Never Received a Notice? The Saga Continues!!

[AmyOlivia 29]

Hey everyone! It's been a while since I posted here in actual fact, so I hope everyone is doing good. I'm loving the States thus far and would be doing way better if the USCIS could actually respond to me about something...!

 

Long story short, I received a notification on my case on October 1st stating that I was being sent a request for initial evidence. Bummer, but no big deal. I waited and waited, but no notice came. I submitted an e-request on October 16th, as the USCIS requested that I do on my case status update, and was told I'd have a response/ resolution by November 8th.

 

November 8th came and went. I allowed an extra few working days and then started to try and call. No matter when I call (I'm on the west coast timezone-wise, probably doesn't help), I'm on hold forever and can never speak to anybody.

 

I got fed-up and submitted another e-request due to the lack of response on the first one. That was weeks ago and still no response.

 

I understand that it's coming up to and has been around holiday time; does that slow communications down? Is there a reason why I'm not getting responded to? Shall I keep trying to call the USCIS communications office so I can try to get this resolved?

 

I'm now worrying because of course there'll be a deadline for the request, but I can't get ahold of anyone and it feels like I'm shouting at a brick wall!!

 

Has anybody experienced similar? Any tips or advice? I'm going a bit crazy over here.

[USS_Voyager 1,972]

17 minutes ago, AmyOlivia said:

I'm on hold forever and can never speak to anybody.

I always was able to get to speak to a real person, although sometimes it takes an hour or so. Did you get the to part where you're waiting to speak to a person? And no one ever picks up?How long did you wait? Did it offer you the option of calling you back?

[Pitaya 2,577]

If you have moved since starting your immigration journey, please be certain that you have done proper change of addresses (COA) with USCIS and USPS, https://www.uscis.gov/addresschange . Improper and incomplete COAs with both of these agencies, seems to be a big reason why important mail tends to "slip through the cracks."

 

You have been plenty patient with the USCIS (Dis)service Line, more than I would or have been. As you stated, your RFE has a finite deadline for response. If they get no response from you, they could rule that you have abandoned your application, and close your case. This verbal/email cat 'n mouse game is getting you no where! You have to step up your game! I would suggest that you contact the DHS Ombudsman (CISOMB), their job is to help you resolve issues with USCIS, take a look at this useful list of CISOMB FAQs and see if they might be able to help you: https://www.dhs.gov/cisomb-faqs . At the very least, if you file a claim and open a case with CISOMB, you have written documentation that you were being proactive in trying to work on your long-overdue RFE notice, and didn't abandon your application.  Here is the link for opening a case with CISOMB, https://www.dhs.gov/contact-cisomb . I would suggest that you avoid just calling them, email or write them, that way you have a record of what you've sent. I would suggest that you move on this soonish, you are up against the clock. 

 

Good luck on your immigration journey.

[AmyOlivia 29]

1 hour ago, Pitaya said:

If you have moved since starting your immigration journey, please be certain that you have done proper change of addresses (COA) with USCIS and USPS, https://www.uscis.gov/addresschange . Improper and incomplete COAs with both of these agencies, seems to be a big reason why important mail tends to "slip through the cracks."

 

You have been plenty patient with the USCIS (Dis)service Line, more than I would or have been. As you stated, your RFE has a finite deadline for response. If they get no response from you, they could rule that you have abandoned your application, and close your case. This verbal/email cat 'n mouse game is getting you no where! You have to step up your game! I would suggest that you contact the DHS Ombudsman (CISOMB), their job is to help you resolve issues with USCIS, take a look at this useful list of CISOMB FAQs and see if they might be able to help you: https://www.dhs.gov/cisomb-faqs . At the very least, if you file a claim and open a case with CISOMB, you have written documentation that you were being proactive in trying to work on your long-overdue RFE notice, and didn't abandon your application.  Here is the link for opening a case with CISOMB, https://www.dhs.gov/contact-cisomb . I would suggest that you avoid just calling them, email or write them, that way you have a record of what you've sent. I would suggest that you move on this soonish, you are up against the clock. 

 

Good luck on your immigration journey.

Thank you so so much for this course of action!!

 

I was looking for a way to escalate things properly. Funny how the ombudsman is so tricky to find details of...!

 

I’ve previously not had great experiences with the call center representatives and the constant game of on-hold, off-hold (my husband previously spent four hours on the phone shouting at them to move our fiancé petition along after they threatened to close it due to nobody doing their job to forward mail properly), so this being a definitive way to track everything is far more appealing!

 

I’ve submitted a case to the ombudsman with all details they’ll require and we’ll go from here. I have the opportunity to call the call center again tomorrow so I’ll try that approach also, notifying them of my claim with the ombudsman and see if I can get something concrete.

[Pitaya 2,577]

I hope that the CISOMB can help you in your quest for the much-heralded RFE. I believe that they helped us when we seemed to be stuck in the middle of the ROC process, and not seeing any movement on our case. Right after the CISOMB started on our case, we got an RFE from the CSC for more "marital bonafides" evidence (USCIS new-speak). At least it showed some movement. Actually, I think that getting CISOMB ruffled somebody's feathers at CSC, and in retribution, they presented us with a RFE. As a consequence, our RFE response weighed in a almost four pounds of paper evidence. That was in addition to the initial six pounds of paper evidence we submitted with our original ROC petition. At that point of the RFE response, we just sent them everything 'cept the kitchen sink.  We were approved.5 weeks after receipt of the RFE.

 

With regards to  COAs, many folks neglect to do a proper COA with USCIS and  USPS. A lot of the mailings from USCIS can have notations on the outside of the envelope, such as,  "If Undeliverable, Do Not Forward," or "Do Not Forward."  As a consequence, if a proper COA with the USPS is not done, USPS have to follow the directions of the sender, USCIS. This typically results in the addressee not getting the mailing. That is why the latest USCIS links about COAs mentions the need to concurrently notify USCIS and USPS of COAs. I have heard rumors that USCIS will soon be implementing improvements in their mailing processes.....Stay tuned, details at ten....  

 

It is a good idea at this stage of your search for your lost RFE to try as many approaches as possible to first of, responds to your RFE, and secondly, to alert them that you have not abandoned your case and are working hard to getting your mailings.

 

Good luck on your immigration journey.

 

 

[AmyOlivia 29]

Thank you so much for your help!

 

I called the USCIS Contact Center today closer to their time of closing, approx 4:30 Western and I was able to speak to somebody!! Crazy stuff, not sure why I kept trying to call them first thing in the morning or around lunchtime haha.

 

Nevertheless, the person I spoke to has confirmed that they've sent a duplicate notice. She also confirmed that I can request an emailed copy (didn't know this was a thing?! YES PLEASE) and I can be working on gathering whatever evidence they need just in case this duplicate doesn't arrive. I'l call them back tomorrow and request that this is done. 

 

Either way, all is moving again and yes, there's still urgency, but they've logged me as being active on the case. As soon as I have the initial request for evidence in front of me, I'll be busting my butt to get it all gathered together!

 

So frustrating that they're so hands-off in spite of having loads of different ways to notify and move on with stuff *cough* e-Requests *cough cough*. My husband has delegated the task to me so that he doesn't start shouting at them, based on our previous issues with the Contact Center, so I'll keep everybody updated as it happens.

 

For now, all good!

[Pitaya 2,577]

Glad to hear that things seem to be going your way. 

 

Good luck.