How would you handle this?

[JeremyR 8]

Time to pick VJ's collective brain again

We responded to an I-485 RFE in mid-January. It was delivered by USPS, I have the return receipt back, colourfully stamped by National Benefits Center. At the time it was delivered, the case was there. Shortly afterwards, (early Feb) I got a CRIS email to tell me that it's been transferred to CSC. At first, I thought I could assume this was acknowledgement of receipt of the RFE response (they wouldn't transfer a case that's on hold for RFE, would they? That would cause all sorts of logistics problems?).

Now though, I still haven't received a "Response received - case processing resumed" email from CRIS. The response deadline is approaching in early April so I'm wondering what is going on:

- Was CRIS just having a bad day when the 'response received' message should have gone out?

- Did NBC reunite the response with our case file before it was packaged up and sent to CSC and the two got separated?

- Did they deem the response insufficient (and therefore no response received message)?

- Should I send the info again (I have more evidence that I can submit now, most notably additional pay transcripts and '08 taxes)? I still have a copy of the RFE sheet from NBC.

- If I decide to send it again, where to? NBC whose address is on the sheet? CSC who have the case file? Both?!?!

- Should I just wait and see what happens when April 6th (RFE deadline day) comes and goes?

The RFE notice makes clear that they don't like receiving evidence in multiple mailings and that doing so can result in denial. Problem is, so can insufficient response or response not correctly reunited with case file. So is sending another copy of the response an equally bad idea?

Every option feels 'dangerous' and I have no idea what to do. It's affecting my mental state on a daily basis at the moment.

Misinformation line were, of course, totally useless and Atlanta field office are apparently fully booked up for appointments ('none available' for every appointment type I've tried) so InfoPass doesn't look like a possibility either.

FWIW, my current case status is:

Receipt Number: MSC**********

Application Type: I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS

Current Status: This case is now pending at the office to which it was transferred.

The I485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS was transferred and is now pending standard processing at a USCIS office. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address. We process cases in the order we receive them. You can use our processing dates to estimate when this case will be done, counting from when USCIS received it. Follow the link below to check processing dates. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. To receive e-mail updates, follow the link below to register.

[jhunjhun 7]

Time to pick VJ's collective brain again

We responded to an I-485 RFE in mid-January. It was delivered by USPS, I have the return receipt back, colourfully stamped by National Benefits Center. At the time it was delivered, the case was there. Shortly afterwards, (early Feb) I got a CRIS email to tell me that it's been transferred to CSC. At first, I thought I could assume this was acknowledgement of receipt of the RFE response (they wouldn't transfer a case that's on hold for RFE, would they? That would cause all sorts of logistics problems?).

Now though, I still haven't received a "Response received - case processing resumed" email from CRIS. The response deadline is approaching in early April so I'm wondering what is going on:

- Was CRIS just having a bad day when the 'response received' message should have gone out?

- Did NBC reunite the response with our case file before it was packaged up and sent to CSC and the two got separated?

- Did they deem the response insufficient (and therefore no response received message)?

- Should I send the info again (I have more evidence that I can submit now, most notably additional pay transcripts and '08 taxes)? I still have a copy of the RFE sheet from NBC.

- If I decide to send it again, where to? NBC whose address is on the sheet? CSC who have the case file? Both?!?!

- Should I just wait and see what happens when April 6th (RFE deadline day) comes and goes?

The RFE notice makes clear that they don't like receiving evidence in multiple mailings and that doing so can result in denial. Problem is, so can insufficient response or response not correctly reunited with case file. So is sending another copy of the response an equally bad idea?

Every option feels 'dangerous' and I have no idea what to do. It's affecting my mental state on a daily basis at the moment.

Misinformation line were, of course, totally useless and Atlanta field office are apparently fully booked up for appointments ('none available' for every appointment type I've tried) so InfoPass doesn't look like a possibility either.

FWIW, my current case status is:

Receipt Number: MSC**********

Application Type: I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS

Current Status: This case is now pending at the office to which it was transferred.

The I485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS was transferred and is now pending standard processing at a USCIS office. You will be notified by mail when a decision is made, or if the office needs something from you. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address. We process cases in the order we receive them. You can use our processing dates to estimate when this case will be done, counting from when USCIS received it. Follow the link below to check processing dates. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. To receive e-mail updates, follow the link below to register.

Don't rely on uscis website for the updates of your case. There is a huge possibility that uscis received the returned RFE. Good luck!!!

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Your status says your case is pending so that sounds ok.

I would print out a hard copy of that just to have it for future reference if by chance they come back with saying the RFE wasn't received. If they change your status again, then that won't be there to print. Just make a little documentation that on this date, my case was pending so I am assuming that the RFE was okay and the case was resumed. Once you are transferred to CSC, it seems like you sit in limbo with no word for months, while you see others who filed near you going to interviews and getting approved. So it's going to be a long wait in the dark, but sounds like there is no problem to me.

[SonoranSongbird 3]

I would call them and try to get transferred to someone who can actually look up your case. Just ask them to confirm that it has been received and put with your file. I would not wait for the deadline to pass in case they don't have it!

I think it's pretty unlikely that they have it and deemed it insufficient---if that were the case, I think you would have heard from them by now (by mail). It's possible they have it but are just sitting on it. It's also possible it was not properly reunited with the rest of your file.

Try doing a search on VJ for "the RFE trick." This is what people have used (ie, the series of menu prompts they've followed on USCIS's misinformation line) to get to a person who knows anything about the individual case.

[Eric-Pris 1,606]

You're fine. If they did not receive or process the returned RFE, your case would still say something like: "case processiing on hold, request for initial evidance sent"

Since it says "case is pending" all is well IMO.

[edp333 9]

CRIS sis not always accurate, so I suggest calling the USCIS 800 number and selecting the RFE option. This way you will have peace of mind since the USCIS does not tak responsibility for misplaced documents.

[JeremyR 8]

Thanks for the viewpoints folks. I guess I'll call them back tomorrow morning and see if I get a better answer. The only answer I got first time was "we can't access that information"

Surely eventually somebody will tell me one way or the other

[jhunjhun 7]

Thanks for the viewpoints folks. I guess I'll call them back tomorrow morning and see if I get a better answer. The only answer I got first time was "we can't access that information"

Surely eventually somebody will tell me one way or the other

If you call the 1800 misinformation number, just ask them if you can get hold to thier supervisor...I believe their superrvisor is an IO that has an access to your immigration file. I just want to hope for the best for you!! good luck!!

[kcoyclay1 98]

You're fine. If they did not receive or process the returned RFE, your case would still say something like: "case processiing on hold, request for initial evidance sent"

Since it says "case is pending" all is well IMO.

I sent mine twice and the first time I mistakenly placed it in the mailbox with a bunch of mail without tracking it. I called USCIS three weeks later as I didnt see a change in my status (case on hold...) and the person I spoke with told me to wait 60 days before they can physically check. I asked her if I can resend the evidence and she said yes which I did with delivery confirmation this time. I know that it got there but the status has still not been updated and many VJer's are having the same problem so I am just waiting for my 60 days before calling again. My status has been "Request for initial evidence sent - case on hold" since Feb 3.

Edited March 11, 2009 by kcoyclay1