What in the world does one have to do

[Delicia 1]

I know.. I know... the touches are meaningless. But, feeling ignored by USCIS, I decided to call today and inquire on my status. The Rep took my case number and said I have to wait until 6 months are up (and that is rapidly approaching) before they can do anything. I clarified six months from which date (original submission or NOA-1 date) and was informed submission date. But no touches. I feel like I have immigration leprosy.

[MrsCat 6]

I know.. I know... the touches are meaningless. But, feeling ignored by USCIS, I decided to call today and inquire on my status. The Rep took my case number and said I have to wait until 6 months are up (and that is rapidly approaching) before they can do anything. I clarified six months from which date (original submission or NOA-1 date) and was informed submission date. But no touches. I feel like I have immigration leprosy.

Seriously though . . . . we had NO touches on our file since we sent our application in July. Not even when we updated our address.

Finally called (March 10) after month 6 - nearing month 7 - and they said our file was approved on Feb15/08, and already sent to NVC.

Looked at our online status from Mar10-14 and it was touched everyday by USCIS. However, our file still saying receiving and pending . . . . even though we've gotten our letters from NVC.

Just call the day you've reached month 6, have a package of info ready to fax to your Senator - give them one chance to get it right on D-Day, then do what you can to get the ball rolling and fax your senator.

PS: Don't tell them that you have immigration leprosy - that might slow things a little =)

[Delicia 1]

Day 182 = 4/28/08. Not that I am counting.

[trailmix 77]

Day 182 = 4/28/08. Not that I am counting.

So how do they count 'six months'? 182 days would be six months in most places, but I guess they go by calendar date, so in theory if February is included in the six month calculation then your case would be adjudicated a bit faster, what with it being a shorter month and all? You have to shake your head.

So what are your plans at the 6 month mark - senator?

Our file wasn't touched until it was approved, it was like touch, touch, approved. It took 80 days.

[Delicia 1]

I actually counted to 182 days, not 6 months so I don't gain benefit from February. It was a leap year anyway so not that it really matters for 1 day.

I don't know if I mentioned this before, but I have emailed both of my senators (one of which is Ronald McDonald... errr John McCain) and the more normal one, Jon Kyle, after talking to his immigration assistant, called me back himself a few days later at my office. Kind of cool huh? Not many can say that their senators called them back personally. A bit of history: Kyl has been serving on the Senate Judiciary sub-committee on immigration for quite some time, but AZ has a vested interest in immigration laws.

I explained my situation and my previous situation with CIC and the problems that I saw with the current legalized immigration system. I explained I thought that there was too much focus on the illegal side and if they fixes the legal side first, some of the illegal problems would disappear through attrition. I also told him that my idea was to get a divorce in AZ (about a 90 day wait) then bring my ex-spouse in on a K-1 and it would probably go faster than doing what I am doing now. He actually said he had heard that argument quite a few times over the years and thought it was completely justified. He tried to sell me on Senate Bill 169 (if I remember correctly) which is dead anyway, saying that Bill would solve all these problems. I read that Bill's text and can't say I agree with him, but at least I know where to go when Day 182 comes around.

So, on day 182, I call USCIS. If I get the typical run around, which I am expecting (you know, call back in 30 days or it is still within normal processing, blah blah blah), I will be contacting my senator's office as soon as I hang up with USCIS.

[trailmix 77]

Yes, from what I have seen on day 182 you will get the same run around. It's interesting how they sell these dates and then dump them. For instance my BIL's EAD - the whole '90 day' thing. Well 90 days came and went and went and when they would call it would be, wait x amount of time then call again, so they would call again and it would be well if you wait x more days we will blah blah blah.

Suffice to say it took 5-6 months.

Well here is hoping that one day soon you see that darn NOA2.

[Delicia 1]

On an aside, when I am bored (which is usually when I am not at work or sleeping), I still monitor my old haunts from when I was trying to get my PR status in Canada. There were a few of us, I had found, that had similar time lines with CIC and had been transferred to the Local Office in Etobicoke. Here is the thread.

It somewhat justifies my actions of abadoning hope with CIC and moving on and out. If I had stayed, I would of hit year 3 in process in would of only had 2 short more years to wait. I am feeling very sorry for that little group knowing that they don't have a place like the U.S. to move back to.