August 2018 I-129F Filers

[Jay Jones 261]

1 minute ago, Greenbaum said:

You would like to believe that to be true. There are so many factors that are involved in background checks and being in the military would be one of them. Now if you have been in friendly country your entire enlistment, then I could go along with what you are saying but if you are in other country's that we have conflicts with I would think that some additional scrutiny is required. I was in the military in the 70's so I doubt that anything would be on a radar as my civilian record is clean but just the same they will check.

 

As part of its benefits adjudication process and as required by law, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) conducts background checks on petitioners and applicants who seek certain immigration benefits. These background checks consist of four separate checks against systems within Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In order to facilitate the collection and transmission of information necessary to complete background check processes, USCIS maintains five information technology electronic systems: the Fingerprint Masthead Notification System (FMNS), the Customer Identity Capture System (CICS), the FD-258 Tracking System - Mainframe (FD-258 MF), the Benefits Biometrics Support System (BBSS), and the Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS) Manifest. USCIS is conducting this privacy impact assessment (PIA) because FMNS, CICS, FD-258 MF, BBSS, and IBIS Manifest collect, use, and share personally identifiable information (PII). This PIA replaces the previously published USCIS PIA for the "Background Check Service (BCS)" which describes planned background check-related systems that were never implemented. Upon publication of this PIA, the BCS PIA will be retired.

 

Additional screening and background checks based on country of birth, citizenship, or residency in the “State Sponsors of Terrorism” (T-7) list: Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, Syria; or from the “List of 26”: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, Yemen. This is a mandatory stop list and allegedly takes 2 to 4 days, thanks in part to the partially rolled out PATRIOT (Pre-Adjudicated Threat Recognition and Intelligence Operations Team) system managed by ICE, but often take 3 to 6 weeks and if there is a hit who knows how long.

 

Security Advisory Opinion (SAO) or Washington Special Clearance,[1] commonly called security clearance, administrative clearance, or administrative processing,[2] is a process the United States Department of State and the diplomatic missions of the United States use in deciding to grant or deny a United States visa to certain visa applicants. The process involves sending a request from the visa issuing post to the Department of State's headquarters in Washington, D.C., to investigate an individual's case for possible espionage, terrorism, and illegal export of technology out of the United States.

Thank you.  That's great information.  I did do a tour in Iraq and Kosovo and I spent 7 years stationed in Korea.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

4 minutes ago, floresaaron said:

You sent a copy of your 214? Didn't think I should do so since I'm sure they can pull it up right away. Character of discharge and all...

 

1 minute ago, Jay Jones said:

I can sometimes overdo things, lol.  I'm 100% disability P&T as well.  I even sent that printout from the Ebenets website.  I know those are certain documents they may trash but I didn't want there to be any doubt.  

In my experience with this process, I learned give only what is asked for. If it is not asked for then don't include it. You're opening a "can of warms" by giving them "ammunition" that may (or may not we can't say for sure as we are not the trained adjudicators) prompt additional checks. I'm just saying.

 

I have stood near by at visa interview and have watch the CO (experts in unearthing questionable information) start a simple interview and with in 60 seconds uncovered fraud.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

2 minutes ago, Jay Jones said:

Thank you.  That's great information.  I did do a tour in Iraq and Kosovo and I spent 7 years stationed in Korea.

Salute to your duty to our country. Thank you.

[Chris&Ale 153]

1 hour ago, DaveAndAnastasia said:

Probably the most noticeable difference is that a NOA2 letter will have a visible '1 of 1' in the window, but the pictures of RFE letters I've seen here generally have noticeably thicker envelopes too.

Awesome! Thanks! 

[Chris&Ale 153]

35 minutes ago, floresaaron said:

You sent a copy of your 214? Didn't think I should do so since I'm sure they can pull it up right away. Character of discharge and all...

I wonder if "character of discharge" could somehow impact a decision to approve/deny a K1 or spousal application?

[floresaaron 25]

1 minute ago, Chris&Ale said:

I wonder if "character of discharge" could somehow impact a decision to approve/deny a K1 or spousal application?

Yes. It may hint that the petitioner could have a violent past and would warrant a deeper background check or perhaps interview depending on the specific character of discharge, especially the Bad Conduct Discharge.

 

[Shiran 1,134]

47 minutes ago, floresaaron said:

No military experience? Don't you mean military experience? How would military experience make the process longer??

Asking because I have and we filed a month apart.

I meant no military experience. This is pure speculation on my part, but it makes sense that those who actually were highly militarily trained and exposed to country's military secrets, and are about to enter a deeply personal union with a foreigner, would be subject to additional scrutiny. I also know of someone who withdrew their 129F due to concerns about their secret clearance. Once again, this is purely my personal speculation, and I absolutely not accusing anyone of anything. But as Reagan was fond of saying "Trust, but verify."

I do hope for everyone's speedy approval!

[rubberducky451 1]

On 12/31/2018 at 6:53 PM, PandT said:

I am getting nervous myself.  NOA1 is Aug 2.

NOA1 August 2nd here too. No word as of yet!

[Chris&Ale 153]

4 hours ago, floresaaron said:

Yes. It may hint that the petitioner could have a violent past and would warrant a deeper background check or perhaps interview depending on the specific character of discharge, especially the Bad Conduct Discharge.

 

Aahh.. I didn't think of it possibly pointing to a history of violence or anything. I was thinking of people who maybe weren't a good fit and went AWOL or perhaps insubordination. Thanks!

[vera1992 12]

10 hours ago, Shiran said:

They just barely started on August. You can book mark https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/monthly_filers.php?form=1&visa=1&scenter=1&option=1&sortby=2 also known as "Igor's list" and monitor it there.

Do make sure you are checking mailbox, as it seems they are very inconsistent with updating online sources. 

Thanks so much for the help!! Really  appreciate it!!!!!

[Giovana 0]

On 8/1/2018 at 9:19 AM, T_P said:

There we go, August filers congratulations on your decision to pursue this amazing relationship with your fiancee. This will be a fun journey so like @missileman say buckle your seat belt and prepare for the ride.

 

Feel free to post your questions and share experiences during your K1 application process.

Hi! I also applied on August 1st but I haven’t received the receipt from the petition or a letter with my case number... is that normal? does it take this many months, or was I supposed to get that a couple of weeks after applying for I-129F? 

[Nafis8 115]

15 minutes ago, Giovana said:

Hi! I also applied on August 1st but I haven’t received the receipt from the petition or a letter with my case number... is that normal? does it take this many months, or was I supposed to get that a couple of weeks after applying for I-129F? 

Did they charge you? 

Didn't you try calling USCIS to know if they got it?

Edited January 4, 2019 by Nafisa Zaripova

[Sandford010 50]

12 minutes ago, Giovana said:

Hi! I also applied on August 1st but I haven’t received the receipt from the petition or a letter with my case number... is that normal? does it take this many months, or was I supposed to get that a couple of weeks after applying for I-129F? 

You should have received an noa 1 a week or two after sending your package off.  You should check that they’ve taken your filing fee first.  If they have your NOA 1 will have gotten lost somewhere, if not for some reason they never accepted your application and you’ll need to refile.  

[Giovana 0]

2 minutes ago, Nafisa Zaripova said:

Did they charge you? 

Didn't you try calling USCIS to know if they got it?

I called my lawyer a couple of times and he told me to continue waiting, it can take up to 6-8 months for an answer according to him... I had a funny feeling about all this because it’s taking too long. Today I started to do some research and I found out that I was supposed to get a NOA within the first 3 weeks... I haven’t received the first notification...When I submitted my paper work I send it as priority mail, and I have the confirmation from the post office that uscis received it.  I will call uscis tomorrow morning, I send them a money order, not sure if they charged it. 

[chs_ 28]

50 minutes ago, Giovana said:

Hi! I also applied on August 1st but I haven’t received the receipt from the petition or a letter with my case number... is that normal? does it take this many months, or was I supposed to get that a couple of weeks after applying for I-129F? 

We haven’t received NOA1 hard copy either because of post office delivery person delivered wrong address two times. 

Didn’t you get case number via email or text message?