AOS June 2016 Filers

[p-ana 933]

Hi guys,

Just have a question about SSN card, since we already got the green card, is it necessary to go to the SSN office to get a replacement card without the wording "valid only with DHS authorization"?

I searched within the forum and got mixed answers, does anyone have experience on that?

There's no need to, you can do it if you want to though. I went to update mine because my address and phone number changed as well and I wish I didn't, because they ended up messing my name up and that cost me another 2 visits, lots of waiting and frustration. I'd wait it out til citizenship!

[murple87 5]

Just got off the phone (a second time) with USCIS, I was calling them to inquire about the status of the EAD and AP which was filed with the AOS on June 19th.

We filed I484, I765 and I-131 for my wife, and her two daughters.

After I called USCIS 2 weeks ago, my wife has since received the I-797 notice that her EAD and AP have been approved, and we even received the official letters in the mail that the cards will be ordered and mailed.

So I called USCIS back today about the daughters status to find out what's going on.

The lady I spoke to told me that because I received an RFE on one of the daughters I-485 application, that her EAD and AP application have been reset to day 1. That was back on August 19th, so we are only 45 days on her application.

For the other daughter, since there were no RFE's she said we could file to have her EAD and AP looked into to find out what the delay was, then the operator sounded surprised and say's oh wait, no we can't do anything yet because your case is with the national benefits center and they are only just now processing applications from May 3rd 2016. They have a really heavy case load and so they are way backed up.

After she told me that I asked if I can speak to a Supervisor. The supervisor I spoke to confirmed everything the previous operator told me, that the case load at NBC is backed up to May 3rd, but despite that backup he would put in a request to have the EAD and AP looked at and he gave me a confirmation number. He also seemed real surprised that my wives EAD AND AP have been approved after I called to ask about it.

So there you have it. The kids are still pending, according to USCIS one of the girls EAD and AP is over 3 months away from even having her case looked at again since the new file date is August 19th, due to the RFE I received.

Best wishes to the folks that sailed through the application.

stfiii, that's really discouraging news on your daughter's AOS. I'm really sorry to hear that and hope that the officers may be mistaken in this assessment (i.e. that even though the RFE mean USCIS theoretically has more time to process the case, they may still move it along more quickly. So fingers crossed that will be the case.)!

I also received an RFE pretty late in the game (because USCIS misspelled my name and then requested further evidence when I had it corrected during my biometrics appointment) -- so I really hope it isn't true that this will add an additional 100 days to the process. When I asked customer service about the delays that would be incurred by the RFE, they said the processing would continue at its normal pace as soon as the evidence has been submitted and processed. So if that's true, in my case it would have added only a week.

I'm also not sure how accurate the statement that they are now only processing early May submission can really be, if numerous people who filed their AOS much later already have their EAD in hand. It all seems very intransparent/random. In any case, I hope the cases for all your family members will move forward quickly!

Unrelated to this, I have another question to the forum: I did not file for my advance parole document when I filed for AOS because I understood that a specific reason (sick relative etc) would be necessary to obtain advance parole. However, I would like to go visit my family for Christmas and am doubtful I'll have my Greencard by then. Does anyone have any experience filing for advance parole while EAD and AOS are processing? I don't want to hold up my EAD card process under any circumstances. I'm nervous that if I send in something now, they may hold my EAD until this additional request is processed. In that case, I'd rather skip Christmas in Germany this year.

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences!

[p-ana 933]

stfiii, that's really discouraging news on your daughter's AOS. I'm really sorry to hear that and hope that the officers may be mistaken in this assessment (i.e. that even though the RFE mean USCIS theoretically has more time to process the case, they may still move it along more quickly. So fingers crossed that will be the case.)!

I also received an RFE pretty late in the game (because USCIS misspelled my name and then requested further evidence when I had it corrected during my biometrics appointment) -- so I really hope it isn't true that this will add an additional 100 days to the process. When I asked customer service about the delays that would be incurred by the RFE, they said the processing would continue at its normal pace as soon as the evidence has been submitted and processed. So if that's true, in my case it would have added only a week.

I'm also not sure how accurate the statement that they are now only processing early May submission can really be, if numerous people who filed their AOS much later already have their EAD in hand. It all seems very intransparent/random. In any case, I hope the cases for all your family members will move forward quickly!

Unrelated to this, I have another question to the forum: I did not file for my advance parole document when I filed for AOS because I understood that a specific reason (sick relative etc) would be necessary to obtain advance parole. However, I would like to go visit my family for Christmas and am doubtful I'll have my Greencard by then. Does anyone have any experience filing for advance parole while EAD and AOS are processing? I don't want to hold up my EAD card process under any circumstances. I'm nervous that if I send in something now, they may hold my EAD until this additional request is processed. In that case, I'd rather skip Christmas in Germany this year.

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences!

From at least a couple of people that done that recently, it seems the approval of the AP went by within a month of filing. Go for it as soon as possible! Don't forget to send in a copy of your i485 receipt. Best of luck

[CRB 25]

Received Green Card by priority mail yesterday, less than one week from approval notice

Thanks VJers for all the support, and good luck to all.

[buzzz223 13]

Alright people...I'm seriously ready to go home and not come back.

Got back from vacqtion and called the USCIS this morning only to get an incompetent person on the phone that annoyed the ####### out of me as soon as he answered the phone (at this point I believe they are trained to be incomprehensible and have a low voice, so if you misunderstand something and call back the next time, it'll be on you!)

Anyway, after listening to his bs he did eventually transfer my call to a tier 2.

This officer was very nice (probably 100 years old, but nice). He told me that the hold up on my card production was due to the amount of applications (yeah right) and I should not look or compare my case to others that have already received their cards....true, but pffff..who doesn't!!? Also he told me to call back in a week or two if I haven't received the card by then (that's what I've been told last time as well).

When it comes to my I-485...this case has been transfered to my NBC center on Aug. 18th. He did mention an interview, but whether he saw that on the screen or just assumed I'd be scheduled for one, I don't know.

Well, at least I got a little more information this time. Though it doesn't really help or put me at ease. Especially when I see new people chatting in the forum because everybody I know is already gone and don't have to be bothered with this sh*** for the next two years. meeehhhhh

Ha! I'll be back too whining and bit*** about the same ridiculous stuff again.

[Jordan&Dan 1]

Alright people...I'm seriously ready to go home and not come back.

Got back from vacqtion and called the USCIS this morning only to get an incompetent person on the phone that annoyed the ####### out of me as soon as he answered the phone (at this point I believe they are trained to be incomprehensible and have a low voice, so if you misunderstand something and call back the next time, it'll be on you!)

Anyway, after listening to his bs he did eventually transfer my call to a tier 2.

This officer was very nice (probably 100 years old, but nice). He told me that the hold up on my card production was due to the amount of applications (yeah right) and I should not look or compare my case to others that have already received their cards....true, but pffff..who doesn't!!? Also he told me to call back in a week or two if I haven't received the card by then (that's what I've been told last time as well).

When it comes to my I-485...this case has been transfered to my NBC center on Aug. 18th. He did mention an interview, but whether he saw that on the screen or just assumed I'd be scheduled for one, I don't know.

Well, at least I got a little more information this time. Though it doesn't really help or put me at ease. Especially when I see new people chatting in the forum because everybody I know is already gone and don't have to be bothered with this sh*** for the next two years. meeehhhhh

Ha! I'll be back too whining and bit*** about the same ridiculous stuff again.

We're now in the same boat, although for us it's only been 9 days so not nearly as long as you. But we contacted our senator and she said the officer said "that recently it has been around 7-10 business days to receive the physical card but due to high volume they are experiencing now it could take up to 30 days."

Unbelievable!! Does anyone know if we can leave the country with our NOA for our i-131 and not the card? I'm not sure we can wait 30 days for the actual card to come.

[buzzz223 13]

We're now in the same boat, although for us it's only been 9 days so not nearly as long as you. But we contacted our senator and she said the officer said "that recently it has been around 7-10 business days to receive the physical card but due to high volume they are experiencing now it could take up to 30 days."

Unbelievable!! Does anyone know if we can leave the country with our NOA for our i-131 and not the card? I'm not sure we can wait 30 days for the actual card to come.

Do NOT leave the country without your card in your hand. You may have serious trouble coming back.

[Moslund 94]

We're now in the same boat, although for us it's only been 9 days so not nearly as long as you. But we contacted our senator and she said the officer said "that recently it has been around 7-10 business days to receive the physical card but due to high volume they are experiencing now it could take up to 30 days."

Unbelievable!! Does anyone know if we can leave the country with our NOA for our i-131 and not the card? I'm not sure we can wait 30 days for the actual card to come.

Your first problem is you can't reenter the country without the card cause you will have problems on at POE than may results in being sent back on the plane you came in on.... I do not advise this route cause things can get lost in the mail then you really will be screwed BUT you only need your card for reentry you can leave but you must have card in hand on reentry... you can either 1 wait for the card or 2 leave have a family member mail you the card so you have it AP on reentry... you don't red the card to leave the country you only need it going threw border control on re entry... I do no advise leaving without the card in hand cause if someone was to mail it to your location outside the US it could get lost in the mail then your really acrewed

[Jordan&Dan 1]

Thanks everyone! That's what I thought

[Emmylou151 44]

My life is on a roll again, I got my EAD and am back into work! Is there a link someone can post that shows how long interviews take to be scheduled? I was a little late in filing and I'm concerned that it's not going to happen before my medical expires which is in December. My case status says they're ready to schedule it as at August 08.

[murple87 5]

Alright people...I'm seriously ready to go home and not come back.

Got back from vacqtion and called the USCIS this morning only to get an incompetent person on the phone that annoyed the ####### out of me as soon as he answered the phone (at this point I believe they are trained to be incomprehensible and have a low voice, so if you misunderstand something and call back the next time, it'll be on you!)

Anyway, after listening to his bs he did eventually transfer my call to a tier 2.

This officer was very nice (probably 100 years old, but nice). He told me that the hold up on my card production was due to the amount of applications (yeah right) and I should not look or compare my case to others that have already received their cards....true, but pffff..who doesn't!!? Also he told me to call back in a week or two if I haven't received the card by then (that's what I've been told last time as well).

When it comes to my I-485...this case has been transfered to my NBC center on Aug. 18th. He did mention an interview, but whether he saw that on the screen or just assumed I'd be scheduled for one, I don't know.

Well, at least I got a little more information this time. Though it doesn't really help or put me at ease. Especially when I see new people chatting in the forum because everybody I know is already gone and don't have to be bothered with this sh*** for the next two years. meeehhhhh

Ha! I'll be back too whining and bit*** about the same ridiculous stuff again.

I'm so sorry, Buzzz and know exactly how frustrated you are! I had my infopass appointment today and received some gamechanging information!

1. The officer handling my case at the NSC apparently made a mistake and never "pushed" the production of my EAD after approving my case. I.e. basically, to them my case is considered closed and they haven't even noticed that I haven't received the EAD -- in spite of several calls to customer service, tier 2 officer and service request (all of which assured me my case is fine and I need to be patient). So without this infopass visit, I probably could have waited for months until they would finally put me through to someone with actual information. The field officer was very nice and she sent the NSC an e-mail to rectify the situation but said that it could still take a while, because they are very unresponsive and she has no way of reaching them directly.

She also said verbatim: "Don't get me started on the customer service. They have no idea what they're talking about. All they do is spread misinformation....do not waste your time calling them."

So Buzzz, I highly encourage you to get an infopass appointment to talk to someone in person. Who knows if it really helps to speed things up, but at least you know what the problem is. Check out service centers in cities nearby (Philly? Boston?) if NYC is booked out. That's what I did and though I'm totally exhausted after this day -- it was worth the drive and traffic.

2. The field officer also told me that since my EAD has been approved since September 8 and I am showing as approved in the system I can LEGALLY START WORKING WITHOUT THE PHYSICAL CARD with the information I've got. Receipt number etc. She said employers can check your status in the "E-Verify" System to get verification that you are legal. I couldn't really believe that, since I've read everywhere you need the physical card and even HR of the organization that offered me a job said they can't get me started without the card. But I just spoke to their HR department again and apparently it's true. So, I'm going in tomorrow to settle the details.

One more thing, the officer I spoke to also said that my AOS case just got passed on from the NSC and that all branch offices are completely focused on naturalizations before the new administration moves in. So I shouldn't expect an interview before February 2017. So one more reason for me to get that advance parole moving...

Anyway, good luck everyone with their cases! This process is so tiring!

[sharon_helena 11]

Pfff still no news on my case.. I did a 2nd SR but this time I didn't receive a confirmation by e-mail, I also talked to a Tier 2 officer but she told me that I just have to wait I have a pending job offer so I'm really stressing out right now. Today I've send an e-mail to the local congressman, to see if he can help me to expedite the process.

[buzzz223 13]

I'm so sorry, Buzzz and know exactly how frustrated you are! I had my infopass appointment today and received some gamechanging information!

1. The officer handling my case at the NSC apparently made a mistake and never "pushed" the production of my EAD after approving my case. I.e. basically, to them my case is considered closed and they haven't even noticed that I haven't received the EAD -- in spite of several calls to customer service, tier 2 officer and service request (all of which assured me my case is fine and I need to be patient). So without this infopass visit, I probably could have waited for months until they would finally put me through to someone with actual information. The field officer was very nice and she sent the NSC an e-mail to rectify the situation but said that it could still take a while, because they are very unresponsive and she has no way of reaching them directly.

She also said verbatim: "Don't get me started on the customer service. They have no idea what they're talking about. All they do is spread misinformation....do not waste your time calling them."

So Buzzz, I highly encourage you to get an infopass appointment to talk to someone in person. Who knows if it really helps to speed things up, but at least you know what the problem is. Check out service centers in cities nearby (Philly? Boston?) if NYC is booked out. That's what I did and though I'm totally exhausted after this day -- it was worth the drive and traffic.

2. The field officer also told me that since my EAD has been approved since September 8 and I am showing as approved in the system I can LEGALLY START WORKING WITHOUT THE PHYSICAL CARD with the information I've got. Receipt number etc. She said employers can check your status in the "E-Verify" System to get verification that you are legal. I couldn't really believe that, since I've read everywhere you need the physical card and even HR of the organization that offered me a job said they can't get me started without the card. But I just spoke to their HR department again and apparently it's true. So, I'm going in tomorrow to settle the details.

One more thing, the officer I spoke to also said that my AOS case just got passed on from the NSC and that all branch offices are completely focused on naturalizations before the new administration moves in. So I shouldn't expect an interview before February 2017. So one more reason for me to get that advance parole moving...

Anyway, good luck everyone with their cases! This process is so tiring!

Wow, thanks so much for your input!! This definitely helps and I hope things will finally get moving for us. Though I could rant on and on and about about the incompetence of some of those idiots working at the USCIS.

As to the info pass...I was trying to schedule one this morning and even got an appointment, but as soon as I was finished filling out all the information I got a message that the appointment was not available anymore.

Ugh....again..ridiculous! I'll keep trying though.

Let us know if anything changes for you. I'm a really tired of bi**** about the same thing over and over, but I will post as soon as I get news about anything.

Good luck to all of us..

[hokeihero 1]

Seems I am the only one still waiting for the Combo card and They received my RFE response since Aug 23 and nothing update since then.

[buzzz223 13]

Seems I am the only one still waiting for the Combo card and They received my RFE response since Aug 23 and nothing update since then.

Nope...definitely not the only one!!!