I-551 for approved CR1 not received in 16 months amidst misleading INFOPASS communication

[sanchitg 0]

Hi all,

Following is a brief account of my immigration application and subsequent INFOPASS appointments and communication.

Nationality - India

Wife Nationality (Petitioner) - USA, married for 3 years

Immigration Visa - CR1 - approved on Feb 2012 by US Embassy in New Delhi

Port of Entry & Date - IAD - Washington Dulles Airport on 2nd May, 2012. Sealed packet handed over to immigration officer

I have done 3 infopass appointments and numerous follow ups on USCIS phone helpline. Have not received I551, 16 months have passed.

Sep 12 -

Ist Infopass Appointment

Was informed that my visa packet is lost and that I might

need to fill in I 90 afresh if I 551 does not arrive within 6 months

11 Feb, 2013 -

IInd Infopass Appointment

Was informed that my file is already in database and I should be receiving my welcome notice in 21 days

13 March, 2013 -

IIIrd Infopass Appointment

Officer admits that my visa packet is lost and wrong information was given to me in the previous appointment.

Officer filled up new forms and told that the process of creating green card has been reinitiated. I asked for a tracking number, but was not provided any. They told invitation letter will arrive in 1 month and green card in 3-6 months. They did not accept my I 90 form duly filled along with notarized sworn statement.

Till date I have not received the I-551. USCIS helpline says that my file is not in their database YET. I have tried to contact Senate and Congressman but didn't get their attention. Is there any authority over USCIS where I can escalate my case?

Has been a lot of trouble to follow up with USCIS in a new country. I expected better treatment from USCIS after been invited with an immigrant visa.

Please let me know how can I proceed from here.

Regards

Garg

Edited September 2, 2013 by sanchitg

[milimelo 4,470]

Contact your congressman or senator, file the release form and ask their immigration aide to look into this for you. You're certainly patient, my GC also never showed up until I involved a congressman's immigration aide.

Good luck.

[sanchitg 0]

Thank you for the suggestion. I have submitted my plea to congressman Hurt here - http://hurt.house.gov/index.cfm/need-help-with-a-federal-agency. I haven't heard back yet and it is already 10 days since I submitted my request.

Should I remind them again? Or should I visit their office directly?

Contact your congressman or senator, file the release form and ask their immigration aide to look into this for you. You're certainly patient, my GC also never showed up until I involved a congressman's immigration aide.

Good luck.

[milimelo 4,470]

Thank you for the suggestion. I have submitted my plea to congressman Hurt here - http://hurt.house.gov/index.cfm/need-help-with-a-federal-agency. I haven't heard back yet and it is already 10 days since I submitted my request.

Should I remind them again? Or should I visit their office directly?

Don't forget you also have two senators. Our senator did nothing for us while our congressman was helpful (well, their immigration aide was). I'd call each representative and see who their immigration aide is and then decide who to get on your case. If the person is not experienced in immigration matters they won't be of much help and you'll just waste time. Find someone who knows what things are what they need to do they all have .gov email addresses and can communicate directly with USCIS. USCIS has representatives for congressional inquires thus faster response time if they do their job right.

If you're near their offices and have some time - show up and meet the immigration aide - make sure to bring copies of all immigration paperwork you received including writeup of your INFOPASS visits.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from Process & Procedures to Progress Reports.

[sanchitg 0]

Thank you Milimelo

Will do so tomorrow and update the progress.