Calling USCIS as the beneficiary?

[TomTom 0]

As some of you already know USCIS is having problems updating the online status recently. Since we've been touched twice in a row, but not yesterday, we think they sent out NOA2 already. Unfortunately I'm too curious to wait until the letter arrives (which might take weeks...). I know that calling USCIS is pretty much pointless, except if I pretend that I received an RFE to get a real person on the phone. Could I do this from abroad as the beneficiary? Or will they only talk to the petitioner (even if I have a copy of the I129F in front of me to answer any details they ask for)?

[MaydayDas 1]

You could try. I , the beneficiary, I called USCIS a few times with success until one day when I got the answer "not you supposed to call, the petition is on your husband's name so he has to call".

[Carlawarla 1]

Not only should you probably not be calling because you're the beneficiary, you shouldn't be getting into ANY habit like lying! Just like you're not supposed to be filling out papers, or saying anything during your interview that is in anyway a lie, why would you think it's okay to phone the information line and lie?

You have no idea whether you've received an RFE, or any NOA. You were touched. Period.

I know you're anxious, but patience is a virtue!

Good luck during the rest of your journey.

Carla

[TomTom 0]

I read that many many people here in VJ used this "trick" to get to speak to a real person...

[CarlaM 0]

We used the change of address, and when you get to talk to a real person, if they dnt tell you that your address cant be changed because you were already approved, and they ask you your new address you have to say: ohhh i just was wondering when should i change it, i havent moved yet.

Dnt say you got an RFE, that could get you in troubles, and you just got one touch, that is it, i think you should wait.

I am the beneficiary, I called them using the address trick, first i didnt work, because i wastn approved yet (i got 3 touches, not just one), it made me look like an idiot and I got in huge troubles with my SO because i jeopardized our visa just because i couldnt wait.

I will suggest: Dnt do it!

Edited May 24, 2007 by carla-justin

[TomTom 0]

Alright, thanks for the feedback. I'll wait

[Minya's wife 24]

Not only should you probably not be calling because you're the beneficiary, you shouldn't be getting into ANY habit like lying! Just like you're not supposed to be filling out papers, or saying anything during your interview that is in anyway a lie, why would you think it's okay to phone the information line and lie?

You have no idea whether you've received an RFE, or any NOA. You were touched. Period.

I know you're anxious, but patience is a virtue!

Good luck during the rest of your journey.

Carla

It is not lying to call USCIS after repeated "touches" but no updated to the case status, at least not w/ what's been hapenning these last couple of weeks w/ the online status updates. Many February k-1 filers started seeing repeated touches but no updates. The worry is very real in thinking that an RFE was issued. This "slowdown" in case status updates online is coupled w/ many people just not receiving paper NOA's...there is some sort of backlog going on at CSC or their online notification system has a bug. Calling the 1-800 # and stating that you fear you got an RFE, you don't know what's going on, in not lying in this case. That is what some of us have done, only to find out that we were approved....but no notification send at all, e-mail or snail-mail. By the time some of us received snail mail NOA2, their petition had already cleared NVC and was on the way to the consulate.

-P

[Dan J 277]

Not only should you probably not be calling because you're the beneficiary, you shouldn't be getting into ANY habit like lying! Just like you're not supposed to be filling out papers, or saying anything during your interview that is in anyway a lie, why would you think it's okay to phone the information line and lie?

You have no idea whether you've received an RFE, or any NOA. You were touched. Period.

I know you're anxious, but patience is a virtue!

Good luck during the rest of your journey.

Carla

It is not lying to call USCIS after repeated "touches" but no updated to the case status, at least not w/ what's been hapenning these last couple of weeks w/ the online status updates. Many February k-1 filers started seeing repeated touches but no updates. The worry is very real in thinking that an RFE was issued. This "slowdown" in case status updates online is coupled w/ many people just not receiving paper NOA's...there is some sort of backlog going on at CSC or their online notification system has a bug. Calling the 1-800 # and stating that you fear you got an RFE, you don't know what's going on, in not lying in this case. That is what some of us have done, only to find out that we were approved....but no notification send at all, e-mail or snail-mail. By the time some of us received snail mail NOA2, their petition had already cleared NVC and was on the way to the consulate.

-P

Agree. It's not lying by asking, " I have 2 touches and then nothing, did I get an RFE ?"

Dan and I used Skype conference call to call the USCIS. It's free for numbers that starts with 800. The operator did ask if he could speak to the petitioner. So, if you want to call, it's better to call and have your petitioner SO with you on the phone. Best wishes for your journey.

-Gemvita

[Carlawarla 1]

I know that calling USCIS is pretty much pointless, except if I pretend that I received an RFE to get a real person on the phone.

Sorry...pretending you got an RFE when you call is lying in my books. If you're calling to make an enquiry, fine. That isn't want the OP stated.

Carla

Edited May 24, 2007 by cartoboy123

[vanee 13]

Many February k-1 filers started seeing repeated touches but no updates. The worry is very real in thinking that an RFE was issued. This "slowdown" in case status updates online is coupled w/ many people just not receiving paper NOA's...there is some sort of backlog going on at CSC or their online notification system has a bug. Calling the 1-800 # and stating that you fear you got an RFE, you don't know what's going on, in not lying in this case. That is what some of us have done, only to find out that we were approved....but no notification send at all, e-mail or snail-mail.

We're in that boat too. I tried calling yesterday, but the 800 number didn't work from Canada. My fiance also tried but couldn't get through.

I agree that asking if you got an RFE is not lying. It's a real possibility.

By the time some of us received snail mail NOA2, their petition had already cleared NVC and was on the way to the consulate.

Is there a way to check directly with the NVC?

[msu17 0]

Not only should you probably not be calling because you're the beneficiary, you shouldn't be getting into ANY habit like lying! Just like you're not supposed to be filling out papers, or saying anything during your interview that is in anyway a lie, why would you think it's okay to phone the information line and lie?

You have no idea whether you've received an RFE, or any NOA. You were touched. Period.

I know you're anxious, but patience is a virtue!

Good luck during the rest of your journey.

Carla

Oh for goodness sakes, relax! This happened to us and had I NOT called we still would not know we had been approved, almost one month AFTER our approval! And how is saying, "Hi I'm concerned we might have an RFE, could you give me any information?" a lie??? Especially when they aren't notifying anyone lately so you very well could have one. What the OP said is just semantics, give them a break

If you are worried, call. The worst they can say is the petitioner needs to call

Edited May 24, 2007 by msu17

[vanee 13]

Is there a way to check directly with the NVC?

Answering my own question...yes, there is, I called them, and I found out that we've been approved!

Like some others here, our file was touched 2 days in a row, and the first touch was the day that it was approved. The NVC wouldn't have that information until they received the file, but they received it 2 days ago and sent it to the foreign consulate today. The person I talked with didn't have a problem giving me, the beneficiary, the information after I gave her our names and DOBs.

[L_n_O 3]

EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TomTom 0]

That was exactly what I wanted to do. Of course I wanted to clarify by telling them that I'm only concerned about it, but to get to speak to a real person you kind of have to pretend that you received an RFE ;-) My intention was not to lie

[JoeMama 0]

That is unusual. On 05/22, I was prompted at the USCIS website to change my password. Did this happen to you also? After I changed the password and logged into my account, I noticed I received the first touch after the NOA1 back in March. 1st touch on 05/22 and a 2nd touch on 05/23. But there's no update via e-mail. I'm guessing the same thing must've happened to me as some of you on this thread. We must've been approved also. But I don't have any confirmation of this yet.