Need To Reschedule AOS Interview

[Ken1 0]

Hello VJ Folks,

I posted earlier today, and based on some responses, I'm getting more nervous by the second. I am posting again to explain a little more accurately and see if there's any hope.

I just got the AOS appointment letter for my wife and her 9 year old daughter. I am a US citizen and my wife and her daughter entered here on K-1 and K-2 visas. I will be out of the country for work on the date of our interview. I am a Spanish teacher and in charge of leading 35 high school students abroad to Mexico, so as you can imagine, it is not something I can get out of. My wife and her daughter are coming with me (they recently received their AP, and when we applied, we stated that it was to travel with me to Mexico while I would be there with the students), however, even if they weren't with me, I can't be here for the interview and my understanding is that we all need to be present. I called USCIS today and stated we'd be out of the country. They told me that we would here from them within 45 days and gave us reference numbers, however our interview is scheduled for just over 4 weeks from now.

I've got all these responses on VJ that we HAVE to make this interview at all costs, but again, I am responsible for 35 kids traveling abroad who have paid a total of over $40,000 to attend this trip.

I am considering setting up an infopass appointment. I also am thinking about calling a lawyer (I hired a lawyer for the K1 process but didn't use her for AOS). And lastly, I just got the idea that perhaps my brother, who is a lawyer, could go on our behalf on the date of the interview to explain that we are out of the country and give our reference numbers from USCIS that they gave us stating that we requested a date change as we were going to be out of the country.

Any thoughts? help?

Thanks,

K

Any help

[Anh map 2,098]

InfoPass is where you can speak with an actual person who can help you in real time.

Sending a proxy and hoping for a good outcome would make me feel very uncomfortable.

[Ken1 0]

I hear you. Unfortunately more troubles. I just tried to make an Infopass appointment on their site and it said Jan. 27 (tomorrow) was the only available day this month. When I tried to set that up, it said there were no more times. I then went for February, and no dates appeared. This is strange as just a few weeks ago I made an infopass appointment (which I later cancelled) and it was no problem getting an appointment with a weeks notice. Perhaps their site is having trouble (fingers crossed).

Any thoughts?

One other question: can a congressman or senator help with this kind of thing? My wife (then fiance) was pregnant when we went through the k-1 process and a senator helped us get a quicker interview date in Brazil.

Edited January 27, 2010 by Ken1

[parker101 1]

Rescheduling your appointment is something to avoid as much as possible; however if I were you I will consult a lawyer like you are planning to so that you can see what he/she says. sometime lawyers can call the IO supervisor and see what they can do for you. by saying that you have to hurry up. good luck!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

This fact sheet: http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/Infopassfe0405.pdf

Step 6 says "choose a date and time for your appointment. If you do not find an available appointment at a time that is convenient for you, feel free to check the InfoPass appointment schedule periodically. New appointments are added to the schedule each business day."

So I would continue to check. I would also call the 1.800.375.5283 number again and hopefully get someone who can tell you what your last call did. For all you know your appointment already HAS been rescheduled and you're still waiting for notice.

As for is it really that important... yes. The reason it's important is because USCIS has so much to do that it's likely you'll be waiting WAY longer than you wanted. Or they won't send you info for ages, or that someone won't change it and it'll look like you didn't show (like they stuff up address changes sometimes). They set you a date and they will usually keep that date (unless something major occurs at their end) and that's it. no risk of it getting "lost in transit" or anything. This is such a long and occasionally difficult process that making changes unless for EXTREME emergencies (and even then) is something to be avoided.

I notice that your appointment is the day before your last day so I would look into leaving early if possible. You said you're "in charge" but hopefully for one day it's possible for someone else to handle things. I know it's a pain so try all the above first, but at the very least look into whether it would be POSSIBLE to change your flight plans and things just in case you have no other options.

Good luck!

[Nik+Heather 121]

I'm currently on a congressperson/senator kick. Their staff have access to a level of service that we will NEVER be able to get to, and it might at least get you an answer faster about rescheduling your appointment.

Look up the phone numbers for their local offices, and call them and see if they think they can do anything for you - choose the one who you feel the most comfortable with in terms of how competent/helpful their immigration helper seems to be and continue with that one office to see if they can get some results for you to get the interview reschedule moved forward in the system.

Even if it doesn't work, you've only lost a few minutes on the phone.