Ambiguous Email From USCIS?

[Villanelle 4,122]

IMO Your letter is not strong enough. From what I know about you, you are very assertive on this board. You get your point across very well. You understand immigration policy and procedure, and you are struggling a great deal. So why isnt this coming across in your letter?

You have 3 reasons for expedite. Medical, financial, USCIS error. And medical is 2 fold as it is both your health and your daughters. Your daughters health can even be classified as humanitarian reason. You need to divide your letter up into 3 sections and gather proof for each section.

Start with whichever section you feel is most important to you, or you feel will have the greatest chance of making an impact or getting approved. You started with your daughter, so Ok. Everything you listed and described about the events is great, but as you describe them, add in- 'documentation attached' or documentation of such can be provided. Or this is documented by blah blah blah. Explain how your child will benefit from returning to the US in that paragraph. Show the proposed treatment you have set-up for your child when she returns to the US, the school she will attend etc. Describe how her life will be different then it is now.

For your condition. Describe your life before coming. Explain you had treatable anxiety in the US, the treatments you were doing, the therapys you were going to, list the names of the places and the Drs, groups etcs. Explain in detail why you can not access the same services there. A statement of 'they dont follow the laws' is vague and doesnt make sense. Describe your life with out the treatments. Explain if you were to go home alone/with out your spouse, you could obtain treatment BUT because your condition has severely deteriorated and now the added stress and burden of having to care for your daughters medical condition makes it impossible for you to do on your own. Explain your husband is your primary caregiver and would be crucial to your recovery- to your future treatment. And again throw in 'documentation of this and that' when applicable.

Financially, explain that with your condition you would be unable to work. You wouldnt be able to maintain two households, one in the US and one overseas. (documentation available)

For USCIS error. Specifically point out where and what they did. If I remember you had a thread about this, where you went on about the effect this had. Tell them this. Insist that this error alone should qualify you for an expedite. It delayed you. It was their error. Clearly state- expedite guidelines state, my petition can be expedited for USCIS error and this was a USCIS error.

[The Mean Lady 604]

IMO Your letter is not strong enough. From what I know about you, you are very assertive on this board. You get your point across very well. You understand immigration policy and procedure, and you are struggling a great deal. So why isnt this coming across in your letter?

You have 3 reasons for expedite. Medical, financial, USCIS error. And medical is 2 fold as it is both your health and your daughters. Your daughters health can even be classified as humanitarian reason. You need to divide your letter up into 3 sections and gather proof for each section.

Start with whichever section you feel is most important to you, or you feel will have the greatest chance of making an impact or getting approved. You started with your daughter, so Ok. Everything you listed and described about the events is great, but as you describe them, add in- 'documentation attached' or documentation of such can be provided. Or this is documented by blah blah blah. Explain how your child will benefit from returning to the US in that paragraph. Show the proposed treatment you have set-up for your child when she returns to the US, the school she will attend etc. Describe how her life will be different then it is now.

For your condition. Describe your life before coming. Explain you had treatable anxiety in the US, the treatments you were doing, the therapys you were going to, list the names of the places and the Drs, groups etcs. Explain in detail why you can not access the same services there. A statement of 'they dont follow the laws' is vague and doesnt make sense. Describe your life with out the treatments. Explain if you were to go home alone/with out your spouse, you could obtain treatment BUT because your condition has severely deteriorated and now the added stress and burden of having to care for your daughters medical condition makes it impossible for you to do on your own. Explain your husband is your primary caregiver and would be crucial to your recovery- to your future treatment. And again throw in 'documentation of this and that' when applicable.

Financially, explain that with your condition you would be unable to work. You wouldnt be able to maintain two households, one in the US and one overseas. (documentation available)

For USCIS error. Specifically point out where and what they did. If I remember you had a thread about this, where you went on about the effect this had. Tell them this. Insist that this error alone should qualify you for an expedite. It delayed you. It was their error. Clearly state- expedite guidelines state, my petition can be expedited for USCIS error and this was a USCIS error.

The letter has already been sent, so this is a moot point, unfortunately.

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

The letter has already been sent, so this is a moot point, unfortunately.

Well if they do end up requesting evidence, I can rewrite it. Also, I've been working on a more concise letter to send to the Representative on Monday....so the suggestions are helpful.

To think we could have just AOSed. *kicks self*

[The Mean Lady 604]

Well if they do end up requesting evidence, I can rewrite it. Also, I've been working on a more concise letter to send to the Representative on Monday....so the suggestions are helpful.

To think we could have just AOSed. *kicks self*

[SAT 9,609]

What does it mean?

Dear Mrs. **********:

On behalf of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), thank you for your email, dated January 17, 2013, requesting that USCIS expedite your Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. This email has been assigned case # EM113-****.

We understand the concern that caused you to write. USCIS records show that a Service Request was created for your case on January 23, 2013. Please allow 30 days from the date of this email for the USCIS office to process your request.

We trust that this information is helpful.

Sincerely,

National Customer Service Center

jf

Is this just kind of a stock email?

And how does the government say "F you"?...

"Thank you" or "Trust me"...

[Cathi 5,755]

Flying through Target? That is creepy, because second to Ikea it is one of my favorite stores and I was just thinking yesterday how much I missed it.

I do think I need to take a break from seeing all the approvals especially after they screwed up our case, it just isn't fair and is so disheartening. It is especially disheartening when we filed the I-130 because I was finding it so difficult to live here (and we included that on the cover sheet) and it has just gotten worse and worse. We really needed that file abroad auto-expedite thing. Such is my life though, I am just really unlucky all the time.

I am sorry your case has hit so many bumps in the road. My husband's case was stuck at NVC an extra 6 weeks because of errors on their part. When I requested an expedite because of the errors, the expedite was denied .I think the denial was because at the time the expedite was reviewed by the embassy, his case had made it almost through NVC , it took about 3 weeks for the denial, and by that time the NVC had finally started to get their act in gear. Then at the interview he had an additional 10 weeks of AP. So as you can see we had our share of waiting and frustration.. I know how upsetting things can be when you know you did everything correctly only for them to make mistakes, and although we were aware AP was most likely going to be a part of his process, it was still difficult because there is no timeline for it. Try to look on the bright side, I wouldn't say you are unlucky all of the time, everyone has their share of "bad" luck. In the end the wait is so worth it, I can guarantee it!! Good luck and continue to keep us posted.

[Sarah Elle-Même 660]

Nola - I'm really hoping you'll get your expedite granted!

It's so horrible what happened to your daughter. I also had some trauma in my early childhood so it brings back very unfortunate memories reading your story. I am sure you know this already, but there are excellent child psychologists and social workers here in the US who can help her when you do return. It's true that children have fragile psyches, but they are also very resilient. I still struggle with anxiety sometimes but consider myself to be a fairly well adjusted adult all things considered. With solid support, all things are possible . I would also try to be choosy about where you send your daughter to school here because some administrations are sympathetic and others just side with the bullies.

I am really surprised you are finding it so difficult to get mental health care in DK. I lived in a socialized medicine country in Europe (though it wasn't a Nordic country) and with a student visa I was able to see a therapist once a week for FREE at my university clinic. I wasn't a permanent resident of said country, and I was still entitled to basic mental health care.

Wishing you get a resolution soon and all the best. Keep us posted.

Edited January 26, 2013 by Sarah and Adnan

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

Ok, so I called and spoke to an ISO and they said that there will be a decision within a week and they haven't looked at it yet. Is that normal?

[Villanelle 4,122]

Well they got it last Wed. The typical response time for expedites is 5-7 days. Wed-Wed is 5 days. Friday will be 7 days.

Did you ask for a service request to be put in so you can get a fax number to send in your additional evidence?

IMO when hes saying 'they havent looked at it yet' what he means is, in his system, theres nothing there. Theres not an approval, nor a denial, nor a fax number where you can send any additional evidence in. Doesnt necessarily mean nobodys looked at it yet, just means no action has been taken on it yet. Kind of the same thing, but slightly different.

You want them to take action on it. A service request is basically the phone center 'pinging' them. Being like hey whats going on with x case. They dont allow 'pings' unless your outside the normal processing time because then everyone would be pinging them all the time. The normal processing time for an expedite is 5-7 days. So IMO youre at 5 days, you should be allowed to ping them. If they wont let you 'ping' them today, then by Friday, the 7th day, you definitely should be able to ping them.

They would ping them, someone would (hopefully) answer the phone center with a RFE. The phone center would then be able to give you the fax number to submit your evidence.

I would call back again and ask for the service request. Because it seems like they kind of blew you off and were like, well theres nothing here yet... wait another week and see if they approve/deny or request anything.

Be firm. Tell them "I submitted an expedite request 5 days ago. It should have gotten denied or a request for my additional evidence with in 5 days (since this is the 5th day) of my submission of it. so Ill hold while you submit a service request."

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

The thing is when I originally placed the request with the ISO he did say two weeks and when I called back a week later she said two weeks is their normal timeframe. I did ask if there was a fax number and did tell her that I received no request for evidence, but alas still nope. She said at 2 weeks if there was nothing to call back. She was just soo sweet and I so wanted to believe her.

I'll see if calling them tomorrow with what you've suggested works. I too get the feeling that it has probably just been blown off, but after screaming at the CSR to get to an ISO, I wasn't in a mood to argue again.

Perhaps you know, but the Senator's aid said that she was submitting an inquiry yesterday. Does that automatically do anything to prompt them to work on the case or is it just sort of meaningless?

[hikergirl 277]

It is disheartening to see all of the approvals coming in for people who applied after the stupid Field Office received our response to their erroneous NOID.

Hubby is frustrated and has decided that he will contact his senator or representative if our next InfoPass doesn’t pan out.

I hope we see some movement on our cases very very soon!

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

It is disheartening to see all of the approvals coming in for people who applied after the stupid Field Office received our response to their erroneous NOID.

Hubby is frustrated and has decided that he will contact his senator or representative if our next InfoPass doesn’t pan out.

I hope we see some movement on our cases very very soon!

If you don't get movement I would definitely contact them. You are just beyond far outside the processing time frames for a NOID or RFE.

I wonder if Charleston is like how we figured Hartford to be, with less than one person working I-130s.

[MeredythB 38]

It is disheartening to see all of the approvals coming in for people who applied after the stupid Field Office received our response to their erroneous NOID.

Hubby is frustrated and has decided that he will contact his senator or representative if our next InfoPass doesn’t pan out.

I hope we see some movement on our cases very very soon!

I am so sorry that you are having to deal with what ISN'T and SHOULDN'T have been an issue to begin with. As a person who worked for a government agency in Charleston, SC, I can only tell you that it is going to be very hit and miss. I worked with some very dedicated, focused, and exceptional people and at the same time, had others in my building that were so awful that I couldn't comprehend how they managed to keep their positions. SC got hit with a nasty hiring freeze in 2008 that they are just now coming out of. Our agency was barred for several years from hiring, even though we were understaffed by nearly 60 personnel. Sending you good thoughts for a successful (and timely) outcome!

Edited February 1, 2013 by MeredythB

[Villanelle 4,122]

The thing is when I originally placed the request with the ISO he did say two weeks and when I called back a week later she said two weeks is their normal timeframe. I did ask if there was a fax number and did tell her that I received no request for evidence, but alas still nope. She said at 2 weeks if there was nothing to call back. She was just soo sweet and I so wanted to believe her.

I'll see if calling them tomorrow with what you've suggested works. I too get the feeling that it has probably just been blown off, but after screaming at the CSR to get to an ISO, I wasn't in a mood to argue again.

Perhaps you know, but the Senator's aid said that she was submitting an inquiry yesterday. Does that automatically do anything to prompt them to work on the case or is it just sort of meaningless?

When a senators aide submits an inquiry what happens is- (generally speaking) the aide contacts their liaison at USCIS to say hey whats going on with this case. So its a 'ping'. The liaison would contact the expedite team to ask for the status and the expedite team would hopefully look at it and say oh yeah this one we didnt look at yet, lets look now, yup it needs evidence heres the number to fax it to, or its approved or denied. Or they could just answer the liaison with- sorry we havent looked at it yet, tell the person asking wait another week till we look. (they can technically answer your phone center service request ping with the same answer)

I know its incredibly stressful trying to 'ping' them. Its even harder when you have an exasperating condition. (I have a similar condition) But if you want an answer sooner you need to do it.

You can 'ping' through the liaison and through the phone center. (the phone center is going to 'discourage you' from 'pinging' MSC/the expediting team/USCIS in general does not want to be 'pinged' even when people are eligible to be pinging them. so they will always tell you to wait)

If youre more comfortable and it suits your stress levels better to just use the liaison to ping them, then do that.

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

Well here goes after my Senator's aid's response today and an ISO call:

I-130

Oct-5-2012 Got married in Denmark

Nov 1 2012 - Mailed I-130 with foreign address

Nov 8 2012 NOA1 Presumed by thousands of surrounding cases with same date

Nov 13 2012 - NOA1 Email MSC#, so NBC

No NOA1 paper received

Dec 10 2012 - Spoke to ISO, foreign addresses are iffy and our case is still at NBC and hasn't been transferred to a field office, put in an address change online for the petitioner as requested

Dec 15 2012 - Received 2 copies of paper confirmation of petitioner's address change to American address that was done on Dec 10

Dec 17 2012 - Touch

Jan 17 2013 - Contacted Senator, filed an medical expedite request with USCIS via email

Jan 22 2013 Response back from Senator - problem is that USCIS messed up our addresses and listed us both as being in America

Jan 23 2013 Fixed beneficiary's address back to Denmark with ISO phone call, but not petitioner's Filed another expedite on phone with ISO, case is still at NBC

Jan 23 2013 Sent letter to NBC formally requesting that they change both the petitioner and beneficiary's address back to Denmark and assign the Embassy as Stockholm

Jan 23 2013 Transferred to Hartford Field Office

Jan 25 2013 Email stating 30 days for processing expedite request, no decision yet and no one has looked at it

Jan 30 2013 ISO a week more to process expedite says case definitely not at a field office

Jan 31 2013 Second Congressional inquiry

Feb 5 2013 Response from Senator - they haven't changed beneficiary's address and case sent to Hartford

Feb 5 2013 Call to ISO - says the priority date on the expedite is Feb 7, she is adding more notes for Hartford to look at it and emphasis that I am not in the country and to try and expedite more so, put in an immediate address change for beneficiary

So, we've been sent to Hartford on January 23. Oddly enough, the same day I called for the expedite. Magical.

No one has looked at the expedite yet, but the ISO agreed to add more information, mostly about my daughter to it. I think she was putting in a service request and said she was going to try and get Hartford to expedite it. She seemed more interested than the original expedite ISO.

So, basically our expedite was not looked at because the case was in transit to Hartford.