Jeez - how long is this gonna take?

[JayJay 4]

Hi all,

Sent in the package to remove conditions sometime in February, then went in March to get biometrics taken. So, I arrive there and they have no idea what's going on...

When they sent the NOA for my package, I had one case number on it. Then, they sent me a letter to book the biometrics with a totally different case number on it - one I've never been able to find online. So, I bring both letters along with me. They are as confused as me and check on their system, and can find the case number I cannot find, but not the other case number. Mysterious.

Anyway, so they do the biometrics, and place the results under the old case number (the one I can't seem to find any info on online). I go on my merry way and wait it out.

Here we are in NOVEMBER...and still no sign of a change. I still can't find the old case number details online - it simply gives me that red "not found" bs. The other case number says my case was received on the 29th Feb and they would be contacting me, just like it did in...well. February.

What the heck? Should I be contacting them on the telephone (because we all know just how efficient that can be...) or is this considered "normal"? Help...I am going to England in June and July of next year and taking my family, and I reckon I should probably find out what's up before then, considering my green card expires in March (that's when the letter extended it to...)

Thanks guys...sheesh.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Hmm, it is usual for the NOA and the Biometrics appointment letter to have different case numbers. The NOA number is for an internal use only and can't be searched for by the applicant on line, however, the biometrics number is supposed to be searchable on line. There are a few who have not been able to do so, but they are few and far between.

I believe, being in Minnesota your file should have been forwarded to California from Nebraska, so you should have heard something by now. If your file was in Vermont I would say, wait, as they are still processing applications from November and December. I think it is time for an infopass appointment at the regular USCIS office not the ASC office. I am not surprised the biometrics people had no idea because they don't do the paperwork - just the fingerprints - and may not know that Removal of Conditions applications have two separate numbers. It seems to be the only case where this happens. I wonder if by putting your biometrics under the NOA number instead of the biometrics number they basically put your file on hold because it still reads like you have never had biometrics done. The number on the biometrics form is the one that needs to be approved, not the NOA one.

Take both documents to the USCIS for your infopass and tell them what happened. They should be able to straighten it out for you. They will use your A number to search but bring your expired green card as well. Good luck.

Edited November 12, 2008 by Kathryn41

[JayJay 4]

Alrighty then (thanks for clarifying about the number Kathryn - I had no idea! )....I just got off the phone with USCIS (who were UNBELIEVABLY prompt in picking up...amazing!

They dug up the case via my alien # (as you said they would) and lo and behold the whole case is indeed under the biometrics appt. case number, only I can't see it online. They received the biometrics in April at CSC and so far the case is still pending and that is the number I can use - but I have to call, apparently, since I still can't see it online. Confounding.

I applied without my ex spouse, so I guess this would cause the delay. Still - gawd - how long have others waited in my position? This is tedious! I only have a few months left before the letter extending the card expires and then what? I haven't even had an RFE...

Ok thanks for letting me b*tch and whine I'm done now

[Kathryn41 3,205]

No problem! ###### and kvetch and whine all you like - the rest of us do! Hehehehe. How frustrating it would be not to be able to see the biometrics number on line!! Hopefully they will get to you soon.

If you are still waiting when the NOA expires you just make an infopass at the local office and get the I-551 stamp in your valid passport - or if you don't have a valid passport, bring 2 passport photos and they make up an I-94 extending your status with the stamp and place that in your expired passport. Let's hope you get approved (and me too - I am also a February filer ) before that.

[reddiablo 0]

hey cheer up brit gal.

I have it on good authority that the interviews are picked randomly by computer.

so nothing to fret about

cheers red d

Alrighty then (thanks for clarifying about the number Kathryn - I had no idea! )....I just got off the phone with USCIS (who were UNBELIEVABLY prompt in picking up...amazing!

They dug up the case via my alien # (as you said they would) and lo and behold the whole case is indeed under the biometrics appt. case number, only I can't see it online. They received the biometrics in April at CSC and so far the case is still pending and that is the number I can use - but I have to call, apparently, since I still can't see it online. Confounding.

I applied without my ex spouse, so I guess this would cause the delay. Still - gawd - how long have others waited in my position? This is tedious! I only have a few months left before the letter extending the card expires and then what? I haven't even had an RFE...

Ok thanks for letting me b*tch and whine I'm done now

[JayJay 4]

Ohhhh I hope interviews only get picked randomly. God I'd rather not go there and have to sit through some kind of psychological questioning session about my abusive ex husband, all the things he did and why I left him. That would truly suck. A lot.

I think he did try to remove his affidavit of support on top of everything else - he didn't get to of course, not that he'd ever be responsible enough to hold down a job and pay anything to anyone. Like I need him to keep me above poverty level - pffft. Guffaw. Get lost!

Anyway here's hoping they leave me alone after everything that's happened, and that I get to actually live in peace and harmony without having to be on tenterhooks. Here's hoping everyone here gets the same thing!

Hugs and love to all going through this immigration process....it can be hard XXX (F)

[Anastassia 0]

JayJay,

where did you find the number to call ? I called the immigration National Customer Service Center and can't get through without the NOA #. Who can inform me of my case going just by alien number ?

I appreciate your help

Regards,

Ana

[JayJay 4]

I got through and chose the option "do not know the number" - found the telephone number on the USCIS website. Then, after explaining my situation, the lady on the other end trasferred me to someone else who was able to look it up via my alien number... Hope that helps!

JayJay,

where did you find the number to call ? I called the immigration National Customer Service Center and can't get through without the NOA #. Who can inform me of my case going just by alien number ?

I appreciate your help

Regards,

Ana

[Anastassia 0]

That's the problem, when I choose this option, the next thing I am getting is explanation where to find it, and no option to talk to a live person... unless I am doing something wrong...

thanks anyway

Ana

[JayJay 4]

Hope they were able to help you eventually Ana

I really can't remember how I did it...I thought that's how I did it...hmmm...

Anyway it would seem I now have to call back to find out my case status every time I'm wondering. How blah.

Is there anyone else on here who applied around the same time and hasn't been approved or sent for interview yet? I dunno..I am just feeling pessimistic that I'll have an interview where the domestic violence and all that awful stuff is going to be dragged up again and I'll have to go through that on top of everything else now... *cries*

[Kathryn41 3,205]

From the figures we are keeping here on VJ there hasn't been a single person who filed in 2008 to Vermont yet approved. They are still working on applications filed December 2007 and earlier. I am close to you - I filed the end of February - so am eagerly looking forward to hearing something soon. Hopefully we'll both just receive the email notice or the green card in the mail letting us know we are approved.

Edited November 25, 2008 by Kathryn41

[JayJay 4]

I am keeping my fingers crossed for both of us then, Kathryn! Gosh I hope I hope I hope... Then again I can see us both having to get extensions too via Infopass or whatever. Whatever works I suppose. I am going to England next June with Harry and the kids, so hopefully I'll have the care before then - that'd be nice XX

[lissa04 3]

I hope all goes well for you and that you don't have to have an interview. I know the waiting is really hard. I thought for sure I was gonna have an RFE or an interview. I was arrested when I was younger...no fault of my own, but just the thought of having to bring that up again and again is enough to drive someone to drink.LOL

I have seen people in the past be approved without an interview.

Good luck,

Lissa

I'll keep my fingers crossed.