I-751 in limbo since Dec 2015 (split)

[Ana A Thomas 0]

Help!

I am so desperate I jointed a forum.

I never participated into one, so apologies for any mistakes.

I am in a state of pending for I 751 since December 2015. Last thing I did was my bio metrics January 2016. I am having a huge problem, since my extension letter is officially expired.

I contacted UCIS over the phone and went to my field office in Chicago. First I find out that there is nothing they can do, then they told me that my address has`not been updated. Which I did as soon as we moved. Even got a confirmation email for it!

They told me that the processing time is normal (over a year now). I am left without any proof of residence. They directed me to put a stamp I 551 on my passport. My passport is expired as well (it will take me 6 months to renew it)

Meanwhile we moved from MD to IL 4 months ago and I still haven`t able to switch my DL because I have no proof of my status. This issue is influencing every aspect of my life. My employer is pressuring me to get my IL DL since I drive a lot for my job. I am not able to go back to school because of the same reasons. I am afraid of losing my job and putting my education on hold for uncertain period of time. 

I have spend hours and hours on hold for the past month with no answers. I went to the office and they only told me the same thing over and over again. Is my only option to wait for my native passport for over 6 months, without doing anything or any kind of evidence?

Today I wanted to find out about the stamp. NO LUCK

 My passport has my maiden name on it. My marriage is not registered back home, since I have not even been home since 2013. That is why I do not need my passport and haven`t renewed it.

Is this going to be an issue as well?!

Can I change my license with my maiden name, expired green card and marriage certificate? 

 

I was wondering if anyone had similar experience. I can not be the only person that has not been able to get answers from immigration? Are those people even working? They never know anything? 

I am afraid and stress out out of my mind. Please help!

Should I be hiring an attorney?

[Ana A Thomas 0]

Hello,

My status for I 751 is pending and has been pending for 401 day now.  My extension letter is expired, my green card is expired. I`m in a state of renewing my passport for for the I-551 stamp. (this will take 6 months) 

I contact the USCIS office many times and they mention this program. I moved from Maryland to Illinois three moths ago and my employer is asking me to switch my DL since I do drive a lot for work. (the law is you have 90 days in IL to get a license).

I looked online and the DMV or SOS in the state of IL, showed in the SAVE list.

What is the process of getting the DL? I was in the local office twice already and they did not do the SAVE program, they did not even mention it. They would not let me inside to get a number last time. And this is when I had my extension letter. I feel like they do not know about this.

 Do I just go the DMV (local one or has to be the one on the website?) Do I apply for the program? What do I need to do? 

Please I do not want to lose my job. It is bad enough that I can only wait for a respond from immigration.

I need advice.

[ctracker 6]

June 2015 filer here, I used to worry but there is really nothing you can do but to just wait. You are still able to work/travel because you are still in status while I-751 is pending a decision. 

 

You need to get your passport and the stamp in your passport. 

 

Did your MD driver's license expire? Most of the time you can simply trade in your MD license with an IL license. I am not sure if they ask about your status though when you trade in your unexpired license. 

[mindthegap 2,605]

I have been waiting longer than you, and yes it sucks.

The issue here isn't USCIS as you could go get a stamp if you had a passport, the issue is your passport renewal.

Six months? Are you absolutely sure?

[Edit] I found  this ! It seems that is indeed the case.. jeez..

 

As you have tried an infopass in person with no joy, my suggestion would be to contact your senator/congressman now.

Keep it simple - explain that you cant obtain proof of status without a passport, which takes a long time to renew, so all you want is a letter confirming proof of status - and they may be able to grease the wheels...

[Ana A Thomas 0]

23 hours ago, CookieCat said:

~Post split from an unrelated thread. Please create a thread for your own questions.~

VJ Moderation

Thanks! 

It is really hard not to worry.  My MD DL won`t expire til 2023. The issue I`m having is that my local DMV would not even give a license with my extension letter when I moved three months ago. Now that my letter is expired I`m really worried. My employer is asking me to switch it, and I can not explain to them that all of this is out of my control. I am now looking into some SAVE program from Homeland Security. Still not sure how it works, but it seems like that is my only hope.

The passport will take that long, I already called my consular and scheduled the appointment. I will get in in September. ( my luck with government administration)

All of this is extremely messing up my life. I wanted to go back to school to get my Masters and now I would not be able to take the necessary test and evaluations since all of them need proof.  

I made a case inquire throw email ( UCSIS idea) and will make one more in 20 days if I do not get a reply, along with asking a congressman (have to figure out who is it) 

Thanks for the reply, it sucks knowing that I am not the only one with a pending case, but it gives me comfort as well.

What about the maiden name on my passport? Is that going to be an issue when getting my DL ?

 

 

[Derwood 203]

I'm sorry that you're experiencing this. I know this is going to sound laughable after your incredibly long wait, but I wonder if there would be any grounds for a USCIS expedite request of your I-751? This sounds like a situation where you could be facing severe financial loss which is one of the expedite criteria.

[Villanelle 4,122]

I know they use to also do (in exceptional cases) 551 stamps on the 1-94. I believe you need 2 photos for it as well... Go back to infopass and ask them if they still do this.  (Ask for the supervisor)

[Ketsuban 1,034]

I would start the process to get your passport renewed even though it takes so long. You never know when you might need it, in fact you need it at present for that stamp as you found out. Better to have it in 6 months than never.

[QueenComley 295]

Im a December 2015 filer also. At the time when I went get the I-551 stamp in January this year my UK passport was expired. I was given a document instead with my photo and the stamp on. I now have my new UK passport and USCIS said to just take the document with me and my passport when I travel. I have an infopass appointment on Thursday to see if I can get an update. So far, nothing

[Ana A Thomas 0]

Thank you for your response!

They did not told me about that option of getting a document. Maybe it has something to do with where I am from. ??? They said the only thing to do is my passport stamp. 

I already send letters to my congressman and senator for assistance. 

It seems like I can not find a solution for this problem. Nobody on the 800 number knows anything. 

I'm working on getting my passport, if I knew that I was going to need it I would have got it a long time ago. 

[Ana A Thomas 0]

Hello,

Just wanted to let everyone know about this  

I did received a letter for more evidence  from uscic today 3/14.

The letter was mailed on 2/28/2017 as you can see from the envelope. this is the same day I made the INFO pass and called immigration. This same day my address was corrected.

I made inquiry via email and received response from officer Eric. As you can see in the email. He stated that the letter has been sent on 2/26/17.

 

Please keep in mind, when I called immigration on the 800 number, on 2/28, 3/1, 3/6 I asked  if I missed any notice since the address was not updated. They said NO.

One more mistake on their end, since I did receive a confirmation about the address change back in December 2016.

 

I advise all the people here. Do not trust and always make a copy.

I have sent letters to my local congressman and senator. The Congressman`s office has already answered me that they will look into our matter and provide assistance.  Now I want to send them one more regarding this BS.

This is not only unprofessional but also unethical.  Since when is it ok to lie about this kind of matter?

I am now working on getting more evidence for my marriage.

I wish they would just come to our home and witness for them self. This whole process has been so discouraging. My thoughts are with you guys in limbo. 

 

Edited March 15, 2017 by Ontarkie
Removed attachment do to personal information.

[nightingalejules 678]

This must be so infuriating for you - I can't imagine! I hope your congressman is able to help you, and that everything goes more smoothly from here on out. 

The only thing I can be potentially helpful about is the driver's license. Once you have been able to get some kind of document that verifies your status, go to a different dmv (or some people even say go to the same one on a different day) and be prepared to be patient and gently teach them about this process. Some staff members know about the letters/stamps/documents and some don't. You may have to get them to escalate to a manager, and some people have talked about having to leave copies of their documents for a day or two at the dmv while they check on your legal status. But eventually, they will have to give you a driver's license that is valid to at least the end of whatever document you currently have.

The thing to remember is that you are not out of status, and that while it may be IMMENSELY frustrating for you, this is an unusual situation for most DMV employees. They've probably never dealt with this before, so you need to be their teacher. It probably doesn't help, but maybe you can feel a little better knowing that you're making it easier for the next person in your situation that this DMV encounters.

I really wish you all the best, and that this will be the last frustration you encounter in the process.

In addition, I'd take this opportunity to file your N-400 for citizenship, if you want to be a citizen and get a US passport (potentially instead of the runaround with Macedonia). Filing for citizenship will force them to adjudicate your ROC, and then you'll never have to deal with USCIS again!

 

[Villanelle 4,122]

Honestly this is probably not what you want to hear- but USCIS reps are incredibly literal. If you questioned "Did I miss any notices?" The answer will be "No" because nothing was 'missed'. Missed means something that was sent and returned to them. You needed to ask if any notices had been sent. Sent means sent out. I know its a minor difference in words and its easy to argue- well they shouldve known what I mean, but again they are incredibly literal. 

 

You are also very lucky that the RFE was forwarded to you. Mail from USCIS is suppose to be coded to be returned and not forwarded. Sometimes it states so on the envelope, other times its in the barcode numbers at the bottom of the envelope. The postal system is suppose to detect it in the number code and return it and not forward it.

 

Anyway at this point focus on getting the RFE sent back ASAP. Its also good news that you got the RFE in a way. It means someone is actively working on your case and its not just sitting collecting dust. Now they may get the RFE back and approve it, or they can send the file to the local office for an interview. Send as much as you can with the response to try to get them to approve it w/o interview. Include other things you may have even if they didnt ask for it. 

[mindthegap 2,605]

Suggest you edit the post to hide your personal information - email, legal name, address and other things are all visible.

 

 

 

[QueenComley 295]

This must be very frustrating for you, however, there is also a plus side. Your case is now in an Immigration Officers hands being processed and worked on!!! Yay! Get the evidence they requested sent back to them ASAP. Good luck! and keep us updated.