheduled? What did you do?
September 22, 2020 at 22:23
Yes we know.
September 22, 2020 at 05:18
Hello Simon, just a personal update and feedback- I went for the follow-up ‘interview’ yesterday after picking up my birth cert and medical report, all in the absolute pouring rain- I will never forget afternoon, September 21st, 2020! Also managed to register my mailing address before that. No real surprises- also passed more of my high school academic records, at the behest of the Document officer’s request. She just said she’ll pass everything to KCC and hopefully the visa will be processed before 30th. Interestingly, she mentioned that KCC has been having issues verifying birthdates of applicants born in Hong Kong, weird. Anyways, folks please take Simons advice and keep pushing your case, regardless of the Judge Mehta’s ruling. Best wishes to all.
September 22, 2020 at 22:23
Its all forward progress. Keep on pushing them. Their comment (that she will pass everything to KCC) shows she doesn’t understand how it works. The embassy decide, not KCC.
September 23, 2020 at 03:08
Thanks for feedback, I’ll email them again regarding that- the Documents Officer and American officer(if I can put it that way), are nice and friendly enough(though the D.O. is very nit picky- she asked me in a whining voice ‘why’ my my certified birth cert is newly government issued rather than the one my mum and dad managed to fish out from our cupboards, sheesh).
September 23, 2020 at 16:50
LOL!
September 22, 2020 at 05:12
Hi brit am dv 2021 nd already in usa can i have to wait my visa bulletin to apply adjustment of stutus or i can apply any time thank you
September 22, 2020 at 22:21
You have to wait for your number to be announced in the VB.
September 22, 2020 at 02:39
Dear brit i am 2020 dv winner from nepal .My interview was scheduled for april15.Do i get chance for interviewing until september end?
September 22, 2020 at 02:54
That will be up to the embassy, but you need to be calling them.
September 21, 2020 at 21:25
Dear Brit, thank you for all the work that you do!
Today I got my interview scheduled for Friday 24th. But I can’t travel to due border closure and my transfer requests to two different embassies in other countries are refused. Also even if not refused they want 14 days presence in that country which is not possible in such a short notice.
What should I do? Ask the post to cancel my interview? I am afraid they keep it as no-show and create problems later if deadline is extended.
Thanks
September 21, 2020 at 21:39
Yes if you are certain you can’t use it – cancel it explaining why.
September 21, 2020 at 21:02
Dear Brit,
I have done the interview in 15 Sept. and medicals in 17 Sept.
Till now in the Ceac my case is still Refused.
Do you think that there is still enough time to issue a Visa before 30 septtember?
Regards
September 21, 2020 at 21:40
Yes
September 21, 2020 at 21:01
Mr Simon,
considering the law, in a hypothetical way: does a Judge have the power to modify the law? I’m considering now the possibility of an extension of the deadline… But I don’t know if a Judge can do it or we are just speaking about nothing.
September 21, 2020 at 21:41
He cannot modify immigration law. However he might be able to grant relief to some people wronged by unlawful actions. It’s not an easy choice.
September 21, 2020 at 20:58
Hi Simon
I’m in Group 4 and have just received an email for an interview on 23 September. This is wonderful news but unfortunately it is logistically impossible to get medicals done and to get to the interview (1400km away) by then. Also, our passports are now close to expiry and due to Covid, passport renewals in our country are currently not allowed. Any suggestions?
September 21, 2020 at 21:42
1400km doesn’t sound far unless there are no roads. That’s just a long drive.
Passports could be renewed later (but confirm with the embassy).
September 21, 2020 at 20:43
This is the response I got from KCC just today after sending them an email asking about the status of my case(ready for interview since march EU24XXX):
“Thank you for your email regarding the scheduling of a Diversity Immigrant Visa interview appointment.
Consistent with the court order in Gomez v. Trump, the Department of State is making a good-faith effort to adjudicate as many Diversity Visa applications as possible notwithstanding Presidential Proclamation 10014. Please note, however, the DV-2020 Program expires on September 30, 2020 and, in accordance with law, diversity visas may no longer be issued after that date. The Department expects that, due to resource constraints, limitations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and country conditions, we will not be able to adjudicate applications for all Diversity Visa selectees by that expiration date.
As ordered by the court, we are prioritizing individual named plaintiffs in the court case Gomez v. Trump and its companion cases who are applying for Diversity Visas. Beyond that, we have established priorities based on statutory standards and categories of cases most likely to result in timely issuances for eligible applicants. Accordingly, we are prioritizing applicants who have already been interviewed and who either have been determined eligible for a visa or may be determined eligible for a visa with additional information. We will also prioritize applicants with appointments that were cancelled in March, April, or May due to the COVID-19 pandemic and worldwide suspension of routine processing. Diversity Visa Selectees who have heard from the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) that they are documentarily qualified, but awaiting an interview date, will be scheduled in accordance with their rank order and post’s capacity, consistent with our standard processes. For more details, see https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/diversity-visa-DV-2020-update.html.
Kind regards,
The Kentucky Consular Center”
September 21, 2020 at 21:43
It’s just a standard email.
September 21, 2020 at 20:29
Hi BritSimon, thank you for everything you do for dv winners!
i’m in group 4 and today i called to KCC and asked to transfer my case to the embassy, so i can be scheduled. They told me that embassy should request my case from them, they don’t do that.
Is this true, i thought that KCC sends cases to embassy(at NVC to Ready) ?
September 21, 2020 at 20:40
KCC normally sends that, but this is not a normal time.
September 21, 2020 at 21:10
Exactly, not a normal time. My embassy asked for transfer and KCC refused…
September 21, 2020 at 22:14
I am on group 4 showing NVC also ( second to last number for OC region). I emailed KCC last week Monday to transfer my case to Auckland NZ embassy. In two days I received an email both from my embassy & KCC that they got my case and scheduled an interview this week Thursday. Now my case is showing READY. Doing medical tomorrow. I think you guys really need to push KCC as your embassy won’t run around for you. If l can get an interview having second to last case number then everyone has hope. NZ embassy is so supportive giving me options to change interview date so l can gather all the documents. Wish me luck this Thursday.
September 22, 2020 at 01:05
How did you “push” them? I called KCC asking to transfer the case to our embassy in Ukraine(which don’t answer the calls), spoke to a very polite guy who told me – nothing they can do but go in order ( we all know the order)
September 22, 2020 at 07:26
I am having a feeling it depends on the embassy capacity. Auckland consulate is general empty as we don’t require visa to travel to US. And also there were literally little DV winners they have to process. My case officer has been emailing me for documents and arranged/booked a medical for me. I am surprised that instead of me, my case officer has been pushing me. Let’s see what happens on Thursday. But l am not sure how long med results takes as we only have 8days left for 2020 winners.
September 22, 2020 at 06:07
This is good news! When did you get the interview notification, because im also a dv 2020.
September 21, 2020 at 19:40
I emailed KCC a couple times and keep receiving the following email from them. So they are not acting in good faith.
“Thank you for your email regarding the scheduling of a Diversity Immigrant Visa interview appointment.
Consistent with the court order in Gomez v. Trump, the Department of State is making a good-faith effort to adjudicate as many Diversity Visa applications as possible notwithstanding Presidential Proclamation 10014. Please note, however, the DV-2020 Program expires on September 30, 2020 and, in accordance with law, diversity visas may no longer be issued after that date. The Department expects that, due to resource constraints, limitations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and country conditions, we will not be able to adjudicate applications for all Diversity Visa selectees by that expiration date.
As ordered by the court, we are prioritizing individual named plaintiffs in the court case Gomez v. Trump and its companion cases who are applying for Diversity Visas. Beyond that, we have established priorities based on statutory standards and categories of cases most likely to result in timely issuances for eligible applicants. Accordingly, we are prioritizing applicants who have already been interviewed and who either have been determined eligible for a visa or may be determined eligible for a visa with additional information. We will also prioritize applicants with appointments that were cancelled in March, April, or May due to the COVID-19 pandemic and worldwide suspension of routine processing. Diversity Visa Selectees who have heard from the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) that they are documentarily qualified, but awaiting an interview date, will be scheduled in accordance with their rank order and post’s capacity, consistent with our standard processes. For more details, see https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/diversity-visa-DV-2020-update.html.
Kind regards,
The Kentucky Consular Center”
September 21, 2020 at 20:12
That is a standard email and nothing in that email is against the order of the court.
September 21, 2020 at 19:06
Thank you for your constant assistance and concern. At the initiative of a group of Cubans we are collecting signatures for an extension. Help us make it viral please: http://chng.it/xyFP2rwk
September 21, 2020 at 19:18
This is a waste of time. Marco Rubio has no power to help at all, and no one will listen to a petition. THat is why we are suing them. Lawsuits are more effective than petitions.
September 21, 2020 at 19:29
I believe most US citizens are not aware of what’s happening regarding the DV 2020 due to Trump’s actions. This might bring some clout which is great!
September 21, 2020 at 20:13
Sorry, but that is dreaming.
September 21, 2020 at 18:52
Thank you so much britsimon.
You have been of good assistance and guider to me personally since last year may when I received the 1nl
Am case 2020AF000486**
I don’t think am gonna make it time is not on our side.unless judge mahta save us all by extension.
Otherwise I just say thank you. So much for the good work and kind heart to guide us.
I really appreciate may God bless you forever ??
September 21, 2020 at 19:00
Thanks – but let’s hope for an extension!
September 21, 2020 at 19:02
There is a song by rolling stones (Time is on our side), yes it is. Whether he grants an extension or not, FIGHT through it!
Even if there is one case left pending, they shouldn’t leave it as long as the applicant submitted his documents 6 weeks away from the deadline.
September 21, 2020 at 18:44
Would it be something evident to say that they didn’t warn people by emailing them to submit their documents during the worldwide lock down (March-May) because they were not going to grant an extension of the deadline, so that people may try to take their chances earlier?
September 21, 2020 at 18:47
Not really.
September 21, 2020 at 18:50
I was expecting an extension since many things around the world were extended. For example, bank payments!
September 21, 2020 at 18:53
I believe they should have sent an email warning people that it would be better to submit their documents sooner than later and not wait for things to open… and it almost feels like they want to do what the Trump’s administration really wants.
September 21, 2020 at 18:38
Brits thank you. Again I have called embassy I’m china where my interview location they are not cooperative. At all, again reach out to kcc asking my status of my case. Replied “We done with plaintiff and now other case is ready with three or four days but last she said I am not the one who is scheduling.” AF39*** I am so hoping . Kcc is disgraceful!
September 21, 2020 at 18:14
God bless you Sir
September 21, 2020 at 22:52
Thank you Brit.