A newbie with timing concerns!

[Kym 0]

Exactly what service center sent you NOA1? I would definitely fire that lawyer, they're apparently worthless! You really should have waited this process out to make solid wedding plans like paying anyone, but I guess you don't need me to tell you that.

Our I-129F was sent to the National Benefits Center aka, Missouri Service Center. The only thing on the NOA1 that would indicate where it is being sent from is the beginning of our receipt number: msc. I wish I could have picked up on that when I first received it, but how was I to know? However, when I would go into the USCIS website and look at the status, it did indicate there that my petition was at the Missouri Service Center. Yes, I am kicking my self in the rear daily asking myself "WHY did I not pick up on that?" I was naive I realize. I'm trying to not beat myself up too much over this...it was not MY responsitbility to catch this.....(it just goes back to all the "what if's" I keep asking myself).

As for waiting to make plans for a wedding. Yes, I agree, we shouldn't have made solid plans. However, neither Darryl nor myself had ever gone through anything like this...we relied on our lawyer's expertise and to guide us...that is why we hired him. He should have NEVER led us to believe that an April wedding should be no problem since we had filed back in June the previous year.

I will check out that link....thank you!

[Kym 0]

Our time line is very similar to yours and we just got through. Even if you got your NOA2 today you still might not make April because you have to wait for it to go through NVC, then to the Sydney Consulate, then packet 3, then packet 4 and interview. That will take up to 3 months. Let me know if I can help in anyway with info. I just went through Sydney Consulate. See my other post "Visa Approved"

We know that it is next to impossible that Darryl will be here by April now. We are taking the necessary steps to cancel it all. Not only that, we were in hopes of having our first Valentine's together and then Easter....Maybe we can have a Halloween together...who knows. (We've already spent a Thanksgiving together).

I had already seen your "Visa Approved" post and replied to it. Let me say once again....Congratulations...it is great news!

[kitkat1 5]

Kym, the USCIS ombudsman isn't going to be able to help in this situation (they rarely provide help anyway it seems). There's nothing they can do when a lawyer screws up.

The fact that your lawyer led you to believe that an April wedding would be no problem is just one more big black mark against them. No lawyer with any experience would lead any applicant to believe that this process is cut and dry. There are zillions of things that can happen along the way like the IMBRA fiasco that delayed petitions for months on end (no one had any idea it was coming) to the recent Adam Walsh law that eliminates Direct Consular filing. There are security checks, RFEs, backlogs, service center reorgs, not to mention delays at the NVC or embassy abroad.

The only thing I would advise you to do at this point is get solid proof that your petition has been forwarded and signed for by the correct service center. Then fire them, sue them for a refund, go to the newspapers/TV, whatever makes you feel better. But for now, the number one issue is making sure your petition is in the right place.

[girlfrmoz 1]

Hi Kym,

I am so sorry that you are going through this. What a scummy lawyer!! The thing that is so dissappointing is that you probably would have made your April date if they hadn't stuffed up.

I think if you explain to USCIS via phone and ask for level 2 support, not the newbies on the call centre phones. They should be able to track it down and tell you the status. They were good to us when we needed it. I hope you get it sorted ASAP. Hang in there!

Good luck and kick some butt!

Lyndel