Expedite Request Opinion Please

[Artax 2]

So, I submitted an expedite request for our I-129f via phone call last week and today I received an email about the denial. Specifically, under "Emergencies and urgent humanitarian reasons". I am a US Army veteran and I’m diagnosed with PTSD through the VA. I see a doctor regularly for treatment. The K1 waiting process has exasperated my PTSD symptoms to a high degree. I don’t want to get into specifics but its extreme. My doctor even wrote a letter supporting this claim and how an expedite would most definitely alleviate my symptoms. I feel like this falls under the “Disability” section of the guidelines.  I mentioned I have a letter from my doctor when I originally requested the expedite but evidence wasn’t even requested. I got an email saying: “Although your situation appears serious, your expedite request did not meet the expedite guidelines set forth by USCIS”. I’m not asking for sympathy, just people’s honest opinions on this situation. Is there anything I can do? Is it worth while to try again to see if a different agent might accept it? Thanks in advance everyone.

[Crazy Cat 42,562]

I think your first mistake was submitting the request verbally.  You know that written documentation is ALWAY better.  I would resubmit in writing along with solid documentation.  I think it is worth a try.  

[Artax 2]

2 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

I think your first mistake was submitting the request verbally.  You know that written documentation is ALWAY better.  I would resubmit in writing along with solid documentation.  I think it is worth a try.  

How do I do that? I can't find any way to do it other than via phone call.

[DSBeijing 303]

27 minutes ago, Artax said:

How do I do that? I can't find any way to do it other than via phone call.

I belive it is not possible, according to USCIS website

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/how-to-make-an-expedite-request

"You can generally request expedited processing by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) or by asking Emma after you have obtained a receipt notice.  (You can access Emma by clicking on the Ask Emma icon on the top right of this page). The USCIS Contact Center will not be able to refer the expedite request to the appropriate office without a receipt number."

[Boiler 46,274]

I always think is sounds better if it is a spouse rather than a fiancée 

 

I would apply via my Senator 

 

Can you spend time with her?

[Artax 2]

Just now, DSBeijing said:

I belive it is not possible, according to USCIS website

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/how-to-make-an-expedite-request

"You can generally request expedited processing by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) or by asking Emma after you have obtained a receipt notice.  (You can access Emma by clicking on the Ask Emma icon on the top right of this page). The USCIS Contact Center will not be able to refer the expedite request to the appropriate office without a receipt number."

Asking Emma just leads me to the phone number so I think you are right. 

[JeanneAdil 6,697]

First I want to say Thank u for your service

 

u just submitted the K1 request  end of March 2022 and less of 2 months is a long wait?

there is so much "hurry up and wait"  in this entire process especially for a K1

and the AOS process after marriage

 

Since the PTSD can have so many different effects ,  the strain of the whole process can be heartbreaking and i hope there is clinical help for u

 

your receipt should have the address of the office handling your case 

write directly to the address  with your evidence

understand your denial said "your situation does not fit the standards"   and you may get the same response as the situation has not changed

needed are:

case #

both names

both DO's

 

Edited May 12, 2022 by JeanneAdil

[slavaskii 886]

Thank you for your service and I’m sorry to hear about your PTSD.

 

I want to add: is it not possible for a representative to send an expedite on your behalf? They could probably attach the supporting evidence for you. Even though you are well within processing time, this sounds like something they’d actually want to put some effort into.

[Artax 2]

53 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

u just submitted the K1 request  end of March 2022 and less of 2 months is a long wait?

the current processing time for CA are 10.5 months. What is happening to me isn't sustainable for that long.

 

55 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

your receipt should have the address of the office handling your case 

write directly to the address  with your evidence

This is a great idea! Thank you! 

[Artax 2]

49 minutes ago, slavaskii said:

I want to add: is it not possible for a representative to send an expedite on your behalf? They could probably attach the supporting evidence for you. Even though you are well within processing time, this sounds like something they’d actually want to put some effort into.

I did this actually before I called. It didn't make it past the congressional liaison. This denial did not pop up on my USCIS account so I suspect it wasn't even submitted

[Artax 2]

1 hour ago, Boiler said:

Can you spend time with her?

Not on a consistent basis, sadly. $2k plane tickets and limited frequency of PTO from work.

[Pleasework89 47]

When you Ask Emma what time of day did you do it? If you want to do it through there, you have to ask to speak to a "live agent" between 8am-8pm eastern time. If you try outside that window you can't file a request through Ask Emma. It will just give you links to how to file an expedite request. I recently submitted one through Ask Emma. They gave me a reference ID number. Here is a screenshot of mine. Also a couple days ago I tried the live agent chat again through Ask Emma and it still works. Just make sure you do it between 8am-8pm eastern time.

[Redro 4,612]

5 hours ago, Artax said:

Not on a consistent basis, sadly. $2k plane tickets and limited frequency of PTO from work.

You really might want to consider getting married and filing an I-130. 

The timeline of the K1 and adjustment of status is lengthly and could prove to be a major stressor. 

10.5 months is the minimum time at USCIS. Some people have been waiting for a year now. 

and interviews out of Manila are seriously backlogged (think another year after I-129F approval). 

I've seen some cases where an existing I-129F leads to faster processing time for the I-130.

Getting married might also help you if your next expedite is denied. 

As @Boiler mentioned "I need my spouse" sounds better than "I need my fiance". 

Edited May 13, 2022 by ROK2USA

[Artax 2]

3 hours ago, ROK2USA said:

Getting married might also help you if your next expedite is denied. 

How would this affect my current I-129f application?

[Redro 4,612]

Just now, Artax said:

How would this affect my current I-129f application?

Your I-129F would be cancelled (you cannot petition a fiance if you are married). 

And you would be starting over BUT

Marriage based petitions out of Manila seem to be quicker. 

Here are VJ Timelines for the K1 out of Manila. 

The truth is if your expedite is denied you are looking at a 1.5-2 year separation from your partner. 

You might want to visit the Philippines forum to get an understanding of the timelines. They might speed up and the members there can give you some tips on ways to expedite your case once it is approved.