"Extended supervisory review"

[nothingbychance 0]

Background on my case:

 

My husband and I filed our I-130 and it was recorded with USCIS on September 9 2015. 

My husband had his interview at the Casablanca Consulate on April 17, 2017 where he received a paper which he lost (we think it was a 221g admin processing)

We have been waiting as our case was sent back via diplomatic pouch 4/26/17 to USCIS Potomac and they state they received it August 10, 2017 (3 1/2 months - really?)

I have had several appointments with the Phoenix Field Office - last one was 6/20/18.  The officer stated he could see my case and it simply listed "pending."  He provided a list of resources (charitable organizations) stating some do pro bono work.

I have contacted 2 of the charitable organizations on the list but they have said they stated they don't do this type of work - they work with refugees only.  I expect to contact the Catholic charities organization listed this week.

I filed a request with the Ombudsman's office 6/10/18 but they list in their robot confirmation reply that they have a 90-120 day backlog.

I have had multiple Congressional inquiries  by Senator McCain and most recently by Congresswoman Debbie Lethos- Her office received an email reply July 3 2018 response:  

 

                                           "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records confirm that your constituent’s petition was returned on August 10, 2017, to the

                                            Potomac Service Center (PSC) as a consular return.  The PSC verifies that the petition is currently under extended supervisory review."

 

                                            Since the petition has been sent back by the embassy,  it will be in extended review based on the findings of the embassy. The review may include

                                            contact with another agency for updates or more comprehensive information.  While there is no specific timeframe, we appreciate your patience.

                                            Upon gathering and assessing all available information, we assure you that USCIS will give it full and fair consideration consistent with all applicable

                                            laws, rules and regulations.

 

                                            We currently have a high volume of consular returns which are pending review.  Your constituent’s patience is greatly appreciated during this process,

                                            and we apologize again for the extended amount of review time. Unfortunately, there is no specific timeframe for when your constituent may receive

                                            this notice as it is contingent upon the supervisory review process."

 

Today I received an email from USCIS-CaseStatus@uscis.dhs.gov which states

 

                                         "On July 6, 2018, we transferred your Form I-130, PETITION FOR ALIEN RELATIVE, Receipt Number SRC####, to another office for processing and

                                       sent you a transfer notice. The notice explains why we transferred your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice..." 

 

                                       "...During this step, USCIS initiates the background checks of the applicant/petitioner and identifies issues that may need to be addressed either

                                       during an interview or by asking the applicant/petitioner to submit additional information or documentation. USCIS reviews the applicant's/petitioner's

                                       criminal history, determines if there are national security concerns that need to be addressed, and reviews the application/petition for fraud indicators."

 

Of course I have not yet received the notice in the mail explaining why my case was transferred...Can someone provide information as to if a transfer is a good, bad, meaningless thing?

Is it just a coincidence my case is being transferred now immediately after the congressional inquiry?

If I could get a lawyer, what could they do?  does it make a difference to USCIS if you have a lawyer?  Other than getting a lawyer, which I cant afford - What advice for next steps do you recommend?

 

Feeling hopeless, sad, crying, and on the verge of a nervous breakdown on a daily basis,

 

Any and all help or information is greatly appreciated in advance <3

 

 

 

 

 

[Amadia 711]

4 minutes ago, nothingbychance said:

Background on my case:

 

My husband and I filed our I-130 and it was recorded with USCIS on September 9 2015. 

My husband had his interview at the Casablanca Consulate on April 17, 2017 where he received a paper which he lost (we think it was a 221g admin processing)

We have been waiting as our case was sent back via diplomatic pouch 4/26/17 to USCIS Potomac and they state they received it August 10, 2017 (3 1/2 months - really?)

I have had several appointments with the Phoenix Field Office - last one was 6/20/18.  The officer stated he could see my case and it simply listed "pending."  He provided a list of resources (charitable organizations) stating some do pro bono work.

I have contacted 2 of the charitable organizations on the list but they have said they stated they don't do this type of work - they work with refugees only.  I expect to contact the Catholic charities organization listed this week.

I filed a request with the Ombudsman's office 6/10/18 but they list in their robot confirmation reply that they have a 90-120 day backlog.

I have had multiple Congressional inquiries  by Senator McCain and most recently by Congresswoman Debbie Lethos- Her office received an email reply July 3 2018 response:  

 

                                           "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) records confirm that your constituent’s petition was returned on August 10, 2017, to the

                                            Potomac Service Center (PSC) as a consular return.  The PSC verifies that the petition is currently under extended supervisory review."

 

                                            Since the petition has been sent back by the embassy,  it will be in extended review based on the findings of the embassy. The review may include

                                            contact with another agency for updates or more comprehensive information.  While there is no specific timeframe, we appreciate your patience.

                                            Upon gathering and assessing all available information, we assure you that USCIS will give it full and fair consideration consistent with all applicable

                                            laws, rules and regulations.

 

                                            We currently have a high volume of consular returns which are pending review.  Your constituent’s patience is greatly appreciated during this process,

                                            and we apologize again for the extended amount of review time. Unfortunately, there is no specific timeframe for when your constituent may receive

                                            this notice as it is contingent upon the supervisory review process."

 

Today I received an email from USCIS-CaseStatus@uscis.dhs.gov which states

 

                                         "On July 6, 2018, we transferred your Form I-130, PETITION FOR ALIEN RELATIVE, Receipt Number SRC####, to another office for processing and

                                       sent you a transfer notice. The notice explains why we transferred your case. Please follow the instructions in the notice..." 

 

                                       "...During this step, USCIS initiates the background checks of the applicant/petitioner and identifies issues that may need to be addressed either

                                       during an interview or by asking the applicant/petitioner to submit additional information or documentation. USCIS reviews the applicant's/petitioner's

                                       criminal history, determines if there are national security concerns that need to be addressed, and reviews the application/petition for fraud indicators."

 

Of course I have not yet received the notice in the mail explaining why my case was transferred...Can someone provide information as to if a transfer is a good, bad, meaningless thing?

Is it just a coincidence my case is being transferred now immediately after the congressional inquiry?

If I could get a lawyer, what could they do?  does it make a difference to USCIS if you have a lawyer?  Other than getting a lawyer, which I cant afford - What advice for next steps do you recommend?

 

Feeling hopeless, sad, crying, and on the verge of a nervous breakdown on a daily basis,

 

Any and all help or information is greatly appreciated in advance <3

 

 

 

 

 

Hi,

 

Getting your case/packet transferred can be for different reasons - ease of workload, review by another officer, etc.

 

Having an attorney does not make any difference to the USCIS but maybe the Congress representative pushed the case a bit forward.

[Mmagic 127]

Anything coming out of Morocco is a challenge now and I have noticed many get a 221a and mostly for background check and so forth. But As the above poster said, it might be good that it was transferred because of work load. Also, you can contact your representative so they can help you with follow up.  

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

casa is hard on ( i would say 90% of the cases) reading the statisical USCIS sites in approvals

congressmen are not able to help / they can inquire and find out the same info u receive (otherwords they see the same corespondence / letters u get)

be prepared to get a NOIR/NOID and make appropiate responses to the issues made at the interview'

when i paid the fee and appealed, i won my court case with evidence i presented but it took a year for the review and then my marriage was declared bona fida and i was told to reapply and submit the copy of the court letter along with a new application / knowing this, i could have just reapplied

be ready to do more than the normal proofs for casa

add moroccan to tax returns doing the W7 for the ITIN ( see IRS instructions)

with the ITIN, u can add to banking /some banks don't like tis but the federal laws allow it as for example, we have foreiners working in the USA and it is allowed for anyone having a ITIN

i also added his name to deed by doing a quick claim deed

make  wills and do anything else u can to commingle finances /csas expects this unlike other embassies

good luck and forget a lawyer

Jeanne

Edited July 7, 2018 by adil-rafa

[pushbrk 12,898]

Any action on your case is progress.  You are not likely to get any additional information in the notice by mail.

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

wondering why your case numbers do not start with CSB xxxxx for casa

 

and your case has probably been sent to Nebraska (seems to almost be normal now for morocco reviews of CR1

Edited July 7, 2018 by adil-rafa

[pushbrk 12,898]

14 minutes ago, adil-rafa said:

wondering why your case numbers do not start with CSB xxxxx for casa

 

CSB is Department of State Visa Case number.  USCIS does not use those. They have the case now, not the Consulate.

[nothingbychance 0]

Thank you to those who have responded so far and for those who have emailed me directly <3

 

What has been said so far is:

1) Morocco is a challenge

2) Forget a lawyer

3) Forget Congressman.  they only get same info you get.

4) Forget hope that the notice will provide actual information. The notice which will arrive will probably not say anything more than your case has been transferred.

 

I would like to seek clarification:  

 

1) I thought that since the case was sent back from the consulate to the USCIS that the Casablanca consulate is no longer involved. 

     I thought although this is never said, that by sending it back, they are recommending to deny. 

     I read somewhere that the consulate cannot deny only the USCIS can indicate an intent to deny/revoke. 

     Is this correct?

 

     So if I were to receive a letter later with intent to deny, what do I do? 

     Someone else once told me that most of the cases that receive an intent to deny are able to provide additional information to address the concerns and then they are approved.

     (especially for those from casablanca)  is this true?  

      Is this something I can do myself or would a lawyer actually help me to get approved?

 

Also please consider the following:

My husband and I are very regular people -- we don't have any criminal backgrounds (not even traffic tickets!), no drugs/smoking/alcohol, we are not political in any way, we have no medical issues, neither of us have ever been married, no children, no previous visa applications.  No internet dating; We met in person when I was travelling (my passion) to morocco (on a 4 month trip through Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and France) and I have visited morocco 5 additional times over approx 4 years for 2 1/2 to 3 weeks each time since the first trip when we met.

 

What we do have is a "red flag" on the age difference which I have been told equates to the administrative processing wait time under the guise of not being a bonafide relationship 

(I believe it equals age and gender discrimination!) 

 

          To prove a bonafide relationship: I did submit all my travel receipts for each trip (at the time 3 trips 5/2014, 12/2014, 6/2015), a ton of photographs together during these trips, skype transcripts showing            daily chats, my employer record of him as my beneficiary, 2 credit cards where i added him as an authorized user, letters from my mother, brother, and best friend attesting to their knowledge of and   

          support of our relationship, a letter from myself  listing our relationship timeline and explaining our relationship and specifics as to what we love about each other, evidence that i took and use his

          last name.  

 

Someone else indicated i should prepare for receiving a notice of intent to deny and gather more proof of a bonafide relationship. 

Other than adding him to the deed of my home (which I have no problem doing if it will help) I dont know what else I could gather? 

Please provide ANYTHING you think I should get/do/gather which you think will help prove our relationship is bonafide.

 

 

 

[pushbrk 12,898]

Consulates return files to USCIS with a recommendation to revoke the petition approval.  USCIS decides how to proceed from there, usually sending a Notice of Intent to Revoke, that gives you an opportunity to respond.  USCIS then decides whether to revoke or reaffirm the approval of the petition.

[EandH0904 1,184]

13 hours ago, nothingbychance said:

Thank you to those who have responded so far and for those who have emailed me directly <3

 

What has been said so far is:

1) Morocco is a challenge

2) Forget a lawyer

3) Forget Congressman.  they only get same info you get.

4) Forget hope that the notice will provide actual information. The notice which will arrive will probably not say anything more than your case has been transferred.

 

I would like to seek clarification:  

 

1) I thought that since the case was sent back from the consulate to the USCIS that the Casablanca consulate is no longer involved. 

     I thought although this is never said, that by sending it back, they are recommending to deny. 

     I read somewhere that the consulate cannot deny only the USCIS can indicate an intent to deny/revoke. 

     Is this correct?

 

     So if I were to receive a letter later with intent to deny, what do I do? 

     Someone else once told me that most of the cases that receive an intent to deny are able to provide additional information to address the concerns and then they are approved.

     (especially for those from casablanca)  is this true?  

      Is this something I can do myself or would a lawyer actually help me to get approved?

 

Also please consider the following:

My husband and I are very regular people -- we don't have any criminal backgrounds (not even traffic tickets!), no drugs/smoking/alcohol, we are not political in any way, we have no medical issues, neither of us have ever been married, no children, no previous visa applications.  No internet dating; We met in person when I was travelling (my passion) to morocco (on a 4 month trip through Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and France) and I have visited morocco 5 additional times over approx 4 years for 2 1/2 to 3 weeks each time since the first trip when we met.

 

What we do have is a "red flag" on the age difference which I have been told equates to the administrative processing wait time under the guise of not being a bonafide relationship 

(I believe it equals age and gender discrimination!) 

 

          To prove a bonafide relationship: I did submit all my travel receipts for each trip (at the time 3 trips 5/2014, 12/2014, 6/2015), a ton of photographs together during these trips, skype transcripts showing            daily chats, my employer record of him as my beneficiary, 2 credit cards where i added him as an authorized user, letters from my mother, brother, and best friend attesting to their knowledge of and   

          support of our relationship, a letter from myself  listing our relationship timeline and explaining our relationship and specifics as to what we love about each other, evidence that i took and use his

          last name.  

 

Someone else indicated i should prepare for receiving a notice of intent to deny and gather more proof of a bonafide relationship. 

Other than adding him to the deed of my home (which I have no problem doing if it will help) I dont know what else I could gather? 

Please provide ANYTHING you think I should get/do/gather which you think will help prove our relationship is bonafide.

 

 

 

Can you spend more time in Morocco? Several months together? How big is your age difference? Same religion? Can you still have children? 

 

If you have been 5 times but 3 were 3 years ago, does that mean in the past 2 years you visited only twice? 

 

We are going through Morocco and have an age difference also and are trying everything we can to help supplement through the process. 

 

Ultimately we don't know what they discussed at the interview, what they focused on, how his English is, etc wo our suggestions may be somewhat vague without the specifics. 

[nothingbychance 0]

I want to thank you for your response EandH0904.  

 

I believe it was personally helpful for me to go through the exercise of writing this response in order to have a clear understanding myself of when we traveled and why we made the decisions we made. 

--And helpful in order to be able to articulate this information concisely to USCIS in the future, if asked. 

 

Additionally, perhaps my response can be of use to someone else reading this string if they are trying to decide if they should take a trip or not.

The time we are apart is truly unbearable; I know my husband and I really wanted to be together as much as was possible/affordable and we agonized over what was the right decision

each time and stressed over how all of it would be viewed by USCIS. 

 

I have visited morocco 6 times and am planning trip #7 the end of this year: 

                                                                                                    5/2014 (originally met and spent every day together 24/7 for 2 months in Morocco)

      Basically it equated to about 1 trip per year:  2014:  12/2014

                                                                                       2015:    6/2015

                                                                                                :  12/2015

                                                                                       2016:   lost job, new job says no vacation until 1 year 

                                                                                       2017:    4/2017 nonrefundable/unused ticket for husband after Casablanca consulate interview

                                                                                                     9/2017

                                                                                       2018:    new higher paying job job 2/2018

                                                                                                     5/2018

                                                                                 and am planning a trip 12/2018.

 

Can I visit morocco more often?  seriously? 

How many working American people do you know who vacation more than once in a year? 

and how many American employers allow for more than 2 weeks of vacation?     

...not to mention each time a visit it has cost me between 4,000 - 5,000 or more in airfare, hotel, car, food, lost wages, etc .   

7 trips at $4,000 = $28,000 

How many average working people can afford this type of expense?  

Most people I know have never been out of the country and cant even afford a 2-week vacation to a drive to destination in the United States!

 

You ask if I can spend several months in Morocco...In order to petition for my husband, I need to hold a job in the united states earning above poverty level.

I think it is a rare profession which could allow a visit to morocco for several months while still keeping your job?

 

I actually ended up quitting my job in January 2016 because when i took the vacation time in 12/2015 they were not happy about it...and this was a entry level job!

I then got another entry level job in February 2016 and when I asked for time off, I was told by my supervisor that it was bad timing and that i should not request time off as a new employee in the first year.

so I didn't visit morocco in 2016 in order to keep my job! 

 

In addition, we kept thinking we were going to have my husband's interview scheduled soon and we would get approved soon...so we were thinking why have the expense to go there when he would be coming here?    then we kept waiting and waiting... thinking any day it will happen.   In the beginning of 2017 we finally got the interview and my senators office was helping us.  They said everything should be fine now that you have the interview... and because of this and my desperation I actually booked an airline ticket for my husband (yes i know this was stupid!) so when we went into admin processing, we lost $700 on a 1-way ticket that couldn't be refunded.

 

so my response to you is that real american people, working real jobs generally cannot take off multiple times in a year.  nor can they take extended periods of time away from their jobs.

And unless you are from a wealthy family or working in a highly paid job, most people cant afford the travel expense.

 

 

Back to the question I asked in my previous post:

 

I've been told I should prepare for receiving a notice of intent to deny/revoke NOIR/NOID;  ...and to gather more proof of a bonafide relationship. 

• Other than more visits to Morocco, what additional ways can we prove our relationship is bonafide?
• Does anyone have actual items/concerns which were listed in a NOIR/NOID?

 

 

 

 

 

[EmmNM 179]

My heart goes out to you and I truly hope you get approved soon. As for evidence I will defer to someone who has more experience.

 

I hear you about trying to take off work to go see your loved one. It is difficult. It is always a big stress to get anytime off of work for more than a week.

 

Additionally, why is it so expensive to go see him though? The airfare is $1000 at most. Can't you stay with him? Doesn't he make any money? If you have a place to stay all you would really need to buy is food if he cannot afford that. If it's that expensive I assume your employer doesn't give any paid time off?

[RJandHamid 1,133]

OP, people are trying to help you consider ways to increase your chances of your husband getting a visa. The reality is the more trips to Morocco might be the only real solution. Yes, we all know that traveling is expensive, and it is incredibly difficult to manage working as an average American. However, if you want your husband to come to the US to be with you, its very possible that additional trips are the key to getting him here. Casablanca really focuses on time spent in person together. This is especially true when an age difference is present.

 

At this time, you still need to keep waiting for the NOIR/NOID letter explaining why the visa was denied. Only then can you move forward with the case and decide what should be done next.

[pushbrk 12,898]

Also, sometimes a question is just a question.  It is not helpful to anybody to get snippy about the questions asked.  If the answer is "no", then just say no.