VAWA, Part 16

[Weldonboy 45]

Hi everyone, today I heard back from my congressman’s office after requesting that they enquirer into my case. The response given to the congressman’s office by USCIS was that the application required a routine security check, and that the security check is taking longer than usual. Specifically, USCIS stated that the security check is what is resulting in the delay with processing my application. 
My question is that, is there anyone with similar response from congressman’s office and what update has the individual gotten since the enquiry.

My timeline is as follows:

March 2017- Filed I360 jointly with I485.

April 2017- RFE (bonafide marriage  and police clearance from home country)

May -2-2017- USCIS received response to my RFE.

 Thanks 

[Shroy123 751]

24 minutes ago, Weldonboy said:

Hi everyone, today I heard back from my congressman’s office after requesting that they enquirer into my case. The response given to the congressman’s office by USCIS was that the application required a routine security check, and that the security check is taking longer than usual. Specifically, USCIS stated that the security check is what is resulting in the delay with processing my application. 
My question is that, is there anyone with similar response from congressman’s office and what update has the individual gotten since the enquiry.

My timeline is as follows:

March 2017- Filed I360 jointly with I485.

April 2017- RFE (bonafide marriage  and police clearance from home country)

May -2-2017- USCIS received response to my RFE.

 Thanks 

Its good you received a response. wait you will get your approval letter soon 

[Stillwinning!!!😊 4,570]

8 minutes ago, Weldonboy said:

Hi everyone, today I heard back from my congressman’s office after requesting that they enquirer into my case. The response given to the congressman’s office by USCIS was that the application required a routine security check, and that the security check is taking longer than usual. Specifically, USCIS stated that the security check is what is resulting in the delay with processing my application. 
My question is that, is there anyone with similar response from congressman’s office and what update has the individual gotten since the enquiry.

My timeline is as follows:

March 2017- Filed I360 jointly with I485.

April 2017- RFE (bonafide marriage  and police clearance from home country)

May -2-2017- USCIS received response to my RFE.

 Thanks 

WOW! I'm still trying to understand this security checks thing..and why it takes longer for some and not others...few folks are still waiting for VAWA approval because of this so called security checks. Since congressman has already been involved..there's nothing much you can do but wait patiently..hopefully it resolves quickly!🙏

[Allrounder 57]

36 minutes ago, Weldonboy said:

Hi everyone, today I heard back from my congressman’s office after requesting that they enquirer into my case. The response given to the congressman’s office by USCIS was that the application required a routine security check, and that the security check is taking longer than usual. Specifically, USCIS stated that the security check is what is resulting in the delay with processing my application. 
My question is that, is there anyone with similar response from congressman’s office and what update has the individual gotten since the enquiry.

My timeline is as follows:

March 2017- Filed I360 jointly with I485.

April 2017- RFE (bonafide marriage  and police clearance from home country)

May -2-2017- USCIS received response to my RFE.

 Thanks 

My God!!! this is a very long  wait, but God is going to put a smile on your face soon

 

[Weldonboy 45]

35 minutes ago, Shroy123 said:

Its good you received a response. wait you will get your approval letter soon 

Thanks for the inspiration 

[Weldonboy 45]

38 minutes ago, Stillwinning!!!😊 said:

WOW! I'm still trying to understand this security checks thing..and why it takes longer for some and not others...few folks are still waiting for VAWA approval because of this so called security checks. Since congressman has already been involved..there's nothing much you can do but wait patiently..hopefully it resolves quickly!🙏

Its honestly demoralizing. I’m just staying strong for myself. Thanks for your prayers 

[Weldonboy 45]

12 minutes ago, Allrounder said:

My God!!! this is a very long  wait, but God is going to put a smile on your face soon

 

Amen! and you too. Thanks 

[Stillwinning!!!😊 4,570]

3 minutes ago, Weldonboy said:

Its honestly demoralizing. I’m just staying strong for myself. Thanks for your prayers 

I can only imagine as we have the same PD! March 2017! I pray God gives you the strength and grace to wait for your good news because it's coming!🙏

[Blunt 167]

12 minutes ago, Weldonboy said:

Thanks for the inspiration 

I hope they are getting your EAD renewed ??

[Pinkslays 6]

4 hours ago, sandranj said:

It's mandatory to prove commune residence and bonafide marriage. The person must write an affidavit with a lot of detail about the Courtship and  life after got married.The person should get affidavits from friends and family stating what they know about the time you were dating and after you got married, friends should mention in the affidavits if they met the abuser, when and where they visited your home ,if they attended the wedding if not why not.How many times the person saw your abuser in your home with you. If possible get a letter from the Landlord mentioning if he/she has knowledge that you lived there with your husband, how many times he saw you there with your husband and when. Talk to your neighbor see if he/she can give an affidavit as well. 

Thank you 

[Villanelle 4,122]

General info on Security Checks:

 

USCIS conducts what they call 'Security Checks' on all applicants. It includes biometrics and an FBI name check. Most are familiar with the biometric process, basically you get a notice and go to the local office where they take a quick photo and scan your prints. Results for this come back quickly. Some people do have issues with prints not being read properly and are notified quickly to come back to re-scan. There are provisions for those who are unable to have their prints scanned- however its rare. Biometrics are rarely the cause of delay under security checks.

 

The second part is the FBI name check. Its important to remember USCIS is not the only agency that uses the FBI name check service. Its also used for things like firearm purchases and federal job security reviews. Ideally USCIS should have their own agency doing these checks but they dont. There is NO WAY to contact the FBI about your pending name check nor is there any way any one (including congressmen) can speed up the process. You just have to wait it out. ... For this name check USCIS requires the FBI checks your name both how its spelled and variations of spelling and phonetic pronunciation. They have to check any file where the name or variation is listed as the 'subject' as well as any case where the name is contained in it. So for people with common names or a name similar to a known suspect, or associations with suspects- theres a lot of records to sort though. This can cause a huge delay for some depending on their name and how common it is in the records.

 

Another issue is the records are NOT all electronic. Surprisingly the FBI still relies on paper files! There is only one copy of each file, stored in file boxes around the US. When an Officer needs a file to do the name check they request it. It is then shipped to them to review. However since many Officers are requesting files and there is only one copy the boxes need to be shipped from Officer to Officer as they are requested. This adds much time to the process. The process is usually slower for those not in what is considered 'ally' countries where records are shared easily and are often electronic. So your country of origin is also going to impact the quality and ease of access to records needed to complete the check. Once the FBI submits a response of No Record it is valid for 15 months. So it is possible for it to expire before adjudication and need to be redone but is rare for that to happen. 

 

For those stuck in security checks pending status the only thing you can do is periodically check in with your congressperson for updates to make sure your case doesnt fall to the side or get lost. 

 

 

 

[Shroy123 751]

55 minutes ago, Weldonboy said:

Thanks for the inspiration 

Not at all bro :😃 we all are here victims and know each other's feelings and sentiments.. your approval is coming

[Allrounder 57]

42 minutes ago, Weldonboy said:

Amen! and you too. Thanks 

Thank you very much, am waiting for 20 months now no word from them, not even a rfe.

[Maxlax 38]

12 minutes ago, Villanelle said:

General info on Security Checks:

 

USCIS conducts what they call 'Security Checks' on all applicants. It includes biometrics and an FBI name check. Most are familiar with the biometric process, basically you get a notice and go to the local office where they take a quick photo and scan your prints. Results for this come back quickly. Some people do have issues with prints not being read properly and are notified quickly to come back to re-scan. There are provisions for those who are unable to have their prints scanned- however its rare. Biometrics are rarely the cause of delay under security checks.

 

The second part is the FBI name check. Its important to remember USCIS is not the only agency that uses the FBI name check service. Its also used for things like firearm purchases and federal job security reviews. Ideally USCIS should have their own agency doing these checks but they dont. There is NO WAY to contact the FBI about your pending name check nor is there any way any one (including congressmen) can speed up the process. You just have to wait it out. ... For this name check USCIS requires the FBI checks your name both how its spelled and variations of spelling and phonetic pronunciation. They have to check any file where the name or variation is listed as the 'subject' as well as any case where the name is contained in it. So for people with common names or a name similar to a known suspect, or associations with suspects- theres a lot of records to sort though. This can cause a huge delay for some depending on their name and how common it is in the records.

 

Another issue is the records are NOT all electronic. Surprisingly the FBI still relies on paper files! There is only one copy of each file, stored in file boxes around the US. When an Officer needs a file to do the name check they request it. It is then shipped to them to review. However since many Officers are requesting files and there is only one copy the boxes need to be shipped from Officer to Officer as they are requested. This adds much time to the process. The process is usually slower for those not in what is considered 'ally' countries where records are shared easily and are often electronic. So your country of origin is also going to impact the quality and ease of access to records needed to complete the check. Once the FBI submits a response of No Record it is valid for 15 months. So it is possible for it to expire before adjudication and need to be redone but is rare for that to happen. 

 

For those stuck in security checks pending status the only thing you can do is periodically check in with your congressperson for updates to make sure your case doesnt fall to the side or get lost. 

 

 

 

Thanks for this explicit explanation.

[aquila 248]

2 hours ago, Weldonboy said:

Hi everyone, today I heard back from my congressman’s office after requesting that they enquirer into my case. The response given to the congressman’s office by USCIS was that the application required a routine security check, and that the security check is taking longer than usual. Specifically, USCIS stated that the security check is what is resulting in the delay with processing my application. 
My question is that, is there anyone with similar response from congressman’s office and what update has the individual gotten since the enquiry.

My timeline is as follows:

March 2017- Filed I360 jointly with I485.

April 2017- RFE (bonafide marriage  and police clearance from home country)

May -2-2017- USCIS received response to my RFE.

 Thanks 

Yes I'm with you on the same response. Just to assure you, we're all in this together and if I'm correct some others too.

I got the same and usual generic response from my Congresswoman and senator.

At the moment I'm waiting for response from the USCIS ombudsman. I sent out a privacy release form for them to follow up as requested.

My timelines are exact similar to yours just a month before you in submission and rfe (bona fide marriage only) too 😁

 

It's all good, we'll still keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best news in the near future. 👍🍻