My I-130 Case Update :(

[DILAW 94]

So, I just wanted to update everyone with my case process.  I submitted my I-130 in December (You can look at my timeline for specific dates) and in April the USCIS sent me a RFE.  I sent my response within 3 days and the USCIS updated my case on April 28 that they are reviewing my response. 

I was told once my RFE is received, the USCIS will respond within 45 to 60 days.  On day 61, I called the USCIS and I was told the normal processing time is now 9 months vs 6 months.  As for the 45 to 60 days, by the USCIS updating my case by telling me the response was received thats a response in their eyes.  I thought a decision had to be made within 45-60 days, but I guess not.

These latest updates I got on the phone by calling the USCIS 1800 number and speaking to USCIS officers (not very helpful).

I contacted my senator and they sent a request to expedite my case even though I didn't ask for an expedite.  I asked them to help me understand what is going on.  They sent a letter saying my case has been transferred to the local USCIS office in my state and I have to wait for an interview.  The interview at my local USCIS will be scheduled in 90 -120 days from now.  This is only to schedule it and the interview will be at least 30 days from the day they schedule it.  This means best case its scheduled in 90 days and it's 30 days away which makes it 120 days from now.  The interview can be scheduled 120 days from now and could be 3 months away which would push it to 7 months from now.

It was very disappointing to learn that.  I was hoping by this December I will be living with my wife, but with this news, everything is pushed at least 4 months.

[pushbrk 12,881]

35 minutes ago, DILAW said:

So, I just wanted to update everyone with my case process.  I submitted my I-130 in December (You can look at my timeline for specific dates) and in April the USCIS sent me a RFE.  I sent my response within 3 days and the USCIS updated my case on April 28 that they are reviewing my response. 

I was told once my RFE is received, the USCIS will respond within 45 to 60 days.  On day 61, I called the USCIS and I was told the normal processing time is now 9 months vs 6 months.  As for the 45 to 60 days, by the USCIS updating my case by telling me the response was received thats a response in their eyes.  I thought a decision had to be made within 45-60 days, but I guess not.

These latest updates I got on the phone by calling the USCIS 1800 number and speaking to USCIS officers (not very helpful).

I contacted my senator and they sent a request to expedite my case even though I didn't ask for an expedite.  I asked them to help me understand what is going on.  They sent a letter saying my case has been transferred to the local USCIS office in my state and I have to wait for an interview.  The interview at my local USCIS will be scheduled in 90 -120 days from now.  This is only to schedule it and the interview will be at least 30 days from the day they schedule it.  This means best case its scheduled in 90 days and it's 30 days away which makes it 120 days from now.  The interview can be scheduled 120 days from now and could be 3 months away which would push it to 7 months from now.

It was very disappointing to learn that.  I was hoping by this December I will be living with my wife, but with this news, everything is pushed at least 4 months.

Although the timing associated with that news is unwelcome, the fact that the case was transferred to a local office is no small concern.  This does happen from time to time but it's pretty unusual.  If I were in your shoes, I would be more concerned about WHY the service center staff thought a local office interview of YOU was required, and be prepared for it, as the fate of your petition is now in YOUR hands.  There's a reason, for this turn of events.  In my experience, petitioners in such  cases have more than a clue what the potential problem is, along with understandable reasons not to share those potential issues publicly.  If you don't know what the potential problem is, keep thinking about it until you do, then be prepared.  

[DILAW 94]

18 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

Although the timing associated with that news is unwelcome, the fact that the case was transferred to a local office is no small concern.  This does happen from time to time but it's pretty unusual.  If I were in your shoes, I would be more concerned about WHY the service center staff thought a local office interview of YOU was required, and be prepared for it, as the fate of your petition is now in YOUR hands.  There's a reason, for this turn of events.  In my experience, petitioners in such  cases have more than a clue what the potential problem is, along with understandable reasons not to share those potential issues publicly.  If you don't know what the potential problem is, keep thinking about it until you do, then be prepared.  

Yeah I understand, but my spouse is from Yemen and they say 90% ( I am not sure if that number is accurate, but lets say A LOT) of applicants from Yemen get interviewed.  There were some mistakes that made it to the USCIS officer like for example the marriage license that was written when I got married was written in Arabic and my birthday year was written 1984 instead of 1982.  I couldn't tell because my Arabic is not that good.  After sending everything in, I realized the mistake and got it fixed overseas and sent the USCIS the correct version including an explanation why this happened.

Everything about my case is 100% legit, so I am not worried if they will be fair to me.  If not, then we will see what I will have to do

[pushbrk 12,881]

55 minutes ago, DILAW said:

Yeah I understand, but my spouse is from Yemen and they say 90% ( I am not sure if that number is accurate, but lets say A LOT) of applicants from Yemen get interviewed.  There were some mistakes that made it to the USCIS officer like for example the marriage license that was written when I got married was written in Arabic and my birthday year was written 1984 instead of 1982.  I couldn't tell because my Arabic is not that good.  After sending everything in, I realized the mistake and got it fixed overseas and sent the USCIS the correct version including an explanation why this happened.

Everything about my case is 100% legit, so I am not worried if they will be fair to me.  If not, then we will see what I will have to do

All applicants for visas are interviewed.  You are not an applicant.  You are the petitioner.  Nothing like 90% of petitioners bringing spouses from Yemen or any other country are interviewed.  Less than 1%, far less, of petitioners are interviewed prior to petition approval.  It may be as simple as verifying you are who you say you are and you were born when you said you were.

[DILAW 94]

35 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

All applicants for visas are interviewed.  You are not an applicant.  You are the petitioner.  Nothing like 90% of petitioners bringing spouses from Yemen or any other country are interviewed.  Less than 1%, far less, of petitioners are interviewed prior to petition approval.  It may be as simple as verifying you are who you say you are and you were born when you said you were.

I had the senator and congresswoman in my state assist me with my case and both clerks who only deal with immigration cases said 90% if not more of petitioners if they see the country Yemen anywhere on the application that they are asked to complete an interview.  I know over 10 people who has to be transferred for an interview and only 2 didn't interview