Funny thing happened on the way to

[ullnvrkno 95]

My petition was marked as being transferred to a local office on 4/25. On 4/27 it had been received at a USCIS office and was being processed. I've called, pretty much every day, since the 30th to see where my petition is so I can mentally prepare myself for another 1-2 month wait if it IS at a local office (because that more than likely means interview). EVERY DAY I HAVE CALLED I HAVE GOTTEN A DIFFERENT ANSWER. I've spoken to a Tier 2 every time. First time it's "it's at Nat'l Benefits Center." Second time it's "at a local office." Third time it's "NBC." ...

On 5/4 I called and spoke to a very, very nice Tier 2 at 5p. He said "it's at national benefits -- why would you want it to be in a local office? Looks like two days ago they completed background checks and they came back clean. They're on the verge of a decision."

At 6p, on 5/4, I received an email from the community liaison officer at NBC (I found their e-mail in a powerpoint online) saying "your petition is at your local office, it's not here at NBC according to the national data tracker."

So I called USCIS NCSC again, at 7p, on 5/4 and speak to a guy who got pretty frustrated with me. He said "it doesn't matter where your petition is, it's going to the embassy anyway. All officers in any office can receive the same communication. They were in your file recently but my administrator says we can't tell people why. Just keep faxing the Officer whose fax they gave you for your expedite request. You faxed him too many pages. It was originally at CSC but it looks like it went to Chicago -- It doesn't matter where your petition is." He couldn't answer a.) where my petition is and b.) why the guy, just two hours earlier, said they completed background checks.

HOW DO THEY GET THESE TIER 2 OFFICERS AND WHY IS EVERYONE GIVING ME CONFLICTING INFO?!!??!?! I finally just wrote the Ombudsman because, although it may not look like it would make a big difference, I'd like to know whether or not I'm adding on another 2 freaking months to wait for a damn interview or not.

Anyway, my suggestion is don't ever call customer service and don't ever speak to a tier 2. Apparently they're all on different systems and honestly I think a lot of them just make info up.

Hoping to save some of you confusion and heartache in the future...

[navchusu11 5]

My petition was marked as being transferred to a local office on 4/25. On 4/27 it had been received at a USCIS office and was being processed. I've called, pretty much every day, since the 30th to see where my petition is so I can mentally prepare myself for another 1-2 month wait if it IS at a local office (because that more than likely means interview). EVERY DAY I HAVE CALLED I HAVE GOTTEN A DIFFERENT ANSWER. I've spoken to a Tier 2 every time. First time it's "it's at Nat'l Benefits Center." Second time it's "at a local office." Third time it's "NBC." ...

On 5/4 I called and spoke to a very, very nice Tier 2 at 5p. He said "it's at national benefits -- why would you want it to be in a local office? Looks like two days ago they completed background checks and they came back clean. They're on the verge of a decision."

At 6p, on 5/4, I received an email from the community liaison officer at NBC (I found their e-mail in a powerpoint online) saying "your petition is at your local office, it's not here at NBC according to the national data tracker."

So I called USCIS NCSC again, at 7p, on 5/4 and speak to a guy who got pretty frustrated with me. He said "it doesn't matter where your petition is, it's going to the embassy anyway. All officers in any office can receive the same communication. They were in your file recently but my administrator says we can't tell people why. Just keep faxing the Officer whose fax they gave you for your expedite request. You faxed him too many pages. It was originally at CSC but it looks like it went to Chicago -- It doesn't matter where your petition is." He couldn't answer a.) where my petition is and b.) why the guy, just two hours earlier, said they completed background checks.

HOW DO THEY GET THESE TIER 2 OFFICERS AND WHY IS EVERYONE GIVING ME CONFLICTING INFO?!!??!?! I finally just wrote the Ombudsman because, although it may not look like it would make a big difference, I'd like to know whether or not I'm adding on another 2 freaking months to wait for a damn interview or not.

Anyway, my suggestion is don't ever call customer service and don't ever speak to a tier 2. Apparently they're all on different systems and honestly I think a lot of them just make info up.

Hoping to save some of you confusion and heartache in the future...

Hi ullnvrkno,

If you really think about it, its not funny....Actually its Frustrating and Annoying .....lol....

I am sorry for you being on such a situation... I went through the same situation ( conflicting answers from service center for the same question) when i upgraded my I -130 for spouse as LPR to USC.....finally it was resolved when I got my NOA2...

You and I had bad experiences but I don't suggest anyone not to call customer service and speak to a tier 2....they are one of the resources we can use on our this visa journey.....

Edited May 6, 2012 by navchusu11

[ullnvrkno 95]

Hi ullnvrkno,

If you really think about it, its not funny....Actually its Frustrating and Annoying .....lol....

I am sorry for you being on such a situation... I went through the same situation ( conflicting answers from service center for the same question) when i upgraded my I -130 for spouse as LPR to USC.....finally it was resolved when I got my NOA2...

You and I had bad experiences but I don't suggest anyone not to call customer service and speak to a tier 2....they are one of the resources we can use on our this visa journey.....

Even though they ALL give conflicting info? I bet if I call tomorrow whoever answers will tell me my application is in Acapulco.

[Darnell 8,478]

I smell a data error.

The casefile is somewhere.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Anyway, my suggestion is don't ever call customer service and don't ever speak to a tier 2. Apparently they're all on different systems and honestly I think a lot of them just make info up.

Hoping to save some of you confusion and heartache in the future...

And there you have the desired result.

They are not designed or intending to conduct business by phone. You get US mail notices of the progress of your case.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Even though they ALL give conflicting info? I bet if I call tomorrow whoever answers will tell me my application is in Acapulco.

You are well within normal processing times for an I-130. It usually takes 10-12 months from petition to visa in hand. Calling will not make it faster and no one can intervene unless they are somehow not in compliance with the law. Congressman or Senators can ask but pretty much get the same thing.

You are expecting a straight concise answer that is accurate. Won't happen, is not designed or intended to happen, specifically designed NOT to happen.

And FWIW local offices do not ever handle petitions. The first a local office will see of this case is when you file for removal of conditions two years after he arrives and maybe not even then.

Edited May 6, 2012 by Gary and Alla

[ullnvrkno 95]

And there you have the desired result.

They are not designed or intending to conduct business by phone. You get US mail notices of the progress of your case.

I have yet to receive any postal mail notices other than the NOA1 that came in December. They have my correct address because I verify it EVERY TIME I talk to a Tier 2. So that's been... 6 times now??

And yes, local offices to handle petitions when it comes to interviews. So...

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from Process & Procedures to Progress Reports.

[Musashii 21]

My petition was marked as being transferred to a local office on 4/25. On 4/27 it had been received at a USCIS office and was being processed. I've called, pretty much every day, since the 30th to see where my petition is so I can mentally prepare myself for another 1-2 month wait if it IS at a local office (because that more than likely means interview). EVERY DAY I HAVE CALLED I HAVE GOTTEN A DIFFERENT ANSWER. I've spoken to a Tier 2 every time. First time it's "it's at Nat'l Benefits Center." Second time it's "at a local office." Third time it's "NBC." ...

On 5/4 I called and spoke to a very, very nice Tier 2 at 5p. He said "it's at national benefits -- why would you want it to be in a local office? Looks like two days ago they completed background checks and they came back clean. They're on the verge of a decision."

At 6p, on 5/4, I received an email from the community liaison officer at NBC (I found their e-mail in a powerpoint online) saying "your petition is at your local office, it's not here at NBC according to the national data tracker."

So I called USCIS NCSC again, at 7p, on 5/4 and speak to a guy who got pretty frustrated with me. He said "it doesn't matter where your petition is, it's going to the embassy anyway. All officers in any office can receive the same communication. They were in your file recently but my administrator says we can't tell people why. Just keep faxing the Officer whose fax they gave you for your expedite request. You faxed him too many pages. It was originally at CSC but it looks like it went to Chicago -- It doesn't matter where your petition is." He couldn't answer a.) where my petition is and b.) why the guy, just two hours earlier, said they completed background checks.

HOW DO THEY GET THESE TIER 2 OFFICERS AND WHY IS EVERYONE GIVING ME CONFLICTING INFO?!!??!?! I finally just wrote the Ombudsman because, although it may not look like it would make a big difference, I'd like to know whether or not I'm adding on another 2 freaking months to wait for a damn interview or not.

Anyway, my suggestion is don't ever call customer service and don't ever speak to a tier 2. Apparently they're all on different systems and honestly I think a lot of them just make info up.

Hoping to save some of you confusion and heartache in the future...

Do you now feel the anger and frustration caused by USCIS people especially the Tier 2 officers? Do you now appreciate the way they are "doing their job" ?

I was feeling the same way when you gave me this advice: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/341900-december-2011-ir-1cr-1-uscis-filers/page__st__75

I pray to God and hope that God will help us all.

[Anh map 2,098]

I have yet to receive any postal mail notices other than the NOA1 that came in December. They have my correct address because I verify it EVERY TIME I talk to a Tier 2. So that's been... 6 times now??

And yes, local offices to handle petitions when it comes to interviews. So...

What have you petitioned for? A spouse visa petition would not be at a local US office. An adjustment of status petition would be at a local office.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I have yet to receive any postal mail notices other than the NOA1 that came in December. They have my correct address because I verify it EVERY TIME I talk to a Tier 2. So that's been... 6 times now??

And yes, local offices to handle petitions when it comes to interviews. So...

You are not due for a notice yet so you have not received one. The inteview for a CR-1 will be at the consulate.

An interview for a green card at a local office is NOT petition related. As stated, Local offices NEVER handle petitions.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

What have you petitioned for? A spouse visa petition would not be at a local US office. An adjustment of status petition would be at a local office.

Possibly, but that is not a "petition". It is an application. And then it is only the interview they handle. Even the ROC which IS a petition is not handled by a local office except for the interview...if any. Local offices do not handle the processing of petitions and have no addl information about them.

the OPs case is going strictly by the norm...file a petiton, wait many months to hear anything, then get a notice of approval or RFE in the mail, then it will go to NVC (for CR-1) and you will get a notice in the mail to file the I-864 and pay the fee, then it will go to the consulate after some more months. In between these actions you hear nothing. that is normal.

Edited May 6, 2012 by Gary and Alla

[ullnvrkno 95]

By interview I mean bonafide marriage interview. sometimes they do these, especially when the beneficiary was in removal proceedings like my husband was.

Btw I filed an i130 for alien relative- spouse.

And Gary/Alla -- they said they had mailed me a letter saying my case was transferred.

[Kazulie 132]

My I-130 petition has "been transferred and is now being processed at my local uscis office". .....so????

[ullnvrkno 95]

You are missing the point. No tier 2 gives the same answer as to where my petition is. Even the ” your petition has been transferred” letter doesn't say match up.