Too early to get Ombudsman involved?

[KarenJohn 3]

My husband and I have been waiting 9 months on a response for a K-3. The VSC has four days left on their within 30 days notice from a Service Request I opened on April 1st.

I feel for you all who have to wait longer than normal.

[KingCan 0]

I am in the same situation here, I aplied to remove my condition in April 2008 and still waiting...BUT there's no reason to panic until your 1-year extension is expired...before that, you have no leverage against USCIS. My extension will expire in August 2009 so until then there's not much I can do. If I don't receive my 10-year GC by then, it will be a total of 15 months waiting (I-751 90 days window + one year extension). It's frustrating I know, but you have to play with their rules.

Peace all.

You had an RFE which you have responded to so maybe you are closer than you think. From what I gather, most peple get approved shortly after their RFE. Have you applied for naturalization?

I really hope you're right on me getting approved very soon after RFE...Crossing my fingers here. As for as naturalization, I don't know...I havent really thought about this yet. I've always been a one step at a time type of person. And I'm tired of dealing with USCIS so I might just keep my canadian status for a while

[CanAmCharlotte 0]

I am in the same situation here, I aplied to remove my condition in April 2008 and still waiting...BUT there's no reason to panic until your 1-year extension is expired...before that, you have no leverage against USCIS. My extension will expire in August 2009 so until then there's not much I can do. If I don't receive my 10-year GC by then, it will be a total of 15 months waiting (I-751 90 days window + one year extension). It's frustrating I know, but you have to play with their rules.

Peace all.

You had an RFE which you have responded to so maybe you are closer than you think. From what I gather, most peple get approved shortly after their RFE. Have you applied for naturalization?

Another day no mail from USCIS no email update.I dont know why i act shocked .I really did not want to apply for citizenship but it sems that i may hav to.I did not want to because my Trinidad passport expires soon and wanted to renew it minus becoming a US citizen and having to declare that on the renewal form.Oh well N400 here i come another chapter added to the saga.The saga of USCIS bs, money sucking from immigrants and being ignored.I pray to god that if i file for citizenship it does not drag on for ten months.Because that will make me even more pissed than the I751 wait. I have one question though.Since my green card expired Sept 06 2008 and i submitted I 751 in July.Do i have to get a 1551 stamp in September when my card expired or July as my receipt date.

You would make the Infopass to get the I-551 stamp in your passport prior to the 1 year anniversary of your green card expiry - the NOA letter extends the greencard for an additional year from its expiry so if it expires in September 08, you are good with your letter until September 09. When you get the I-551 stamp, however, the next year starts on the date of the stamp in your passport and not the expiry date of the green card.

Good luck - I hope all of that information becomes a moot point long before your NOA letter expires because you have received your permanent card.

Good luck to all who are enduring long waits - it is absolutely ridiculous! Definitely contact your Congressmen/Senators and get them involved.

Thanks Kathryn. Hopefully it won't be neessary to get the stamp but I am prepared for the worst. After three emails and one week of waiting, my Congresswoman's Immigration Specialist finally got back to me. I have asked for a face-to-face meeting, my twisted rationale is that by seeing me in person, she will be more sympathetic. So we'll see if see gives me the party line about the process taking a year...blah, blah, blah. Funny thing is, this Immigration Specialist has atrocious written English. My guess is she is an immigrant too. Maybe when this is all over, I should apply for a job like this. I certainly feel qualified!

[Immigrant2009 0]

I am on the same freaking boat with you...And I contacted Ombudsman...NOTHING....ABSOLUTELY NOTHING....All they tell you is it is within 1 year wait...This is total b.s. Conditional resident status is a junk....My employer keeps reminding me that the H1Bs spondored by them in 2006 and 2007 got their PERMANENT cards and they are wondering why I don't have mine....I am repeatedly reminded that I am better off on an H1B and I140...

Just applied for a mortgage loan...can't get an approval...I am told to provide proof of PERMANENT residence and the piece of sht expired green card and the approval letter are not cutting it! I applied to 3 banks...I have 740 credit score and I am putting almost 45 percent down...Still being refused because I can not provide PERMANENT residence!

Understandibly my employer is antsy because we provide services to government agencies and everytime we undertake a project the agency requests our passport, greencard visa copies and every freaking time this stupid approval letter causes headache! Even the freaking students on F-1 optional training are not given hard time! I am fed up with this as well...I am being pulled of from several big jobs with the government and it is hurting me big time!! I am being told that the company is not doing good...economic crisis...bla bla bla...They just don't trust that god damn letter that's the whole reason it is....

I applied on July 12 2008 and I have no patience left...I am sick of this stupidity...I scheduled an infopass and I already told the company immigration lawyer to come to the infopass with me and withdraw the petition to get H1B and EB2 green card.I have a PhD so it should not be a problem..I have two kids to feed I can't afford bullshit...

Hi USCIS_VICTIM,

I feel sorry for you and others who are victims of USCIS injustice and ignorance. I hope they do process all our cases swiftly so that we all can get out of this waiting game once and for all. I do feel sad when some applied at the same time or after me gets approved before but as long they do approve me, i am fine with it.

BTW your employer shouldn't bother you read this please. Show them the new employer handbook if they or their lawyer ever bother you know. Know your rights and use them.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...503&hl=work

I know as a professional how you are pushed before just because of inefficiency on behalf of USCIS and not because of your fault.

Hang in there guys, theres always light at the end of the tunnel.

Good Luck to us all.

[USCIS_VICTIM 0]

You see if I were working at Wendy's I can shove that manual to the restaurant manager's behind and tell him to go f himself if he doesn't wanna accept the paper work and sue his #### and the company big time and I would probably end up getting 50 bucks compensation for it....

When you are working for a billion dollar technology company where your immediate supervisors' net worth is well over couple of million bucks (not to mention management) they can fire you even if they don't like the way you are walking...You wanna fck with them? They will FIRE you BADMOUTH YOU (in a market where everyone knows each other)and END YOU...You wanna sue them? They will sue you back...We have in house attorneys in this office and couple of them working on a contingency basis...This company hires couple in house attorneys (nationwide)every year plus they have contracts with several large law firms....I do not have a small fortune to waste on legal fees.

In my case me with this piece of ###### expired green card and the letter I am STICKING OUT...You wanna reason to fire someone? Blame it on economic crisis, lack of efficiency, lost contracts....you can find 100 reasons in 60 seconds...Everyone is going belly up. Do you think any employer would hesitate to fire anyone in these conditions? Especially that dumb foreign guy who can't straighten out his green card?? If they get pissed off I am DONE. I have a family that I have to take care of...I wouldn't give rat's #### if we didn't have kids...

Do you think I don't know what that piece of ###### USCIS manual says or do you think that the our immigration attorney whose sole job is to deal with hundreds of people's eligibility to work in this country do not know what is states. Please...

The point is Conditional residence is a state of limbo...It is worthless...I don't care what USCIS claims conditional residency = garbage. USCIS claims a lot things as well...They claim that the applications are processed in a first come first serve basis....Soon they will start selling Washington bridge to immigrants too...

Let's get real here folks...

[yogib37 3]

OK, to say I'm impatient is the understatement of the year. When you see people on this forum getting approved in 60+ days, my blood pressure gets to the boiling point! I don't begrudge those who are approved quickly, I just want the same treatment.

I was transferred from the VSC to the CSC after seven months. Two and a half months at the CSC, still nothing. The online status doesn't change, the USCIS hotline is useless, my Senator's office doesn't respond and after a week, the Immigration Specialist at my Congresswoman's office hasn't returned my call or email. I even wrote directly to the CSC and asked for a status update. Nada. I'm feeling ignored and me no likey.

So after nearly ten months, do you think it would be wise to go to the Ombudsman for Immigration or is it too soon? There is no timeframe given (e.g., like you have to wait X number of months after filing before you can apply for help). Anyone else done it with a success story to report?

hi

I know what you feel. we are in the same boat. My wife was at the VSC and then Transfer To CSC. it was forever, then they sent a RFE for proof of us living together. mmmm did they not see the papers I sent. So I sent them in and a couple weeks ago she got a letter congrats her and she should get her GC in the next 60 days. So it took 10 months.

also I sign up for inform by CRIS.. guess what I did not get imformed. at all same with my step son

[NickD 203]

Have to agree that contacting Ombudsman was worthless and if you want action from your senator or congressman, you will get it if you send them a nice campaign contribution. Several immigration attorneys I have contacted wanted a thousand bucks to file a I-751 but have no power to expedite your application, ask them. So why waste a thousand bucks? Send that to your senator or congressman instead, then you may get some action. Our application was misplaced, took my senators office to find it.

The other way is when your one year extension is about to expire, here it depends upon your field office, some will let you come in within 30 days, ours was only two weeks, go in with two passport photos and request an I-94 if you foreign passport is expired or get your foreign passport renewed. The latter may not be easy if your former country only has three consulate offices spread across the entire USA.

That contribution paid off for us, not only was our I-751 misplaced, but they misplaced my wife's n-400 application after her interview and we never received her oath letter as promised, another call to our senators office and without an additional contribution, they call the field office and made them find it, three days later, she took her oath.

Think if we had to go through immigration again, would hire that guy in town that engraves tombstones and have him engrave our applications on some very heavy stones, maybe the USCIS would not misplace those.

[mbmw 0]

OK, to say I'm impatient is the understatement of the year. When you see people on this forum getting approved in 60+ days, my blood pressure gets to the boiling point! I don't begrudge those who are approved quickly, I just want the same treatment.

I was transferred from the VSC to the CSC after seven months. Two and a half months at the CSC, still nothing. The online status doesn't change, the USCIS hotline is useless, my Senator's office doesn't respond and after a week, the Immigration Specialist at my Congresswoman's office hasn't returned my call or email. I even wrote directly to the CSC and asked for a status update. Nada. I'm feeling ignored and me no likey.

So after nearly ten months, do you think it would be wise to go to the Ombudsman for Immigration or is it too soon? There is no timeframe given (e.g., like you have to wait X number of months after filing before you can apply for help). Anyone else done it with a success story to report?

I would not be worried, I've been waiting for 14 months now and still nothing, contacted everyone I could and still nothing, 0 no RFEs nothing, I Stopped caring

[NickD 203]

I would not be worried, I've been waiting for 14 months now and still nothing, contacted everyone I could and still nothing, 0 no RFEs nothing, I Stopped caring

If your state is cracking down on illegals and threatens to give a stiff fine to your employer, plus will pull your drivers' license, does give you reason for concern. Will lose your job and can't drive anymore. To be prepared, got the passport photos and also elected to renew wife's passport to give the USCIS two options. Leaned the only way you can make an infopass appointment was to get up a 4:00 AM, was practicing that, where so people would cancel, any later than that, all the appointments were full. Three weeks for the expiration, we left for Chicago after work and school, stayed out of town and took the train in the next morning and did manage to get my wife's passport renewed. Her country wasn't too happy about that since she was living here, but I was persistent, told them we are only staying here long enough to make a lot of money then we are both going back. Was a very long day in the consulate plus that long drive back. But I check the mail when we got home. Both the green cards were in the mail for my wife and daughter.

Was that a wasted trip? Probably, if I only had a crystal ball without a crack in it. But we are responsible for staying here legally. This certainly prompted us to apply for USC the eariest possible day. Now it's all over.

[jasminelily 1]

Have to agree that contacting Ombudsman was worthless and if you want action from your senator or congressman, you will get it if you send them a nice campaign contribution. Several immigration attorneys I have contacted wanted a thousand bucks to file a I-751 but have no power to expedite your application, ask them. So why waste a thousand bucks? Send that to your senator or congressman instead, then you may get some action. Our application was misplaced, took my senators office to find it.

The other way is when your one year extension is about to expire, here it depends upon your field office, some will let you come in within 30 days, ours was only two weeks, go in with two passport photos and request an I-94 if you foreign passport is expired or get your foreign passport renewed. The latter may not be easy if your former country only has three consulate offices spread across the entire USA.

That contribution paid off for us, not only was our I-751 misplaced, but they misplaced my wife's n-400 application after her interview and we never received her oath letter as promised, another call to our senators office and without an additional contribution, they call the field office and made them find it, three days later, she took her oath.

Think if we had to go through immigration again, would hire that guy in town that engraves tombstones and have him engrave our applications on some very heavy stones, maybe the USCIS would not misplace those.

hmm... interesting! A contribution can get I-751 expedited. Hey NickD, would me mind send me a private message and let me know how much did you contribute? I want to see if I want to make that contribution.

[mbmw 0]

The simple fact is I can't do anything about it now, all I can do is wait, and my case is outside processing times, they told me to just wait, so I will wait, 14 months and counting,

[NickD 203]

Have to agree that contacting Ombudsman was worthless and if you want action from your senator or congressman, you will get it if you send them a nice campaign contribution. Several immigration attorneys I have contacted wanted a thousand bucks to file a I-751 but have no power to expedite your application, ask them. So why waste a thousand bucks? Send that to your senator or congressman instead, then you may get some action. Our application was misplaced, took my senators office to find it.

The other way is when your one year extension is about to expire, here it depends upon your field office, some will let you come in within 30 days, ours was only two weeks, go in with two passport photos and request an I-94 if you foreign passport is expired or get your foreign passport renewed. The latter may not be easy if your former country only has three consulate offices spread across the entire USA.

That contribution paid off for us, not only was our I-751 misplaced, but they misplaced my wife's n-400 application after her interview and we never received her oath letter as promised, another call to our senators office and without an additional contribution, they call the field office and made them find it, three days later, she took her oath.

Think if we had to go through immigration again, would hire that guy in town that engraves tombstones and have him engrave our applications on some very heavy stones, maybe the USCIS would not misplace those.

hmm... interesting! A contribution can get I-751 expedited. Hey NickD, would me mind send me a private message and let me know how much did you contribute? I want to see if I want to make that contribution.

Not ashamed to publish it, 500 bucks, half of what an attorney would want, always like getting a 50% discount. LOL.

[jasminelily 1]

Have to agree that contacting Ombudsman was worthless and if you want action from your senator or congressman, you will get it if you send them a nice campaign contribution. Several immigration attorneys I have contacted wanted a thousand bucks to file a I-751 but have no power to expedite your application, ask them. So why waste a thousand bucks? Send that to your senator or congressman instead, then you may get some action. Our application was misplaced, took my senators office to find it.

The other way is when your one year extension is about to expire, here it depends upon your field office, some will let you come in within 30 days, ours was only two weeks, go in with two passport photos and request an I-94 if you foreign passport is expired or get your foreign passport renewed. The latter may not be easy if your former country only has three consulate offices spread across the entire USA.

That contribution paid off for us, not only was our I-751 misplaced, but they misplaced my wife's n-400 application after her interview and we never received her oath letter as promised, another call to our senators office and without an additional contribution, they call the field office and made them find it, three days later, she took her oath.

Think if we had to go through immigration again, would hire that guy in town that engraves tombstones and have him engrave our applications on some very heavy stones, maybe the USCIS would not misplace those.

hmm... interesting! A contribution can get I-751 expedited. Hey NickD, would me mind send me a private message and let me know how much did you contribute? I want to see if I want to make that contribution.

Not ashamed to publish it, 500 bucks, half of what an attorney would want, always like getting a 50% discount. LOL.

er... one more question, is the contribution tax deductible?

[Immigrant2009 0]

You see if I were working at Wendy's I can shove that manual to the restaurant manager's behind and tell him to go f himself if he doesn't wanna accept the paper work and sue his #### and the company big time and I would probably end up getting 50 bucks compensation for it....

When you are working for a billion dollar technology company where your immediate supervisors' net worth is well over couple of million bucks (not to mention management) they can fire you even if they don't like the way you are walking...You wanna fck with them? They will FIRE you BADMOUTH YOU (in a market where everyone knows each other)and END YOU...You wanna sue them? They will sue you back...We have in house attorneys in this office and couple of them working on a contingency basis...This company hires couple in house attorneys (nationwide)every year plus they have contracts with several large law firms....I do not have a small fortune to waste on legal fees.

In my case me with this piece of ###### expired green card and the letter I am STICKING OUT...You wanna reason to fire someone? Blame it on economic crisis, lack of efficiency, lost contracts....you can find 100 reasons in 60 seconds...Everyone is going belly up. Do you think any employer would hesitate to fire anyone in these conditions? Especially that dumb foreign guy who can't straighten out his green card?? If they get pissed off I am DONE. I have a family that I have to take care of...I wouldn't give rat's #### if we didn't have kids...

Do you think I don't know what that piece of ###### USCIS manual says or do you think that the our immigration attorney whose sole job is to deal with hundreds of people's eligibility to work in this country do not know what is states. Please...

The point is Conditional residence is a state of limbo...It is worthless...I don't care what USCIS claims conditional residency = garbage. USCIS claims a lot things as well...They claim that the applications are processed in a first come first serve basis....Soon they will start selling Washington bridge to immigrants too...

Let's get real here folks...

USCIS_VICTIM',

I was trying to help you out and calm you down, but you jumped back at me man. This is no way to reply back. I know what you as i am going through the situation. A lot of folks here on VJ work in Billion Dollar Companies but they never brag or say about it. It's just the way you deal with your employer matters. I know your company is big and all and have great immigration attorneys, but the reason i mentioned the info was just in case you or your company's attorney didn't know (which unfortunately most of time they don't).

The fact, Removing condition is indeed useless, but we have to obey laws and follow them. So i think we can't anything except wait and complain about it.

[mbmw 0]

You see if I were working at Wendy's I can shove that manual to the restaurant manager's behind and tell him to go f himself if he doesn't wanna accept the paper work and sue his #### and the company big time and I would probably end up getting 50 bucks compensation for it....

When you are working for a billion dollar technology company where your immediate supervisors' net worth is well over couple of million bucks (not to mention management) they can fire you even if they don't like the way you are walking...You wanna fck with them? They will FIRE you BADMOUTH YOU (in a market where everyone knows each other)and END YOU...You wanna sue them? They will sue you back...We have in house attorneys in this office and couple of them working on a contingency basis...This company hires couple in house attorneys (nationwide)every year plus they have contracts with several large law firms....I do not have a small fortune to waste on legal fees.

In my case me with this piece of ###### expired green card and the letter I am STICKING OUT...You wanna reason to fire someone? Blame it on economic crisis, lack of efficiency, lost contracts....you can find 100 reasons in 60 seconds...Everyone is going belly up. Do you think any employer would hesitate to fire anyone in these conditions? Especially that dumb foreign guy who can't straighten out his green card?? If they get pissed off I am DONE. I have a family that I have to take care of...I wouldn't give rat's #### if we didn't have kids...

Do you think I don't know what that piece of ###### USCIS manual says or do you think that the our immigration attorney whose sole job is to deal with hundreds of people's eligibility to work in this country do not know what is states. Please...

The point is Conditional residence is a state of limbo...It is worthless...I don't care what USCIS claims conditional residency = garbage. USCIS claims a lot things as well...They claim that the applications are processed in a first come first serve basis....Soon they will start selling Washington bridge to immigrants too...

Let's get real here folks...

USCIS_VICTIM',

I was trying to help you out and calm you down, but you jumped back at me man. This is no way to reply back. I know what you as i am going through the situation. A lot of folks here on VJ work in Billion Dollar Companies but they never brag or say about it. It's just the way you deal with your employer matters. I know your company is big and all and have great immigration attorneys, but the reason i mentioned the info was just in case you or your company's attorney didn't know (which unfortunately most of time they don't).

The fact, Removing condition is indeed useless, but we have to obey laws and follow them. So i think we can't anything except wait and complain about it.

my employer did not ask, I did not give them info. simple.