August 2012 AOS Filers

[epsonderby 85]

I think you guys are just having really bad luck, especially being impatient. someone in the other threads say that they make a note of the times you call, hence why they get pissier and pissier with you the more often you call within the waiting timeframe.

Tier 2 representatives are not as clueless as Tier 1. Your impatience is causing you to get angry with them.

They have no right to get pissy, they are federal employees. Pissy is for when they finish their shift and aren't in work any longer. I have every right to expect answers when I phone, whether I'm within timeframes or not. I've paid nearly $2000, including medical, it's not like they're doing me a favor. I'd be a bit more tolerant if I didn't get different BS every time I phone.

Do you want to know what I did (completely unintentional) to get a Tier 2? I mixed up my numbers (I'm dyslexic) and since they could not find it, they put me on hold with a Tier 2. 1 hour on the phone WAITING for the guy to say nothing at all and when I asked him WHY I should wait another 15 days when they initially told me 15 days, he said "what do you mean why???"

No matter where you call/go, they are useless.

On my Infopass they told me that the EAD/AP combo takes 5 months....

I got frustrated for you when I read your account from your infopass appointment...

Well Gesi got his SS card in the mail today, so that was good. The stress is getting to him, he is arguing with me on everything. I am now 4 days late for my monthly but will wait a few more days before testing. I have never, ever skipped a monthly before and I am showing absolutely NO signs of starting one and yesterday I had a small bout of nausea and today again, it woke me up thinking I was gonna throw up but it was just nausea again.

But overall the positive news is he can start looking for work now!!

I'm not religious at all, Kim, but I believe things happen for a reason. You could have two things to celebrate shortly

[iaia 8]

I am not having bad luck...my RFE response got there on Friday and got the text of status changed by Monday. That is fast considering. I didn't called every day either, I called 2 times, second time I talked to a tier 2. Infopass people was very nice, they answered every question and tried to help as much as he could. He even offered to take a look in the computer and see the status of my EAD.

I'm impatient, hands down. And I really don't think they take notes on how many times you call and that will hurt your case

Uscis people can have bad days as much as anyone else, and I believe that if you are polite, they will answer the same way to you

[epsonderby 85]

I am not having bad luck...my RFE response got there on Friday and got the text of status changed by Monday. That is fast considering. I didn't called every day either, I called 2 times, second time I talked to a tier 2. Infopass people was very nice, they answered every question and tried to help as much as he could. He even offered to take a look in the computer and see the status of my EAD.

I'm impatient, hands down. And I really don't think they take notes on how many times you call and that will hurt your case

Uscis people can have bad days as much as anyone else, and I believe that if you are polite, they will answer the same way to you

I've not been rude with them, but they've been subversively rude with me. Making snide comments. I let it go though. I do think we're entitled to call as often as we like though

We're all impatient to a degree though, we wouldn't make timelines and follow others otherwise. I can't work or start looking for work yet. I have a job offer that I'd like to take up ASAP, but nothing doing until I either get my EAD or my GC.

Edited October 19, 2012 by epsonderby

[iaia 8]

Im in the same boat. All I want/need right now is my EAD. The GC can wait IMO.

Also, if they give you a phone number, they should expect getting phone calls

And I agree. If you call 3 times and get 3 different answers, of course you are going to get a little frustrated

Well Gesi got his SS card in the mail today, so that was good. The stress is getting to him, he is arguing with me on everything. I am now 4 days late for my monthly but will wait a few more days before testing. I have never, ever skipped a monthly before and I am showing absolutely NO signs of starting one and yesterday I had a small bout of nausea and today again, it woke me up thinking I was gonna throw up but it was just nausea again.

But overall the positive news is he can start looking for work now!!

Take a pregnancy test just to be sure. If it is positive, you know. If negative, you also know

Well Gesi got his SS card in the mail today, so that was good. The stress is getting to him, he is arguing with me on everything. I am now 4 days late for my monthly but will wait a few more days before testing. I have never, ever skipped a monthly before and I am showing absolutely NO signs of starting one and yesterday I had a small bout of nausea and today again, it woke me up thinking I was gonna throw up but it was just nausea again.

But overall the positive news is he can start looking for work now!!

Take a pregnancy test just to be sure. If it is positive, you know. If negative, you also know

[akihon 129]

They have no right to get pissy, they are federal employees. Pissy is for when they finish their shift and aren't in work any longer. I have every right to expect answers when I phone, whether I'm within timeframes or not. I've paid nearly $2000, including medical, it's not like they're doing me a favor. I'd be a bit more tolerant if I didn't get different BS every time I phone.

You have every right to expect answers when you call, but getting pissy with them isn't going to help your case at all. They have the power over you at that point, because they have information you want, and you're not doing anything to help yourself out. I don't think you're wrong to be pissy about this, I'm just saying that it's NOT helping.

I am not having bad luck...my RFE response got there on Friday and got the text of status changed by Monday. That is fast considering. I didn't called every day either, I called 2 times, second time I talked to a tier 2. Infopass people was very nice, they answered every question and tried to help as much as he could. He even offered to take a look in the computer and see the status of my EAD.

I'm impatient, hands down. And I really don't think they take notes on how many times you call and that will hurt your case

Uscis people can have bad days as much as anyone else, and I believe that if you are polite, they will answer the same way to you

no I don't think the number of times you call hurts your case, but if they ARE making a note every time you call (which would make sense if they are because every time you call, they're supposed to check on something), the more frequent the calls, the more annoying it gets, especially if you're pissy with them on the phone. Not saying that you are, and even if you are, it's understandable, but again ... it's NOT helping your case.

I've not been rude with them, but they've been subversively rude with me. Making snide comments. I let it go though. I do think we're entitled to call as often as we like though

We're all impatient to a degree though, we wouldn't make timelines and follow others otherwise. I can't work or start looking for work yet. I have a job offer that I'd like to take up ASAP, but nothing doing until I either get my EAD or my GC.

You ARE entitled to call as many times as you want, but they don't have to be nice to you if you're going to be pissy with them.

Personally, I don't believe the timelines predict anything. LindaC1990 filed in May and only as recently as a couple weeks ago received her GC. It varies so greatly between cases, timelines just make us feel better about it.

Edited October 19, 2012 by akihon

[epsonderby 85]

I just want to make it clear that I'm never pissy with them. I do challenge them when they insist on contradicting policy and guidelines, although always in a polite and constructive manner in order to better understand their position.

I'm trying to follow people in a similar position to myself: VWP, concurrent filing and a relatively long wait from biometrics. All other filers aren't really going to be similar to myself as I don't need police clearance from the UK to use the VWP, but I understand that those on B-2 and other types of non-immigrant visas do during their interview for the non-immigrant visa. It's a theory I have as to why mine my be taking a little longer, as well as having lived in some 'unusual' countries recently.

[akihon 129]

I just want to make it clear that I'm never pissy with them. I do challenge them when they insist on contradicting policy and guidelines, although always in a polite and constructive manner in order to better understand their position.

I'm trying to follow people in a similar position to myself: VWP, concurrent filing and a relatively long wait from biometrics. All other filers aren't really going to be similar to myself as I don't need police clearance from the UK to use the VWP, but I understand that those on B-2 and other types of non-immigrant visas do during their interview for the non-immigrant visa. It's a theory I have as to why mine my be taking a little longer, as well as having lived in some 'unusual' countries recently.

probably. background checks are obviously done with these applications and they have to be thorough. I hope something happens for you though - to think i freaked out after not having my NOAs after two or three weeks!

[epsonderby 85]

probably. background checks are obviously done with these applications and they have to be thorough. I hope something happens for you though - to think i freaked out after not having my NOAs after two or three weeks!

It would just be nice to have an NOA or even a text message to know the case has been closed at the NBC and sent to the local office ready for interview. That way a wait of a few weeks is ok as you know the reason. A pipe dream perhaps? Definitely something I'll recommend when this process is over for me.

Transparency is something certain departments of the US Government could work on...

[iaia 8]

I just want to make it clear that I'm never pissy with them. I do challenge them when they insist on contradicting policy and guidelines, although always in a polite and constructive manner in order to better understand their position.

I'm trying to follow people in a similar position to myself: VWP, concurrent filing and a relatively long wait from biometrics. All other filers aren't really going to be similar to myself as I don't need police clearance from the UK to use the VWP, but I understand that those on B-2 and other types of non-immigrant visas do during their interview for the non-immigrant visa. It's a theory I have as to why mine my be taking a little longer, as well as having lived in some 'unusual' countries recently.

Since you have a job offer, did you thought about expediting your EAD? for what I read here, you can with a job offer. Search the forum, a lot of people did it already and went well

[iaia 8]

It would just be nice to have an NOA or even a text message to know the case has been closed at the NBC and sent to the local office ready for interview. That way a wait of a few weeks is ok as you know the reason. A pipe dream perhaps? Definitely something I'll recommend when this process is over for me.

Transparency is something certain departments of the US Government could work on...

I just hope I have some sort of answer before Thanksgiving...the next holiday. Since there is going to be a 3 days vacation for everyone (and Sean's family is going to come to Chicago)

[akihon 129]

It would just be nice to have an NOA or even a text message to know the case has been closed at the NBC and sent to the local office ready for interview. That way a wait of a few weeks is ok as you know the reason. A pipe dream perhaps? Definitely something I'll recommend when this process is over for me.

Transparency is something certain departments of the US Government could work on...

I rather they work on efficiency first. that way, at least the USCIS Case status tracker would be updated faster.

[iaia 8]

Then vote for Romney, hahahahah

[epsonderby 85]

Since you have a job offer, did you thought about expediting your EAD? for what I read here, you can with a job offer. Search the forum, a lot of people did it already and went well

I've pondered it, Iaia. I've already looked around and considered it. I just wonder if I have a good enough reason. The job offer isn't going to be rescinded any time soon, I'm not under any undue financial stress or have any humanitarian grounds. I would rather leave the expediting for those with real need right now. Ask me again in a week though...

[epsonderby 85]

I rather they work on efficiency first. that way, at least the USCIS Case status tracker would be updated faster.

I would argue that it's the least they could do for the $1490 I've thrown at them. At least they could upgrade the online portal - most people are online these days and I doubt it would take much to make it a little more interactive; the ability to send questions from your account, to find local processing information more easily and to provide a bit more information about how the money is spent - where does my $1490 go?

I watched the debate the other evening and I'm a conservative, but even Romney makes my skin crawl - he's like an oil salesman...

[iaia 8]

I watched the debate because I didn't had a choice...I don't fully agree with any parties here but if I had to vote in November, I'll go with Romney