The dreaded DS-5535 thread for Montreal. Post here and support each other (PART 2)

[Tiabeanie 39]

14 hours ago, bobobobobo said:

Hey guys, good news, today the status changed from "application received" to "Approved"-- i'm just a little bit  nervous about it since I've seen the others said theirs said "Issued" instead? Should I be waiting for that instead?

 

also, @kryptonite, where did you get your tracking info? do they just email it to you? 

 

16th dec (refused) -> 28th dec -> 03 jan -> 04 jan (application received) --> 06 jan (approved)

Congratulations I'm happy for you 🎊🎊. From what I read I think once they sent back your passport that's when they change the status to Issued.

 

I'm hoping to get approved soon. Monday would make it 5 weeks since I've submitted a missing document to the embassy.

[bobobobobo 31]

10 minutes ago, Tiabeanie said:

Congratulations I'm happy for you 🎊🎊. From what I read I think once they sent back your passport that's when they change the status to Issued.

 

I'm hoping to get approved soon. Monday would make it 5 weeks since I've submitted a missing document to the embassy.

Thank you!! and that's good to know, i'm really glad.

I'm sure you'll get approved anytime soon now  Think I sent my police record a week or two after my interview (Nov 08 interview) and got it approved just yesterday, so I think our timeline may be similar in that sense

[MikeBr 11]

1 hour ago, throwitaway said:

Usually it’s the same CO that adjudicates your case in the end, after they’ve received your clearance from the number of other agencies that are now involved. There’s some guidance about this in 9FAM. 

 

Remember that the 221g slip you received at interview leaves out your CO’s name - I’m inclined to believe this is intentional. 
 

Unfortunately, connecting with the consulate or even directly with the CO likely won’t get you anywhere - they’re waiting on your security clearance, and they won’t waive it in almost all circumstances. 

 

If I’m not mistaken, if you were issued at interview and waited until after your 2 year anniversary to cross, you would’ve been converted anyway. Seems like a lot of effort on their part for your benefit, when they could have just told you to wait a little bit before crossing and then issued your visa. 

 

 

Thank you.  This is true but at this point one can only hope that this is a possibility.  Technically they could not have issued me a true FX1 status on interview date as I did not meet the category at that time.  I think my VO also has been on Christmas holidays during the last couple of weeks, so security clearance may now be sitting on his desk for his return (if this is the case).  Lawyer will follow up next week if still no change.

 

during interview he said he has to issue me DS5355 due to random circumstances.  Then he said only answer the questions within email, do not send any attachments and do not worry about proper formatting, etc.

Edited January 7, 2023 by MikeBr
Update

[Tiabeanie 39]

1 hour ago, bobobobobo said:

Thank you!! and that's good to know, i'm really glad.

I'm sure you'll get approved anytime soon now  Think I sent my police record a week or two after my interview (Nov 08 interview) and got it approved just yesterday, so I think our timeline may be similar in that sense

I had my interview on October 31st but I found out 3 weeks after my interview (via emailing the embassy) that I needed to submit a new police record to the embassy (which it was delivered in the first week of December). If my timeline follows yours in terms of submitting a missing document (since it sounds like you got approved 6-7 weeks after submitting a missing document) I'm hoping to be approved no later than the end of January. Again congratulations!!

[mam521 2,062]

8 hours ago, throwitaway said:

If I’m not mistaken, if you were issued at interview and waited until after your 2 year anniversary to cross, you would’ve been converted anyway. Seems like a lot of effort on their part for your benefit, when they could have just told you to wait a little bit before crossing and then issued your visa. 

 

 

Correct. My interview was CR-1. We crossed the border the day after our 2nd anniversary and my received GC was statused as IR-1. If it had been incorrect, an I-90 could have been filed to fix this error. 

[throwitaway 190]

7 hours ago, MikeBr said:

Thank you.  This is true but at this point one can only hope that this is a possibility.  Technically they could not have issued me a true FX1 status on interview date as I did not meet the category at that time.  I think my VO also has been on Christmas holidays during the last couple of weeks, so security clearance may now be sitting on his desk for his return (if this is the case).  Lawyer will follow up next week if still no change.

 

during interview he said he has to issue me DS5355 due to random circumstances.  Then he said only answer the questions within email, do not send any attachments and do not worry about proper formatting, etc.

Haha, that’s exactly what my CO at MTL said too. “Some people like to format it really nice but you don’t need to do that” 

[MikeBr 11]

49 minutes ago, mam521 said:

Correct. My interview was CR-1. We crossed the border the day after our 2nd anniversary and my received GC was statused as IR-1. If it had been incorrect, an I-90 could have been filed to fix this error. 

I get that.  But on my file during interview, along with the 221g form issued to me, it was noted that I am FX1, and I was still a CX1 at that point 

[mam521 2,062]

1 hour ago, MikeBr said:

I get that.  But on my file during interview, along with the 221g form issued to me, it was noted that I am FX1, and I was still a CX1 at that point 

Won’t matter. If you enter the US after your 2yr anniversary, it will change. 

[throwitaway 190]

13 hours ago, mam521 said:

Correct. My interview was CR-1. We crossed the border the day after our 2nd anniversary and my received GC was statused as IR-1. If it had been incorrect, an I-90 could have been filed to fix this error. 

Thanks for the clarification

[Siarg 72]

Just going to post again to reiterate as has been seen by ice cube - I really advise against using writ of mandamus churn firms. 
 

It’s simply a cash cow and if you aren’t able to speak directly with the attorney, you aren’t getting your moneys worth. 
 

You can go on the website AVVO and search for immigration attorneys. Almost every single attorney will be licensed to practice in DC so their state isn’t relevant (as long as they can file in DC). 
 

I found my lawyer who was never mentioned on any forums by looking at Law360 and finding successful WoM cases filed in DC. 
 

For reference I used Chris Casazza at PIC Law. Every single time I communicated with them, it was with Chris (name partner) directly, or another name partner.

 

The lawyers that churn out WoM as their entire practice seem to just file and forget, because it can work out for them hands off. It’s genuinely possible for them to work harder for you and communicate with the government attorneys. Not having at least a direct email to them should not be acceptable. I had a direct cell number to Chris. 

[AnimeLover89 2]

My case has has updated like 4 times in the last 10 days. I know the date changes are meaningless but hope they mean something. Case still refused at AP. Praying 🙏🏾

[familyapart 0]

Hi all-

 

I’m looking for anyone in a similar situation. My husband was denied at his interview in June of 2022 at the Consulate in Montreal. We received the dreaded ds5535 and submitted just days after our interview. Our case is still reading as refused and in administrative processing. We are so frustrated and overwhelmingly exhausted. My husband is separated from our children and we living apart. Looking for hope!

Edited January 8, 2023 by familyapart

[Ds553513 16]

Hi

I am looking for any one same experience.I have received questionsair mail after 2 month but in the mail no metion it’s 5535 

just metion in the mail just metion we need some more information to processing your case

Thank you 

 

[ice-qube 649]

22 hours ago, Siarg said:

Just going to post again to reiterate as has been seen by ice cube - I really advise against using writ of mandamus churn firms. 
 

It’s simply a cash cow and if you aren’t able to speak directly with the attorney, you aren’t getting your moneys worth. 
 

You can go on the website AVVO and search for immigration attorneys. Almost every single attorney will be licensed to practice in DC so their state isn’t relevant (as long as they can file in DC). 
 

I found my lawyer who was never mentioned on any forums by looking at Law360 and finding successful WoM cases filed in DC. 
 

For reference I used Chris Casazza at PIC Law. Every single time I communicated with them, it was with Chris (name partner) directly, or another name partner.

 

The lawyers that churn out WoM as their entire practice seem to just file and forget, because it can work out for them hands off. It’s genuinely possible for them to work harder for you and communicate with the government attorneys. Not having at least a direct email to them should not be acceptable. I had a direct cell number to Chris. 

It is worth stating, I am a chump. I selected Hacking as they have a good name on this forum and were generally more responsive than Goldstein was in the exploration phase. Now, since actually retaining them in November I have never heard from a lawyer, I just get handled by the paralegal who usually tells me "contact the consulate." I am not very happy about it.

[PZibran325 112]

16 hours ago, familyapart said:

Hi all-

 

I’m looking for anyone in a similar situation. My husband was denied at his interview in June of 2022 at the Consulate in Montreal. We received the dreaded ds5535 and submitted just days after our interview. Our case is still reading as refused and in administrative processing. We are so frustrated and overwhelmingly exhausted. My husband is separated from our children and we living apart. Looking for hope!

In similar boat as you except our interview was a month after yours in July of 2022. I hope this is the month for us

Edited January 9, 2023 by PZibran325