Calling senator because of no AOS or EAD updates

[Londonergirl 133]

Just now, MariekeH said:

Yeah, they're moving terribly slow at the moment, and service requests are being ignored. Hopefully you'll hear something soon!

Does anyone know why its going so slow?

[Marieke H 2,498]

2 minutes ago, Londonergirl said:

Does anyone know why its going so slow?

I've heard different reasons every time I called them. A new system that was installed, the Holidays, and even the weather... a congresswoman told a friend of mine that the delays are caused by the current administration. So I guess no one really knows what caused this.

[JRF 117]

9 hours ago, Irisandjoel said:

So I am currently in my AOS process and filed for my EAD.

My NOA1 was November 2nd, had my biometrics Dec 7th, received a RFIE dec 4th and responded dec 7th.

There have been no updates since fingerprint fee was received, I still haven't received a response notice after they received my RFIE requested documents.

 

I have heard about people getting state senators to help, how does that work? I call them and what? I don't like talking to people on the phone when I have no idea what to say or do. 

Getting very frustrated and impatient since I see plenty of people who filed 1-3 weeks after me who received their EADs already.. 

 

And I am also confused about how long my case has been pending. I thought I hit the 90 day limit today, but someone pointed out to me weekends and holidays don't count.. if that is true my cases have been pending only for 61 days.. 54 if they paused while they waited for the RFIE documents. So I can't make an actual inquiry until March 9th....? 

Assume you are in California and you have two senators, just like the fine folks in say, Wyoming.  Many more people/senator in CA vs WY.

 

Back when I was waiting and waiting and waiting I called both CA senators at the time, and was told they were too busy to help.  Feinstein's office was borderline rude.  What did I do?  I basically built an organizational chart of USCIS leadership, figured out their emails, sent an email (and cc'd the inspector general) and within 24 hours I "unstuck" our file.  

I tried the local Congressional rep's office, and after educating a staffer as to how the process worked gave up...I wasn't in the mood for free training.

 

Best of luck, learn the system, and try to be patient...and I know it stinks (and is expensive).

[JoJoJoJo 170]

I am sadly gradually realizing "job offer" is not a magical word any more. It has been 20 days since I faxed my job offer and 30 days since I started the expedition process. Still no result!

 

My supposed start date is tomorrow. I told the employer that I still do not have EAD as of now.

[Marieke H 2,498]

11 minutes ago, JoJoJoJo said:

I am sadly gradually realizing "job offer" is not a magical word any more. It has been 20 days since I faxed my job offer and 30 days since I started the expedition process. Still no result!

 

My supposed start date is tomorrow. I told the employer that I still do not have EAD as of now.

Yes, even the expedite process is very slow. I just received a message that my card was mailed to me 2 days ago, so I'm hoping it'll arrive this week. The whole process from requesting the expedite to receiving the card will have taken me 6 weeks.

 

I hope your employer understands and is patient. You should receive a response soon now.

Edited February 1, 2018 by MariekeH
Fixed a mistake

[Dutchster 1,107]

It took the NBC and my local field office seven months after sending back my RFIE to approve my aos. 

 

Sit back and relax. Depending on how fast the NBC and your local field office works, it can vary from a month to several months. Your senator is not going go help you yet since it has just been a month. 

[JoJoJoJo 170]

3 minutes ago, MariekeH said:

Yes, even the expedite process is very slow. I just received a message that my card was mailed to me 2 days ago, so I'm hoping it'll arrive this week. The whole process from requesting the expedite to receiving the card will have taken me 6 weeks.

 

I hope your employer understands and is patient. You should receive a response soon now.

Congratulations!!! Thanks for your kind words. My congressman's office helped me to get the status "this case will be routed for expedited processing", which I shared with my employer.

 

The employer is so far away that we have to move. We have given notice to our current landlord and have signed up for a new apartment. I know we should not have made the arrangement before we were approved. It is our fault. Not complaining. Life is full of risks/opportunities and we tried and we might fail.

 

[Marieke H 2,498]

4 minutes ago, JoJoJoJo said:

Congratulations!!! Thanks for your kind words. My congressman's office helped me to get the status "this case will be routed for expedited processing", which I shared with my employer.

 

The employer is so far away that we have to move. We have given notice to our current landlord and have signed up for a new apartment. I know we should not have made the arrangement before we were approved. It is our fault. Not complaining. Life is full of risks/opportunities and we tried and we might fail.

 

Oh man, that's a scary situation. I hope it'll all work out for you!

 

I received the same status through my Senator, and when I called USCIS a week later, I was told that my EAD was approved. So there's hope! Fingers crossed!

[JoJoJoJo 170]

14 minutes ago, MariekeH said:

Oh man, that's a scary situation. I hope it'll all work out for you!

 

I received the same status through my Senator, and when I called USCIS a week later, I was told that my EAD was approved. So there's hope! Fingers crossed!

Thank you for the valuable information!

 

Sounds like the potential EAD delivery date is cutting close to our move-out date! I think it would be prudent for us to ask my current landlord to extend our move-out date, given that (I heard) USPS cannot forward the EAD to my new address due to it being government document....

[LJaKW 1]

Same situation here guys. Pending job offer ... I asked to expedite and haven’t heard anything since. All this was in December, application received November 3rd. Status online for AOS is ready to be scheduled for interview.

 

I petitioned my senator as well based on the job offer etc.  honestly the expedite request was ignored pretty sure.

 

I have just accepted that waiting is the way to go. Talk to your employer and explain the situation, hopefully they’ll understand

[JoJoJoJo 170]

8 minutes ago, LJaKW said:

Same situation here guys. Pending job offer ... I asked to expedite and haven’t heard anything since. All this was in December, application received November 3rd. Status online for AOS is ready to be scheduled for interview.

 

I petitioned my senator as well based on the job offer etc.  honestly the expedite request was ignored pretty sure.

 

I have just accepted that waiting is the way to go. Talk to your employer and explain the situation, hopefully they’ll understand

Oh, no! Sorry to hear that!!!

 

 

[aratamorne 164]

You only applied for AoS at the end of October, EAD/AP is taking about 4 months.  And expect to wait another 4-6 months after the status changes to ready for an interview......  it is hard waiting without hearing anything, but have patience, it will all be good in the end.  My wife didn't even receive any notification about her Combo Card before it arrived.  Enjoy all the extra time you get to spend together, even when it makes you crazy.

[Londonergirl 133]

Just now, aratamorne said:

You only applied for AoS at the end of October, EAD/AP is taking about 4 months.  And expect to wait another 4-6 months after the status changes to ready for an interview......  it is hard waiting without hearing anything, but have patience, it will all be good in the end.  My wife didn't even receive any notification about her Combo Card before it arrived.  Enjoy all the extra time you get to spend together, even when it makes you crazy.

We are a bunch of August fillers that are still waiting for EAD

[Scandi 4,166]

12 hours ago, Irisandjoel said:

So I am currently in my AOS process and filed for my EAD.

My NOA1 was November 2nd, had my biometrics Dec 7th, received a RFIE dec 4th and responded dec 7th.

There have been no updates since fingerprint fee was received, I still haven't received a response notice after they received my RFIE requested documents.

 

I have heard about people getting state senators to help, how does that work? I call them and what? I don't like talking to people on the phone when I have no idea what to say or do. 

Getting very frustrated and impatient since I see plenty of people who filed 1-3 weeks after me who received their EADs already.. 

 

And I am also confused about how long my case has been pending. I thought I hit the 90 day limit today, but someone pointed out to me weekends and holidays don't count.. if that is true my cases have been pending only for 61 days.. 54 if they paused while they waited for the RFIE documents. So I can't make an actual inquiry until March 9th....? 

There is nothing to call a senator about at this point. You have only waited for 3 months (and you also got an RFIE), expect it to take 6 months for the EAD, be happy if it goes faster than that. There are tons of people waiting for 6 months to get their EADs, so your 3 months (including an RFIE) is definitely not outside normal processing time.

 

And for the AOS.. that can take anything between 2 months and 1,5 year (6-12 months seem to be the most common). Even with people who filed at the same date and have the same field office there are big differences in processing times, so there's no way for you to compare with other people's cases or try to figure out how long it'll take for you to get a decision.

[bad4tatt 168]

19 hours ago, Irisandjoel said:

So I am currently in my AOS process and filed for my EAD.

My NOA1 was November 2nd, had my biometrics Dec 7th, received a RFIE dec 4th and responded dec 7th.

There have been no updates since fingerprint fee was received, I still haven't received a response notice after they received my RFIE requested documents.

 

I have heard about people getting state senators to help, how does that work? I call them and what? I don't like talking to people on the phone when I have no idea what to say or do. 

Getting very frustrated and impatient since I see plenty of people who filed 1-3 weeks after me who received their EADs already.. 

 

And I am also confused about how long my case has been pending. I thought I hit the 90 day limit today, but someone pointed out to me weekends and holidays don't count.. if that is true my cases have been pending only for 61 days.. 54 if they paused while they waited for the RFIE documents. So I can't make an actual inquiry until March 9th....? 

Senators office will only find out what you can by calling and speaking with level 2 officer. Did you use tracking when sending your evidence? Can you track that package to see if delivered?

 

As for processing times when you are getting a request for evidence please see the following as this is straight from the USCIS website:

 

"A request for initial evidence can affect both processing and eligibility for interim benefits.

• Processing: Your case will be suspended, or placed on “hold,” as of the date of the request. The case will resume processing once the requested evidence is received. If you filed a petition properly, the priority date will not be affected by a request for missing initial evidence or request for other evidence.

 

• Interim Benefits: Interim benefits will not be granted based while processing your application is suspended. If you were previously granted employment authorization based on the same status, it may continue un-interrupted."

 

Hope this helps.