Hurricane Matthew Caribbean Islands Damage

[NicMel16 3]

Has any one contacted USCIS who has NOT received their NOA2 about speeding up the application review considering the damage caused Matthew in the Caribbean. If so, then what did you do? Has any one else thought about how this effects their petition? Will USCIS issue, for lack of better words, an alert, or allow the petitioner to request expedited service?

We filed July 2016 and are still waiting for the NOA2. Estimated completion according to VJ timeline is the end of November. My husband lives on Grand Bahama Island near the section where the eye crossed the island. His home flooded with water and he had to evacuate to a shelter. I am getting sporadic texts from him but I am still worried. As they start the clean up process in the Bahamas I am concerned he will have no home to go back to when they release people from the shelters. Now I am feeling Matthew's fury in Georgia. I pray that because I am not as close to the coast there will be little to no wind damage.

Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

[millefleur 5,046]

So sorry to hear this! My dad's house in Florida is most likely flooded as well, he evacuated and doesn't know the extend of the damage yet. Really hope they do something to help people like you who are directly affected by this. This definitely counts as an emergency and they need to expedite such cases.

[NicMel16 3]

Thank you. I pray all is well with your father and when he gets home he has no damage.

[Pinkrlion 2,719]

U can request an expedite. They want an explanation. The issue that I see is if the Embassy in the Bahamas is closed. That will add further delays.

[nyokie 572]

i am waiting for NOA2 as well, I was thinking the same thing if the USCIS can expedited my case because of the issues in Grand Bahamas. Specially how We have a 1 year old child. I truly hope they can do so something for all of us who are doing the process.

I was told on the radio that the US is sending aircraft for Bahamian who born in the USA. There is a number I don't know what the number.

My child wil not be going without me so I don't know what will happen.

But if you hear anymore informations please share and I will do the same.

[NicMel16 3]

Today's progress since my original post. I have watched my fair share of ZNS YouTube videos about the aftermath tonight and online research.

In the last 24 hours, I have sent a letter to my senator, called his office, letter to the Consul General of the Bahamas in DC, called her office and called USCIS twice.

USCIS told me I was within the normal processing time and give me their outdated processing date of March 2nd information that's on the website. The agent did said that I could make a request to for the process to be expedited and read me the criteria. They are not allowed to tell you which criteria you situation falls into. To the internet I went. Below are three websites with good info.

Latest USCIS alert on Matthew https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-alerts-customers-affected-hurricane-matthew-available-immigration-relief

Expedite Criteria https://my.uscis.gov/helpcenter/article/what-is-the-expedite-criteria

FEMA Release see section on USCIS https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2016/10/08/hurricane-matthew-unified-response-efforts-underway

The Consul General of the Bahamas does not have the authority to deal with spousal visas and suggested we should have done a K1 visa when we go engaged. K1 was not a consideration for us because I was going to move to the Bahamas.

On the bright side my senator's office will help with the request to expedite. So, I spent a good portion of the afternoon writing reason specific to our situation why our case should be expedited. With the sporadic cell service I have not been able to get an update on my husband's situation.

I hope this help my brothers and sisters with spouses in the Caribbean.

[nyokie 572]

I email sent an email to lockbox support and I ask questions.

They respond "Dear Sir/Madam:

The National Visa Center (NVC) has not received your petition. We need your I-797 or I-171 Approval Notice that shows your approved petition is at the NVC in order to help you. If you do not have a copy of your Approval Notice, please contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at 800-375-5283 or visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov."

I will email them and also let my husband write a letter explain everything.

[NicMel16 3]

Everyone

Just wanted to share the attached reply I received from USCIS. Best wishes on your visa journey.

2016-10-19 Nebraska Service Center Reply_Redacted.pdf