Getting USCIS phone reps to file a service request...need feedback

[Amy_and_Victor 159]

Hi guys, it's Amy writing...I'm currently trying to get USCIS to put a service request in for my I-129f petition to bring my fiance, Victor, here. My petition was filed on June 30th, and it's now been more than the usual 5-month processing time. Victor and I called on November 30th (I was in Russia visiting at the time ), and received the answer that since the Cali service center is experiencing a delay and are currently processing I-129f applications from June 16th, the agent on the phone at the time was unable to put in a service request. That particular agent recommended calling again in 1 or 2 weeks. Today I called again at two different times to two different agents, and received the first time a reply that they were still processing applications from June 16th, and this one told me to call back in 30 days! The second one told the same information, but actually explained that the system they use blocks the phone reps from putting in a service request because of the CSC's delay, and to try and call back "in a week or two." She also said that USCIS occasionally updates their processing times, and that they were recently updated. It still says that CSC's processing times are 5 months, according to USCIS's website.

The agents I spoke to said that the service center being delayed extends the processing times and that's why the system doesn't acknowledge that our petition is outside of processing times despite the fact it's been more than 5 months. It's very upsetting at this point, and very frustrating and depressive to deal with this bureaucracy. Some of the info they give is consistent, and some conflicting, like how long to wait before calling again to inquire. On another immigration forum, some people have said that occasionally if you keep calling over and over again, you'll get someone who will put in the service request, and it leads me to wonder, is it actually true that the system "won't allow" them to put a service request in at this time, or are they just not doing it? Furthermore, when I requested a supervisor, I was told that the supervisor would just tell me the same thing. The only way I can get more info is to make an appointment with a local USCIS office to speak to someone in person to receive a little more clarification. Have any filers from June or July been able to talk a rep into putting a service request in, or is it genuinely *impossible* for them to do it? Also, do they ever willingly put their supervisor on the phone for you? I just want to hear some honest feedback from others to see if they'd had any success obtaining this illusive service request. Thanks in advance and I hope this inquiry makes sense...I'm a little flustered at the moment!

[at long last 58]

Hi guys, it's Amy writing...I'm currently trying to get USCIS to put a service request in for my I-129f petition to bring my fiance, Victor, here. My petition was filed on June 30th, and it's now been more than the usual 5-month processing time. Victor and I called on November 30th (I was in Russia visiting at the time ), and received the answer that since the Cali service center is experiencing a delay and are currently processing I-129f applications from June 16th, the agent on the phone at the time was unable to put in a service request. That particular agent recommended calling again in 1 or 2 weeks. Today I called again at two different times to two different agents, and received the first time a reply that they were still processing applications from June 16th, and this one told me to call back in 30 days! The second one told the same information, but actually explained that the system they use blocks the phone reps from putting in a service request because of the CSC's delay, and to try and call back "in a week or two." She also said that USCIS occasionally updates their processing times, and that they were recently updated. It still says that CSC's processing times are 5 months, according to USCIS's website.

The agents I spoke to said that the service center being delayed extends the processing times and that's why the system doesn't acknowledge that our petition is outside of processing times despite the fact it's been more than 5 months. It's very upsetting at this point, and very frustrating and depressive to deal with this bureaucracy. Some of the info they give is consistent, and some conflicting, like how long to wait before calling again to inquire. On another immigration forum, some people have said that occasionally if you keep calling over and over again, you'll get someone who will put in the service request, and it leads me to wonder, is it actually true that the system "won't allow" them to put a service request in at this time, or are they just not doing it? Furthermore, when I requested a supervisor, I was told that the supervisor would just tell me the same thing. The only way I can get more info is to make an appointment with a local USCIS office to speak to someone in person to receive a little more clarification. Have any filers from June or July been able to talk a rep into putting a service request in, or is it genuinely *impossible* for them to do it? Also, do they ever willingly put their supervisor on the phone for you? I just want to hear some honest feedback from others to see if they'd had any success obtaining this illusive service request. Thanks in advance and I hope this inquiry makes sense...I'm a little flustered at the moment!

After I checked the processing time for CSC it does indeed state that the processing time is back to 5 months. So yes if it is outside of that time and yours is, then you call back and ask for a tier 2 rep. They should be able to put in the service request. Just keep in mind that after it is in they have 90 days to respond to it. They will send you an email that states the details of the service request. It is all a painful process.

Good luck and keep us updated.

Terri

[YJPlove 3]

We're from VSC but last October VSC went from 5 months normal processing time to March 15 on their website which unabled us to ask for a service request.They said the same thing, that their system won't allow them. This is somewhat true because on their computers if your date is indeed beyond the normal processing dates, there's like a button thingy that they can click for service request but if in our case, there's a change in the normal processing time, the button will turn into "gray". Meaning unclickable.That's what the agent we spoke to explained to us.Luckily, the processing time of VSC turned back to 5 months on Nov 15, so when we called they were able to make a service request for us already.

[J and S 38]

Oh! CSC changed it back to 5 months? Good to know!

But basically what everyone else has said, if they change the Processing time to a date then they won't touch your petition.

I've been watching the forums, and most June and early July filers are getting the same runaround as you are. Hopefully something can be done now that the processing time was changed back to 5 months.

Good luck. Lots of us are in the same waiting boat

[Amy_and_Victor 159]

After I checked the processing time for CSC it does indeed state that the processing time is back to 5 months. So yes if it is outside of that time and yours is, then you call back and ask for a tier 2 rep. They should be able to put in the service request. Just keep in mind that after it is in they have 90 days to respond to it. They will send you an email that states the details of the service request. It is all a painful process.

Good luck and keep us updated.

Terri

What I'm wondering now, Terri, is since they have 90 days to respond to a service request, can putting in a request actually delay our approval? I'm simultaneously hopeful and paranoid now, and want to make sure I'm doing the right thing. Thanks so much for your feedback!

[Amy_and_Victor 159]

Oh! CSC changed it back to 5 months? Good to know!

But basically what everyone else has said, if they change the Processing time to a date then they won't touch your petition.

I've been watching the forums, and most June and early July filers are getting the same runaround as you are. Hopefully something can be done now that the processing time was changed back to 5 months.

Good luck. Lots of us are in the same waiting boat

Well, as of a half-hour ago, the reps on the phone were saying that they're still working on June 16th applications, which extends the processing time. On the website, it says 5 months...who do we believe? This is so frustrating.... USCIS--->

[J and S 38]

Well, as of a half-hour ago, the reps on the phone were saying that they're still working on June 16th applications, which extends the processing time. On the website, it says 5 months...who do we believe? This is so frustrating.... USCIS--->

Judging with how slow they've been processing petitions...and given how infrequent and unreliable the updates are for the website...I would say the reps.

[Amy_and_Victor 159]

https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processingTimesDisplay.do

As you can see by this chart, on other types of visas that are delayed, it has the date listed of the petitions they're "stuck on" last at CSC, and on K-1's, it still says "5 months" and not "June 16, 2011."

[Liz Alvarado 3]

OMG My process have 6 month 2 Wk ant 3 days and NOT is approve still,my fiance call last time and USCIS said they are review month march and april,this is so sad!!

[YJPlove 3]

OMG My process have 6 month 2 Wk ant 3 days and NOT is approve still,my fiance call last time and USCIS said they are review month march and april,this is so sad!!

My fiance just went to their congressman's office, to ask for help with regards to our case, today.They said that if we don't hear anything within 1 week from USCIS, Congressman will get our case expedited. I think you should let your fiance call your congressman or go to the congressman's office and ask for help. :(

Edited December 6, 2011 by YJPlove

[Liz Alvarado 3]

Ok thanks 4 information! I'll say him do it

My fiance just went to their congressman's office, to ask for help with regards to our case, today.They said that if we don't hear anything within 1 week from USCIS, Congressman will get our case expedited. I think you should let your fiance call your congressman or go to the congressman's office and ask for help. :(

[YJPlove 3]

Ok thanks 4 information! I'll say him do it

Np ...I hope we will both get good news soon :thumbs:

[Amy_and_Victor 159]

Judging with how slow they've been processing petitions...and given how infrequent and unreliable the updates are for the website...I would say the reps.

You're most likely right.... I miss him so much, and the next time we can be together is his POE...we're both trying to be very positive and hope that we'll be approved soon - any day now, we keep saying, with every day we could wake up to our NOA2! I just hate that USCIS is being so vague about this delay.

My fiance just went to their congressman's office, to ask for help with regards to our case, today.They said that if we don't hear anything within 1 week from USCIS, Congressman will get our case expedited. I think you should let your fiance call your congressman or go to the congressman's office and ask for help. :(

Me and Victor plan to do the same should putting in a service request not work...

Edited December 7, 2011 by Amy_and_Victor

[BoxsterOwner 3]

check your pm victor and amy

[cgayle 1]

What I'm wondering now, Terri, is since they have 90 days to respond to a service request, can putting in a request actually delay our approval? I'm simultaneously hopeful and paranoid now, and want to make sure I'm doing the right thing. Thanks so much for your feedback!

I called USCIS on November 23rd and requested an update on our case due to it being past 150 days. I received an email from USCIS on November 29th stating we had to wait for 180 days. I was initially told 120 days for the process and I called on the 120th day. I was then told that the process time was 150 days. Thats when I called on November 29th. Now it's 180 days!!! USCIS isn't consistant with anything...