New Year's Eve and still no decision from the AOS interview, 120 days later

[tuesdaysgone 0]

I have attempted to research what additional review means in the world of USCIS and there is no official answer, just theories, some say its checking the information with a fine tooth combe, some says its security checks, who knows.

I looked into scheduling an info pass however, once you request a service request you must wait 45 days before requesting the info pass. I know some people have not waited that long but I wanted to play it by the book.

This 45 day period has now expired so I am ready to do an infopass. However I do not feel confident the info pass will do any good. I don't like the idea of driving a 400 mile round trip to Atlanta to be told the reason they have not come up with a decision is because my case is receiving additional processing.

In mid November I wrote a letter to my congressman and senator requesting assistance. Within 3 days of sending the letter, the senator had replied back advising he was contacting USCIS and he awaits their response. Today my wife received a telephone call from the senators office, they had said that they had contacted USCIS, and are still awaiting to hear back from USCIS as they were only told the case is processing. On the plus side the Senators office called me back the other week to let us know they are staying on the ball and will let us know when they hear something. Also the congressman's office advised us they are trying to get a response. I next need to arrange an info pass but I do not hold much hope it will provide anything fruitful.

I recall reading Saspk's thread before his AOS was approved. I remember thinking I feel sorry for the guy and thought there's no way I'd like to be in his position. Well it took him 103 days to be receive a decision, I am on day 110. It is now New Years Eve. New Year, same problems.

Meanwhile my wife is on the borderline of a nervous breakdown because of this, literally. I am serious when I type this, she is at the breaking point and cannot handle the stress of not knowing how our lives will continue. I am not as bad as her, but I am seriously depressed, I can't eat, sleep, I'll run 8 miles in the cold to take my mind of the whole situation. Do USCIS really care? No, we are just another number to them.

I remember posting that USCIS should not be in control of our lives and should not solely have the power they currently have when they operate like the CIA. USCIS is supposed to be a government organization but they operate clandestine.

I paid approximately $1500 dollars for a service that I am not receiving. All I am being told is that my case is being processed under additional review. I want to know, exactly what has been done to it, what other things need doing and how long will it take. I want to call a telephone number and ask what is going on, however USCIS is a faceless organization and you can't simply call them.

When I got a request for evidence, I got a copy and paste response from USCIS legislation about proving I had authorization to work. Well they didn't have the time to have someone write exactly what the problem was or what was required, instead my wife and I had to decipher exactly what they needed. And it turned out the evidence they had required were their own laws.

A student on an F1 visa is only allowed to work on campus, no more than 20 hours a week. This is common knowledge for any organization that processes the I-20, the USCIS. I had to list my part time job on the affidavit of support to supplement my wife's income. My income is above the 125% poverty threshold. I had to print off the USCIS's own forms and highlight where in their own laws I was legally authorized to work.

What makes me mad most of all was the AOS interview. The IO spoke to us like we were scum. There was no smiles, no hello how are you doing, no ice breakers. I was greeted with STAND UP and SIT DOWN. My wife was not allowed to speak freely, it was a case of speak unless spoken to. We were treated guilty until proven innocent.

The IO only asked questions to confirm we said we were on paper. She asked why I was no longer in college (which was fully legal) and why we got married in another state. She made notes with her wicked red pen and was flicking between papers. There were no other questions.

I was under the impression the interview was to prove whether we are a legit couple. I was under the impression my wife and I would be separated into 2 rooms and asked personal questions that only a real couple would know. None of this happened. I've read some pretty damning reviews of AOS interviews but ours was far worse than any I read.

I know a lot of people on this forum and many other visa forums have had and are currently having terrible experiences with USCIS but are too scared to voice their opinions because they believe USCIS monitors these forums and they don't want USCIS to throw out their application or have it affected in any negative way. Whether USCIS monitor this or not, they have let me down badly.

Frankly I love my wife and America with all my heart. I would never do anything to harm anyone or any thing. I love muscle cars, especially ford mustangs. When I speak to my good friends in the mustang clubs, and they ask me our story, they cannot believe the struggle we are enduring. It is totally unamerican.

For a lot of foreigners coming to the US, the USCIS is often the 1st contact a foreigner has with America. This organization does not set a good example for others citizens in America.

Of course there should be control over immigration, however the current system is not fit for purpose.

[tuesdaysgone 0]

Sorry I missed this section out from the top when I copied and pasted it.

Well it has been a while since I last updated the thread, this has been down to 2 reasons, 1 nothing has happened,2 I am so stressed and depressed, I find it hard to hold back from exploding after reading some peoples comments, not just on this thread but others also.

As a few people have asked what is going on with my application to adjust status, I don't have a clue.

In October I contacted USCIS via telephone to find out what was going on. The woman that answered the call gave me the usual machine like reply of "I can't advise you on your case" WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME THEN? She advised me she would send a message to Atlanta USCIS to ask them to update me on my case. Fair enough a week later I received the "service request" with a copy and paste response of my case is taking longer than normal to process, as it requires additional review. It doesn't go into what additional review is or why it requires additional review or an estimated time of completion the additional review will take.

[marie09 5]

Hey Tuesdaysgone,

I don't have any advice for you - I wish I did. I think your situation is everyone's worse nightmare. There's another couple on here that have been waiting since April. I don't get why some cases are treated so slowly. It doesn't seem fair - I feel so bad for you guys. Especially since you got to interviews fine and would expect the interview to be the end of the waiting.

Can only begin to imagine what you and your wife are going through.

I would definitely make an infopass. Go enjoy New Year's Eve tonight and hope you can get some good news in the New Year.

[Krikit 1,164]

I honestly don't think 110 days is out of the norm. In fact, I think anyone who gets approval within 7-8 months is doing great! LOL

Sometimes we get stuck in namechecks. There's a problem in that -- if there's a hit -- they have to pull records from various sources because most of the data is in hard copy format..... not in an electronic database. And those records are, physically, in very diverse locations..... there's no central repository. Try not to drive yourselves crazy over it. You may feel that they have control of your lives at the moment, but you have domain over your emotions. You'll not get this time back. Ever. You, alone, choose how to spend it. Kick back and enjoy the new year. It WILL be a good one. Cheers.

[juliava 80]

I hear you, tuesadaysgone!I was always wondering how are you doing...

Look at my timeline, please!Do you know what I was told by USCIS last time I called?I was told that processing times for AOS is from 6 months up to 1 year. When I called USCIS they pretty much treated me like I am being impatient. In February I am supposed to renew my EAD-3 months before it is supposed to expire. I hate going through that process again. I hate paying again because USCIS fails processing applications "in the order they are received". Obviously they do NOT process the cases in that order.

I am also sick and tired of this process and I am really sorry that some of us has to go through this. I know how you feel, Tuesdaysgone. My husband keeps saying that if we don;t hear anything 180 days after the interview, we will sue their arses! Oh, honestly I really don't want to go through this and I hope we will all get a decision soon.

Have a Happy New Year and may the 2010 bring us good news! (F)

[tuesdaysgone 0]

It folks on here have been waiting for the decision since April, then I guess it could be worse for me.

Yes renewing your EAD due to USCIS taking their time is a rip off.

The Sentators office called my wife yesterday and said that they spoke to USCIS again, and they advised that it is within the standard processing guidelines and is awaiting a final decision by an officer, the process takes 4-6 months.

Well the case isn't within the standard processing guidelines, unless USCIS means that the standard processing guideline is 4-6 months for the decision after the green card interview.

Also what does final decision mean exactly as this was the first I have heard my case awaiting final decision.

Surely final decision does not mean additional review?

Thats for the support people

[juliava 80]

I wish I knew what does "Additional review" mean...

In my case I understood, they didn;t have my biometrics for the I-485 , so they were not able to make a decision on the spot. Well, bio has been done & cleared, last time I did the infopass they said that a person will be assigned "to review everything" -to my understanding that probably means "to put everything together". I will be scheduling an infopass soon but I am waiting for my work schedule to be finalized. Believe me, I can't wait to go again,I am curious what are they going to tell me now. Luckily I have a small additional reason to go, our local office currently is processing I-485 applications received on April 27, and my receipt notice is dated April 22nd. It sais clearly on the website to contact USCIS if your application is dated before the date shown on the website. Otherwise, I wouldn't go for no reason, it seems like there is nothing else to be done.

I have read on this forum that sometimes renewing your EAD generates BIO for AOS again and therefore a 2nd AOS interview. I hope it wouldn't be the case, I really don't want to go through that stage again.

I am trying to keep my mind busy with something else, I go to work , I read like a maniac. Physical exercise helps a lot too.

What can I say...just hang in there, everybody!