August 2014 Interviews

[BOS_LHR 829]

I took time off work this morning to bring my husband to the social security office because he hasn't received his card in the mail yet, despite opting in for it on the DS-260 and going through POE three weeks ago. In keeping with tradition, nothing can be easy or work the way it's supposed to. Turns out the Department of Homeland Security entered his name into the system incorrectly, so the SSA can't issue him a card until his name is corrected with DHS. Now I'm at work 2.5 hours late and get to look up what the process is to fix this ridiculous, unnecessary fk-up. Our paperwork was filled out flawlessly. They must have his name on record on half a dozen forms. How could they not enter it properly?!

[LifeOnHold 186]

UPDATE! image.jpg

Oh thank goodness!!! Thanks for the update!

Thanks lifeonhold! VJmembers have been a great support for us!

At the embassy the lady told me some portuguese had to come back this week because they couldnt access the ds260 last week! She was a bit embarrassed... But I am really glad it finally worked out! Hope the visa won't be delayed too much. Is your ceac status still at "ready"?

The girl who interviewed me was young, brunette, probably with Asian origins. She was nice but her French was a bit tough to understand!

Thanks a lot! I hope the visa won't be delayed for too long, but it's a real relief. The interview was really quick and all the proofs I prepared were useless! I'm happy you are already in the US, enjoy it!!

Thanks a lot for the update! This is good news!

It still says "Ready" since the 22nd, which is the last date that it was accessed (interview date). Now we wait... Some more.

The girl who interviewed us did it all in English. Really young looking however.

[bdrew612 1,071]

I took time off work this morning to bring my husband to the social security office because he hasn't received his card in the mail yet, despite opting in for it on the DS-260 and going through POE three weeks ago. In keeping with tradition, nothing can be easy or work the way it's supposed to. Turns out the Department of Homeland Security entered his name into the system incorrectly, so the SSA can't issue him a card until his name is corrected with DHS. Now I'm at work 2.5 hours late and get to look up what the process is to fix this ridiculous, unnecessary fk-up. Our paperwork was filled out flawlessly. They must have his name on record on half a dozen forms. How could they not enter it properly?!

Good lord. Does this mean his green card might have his name spelled incorrectly? Or is there likely to be another delay there because of that?

[lucybelle 453]

I took time off work this morning to bring my husband to the social security office because he hasn't received his card in the mail yet, despite opting in for it on the DS-260 and going through POE three weeks ago. In keeping with tradition, nothing can be easy or work the way it's supposed to. Turns out the Department of Homeland Security entered his name into the system incorrectly, so the SSA can't issue him a card until his name is corrected with DHS. Now I'm at work 2.5 hours late and get to look up what the process is to fix this ridiculous, unnecessary fk-up. Our paperwork was filled out flawlessly. They must have his name on record on half a dozen forms. How could they not enter it properly?!

Ugh I'm so sorry! Turns out my husband's name is wrong as well, but it's not a huge issue. They put him having two first names instead of a first name and a middle name. It's not a big deal and we're even debating whether we want to go through the hassle to change it.

I know when we went to the office they said "if you want to change it you have to go through USCIS, or we can issue it as is" Of course I picked as is because if it were up to me I'd never deal with USCIS again!!

[LifeOnHold 186]

I took time off work this morning to bring my husband to the social security office because he hasn't received his card in the mail yet, despite opting in for it on the DS-260 and going through POE three weeks ago. In keeping with tradition, nothing can be easy or work the way it's supposed to. Turns out the Department of Homeland Security entered his name into the system incorrectly, so the SSA can't issue him a card until his name is corrected with DHS. Now I'm at work 2.5 hours late and get to look up what the process is to fix this ridiculous, unnecessary fk-up. Our paperwork was filled out flawlessly. They must have his name on record on half a dozen forms. How could they not enter it properly?!

Ugh... I'm so sorry that happened. Btw, I was reading your Blog a couple of days ago about how your adjustment and changes now that he is home. I will be experiencing that too soon so I am buckling my seat belt for the ride.

It's been nice to read some of your Blogs and experiences and honestly, no one else understands my frustrations better than all of you.

[BOS_LHR 829]

Good lord. Does this mean his green card might have his name spelled incorrectly? Or is there likely to be another delay there because of that?

Hopefully they haven't started production yet and we can get it fixed first. I need to sort out my ELIS account so I can track status for the green card. SSN is the much more pressing concern, he doesn't want to start applying to jobs or anything until he at least knows the number is on the way =\

Ugh I'm so sorry! Turns out my husband's name is wrong as well, but it's not a huge issue. They put him having two first names instead of a first name and a middle name. It's not a big deal and we're even debating whether we want to go through the hassle to change it.

I know when we went to the office they said "if you want to change it you have to go through USCIS, or we can issue it as is" Of course I picked as is because if it were up to me I'd never deal with USCIS again!!

That's what happened to us, but my husband has two middle names, and having three "first" names makes his name too long for the data entry fields. It's all so impossibly stupid. SSA advised me to call USCIS as well but I've seen Darnell recommend going to a deferred inspection point for CBP to sort it out. I have a lot of phone calls to make

Ugh... I'm so sorry that happened. Btw, I was reading your Blog a couple of days ago about how your adjustment and changes now that he is home. I will be experiencing that too soon so I am buckling my seat belt for the ride.

It's been nice to read some of your Blogs and experiences and honestly, no one else understands my frustrations better than all of you.

It really is great to still be able to share our stories with people who understand. He said "I hate this country" on our way out of the social security office this morning... feeling pretty low at work now. It's not as if bureaucracy in any country is perfect, and I'm just as sick of all the mistakes, delays, and absurdities as he is, but things like this really underscore the different angles we're coming from. It's good to be able to work out my thoughts in writing.

Sigh sigh. Thanks for hearing my rant, guys. Back to feverishly Googling and making phone calls...

[wjones4736966 8]

But we did wonder if the SSN request was in the system, or whether we needed to go into our local office.

And...it turned out that the CBP officers had NOT generated the SSN request.

Does anyone know if there is an easy way to find out whether the SSN request is in process besides going to the local Social Security office to inquire? I also checked the box on the DS-260 for my wife and her son, asking the SSA to issue a number and a card, and would like to get the cards ASAP. I'm wondering if we should just wait for a week or two after they arrive, or if we should go to the local office and ask.

[dwheels76 5,468]

My case completed on july 10th. Just got off the phone with nvc. They said they have stopped scheduling interview for august. I am so disappointed that 20 days just went down the drain :/ cant wait to see my wife.. am so stressed out

Welcome to the group. I partially added you to spreadsheet but I don;t know your country. Congratulations on the Case Complete. Don't be upset or stress. Interview assignments will start up for September next week. Only one week. Hang on.

[domwardbound 73]

Does anyone know if there is an easy way to find out whether the SSN request is in process besides going to the local Social Security office to inquire? I also checked the box on the DS-260 for my wife and her son, asking the SSA to issue a number and a card, and would like to get the cards ASAP. I'm wondering if we should just wait for a week or two after they arrive, or if we should go to the local office and ask.

Well, the best and quickest way to confirm is to go to the SSA office a week after arrival and ask. They should be able to process you at that time, if it hasn't already started. If you go before that, DHS may not even have processed everything showing they've entered as residents, so SSA would not be able to retrieve that info.

If the process works as it's supposed to and the SSA gets the info from DHS upon arrival, it could take 3 weeks after arrival to receive your card. If you wait 3 weeks, don't receive anything, and then go to the office anyway and find out nothing was started, you've set yourself back at least 2 weeks.

[domwardbound 73]

Hopefully they haven't started production yet and we can get it fixed first. I need to sort out my ELIS account so I can track status for the green card. SSN is the much more pressing concern, he doesn't want to start applying to jobs or anything until he at least knows the number is on the way =\

If applying for jobs will improve his contentment, he can and should apply for jobs, even if he doesn't have his SSN.

He has his work authorization, which is all that's necessary. They aren't required to verify his SSN until he begins work, and if he still doesn't have it, he can say that's he's applied for it and keep working. No problem.

In fact, my wife got a job offer here without even having done her interview yet.

[mmaarreekk 45]

Any interview dates today?

[wjones4736966 8]

Well, the best and quickest way to confirm is to go to the SSA office a week after arrival and ask. They should be able to process you at that time, if it hasn't already started.

Thanks - I think we'll do that. By the way, I am not happy with Pony Express. My wife and her son interviewed last Friday, so we hoped they would be able to fly here this week. He received his passport back promptly on Monday, while hers was issued (per CEAC) on Tuesday, then given to Pony Express on Wednesday. I've been tracking it on their website and it hasn't changed since yesterday morning (34 hours ago). So now it probably won't be delivered until Monday at the earliest, and another weekend is shot. She called and they couldn't tell her anything, "just wait." Sure, no problem...!

[BOS_LHR 829]

If applying for jobs will improve his contentment, he can and should apply for jobs, even if he doesn't have his SSN.

He has his work authorization, which is all that's necessary. They aren't required to verify his SSN until he begins work, and if he still doesn't have it, he can say that's he's applied for it and keep working. No problem.

In fact, my wife got a job offer here without even having done her interview yet.

Yeah, I've said as much more than once. He knows he's authorized to work, knows he doesn't need an SSN to apply. We worked on his resume together and he's started a collection of job postings he's interested in, so really he's ready to go, but he wanted this sorted before submitting applications anywhere. I'm not sure why, since being able to work immediately after arriving was one of the few things we liked about the CR1 process. Just a new thing outside his comfort zone I think, he wants T's crossed and I's dotted to make sure all is well before moving ahead.

[rajvinder kaur 6]

My medical hascompleted 18th july. I have got envelope sealed medical reports. I do not know if medical report is ok or not.

[rajvinder kaur 6]

Usa embassy Delhi did enquary to call my neighbours and asked some questions. They tell them all that marriage is real. My interview is on August 07th but embassy did inquiry before interview. Is it bad or good signals?