2020: Standalone I-130 processing at the New Orleans Field Office

[valdnuez 1]

Hello everyone! Is anyone else here with a standalone I-130 petition processing in a field office?

 

I filed two I-130 petitions for both my parents as a USC in January 2020. My mom received her GC through AOS in 7 months. My dad's standalone I-130 with an IOE*** (Ellis / e-file) number resulted in a receipt notice from Texas SC and no further case actions.

* August 2020 - when the case became "outside normal processing" in Texas, I reached via "My Account" and was told that the case was transferred to the New Orleans Field Office [sic] and is "within normal".

* January 2021 - on a case filing anniversary I reached out again via "My Account" to inquire about the current processing status and received a canned reply to be checking California SC times

* March 2021 - I followed up using "Ask Emma" online chat to ask where the case is processing and was told that it is indeed in New Orleans. To my question about how to get processing times of that field office, the agent created a service request directed to the field office. The office responded advising to expect a case action within 90 days. The letter also mentioned to contact the Call Center after 90 days, if no action

* June 2021 - Surprise! 90 days came and went with no action.

* August 2021 - Could not get through past the AVR system at the Contact Center. Filled out another "My Account" query and was told  that the case is in .... California (again!). The response completely ignored my questions on lack of action past 90 days (no apologies either).

* September 2021 - Was finally able to speak with a live person at the Contact Center for the first time. Asked a question about where exactly the case is processing. The agent first proceeded to "educate me" as he was waiting for the system to load that my I-130 would not be processing at a field office, as they usually handle cases requiring in-person interaction, and that surely the case must be in California. He then  reversed himself in surprise when the system showed the case is assigned to New Orleans.

 

My observations so far:

-  People handling "My Account" queries must either have a completely different system, or are operating in bad faith

-  Should I be preparing to receive summons to appear for an interview in Louisiana while I've been residing in Maryland?

 

Meanwhile my mom is having to travel back-and-forth during the pandemic to maintain her status here and be spending time with my dad. My dad needs a medical procedure which I'd like done in the U.S, except he is not eligible for a B2 visa with a pending I-130 case.I am afraid I will be still in the same spot 32 months in

 

I tried contacting my congress person and have been "ghosted" so far. The lawyer I consulted advised to "just wait", which would be OK except I'm not sure that this case is proceeding towards the same path as the majority of similar cases processing at service centers. I think spreading I-130 cases out to field offices may have made some sense in early 2020 when USCIS was closed to visitors. Except right now those field offices are backed up with interviews.

 

Did anyone else have their case transferred from Texas to New Orleans in 2020? Can anything be done?

 

Thank you!

Edited November 17, 2021 by valdnuez
Remove accidental duplication

[Letspaintcookies 2,310]

I would say it's time to contact the USCIS ombudsman or to get your congress person involved to clear things up cause this is obviously a hot mess.

[valdnuez 1]

20 hours ago, Letspaintcookies said:

I would say it's time to contact the USCIS ombudsman or to get your congress person involved to clear things up cause this is obviously a hot mess.

Thank you kindly!

 

[valdnuez 1]

My congressman received a response from USCIS, but it is completely devoid of substance:

Quote

USCIS is unable to render a decision on your constituent's Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative until certain issues are resolved. USCIS is striving to resolve these issues as soon as possible. We are unable to determine at this time when the review process for the Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative will be completed.

I went ahead and opened a request with the Ombudsman. Does anybody know how long it typically takes them these days to respond with anything other than the initial auto-generated receipt email?

 

Thanks!