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Posted
Wow, this is a great list. I'm an active moderator of the Yahoo group, and co-founder of American Families United, which is lobbying on the name check issue (in addition to other items):

One thing I would add to the post above: I have spoken with several lawyers who sepcialize in filing writs of mandamus, and they all recommend that you do NOT file a freedom of information act (FOIA) request. I have consistently heard that this is actually conterproductive. My understanding is that documenting INFOPASS appointments is the most important thing you can do for your case, and that other than that, the most important consideration is the time that you've waited.

thanks Randall. could you provide more information as to why a FOIPA is not suggested? I initially took the suggestion due to the many discussions it had in the namechecktracker group.

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Posted
thanks Randall. could you provide more information as to why a FOIPA is not suggested? I initially took the suggestion due to the many discussions it had in the namechecktracker group.

Every attorney I've spoken with has said that a FOIA request basically takes your case out of the pile of applications to be processed, takes up time to make photocopies, and then is placed back in the pile under a new batch of applications.

What sets it apart from other inquiries like INFOPASS or Congression liasons is that it requires the case to be physically moved, as opposed to looked up on a computer that tracks it. Of course, this removal of the case would be fine if the FOIA request created any incentive to process the case. But it doesn't. It's just an annoyance for the FBI. It doesn't in any way put any pressure on them. At least that is my understanding. If an attorney had a different opinion, I would certainly listen to it, but I've asked and none have ever given me any other opinion than the one I've just shared here.

What makes a writ of mandamus work is that the federal court gets an inside look at the operations for the FBI, and frankly, these cases are very embarrassing for them.

I think the advice for the FOIA requests got started on immigrationportal and has just carried on from there. But to the best of my knowledge, this advice started out from somebody who intuitively thought it would be a good idea, but really didn't speak with an attorney who understood the system. Part of the problem is that the process itself is such a "block box" with such lack of transparency, that people don't really know what works and what doesn't work without some inside insight that ususally only an attorney or a former employee will have.

Posted

Hi,

We are in the same boat. I was going to ask this same question. I am from England and we got married June 3rd and I my wife and I were interviewed in MN last Tuesday (Oct 24th).

The interview took all of 15 minutes and the guy said I was approved but my case was waiting on the name check.

It is so frustrating!

How long does it take? It seems that there is no rhyme of reason.

We have tickets to go home for Christmas, which figuring we had an interview date made it safe to book hoping the green card woldn't be far behind. I told teh immigration interviewer this and he said I coudl apply for the advance parole, which just pisses me off because it is more expense and the whole implication that you are a prisoner needing 'parole.'

Ooooh, the whole damn system pisses us off no end.

W

Late Aug 01 - William takes part of a student exchange to Minnesota, USA and meets Amanda

Nov 01 - William comes to know Jesus. Life changes for the better and becomes fulfilling!!

Dec 01 - William flies home, but Amanda is the first person he misses and calls when back.

Mar 02 - Amanda and friends visit England and William

Summer 03 - William and Amanda email and phone

Nov 03 - William returns to the US. Over dinner he nervously tells Amanda he likes her.

Mar 04 - Amanda visits William in England; he surprises her with a trip to Paris.

Aug 04 - Over-worked Will misses his girlfriend so flies to see Amanda for a week.

Dec 04 - William flies to spend Christmas with much missed Amanda.

Mar 05 - Miraculously, God provides a way for Will to see Amanda as work sends him to US.

30th Apr 05 - At a coffee shop in Fargo, ND, William proposes to beautiful Amanda.

“What? Are you kidding me? What…?” Amanda shocked. But says “Yes!”

6th May 05 - Having assembled the paperwork, we post the I-129F to Nebraska USCIS

9th May 05 - NOA 1 – Our receipt is dated from the USCIS in Nebraska

12th May 05 - Our paper work is looked at.

16th May 05 - William leaves his fiancé to fly to England. Deep sadness. God is our strength.

25th July 05 - NOA 2

31st October - Medical

16th Nov 05 - Packet 4

19th Dec 05 - Interview at US embassy

24th Mar 06 - Will flies to the US via NY JFK POE

3rd JUN 06 - OUR WEDDING DAY!

29th Jun 06 - AOS applied for

24th Oct 06 - AOS interview

Filed: Other Timeline
Posted
Hi,

We are in the same boat. I was going to ask this same question. I am from England and we got married June 3rd and I my wife and I were interviewed in MN last Tuesday (Oct 24th).

The interview took all of 15 minutes and the guy said I was approved but my case was waiting on the name check.

It is so frustrating!

How long does it take? It seems that there is no rhyme of reason.

We have tickets to go home for Christmas, which figuring we had an interview date made it safe to book hoping the green card woldn't be far behind. I told teh immigration interviewer this and he said I coudl apply for the advance parole, which just pisses me off because it is more expense and the whole implication that you are a prisoner needing 'parole.'

Ooooh, the whole damn system pisses us off no end.

W

I'd be filing for that Advance Parole if I were you. Like tomorrow. Wes' took over two months to arrive.

My husband is from the UK also and his interview was almost 8 months ago. I don't know how common your name is, but you could be in for a long wait.

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted (edited)

OMG !!!!! WE WERE TOUCHED !!! :dance::dance::dance:

LOL

AND .....

What a GREAT touch it was!!! Our case status says that our welcome letters were sent in the mail yesterday (Oct. 30th)!!!!!

So I guess we paid to renew our advance parole and my EAD for nothing!!! But that's okay I am not going to complain about getting my "Green" card.

The welcome letter is on the way ... when will the green card actually come?

HIP HIP HURRAY!!!!

Edited by Kelly and Norma

Jan. 18, 2005 ..... I 129F mailed

June 3, 2005 .... Interview success ... we got our visa !!!

July 15, 2005 ..... Kelly moved into our new house

July 29, 2005 ..... Crossed into the USA and got temp.

August 2, 2005 ... Got married in a civil service :-)

October 2005 ... Sent in AOS, EAD and AP for both myself and my son

November 22, 2005 ... Received Biometrics Appointment for AOS

Chicago finally admits they lost all my sons paperwork have to re-file everything of his !!!!

December 17, 2005 ... Biometrics Appointment

April 13, 2006 ... AOS Interview ... told everything looks good but have to wait for the darn name check!!!

Infopass Appointment Oct. 10th - Told to keep on waiting for Name Check

Oct. 10, 2006 ... EAD Renewal and AP Renewal eFiled

November 7, 2006 ... GREEN CARDS ARRIVE !!!!!

Posted

OMG! we've been TOUCHED! On October 28th!! i just saw it tonight! nothing has changed except the "last updated" date...but still...i'm so freaking excited! :thumbs:

f35qw2.gif

f35qif.gif

Click here to view our webpage!

jt179g.jpg

AOS Approved!! icon_woohoo.gif

Apply to remove conditions August 13, 2008!

Click here for our complete Immigration Timeline

2uhvevm.gif

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."--Author Unknown

Posted

well..until this touch, the last time they even gave us a cursory glance was back in JULY.

we know that our file is sitting on the supervisor's desk awaiting final approval...so a touch must be a good thing, right?

please, God, let it be a good thing.

f35qw2.gif

f35qif.gif

Click here to view our webpage!

jt179g.jpg

AOS Approved!! icon_woohoo.gif

Apply to remove conditions August 13, 2008!

Click here for our complete Immigration Timeline

2uhvevm.gif

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."--Author Unknown

Filed: Country: Germany
Timeline
Posted
OMG !!!!! WE WERE TOUCHED !!! :dance::dance::dance:

LOL

AND .....

What a GREAT touch it was!!! Our case status says that our welcome letters were sent in the mail yesterday (Oct. 30th)!!!!!

The welcome letter is on the way ... when will the green card actually come?

HIP HIP HURRAY!!!!

Congrats, finally some movement here.... :dance:

I got my Green Card about 10 days after the welcome letter!

Good luck to everybody else!

Conditional Permanent Resident since September 20, 2006

Conditions removed February 23, 2009

I am extraordinarily patient,

provided I get my own way in the end!

Margaret Thatcher

Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Canada
Timeline
Posted

Woohoo for Kelly & Norma! :dance:

2005

Sept 10 I-129F sent to TSC

2006

Interview - February 13th APPROVED! day 152

April 6 - wedding date day 204

Aug 22 - AOS interview date day 101-total days 342

Sept 29 - green card arrives, done until June 2008 day 140-total days 381

2008

June 30 - I-751 mailed total days 1025

2009

March 9 - Removal of Conditions approved! total days 1277

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

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