July 2017 AOS Fillers

[Ray&Ash 271]

Had my interview today at Chicago office. Went well we believe. Nothing out of the ordinary and we were prepared for all questions with documents. We were called within 15 mins of our scheduled time. The lady IO was really polite and seemed nice and put us at ease. 

She asked usual questions about DoBs, place of birth, How I met my husband, where and how, travels abroad etc. 

I had all originals and copies neatly stacked, and this helped I guess. then she proceeded to ask the Yes/No questions and took some additional evidence we wanted entered into out file. We were also carrying our wedding reception photo album and am so glad she took few moments out to flip through it by the time I was taking some documents out of my file. 

Overall good experience. In and Out in 30 mins. Nothing concrete told as of now, but hoping to get something in emails or a mail soon  

All the best guys! Its not as nerve wrecking as we believe. Just try to catch enough sleep the night before  

[wildling99 14]

Hi July 2017 friends!

 

I just got the notification that my new card is being produced! I sent in my medical last Monday and they received it Tuesday. My officer did say he doesn't like to have files sitting around on his desk and he wasn't kidding! About a week from it arriving at USCIS Phoenix to getting the 'New Card Being Produced' USCIS text update!

 

Holy c-r-a-p! What a run. Can't wait to do this again in two years...lol.

 

Anyone else getting any good news out there?

Edited March 5, 2019 by wildling99

[Kirk&Kean 9]

I think I am the only one in July 2017 filers have not gotten my GC yet? Lol, it is coming to 2 years of  wedding anniversary by June 17. July 18 would be 2 years from AOS case received date. It is so much harder to inquire anything now that they don't update the case status properly, in addition to that they have recently started to take away all the InfoPass Appointment so that Petitioner / Applicants cannot make the appointment to go into local USCIS office to check what is stalling the case.


Phone calls to USCIS Tier 1 pretty much won't do anything other than telling you your (last case status update and tell you to just wait). (Tried calling 3-5 times already, every time gets the same answer).
- Our last case status update on i-485 was (Your interview date has been scheduled in Oct 04, 2018, which USCIS has made a mistake by schedule it in former address despite 4 months have passed since we properly filed Change of Address Online AR-11 in June 2018).
- We had to write a formal letter to the local office that they scheduled interview to request of rescheduling/cancel that interview and route our entire case folder to Philly, which happens between Nov - Dec.

- Dec 2018 to March 2019, we have visited total of 4 times at USCIS office @ Philly to check if our case folder has arrived because they never update the case status so we wouldn't know. 2nd visit confirms our case has arrived. 3rd and 4th visit between Jan and Mar was to check how long will it take to reschedule interview since our case has arrived in Dec. In Jan, one officer said it'll delay up to 5-8 months (projected date of interview date = May - August). In March, our recent and last visit, the officer mention that our case is sitting in the queue awaiting for available date and scheduling of interview, probably take 30-45 days (expect to receive a letter between Mar - April). Now that it is already in the middle of May, and as of end of March, Philly Office has started the new process of not accepting walk-in appointments and InfoPass appointments. We're stranded as of now just waiting until who knows when.
- In order to get to Tier 2 on the phone, the case processing time has to be "beyond normal processing time", Tier 1 always ask "if the AOS is employment-based or family-based", then look at the same site where we can see "USCIS processing time, filter by State and City". Philly's processing time has been increased from 9.5 months - 18++ to 12 - 23.5 months within 2 months. Every time it gets closer to the date of our filing date for case inquiry, then the time increased which causes the date to backdate to May/June 2017 for case inquiry.
- Renewal of EAD is also taking longer than expected, my auto-extension of expired EAD is expiring in September, I've filed my EAD-renewal since Oct 08, called Tier 1 to assist in expediting the case recently in March under financial hardship and possibly of losing my job as I was converted from contract position to permanent (was gonna use the offer letter to fax to them if they request for evidence as the offer letter has the highlighted line of "offer of this employment is contingency upon candidate's availability to maintain and obtain work permit"). They chose to close the expedited case ticket and denies the request despite 6 months have passed (suspect this is due to them looking at our AOS case status thinking that our GC interview date is scheduled back in Oct 04 and probably just wait for GC to be approved so they don't have to process the EAD at all).
- What is worst is that I see candidates who keep filing after us, Aug 2017 - Dec 2018 to keep getting interview dates / approval of GC. Filtering by visajourney as well as reading diff thread on this forum (Month-Aos-Filers).

On the bright side, since it is approaching 2 years anniversary, should we receive the interview scheduled letter real soon (keeping fingers-crossed), it'll worth the 2 years (feels like forever) wait to acquire the 10 yrs GC.

Anyone else from July 2017 filers have not received their GC yet? Just curious...
 

[Randyandyuni 2,682]

That is appalling, sorry it has been so traumatic. My wife and I will be filing our ROC next month and we are on the same timeline. I would be spitting nails in similar circumstances. 

 

Good luck to you, I hope you get the 10 year card after this!

[Pee&Eee 70]

54 minutes ago, Kirk&Kean said:

I think I am the only one in July 2017 filers have not gotten my GC yet? Lol, it is coming to 2 years of  wedding anniversary by June 17. July 18 would be 2 years from AOS case received date. It is so much harder to inquire anything now that they don't update the case status properly, in addition to that they have recently started to take away all the InfoPass Appointment so that Petitioner / Applicants cannot make the appointment to go into local USCIS office to check what is stalling the case.


Phone calls to USCIS Tier 1 pretty much won't do anything other than telling you your (last case status update and tell you to just wait). (Tried calling 3-5 times already, every time gets the same answer).
- Our last case status update on i-485 was (Your interview date has been scheduled in Oct 04, 2018, which USCIS has made a mistake by schedule it in former address despite 4 months have passed since we properly filed Change of Address Online AR-11 in June 2018).
- We had to write a formal letter to the local office that they scheduled interview to request of rescheduling/cancel that interview and route our entire case folder to Philly, which happens between Nov - Dec.

- Dec 2018 to March 2019, we have visited total of 4 times at USCIS office @ Philly to check if our case folder has arrived because they never update the case status so we wouldn't know. 2nd visit confirms our case has arrived. 3rd and 4th visit between Jan and Mar was to check how long will it take to reschedule interview since our case has arrived in Dec. In Jan, one officer said it'll delay up to 5-8 months (projected date of interview date = May - August). In March, our recent and last visit, the officer mention that our case is sitting in the queue awaiting for available date and scheduling of interview, probably take 30-45 days (expect to receive a letter between Mar - April). Now that it is already in the middle of May, and as of end of March, Philly Office has started the new process of not accepting walk-in appointments and InfoPass appointments. We're stranded as of now just waiting until who knows when.
- In order to get to Tier 2 on the phone, the case processing time has to be "beyond normal processing time", Tier 1 always ask "if the AOS is employment-based or family-based", then look at the same site where we can see "USCIS processing time, filter by State and City". Philly's processing time has been increased from 9.5 months - 18++ to 12 - 23.5 months within 2 months. Every time it gets closer to the date of our filing date for case inquiry, then the time increased which causes the date to backdate to May/June 2017 for case inquiry.
- Renewal of EAD is also taking longer than expected, my auto-extension of expired EAD is expiring in September, I've filed my EAD-renewal since Oct 08, called Tier 1 to assist in expediting the case recently in March under financial hardship and possibly of losing my job as I was converted from contract position to permanent (was gonna use the offer letter to fax to them if they request for evidence as the offer letter has the highlighted line of "offer of this employment is contingency upon candidate's availability to maintain and obtain work permit"). They chose to close the expedited case ticket and denies the request despite 6 months have passed (suspect this is due to them looking at our AOS case status thinking that our GC interview date is scheduled back in Oct 04 and probably just wait for GC to be approved so they don't have to process the EAD at all).
- What is worst is that I see candidates who keep filing after us, Aug 2017 - Dec 2018 to keep getting interview dates / approval of GC. Filtering by visajourney as well as reading diff thread on this forum (Month-Aos-Filers).

On the bright side, since it is approaching 2 years anniversary, should we receive the interview scheduled letter real soon (keeping fingers-crossed), it'll worth the 2 years (feels like forever) wait to acquire the 10 yrs GC.

Anyone else from July 2017 filers have not received their GC yet? Just curious...
 

You should contact your representative and have them handle your case! This is not normal.

[Kirk&Kean 9]

6 hours ago, Randyandyuni said:

That is appalling, sorry it has been so traumatic. My wife and I will be filing our ROC next month and we are on the same timeline. I would be spitting nails in similar circumstances. 

 

Good luck to you, I hope you get the 10 year card after this!

Oh wow, happy for you and your wife! I think ROC will costs bout $600++? or 800? We might end up reaching out to a Sen. about our case. It is just getting too long for being in this AOS limbo status, my DV is expired, I don't want to spend the same $$ to renew the DV for few months and wait for new EAD or GC to renew again, too much work for just extension for a few more months.

[Randyandyuni 2,682]

15 minutes ago, Kirk&Kean said:

Oh wow, happy for you and your wife! I think ROC will costs bout $600++? or 800? We might end up reaching out to a Sen. about our case. It is just getting too long for being in this AOS limbo status, my DV is expired, I don't want to spend the same $$ to renew the DV for few months and wait for new EAD or GC to renew again, too much work for just extension for a few more months.

it should be more consistent in application between offices, living in Ohio is very beneficial for immigration purposes.I believe it's $590 plus bio fee. Hopefully your senator can help, you have been more than patient

[Kirk&Kean 9]

16 minutes ago, Randyandyuni said:

it should be more consistent in application between offices, living in Ohio is very beneficial for immigration purposes.I believe it's $590 plus bio fee. Hopefully your senator can help, you have been more than patient

I think it has to do with their system too. Their database and system seem to not update correctly. They want candidates to file change of address online, but it wont reflect the initial filing place I guess? Otherwise, I cannot for the sake of me understand how can they mess up the first interview appointment to old address. When we decided to move from AZ by end of May 2018, arriving in PA in June 2018, filing COA. I called every single month at least once to verify up-to-date address on file worrying that they don't have the right one. Every single time, they told me it is the Philly address on file. Then comes to October, suddenly I get case status update interview date scheduled, I was so happy, 1.5 weeks gone by never received the letter, received a message from sister saying that you got a letter here in Yuma, AZ. Funniest thing is that, I filed for renewal EAD late September, they ISSUED the notice of receipt (acknowledgement) the same exact date as the AOS Interview Schedule Notice, all on Oct 4. Yet, Interview scheduled letter went to Yuma,AZ, both EAD/AP Renewal NOA1 went to Philly, PA. This totally tells me that their system is so out-dated and not updating correctly.

We moved by understanding that our AOS interview will possibly be delayed, but expected between Oct - Dec 2018 we should have it. Then all this c-r-a-p happens, and I've seen people saying their reschedule of interview (if they cannot make it to first one) most of the time happens between 2-3 months at most. Ours are coming to beyond 5 months since the case arrived in Philly. I get it that Philly has a large population, and file cases have to be first come first serve for scheduling interview date. I just don't believe how I see people who filed less than a year get interview and approved too. One of my friend from UK, moved to NJ last year, married, file AOS, already got his interview, approved and gotten GC on hand (less than a year total time from filing date).

You were right that I have been more than patient, I tend to like to stay positive, because I was looking at the > 2 years anniversary and > 10 years GC thing so we don't have to go through ROC + possible of interview again.
I'll update if we find out anything just to share the process to help people in the future.

Do update us too if your ROC process involves another interview. I heard that the officer have the rights to call for another interview -> all of those are to verify the bonafide of the relationship.

Edited May 14, 2019 by Kirk&Kean

[Randyandyuni 2,682]

we have a significant age gap (27 years) so we expect to be interviewed as we had an initial stokes interview for AOS with no other red flags

[Kirk&Kean 9]

6 minutes ago, Randyandyuni said:

we have a significant age gap (27 years) so we expect to be interviewed as we had an initial stokes interview for AOS with no other red flags

In a state that is much more conservative, yes age gap will be red flag. When we hired an attorney to handle our RFE back in the initial application, she did mention AZ is a red state, hence, expect questions a lot more during the interview due to the age gap. She didn't see such prob in Seattle though. Oh, don't think you are alone  - we have a bigger age gap than you both do (31). Haha!! However, we are in the city of brotherly love, so that might be in our favor, but best to never assume or set expectation, just go with the flow. Hopefully being married for (coming to 2 years) + all the pictures, joint-tax, joint-accounts be sufficient to get the Approve word. Oh well, all I need is the interview scheduled letter and the date!!

[Crazy Cat 41,893]

3 minutes ago, Kirk&Kean said:

In a state that is much more conservative, yes age gap will be red flag. When we hired an attorney to handle our RFE back in the initial application, she did mention AZ is a red state, hence, expect questions a lot more during the interview due to the age gap. She didn't see such prob in Seattle though. Oh, don't think you are alone  - we have a bigger age gap than you both do (31). Haha!! However, we are in the city of brotherly love, so that might be in our favor, but best to never assume or set expectation, just go with the flow. Hopefully being married for (coming to 2 years) + all the pictures, joint-tax, joint-accounts be sufficient to get the Approve word. Oh well, all I need is the interview scheduled letter and the date!!

I would run away from an attorney who gives that kind of trash as advice.  Immigration is a federal issue...and is governed by USCIS policy....and it has nothing to do with "red states" or "blue states".......

[Randyandyuni 2,682]

Quote

 

we have a good case for our ROC, just expect the interview hurdle, if not a pleasant surprise our friends completed their ROC in 8 months, that's our best case scenario but expect our ROC/Naturalization to overlap

[Kirk&Kean 9]

51 minutes ago, missileman said:

I would run away from an attorney who gives that kind of trash as advice.  Immigration is a federal issue...and is governed by USCIS policy....and it has nothing to do with "red states" or "blue states".......

Lol, maybe she is just speaking from her experiences of dealing with so many cases, and she wasn't trying to pinpoint anything but just told us to be prepared to answer more questions. Anyway, we moved not because of the so called "red states" or "blue states". We moved mainly because there is nothing to do there in Yuma AZ, and we can't get jobs at all, even tried cashier positions at Walmart, Target, Bestbuy and etc, no replies at all. Besides, after experiencing 1 crazy hot summer there, we were pretty much done and ready to go. I've then narrowed down to few possible states school I will eventually apply to (based on programs I wanted to enroll to and look more detailed into syllabi), that is how we select where we move to. We only hired her to handle 1 time thing. If it wasn't for hubby is panic about handling RFE, we wouldn't have hired attorney. That being said, no regrets, trust the process. As an applicant, I pretty much filed and assembled the entire AOS, EAD + AP by myself, so do a lot of people on the forum. Thanks to all the nice people out there sharing great info and steps by steps of how to do it.

@Randyandyuni - Good Luck with the ROC and hopefully it will be done within a year

[Randyandyuni 2,682]

58 minutes ago, Kirk&Kean said:

@Randyandyuni - Good Luck with the ROC and hopefully it will be done within a year

Thanks very much, hoping you get a timely response and can avoid the ROC and get your 10 year card

[MajaMukanowska 38]

Anyone from July 2017 still waiting? My field office had my case for more than a year now, and I still haven't had my interview.