I-485 "returned as undeliverable" with no notice of approval/denial?

[Karu4Link 7]

So it's been over 10 months since the initial filing of the I-485 for my husband. We have his work card, which expires in December. He called them at the beginning of July to ask what was taking so long, and they told him that it had indeed been a very long time, and that they would pull his case forward, and have a reply by August 20. This afternoon, I got a text update from USCIS and excitedly logged in. The online status is listed as "Card/Document Production" with the following message:

"On July 24, 2012, the post office returned your document I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS as undeliverable. We will hold it for 180 days from July 24, 2012 to allow you time to contact us. If you do not contact us at 1-800-375-5283 within 180 days, this document will be destroyed and you will need to file a new application or application for replacement with fee."

What the heck? We never got any notification between "Initial Review" and now. Also, when my husband called the USCIS customer service, and told them that we never got a notification of approval etc, the lady said, "Looks like they approved you but the postal service sent back the card as undeliverable. Let me transfer to someone who can give you a tracking number." After about 30 minutes on hold, my husband got through to a very rude guy who told him essentially that "No, nothing has been approved. They must have sent you a letter regarding your case and it got returned." My husband assured the guy that we have received all of our previous letters, and that we have not changed our address, and the guy replied saying that "Well, I can assure you sir, it has NOT been approved, and is still in pending status."

Has anyone experienced anything like this? I've read other posts in which people have forgotten to change address etc, but this seems so weird that we would get no notice of approval whatsoever, and then suddenly be told that his card was returned as undeliverable when apparently it hasn't been approved at all? So confused, any help would be greatly appreciated!

[ceadsearc 516]

From the sounds of it you were approved and for some reason your GC was not delivered. Do you know if your case was at the California Service Center (since you didn't mention an interview)? Your profile says Vermont Service center but your case shouldn't be there.

I know USCIS' # said that wasn't the case but when you call, you get a customer service rep, NOT someone from USCIS. I suggest you schedule an Infopass to get things straightened out and in the meantime verify that the immigrant's name is inside the mailbox.

[Karu4Link 7]

Sorry, just finished updating my info. Things got hectic after the K-1 approval due to wedding planning etc. so I haven't updated it in a long time. A bit hazy on some of the dates in our timeline, but think I fixed most of it. Yes, they transferred our case in Nov/Dec to CSC.

Is it possible that since my maiden name is on the inside of our apt. mailbox that they didn't deliver it? I'm just concerned because we got no notice of approval whatsoever. It may be nothing, but this is just starting to stress us both out. That's USCIS for you though! :3

[Dave&Roza 748]

Sorry, just finished updating my info. Things got hectic after the K-1 approval due to wedding planning etc. so I haven't updated it in a long time. A bit hazy on some of the dates in our timeline, but think I fixed most of it. Yes, they transferred our case in Nov/Dec to CSC.

Is it possible that since my maiden name is on the inside of our apt. mailbox that they didn't deliver it? I'm just concerned because we got no notice of approval whatsoever. It may be nothing, but this is just starting to stress us both out. That's USCIS for you though! :3

Goto the local postoffice and make certain that your name is associated with the address especially since you are using your maiden name and it is an apartment. This happened to the wife with her SSC, a letter I mailed her to check that mail was getting to her and one of the notices with the AOS/EAD/AP. Typically it is a substutite carrier that decides upon themselves that a person does not live at that address and will return the mail. Too bad they are Federal workers as tamporing with the mail is a Federal offense. My local post office asked if my wife's name was on the mailbox. I asked what difference does that make? So I filled out a few forms and went home and put her name on the card inside the mailbox.

This does not seem to be much of a problem at our house. It is more of a problem at apartment complexes. After making sure you are receiving mail, get in touch with the USCIS to see what is going on. When I received that letter, I called them and asked them to resend the notice. If that fails try an infoPASS appointment and see if you can get things straightened out.

Good luck,

Dave

Edited July 25, 2012 by Dave&Roza