E-Response: Security Check pending - how long to noa2?

[Wait4ever? 50]

The worst part is that because security checks are done by another agency and not USCIS - there is no time limit how long it could take. And there is nothing politicians can do at this point.

[bmorgan 11]

Yeah I just called and waited for a tier 2… the lady was very rude to me. This waiting is really making me angry. Last week I heard from my congressman that….Your case was assigned to an officer and is now going through the required security clearance. These are done in a separate office, and thus may extend their initial estimated timeline of 30-45 days. I will check back with the TSC in 2 weeks for another status check.

And those 45 days are up tomorrow. I just am starting to get so depressed over this whole process, I had high hopes it was going to be much easier and smoother than this!

[Wait4ever? 50]

Yeah I just called and waited for a tier 2… the lady was very rude to me. This waiting is really making me angry. Last week I heard from my congressman that….Your case was assigned to an officer and is now going through the required security clearance. These are done in a separate office, and thus may extend their initial estimated timeline of 30-45 days. I will check back with the TSC in 2 weeks for another status check.

And those 45 days are up tomorrow. I just am starting to get so depressed over this whole process, I had high hopes it was going to be much easier and smoother than this!

I can totally relate...very frustrating.

[kion2412 3]

Yeah I just called and waited for a tier 2… the lady was very rude to me. This waiting is really making me angry. Last week I heard from my congressman that….Your case was assigned to an officer and is now going through the required security clearance. These are done in a separate office, and thus may extend their initial estimated timeline of 30-45 days. I will check back with the TSC in 2 weeks for another status check.

And those 45 days are up tomorrow. I just am starting to get so depressed over this whole process, I had high hopes it was going to be much easier and smoother than this!

I can totally relate...very frustrating.

same here...

[LaurenandCarl 16]

Just received notice from our senator that our case is also pending security checks.

Absolutely no idea why.....

.....185 days and counting. :-(

[kion2412 3]

Same here. They did another service request for me today. I also heard back from my senator and congresswoman: they both got responses back from TSC that my case is still pending security checks and due to this status they cannot provide any date. I also filed a case with CIS Ombudsman.

Have you received any feedback from CIS Ombudsman? I've filed today - just wounder how quick they are to answer...

[PrincessButtercup 4]

Hi, March 3th was the day when we sent req now im waiting noa2 since then will be 5 months this coming August 1 I haven't any negative response I did call few days Ago they said case has not being processed yet they are processing December cases. ???? Any one knows if I can use my b1 visa to go and visit my fiancé and no problem while I wait case being processed ? Please let me know new in this forum

Yup! My fiance came for my brother's wedding without a problem. It actually states that you can use a B2 visa to meet your fiance's family, formally propose, make wedding plans, or "renew" a relationship- whatever that means. We were all prepared from him to answer all sorts of questions and he had an invititation to the wedding, pay stubs, letters from his employer in the UK stating his intent to return, and a UK bank statement. He cleared customs in Dublin, and they saw the B visa and let him straight through. My guess is we got lucky and it's not always that easy but you definitiely are allowed!

[Wait4ever? 50]

Have you received any feedback from CIS Ombudsman? I've filed today - just wounder how quick they are to answer...

No response from them yet. The automatic email that I received from them stated that I should hear back within 45 days.

It's been 10 days, so I will follow up with them after lunch.

[Wait4ever? 50]

I've send email to Mr. Neufeld, who is the associate director for Service Center Operations who oversees all activities at the four USCIS service centers, on August 6th. In my email I explained my situation and that I've been on processing hold due to pending security checks since July 3rd.

Today I got a response from TSC (he forwarded my email to them the same day - August 6th):

We have placed your case on a processing hold because the required security checks remain pending. Until we receive the results of these security checks, we cannot move forward on your case. We require the results of security checks before we make a decision on any pending case.

We cannot predict when we will receive the results of these security checks. Please be assured that we will make every effort to make a decision in your case as soon as the security checks are complete.

We hope this information is helpful to you.

Thank you,

XM1331

I am SO frustrated and VERY MAD at that response. I can't even imagine how you feel since you've been waiting one month longer than me kion2412.

[LaurenandCarl 16]

I've send email to Mr. Neufeld, who is the associate director for Service Center Operations who oversees all activities at the four USCIS service centers, on August 6th. In my email I explained my situation and that I've been on processing hold due to pending security checks since July 3rd.

Today I got a response from TSC (he forwarded my email to them the same day - August 6th):

We have placed your case on a processing hold because the required security checks remain pending. Until we receive the results of these security checks, we cannot move forward on your case. We require the results of security checks before we make a decision on any pending case.

We cannot predict when we will receive the results of these security checks. Please be assured that we will make every effort to make a decision in your case as soon as the security checks are complete.

We hope this information is helpful to you.

Thank you,

XM1331

I am SO frustrated and VERY MAD at that response. I can't even imagine how you feel since you've been waiting one month longer than me kion2412.

I was reading something earlier about the FBI name check on the FBI website, it said most security checks take 48-72hrs to complete, but some are manually processed if they find some sort of "hit".

Apparently most of the manual processing is the FBI waiting for the correct documents if they're not available on their online database (Docs have to be packed and sent to office from one of the other FBI offices). They said that most "hits" or whatever term they used are not often serious, apparently only 1% are, so it really is probably nothing to do with our lives, we're just unlucky on this!

Not that it will make you feel any better, but I'm guessing that's why they can't give us any sort of timeline.

I read something elsewhere too that any sort of involvement in something, whether you're a witness etc could flag someone. Don't quote me though, that might be security checks for Green Cards - i'm not sure if it's different for K-1! We can just make assumptions :-)

EDIT: Just found this. (from a law firm http://www.jackson-hertogs.com/?page_id=5443) - maybe if you have a persistent Senator/Congress person???

"How can I find out the status of my security check?

USCIS does not share information about the records match or the nature or status of any investigation with applicants or their representatives. However, you can contact your congressional representative to inquire on your behalf on long pending security checks. Any congressional inquiry must be initiated by the applicant."

Edited August 14, 2014 by LaurenandCarl

[Wait4ever? 50]

I was reading something earlier about the FBI name check on the FBI website, it said most security checks take 48-72hrs to complete, but some are manually processed if they find some sort of "hit".

Apparently most of the manual processing is the FBI waiting for the correct documents if they're not available on their online database (Docs have to be packed and sent to office from one of the other FBI offices). They said that most "hits" or whatever term they used are not often serious, apparently only 1% are, so it really is probably nothing to do with our lives, we're just unlucky on this!

Not that it will make you feel any better, but I'm guessing that's why they can't give us any sort of timeline.

I read something elsewhere too that any sort of involvement in something, whether you're a witness etc could flag someone. Don't quote me though, that might be security checks for Green Cards - i'm not sure if it's different for K-1! We can just make assumptions :-)

EDIT: Just found this. (from a law firm http://www.jackson-hertogs.com/?page_id=5443) - maybe if you have a persistent Senator/Congress person???

"How can I find out the status of my security check?

USCIS does not share information about the records match or the nature or status of any investigation with applicants or their representatives. However, you can contact your congressional representative to inquire on your behalf on long pending security checks. Any congressional inquiry must be initiated by the applicant."

Wait4Ever?, on 14 Aug 2014 - 12:28PM , said:

I had both my senators and a congresswoman check wit TSC - they all replied that there is nothing they can do because my case is waiting for security check. Doesn't hurt to try again, but I think I know the answer I am going to get....

Edited August 14, 2014 by Wait4ever?

[LaurenandCarl 16]

I don't know whether you could ask them to check the nature of the security check? What outside agency? It it's the FBI, could your congressional representative go direct to them?

Might be too optimistic, but it's worth trying, nothing to lose! I'll try the same approach if we don't hear back within a week.

Edit: Maybe try calling your representative? Explain this is a K-1 visa, not a green card, it just allows you to marry in the US. Security checks should not be this thorough, I can understand at the Green card etc level.

It might spur them on a bit more! Who knows!

Edited August 14, 2014 by LaurenandCarl

[Wait4ever? 50]

I don't know whether you could ask them to check the nature of the security check? What outside agency? It it's the FBI, could your congressional representative go direct to them?

Might be too optimistic, but it's worth trying, nothing to lose! I'll try the same approach if we don't hear back within a week.

Just got off the phone with my congresswoman's office. Explained the situation (by the way thank you very much for the link!!!!) and she is going to do another inquiry specifically about long pending security check. She told me that it is highly unlikely that we will ever find out why additional security check was triggered.

My fiance had his name checked through Interpol (through one of his friends). There are multiple hits on his last name, but not on his first and last name. Really not sure at this point why it's taking so long...He's also traveled to US before and went through background checks to get his visa without an issue...never overstayed...no arrests...not a witness to any crimes/cases, etc....just a couple of speeding tickets...that's it.

[Wait4ever? 50]

Have you received any feedback from CIS Ombudsman? I've filed today - just wounder how quick they are to answer...

Just called the toll free number provided in their automatic reply. There is no one available to answer live, but there is an option to leave a message (which I did) and they would call back the next day.

[LaurenandCarl 16]

Just got off the phone with my congresswoman's office. Explained the situation (by the way thank you very much for the link!!!!) and she is going to do another inquiry specifically about long pending security check. She told me that it is highly unlikely that we will ever find out why additional security check was triggered.

My fiance had his name checked through Interpol (through one of his friends). There are multiple hits on his last name, but not on his first and last name. Really not sure at this point why it's taking so long...He's also traveled to US before and went through background checks to get his visa without an issue...never overstayed...no arrests...not a witness to any crimes/cases, etc....just a couple of speeding tickets...that's it.

Great news!! Hopefully you'll hear something more positive :-) And no problem! Here's the FBI one too (would have posted it but link won't show!)

Oooo, that's lucky you had the opportunity to do that! Pretty much exactly the same with my fiancé too, we'll do the same and pester people for information.

Let us know when you hear something!

Edited August 14, 2014 by LaurenandCarl