I-129F May 2017 Filers

[Marion 105]

🎉🎉🎉

Edited November 20, 2017 by Marion

[SHIQUILO 213]

4 minutes ago, mikejoy2019 said:

Finally, were approved today after 185 days. 🤗😊😘 So happy to see my case# @Shoegum scan. Thank you.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

[Fariha&Safwan 84]

51 minutes ago, Cyxs said:

On what day can you open a case enquiry? I read somewhere day 181?

So i called them and spoke to them at USCIS today and they said as long as the website says normal processing times they cannot open a case inquiry. SO as long as they say theyre processing May 1st- the only thing the inquiry would tell you is that its within nomral procssing times. the 180 days is just an estimate but not a hard set date. 

[mikejoy2019 155]

CONGRATULATIONS to all approved. To those still waiting ... "Be patient. Everything is coming together." 😊🤗

[TeeSam 247]

1 hour ago, Jake H said:

This morning I checked the USCIS site, and it updated to show that on 11/17/2017 the inquiry was assigned to an officer (I called and got an inquiry made when they had the September date mixup). A few minutes ago I got 4 text messages saying the case was approved! We are jumping for joy, and hope this week everyone else here waiting ends up getting good news too!!!!

congrats!

[TeeSam 247]

15 minutes ago, mikejoy2019 said:

Finally, were approved today after 185 days. 🤗😊😘 So happy to see my case# @Shoegum scan. Thank you.

congrats!~

[Danny and Taly 50]

3 minutes ago, Fariha&Safwan said:

So i called them and spoke to them at USCIS today and they said as long as the website says normal processing times they cannot open a case inquiry. SO as long as they say theyre processing May 1st- the only thing the inquiry would tell you is that its within nomral procssing times. the 180 days is just an estimate but not a hard set date. 

try this.....btw....we are at 192 days. 

 

https://egov.uscis.gov/e-request/displayONPTForm.do?entryPoint=init&sroPageType=onpt

[mikejoy2019 155]

Just now, TeeSam said:

congrats!~

Thank you. 😘😊

[JohnAna05823 330]

Guess the person with May 26th on their desk is on vacation this week.  Not one this morning.  If not one this evening, will be pretty sad.  They've only done 2 a day past few days last week. ☹️

[MarkbK1 71]

18 minutes ago, Fariha&Safwan said:

So i called them and spoke to them at USCIS today and they said as long as the website says normal processing times they cannot open a case inquiry. SO as long as they say theyre processing May 1st- the only thing the inquiry would tell you is that its within nomral procssing times. the 180 days is just an estimate but not a hard set date. 

That is amazing. Even though the website says that they processing dates  as of September 30th  - they are processing May 1st. It is almost 2 months since that - lo

 

Edited November 20, 2017 by MarkbK1

[mikejoy2019 155]

38 minutes ago, SHIQUILO said:

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Thanks much. 😊😘

[TNJ17 1,329]

They really don’t follow any order, do they? It’s like the numbers are all over the place and there’s no order to it. That’s so annoying and stressful for us. Not that they care about us anyway. Congrats to those who have gotten their notices. What a relief. 

[sdad 14]

1 hour ago, mikejoy2019 said:

Finally, were approved today after 185 days. 🤗😊😘 So happy to see my case# @Shoegum scan. Thank you.

To everyone struggling with the dreaded "within processing times" speech here's what happened today - 

 

I contacted  customer service (tier 1) because the Mrs. was insistent.  Thank you Mrs for pushing me.

 

When I spoke with them they (of course) want to review my file.  They mention that "oh, we're processing May 1st so your case is not really out of normal processing guidelines...  OK big fella, I've heard it before.  Honestly, the Mrs. and I tried everything to shorten this processing time.  NOTHING worked for us.   I was really accepting that it just wasn't going to happen.

 

I really wanted to show the Mrs. an American Christmas but due to the delays those dreams are dashed!  That's OK now because I've got the best Christmas present ever!

 

Only because the Mrs. insisted I called Tier 1 today.  Keep in mind that tier 1 is nothing more than CUSTOMER SERVICE.  Their job is to placate you and keep you happy thinking they are working in your best-interest.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Talking to them & filing service requests is a waste of time - a benefit for USCIS only.  Remember they have up to 30 days just to respond.

 

Here's what I did:  Called Tier 1...  they wanted to review the file.  Of course I said OK but added I would like to talk to an immigration officer.   They tried everything to say that they would enter a service request without transferring to T2.  I was insistent.

 

They rattled of dates.... blahblahAfblah....  i kept saying "our case is outside of normal processing times and I would like to speak to an immigration officer..."

 

I had to repeat this phrase at least 4 times before they responded.  I even remember saying, "Look, I hope I don't sound rude but I insist on speaking to an immigration officer regarding my case..."

 

FYI I try to be personable but it never works for me.   I seem to always come across as a jerk but please - we paid our money and have nothing to show for it.  We waited patiently for processing and have nothing to show for it.  We're at your mercy but we ARE OUTSIDE your 'normal processing guidelines' as defined by USCIS.

 

After insisting and being (kind of) a jerk - the T1 rep said 'ok I'm transferring your call.  I got the standard "we'll call you back" queue in 115 minutes.  I'm at work so of course I have anxiety about this...   I entered my info and waited.  (As info, I waited 3 hours the other day for a call only to be disconnected because I had fat-fingers....  I was especially nervous!

 

Ok, fast-forward 115+ minutes and I'm connected to Mr. Chen.  He verifies info.  Very sterile questioning but polite.  He says "what can I do for you?"

 

I ask him a simple question and state, "Our case is outside of normal processing times, why is our case taking longer to process than expected?"  He clicks a few magic buttons and says, 'Do you mind if I put you on hold to check your case?"    Duh, of course not!

 

He puts me on hold and ... no lie - he returns to the call within 10 seconds.   I know there's really no time for him to check anything really!  It's just too quick!   He clicked "hold" then re-connected to me - #######???

 

Mr. Chen proceeds to say "I have good news for you, your case was approved on Friday 11/17 just wait for the hard-copy in the mail.  30 seconds later the USCIS website was updated reflecting the approval and we're now on our way to the rest of our lives....

 

A big relief but what a stressful bag of Sh*t this has been!   Part of me suspects Mr. Chen approved it right then and there!  I don't know if I believe the 11-17 story but it's all good now! 

 

My advice is = maintain your statement = USCIS is out of bounds with it's own standard....  "our case is outside of normal processing times - please explain why."   That's all you need to say & nothing more.   Politely insist on speaking to an immigration officer or supervisor for an explanation.   Nothing more...  No arguments.   The fact is your case is out of bounds & let them explain they why's.

 

Good luck to all and thanks to the love-of-my-life for making me dial those dreaded numbers one more time!  Now we're on to the next chapter....   Good luck to all!

 

 

[sdad 14]

5 minutes ago, sdad said:

To everyone struggling with the dreaded "within processing times" speech here's what happened today - 

 

I contacted  customer service (tier 1) because the Mrs. was insistent.  Thank you Mrs for pushing me.

 

When I spoke with them they (of course) want to review my file.  They mention that "oh, we're processing May 1st so your case is not really out of normal processing guidelines...  OK big fella, I've heard it before.  Honestly, the Mrs. and I tried everything to shorten this processing time.  NOTHING worked for us.   I was really accepting that it just wasn't going to happen.

 

I really wanted to show the Mrs. an American Christmas but due to the delays those dreams are dashed!  That's OK now because I've got the best Christmas present ever!

 

Only because the Mrs. insisted I called Tier 1 today.  Keep in mind that tier 1 is nothing more than CUSTOMER SERVICE.  Their job is to placate you and keep you happy thinking they are working in your best-interest.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Talking to them & filing service requests is a waste of time - a benefit for USCIS only.  Remember they have up to 30 days just to respond.

 

Here's what I did:  Called Tier 1...  they wanted to review the file.  Of course I said OK but added I would like to talk to an immigration officer.   They tried everything to say that they would enter a service request without transferring to T2.  I was insistent.

 

They rattled of dates.... blahblahAfblah....  i kept saying "our case is outside of normal processing times and I would like to speak to an immigration officer..."

 

I had to repeat this phrase at least 4 times before they responded.  I even remember saying, "Look, I hope I don't sound rude but I insist on speaking to an immigration officer regarding my case..."

 

FYI I try to be personable but it never works for me.   I seem to always come across as a jerk but please - we paid our money and have nothing to show for it.  We waited patiently for processing and have nothing to show for it.  We're at your mercy but we ARE OUTSIDE your 'normal processing guidelines' as defined by USCIS.

 

After insisting and being (kind of) a jerk - the T1 rep said 'ok I'm transferring your call.  I got the standard "we'll call you back" queue in 115 minutes.  I'm at work so of course I have anxiety about this...   I entered my info and waited.  (As info, I waited 3 hours the other day for a call only to be disconnected because I had fat-fingers....  I was especially nervous!

 

Ok, fast-forward 115+ minutes and I'm connected to Mr. Chen.  He verifies info.  Very sterile questioning but polite.  He says "what can I do for you?"

 

I ask him a simple question and state, "Our case is outside of normal processing times, why is our case taking longer to process than expected?"  He clicks a few magic buttons and says, 'Do you mind if I put you on hold to check your case?"    Duh, of course not!

 

He puts me on hold and ... no lie - he returns to the call within 10 seconds.   I know there's really no time for him to check anything really!  It's just too quick!   He clicked "hold" then re-connected to me - #######???

 

Mr. Chen proceeds to say "I have good news for you, your case was approved on Friday 11/17 just wait for the hard-copy in the mail.  30 seconds later the USCIS website was updated reflecting the approval and we're now on our way to the rest of our lives....

 

A big relief but what a stressful bag of Sh*t this has been!   Part of me suspects Mr. Chen approved it right then and there!  I don't know if I believe the 11-17 story but it's all good now! 

 

My advice is = maintain your statement = USCIS is out of bounds with it's own standard....  "our case is outside of normal processing times - please explain why."   That's all you need to say & nothing more.   Politely insist on speaking to an immigration officer or supervisor for an explanation.   Nothing more...  No arguments.   The fact is your case is out of bounds & let them explain they why's.

 

Good luck to all and thanks to the love-of-my-life for making me dial those dreaded numbers one more time!  Now we're on to the next chapter....   Good luck to all!

 

 

Pls excuse the misspellings and grammatical errors, I may or may not be celebrating today so my accuracy in typing may be affected slightly! LMAO  hahah....

[sdad 14]

10 minutes ago, sdad said:

Pls excuse the misspellings and grammatical errors, I may or may not be celebrating today so my accuracy in typing may be affected slightly! LMAO  hahah....

OMG my OCD is in over-drive but I can't believe we're on to the next chapter.. What a relief to have NOA2.  The Mrs will tell you that I nicknamed it "NOPA2" cuz "nope" you're not getting it today!  LOL what a ride this has been - I know we have both about given up!  I remember submitting thinking it was "too early" for a xmas visa.  LMAO the things I''ve learned!   

 

If anyone needs advice/help just ask.