Expedite....Timing and Process (Using an attorney)

[Sheri&Rich 25]

Hi All,

I don't want to be classed as impatient but I (as everybody else is) getting mentally tired of the wait between NOA1 and NOA2. I am using a US immigration attorney (which charged me a small fortune and I subsequently found out on here I didn't need) and my NOA1 is dated 30th January some 113 days ago. I am the beneficiary and I am also self certifying rather than using the I-134.

My question is, I have read people contacting their senators, local office etc etc in an attempt to expedite their application and wanted to find out IF I should be pushing my attorney NOW to try and get some action? I stress, I am well aware of the 5 month processing time and hit 4 months on Friday this week. I also am aware of the restraints of acting 'early' and what this can present but I need to ensure that I am as prepared as possible to act at the correct time if the NOA 2 goes beyond 30th June and the published 5 months processing time.

This forum is a wealth of knowledge and hoping someone on here has been in a similar situation.

Best

Rich

[BOS_LHR 829]

You can request an expedite at USCIS if you meet criteria described here: http://www.uscis.gov/forms/expedite-criteria

I was caught in the I-130 backlog last year and contacted all my elected officials, wrote letters to USCIS, etc. None of it amounted to anything, although I felt somewhat better for having done all that I could. Even as we stretched beyond the officially stated goal processing times, USCIS refused to take action and simply said processing was delayed for reasons unrelated to our case, blah blah etc. No action taken, no reasons given. It's unlikely that your attorney or representatives will be able to do anything for you if you don't meet expedite criteria.

[Boiler 46,125]

What would be the basis of your expedite?

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

In my experience of reading VJ a long time, a congressional office can inquire on your behalf and they will be answered within days. But the answer is often "within normal processing times" or "our processing times are currently 6-8 months" or "currently awaiting adjudication". They can't move you to the front of the line. In a case where you were way past by many months,,,maybe all of Feb, March, and April were done, they might shake a "lost" file loose because your file would be looked for.

[Sheri&Rich 25]

Thank you for the replies. I guessed that the answers would probably be along those lines. I will probably just send an email to the attorney with roughly a week to go before the 5 month processing time and leave it up to her to try and surprise me

Best

Rich

What would be the basis of your expedite?

No reason other than potentially passing the published 5 month processing time.

Rich

[BOS_LHR 829]

Thank you for the replies. I guessed that the answers would probably be along those lines. I will probably just send an email to the attorney with roughly a week to go before the 5 month processing time and leave it up to her to try and surprise me

Best

Rich

No reason other than potentially passing the published 5 month processing time.

Rich

You can file a service request (https://egov.uscis.gov/e-request/Intro.do) for a case outside normal processing times, but they request you wait 6 months before doing so. I haven't actually seen this method work to get someone's case bumped to the front of the line, but the option is there to try. Best of luck.

[Sheri&Rich 25]

You can file a service request (https://egov.uscis.gov/e-request/Intro.do) for a case outside normal processing times, but they request you wait 6 months before doing so. I haven't actually seen this method work to get someone's case bumped to the front of the line, but the option is there to try. Best of luck.

Thank you.

Lets see if I actually need to do this anyway and if I do then the attorney can earn her fee.......

Best

Rich

[Kiwinyc 62]

I think your energy and frustration and £££ may be better redirected at wrapping up things in the UK. I know the wait is frustrating - we've been there - its worse because its completely out of your control. When our case was delayed last year due to a transfer in Service Centers (From VSC to TSC) there were people left, right and centre contacting Congressmen, Senators, what have you.... Maybe it helped them feel better but I didn't see anybody get their case speeded up. Everybodys cases ended up being squeezed out of the grinder at roughly the same time (7 months until Approval for us, whereas CSC Approvals were flying out) and you just have to roll with it and direct your energy into things you CAN control. It does seem to be faster this year. Can you go visit your fiancee and spend some time together if you're missing each other?

[Sheri&Rich 25]

I think your energy and frustration and £££ may be better redirected at wrapping up things in the UK. I know the wait is frustrating - we've been there - its worse because its completely out of your control. When our case was delayed last year due to a transfer in Service Centers (From VSC to TSC) there were people left, right and centre contacting Congressmen, Senators, what have you.... Maybe it helped them feel better but I didn't see anybody get their case speeded up. Everybodys cases ended up being squeezed out of the grinder at roughly the same time (7 months until Approval for us, whereas CSC Approvals were flying out) and you just have to roll with it and direct your energy into things you CAN control. It does seem to be faster this year. Can you go visit your fiancee and spend some time together if you're missing each other?

My other half came here to the UK in April so it's not been long since we last saw each other. The opening question was based on going beyond 5 months and the options thereafter.

Rich

[Kiwinyc 62]

My other half came here to the UK in April so it's not been long since we last saw each other. The opening question was based on going beyond 5 months and the options thereafter.

Rich

The options are really: keep waiting. The only criteria for expedition involves proving undue financial hardship caused by the delay - is this the case for you?

[leilabird 18]

USCIS expedited my case today and told me to wait 48hours to get adjudicated.

I'm a victim of domestic violence. I filed for VAWA abused spouse of US citizen.

The reason for my expedition was that:

I lost my career, child, family and home due to my ex's abuse. I have been staying at the shelter for the victims of domestic violence for 2 years.

Th USCIS find my case extreme humanitarian issue.

There's a certain criteria like this that you may fit into in order to expedite your decision.

My attorney said USCIS expedites the case when the alien is going thru true hardship. If not then you should wait just like everybody else. Immigration process takes very long anyway.

[Sheri&Rich 25]

The options are really: keep waiting. The only criteria for expedition involves proving undue financial hardship caused by the delay - is this the case for you?

No, thankfully it's not the case for me

[leilabird 18]

No, thankfully it's not the case for me [/quote

Then you should be patient. You're not the only one waiting. Everybody is waiting and frustrated. Expedite scam doesn't go very well.

[Novembro 1,763]

In my experience of reading VJ a long time, a congressional office can inquire on your behalf and they will be answered within days. But the answer is often "within normal processing times" or "our processing times are currently 6-8 months" or "currently awaiting adjudication". They can't move you to the front of the line. In a case where you were way past by many months,,,maybe all of Feb, March, and April were done, they might shake a "lost" file loose because your file would be looked for.

This is exactly what we got.

It made me feel worse than the actual waiting. Wouldn't recommend it unless you have an unusual case.

[Sheri&Rich 25]

No, thankfully it's not the case for me [/quote

Then you should be patient. You're not the only one waiting. Everybody is waiting and frustrated. Expedite scam doesn't go very well.

Might be an idea if you read the opening post a little more carefully.