How to Shake Your NOA2 Loose from the CSC

[Cassie 8]

I think it's a serious delusion to think that simply because one is able to reach an 'Immigration Officer' by ringing in on the RFE line, that this Officer is somehow more empowered to 'help' your case. They may have access to a bit more information, but I have yet to see real compelling evidence that anyone - anyone - has seen their actual case move forward more quickly due to making this call. You might get a temporary 'feel good' but beyond that, I am unconvinced.

Exactly.

[mox 298]

But Mox, you are given a way to speak to a Customer Service person when you call the I-800 number and follow the proper prompts.

It's just not the Customer Service person you feel can help you.

True. The system is borked.

I think it's a serious delusion to think that simply because one is able to reach an 'Immigration Officer' by ringing in on the RFE line, that this Officer is somehow more empowered to 'help' your case. They may have access to a bit more information, but I have yet to see real compelling evidence that anyone - anyone - has seen their actual case move forward more quickly due to making this call. You might get a temporary 'feel good' but beyond that, I am unconvinced.

Agreed. Speaking for myself, I don't want my case to somehow be sped up past a normal processing timeline. I would feel horrible if I thought my call pushed my case in front of someone else's. But I do think there's some very strong anecdotal evidence that calling has in fact "dislodged" a case that had been somehow left behind. And we see this in our very own workplaces almost every day. Someone pops into your office and says "so and so is wondering where you are on project x." Project x has, however, completely slipped your mind because you were working on Project y. So you say "Yep, just finishing up a few things on it and then it'll be good to go." They leave your office and you scramble to finish up project x. I'm not saying I know this happens for sure at USCIS, but we are only human after all.

It's pretty tough to say we are justified in calling when we discern our case to be sort of 'past the point of reason' and for everyone to 'just use their heads'. Everyone is going to have a different perspective of when that point might be.

Yeah. I don't have a good answer for this. I like to think people will use common sense, but I know common sense isn't quite as common as I'd like it to be. I think the problem would (mostly) fix itself if cases were processed in a reasonable amount of time, and a reasonable amount of feedback were given to petitioners. There'd be no reason to call for status if cases were processed in a reasonable facsimile of how they were received, and if they were processed in a timely manner.

[TBoneTX 45,090]

I think it's a serious delusion to think that simply because one is able to reach an 'Immigration Officer' by ringing in on the RFE line, that this Officer is somehow more empowered to 'help' your case. They may have access to a bit more information, but I have yet to see real compelling evidence that anyone - anyone - has seen their actual case move forward more quickly due to making this call. You might get a temporary 'feel good' but beyond that, I am unconvinced.

Read my personal example, stated earlier. If it does not PROVE that the case moved as a result of the calls, it does not prove that it DIDN'T. I'm convinced that the file would have sat indefinitely at the transit station had I not called and asked the Immigration Officer to send an e-mail to the floor to ask someone to move it along. Furthermore, at least two Customer Disservice front-line stonewallers told me that they did not have the authority to e-mail the floor. (Just because ImmigOffs DO have the authority does not mean that they will exercise their DISCRETION to do so, unless the case that we make on the phone is persuasive.)

And, what's WRONG with a temporary "feel-good"? Is it preferable to knowing nothing and to remaining in limbo? If so, specifically how?

[bakofoil 27]

Who here can provide some history on the discovery and use of the "RFE 'Trick,'" which was being referred to before I ever joined VJ, let alone stumbled onto the approach recommended in this thread?

I expect RJ is the best to provide some history on that, but I do recall people saying that it was never really worth using until you were close to or outside the current USCIS processing times. I dunno, I think CBR made the best point on this. There are people waiting beyond the accepted timeframe who can do nothing to shake loose their NOA2 no matter how many times they call. I would like to think people are respectful of that.

I also agree with Rebecca on this, that it's a hard ask to get people to be reasonable about using these roundabout methods of speaking to someone who might actually have *some* information on your case, especially given that approvals are all over the calendar right now.

[mox 298]

They are not processing petitions in the order they are received. People who filed the same day I got my NOA2 are being approved. If that's the marker then it will get really silly. You are asking people to use it reasonably but if I had filed mid-January you can bet I would be wanting my NOA2 now too. Would I use the RFE trick? No, because I've been around here long enough to know the system is unfair and based on a fair amount of luck. I don't begrudge the lucky ones at all, I envy them and wish I had been them. But, I fail to see how calling the RFE line will help change the system.

So babblesgirl, we meet again.

I know petitions can't be processed in the exact order in which they are received. But when I see November filers being approved while a whole slew of September filers are still waiting, I think it's a reasonable assumption that cases are not being processed as promised.

It's not like they feel compelled to make their customers happy.

That's pretty much the crux of the problem, yes.

[rebeccajo 14]

I think it's a serious delusion to think that simply because one is able to reach an 'Immigration Officer' by ringing in on the RFE line, that this Officer is somehow more empowered to 'help' your case. They may have access to a bit more information, but I have yet to see real compelling evidence that anyone - anyone - has seen their actual case move forward more quickly due to making this call. You might get a temporary 'feel good' but beyond that, I am unconvinced.

Read my personal example, stated earlier. If it does not PROVE that the case moved as a result of the calls, it does not prove that it DIDN'T. I'm convinced that the file would have sat indefinitely at the transit station had I not called and asked the Immigration Officer to send an e-mail to the floor to ask someone to move it along. Furthermore, at least two Customer Disservice front-line stonewallers told me that they did not have the authority to e-mail the floor. (Just because ImmigOffs DO have the authority does not mean that they will exercise their DISCRETION to do so, unless the case that we make on the phone is persuasive.)

And, what's WRONG with a temporary "feel-good"? Is it preferable to knowing nothing and to remaining in limbo? If so, specifically how?

Nothing I guess. Anymore than getting drunk.

Responsible recommendation, anyone?

Edited February 26, 2008 by rebeccajo

[rebeccajo 14]

Who here can provide some history on the discovery and use of the "RFE 'Trick,'" which was being referred to before I ever joined VJ, let alone stumbled onto the approach recommended in this thread?

I expect RJ is the best to provide some history on that, but I do recall people saying that it was never really worth using until you were close to or outside the current USCIS processing times. I dunno, I think CBR made the best point on this. There are people waiting beyond the accepted timeframe who can do nothing to shake loose their NOA2 no matter how many times they call. I would like to think people are respectful of that.

I also agree with Rebecca on this, that it's a hard ask to get people to be reasonable about using these roundabout methods of speaking to someone who might actually have *some* information on your case, especially given that approvals are all over the calendar right now.

The RFE trick isn't new. People have been trying around here for about a year or so.

[L & P 0]

Hi all,

I think it is silly to argue ....all I know is that it make me feel so much better to have been touched....thanks to TBone advise I believe...It does not mean that I will have NOA2 any quicker but at least I had someone looking at my name and the petition...Even if they forget it in a corner now ...We will just call again. I first filed in April 2007 and was told that file was never received, well order was not cash either so I have to believe USCIS....At this point anything helps.

And if Tbone advise can help anyone else to feel better ...it is great !!!

THANK YOU TBONE

[mox 298]

Nothing I guess. Anymore than getting drunk.

Responsible recommendation, anyone?

Responsible? Um...no.

I realized I might have a "waiting for NOA2" problem the day I started referring to the orange juice in my fridge as a "mixer."

[bakofoil 27]

So babblesgirl, we meet again.

Indeed! *raises paws*

I know petitions can't be processed in the exact order in which they are received. But when I see November filers being approved while a whole slew of September filers are still waiting, I think it's a reasonable assumption that cases are not being processed as promised.

Aye, but there are also January filers being approved so is it ok for all January filers to call the RFE line and demand their petition gets moved to an adjudicator? We know the system is unfair but how do you get people to be reasonable about that?

I think the problem is not so much using the RFE line, it's advocating the use of the RFE line when those around you are being approved. It's gonna get silly and they'll shut it down then no one will have any opportunity to push their case along - even when it reaches six months and beyond.

Anyway, point made, what was that cherry drink?

Hi all,

I think it is silly to argue ....all I know is that it make me feel so much better to have been touched....thanks to TBone advise I believe...It does not mean that I will have NOA2 any quicker but at least I had someone looking at my name and the petition...Even if they forget it in a corner now ...We will just call again. I first filed in April 2007 and was told that file was never received, well order was not cash either so I have to believe USCIS....At this point anything helps.

And if Tbone advise can help anyone else to feel better ...it is great !!!

THANK YOU TBONE

TBone is lovely. It's true.

[TBoneTX 45,090]

[...] it's a hard ask to get people to be reasonable about using these roundabout methods of speaking to someone who might actually have *some* information on your case, especially given that approvals are all over the calendar right now.

Well, by now, most people here probably have a sense of what's reasonable and what's not.

Can we agree that anything earlier than 3 months after NOA1 date is unreasonably soon to call?

Three months, no word or on-line update: Call to inquire, "Where in the Division is my application, please?" On the basis of the response (if the response is helpful), plan to inquire again in 3 to 5 weeks.

Four months, or if you see from postings here that an unignorable number of applications filed simultaneously with or after yours have been approved: "Where in the Division is my file, please?" Add, "Can you please send an e-mail to the floor to ask them to get it moving to the next station?"

Add further questions the longer you've been waiting.

Si, man?

[TBoneTX 45,090]

The RFE trick isn't new. People have been trying around here for about a year or so.

How does it differ from the approach in this thread? For all the commentary about the RFE "trick," I never found where it was posted or any pro/con about it.

[bakofoil 27]

Si man

[rebeccajo 14]

[...] it's a hard ask to get people to be reasonable about using these roundabout methods of speaking to someone who might actually have *some* information on your case, especially given that approvals are all over the calendar right now.

Well, by now, most people here probably have a sense of what's reasonable and what's not.

Can we agree that anything earlier than 3 months after NOA1 date is unreasonably soon to call?

Three months, no word or on-line update: Call to inquire, "Where in the Division is my application, please?" On the basis of the response (if the response is helpful), plan to inquire again in 3 to 5 weeks.

Four months, or if you see from postings here that an unignorable number of applications filed simultaneously with or after yours have been approved: "Where in the Division is my file, please?" Add, "Can you please send an e-mail to the floor to ask them to get it moving to the next station?"

Add further questions the longer you've been waiting.

Si, man?

You want a procedure in stone or something, TBone? You want a concrete guideline like 'wait three months'? Why?

The only reason I'm asking - this damn system is sooooooooooo volatile. I've seen it go up and down like a yo-yo on a string for the last three years. VSC is fast, VSC is slow. Nebraska is slow, Nebraska is fast - Nebraska is gone! Adjustment of status in 60 days when it used to take AT LEAST 6-8 months to get an interview........

This system is very fluid, believe it or not. You seem to think USCIS is out to screw you, to just take your money and keep you in the dark like a mushroom. You know what? Someday, when you are reunited with your fiance, you'll hardly remember all this BS!

The RFE trick isn't new. People have been trying around here for about a year or so.

How does it differ from the approach in this thread? For all the commentary about the RFE "trick," I never found where it was posted or any pro/con about it.

I don't know why you haven't seen anything. Honestly. I've been reading about it for ages.

[bakofoil 27]

I notice no mention of CSC being all over the place. It is always slow I take it