Getting Worried

[Ninhydrin 0]

Hi, this is my first time posting here, everything had been going fairly well up until now. My husband and I sent in our I-485 in November of '05, we didn't get an interview until August of '06, and here it is the end of Feb. '07 and still nothing! All that USCIS can tell us so far is that it is actively being processed in Missouri and someone will contact me within 30 days to let me know why it's taking so long. To make matters worse, we (stupidly) assumed that he would have our approval by now, so we did not reapply for another work permit, which expires in less than 20 days. There is no way my husband can stop working, we have two kids and plenty of bills to pay. Sorry for the breathless nature of this post but I'm starting to freak out! Any experiences to share or advice would be welcome.

-Jules

[Miranda&James 8]

Did they tell you that you were stuck in namecheck because that sounds exactly like what has happened. If that is the truth there isn't anything they can do, just tell you in 30 days you are still stuck in it and you'll have to wait till it gets finished by the FBI. You need to submit that EAD renewal ASAP or else your husband will have to stop working. I dunno if employers are allowed to let you work for 90 days if you show them the NOA1 (seems like I might have heard this but DEFINITELY check to be sure if I'm right, I could be totally wrong) or if in 20 days he will have to stop working until the EAD goes through, but don't count on a greencard coming in the next 20 days!

[Dr_LHA 3]

Firstly make an infopass appointment to find out the status of your husband's case.

Secondly apply for the EAD if you find out you'll have to wait. It will take about 90 days. In the meantime your husband should continue to work if he can. One of two things can happen:

1) The employer is on the ball and asks your husband for his new EAD. When he can't show it, the employer will terminate his employmet.

2) The employer hasn't got a clue about EADs and your husband continues to work normally.

My advice, and this might be controversial around here, is if option 2 arises, take it. Your husband should not quit his job unless he is forced to. Un-authorised work is forgiven when you get your green card, so the consequences of working without a valid EAD are most likely nothing. The consequences on your family of him not working will probably be much worse.

[pnd629 0]

I noticed you are in San Diego. Why not make an Infopass appointment? There is a place in Chula Vista.

Hopefully they will be able to tell you about the delay.

Good luck!

[annbobcronch3000 0]

Hi, this is my first time posting here, everything had been going fairly well up until now. My husband and I sent in our I-485 in November of '05, we didn't get an interview until August of '06, and here it is the end of Feb. '07 and still nothing! All that USCIS can tell us so far is that it is actively being processed in Missouri and someone will contact me within 30 days to let me know why it's taking so long. To make matters worse, we (stupidly) assumed that he would have our approval by now, so we did not reapply for another work permit, which expires in less than 20 days. There is no way my husband can stop working, we have two kids and plenty of bills to pay. Sorry for the breathless nature of this post but I'm starting to freak out! Any experiences to share or advice would be welcome.

-Jules

Hi! I just read your message tonight, I'm wondering if you recieve any progress in your I-485 application or if you already recieved your green. It seems that we were on the same boat. My case is the same, I had my interview for AOS last Sept. 1, 2006 and we also applied for Advance Parole and EAD but during our interview the immigration officer told me and my husband that we've been approved and she will not gave us the EAD and advance parole permit anymore since our greencard will arrive next 2 weeks after our interview. But its been six months already but no green card. I signed up for updates on my application online but still the same thing is written there that our application has been processed in Missouri Service Center (which also known as NATIONAL BENIFITS CENTER). So now what we did is that we made an infopass which will be this coming March 15,2007. We tried to call up the USCIS but stil the same answer we just need to "WAIT". I'm just hoping and praying that they can give us answers to all our questions. It's really frustrating isn't it?

I wish you goodluck cause i know how you feel guys. Hope you will tell us the progress of you case. Thanks and Goodluck.

ann/bob

[Ninhydrin 0]

Hi, this is my first time posting here, everything had been going fairly well up until now. My husband and I sent in our I-485 in November of '05, we didn't get an interview until August of '06, and here it is the end of Feb. '07 and still nothing! All that USCIS can tell us so far is that it is actively being processed in Missouri and someone will contact me within 30 days to let me know why it's taking so long. To make matters worse, we (stupidly) assumed that he would have our approval by now, so we did not reapply for another work permit, which expires in less than 20 days. There is no way my husband can stop working, we have two kids and plenty of bills to pay. Sorry for the breathless nature of this post but I'm starting to freak out! Any experiences to share or advice would be welcome.

-Jules

Hi! I just read your message tonight, I'm wondering if you recieve any progress in your I-485 application or if you already recieved your green. It seems that we were on the same boat. My case is the same, I had my interview for AOS last Sept. 1, 2006 and we also applied for Advance Parole and EAD but during our interview the immigration officer told me and my husband that we've been approved and she will not gave us the EAD and advance parole permit anymore since our greencard will arrive next 2 weeks after our interview. But its been six months already but no green card. I signed up for updates on my application online but still the same thing is written there that our application has been processed in Missouri Service Center (which also known as NATIONAL BENIFITS CENTER). So now what we did is that we made an infopass which will be this coming March 15,2007. We tried to call up the USCIS but stil the same answer we just need to "WAIT". I'm just hoping and praying that they can give us answers to all our questions. It's really frustrating isn't it?

I wish you goodluck cause i know how you feel guys. Hope you will tell us the progress of you case. Thanks and Goodluck.

ann/bob

Hi Ann/Bob, I'm sorry to hear that you're having to go through such a hassle. I'll tell you what happened to us this week, hopefully it doesn't freak you out.

I made an infopass appointment at the Chula Vista center which is closest to us for this past thursday. We didn't really think that we would be able to do anything about the work permit situation, but maybe they could tell us a little about our case. The woman we spoke with assured us that it was probably just the name check that was holding us up, since it "takes forever". She looked in her computer & told us that no the name check went through a couple of months ago. She looked a bit more then said "wait I remember you, I just finished denying your case. It's still here on my desk". I of course began crying immediately. The woman told me there was no need to cry just yet. She hasn't yet put the denial in the mail, it was to go out that night, so she would still be able to change the status. The reason they denied us was when we moved a couple of months ago, I changed our address with the nation center, but did not take the same information down to Chula Vista (I just assumed that since national had it, so would everyone else. Wrong apparently). They had sent us a RFE to our old address and when it was sent back as undeliverable and with no response from us, they had to assume that we abandoned our case, automatic denial. What aggravates me is that i've been contacting the national center every month and all they tell me is our case is in active review in Missouri, not Chula Vista where it actually was. They were very nice to us when the situation was understood and allowed us to bring in the evidence they requested (our children's birth certificates). I asked out of curiosity what would have happened if we came down a day later and what she told me is there would have been nothing we could have done at that point other than apply for an appeal or reapply and start this whole process over again. Honestly I don't know if I could do this again. It may have been off to France for us.

According to the woman we spoke with we should receive our approval in about 30 days. My husband just won't be able to work for a bit due to his work permit expiring, no big deal in comparison. I still have trouble wrapping my head around how lucky we were, to go that day, speak with that particular woman, everything fell right into place.

I hope all is going well in your case, I know how frustraiting this waiting can be. Hopefully all that's holding you up is the name check, what we were told is that it can take 6 months in some cases, maybe more. Please let me know how your appointment goes, we'll be crossing our fingers for you.

Thanks,

Jules/Philippe

[sillygirl 0]

Hi Ann/Bob, I'm sorry to hear that you're having to go through such a hassle. I'll tell you what happened to us this week, hopefully it doesn't freak you out.

I made an infopass appointment at the Chula Vista center which is closest to us for this past thursday. We didn't really think that we would be able to do anything about the work permit situation, but maybe they could tell us a little about our case. The woman we spoke with assured us that it was probably just the name check that was holding us up, since it "takes forever". She looked in her computer & told us that no the name check went through a couple of months ago. She looked a bit more then said "wait I remember you, I just finished denying your case. It's still here on my desk". I of course began crying immediately. The woman told me there was no need to cry just yet. She hasn't yet put the denial in the mail, it was to go out that night, so she would still be able to change the status. The reason they denied us was when we moved a couple of months ago, I changed our address with the nation center, but did not take the same information down to Chula Vista (I just assumed that since national had it, so would everyone else. Wrong apparently). They had sent us a RFE to our old address and when it was sent back as undeliverable and with no response from us, they had to assume that we abandoned our case, automatic denial. What aggravates me is that i've been contacting the national center every month and all they tell me is our case is in active review in Missouri, not Chula Vista where it actually was. They were very nice to us when the situation was understood and allowed us to bring in the evidence they requested (our children's birth certificates). I asked out of curiosity what would have happened if we came down a day later and what she told me is there would have been nothing we could have done at that point other than apply for an appeal or reapply and start this whole process over again. Honestly I don't know if I could do this again. It may have been off to France for us.

According to the woman we spoke with we should receive our approval in about 30 days. My husband just won't be able to work for a bit due to his work permit expiring, no big deal in comparison. I still have trouble wrapping my head around how lucky we were, to go that day, speak with that particular woman, everything fell right into place.

I hope all is going well in your case, I know how frustraiting this waiting can be. Hopefully all that's holding you up is the name check, what we were told is that it can take 6 months in some cases, maybe more. Please let me know how your appointment goes, we'll be crossing our fingers for you.

Thanks,

Jules/Philippe

Wow, that is truly one fine example of how amazing USCIS is! (there should be an emoticon for sarcasm)

I'm glad eveything worked out well for you. You have great timing!

[annbobcronch3000 0]

Hi Jules/Phillipe,

Hi guys!How are you doin? Me & Bob (my hubby) just finished with our INFOPASS today and it's a Good day for us. Actually it is a good birthday for my husband since it's his b-day today. The immigration officer who interviewed us was really nice and warmed. She told us that there is no problem with our application and as a matter of fact it's been approved since our interviewed. But she explained to us what happened why our application has been held up. And what happened is that they screwed up, that the immigration officer who interviewed us goofed up by missed something to do on her computer which she doesn't explaned what is that. But she just apologized to us for the mistaked they've done. She said it's there mistaked so nothing to worry on our part. So what she did is that she gave me a temporary greencard which was she stamped my passport and that would be valid for 3 months. And she told us that they will sent our greencard right away and we will just wait for 1 to 2 weeks to arrive.

We told her that we signed up online for some updates for our application and we saw online that nothings change and it is stay the same saying that our case was located in MSC and still on processed, but she told us that our case was not in Missouri Service Center anymore and it's was located in denver district office which is our local district office and has been approved and that part doesn't make sense to us. But anyway we are just relieved and happy that things turn out well today and everything is alright with our application.

I'm sorry to hear about what happened to your application, I understand how you feel and what you guys go through. I know everyday was like hell if you think about it. But I hope and pray that your application will work out well. Just hang on and be hopeful. I know this waiting time really makes you crazy but i'm sure there will be light at the end of the tunnel as they said. Good luck guys and takecare.

Ann/Bob

[together2love 0]

WOW, Ann/Bob and Jules/Philippe, great news for both of you, especially Jules/Philippe cause that was sheer luck with showing up when you did. Must be a huge weight off your sholders. Congrats to you both

[Ninhydrin 0]

Ann/Bob,

I am so glad to hear that things works out well for you. A birthday your husband won't soon forget huh! We just check our mail and found our "Welcome to the United States" letter...the green card should be in the mail in the next 3 weeks. I am so excited that we can take a little break from worrying about INS paperwork for at least a year! And thanks to everyone for their advice and well-wishes. Good luck to all in the same position

[Dr_LHA 3]

Congratulations Ninhydrin!

[flutter95 4]

Wow!

I am SO glad that you got that sorted out...

You know all the time people think they should just keep waiting because of namechecks...shows ya that sometimes just maybe you should find out whats happening!

[Killer_Clown_2009 0]

Very interesting stories and congratulations to you both on managing to get your green cards despite USCIS.

[John & Annie 0]

Hi, this is my first time posting here, everything had been going fairly well up until now. My husband and I sent in our I-485 in November of '05, we didn't get an interview until August of '06, and here it is the end of Feb. '07 and still nothing! All that USCIS can tell us so far is that it is actively being processed in Missouri and someone will contact me within 30 days to let me know why it's taking so long. To make matters worse, we (stupidly) assumed that he would have our approval by now, so we did not reapply for another work permit, which expires in less than 20 days. There is no way my husband can stop working, we have two kids and plenty of bills to pay. Sorry for the breathless nature of this post but I'm starting to freak out! Any experiences to share or advice would be welcome.

-Jules

Hi! I just read your message tonight, I'm wondering if you recieve any progress in your I-485 application or if you already recieved your green. It seems that we were on the same boat. My case is the same, I had my interview for AOS last Sept. 1, 2006 and we also applied for Advance Parole and EAD but during our interview the immigration officer told me and my husband that we've been approved and she will not gave us the EAD and advance parole permit anymore since our greencard will arrive next 2 weeks after our interview. But its been six months already but no green card. I signed up for updates on my application online but still the same thing is written there that our application has been processed in Missouri Service Center (which also known as NATIONAL BENIFITS CENTER). So now what we did is that we made an infopass which will be this coming March 15,2007. We tried to call up the USCIS but stil the same answer we just need to "WAIT". I'm just hoping and praying that they can give us answers to all our questions. It's really frustrating isn't it?

I wish you goodluck cause i know how you feel guys. Hope you will tell us the progress of you case. Thanks and Goodluck.

ann/bob

Hi Ann/Bob, I'm sorry to hear that you're having to go through such a hassle. I'll tell you what happened to us this week, hopefully it doesn't freak you out.

I made an infopass appointment at the Chula Vista center which is closest to us for this past thursday. We didn't really think that we would be able to do anything about the work permit situation, but maybe they could tell us a little about our case. The woman we spoke with assured us that it was probably just the name check that was holding us up, since it "takes forever". She looked in her computer & told us that no the name check went through a couple of months ago. She looked a bit more then said "wait I remember you, I just finished denying your case. It's still here on my desk". I of course began crying immediately. The woman told me there was no need to cry just yet. She hasn't yet put the denial in the mail, it was to go out that night, so she would still be able to change the status. The reason they denied us was when we moved a couple of months ago, I changed our address with the nation center, but did not take the same information down to Chula Vista (I just assumed that since national had it, so would everyone else. Wrong apparently). They had sent us a RFE to our old address and when it was sent back as undeliverable and with no response from us, they had to assume that we abandoned our case, automatic denial. What aggravates me is that i've been contacting the national center every month and all they tell me is our case is in active review in Missouri, not Chula Vista where it actually was. They were very nice to us when the situation was understood and allowed us to bring in the evidence they requested (our children's birth certificates). I asked out of curiosity what would have happened if we came down a day later and what she told me is there would have been nothing we could have done at that point other than apply for an appeal or reapply and start this whole process over again. Honestly I don't know if I could do this again. It may have been off to France for us.

According to the woman we spoke with we should receive our approval in about 30 days. My husband just won't be able to work for a bit due to his work permit expiring, no big deal in comparison. I still have trouble wrapping my head around how lucky we were, to go that day, speak with that particular woman, everything fell right into place.

I hope all is going well in your case, I know how frustraiting this waiting can be. Hopefully all that's holding you up is the name check, what we were told is that it can take 6 months in some cases, maybe more. Please let me know how your appointment goes, we'll be crossing our fingers for you.

Thanks,

Jules/Philippe

If I may be so bold as to make a request of you.

Would you please write a letter to the ombudsman in regards to your situation. I am glad it is all worked out, but is ridiculous nevertheless.

[belladona_ph 0]

Hello Jules,

Welcome to Visajourney!

To give you an idea and if you can take a moment to see my timeline:

- I was interviewed last August 2006, too.

-Then by November 2006, I got an email from CRIS that my case was transferred to MSC.

- December I called the customer service number

-1st week of February I made an appointment for INFOPASS, so I can talk in person with an immigration officer and brought with me copies of all my documents. That made it faster for the immigration officer to look at my case

- last week of February, I got notice of welcome from USCIS

-March 5, I got my green card on hand.

It would help if you make an INFOPASS, so you can ask an immigration officer in person about your case..Good luck!

Jan

Opps, just read your latest! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Hi, this is my first time posting here, everything had been going fairly well up until now. My husband and I sent in our I-485 in November of '05, we didn't get an interview until August of '06, and here it is the end of Feb. '07 and still nothing! All that USCIS can tell us so far is that it is actively being processed in Missouri and someone will contact me within 30 days to let me know why it's taking so long. To make matters worse, we (stupidly) assumed that he would have our approval by now, so we did not reapply for another work permit, which expires in less than 20 days. There is no way my husband can stop working, we have two kids and plenty of bills to pay. Sorry for the breathless nature of this post but I'm starting to freak out! Any experiences to share or advice would be welcome.

-Jules

Edited March 19, 2007 by belladona_ph