FBI name-check limbo: action roll-call

[Chris W 0]

We already have this thread detailing the people that are waiting for their FBI name checks to go through, as well as how long they've been waiting and what country they're from, etc.

But I thought I'd start a new thread -- about those who have taken action to get their cases moving. So, if you've contacted your Congressman, Senator or other Representative (even if they haven't replied!), this thread is for you! It's also for people who have tried to contact the FBI, USCIS or the DHS about their cases, and even those that have tried a Writ of Mandamus.

I've been waiting 175 days for my name check, and I think it's time I took some action. I know some have waited less and some have waited more, but if we pool or resources we just might be able to figureout what works and what doesn't.

So who's first?

[rebeccajo 14]

I have contacted Senator Byrd. I have spoken with our AO - twice since the interview. I have spoken with an immigration lawyer.

They all say wait.

[LaL 418]

Chris W - if you would like to keep 2 threads alive, why not re-post all the information that has been buried in the namecheck tracker thread in here? Much is documented in there as things you can do, however, if you want to split the two, maybe make a FAQ listing in this thread?

I guess its gotten tot he point where our namecheck tracker is so long many people do not go through it all to see helpful information. Much stuff is getting re-posted.

[Traditions Way 0]

We already have this thread detailing the people that are waiting for their FBI name checks to go through, as well as how long they've been waiting and what country they're from, etc.

But I thought I'd start a new thread -- about those who have taken action to get their cases moving. So, if you've contacted your Congressman, Senator or other Representative (even if they haven't replied!), this thread is for you! It's also for people who have tried to contact the FBI, USCIS or the DHS about their cases, and even those that have tried a Writ of Mandamus.

I've been waiting 175 days for my name check, and I think it's time I took some action. I know some have waited less and some have waited more, but if we pool or resources we just might be able to figureout what works and what doesn't.

So who's first?

Hi, Im thinking of writing our congressman or senator but is this really helpful? If I do write a letter Im having problem how to start the letter Im just wondering if somebody can give me an example of a letter sent to a senator or congressman. Thanks

[Chris W 0]

Chris W - if you would like to keep 2 threads alive, why not re-post all the information that has been buried in the namecheck tracker thread in here? Much is documented in there as things you can do, however, if you want to split the two, maybe make a FAQ listing in this thread?

I guess its gotten tot he point where our namecheck tracker is so long many people do not go through it all to see helpful information. Much stuff is getting re-posted.

That was my point for starting this thread off. I'm hopefully going to go through the old thread and extract the information (there IS some good stuff in there), but I wanted a separate place other than "My name is Foo and I'm from Bar and I've been waiting for N days". Let me work on it...

[rebeccajo 14]

Chris - just my two cents for whatever its worth -

I think one can try many things to propel this process. There are some times where a file lays about on someones desk and making an infopass appointment can get it moving again.

However, by and large I now believe there is absolutely nothing that can be done to move most cases forward, and the best thing we all can do is TRY WHAT METHODS ARE AVAILABLE TO US and DOCUMENT DOING SO.

If there is indeed the tremendous backlog which we are learning about, how in the world can we expect our individual cases to be extracted from that food chain and somehow pushed ahead of the other hundreds of thousands in line ahead of us?

I'm not advocating complacency. Not by a long shot. I'm advocating taking responsibility for your file while at the same time collecting data which can be used to bring the root cause of the problem to the forefront.

[LaL 418]

Chris this is what I have gathered for you. Undoubtedly I have missed some good stuff, and there is also a few broken links posted. I really wanted to post the actual documents (pdf) but there is a limit.

Confirmng Prints received

1-304-625-2000

Select the option of Immigration on the auto-attendant, get a

switchboard operator, tell them you want to speak with someone

regarding immigration fingerprinting. A rep will answer and look

up your "A" number and confirm when/if prints were received and

returned.

Congressman Contact (provide your zipcode)

Senator Contact(provide your state)

Namecheck Expedite Criteria

Ombudsman

Articles

DAILY BULLETIN

VISA LAW

NAMECHECK

NAMECHECK 2

Msg Board Topic

Namecheck Primer

YAHOO GROUP

EAR Definition

Papertrails of attempts to reconcile this is important.

Build up your file with correspondences every so often

to *prove* your exhausting all resources. Its called exhaustion

of administrative remedies (EAR).

FOIPA

1. INSTRUCTIONS & FORM

2. Fill it

3. Get it notorized (not required)

4. Send it by snail mail.

5. Wait for 2-3 weeks. You will get a response (hopefully!!)

Processing Times

*If your local office is processing petitions filed 30 days after your file, Call

USCIS (800 375-5283 1,2,6,2,4) and advise them you are outside normal processing times.

You can do this every 30 days and they will provide you with a confirmation #

Edited October 17, 2006 by lal_brandow

[Chris W 0]

Chris - just my two cents for whatever its worth -

I think one can try many things to propel this process. There are some times where a file lays about on someones desk and making an infopass appointment can get it moving again.

However, by and large I now believe there is absolutely nothing that can be done to move most cases forward, and the best thing we all can do is TRY WHAT METHODS ARE AVAILABLE TO US and DOCUMENT DOING SO.

If there is indeed the tremendous backlog which we are learning about, how in the world can we expect our individual cases to be extracted from that food chain and somehow pushed ahead of the other hundreds of thousands in line ahead of us?

I'm not advocating complacency. Not by a long shot. I'm advocating taking responsibility for your file while at the same time collecting data which can be used to bring the root cause of the problem to the forefront.

You bring up an interesting point... and it's a complicated one, too

I remember reading, right here on VJ, about an alien who had applied for AOS. The person (I can't remember their gender!) had everything done correctly -- biometrics, forms etc. -- but her AOS was taking forever. The sponsor went back and forth with their Congressman, etc., and eventually it turns out that the FBI never received the name check request depite, I believe, USCIS/DHS saying that they had.

A couple of weeks ago I went down to my local DHS office to see if there had been any updates. There hadn't. The woman there wasn't exactly sure how to handle my (very polite) request, she just kept saying "What is it that you actually WANT?". I tried explaining to her that I was now in limbo, not a permanent resident of the U.S., and didn't want to settle for "It might be done in 1 month or 2 years" routine. It didn't really get me anywhere, though...

[Chris W 0]

Chris this is what I have gathered for you. Undoubtedly I have missed some good stuff, and there is also a few broken links posted. I really wanted to post the actual documents (pdf) but there is a limit.

Confirmng Prints received

1-304-625-2000

Select the option of Immigration on the auto-attendant, get a

switchboard operator, tell them you want to speak with someone

regarding immigration fingerprinting. A rep will answer and look

up your "A" number and confirm when/if prints were received and

returned.

Congressman Contact (provide your zipcode)

Senator Contact(provide your state)

Namecheck Expedite Criteria

Ombudsman

Articles

DAILY BULLETIN

VISA LAW

NAMECHECK

NAMECHECK 2

Msg Board Topic

Namecheck Primer

YAHOO GROUP

EAR Definition

Papertrails of attempts to reconcile this is important.

Build up your file with correspondences every so often

to *prove* your exhausting all resources. Its called exhaustion

of administrative remedies (EAR).

FOIPA

1. INSTRUCTIONS & FORM

2. Fill it

3. Get it notorized (not required)

4. Send it by snail mail.

5. Wait for 2-3 weeks. You will get a response (hopefully!!)

Processing Times

*If your local office is processing petitions filed 30 days after your file, Call

USCIS (800 375-5283 1,2,6,2,4) and advise them you are outside normal processing times.

You can do this every 30 days and they will provide you with a confirmation #

This information is great, thanks! I called them, they were very helpful and said that my prints were received March 10, 2006 and forwarded to USCIS on the same day. Unfortunately, that's all they could tell me; but like I said they were really helpful and understanding of the situation.

At least I know where I stand... sorta!