AOS FILERS: OCTOBER 2008

[noel_jas 0]

Same story about who had RFE no updates no mail nothing yet, i read some mid november files had their interview already

10/21/08 (Day 0) - Application Sent (I-130, I-485/I-864/I-693, I-765)

10/22/08 (Day 1) - Received Date (USPS over night)

10/29/08 (Day 8) - Check Cashed

10/30/08 (Day 9) – Received NOA (I130-I485-I765) Dated 10/31/08

10/31/08 (Day 9) - I130, I765, ONLINE BUT I485

11/02/08 (Day 12)- Received Biometrics appointment scheduled 11/15/08

11/07/08 (Day 17)- Biometrics Done Early walking in Norridge,Illinois

11/17/08 (Day 27)- Request for Evidence letter for I485 (they were asking for I94 Arrival record) It took 5 days to arrive online letter was sent 11/12/08

11/18/08 (Day 28)- Request Evidence is I94 sent along with I20,( I was a student), NON immigrant visa page on the passport, also, approval letter of F1 status, because i changed my status after i came to USA.

It does really suck, and it is unfair!

I see you have had your biometrics appointment exactly one day before me, in the same office in Norridge!

But I have already received EAD and appointment letter, and even though I am obviously happy, I still think is is very unfair.

i don't know if this makes sense but most ppl from Nov filers who got interview dates are adjusting from VWP. I'm a Nov filer as well (adjusting from K1) but some ppl who filed after me already received their appointment letters. i don't know if USCIS prioritizes those adjusting from VWP/B2 visas. i don't know either if i won't be interviewed anymore because my case is still stuck at National Benefits Center. i totally understand why some of you are frustrated that some Nov filers got their interview dates already because I felt the same also during the K1 process. it does suck but we just have to be patient.

[Eli the Barrowboy 16]

Sooooooooooooo ......

The people who went down the k1 route waited 6-8 months to get a visa and paid a lot of cash to do so. The people who came on the VWP circumnavigated the whole process, and according to the letter of the law should have been asked to leave the USA and are getting priority processing.

So it seems that the USCIS are actually rewarding people to circumnavigate the process.

If we had to do it all again I'd probably just have come here on the VWP and be done with it so my comments above aren't a dig at anyone. If it works for you then do it ...

[noel_jas 0]

Sooooooooooooo ......

The people who went down the k1 route waited 6-8 months to get a visa and paid a lot of cash to do so. The people who came on the VWP circumnavigated the whole process, and according to the letter of the law should have been asked to leave the USA and are getting priority processing.

So it seems that the USCIS are actually rewarding people to circumnavigate the process.

If we had to do it all again I'd probably just have come here on the VWP and be done with it so my comments above aren't a dig at anyone. If it works for you then do it ...

i really don't know but if you will look that Nov filers thread it seems that ppl adjusting from VWP and B1/B2 visas are starting to receive their appointment letters. it does suck because I'm on K1 as well and I waited for 7 mos to get my visa and i don't see any development on my case since my biometrics.

[KIMCORENE 0]

USCIS has no rhyme or reason to how it does business, so I'm hesitant to pinpoint any one type of filer and say that they are getting preferential treatment. Not that I am hesitant to do so, but there is no consistency as to who gets processed faster than others. There are definitely those who use VWP, B1/B2 and other visas to circumvent the law and that sucks, but we have no way of knowing if this is so without an admission on their part. This whole process is soooo frustrating, unfair and inconsistent.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Hi,

I just wanted to say that it could be that interview times could be dependent on how busy the local field office is. In November there was a comment that 3 people got interviews at Tucson. Two were VWP and a tourist B1(?), but it might be your things are in line at a busy field office. Just a thought, no science behind it. If you look at the processing times for various offices, they do vary alot like Tucson vs Houston. https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processTimesDisplay.do Those are also the worst case scenario dates, as we all know, but it seems to indicate backlogs at some.

[idealistix 0]

I received e-mails from CRIS today stating that my EAD and AP are both approved! Yay!

Rosie, please update my data in the October filers' excel sheet.

[Rosie74 0]

I received e-mails from CRIS today stating that my EAD and AP are both approved! Yay!

Rosie, please update my data in the October filers' excel sheet.

Congratulations!

Updated

[tanyaru 3]

Hello everyone!!! I just wanted to say that life is weird, but it always gets us back for what we do. So one way or the other all of ya who went K1 or K3 route will get rehimburst for your patience. Who knows, maybe you are not getting interview letters because you are going to be approved really soon without it.

PS. my updates for spreadsheet: EAD received Jan 2nd, interview letter received today, interview scheduled for Feb 12, 2 days before my first anniversary .

Edited January 6, 2009 by tanyaru

[tanyaru 3]

Sorry, I forgot to ask. I was in SSA today and successfully applied for corrected SS card with new name. When can I go to the DMV to get a new licence??? DMV customer service lady told me that my new name has to match their SS database.... So, do I need to wait until my card arrives or wait a couple days and give it a shot??? What was your experience?

[Beantownbabe 1]

Hi,

I just wanted to say that it could be that interview times could be dependent on how busy the local field office is. In November there was a comment that 3 people got interviews at Tucson. Two were VWP and a tourist B1(?), but it might be your things are in line at a busy field office. Just a thought, no science behind it. If you look at the processing times for various offices, they do vary alot like Tucson vs Houston. https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processTimesDisplay.do Those are also the worst case scenario dates, as we all know, but it seems to indicate backlogs at some.

Yes, I have to agree with this which is why I originally felt that I wouldn't get an interview date until the later end of the process. I am in the Boston area and this is a pretty busy office as far as I can see...Time will tell I guess. Things would just be a whole lot better though if everybody got their EAD's in good time then maybe people wouldn't be so antsy. Like we said before, people just want to be able to go to work, come home at the end of the day and pick up their paycheck each week - In all honesty, the boring interview can wait but earning a living can't.

[idealistix 0]

Yes, I have to agree with this which is why I originally felt that I wouldn't get an interview date until the later end of the process. I am in the Boston area and this is a pretty busy office as far as I can see...Time will tell I guess. Things would just be a whole lot better though if everybody got their EAD's in good time then maybe people wouldn't be so antsy. Like we said before, people just want to be able to go to work, come home at the end of the day and pick up their paycheck each week - In all honesty, the boring interview can wait but earning a living can't.

My feelings exactly! I can't wait to get back to work and start making some money.

I'm hoping that my green card will get approved without an interview, though the chances of that happening are quite slim. Either way, I am not worried about the interview date.

[Eli the Barrowboy 16]

I don't think we will have an interview as we are K-1 and they USUALLY don't. But knowing my luck ... lol.

I just read something from the Ombudsman (thanks Jeremy) saying that USCIS promised in October 2008 to answer Service requests within 75 days, not the 90 that they sent me in their standard response.

I shall be reminding them of that in 4 weeks.

[CourtAndGrey 0]

Same story about who had RFE no updates no mail nothing yet, i read some mid november files had their interview already

We are another RFE case that hasn't heard a dang thing. I am curious though... when I talked to USCIS about the RFE (which was for something we already sent), I was told it would not impact the EAD or AP. When I received the hard copy of the RFE it was only in reference to the AOS and even logging on to the USCIS site showed that the EAD was still active and pending.

Have any of you other RFE folks had the same experience? Did you actually get RFE'd for the EAD?

[triniredbone 0]

Hey Eli,

Sorry man for what you are going through and i sent my package without the medical ...so i knew i was gonna get an RFE for that.. Thats the only thing I got RFE'd for...and to answer your question, I didn't do anything..68 days is within the normal processing timeframe. What was you RFE? and even though they tell you 90 days..it actually does not take that long. How may more days make 90 days for you? I know how you feel man trust me and its so true about the people with degrees and so much experience and can't get jobs because of the present economy. But hang in there, just keep calling them..if you have to do another service request, let them know its because of financial hardship or something that is more convincing..they are just taking their sweet time..It all depends on your location and what you got RFE'D for as well..but stay on it, make calls, do what you got to do and try to stay busy while you waiting..cuz i was it wont get better if you continue to be like that. Stay up man!

Hey SweetnSexc,

I notice you guys are THE only RFE people who got word back yet regarding the EAD and AP. Did you do anything to speed up matters?

We are writing to our congressman today to see if we can't hurry this stuff up.

Fecking ridiculous. I'm seriously going to go nuts sitting around the house another week and not being able to do anything. The US economy is down the toilet yet people with Master's degrees and 10+ years work experience are sitting at home, feeling good for nothing and more worthless each day ... talk about fiddling while Rome burns.

R

[Eli the Barrowboy 16]

Have any of you other RFE folks had the same experience? Did you actually get RFE'd for the EAD?

We got our RFE for tax returns I neglected to submit ... my own dumb fault I guess. While my status for EAD and AP still read the original date of submission and not the date the RFE was returned (only the AOS reads the latter) when I tried a service request they said I had to wait 90 days from the date the RFE was returned - even though its for the EAD and even though they made an undertaking to the Ombudsman to resolve the EAD for migrants in 75 days.

I read somewhere that there have been issues in the past with people applying and deliberately not including papers to stretch the process out for themselves. Well, are they married to millionaires?

SweetNsexy - Today is 89 days since they started processing our file, 47 days since they resumed processing on our file after the RFE was returned. So they have another 43 days legally to give us an answer. Way to go USCIS.

I might call them again today, see if the response they sent me by email last Friday (wait another 90 days from RFE return) was the response to the Service Request, and then plead hardship - explaining the Mrs is a student, I have a job offer, ya de ya de ya.

I'm not sure how our location adversely affecting things applies though as our case is at the National Service Center. Yesterday I called both the congressman for where we live and for the Mrs's permanent address (we are living in a different congressional district while she is at school) and neither have gotten back to me as yet. At least when we get permanent residency we can vote in state and local elections and get rid of people who just don't give a toss about immigrants and their struggles with the feds.

R

PS Anyone else having speed problems with VJ today?