Service request question

[simpleflower 0]

I applied for a removal of my green card conditions with a waiver from filing jointly back in april 2011. I haven't got RFE, it looks like im outside normal processing time (the waiver applications are supposedly processed in the same timeframe as the non-waiver ones). So I got another extension (this time a stamp in my passport - for another year) only because I'm thinking ahead of time and made an appointment at my local uscis office. I don't feel like my attorney is that much of a help, don't get me wrong but if I didn't make my own research he probably wouldn't have informed me about getting another extension. so now I want to make that service request that everyone on this forum is talking about (as far as I know one can either call the customer service number or file the request online - am I right?) but my attorney doesn't seem to like the idea, not only that but he never responded to my email about service request (even though he always responds to emails right away). I read that other post where someone was complaining about his lawyer not wanting to file a service request either - what's up with that?

So anyways, do you people think that I should go ahead and file my own service request? Or kinda sit and wait to see what happens.. I'm going nuts because I don't know anything about my case.. Did everything..Signed up for email/txt updates, I'm checking the online status at leaast once a day, the service request seems the only thing I haven't done yet.

Thank you for any advice!!!!

[Steve D. 22]

Well your attorney has a point, USCIS might be feeling funny if they receive a SR from the applicant, not the attorney representing him/her.

Also, if you are still married, and has been more than 3 years, just go ahead and file naturalization (N-400) already and get it over with. It will force USCIS to make a decision on your taking forever ROC.

Oh and if you can, please add yourself to the list of unusually long ROC applicants, I'm making a list to show the dark side of the USCIS: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/355996-list-of-longer-than-usualexpected-roc-applicants/

[simpleflower 0]

Well your attorney has a point, USCIS might be feeling funny if they receive a SR from the applicant, not the attorney representing him/her.

Also, if you are still married, and has been more than 3 years, just go ahead and file naturalization (N-400) already and get it over with. It will force USCIS to make a decision on your taking forever ROC.

Oh and if you can, please add yourself to the list of unusually long ROC applicants, I'm making a list to show the dark side of the USCIS: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/355996-list-of-longer-than-usualexpected-roc-applicants/

You got it all wrong. I'm not married, I got divorced before the removal of conditions, that is why I am an I-751 waiver applicant.

I don;t see how my attorney has a point, I paid him to represent me and I asked him to check up on my application and he doesn't respond to my requests?

The idea of filing my own service request is it's direct result.

I hope this clarifies it.

I can't file for naturalization until 2014. I can't imagine having to go and get a stamp every single year until then.

[freetv 7]

Sigh,

1. Standard service requests don't do anything on the i751... u will get told that they will check it but nothing happens (the exception is a very very late... like 15 month old 751). That is why your lawyer doesn't want to do it... because it just doesn't work.

2. Your file would never take longer than 12 months unless it REALLY got lost so what is with you even thinking for a split second that you would need to get a stamp every year?

Just sit back with the rest of us and live life..... one morning you will go out to check the mail or get a message and the approval or rfe will be there.... and yes you are paying your lawyer to do something, but most are worthless so what do you expect?

Edited March 15, 2012 by freetv

[robhinio 0]

i filed with VSC NOA date is august 2nd i have not heard anything yet should i call them to find out whats going on if yes what is the no to call?thank you so much.

[simpleflower 0]

i filed with VSC NOA date is august 2nd i have not heard anything yet should i call them to find out whats going on if yes what is the no to call?thank you so much.

Have you had your biometric appointment yet?

[fairandfoul 7]

Sigh,

1. Standard service requests don't do anything on the i751... u will get told that they will check it but nothing happens (the exception is a very very late... like 15 month old 751). That is why your lawyer doesn't want to do it... because it just doesn't work.

Wow, I'm impressed that without even meeting this lawyer OR the applicant in person or knowing anything else about the case other than the brief summary provided in this thread, you can profess to know the motivation for the lawyer discouraging filing the Service Request! And they said online tarot card readers had no future!

To the OP: I would consider filing a Service Request, but first press your attorney (whom you're paying) to give a decisive answer as to why he's reluctant. Turns out he might have a good reason. I agree that the evidence for the efficacy of service requests is dubious, but there have been some isolated cases where members have reported receiving a decision within days of filing the Service Request. Give it some though, but definitely get more aggressive in getting the rational behind your lawyer's hesitation.

[freetv 7]

Wow, I'm impressed that without even meeting this lawyer OR the applicant in person or knowing anything else about the case other than the brief summary provided in this thread, you can profess to know the motivation for the lawyer discouraging filing the Service Request! And they said online tarot card readers had no future!

To the OP: I would consider filing a Service Request, but first press your attorney (whom you're paying) to give a decisive answer as to why he's reluctant. Turns out he might have a good reason. I agree that the evidence for the efficacy of service requests is dubious, but there have been some isolated cases where members have reported receiving a decision within days of filing the Service Request. Give it some though, but definitely get more aggressive in getting the rational behind your lawyer's hesitation.

What are you talking about? A service request has ZERO negatives other than it is a total waste of time... surely we would have observed negative consequences of an so at some point on this forum if this were the case. What rational reason other than this would he have? Regardless, she should contact her lawyer by phone and ask why he hasn't responded and what he think of an so... if I was paying someone thousands of dollars I would surely be pressing him to do something to get my case through the system (even if it only had a 1% chance of working).... I simply didn't want to give the op false hope since that is exactly what an so is.

Edited March 16, 2012 by freetv

[fairandfoul 7]

What are you talking about? A service request has ZERO negatives other than it is a total waste of time... surely we would have observed negative consequences of an so at some point on this forum if this were the case. What rational reason other than this would he have? Regardless, she should contact her lawyer by phone and ask why he hasn't responded and what he think of an so... if I was paying someone thousands of dollars I would surely be pressing him to do something to get my case through the system (even if it only had a 1% chance of working).... I simply didn't want to give the op false hope since that is exactly what an so is.

Paying thousands of dollars?? Hmmn, I don't recall the OP mentioning that.

Anyway, what I'm talking about is very clear: the attorney could have a miltitude of reasons (some good, some flimsy) for advising against filing a Service Request at this point. All I have advised the OP to do is try to determine what those reasons are and not leap to assumptions as you are doing.

I am not giving false hope to anyone. Just good advice. That said, I agree that Service Requests don't seem to provide much help, but if the OP feels he wants to press ahead with it, then your telepathic attempts to guess at the lawyer's motivations are meaningless.

[simpleflower 0]

Paying thousands of dollars?? Hmmn, I don't recall the OP mentioning that.

I actually did pay him a lot.. 4K so far..plus there will be additional fees if there's an interview. Yes, he's expensive - that's why I'm so mad he ignored my questions.

You guys are right, I should probably give him a call and find out what's the next step if we don't hear from USCIS within the next couple of months.

I'm just worried because I'm a waiver applicant and everyone's been telling me that my case might take longer that everyone elses, but if you go to I-751 waiver filers timeline you'll see that people's timelines were very reasonable. It's just mine that takes so long.

I heard that if case takes very long, the immigration attorney has a power to push it forward (it's something diff than a service request) and I hope mine feels obligated to do so.

[fairandfoul 7]

I actually did pay him a lot.. 4K so far

I'm just worried because I'm a waiver applicant and everyone's been telling me that my case might take longer that everyone elses, but if you go to I-751 waiver filers timeline you'll see that people's timelines were very reasonable. It's just mine that takes so long.

I heard that if case takes very long, the immigration attorney has a power to push it forward (it's something diff than a service request) and I hope mine feels obligated to do so.

Yes, $4,000 is a lot! It's unfortunate that, in return, you seem to be getting such crappy service. Well:

1) Get in your attorney's face and try to get him to explain his delayed responses and reluctance to file a Serrvice Request.

2) File the Service Request on your own if he continues to vacillate, if only to make yourself better that you're doing everything you can.

3) Not aware of attorney's abilities to push an application forward beyond the standard facilities provided (INFOPASS appointments, Service Requests). You might want to:

4) Get your local elected representative involved. There have been a good number of posters reporting success with this approach. Could that possibly be what you refer to in trying to push the case forward?

5) You're very right that your case, despite being filed under a waiver, is taking a bit long. I have seen those waiver timelines myself, and I think VSC was pushing out approvals within 7/8/9 months. If you filed in April, you should know that most people who filed standard I-751s at VSC have been approved, but unfortunately even in that batch, there are about two actve posters who are awaiting a decision.

I wouldn't worry too much if I were you. As long as you're not changing jobs or travelling, patience and dertermination will serve you very well, and get you what you need in the end... hopefully very soon!

Good luck!

[fairandfoul 7]

I actually did pay him a lot.. 4K so far

I'm just worried because I'm a waiver applicant and everyone's been telling me that my case might take longer that everyone elses, but if you go to I-751 waiver filers timeline you'll see that people's timelines were very reasonable. It's just mine that takes so long.

I heard that if case takes very long, the immigration attorney has a power to push it forward (it's something diff than a service request) and I hope mine feels obligated to do so.

Yes, $4,000 is a lot! It's unfortunate that, in return, you seem to be getting such crappy service. Well:

1) Get in your attorney's face and try to get him to explain his delayed responses and reluctance to file a Serrvice Request.

2) File the Service Request on your own if he continues to vacillate, if only to make yourself better that you're doing everything you can.

3) Not aware of attorney's abilities to push an application forward beyond the standard facilities provided (INFOPASS appointments, Service Requests). You might want to:

4) Get your local elected representative involved. There have been a good number of posters reporting success with this approach. Could that possibly be what you refer to in trying to push the case forward?

5) You're very right that your case, despite being filed under a waiver, is taking a bit long. I have seen those waiver timelines myself, and I think VSC was pushing out approvals within 7/8/9 months. If you filed in April, you should know that most people who filed standard I-751s at VSC have been approved, but unfortunately even in that batch, there are about two actve posters who are awaiting a decision.

I wouldn't worry too much if I were you. As long as you're not changing jobs or travelling, patience and dertermination will serve you very well, and get you what you need in the end... hopefully very soon!

Good luck!

[robhinio 0]

i did my bio on august 30th 2011 since then i have not heard anything yet (

[Yurika & Jim 77]

i did my bio on august 30th 2011 since then i have not heard anything yet (

Sorry, but it's normal. There is no approval from August VSC filers yet. And VSC has just started working on July cases.

So, in your case, service request is little worthless at this point, I guess...

[simpleflower 0]

I decided to call USCIS customer service tomorrow and request some information about my case (applied for removal of conditions with a waiver on filing jointly in APRIL 2011).

Is there anything I should know before I call their 800 number? I have my biometric app letter as well as the extension in one folder in case they ask me about specific dates or numbers.

Should I have other documents ready? And does it give you an option to talk to the customer representative right away or is the wait really long?

Thank you.