Not receiving my first NOA for my AOS

[Quarknase 1,072]

1 hour ago, Erin86 said:

Of course, but they accept the package and pass it on, so something is not working properly along the way. My issue is not with processing time once the case is received, but I just want to know that it was received and will be attended to fairly. Not to mention my package clearly stated at the top "Expedite request" but apparently that makes even less of a difference to anyone there. I don't see a reason to justify their incompetence. 

 

Do you have a tracking number and confirmation that it was received? Then you can rest assured that the package has been received and you'll receive your NOA eventually.

I believe expedite requests with initial filing are not a thing - you can file an expedite request once your petition has been accepted and is in the system, if you meet the requirements to expedite a case.

[SalishSea 18,191]

7 minutes ago, Quarknase said:

I believe expedite requests with initial filing are not a thing - you can file an expedite request once your petition has been accepted and is in the system, if you meet the requirements to expedite a case.

This is correct.  

[Pitaya 2,577]

1 hour ago, Erin86 said:

Of course, but they accept the package and pass it on, so something is not working properly along the way. My issue is not with processing time once the case is received, but I just want to know that it was received and will be attended to fairly. Not to mention my package clearly stated at the top "Expedite request" but apparently that makes even less of a difference to anyone there. I don't see a reason to justify their incompetence. 

 

Help a few people understand just exactly how you filed and your rationale  for expedited service. I say a few, likely more closer to thousands of cases (or more) that would love to hear about your idea.  Here is the USCIS statement on expediting service:

Quote

How to Make an Expedite Request

In General

You may ask USCIS to expedite the adjudication of an application or petition for an immigration benefit.

USCIS:

• Considers all expedite requests on a case-by-case basis.
• Requires documentation to support a request.
• Has the sole discretion to decide whether to grant or deny a request.
• Does not consider expedite requests for applications or petitions that have Premium Processing Service available. 

USCIS may consider an expedite request if it meets one or more of the following criteria:

• Severe financial loss to a company or person, provided that the need for urgent action is not the result of the petitioner’s or applicant’s failure to:
  1. File the benefit request or the expedite request in a reasonable time frame, or
  2. Respond to any requests for additional evidence in a reasonably timely manner;
• Urgent humanitarian reasons;
• Compelling U.S. government interests (such as urgent cases for the Department of Defense or DHS, or other public safety or national security interests); or
• Clear USCIS error.

When considering severe financial loss to a person: If the expedite request relates to an application for employment authorization or student status, the need to obtain employment authorization or student status, standing alone without any evidence of other compelling factors does not warrant expedited treatment. 

All expedite requests claiming severe financial loss, regardless of the immigration benefit sought and regardless of whether the claimed loss is to a company or a person, must be documented to establish the loss and that the requestor is not able to withstand the temporary financial loss that is the natural result of normal processing times.  

For more information, see USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 1, Part A, Public Services, Chapter 5, Requests to Expedite Applications or Petitions [1 USCIS-PM A.5]. 

You can generally request expedited processing by contacting the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY for the deaf, hard of hearing, or those having a speech disability: 1-800-767-1833) after you have obtained a receipt notice. The USCIS Contact Center will not be able to refer the expedite request to the appropriate office without a receipt number. When you call to request expedited processing, the USCIS Contact Center creates and forwards a service request to the office with jurisdiction over your application or petition. 

After receiving the service request, the reviewing office may request additional documentation to support expedited processing. A decision on an expedite request is not an approval or a denial of the underlying benefit request. The expedite decision simply informs the requestor  whether USCIS will take the benefit request out of date order and issue a decision (approval or denial) faster than the normal processing time.

 

 

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/how-make-expedite-request

 

I daresay it is not necessarily incompetence, more likely to being a huge government bureaucracy, that is woefully understaffed, with mountains of work to be done. Yet, the responsible politicos are more interested in immigration enforcement and wall building than in immigration adjudication. 

 

Maybe things will get better in the new year....start praying.....

 

 

[SalishSea 18,191]

3 minutes ago, Pitaya said:

Yet, the responsible politicos are more interested in immigration enforcement and wall building than in immigration adjudication. 

 

THIS.

[TastyCake 232]

1 hour ago, Erin86 said:

Of course, but they accept the package and pass it on, so something is not working properly along the way. My issue is not with processing time once the case is received, but I just want to know that it was received and will be attended to fairly. Not to mention my package clearly stated at the top "Expedite request" but apparently that makes even less of a difference to anyone there. I don't see a reason to justify their incompetence. 

 

Everyone here understands your frustration.  If the USCIS is anything it has the appearance of being inconsistent.

 

I apologize if I missed your response but it was asked if you got a tracking number.  Do you have one?  If so and if it indicates being received then your notification is just a matter of time.

 

[Erin86 39]

2 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

This is correct.  

Correct based on what or who? I filed my packet in this way following an infopass appointment where an officer advised me to write my expedite request in the original packet.

 

1 minute ago, Pitaya said:

Help a few people understand just exactly how you filed and your rationale  for expedited service. I say a few, likely more closer to thousands of cases (or more) that would love to hear about your idea.  Here is the USCIS statement on expediting service:

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/how-make-expedite-request

 

I daresay it is not necessarily incompetence, more likely to being a huge government bureaucracy, that is woefully understaffed, with mountains of work to be done. Yet, the responsible politicos are more interested in immigration enforcement and wall building than in immigration adjudication. 

 

Maybe things will get better in the new year....start praying.....

 

 

I do not need to justify my request for expedite here. Obviously I have read all of the information from USCIS, I have spoken to an officer about this in person to explain our situation and was advised to apply for it. To clarify, I am not requesting to expedite my AOS or my EAD, just my AP.

 

If there are mountains of work to be done, I would think dealing with them by date would be the most efficient way to not get lost in it all and create a mess. 

And I am all for immigration enforcement as I think everyone like me here who is legally immigrating should be. 

[Erin86 39]

3 minutes ago, TastyCake said:

Everyone here understands your frustration.  If the USCIS is anything it has the appearance of being inconsistent.

 

I apologize if I missed your response but it was asked if you got a tracking number.  Do you have one?  If so and if it indicates being received then your notification is just a matter of time.

 

I apologize, I did not respond to that part (frustration is very easily turning into anger). 

Yes, I sent my package on December 12 with UPS. Received delivery confirmation less than 24 hours later (received in mail room by Harper).

Edited December 29, 2019 by Erin86

[SalishSea 18,191]

1 minute ago, Erin86 said:

Correct based on what or who? I filed my packet in this way following an infopass appointment where an officer advised me to write my expedite request in the original packet.

 

I do not need to justify my request for expedite here. Obviously I have read all of the information from USCIS, I have spoken to an officer about this in person to explain our situation and was advised to apply for it. To clarify, I am not requesting to expedite my AOS or my EAD, just my AP.

 

If there are mountains of work to be done, I would think dealing with them by date would be the most efficient way to not get lost in it all and create a mess. 

And I am all for immigration enforcement as I think everyone like me here who is legally immigrating should be. 

Nothing will be expedited at the lockbox.  That is a mail processing center, where the payment is taken and the petition/forms are reviewed for BASIC requirements.  None of that process can be expedited.

 

Your request for expedite will be reviewed by an adjudicator, just like every other request is.

[SalishSea 18,191]

1 minute ago, Erin86 said:

Yes, I sent my package on December 12 with UPS

You are WELL within normal processing time for NOA1.  It has only been a couple of weeks, and there were holidays in there.

[Erin86 39]

1 minute ago, Jorgedig said:

Nothing will be expedited at the lockbox.  That is a mail processing center, where the payment is taken and the petition/forms are reviewed for BASIC requirements.  None of that process can be expedited.

 

Your request for expedite will be reviewed by an adjudicator, just like every other request is.

Agreed. Now if they could just pass on my request to the right people who are authorized to make a decision that would be great.

1 minute ago, Jorgedig said:

You are WELL within normal processing time for NOA1.  It has only been a couple of weeks, and there were holidays in there.

Wouldn't have had a problem if others who filed after me were also waiting. Or do the holidays not apply to all cases?

[SalishSea 18,191]

Just now, Erin86 said:

Agreed. Now if they could just pass on my request to the right people who are authorized to make a decision that would be great.

And that will happen, it is just not instantaneous.  

[Pitaya 2,577]

8 minutes ago, Erin86 said:

Correct based on what or who? I filed my packet in this way following an infopass appointment where an officer advised me to write my expedite request in the original packet.

 

I do not need to justify my request for expedite here. Obviously I have read all of the information from USCIS, I have spoken to an officer about this in person to explain our situation and was advised to apply for it. To clarify, I am not requesting to expedite my AOS or my EAD, just my AP. I wasn't asking for any justification, merely asking how, so that a few thousand (or more) similarly situated folks, like yourself, could also possibly avail themselves of this service opportunity as you claim to have.

 

If there are mountains of work to be done, I would think dealing with them by date would be the most efficient way to not get lost in it all and create a mess. Sounds like a great employment opportunity for you, just expedite your EAD too. I am sure that they could use your help.

And I am all for immigration enforcement as I think everyone like me here who is legally immigrating should be. You are preaching to the choir here.

BTW,  Has the check cashed/ or credit card debited?  Sorry if I missed that earlier in your messages.

Edited December 29, 2019 by Pitaya

[TastyCake 232]

2 minutes ago, Erin86 said:

Yes, I sent my package on December 12 with UPS. Received delivery confirmation less than 24 hours later (received in mail room by Harper).

Awesome news.

 

I can tell you this.  I am a September filer and my NOA came 21 days after it was mailed to the USCIS.

 

Your notification is just a matter of time.

 

[Erin86 39]

1 minute ago, Pitaya said:

 I wasn't asking for any justification, merely asking how, so that a few thousand (or more) similarly situated folks, like yourself, could also possibly avail themselves of this service opportunity as you claim to have.

 

BTW, did you get delivery confirmation of your package delivery at the lockbox facility and/or has the check cashed/ or credit card debited?  Sorry if I missed that earlier in your messages.

Anyone can ask for the expedite, I am not one to say what or who should be approved. I believe every case is different. I am not asking to go on vacation or any sort of event. I am asking to join my husband where he works (serving the US government).

 

Delivered Dec 13. Check not cashed.

[Pitaya 2,577]

5 minutes ago, Erin86 said:

Wouldn't have had a problem if others who filed after me were also waiting. Or do the holidays not apply to all cases?

Again, it sounds like you have some great organizational ideas that could improve their operational efficiency. You should consider applying for a job with them, get that bureaucracy running in a more orderly manner. 👍