AOS March 2016 Filers

[sparkles_ 456]

So is anyone else going to start renewing their EADs in the next few weeks? We are. 

[Ninahi 53]

I recommend renewing EADs as soon as your 120 days are up. I filed a little late off the mark and am currently not authorized to work because my renewal failed to catch my expiring card. It's no biggie sending for renewal though.

 

Still no word from USCIS. They can't even tell me if they received my RFE response. I feel like they're straight up bullying me, lost my files and then left my case to rot. They won't tell me what and when was the last action taken on my case, my online status hasn't updated since they received the application fee in 2015. I'm 110% convinced that the next letter I'm receiving is a rejection and removal proceedings. It's hard to just sit back and wait when you can't in good faith trust that they are actually working on your case.

[PaddyGirl13 75]

I'll be renewing my EAD and AP shortly (the 120 day mark is next week). 

 

I have a question, I submit my police certificate in March, it was issued in December of 15....will I need to get an updated one to bring to the interview?

[sparkles_ 456]

1 hour ago, Ninahi said:

I recommend renewing EADs as soon as your 120 days are up. I filed a little late off the mark and am currently not authorized to work because my renewal failed to catch my expiring card. It's no biggie sending for renewal though.

 

Still no word from USCIS. They can't even tell me if they received my RFE response. I feel like they're straight up bullying me, lost my files and then left my case to rot. They won't tell me what and when was the last action taken on my case, my online status hasn't updated since they received the application fee in 2015. I'm 110% convinced that the next letter I'm receiving is a rejection and removal proceedings. It's hard to just sit back and wait when you can't in good faith trust that they are actually working on your case.

Has your new EAD been processed? Or still pending? This is scary, right now my husband is the only one working since I am pregnant....and our lawyer thinks 90 days out is ok for renewal. 

 

For what it's worth, even if you were denied you do not go into removal...you have like 30-90 days to file appeals or just re file. I know it's horrible that we are even discussing this level of stuff

Edited January 5, 2017 by sparkles_

[msmontader 10]

21 hours ago, sparkles_ said:

You should call as soon as they open, which is 8am your local time. And have them do a request to have a tier 2 call you back....say you've been trying for days and can't reach one. Yes, they can give you as much as if you did an infopass. Odds are, based on your country flag I see, you're probably in background checks which can take over a year. That is what we found out like 2wk ago.

 

Thank you for the information. I did call at 8 AM and talked to an officer after four hours of waiting. She did not give that much of information other than my case is waiting for an interview. They told me to call back late February if i do not get an interview date. I know they do a lot of background checks for countries like mine but how did you guys found out ? 

I have been really frustrated with the process and all my life is pending on this piece of paper. 

[sparkles_ 456]

17 minutes ago, msmontader said:

Thank you for the information. I did call at 8 AM and talked to an officer after four hours of waiting. She did not give that much of information other than my case is waiting for an interview. They told me to call back late February if i do not get an interview date. I know they do a lot of background checks for countries like mine but how did you guys found out ? 

I have been really frustrated with the process and all my life is pending on this piece of paper. 

We made an infopass and spoke to a real person, who called the NBC for us and told us that we are still clearing background/security. 

 

The phone tier 2 also told us we were pending interview....but the thing is, they never went into detail as to why we were pending. If you can make an infopass, and ask there then you might get more details but its hit and miss depending on the person you get. Some folks just hate their jobs and are rude including in USCIS.

[msmontader 10]

1 minute ago, sparkles_ said:

We made an infopass and spoke to a real person, who called the NBC for us and told us that we are still clearing background/security. 

 

The phone tier 2 also told us we were pending interview....but the thing is, they never went into detail as to why we were pending. If you can make an infopass, and ask there then you might get more details but its hit and miss depending on the person you get. Some folks just hate their jobs and are rude including in USCIS.

I actually have an appointment at the field office in San Francisco. I am going there next week to see what is going on with my case. I have done everything including calling the congressman office in my county. I though my case is being delayed because i moved in August to the bay Area but i think that is not the reason. The tier 2 officer did not say where is my case currently so i am hoping the info pass will help me find out where is the case at. 

[sparkles_ 456]

3 minutes ago, msmontader said:

I actually have an appointment at the field office in San Francisco. I am going there next week to see what is going on with my case. I have done everything including calling the congressman office in my county. I though my case is being delayed because i moved in August to the bay Area but i think that is not the reason. The tier 2 officer did not say where is my case currently so i am hoping the info pass will help me find out where is the case at. 

When you go, specifically ask if your background and security checks have been cleared and if your file is at the NBC still. I think you will find out they are not, and out lawyer assures us that this is normal for certain countries and if you have an unusual case even moreso (we do, read the signature). 

 

Moving doesn't delay your case unless your case file was already at the first local office and had to be transferred. If your case was still at the NBC then moving has no impact in theory besides needing an update of address.

Edited January 5, 2017 by sparkles_

[Linyahui 103]

2 hours ago, sparkles_ said:

So is anyone else going to start renewing their EADs in the next few weeks? We are. 

 We are planning to renew my husband's EAD/AP card this weekend. Our 120-day mark hit while we were in Taiwan, so we want file for renewal ASAP. 

[sparkles_ 456]

Random but we are expecting this major winter storm in the Carolinas. You guys, cross your fingers we aren't left without power for a few days....I almost got my hands bitten off buying bread today because of low supply and panicked shoppers lol! 

Edited January 5, 2017 by sparkles_

[Linyahui 103]

17 hours ago, sparkles_ said:

Random but we are expecting this major winter storm in the Carolinas. You guys, cross your fingers we aren't left without power for a few days....I almost got my hands bitten off buying bread today because of low supply and panicked shoppers lol! 

Stay safe! Those of us in snowy climates (i.e. MN, which, according to Thrillist, has the #1 worst winter in the U.S., fml) sometimes forget how much preparation is required when more temperate climates get hit with a wallop of snow or ice. Make sure you have flashlights, extra batteries, heavy blankets, and bottled water handy. You'll be fine! 

[sparkles_ 456]

1 hour ago, Linyahui said:

Stay safe! Those of us in snowy climates (i.e. MN, which, according to Thrillist, has the #1 worst winter in the U.S., fml) sometimes forget how much preparation is required when more temperate climates get hit with a wallop of snow or ice. Make sure you have flashlights, extra batteries, heavy blankets, and bottled water handy. You'll be fine! 

I saw that article! I lived in Alaska for a bit in my early 20s so winters don't bother me nor does driving in it. But I would so enjoy having the power stay on down here, lol

[Linyahui 103]

1 hour ago, sparkles_ said:

I saw that article! I lived in Alaska for a bit in my early 20s so winters don't bother me nor does driving in it. But I would so enjoy having the power stay on down here, lol

 

OMG. I have been to Juneau several times and to Haines but cannot imagine living there (although Juneau is apparently quite temperate compared to other cities). My husband says we should consider relocating to AK because of the great benefits offered to state employees upon retirement. It's just so far away....but maybe those filing for AOS in AK have a shorter wait time simply due to a smaller population! 

 

Update: Confirmed. Anchorage is TWO MONTHS ahead of us in St. Paul. SMH. 

Edited January 6, 2017 by Linyahui

[sparkles_ 456]

4 hours ago, Linyahui said:

 

OMG. I have been to Juneau several times and to Haines but cannot imagine living there (although Juneau is apparently quite temperate compared to other cities). My husband says we should consider relocating to AK because of the great benefits offered to state employees upon retirement. It's just so far away....but maybe those filing for AOS in AK have a shorter wait time simply due to a smaller population! 

 

Update: Confirmed. Anchorage is TWO MONTHS ahead of us in St. Paul. SMH. 

I looooooooooooved living in Alaska (dark winters included), I was in Anchorage and if the cost of relocating a family wasn't so much I would be gone lol. And yes, those benefits are great for all city, state and railroad employees. Along with the dividend money given to each resident yearly from the oil tax revenue. It has been as high as 2300 bucks per person before. 

[Linyahui 103]

20 hours ago, sparkles_ said:

I looooooooooooved living in Alaska (dark winters included), I was in Anchorage and if the cost of relocating a family wasn't so much I would be gone lol. And yes, those benefits are great for all city, state and railroad employees. Along with the dividend money given to each resident yearly from the oil tax revenue. It has been as high as 2300 bucks per person before. 

Haha. Don't tell my husband that. 

 

I'd like to help my husband prepare his EAD/AP renewal docs this weekend. Does anyone know of a reliable guide on VJ or elsewhere on the interwebs of the documents required/recommended?