STILL waiting....

[Jlet 0]

Some days I want to pull my hair out this is so maddening!

We are STILL waiting for my hubby's green card. We had out interview in Feb! Lady said "Everything looks great. Expect your card in 4-8 weeks"...it's MAY and we still haven't received it. I've called, sent a request out for it being passed the processing time and yet all I get from USCIS is a vague letter saying " We are sorry for the inconvenience and do not have a time frame for processing". Grrr! Now I call today and I get "we are still processing applications from Oct 3" they have been saying that since Feb! We are mid-Nov. Hubby has been in the US for over 8 months now. He needs to fly back to NL to tie up loose ends with school, house, bank...etc. but can't leave without his card. Has anyone experienced this long of a wait before after being told they were approved?

[seth2013 39]

Yeah, I can imagine it's really frustrating. I would make an infopass appointment, and go in and talk to a real human being. If nothing else, he should be able to get a stamp in his passport that would allow him to travel.

[hmh33 117]

Infopass and/or ask your senator or congressman to intervene.

Is there a reason why he didn't file I-131 for advance parole?

[seth2013 39]

It could be he did, at my interview when the officer said my husband was approved they took his EAD/AP combo card.

[hmh33 117]

Ah, good point. They didn't take mine.

[Jlet 0]

No he didnt apply for an AP because we were worried about him being able to come back because of the emergency situation that allowed him to stay and adjust here. It would have looked bad if he was asking to adjust here based on issues with my daughter but yet wanted to return home during the process knowing her health issues at the time. So we didnt apply for one. They did not take his EAD at the interview.

My daughter has stabilized these last 2 months and now with her health not being such a huge issue he wants to return to NL and tie up all his loose ends. I've thought about making an info pass appt but every time I call USCIS they tell me "Exactly what I see here is what they will tell you at an appointment. The office is behind and needs to catch up. That is the only reason you are still waiting.".....it's so aggravating.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Why can't you use AP? it's for using. If he didn't overstay the VWP then there is no reason not to use it. You'll have to apply for it, of course, but since his biometrics are all done it might come fast.

it seems like you don't want to use AP because you think you'll get in trouble for adjusting from the VWP, but that is NOT true.

[seth2013 39]

Maybe I'm confused- did they give you an approval notice (letter) at the interview? If they did, you can get a stamp at an Infopass appointment. That's probably the fastest way to get travel authorization.

If they didn't, you can apply for an AP like Harpa suggested, and/or contact your local congressman for answers. If they're taking this long, contacting your congressman actually seems like a very good idea.

[Jlet 0]

See the way it happened was, my hubby came here and we got married. He had no intention of staying but my daughter became ill. So he didn't want to return and leave me to care for her alone. At that point we had already filed an I-130 stating he would adjust in NL. So I called USCIS and asked what our options were. The women (tier 2 person) told me he could file an AOS here but that she didnt recommend we file for an AP because he was staying due to a "medical emergency" that was to last for an extended time. She said "It might look bad if he applies to leave the country since he is staying for an emergency". So after she said that we decided not to apply for the AP assuming he would have a green card by now. Had everything worked out normally he should have had it back in March/April.

And yes I did contact my congressman two days ago. Still no word.

And no he did not over stay. He entered Sept 16 and was to exit Dec. 12 but we filed the AOS mid-Nov. when my daughter fell ill.

I mean at this point if what USCIS is telling me over the phone....That the office is behind on cases, then would making an info pass do anything? I'd hate for hubby to take off from a new job just to be told the same thing in person. Ya know?

Oh and not we did not get an approval letter, just a verbal approval. Though she did say she had to email the NVC to make sure they had out I-130 paper work (which was approved in Jan). Now I already called the NVC and had them forward it to my local office just in case. So I really dont get the hold up.

[seth2013 39]

Ok, well good that you contacted your congressman, that's the best way to get the ball rolling. But if you did get the verbal approval, then making an Infopass may not get the green card faster (or it may!!) but you could almost certainly get the passport stamp that's basically the same thing as the green card. They're usually valid for a year, and you can travel freely with it.

I understand not wanting to take off work, but if he really needs to get back for something, that's the best way to do it I think. Otherwise it's the waiting game. Weigh your options carefully and make the choice that's best for you two.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Has the online system changed to "approved?" I don't think you are approved yet... despite what she said.

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

Wow.....hard to believe it takes that long for them to print a plastic little card...I've got mine exactly 7 days (so one week) from my approval day at the interview (on the spot). I don't understand why it's taking so long for you guys...I hope by the time you read this, you have your green card! Good luck!

[fantonledzepp 159]

A lot of us are still waiting.

[bigdog 376]

Sometimes once you get a flat on the road its hard to get back in the traffic flow. Hoping and wishing the best for you.