January Filers at the CSC - How are you doing?

[BlakeandOlha 0]

Well Blake,

I called and the guy says they have no way of telling me what the RFE is for and that I have to wait until I get the letter from them regarding what the request will be for.....what a bummer......

Did you get through the automated switchboard or did someone just pick up the phone when you dialed the main number?

[E_Dude 0]

Well Blake,

I called and the guy says they have no way of telling me what the RFE is for and that I have to wait until I get the letter from them regarding what the request will be for.....what a bummer......

Did you get through the automated switchboard or did someone just pick up the phone when you dialed the main number?

I got the automated switchboard and by pushing the prompts, got a guy on the line who basically was reading from a script until i asked him the question about is there any way I can find out what the RFE is for before I get the letter and he says "No, you will have to wait until you get the letter because he has no way of finding it out"...........was he feeding me a line? what do you think?

[BlakeandOlha 0]

Well Blake,

I called and the guy says they have no way of telling me what the RFE is for and that I have to wait until I get the letter from them regarding what the request will be for.....what a bummer......

Did you get through the automated switchboard or did someone just pick up the phone when you dialed the main number?

Here's the famous (or infamous) RFE "trick" used to get to a case officer that might be able to shed some light on an actual RFE. It was posted by T-bone.

The keys are to [1] reach a correct person, and [2] speak USCIS's language.

Call 800-375-5283, then hit 1,2,2,4,2,1; enter your receipt number; hit 1,1. (There is no need to wait for all of the recorded options to be read before you hit these buttons.) The recording will almost certainly say that "additional evidence is required," but don't necessarily believe it.

When the phone rings, you should be speaking with an actual Immigration Officer (not a clueless front-line screener who can tell you only what you already know). If the recording said that "additional evidence is required," ask the ImmOff exactly this: "Why does the recording say that I have a Request For Evidence?" He/she will almost certainly tell you that there's no record of an RFE; thank him/her profusely.

Then (or first), ask exactly this: "Will you please tell me exactly where in the Division my file is?" He/she will tell you. Then say exactly this: "I'm aware that several files received after mine have already been approved, and the USCIS website clearly says 'we process applications in the order we receive them.' Will you please send an e-mail to the floor, and ask the person at the ____ station [whatever the ImmOff told you] to please hand-carry the file to the next station?"

The ImmOff will appreciate your "speaking the language," because it is so different from the usual plaintive "do something!" that they hear all day, every day. The e-mail should at least cause one of the processors on the floor to handle your file, and your record on the USCIS Case Status website may soon reflect a "touch."

The procedures that I have recommended are worth it, and you should feel better afterwards. Depending on how long ago you have submitted your application (the longer, the "better"), you can repeat this process every 10 to 14 days.

Do NOT mention that you are part of an on-line community; this is not necessary, and mentioning it could hinder your success. However, feel free to post your stories on VJ!

[BlakeandOlha 0]

Was this the number you called?

[E_Dude 0]

Was this the number you called?

Yes it was..........I will try what you said above regarding trying to get someone that knows something........

I am out of town right now and won't even be there when the mail gets to my house......really bumming right now..........

[aravis227 1]

Was this the number you called?

Yes it was..........I will try what you said above regarding trying to get someone that knows something........

I am out of town right now and won't even be there when the mail gets to my house......really bumming right now..........

Aw man Do you have family/friends who could check your mail and at least let you know what it's for? Maybe if it doesn't require your signature they could just send stuff back for you. When do you get back home?

[E_Dude 0]

Was this the number you called?

Yes it was..........I will try what you said above regarding trying to get someone that knows something........

I am out of town right now and won't even be there when the mail gets to my house......really bumming right now..........

Aw man Do you have family/friends who could check your mail and at least let you know what it's for? Maybe if it doesn't require your signature they could just send stuff back for you. When do you get back home?

Get back this coming Monday (and I'm having my mail held by the post office). Just called again with the tricks to try to get someone.......lol

I got further through the chain but basically was told again that I will have to wait till I receive the letter to actually find out what the RFE is about. Also, when you enter your receipt number (on the phone) and there are the letters at the first of the number, just select the buttons that the letter corresponds with the number on the phone (I know, probably easy for everyone else to figure out but took me a second).......

Well, I will be nervous till next Monday now.......acutally Tuesday, because the mail is being held till then......BUMMER

[aravis227 1]

Was this the number you called?

Yes it was..........I will try what you said above regarding trying to get someone that knows something........

I am out of town right now and won't even be there when the mail gets to my house......really bumming right now..........

Aw man Do you have family/friends who could check your mail and at least let you know what it's for? Maybe if it doesn't require your signature they could just send stuff back for you. When do you get back home?

Get back this coming Monday (and I'm having my mail held by the post office). Just called again with the tricks to try to get someone.......lol

I got further through the chain but basically was told again that I will have to wait till I receive the letter to actually find out what the RFE is about. Also, when you enter your receipt number (on the phone) and there are the letters at the first of the number, just select the buttons that the letter corresponds with the number on the phone (I know, probably easy for everyone else to figure out but took me a second).......

Well, I will be nervous till next Monday now.......acutally Tuesday, because the mail is being held till then......BUMMER

At least it's only a couple of days...odds are good it won't arrive until Monday or Tuesday anyway...maybe Saturday at the earliest...since it was just issued today. I understand your nervousness! I hope it's something simple. The only up-side to an RFE is it means you're in the final stages of processing! Unless there's another problem you should get an approval pretty soon after you give them whatever they want for the RFE. I have my fingers crossed for you guys!

[E_Dude 0]

Was this the number you called?

Yes it was..........I will try what you said above regarding trying to get someone that knows something........

I am out of town right now and won't even be there when the mail gets to my house......really bumming right now..........

Aw man Do you have family/friends who could check your mail and at least let you know what it's for? Maybe if it doesn't require your signature they could just send stuff back for you. When do you get back home?

Get back this coming Monday (and I'm having my mail held by the post office). Just called again with the tricks to try to get someone.......lol

I got further through the chain but basically was told again that I will have to wait till I receive the letter to actually find out what the RFE is about. Also, when you enter your receipt number (on the phone) and there are the letters at the first of the number, just select the buttons that the letter corresponds with the number on the phone (I know, probably easy for everyone else to figure out but took me a second).......

Well, I will be nervous till next Monday now.......acutally Tuesday, because the mail is being held till then......BUMMER

At least it's only a couple of days...odds are good it won't arrive until Monday or Tuesday anyway...maybe Saturday at the earliest...since it was just issued today. I understand your nervousness! I hope it's something simple. The only up-side to an RFE is it means you're in the final stages of processing! Unless there's another problem you should get an approval pretty soon after you give them whatever they want for the RFE. I have my fingers crossed for you guys!

I agree with you on the delay (my not getting it till Saturday probably at the earliest in the mail). I'm hoping it's something easy too (we didn't find this site [VisaJourney] until I had already sent everything in to CSC and the only thing I thought we might potentially get an RFE on was we didn't get a signed letter from Maria Ameliza regarding her intention to marry me...........she sent that to me after I thought it might be an RFE and I have it at the house now) and hopefully something I have already to send back to them. I don't know what else it could be as I double and triple checked everything I had before sending it in......

Thanks for all the help everyone, I'm pulling for you guys too and I guess should feel lucky that they have at least looked at our submission!

[BlakeandOlha 0]

Was this the number you called?

Yes it was..........I will try what you said above regarding trying to get someone that knows something........

I am out of town right now and won't even be there when the mail gets to my house......really bumming right now..........

Aw man Do you have family/friends who could check your mail and at least let you know what it's for? Maybe if it doesn't require your signature they could just send stuff back for you. When do you get back home?

Get back this coming Monday (and I'm having my mail held by the post office). Just called again with the tricks to try to get someone.......lol

I got further through the chain but basically was told again that I will have to wait till I receive the letter to actually find out what the RFE is about. Also, when you enter your receipt number (on the phone) and there are the letters at the first of the number, just select the buttons that the letter corresponds with the number on the phone (I know, probably easy for everyone else to figure out but took me a second).......

Well, I will be nervous till next Monday now.......acutally Tuesday, because the mail is being held till then......BUMMER

Well, again, I'm sorry to hear about this. If it's an easy fix it shouldn't delay you much at all. Keep us informed on how you're progressing.

[E_Dude 0]

Was this the number you called?

Yes it was..........I will try what you said above regarding trying to get someone that knows something........

I am out of town right now and won't even be there when the mail gets to my house......really bumming right now..........

Aw man Do you have family/friends who could check your mail and at least let you know what it's for? Maybe if it doesn't require your signature they could just send stuff back for you. When do you get back home?

Get back this coming Monday (and I'm having my mail held by the post office). Just called again with the tricks to try to get someone.......lol

I got further through the chain but basically was told again that I will have to wait till I receive the letter to actually find out what the RFE is about. Also, when you enter your receipt number (on the phone) and there are the letters at the first of the number, just select the buttons that the letter corresponds with the number on the phone (I know, probably easy for everyone else to figure out but took me a second).......

Well, I will be nervous till next Monday now.......acutally Tuesday, because the mail is being held till then......BUMMER

Well, again, I'm sorry to hear about this. If it's an easy fix it shouldn't delay you much at all. Keep us informed on how you're progressing.

Thanks again for your help Blake........this site is a life saver for all of us going through this together!

[aravis227 1]

Thanks again for your help Blake........this site is a life saver for all of us going through this together!

That is so true! I don't think I'd be able to get through this without VJ. I've had so many questions that we had answered here.

[BlakeandOlha 0]

On a happier note - we had another January approval - Congratulations to Robe & Victoria!!!

Remaining 87.1%......... Approved 12.9%

……………. Filing Date

Remaining

1 Bryant & Aliona 01-01

2 Plami & Krasi 01-01

3 Ayako & Nathan 01-01

4 Cecile & Bryan 01-02

5 Belen & Tim 01-02

6 Ten & DJ 01-03

7 Yuliya & Brian 01-03

8 Paola & Chris 01-04

9 Thanh & Cao 01-04

10 Zrinka & Eric 01-05

11 Lili & Matt 01-05

12 PT & J 01-07

13 Ajay & Komal 01-07

14 Matt & Robin 01-08

15 Maria Ameliza & Eric 01-09

16 Judee Anne & Reynaldo 01-09

17 Irina & Zubzare 01-10

18 Rachel & Alex 01-11

19 Erica & Scott 01-12

20 WW & MM 01-12

21 Sarah & Rudi 01-12

22 Bruno & Carol 01-12

23 Myriam & Gary 01-14

24 Russell & Dakotah 01-14

25 jj & sh 01-15

26 Elena & Sergey 01-15

27 jen & jay 01-16

28 Hilda & Chris 01-16

29 Steph & Gareth 01-17

30 Oscar & Joselyn 01-17

31 Marina & Eugene 01-17

32 Agatha & Robert 01-17

33 VRP & SK 01-18

34 Levi & Heather 01-19

35 gabbie & erv 01-22

36 Chris & Therese 01-23

37 nr123 & nm123 01-23

38 Laura & Scott 01-23

39 Joanna & Dale 01-23

40 Lean & Emil 01-23

41 Nick & Sarah 01-23

42 yan & isa 01-24

43 Lucy & Damon 01-24

44 a & o 01-24

45 Greivin & Courtney 01-24

46 Jeroen & Michelle 01-24

47 Olga & Blake 01-25

48 Lea & Ron 01-25

49 jennie & matthew 01-25

50 Paul & Joanna 01-25

51 Rymma & Vadim 01-25

52 WE & CE 01-25

53 Supida & Supida 01-25

54 Lena & Val 01-29

55 Susan & Chris 01-30

56 Ersila & Ilir 01-30

57 Mary & Carl 01-30

58 Benny & Cassi 01-31

59 Ge & Haibo 01-31

60 Benny & Cassi 01-31

61 Richel & Michael 01-31

Approved

1 Gerald & Vinera….…..01-04…...04-22

2 Bing & John…………...01-12…...05-02

3 Shirley & Steven…….01-07…...05-02

4 J & Paulie…………....…01-04…...05-02

5 Rosi & Chuck……..…..01-04…...05-02

6 Hesham & Tanya…….01-14…...05-02

7 Pamela & Joshua……..01-11…..05-05

8 Eliciana & Benjamin…01-11…..05-05

9 Robe & Victoria………..01-09….05-06

Edited May 7, 2008 by BlakeandOlha

[Victoria.Blake 0]

Thanks so much, BlakeandOlha! I know I'm not much for posting, but I'm on here almost every day just trying to get through the waiting. It helps so much knowing that we are not alone, that there are other people out there just like us playing this horrible waiting game. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you, and I'm sure we'll all be approved here in just a little while!

[BlakeandOlha 0]

Thanks so much, BlakeandOlha! I know I'm not much for posting, but I'm on here almost every day just trying to get through the waiting. It helps so much knowing that we are not alone, that there are other people out there just like us playing this horrible waiting game. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you, and I'm sure we'll all be approved here in just a little while!

Thanks, and, ahem.... speaking for all of us, Blake obviously has got a great name!

Edited May 7, 2008 by BlakeandOlha