AOS Nov 2015 Filers

[CanadianYinzer 31]

Spoke with my Congressman's office earlier. They managed to find out that my case is in Newark, though why it is there when my local office is Tampa is anyone's guess (and the USCIS helpline people kept telling me my case would be in Tampa, when I called, but of course couldn't confirm for sure). Worse still, according to USCIS processing times Newark are only up to 26th April 2015 for I-485 applications compared with October 22nd for Tampa. Why on earth they sent my file to an office that is over a year behind when it would move faster through my local office is anyone's guess.

My Congressman's office are waiting for more information from USCIS with regards to my case (such as whether they have received the RFE sent last December) and will email me the results when they get them. Hopefully some progress will be made, but if my case is in Newark then that's not good news seeing as how behind they are.

This really is crazy. How hard is it to keep your file tracked in the system. Not being able to get a straight forward answer from them is beyond unacceptable. This is 2016, we have the technology.

My husbands case went from approved to not approved to moved to a field office on the other side of the country.

I thought being stuck at TSC for months and months was hell... this is worse.

[strifescenario 6]

Hey guys,

After reading a lot of your frustrations - I definitely have to say I share them.
There has been no actual update since I did my biometrics and my status changed to 'ready to schedule interview' on December 9, 2015. A month later, I called in to change my address and the system regenerated "ready to schedule interview" to the new day - January 29th. But actually, nothing has happened for over six months now.
Called USCIS last month, told the San Diego Office was processing October 24th, 2015.
Called USCIS 2 days ago, told the San Diego Office was processing September 19th, 2015. - REALLY? They regressed their workload to a month behind? That's absurd.
Anyway, I'm wondering how you guys do these infopass appointments. What are the requirements and how do you make them?

[CanadianYinzer 31]

I give up on trying to understand USCIS. haha

I just got this text/email status update. Now it's saying his card was in production May 16.

New Card Is Being Produced

On May 16, 2016, we ordered your new card for Receipt Number MSCxxxxxxxx, and will mail it to the address you gave us. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

[wbeem 568]

I give up on trying to understand USCIS. haha

I just got this text/email status update. Now it's saying his card was in production May 16.

New Card Is Being Produced

On May 16, 2016, we ordered your new card for Receipt Number MSCxxxxxxxx, and will mail it to the address you gave us. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

I am SO happy for you!! After all the waiting and worrying, you are so overdue this good news! I am hoping they are sorting out the issues and will get the backlog of not yet printed cards produced now.

What was your approval date?

[CanadianYinzer 31]

I am SO happy for you!! After all the waiting and worrying, you are so overdue this good news! I am hoping they are sorting out the issues and will get the backlog of not yet printed cards produced now.

What was your approval date?

We never got any approval status or letter in the mail. Just the one email reply to our 1st AOS service request that said he was approved March 16, 2016 and that the card was in production April 15.

His AOS timeline went like this:

11/12/2015 – Filed for Adjustment of Status i-485

03/16/2016 – Online status for i-485 case changed to “Name was Updated”

04/15/2016 - Sent in online service request asking why name was updated.

04/15/2016 – Reply from service request saying i-485 was approved on March 16, 2016 and card was in production as of April 15, 2016

05/05/2016 – Sent in online service request to USCIS asking status of card production.

05/18/2016 – Reply from service request saying his i-485 is now at the Sacramento office to determine if an interview is necessary (so back to not approved?)

05/20/2016 - Online status changes from "Name was Updated" to "On May 16, 2016, New Card is Being Produced"

At this point it's a "I'll believe it when I see it and have the card in my hands" kinda thing.

Edited May 20, 2016 by CanadianYinzer

[wbeem 568]

Well, you've really endured a run around with USCIS! I'm just so pleased that you have some good news right before the weekend. I know how you feel with waiting to see it before you believe it. I did get my approval notice in the mail, but I will breathe fully when I have the card. Have a fantastic weekend and do something FUN!

[CanadianYinzer 31]

Well, you've really endured a run around with USCIS! I'm just so pleased that you have some good news right before the weekend. I know how you feel with waiting to see it before you believe it. I did get my approval notice in the mail, but I will breathe fully when I have the card. Have a fantastic weekend and do something FUN!

You too!!!!!

[saynotosalo 0]

Has anyone gotten a response like this after a service inquiry

The status of this service request is:

On May 5, 2016, you or your representative contacted USCIS concerning your Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, Form I-485, to notify us that you believe your case is outside of our normal processing time. Below is a summary of what we found and how the issue has been resolved.

Your application is still pending consideration. We regret that we are not able to give you a timeframe for when we will complete the review of your application.

What You Can Do

Please see the "Online Services" below to check the status of your case in the near future. We apologize for the delay.

We hope this information is helpful to you.

What could our next step be? I haven't had an update since the beginning of November.

Thank you!!

[ChasUno 101]

I give up on trying to understand USCIS. haha

I just got this text/email status update. Now it's saying his card was in production May 16.

New Card Is Being Produced

On May 16, 2016, we ordered your new card for Receipt Number MSCxxxxxxxx, and will mail it to the address you gave us. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

Congratulations! At least they finally seemed to straighten it out. Hope they sort out the card printing fiasco and you get yours soon

[ChasUno 101]

Has anyone gotten a response like this after a service inquiry

The status of this service request is:

On May 5, 2016, you or your representative contacted USCIS concerning your Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, Form I-485, to notify us that you believe your case is outside of our normal processing time. Below is a summary of what we found and how the issue has been resolved.

Your application is still pending consideration. We regret that we are not able to give you a timeframe for when we will complete the review of your application.

What You Can Do

Please see the "Online Services" below to check the status of your case in the near future. We apologize for the delay.

We hope this information is helpful to you.

What could our next step be? I haven't had an update since the beginning of November.

Thank you!!

Yes, I had a similar response after an online "Case Inquiry" via the USCIS website. This is what I got back:

"The status of this service request is:

You or your representative contacted USCIS concerning your I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to notify us that you believe your case is outside of our normal processing time. Below is a summary of what we found and how the issue has been or may be resolved.

Our records show that your I-485 is currently under extended review. We regret that we are unable to provide you with a completion date at this time. We apologize for the delay.

We hope this information is helpful and appreciate your continued patience."

Next step if you are unhappy with their response is to involve your local congressman. You could try contacting USCIS by phone (doubtful you'll get anything new from them), or you could try for an Infopass appointment at your local USCIS office. Your congressman may have more leverage to actually get something out of them.

[ChasUno 101]

I heard back from my congressman earlier today, and at least got some details of my case. None of the USCIS service agents were able to give me anywhere near as much information, so the congressman was able to get much more than I could on my own. Here's the response:

"Thank you for your inquiry on **/**/2016 on behalf of your constituent, ****** ********, concerning his I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

This application was designated as a possible interview waiver case. Due to workload factors this case was reassigned to the Newark Field Office on 02/**/2016. This case is currently pending assignment to an Adjudications Officer. Once the case is assigned to an officer, it will be reviewed and the constituent will be notified of any actions or decisions by mail. Please have the constituent continue to keep their address accurate with us. We appreciate their continued patience.

At this time we do not require any further documents from the constituent. Our records show that the constituent has a valid advance parole that allows him to travel out of the U.S. while his I-485 application is pending. This advance parole is valid until 01/**/2017. Please allow 90 days to pass before submitting another inquiry."

In a nutshell, due to "workload factors" my case was "reassigned" to Newark back in February. Yet whenever I called USCIS between February and May, they kept telling me that my local office would be Tampa, but couldn't confirm that my case was actually there. This was one of the reasons that I involved my congressman (along with not having an update since November 2016, and not having receipt of my RFE acknowledged).

What doesn't make sense though, is that according to the USCIS's own website, Newark are processing I-485 applications up to a filing date of April 2015, whereas Tampa (my local office) are processing cases up to October 2015. So why did they send it to an office that is SIX MONTHS behind my local office, and cite "workload factors"???? Makes no sense at all.

I guess that the only good news is that my case is designated as a possible interview waver, and the fact that it was sent to Newark rather than the Tampa office that would carry out the interview suggests I will indeed get waived from having an interview. But not knowing IF or WHEN I will hear, still makes it hard for me to plan to go back to the UK for approx. 4 - 6 weeks. Then there's the further issue in that if I am approved without interview, then once approved my EAD/ AP car is invalidated and superseded by the green card. But if I am out of the country when that happens and try to re-enter with my expired AP card, then that can be classed as immigration fraud leading to potentially serious consequences (i.e. withdrawal of green card). There is the possibility that my green card could be issued, delivered to my home in the USA and my other half could send it to me in the UK via post and I could get in with that. But with the latest issues of green cards not being delivered for weeks after approval due to yet another mess up at USCIS that's caused big delays in cards being printed, that's equally as risky.

I am grateful to my congressman's office for managing to get this much information, but the inadequacies, incompetence and inefficiency of USCIS of late means I have little faith in them. Like many, I just want to get on with my life and not feel stuck in limbo.

[TXR21 2]

I'm in Texas.. can someone post a link or contact info for the congressmen? What should be included? Any help us greatly appreciated!

[yuna628 9,665]

If they are backlogged to April.. that medical date will be well overdue by the time they get to it. What a joke, Chas. Sorry to hear this..

I too am going to have to start pressing officials on our case. Congressperson is a joke, but I think I could get somewhere with the sentator's office.

[ChasUno 101]

I'm in Texas.. can someone post a link or contact info for the congressmen? What should be included? Any help us greatly appreciated!

Google search "congressman for *your area*". I searched for "congressman in Sarasota" (FL), where I live.

You will then find their website with contact details. There is normally an online form you have to download and complete. One part of the form gives them permission to act on your behalf, the other part you give details as to why you need their help. You send this completed form to their office and if they can intervene, they will contact USCIS on your behalf.

The form is pretty self explanatory, asking for personal details and consent. Bear in mind that the congressman can't intervene if you are within normal processing times or if you've had recent updates from USCIS. They get involved when there are clear failings or concerns over a particular case, especially if it appears that USCIS haven't been doing their job as they should.

[ChasUno 101]

If they are backlogged to April.. that medical date will be well overdue by the time they get to it. What a joke, Chas. Sorry to hear this..

I too am going to have to start pressing officials on our case. Congressperson is a joke, but I think I could get somewhere with the sentator's office.

Absolutely a joke Yuna. What's the point of having a medical for the K1 visa if it's going to be expired by the time USCIS get around to dealing with I-485's? In my opinion, if the medical is in date when the application was filed, it should be taken as valid for the AOS process. If USCIS can't get their act together to process an application in a timely manner, then the applicant should not be penalised as a result. And the logic of sending my file to a different office that is even more backlogged than my local office completely evades me.

Sorry to hear that your Congressperson is a joke - have you tried them regardless? I had to chase mine up after waiting a week to see if they'd received my form, and within a day they then got back to me with the response from USCIS. Or have you already had experience with your Congressperson? Hope you get some progress on your case very soon also. It seems ridiculous that some people who have filed in March have been issued green cards, whereas some of us who filed four months earlier are still waiting.

Welcome to the crazy, dysfunctional and inefficient world of the USCIS...