Background check AFTER NOA2?

[orangeandmarc 0]

Hello Everyone!

I am scouring the forums but I haven't found anything sufficient to answer my question. We received the NOA2 on May 15th, but on June 10th, we received a message from USCIS saying that our case is under "Initial Review" and they are initiating a background check. Why are they just doing the background check AFTER we got approved? Shouldn't they have done that BEFORE they approved us? What does it mean? How long do these things usually take? What should I do?

Any information would help! Thank you.

Edited June 26, 2013 by orangeandmarc

[TBoneTX 46,347]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the Case Progress subforum. ***

[orangeandmarc 0]

So no one is able to help me?

[Azsara 110]

hey and welcome!

This is indeed rather odd, in what way were u notified of your NOA2? and also what kind of message saying your under initial review? Do u mean ur case status is showing initial review on the USCIS page? Many times the website wont update and it is possible that its still showing as Intial Review even though u have received NOA2 hard copy. Did the website ever change to reflect Post Decision?

[orangeandmarc 0]

Hi aszara!

I received my NOA2 both through email and hard copy. It said 'post decision activity' on my emailed NOA2, but now it's back to 'initial review'. It says 'During this step, USCIS initiates the background checks of the applicant/petitioner and identifies issues that may need to be addressed either during an interview or by asking the applicant/petitioner to submit additional information or documentation. USCIS reviews the applicant's/petitioner's criminal history, determines if there are national security concerns that need to be addressed, and reviews the application/petition for fraud indicators.'

I have no reason to believe that I nor my fiancé have any criminal record, nor did we ever participated in any terrorist activity. I don't understand why they would put us back.

[orangeandmarc 0]

It can't be fraud either because we lived together for 8 months in Barcelona before I moved back to America and started this whole process.

[Azsara 110]

Hi aszara!

I received my NOA2 both through email and hard copy. It said 'post decision activity' on my emailed NOA2, but now it's back to 'initial review'. It says 'During this step, USCIS initiates the background checks of the applicant/petitioner and identifies issues that may need to be addressed either during an interview or by asking the applicant/petitioner to submit additional information or documentation. USCIS reviews the applicant's/petitioner's criminal history, determines if there are national security concerns that need to be addressed, and reviews the application/petition for fraud indicators.'

I have no reason to believe that I nor my fiancé have any criminal record, nor did we ever participated in any terrorist activity. I don't understand why they would put us back.

When you say it said post decision activity on your emailed NOA2...did it ever say post-decision activity on the actual website, where it now says intial review? Have u ever seen it say post decision when u enter ur tracking number?

[orangeandmarc 0]

To tell you the truth, I don't really check the website often. I rely on the updates via email.

I actually just got off the phone right now, and they told me that my petition is still approved. But maybe someone saw before it was going to be sent to NVC that something was not done, maybe a junior officer didn't do something and now they are going through it. It's ridiculous! Wait 30 days and call again. I said that in 30 days, it will be more than 2 months from the time my petition was approved! So frustrating!