Blue slip om 05/28, submitted new timeline on 06/02, waiting for decision

[Viking_in_Seattle 0]

Hi all,

I posted just a few times in the past few weeks. My fiancee interviewed on May 28th. She thought the interview went well. But the timeline I supplied didn't contain the names of my US travel companions from my first trip to Vietnam. They also for some reason didn't accept any travel documentation (5 VN trips, the last 4 soley to see my fiancee) from her -- which I consider the strength of our case. They took just a couple of email messages and a few pages of chat logs. They did accept all my Sprint phone bills and Pingo call logs. She also submiitted my narrative "Explanation of Relationship" notarized document at the interview -- full paragraphs with dates -- about 3 pages.

I consulted with my attorney -- who took an extra day to review the blue slip and the new timeline. He thought the new timeline looked fine , but suggested I try to resubmit anything they didn't take at the interview, plus stuff they did accept if I had an extra copy -- which I didn't.

On June 2nd, I went to the consulate and submitted a new timeline document (went from 1.5 pages to 5 pages). I copied and pasted a lot of info from the other document to the timeline. I thoroughly covered first meeting, first date, 2nd date, travel together, first discussion of marriage, and proposal. I also added the names and addresses of my US travel companions. None of them introduced me to my fiancee -- but they all met her. She was a waitress at the local hotel bar and restaurant on my first trip. I also submitted ALL of our email and chat log pages, plus all of my travel documentation and gift receipts, including Western Union money orders. I also submitted some new photos taken on May 31st when we visited her family 3 hours outside of HCMC. I have spent a full 38 days in Vietnam with my fiancee since January of 2008. We traveled together to Mui Ne, Dalat, Hanoi, Perfume Pagoda, and Halong Bay. I even included her boarding passes for Dalat and Hanoi.

The Consular Officer I spoke to said we could hear any day, but she should go back to Consulate on 6/25 (date sited in blue slip) if she doesn't hear anything.

Any advice? Has anyone waited for final word for more than a day or 2 after resubmitting paperwork after getting a blue slip. I'm worried that another blue slip could have been been mailed to her HCMC address and she just hasn't received it yet. The Consulate did have to send her the appointment package twice.

I'm thinking she should send them an email on Monday. Any opionions? Thanks for your help.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

When you say "didn't accept", does that mean they looked at them and rejected them, or they never looked at them? Some of the things you describe, such as proof of travel, are documentation of an ongoing relationship. It's up to the CO whether to look at that stuff. Most people bring an armload of stuff into the consulate in HCM, and the CO doesn't even look at the bulk of it. Sometimes they ask if the applicant has a particular type of document; e.g., "Do you have any pictures of that?", but when the applicant offers to show the pictures the CO says "No, I don't need to see them.".

I know it's a little late for this, but one way to be sure that some evidence is "accepted" is to include it in the initial petition package to USCIS. Presumably, if the petition is granted by USCIS with the evidence included, then the consulate may not deny the petition based on that evidence. The options available for the consulate under 212(g) are pretty narrow - they can only recommend a petition be denied or revoked if they discover something which was not known to USCIS at the time they approved the original petition. I know that people ask all the time in the K1 forum whether certain things should be included with the petition, and a frequent response is "no, that's not needed until the interview", but attorneys experienced with HCM seem to have a different view. They say you should look hard for any red flags in your case, and address them thoroughly in the petition - don't wait for the interview because it gives the CO full discretion over whether or not to accept the evidence. If it's included with the petition then they have no choice - they must accept it.

Getting the blue slip seems to be pretty common at HCM. In some of the cases described on this forum it seems like they are just trying to throw some boulders in your path to slow you down, or perhaps to get you slip up and reveal something they can use as justification to deny. For a while it seemed like everybody was getting a blue slip for an updated timeline, even if the applicant brought one with them. I don't know what the ratio is, but some applications are approved pretty quickly after the requested information is submitted, and others are sent back to USCIS under 212(g). Each case is unique, of course, but I think a lot depends on the CO as well. Some, it seems, are very quick to assume the USC is being scammed by the beneficiary for immigration purposes.

Who is your attorney? Did he review your case before you submitted the original petition? Did he help you identify red flags in your case, and tell you how to address them? If he identified red flags, what were they?

[Dai. 7]

I know it's a little late for this, but one way to be sure that some evidence is "accepted" is to include it in the initial petition package to USCIS. Presumably, if the petition is granted by USCIS with the evidence included, then the consulate may not deny the petition based on that evidence. The options available for the consulate under 212(g) are pretty narrow - they can only recommend a petition be denied or revoked if they discover something which was not known to USCIS at the time they approved the original petition. I know that people ask all the time in the K1 forum whether certain things should be included with the petition, and a frequent response is "no, that's not needed until the interview", but attorneys experienced with HCM seem to have a different view. They say you should look hard for any red flags in your case, and address them thoroughly in the petition - don't wait for the interview because it gives the CO full discretion over whether or not to accept the evidence. If it's included with the petition then they have no choice - they must accept it.

I don't know if it is just my case but all the evidence that I submitted to USCIC wasn't in our file when they forwarded it all to NVC and then to the us consulate in hcmc so the co never saw my original evidence that I sent to uscis. I never got my original evidence back. I think uscis kept it to approve my petition or something.

[Viking_in_Seattle 0]

When you say "didn't accept", does that mean they looked at them and rejected them, or they never looked at them? Some of the things you describe, such as proof of travel, are documentation of an ongoing relationship. It's up to the CO whether to look at that stuff. Most people bring an armload of stuff into the consulate in HCM, and the CO doesn't even look at the bulk of it. Sometimes they ask if the applicant has a particular type of document; e.g., "Do you have any pictures of that?", but when the applicant offers to show the pictures the CO says "No, I don't need to see them.".

I know it's a little late for this, but one way to be sure that some evidence is "accepted" is to include it in the initial petition package to USCIS. Presumably, if the petition is granted by USCIS with the evidence included, then the consulate may not deny the petition based on that evidence. The options available for the consulate under 212(g) are pretty narrow - they can only recommend a petition be denied or revoked if they discover something which was not known to USCIS at the time they approved the original petition. I know that people ask all the time in the K1 forum whether certain things should be included with the petition, and a frequent response is "no, that's not needed until the interview", but attorneys experienced with HCM seem to have a different view. They say you should look hard for any red flags in your case, and address them thoroughly in the petition - don't wait for the interview because it gives the CO full discretion over whether or not to accept the evidence. If it's included with the petition then they have no choice - they must accept it.

Getting the blue slip seems to be pretty common at HCM. In some of the cases described on this forum it seems like they are just trying to throw some boulders in your path to slow you down, or perhaps to get you slip up and reveal something they can use as justification to deny. For a while it seemed like everybody was getting a blue slip for an updated timeline, even if the applicant brought one with them. I don't know what the ratio is, but some applications are approved pretty quickly after the requested information is submitted, and others are sent back to USCIS under 212(g). Each case is unique, of course, but I think a lot depends on the CO as well. Some, it seems, are very quick to assume the USC is being scammed by the beneficiary for immigration purposes.

Who is your attorney? Did he review your case before you submitted the original petition? Did he help you identify red flags in your case, and tell you how to address them? If he identified red flags, what were they?

My understanding based on what my fiancee told me is when she offered the evidence up to the Vietnamese person behind the window, they said they didn't want it or need it.

My attorney said that that the Consulate typically doesn't look at the evidence supplied to USCIS, assuming it's even present (see previous post). I did submit the travel documentation I had to USCIS dating up to the application (3 trips plus itinerary and tickets for upcoming 4th trip). My attorney (I'd rather not publish his name here) did not identify any red flags. He has been involved the entire process, although he probably has less experience with HCMC than some. He told me he isn't very happy with HCMC Consulate -- they sometimes reject visa applications without providing specific reasons. He's also upset that the Consulate doesn't publish specifics regarding the timeline in the appointment package that are mentioned in the blue slip -- like names/addresses of travel companions and requirement for notary.

Anyway, I submitted all of the documentation they didn't take from my fiancee. Now we wait.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I know it's a little late for this, but one way to be sure that some evidence is "accepted" is to include it in the initial petition package to USCIS. Presumably, if the petition is granted by USCIS with the evidence included, then the consulate may not deny the petition based on that evidence. The options available for the consulate under 212(g) are pretty narrow - they can only recommend a petition be denied or revoked if they discover something which was not known to USCIS at the time they approved the original petition. I know that people ask all the time in the K1 forum whether certain things should be included with the petition, and a frequent response is "no, that's not needed until the interview", but attorneys experienced with HCM seem to have a different view. They say you should look hard for any red flags in your case, and address them thoroughly in the petition - don't wait for the interview because it gives the CO full discretion over whether or not to accept the evidence. If it's included with the petition then they have no choice - they must accept it.

I don't know if it is just my case but all the evidence that I submitted to USCIC wasn't in our file when they forwarded it all to NVC and then to the us consulate in hcmc so the co never saw my original evidence that I sent to uscis. I never got my original evidence back. I think uscis kept it to approve my petition or something.

I'm curious how you discovered this. I was told that the whole package is forwarded to NVC, and then to the consulate. Marc Ellis even suggested I include a notarized timeline with my petition, which isn't at all required by USCIS. I doubt he'd have suggested this if he didn't think it would be forwarded to the consulate. Did you get a chance to see your file at the consulate?

USCIS never returns original evidence or documents. The I-129F instructions state that none of the documents submitted will be returned. I think the only exception is if they return the entire package to you, like if you forgot to include payment.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

When you say "didn't accept", does that mean they looked at them and rejected them, or they never looked at them? Some of the things you describe, such as proof of travel, are documentation of an ongoing relationship. It's up to the CO whether to look at that stuff. Most people bring an armload of stuff into the consulate in HCM, and the CO doesn't even look at the bulk of it. Sometimes they ask if the applicant has a particular type of document; e.g., "Do you have any pictures of that?", but when the applicant offers to show the pictures the CO says "No, I don't need to see them.".

I know it's a little late for this, but one way to be sure that some evidence is "accepted" is to include it in the initial petition package to USCIS. Presumably, if the petition is granted by USCIS with the evidence included, then the consulate may not deny the petition based on that evidence. The options available for the consulate under 212(g) are pretty narrow - they can only recommend a petition be denied or revoked if they discover something which was not known to USCIS at the time they approved the original petition. I know that people ask all the time in the K1 forum whether certain things should be included with the petition, and a frequent response is "no, that's not needed until the interview", but attorneys experienced with HCM seem to have a different view. They say you should look hard for any red flags in your case, and address them thoroughly in the petition - don't wait for the interview because it gives the CO full discretion over whether or not to accept the evidence. If it's included with the petition then they have no choice - they must accept it.

Getting the blue slip seems to be pretty common at HCM. In some of the cases described on this forum it seems like they are just trying to throw some boulders in your path to slow you down, or perhaps to get you slip up and reveal something they can use as justification to deny. For a while it seemed like everybody was getting a blue slip for an updated timeline, even if the applicant brought one with them. I don't know what the ratio is, but some applications are approved pretty quickly after the requested information is submitted, and others are sent back to USCIS under 212(g). Each case is unique, of course, but I think a lot depends on the CO as well. Some, it seems, are very quick to assume the USC is being scammed by the beneficiary for immigration purposes.

Who is your attorney? Did he review your case before you submitted the original petition? Did he help you identify red flags in your case, and tell you how to address them? If he identified red flags, what were they?

My understanding based on what my fiancee told me is when she offered the evidence up to the Vietnamese person behind the window, they said they didn't want it or need it.

My attorney said that that the Consulate typically doesn't look at the evidence supplied to USCIS, assuming it's even present (see previous post). I did submit the travel documentation I had to USCIS dating up to the application (3 trips plus itinerary and tickets for upcoming 4th trip). My attorney (I'd rather not publish his name here) did not identify any red flags. He has been involved the entire process, although he probably has less experience with HCMC than some. He told me he isn't very happy with HCMC Consulate -- they sometimes reject visa applications without providing specific reasons. He's also upset that the Consulate doesn't publish specifics regarding the timeline in the appointment package that are mentioned in the blue slip -- like names/addresses of travel companions and requirement for notary.

Anyway, I submitted all of the documentation they didn't take from my fiancee. Now we wait.

It doesn't really matter if they scrutinize the evidence they get from USCIS or not. My point was that 212(g) doesn't give them the authority to re-adjudicate the petition. There was a memorandum from Department of State to the consulates that made it clear that CO's are not allowed to reject an application simply because they would have come to a different conclusion than the USCIS adjudicator came to when approving the petition. The only grounds they can use to send a petition back to USCIS is if they discover something USCIS did not know at the time the petition was originally approved, and they believe USCIS would not have approved the original petition if this information had been known. This is why attorneys recommend "front loading" the petition. The consulate can't claim USCIS didn't know about something if it was clearly revealed in the original petition submission.

Now, if a CO is determined to send a petition back to USCIS then they'll scour the entire package and compare it with the information they receive from the beneficiary at the time of the interview, as well as any information the investigations unit discovers. If they really want to find that one hot item that they can use under 212(g) to send the package back, they'll find it. When you hear about beneficiary's being grilled by the CO for 30 minutes or more, that's exactly what the CO is doing - looking for the "gotcha".

By the way, the consulates also have access to the Nexis database, so they can pull up any information about the petitioner which is contained in that database. This can include things like any public records about the petitioner, insurance claims the petitioner may have filed, etc. It can even include a credit report, if the petitioner recently applied for credit.

My attorney found 3 potential red flags in my case. Two were easy to address in the petition package. The third I can't do anything about - my fiancee is from the highest fraud province in Vietnam.

[Dai. 7]

I know it's a little late for this, but one way to be sure that some evidence is "accepted" is to include it in the initial petition package to USCIS. Presumably, if the petition is granted by USCIS with the evidence included, then the consulate may not deny the petition based on that evidence. The options available for the consulate under 212(g) are pretty narrow - they can only recommend a petition be denied or revoked if they discover something which was not known to USCIS at the time they approved the original petition. I know that people ask all the time in the K1 forum whether certain things should be included with the petition, and a frequent response is "no, that's not needed until the interview", but attorneys experienced with HCM seem to have a different view. They say you should look hard for any red flags in your case, and address them thoroughly in the petition - don't wait for the interview because it gives the CO full discretion over whether or not to accept the evidence. If it's included with the petition then they have no choice - they must accept it.

I don't know if it is just my case but all the evidence that I submitted to USCIC wasn't in our file when they forwarded it all to NVC and then to the us consulate in hcmc so the co never saw my original evidence that I sent to uscis. I never got my original evidence back. I think uscis kept it to approve my petition or something.

I'm curious how you discovered this. I was told that the whole package is forwarded to NVC, and then to the consulate. Marc Ellis even suggested I include a notarized timeline with my petition, which isn't at all required by USCIS. I doubt he'd have suggested this if he didn't think it would be forwarded to the consulate. Did you get a chance to see your file at the consulate?

USCIS never returns original evidence or documents. The I-129F instructions state that none of the documents submitted will be returned. I think the only exception is if they return the entire package to you, like if you forgot to include payment.

I found out about it whenever I went to the consulate and spoke to the co before my wife had her interview. They brought out the stack of papers which was my file, I think, but I did not get to see what was in it. I asked to receive my original evidence that I sent to uscis so that my wife could have it for her interview but they responded they don't have it. I am not sure if they didnt want to give it to me or they really did not have it but they told me they never received it.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

I know it's a little late for this, but one way to be sure that some evidence is "accepted" is to include it in the initial petition package to USCIS. Presumably, if the petition is granted by USCIS with the evidence included, then the consulate may not deny the petition based on that evidence. The options available for the consulate under 212(g) are pretty narrow - they can only recommend a petition be denied or revoked if they discover something which was not known to USCIS at the time they approved the original petition. I know that people ask all the time in the K1 forum whether certain things should be included with the petition, and a frequent response is "no, that's not needed until the interview", but attorneys experienced with HCM seem to have a different view. They say you should look hard for any red flags in your case, and address them thoroughly in the petition - don't wait for the interview because it gives the CO full discretion over whether or not to accept the evidence. If it's included with the petition then they have no choice - they must accept it.

I don't know if it is just my case but all the evidence that I submitted to USCIC wasn't in our file when they forwarded it all to NVC and then to the us consulate in hcmc so the co never saw my original evidence that I sent to uscis. I never got my original evidence back. I think uscis kept it to approve my petition or something.

I'm curious how you discovered this. I was told that the whole package is forwarded to NVC, and then to the consulate. Marc Ellis even suggested I include a notarized timeline with my petition, which isn't at all required by USCIS. I doubt he'd have suggested this if he didn't think it would be forwarded to the consulate. Did you get a chance to see your file at the consulate?

USCIS never returns original evidence or documents. The I-129F instructions state that none of the documents submitted will be returned. I think the only exception is if they return the entire package to you, like if you forgot to include payment.

I found out about it whenever I went to the consulate and spoke to the co before my wife had her interview. They brought out the stack of papers which was my file, I think, but I did not get to see what was in it. I asked to receive my original evidence that I sent to uscis so that my wife could have it for her interview but they responded they don't have it. I am not sure if they didnt want to give it to me or they really did not have it but they told me they never received it.

Ok, I understand.

Well, if all of that stuff I piled into my petition doesn't make it to the consulate then at least I'll have a head start if my fiancee ends up with the blue slip.

[PeterFB 0]

I know waiting is stressful but there's no way to know how long the Consulate will take. A couple of people here were present for the Interview and were able to get the additional info to the Consulate in a couple of days. The petitioner in one case delivered it directly to the Consulate himself. A couple of days later, they got their visa. Others have had to wait weeks or months before getting approval. Remember, if your case is valid, you'll get your visa, regardless of how long it might take. It will happen!!

The important thing is to be polite but persistant in contacting the Consulate about this. There's nothing wrong in calling them, especially if you're the petitioner. Having your fiancee call them isn't as effective as she's not a US Citizen or Resident. The Consulate has to talk to US, they don't have to talk to your fiance(e).

As to the Consulate looking at or having your original I-129f, in our case, they had it, did refer to things in it in the interview and returned it to us when we got our visa.

Good luck!

Peter and Thi

I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26

I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11

I-129F RFE(s) :

RFE Reply(s) :

I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26

Touched: 2007-11-02

NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16

Consulate recieved ??????

Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11

Packet 3 received 2007-12-24

Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28

Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14

Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23

Interview Date 2008-2-27

Passed Interview 2008-02-27

Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05

Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier)

POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles

Wedding 2008-4-26

Filed AOS 2009-1-2

NOA 1 2009-1-8

Peter Nguyen Brunner born 2009-1-12

Advance Parole recieved 2009-3-27

EAD recieved 2009-3-11

AOS Interview 2009-5-20----Approved!!!!

[Dave 'n' Hai Au 0]

I don't mean to hijack thread, but has anyone heard from Matt&Huong? They had interview the 4th and I haven't seen any news. Are you out there Matt&huong? Hope you guys had good luck and are just celebrating!! I also believe next one is Dan (Mr. leggs). Good luck to you two on the 11th!! Sorry again for the hijack, everyone Take Care.

[Anh map 2,098]

So the only thing they requested in the blue sheet was the identity of your travel companions? If so, that could indicate that the CO's red flag was how you met and/or who introduced you.

HCMC wants to know all the potential connections the petitioner may have with the fiance/spouse. They want to examine any family connections to ensure that it's not an arranged marriage for immigration.

[Viking_in_Seattle 0]

So the only thing they requested in the blue sheet was the identity of your travel companions? If so, that could indicate that the CO's red flag was how you met and/or who introduced you.

HCMC wants to know all the potential connections the petitioner may have with the fiance/spouse. They want to examine any family connections to ensure that it's not an arranged marriage for immigration.

The blue sheet looked mostly like a form letter in that it defined what they expect in a timeline document -- explanation of how we met, who introduced us, when marriage was first discussed, marriage proposal, etc. It even used "his/her" or "fiance/fiancee" in a couple of places. The blue sheet had her name and case number on the top, and they added a date of June 25th for when the new timeline was to be submitted -- but then the letter said we could really do it anytime before that, between 1 and 2 pm any day they are open. It also stated that they required the names and addresses of all travel companions going to Vietnam. I hadn't supplied the latter because I didn't think it was relevant -- my travel companions on my first trip had nothing to do with my meeting my fiancee -- none of them knew her. I went alone on Trips 2 thru 5. I did supply a notarized "Explanation of Meeting and Relationship" document -- an update to the one I supplied to USCIS. I don't know if they looked at that one or not.

I asked Thanh if they verbally told her what they really wanted in the Timeline, and she said they wanted more detail, names and addresses of travel companions, and notarization. Anyway, I decided to put as much stuff as possible into the new Timeline, stopping short of mentioning every phone call or email by date. I copied a lot of the text from the other document, and I made sure I didn't say anything contradictory. I added the names and addresses, and I had the Consulate notarize the document.

Again, the interview went quite well according to Thanh. They only asked about 10 questions, and they seemed very satisfied with her answers. They did ask her where we had traveled together, and what state my mother lives in, and what she does for a living (she retired many years ago). There was no grilling. It's possible that had the Timeline been good, she would have gotten pink.

Now if the Consulate decides that they don't believe me, that this is some sort of arranged marriage -- I don't know what I can do to disprove it other than providing a lot of evidence. The funny thing is a couple of my Viet Kieu friends initially discouraged me from getting serious with her. But they all are wishing us the best of luck now.

I am back in Seattle now -- June 7th. I hated leaving without her, but this could drag out until June 25th or far beyond. I guess I'll be patient for a few days, then maybe I'll send the consulate an email or call them.

[Dave 'n' Hai Au 0]

I hope this is just a little hiccup and you guys get PINK soon. We are doing CR-1 and we are going to do a timeline when I get there next week. We don't want to take any shortcuts at this critical time. Anyone heard from Matt and Huong? They had interview on the 4th I believe. Good Luck to Dan (Mr Leggs) for interview on the 11th!!

[PeterFB 0]

Definitely stay on top of the Consulate!! Be polite and try to talk to the American COs as much as possible. From what you're saying, it seems had you prepared your I-134 better with a complete timeline, etc you could have a visa now. However, you now have supplied the Consulate with what they wanted so as hard as it is to wait, I believe you'll get your visa soon.

Good Luck and we hope you have good news soon!!

Peter and Thi

I-129F Sent : 2007-05-26

I-129F NOA1 : 2007-06-11

I-129F RFE(s) :

RFE Reply(s) :

I-129F NOA2 : 2007-10-26

Touched: 2007-11-02

NVC Recieved: 2007-11-16

Consulate recieved ??????

Packet 3 sent 2007-12-11

Packet 3 received 2007-12-24

Packet 3 returned 2007-12-28

Packet 4 sent 2008-1-14

Email Reply with Interview Date 2008-1-23

Interview Date 2008-2-27

Passed Interview 2008-02-27

Visa Pick Up Date 2008-3-05

Received Visa 2008-2-29 (called to pick up earlier)

POE 2008-3-05 Los Angeles

Wedding 2008-4-26

Filed AOS 2009-1-2

NOA 1 2009-1-8

Peter Nguyen Brunner born 2009-1-12

Advance Parole recieved 2009-3-27

EAD recieved 2009-3-11

AOS Interview 2009-5-20----Approved!!!!

[Viking_in_Seattle 0]

Definitely stay on top of the Consulate!! Be polite and try to talk to the American COs as much as possible. From what you're saying, it seems had you prepared your I-134 better with a complete timeline, etc you could have a visa now. However, you now have supplied the Consulate with what they wanted so as hard as it is to wait, I believe you'll get your visa soon.

Good Luck and we hope you have good news soon!!

Peter and Thi

I sent a one page email to the Consulate about 1 pm Thursday, June 11th HCMC time. At the top of the email I asked that it be routed to the Consular Officers handling our case. I stated that my fiancee had her interview on May 28th and got a blue slip for the Timeline. I told them that I added a lot of detail plus the names and addresses of my 3 US travel companions, then submitted the new Timeline in person at the Consulate where it was notarized. I also summarized the additional evidence I submitted on June 2nd. I stated that we had received no communication from the Consulate since that time. I asked them to please contact one of us if they require any further evidence or explanation in order to make their decision. I also said that Thanh will be at the Consulate on June 25th per the blue slip if they don't make a decision before that time. Lastly, I thanked them for their time and effort. I listed both our names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, dates of birth (per the website contact instructions), and our case number

The Consulate does publish a phone number for their automated system. Can that automated system be used to route calls to a live American CO? If I don't get a reply to the email within a few work days, I might try calling. But I don't want to be so aggressive that I piss somebody off.