How to Shake Your NOA2 Loose from the CSC

[rebeccajo 14]

Oh well, TBone, I guess we'll just have to keep researching then.

PS - While researching, I have learned that access to the IO's via the misinformation line began in the Spring of 2004.

[mox 298]

The fact remains that USCIS is the only man in town with the bag of gold, and they can take that away any time they like.

I do agree. I think it's unlikely they would actually follow through with taking the line away, but I could foresee customer service agents simply refusing to talk with callers who came through the wrong pipeline. "No, you do not have an RFE. Have a nice day. *click*" For that reason alone I agree that it's in everyone's best interest for people to call only when necessary.

I do take some umbrage at USCIS's tone. It's as if they have plucked from their brow, Athena-like, this magnificent gift to mankind, and we mortals dare not abuse it nor question their wisdom. My feeling has been, and continues to be, if USCIS feel the line is being abused, then they need to analyze why it's being abused and address the real problem. If people are calling the RFE line to get status, then their methods to provide status to their customers must not be adequate. Opening a system up is always easier than closing one down.

I'd love to know where this article was originally published. about.com has a habit of lifting public information without attributing the source, so I have little doubt that it's authentic. Would love to know where it came from though.

Again, great find rj. It definitely sheds some more light on the process.

[Mike-Mely 0]

OK

And what does that mean based on your experience? Are we a few days away, or a week away or two months away..........

I would not try to put a timeline on it.

It could mean that your case is one of 30-40 that the officer will start to do name checks on as soon as he is done with the current cases he has and that a determination on your case could be weeks or months down the road.

or

It could mean he will open the box tomorrow, pull your file off the top, run your name check, get a result and give you a swift approval or RFE in the next day or two.

Its impossible to say for sure.

[TBoneTX 45,287]

[retracted -- misunderstood who was asking whom what]

Edited February 28, 2008 by TBoneTX

[Mike-Mely 0]

TBONE-just a thought, maybe its time to throw in the towel in light of mounting evidence and say calling the RFE line to try to advance your case or to make yourself feel better is NOT a good idea for the sake of the system, other VJers, other filers, etc.

Maybe?

[TBoneTX 45,287]

TBONE-just a thought, maybe its time to throw in the towel in light of mounting evidence and say calling the RFE line to try to advance your case or to make yourself feel better is NOT a good idea for the sake of the system, other VJers, other filers, etc.

Maybe?

"Mounting evidence"? VJers who wish to call are free to call. Those who wish not to call are free not to call. It remains my opinion (which may not be yours) that we have all paid a ferocious amount of money for a service, and we are entitled to inquire about the progress of that service. Because the system is dysfunctional (cf. my congressional office's statement to me in August that "USCIS is our VERY WORST governmental agency, and it will literally take an Act of Congress for things to change"), we are each free to accept that with resignation (and helplessness) or to use available means to navigate through a dysfunctional system.

Accordingly, if you choose not to call, I won't force you to call.

Edited February 28, 2008 by TBoneTX

[rebeccajo 14]

Maybe this one is better - from a highly respected legal resource:

http://www.murthy.com/news/n_telacc.html

Telephone Access to Service Centers Again Available

Posted Dec 26, 2004

The USCIS has announced that they have restored telephone access in certain instances to the Service Centers. Persons will still need to call the National Customer Support Center (NCSC), but the NCSC should forward specific calls to the applicable Service Center.

Calls Forwarded from the NCSC

The NCSC will remain open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., based upon where the customer lives. Service Centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., using the local time of the Service Center. If a call is forwarded to the Service Center, but no one is available to take the call, the call will be transferred back to the NCSC. Calls will be forwarded only for certain issues:

if an individual has been granted lawful permanent resident status more than 30 days prior but has not received the green card;

if post-approval documents have not been received within 30 days of the approval;

if an I-129 was approved more than a week prior, but the consulate or Port of Entry has not yet received notification of the approval;

if a companion case may have been separated during processing;

if information needs to be changed on a pending I-129 petition;

and most questions about Requests for Evidence.

Note : Expedite requests will continue to be processed via fax and will not be forwarded to the Service Centers.

Calls Not Forwarded from the NCSC

All other issues will continue to be handled by the NCSC. For the next few months, the USCIS will monitor whether the Service Centers will be able to accept other types of calls. The USCIS cautions against misuse of the system and advises that the Service Centers will not assist with issues other than those listed above.

Edited February 28, 2008 by rebeccajo

[Mike-Mely 0]

TBONE-just a thought, maybe its time to throw in the towel in light of mounting evidence and say calling the RFE line to try to advance your case or to make yourself feel better is NOT a good idea for the sake of the system, other VJers, other filers, etc.

Maybe?

"Mounting evidence"? VJers who wish to call are free to call. Those who wish not to call are free not to call. It remains my opinion (which may not be yours) that we have all paid a ferocious amount of money for a service, and we are entitled to inquire about the progress of that service. Because the system is dysfunctional (cf. my congressional office's statement to me in August that "USCIS is our VERY WORST governmental agency, and it will literally take an Act of Congress for things to change"), we are each free to accept that with resignation (and helplessness) or to use available means to navigate through a dysfunctional system.

Accordingly, if you choose not to call, I won't force you to call.

I dont think the system being dysfunctional/cost involved excuses discourtesy to your fellow man or woman.

There is a system in place to inquire about the progress, you just dont care for the answers you get from it.

I guess if you dont care if you advance your cause at the expense/potential expense of others then call away.

[TBoneTX 45,287]

Accordingly, if you choose not to call, I won't force you to call.

Addendum to all here who are citizens of the United States of America: It is written in the FIRST article of our Bill of Rights (the Constitution) that we have the inalienable right to petition our government for redress of grievances. If Mike-Mely, rebeccajo, or anyone else suggests otherwise, then go to a country where the system places a lien on this right, and where it is standard or necessary to live in fear of one's government. To anyone who's been waiting an intolerable time with no word or with inadequate news on the status of your case, call USCIS to inquire. It's your RIGHT to do so.

Edited February 28, 2008 by TBoneTX

[TBoneTX 45,287]

And what do you base this guidiance on? Your personal experince or your opinon - and if it is your opinion, what are you basing your opinion in??

You're a mid-October filer. Under the First Amendment, it is reasonable for you to make the call to USCIS to find out.

[Mike-Mely 0]

OK

And what does that mean based on your experience? Are we a few days away, or a week away or two months away..........

I would not try to put a timeline on it.

It could mean that your case is one of 30-40 that the officer will start to do name checks on as soon as he is done with the current cases he has and that a determination on your case could be weeks or months down the road.

or

It could mean he will open the box tomorrow, pull your file off the top, run your name check, get a result and give you a swift approval or RFE in the next day or two.

Its impossible to say for sure.

And what do you base this guidiance on? Your personal experince or your opinon - and if it is your opinion, what are you basing your opinion in??

Mostly it is based on the explainations of how the system works that Ive read here on VJ posted by someone who says they used to work at USCIS center and my knowledge of how the system works from research Ive done on the process.

You asked a question and I answered it as best I know, its up to you if you value it or not.

Its also so far the only answer your getting.

[rebeccajo 14]

Accordingly, if you choose not to call, I won't force you to call.

Addendum to all here who are citizens of the United States of America: It is written in the FIRST article of our Bill of Rights (the Constitution) that we have the inalienable right to petition our government for redress of grievances. If Mike-Mely, rebeccajo, or anyone else suggests otherwise, then go to a country where the system places a lien on this right, and where it is standard or necessary to live in fear of one's government. To anyone who's been waiting an intolerable time with no word or with inadequate news on the status of your case, call USCIS to inquire. It's your RIGHT to do so.

Okey dokey.

"Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Hardly the same thing as harrassing a phone rep, but whatever floats your boat.

Edited February 28, 2008 by rebeccajo

[Mike-Mely 0]

Accordingly, if you choose not to call, I won't force you to call.

Addendum to all here who are citizens of the United States of America: It is written in the FIRST article of our Bill of Rights (the Constitution) that we have the inalienable right to petition our government for redress of grievances. If Mike-Mely, rebeccajo, or anyone else suggests otherwise, then go to a country where the system places a lien on this right, and where it is standard or necessary to live in fear of one's government. To anyone who's been waiting an intolerable time with no word or with inadequate news on the status of your case, call USCIS to inquire. It's your RIGHT to do so.

Thats great except the processing times for our petitions are 6 months, during which time you are specifically told NOT to call.

Make all the excuses for not following the rules you want to-

[TBoneTX 45,287]

Accordingly, if you choose not to call, I won't force you to call.

Addendum to all here who are citizens of the United States of America: It is written in the FIRST article of our Bill of Rights (the Constitution) that we have the inalienable right to petition our government for redress of grievances. If Mike-Mely, rebeccajo, or anyone else suggests otherwise, then go to a country where the system places a lien on this right, and where it is standard or necessary to live in fear of one's government. To anyone who's been waiting an intolerable time with no word or with inadequate news on the status of your case, call USCIS to inquire. It's your RIGHT to do so.

Thats great except the processing times for our petitions are 6 months, during which time you are specifically told NOT to call. Make all the excuses for not following the rules you want to-

Here's the excuse: Not one thing that the dysfunctional USCIS tells us or recommends to us can trump our rights under the Constitution of the United States of America to petition our government for redress of grievances.

[Mike-Mely 0]

And what do you base this guidiance on? Your personal experince or your opinon - and if it is your opinion, what are you basing your opinion in??

You're a mid-October filer. Under the First Amendment, it is reasonable for you to make the call to USCIS to find out.

I should rephrase-its the only answer your getting that does not advise you to violate clearly stated guidelines to using the USCIS system!