Never Ending Administrative Processing

[ravinkalu 0]

My wife had her interview on 9/7/2020 in the Colombo, Sri Lanka Embassy. Everything went well but she was missing an original copy of the translation of the marriage certificate. She got an original copy and submitted it the same day. The embassy kept her passport and original birth certificate. On 9/17/2020 on the CEAC website case status was updated to "Refused." My lawyer said he hasn't seen a refused status before so we wrote an email to the embassy and NVC. Got the following generic reply from the embassy:

 

"Your file has been submitted to the Visa Officer with the updated documents. We will contact the applicant as soon as the officer completes his review. We are unable to inform on the time frame."

 

This was on 10/8/2020. Since then we have not heard back. The embassy website says most administrative processing is done within 60 days. I understand things being slower because of Covid but it's been 105 days now. I just feel like our file has just gotten lost in the shuffle.  Does anyone have any idea on the next course of action we can take? I read on the website an inquiry can be made after 180 days. 

[Chancy 6,243]

3 hours ago, ravinkalu said:

Does anyone have any idea on the next course of action we can take?

 

You may contact your congressperson to send a case inquiry to the embassy on your behalf.  They cannot influence the decision to issue the visa or not, nor can they hasten the administrative processing, but they may be able to get more information from the embassy about your wife's case.

 

Your lawyer should know this.  Also about the "Refused" status for administrative processing -- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/visas-ceac-case-status-change.html

 

[dd23 0]

did they keep your original marriage and police reports and 2x2 photos ? we are in the same boat as you 

 

[ravinkalu 0]

Yes they have my wife's original birth certificate, marriage certificate, police report, and 2x2 photos. We have sent emails to the embassy in December and January and they have not even responded to them. I've heard rumors that they have stopped issuing visas because of travel restrictions but have not heard any official answers. 

[dd23 0]

1 hour ago, ravinkalu said:

Yes they have my wife's original birth certificate, marriage certificate, police report, and 2x2 photos. We have sent emails to the embassy in December and January and they have not even responded to them. I've heard rumors that they have stopped issuing visas because of travel restrictions but have not heard any official answers. 

Are you a citizen or a green card holder 

[ravinkalu 0]

I am a US citizen.