September 2012 AOS Filers

[smashrun 10]

So all of our cases are at local offices? Impossible. That is a BS answer from the USCIS to buy more time. People who submitted long after September have already gotten their approvals through their local office (and yes I know times vary by office but that can't explain it all). Doesn't add up.

We called USCIS and submitted a service request. They said that if we did not receive the response in 15 days to call them. We did not so we called them. They informed us that the local offices are falling behind with processing cases. She thus suggested we give them 30 extra days to respond.

So,yes, they are definitely falling behind...not sure why that is happening though

[Captivated 1]

Yep - we were told the same thing. Placed the service call 15 days ago and placed another yesterday. They said they couldn't do anything until after 30 days because it was at the local office. Whatever...

Edited June 14, 2013 by Captivated

[C-ma'am 684]

I checked the processing times for Baltimore today and it said they are processing October cases, so I called USCIS. Immediately after I gave my case number, the girl said that my case is outside normal processing times and she put in a service request. I should receive correspondence by July 3rd with instructions on how to proceed.

Now, we all know the letter may just be a simple brush off; but, it's my first service request... we'll see. They confirmed that my case is at Baltimore and that they have not sent anything to me; which is the only thing that's always made me feel unease, given all the horror stories we've read about people being sent letters with interview dates and not receiving them, etc

Nothing else to do now, other than wait for their letter.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Edited June 19, 2013 by Celeste & C

[Richard and Inna 3]

Hi All,

Our receipt date for i-485 was September 25, 2012. We did an InfoPass appointment last week (in Orlando) and really didnt learn anything new. We did get confirmation that my wife's AOS file is at the NBC in Lee Summit, Missouri. Today, the District offices updated their processing dates and the Orlando office processing date for i-485's was bumped up to October 15, 2012. This is good news (I think) because now we are earlier than that date. The InfoPass rep assured us that the NBC processes by the receipt date of the district offices. We may call Customer Service later this week unless we hear something in the meantime. Either way, we'll keep our fellow September filers updated as we can. Good luck to all...

Richard and Inna

[OZ62 17]

I read this at an Immigration website. It was written by an Immigration Lawyer:

NBC Processing Times

NBC Processing Times is a bit of a misnomer in some cases, as NBC does not determine processing times for I-485 and N-400 applications, which constitute the majority of the NBC’s workload. NBC does not determine processing times for those case types because NBC does not conduct final adjudication of those cases–a USCIS Local Field Office does. So each Local USCIS Field Office determines processing times for Form I-485 and Form N-400 applications. For processing times on N-400 and I-485 applications, please check local USCIS Field Office processing times

NBC Workload and Procedure

The NBC’s largest workload is Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (the final step in the Green Card process for those who are not filing for Immigrant Visa Processing at a US Consulate overseas), and the Form N-400 Application for Naturalization. These two applications are estimated to reach well over a million cases in FY-2012.
In the Form I-485 process, an applicant must provide all initial evidence before s/he can be scheduled for interview at a local USCIS Field Office. If evidence is missing, the NBC will issue a Request for Evidence (RFE). An RFE places a hold on the I-485 application, as well as the associated applications filed with it (for example, Form I-130, Form I-765, Form I-131) until NBC receives the missing initial evidence. Missing evidence will not delay N-400 processing at the NBC. But if the missing evidence is not provided at the time of the N-400 naturalization interview in the local USCIS Field Office, the adjudication of the N-400 may be delayed, or the N-400 may be denied.

Contacting NBC

If you need to contact NBC regarding your case, please call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1-800-375-5283. The representative taking your call will send an electronic message to NBC that will be answered within 15 days. Expedite requests, for certain applications, are answered within 5 days.

---
My Take

For what I have read, the no-interview applications sit at NBC until the field office gets around to it to complete the job or do the final adjudication. If you have not received an RFE, which happens shortly, such as within a month after submitting the package or have been designated for an interview, your best bet is that your stuff is at a nice dusty cabinet at NBC. Calling ain't going to make a difference, because everyone is being told the same thing, "Wait". There are folks here at VisaJourney who are at the 11 month waiting.

"NBC does not determine processing times for I-485 and N-400 applications, which constitute the majority of the NBC’s workload. NBC does not determine processing times for those case types because NBC does not conduct final adjudication of those cases–a USCIS Local Field Office does. So each Local USCIS Field Office determines processing times for Form I-485 "

Edited June 19, 2013 by OZ62

[smashrun 10]

I think you're on the right track here OZ. It is my opinion that people get confused when they call USCIS and they say your case is at the local office rather than the NBC. I suspect that all cases are technically routed to the local office whether they physically remain at NBC or not.

It would be nice if they were more transparent about the process. While it would be great to have the green card asap, the more concerning thing for us is that this elongated process delays ROC and citizenship. Very unfair.

I read this at an Immigration website. It was written by an Immigration Lawyer:

NBC Processing Times

NBC Processing Times is a bit of a misnomer in some cases, as NBC does not determine processing times for I-485 and N-400 applications, which constitute the majority of the NBC’s workload. NBC does not determine processing times for those case types because NBC does not conduct final adjudication of those cases–a USCIS Local Field Office does. So each Local USCIS Field Office determines processing times for Form I-485 and Form N-400 applications. For processing times on N-400 and I-485 applications, please check local USCIS Field Office processing times

NBC Workload and Procedure

The NBC’s largest workload is Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (the final step in the Green Card process for those who are not filing for Immigrant Visa Processing at a US Consulate overseas), and the Form N-400 Application for Naturalization. These two applications are estimated to reach well over a million cases in FY-2012.
In the Form I-485 process, an applicant must provide all initial evidence before s/he can be scheduled for interview at a local USCIS Field Office. If evidence is missing, the NBC will issue a Request for Evidence (RFE). An RFE places a hold on the I-485 application, as well as the associated applications filed with it (for example, Form I-130, Form I-765, Form I-131) until NBC receives the missing initial evidence. Missing evidence will not delay N-400 processing at the NBC. But if the missing evidence is not provided at the time of the N-400 naturalization interview in the local USCIS Field Office, the adjudication of the N-400 may be delayed, or the N-400 may be denied.

Contacting NBC

If you need to contact NBC regarding your case, please call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1-800-375-5283. The representative taking your call will send an electronic message to NBC that will be answered within 15 days. Expedite requests, for certain applications, are answered within 5 days.

---
My Take

For what I have read, the no-interview applications sit at NBC until the field office gets around to it to complete the job or do the final adjudication. If you have not received an RFE, which happens shortly, such as within a month after submitting the package or have been designated for an interview, your best bet is that your stuff is at a nice dusty cabinet at NBC. Calling ain't going to make a difference, because everyone is being told the same thing, "Wait". There are folks here at VisaJourney who are at the 11 month waiting.

"NBC does not determine processing times for I-485 and N-400 applications, which constitute the majority of the NBC’s workload. NBC does not determine processing times for those case types because NBC does not conduct final adjudication of those cases–a USCIS Local Field Office does. So each Local USCIS Field Office determines processing times for Form I-485 "

Edited June 19, 2013 by smashrun

[GMa 1]

This is absolutely ridiculous.... I hope they have finished processing August filers and moving on September asap. If anyone reads or knows about any Sept filer that was approved any comment would be highly appreciated, I have seen already some October filer approved without interview (don't remember if they were adjusting from K1).

My local office is technically processing files from Oct 18th......ha!! ha ! haaaaaaaaaaa!!! and ha!

As Smashrun says the worse is the delay its causing regarding to ROC etc...

Anyone that received the letter of "stop bothering" has tried the Ombudsman thing? I am thinking of trying....

[agrabs 241]

In the August 2012 AOS form i haven't noticed many approvals for august lately - I know that doesn't mean anything except.....

I'M soooo tired of waiting.

Oh Yeah, My local office is processing I485 from 11-22-12 RIGHT!

Edited June 19, 2013 by agrabs

[agrabs 241]

looks like an october filer was just approved without an interview http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/436798-finally-approved-after-complaining/

Happy for them but - WTH

[agrabs 241]

Update - just got off the phone with my Senator's office and she said "NBC is expanding their office and they have new employees in training so they are a little delayed in their processing times" oh, ok! I explained to her that I was concerned I had not received any replies to the service requests I had submitted including the first one back in March and asked if she could please check to make sure our file was not misplaced when they did the change of address. She said she would check on it but I got the impression it was pretty much a waste of time.

At least I know I have done all the follow thru possible on my part at this point.

[elbear 2]

In the August 2012 AOS form i haven't noticed many approvals for august lately - I know that doesn't mean anything except.....

I'M soooo tired of waiting.

Oh Yeah, My local office is processing I485 from 11-22-12 RIGHT!

Agrabs,

...and here I thought I was the last one in August on Visajourney.com who was waiting.....just today, online, they said my card should arrive by USPS priority mail on June 20th...tomorrow! Agrabs, you surely will here in the next few days...all of the rest of us August filers are long ago processed...we just happened to be at the tail end.

I'll be watching for your celebration.

[agrabs 241]

Elbear I'm so happy for you! I have been watching the August thread hoping to see your approval!! And not completely in a selfish way -we have had similar time lines throughout the K1 and AOS process Congratulations! Enjoy!

[Kevin15238 1]

We received the following response from the Ombudsman's office:

-----------------------------

A check of USCIS systems shows that the file in question was transferred from the National Benefits Center (NBC) to the Hialeah Field Office on June 6, 2013. It will take a few days for the file to reach the field office and be received in for interview processing. You and the petitioner should be receiving an interview notice with date and time of their interview within the next thirty (30) days. If you dont receive the notice you should make an InfoPass appointment at that office.

-----------------------------------------

I filed 09-10-2012. My attorney asked this and he got replyed back. But I'm not sure that how much reliable this statement is.? Because they said something and something other happen. If you know anything about this please let me know.

Thanks,

Dr. KunaL

[Kevin15238 1]

On June-05-2012 I got reply from USCIS (NBC):-

----------------------------------------------------------------

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

USCIS National Benefits Center

P.O. Box 648005

Lee's Summit,MO 64002

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

On 04/04/2013 you, or the designated representative shown below, contacted us about your case. Some of the key information given to us at that time was the following:

Caller indicated they are:

-- Case type: -- I485. -- Filing date: -- 09/08/2012

The status of this service request is:

Based on your request we researched the status of this case. We are actively processing this case. However, we have to perform additional review on this case and this has caused a longer processing time. If you do not receive a decision or other notice of action from us within 9-12 months of this letter, please contact customer service at the number provided

___________________________________

I'm confuse in all this. Don't know which statement is reliable or which one is not.?

Thanks,

Dr. KunaL

[OZ62 17]

I personally know 2 August filers that have been approved and have received their GC. K1, Colombia. One is from Tampa, the other from Panama City (she went to Jacksonville USCIS office). Hoping for approval this month or next month.

My spouse completed 1 year 4 days ago. On the 26th is our 1yr anniversary.

On the 11th I sent a request to the DHS Ombudsman, the reply was:

---

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for the recent request for assistance that you submitted to the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman. Your submission is being reviewed to determine how our office may assist. If we are able to help, you will receive correspondence regarding the inquiry from our office within 45 business days. If our office is unable to assist, we will notify you promptly. We respectfully request that while your case is under review, you contact the Ombudsman's Office only if a new and urgent matter arises. If new and urgent circumstances arise, you should send a follow-up email to cisombudsman@hq.dhs.gov. Reference "New/Urgent Case Number xxxxxxxx" in the subject line, and describe the situation in detail.

Sincerely,

Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman
U.S. Department of Homeland Security DB1KM2TD3NC4
Washington, DC 20528-0180
Email: cisombudsman@hq.dhs.gov
Web: www.dhs.gov/cisombudsman

---

Feel a bit good, because I have not received an immediate response that they cannot help me.... But have to wait up to 45 days...

Wait... Wait... Wait...

Edited June 20, 2013 by OZ62