update and conversation with officer from USCIS by phone today

[cguytx 0]

I have been one of the people unable to track our K3 spousal visa since receiving the NOA1 in July so I have been calling and enduring the hold times to get a status updates from an immigration officer every week. Most of the time the officer just finds my case and assures me that it is processing but today I spoke with a very helpful officer who has been through the process himself and he gave a lot more information and insight into what is going on.

The office I spoke with today says my file was last worked July 24 and that everything looked fine and that I should see an approval soon. I asked him about the IMBRA and RFE's. He advised that although that was still at the descretion of the officer processing the petition that the new forms were cutting a lot of those out and that he is starting to see the petitions a lot sooner now. He said unless an officer found an error he said I should see an approval soon. He also mentioned that the regular K1 fiance petitions are more closely monitored for fraud than if the petition is used for spouses already married as long as documentation is provided because the USCIS defers the security checks to the embassy level where the petition lands after the NVC.

The officer told me when I call for status updates, to always tell the customer rep that answers that you want to talk to an immigration officer, he said and officer has access to more information and your case and is in a better position to help you with information.

He was very familiar with the embassy in Manila and told me his own wife immigrated from there. He also advised me that as long as I follow the instructions through the rest of the process that is was reasonable to expect to have the wife here for Christmas.

He was explaining that several years ago, before President Bush signed legislation into law it had taken some petitioners up to 7 years to process their visas and that the process has been streamlined in recent years. Anyone else heard of this?

When I asked why I am unable to track the petition online or via the automated system on phone he said it must be a data entry error to get the receipt into the system but that it would in no way hold up the process, that the petition is moving forward as it should. At least I have my first touch date ha...July 24th

I know a lot of this is wishful thinking on my part but it does give me a bit of hope that the process is moving forward for us. I just wanted to share my conversation with this officer with you all and get your feedback on it.

I say a small prayer when I check my mail everyday ha.

[raymaga 25]

Good luck for some news soon.

[faal4anisa 0]

HI CYBERNUTGUY

Thanks for sharing your talk with the immigrating officer it really eased our heart. I just want to ask u that it is easy access to talk with the immigration officer becoz when last time i called the automated machine speaks and it tells the same message as displayed on online status pls response with ur reply thanks

[Rob and Melinda 0]

Hey thanks for the detailed description of your phone conversation, it encouraged me this morning!

I also have my wife in the Philippines and at time I miss her so much I feel like I cant take it anymore.

Your thoughts and experience with the phone call reminded me that there are alot more things going on in the background that we don't know are happeneding than are refelcted on the web site.

My status hasn't changed on the web site since July 3rd, and I must have checked it a thousand times since then.

The part about the immigration officer saying that you will have your finace here by Christmans was also an encouragement because I am hoping to be able to spend Christmas with my Melinda. It will be very hard to go through the Holidays without her.

Anyway, it was to hear from someone else who is struggling with the wait, thanks for the post.

Rob and Melinda

[cguytx 0]

Hi faal,

I have a homemade script I follow when calling I have it about memorized but my average hold times are anywhere from 30minutes to an hour.

US DEPT of Homeland Security Citizenship and Immigration Services

PO BOX 7218

427 S. Lasalle 3rd Floor

Chicago IL, 60680-7218

Customer Service Telephone: 1-800-375-5283

*call early in the day / they recommend Wed,Thur & Fridays

when you get automated system

1 – for English

3- for other info and to talk to a rep

Talk to rep / answer a few standard questions and ask to speak to immigrations officer

endure the USCIS on hold music - I sometimes put it on speaker phone and take a shower. ;-)

This is just my process for checking my status since I am unable to get my status using my MSC receipt number through the automated system and online access.

good luck!

HI CYBERNUTGUY

Thanks for sharing your talk with the immigrating officer it really eased our heart. I just want to ask u that it is easy access to talk with the immigration officer becoz when last time i called the automated machine speaks and it tells the same message as displayed on online status pls response with ur reply thanks

Rob, I know exactly how you feel, the waiting is not fun and very hard on the both of us.

hang in there, we will get there eventually!

Hey thanks for the detailed description of your phone conversation, it encouraged me this morning!

I also have my wife in the Philippines and at time I miss her so much I feel like I cant take it anymore.

Your thoughts and experience with the phone call reminded me that there are alot more things going on in the background that we don't know are happeneding than are refelcted on the web site.

My status hasn't changed on the web site since July 3rd, and I must have checked it a thousand times since then.

The part about the immigration officer saying that you will have your finace here by Christmans was also an encouragement because I am hoping to be able to spend Christmas with my Melinda. It will be very hard to go through the Holidays without her.

Anyway, it was to hear from someone else who is struggling with the wait, thanks for the post.

Rob and Melinda

[Sockmonkey 0]

I have a homemade script I follow when calling I have it about memorized but my average hold times are anywhere from 30minutes to an hour.

This is just my process for checking my status since I am unable to get my status using my MSC receipt number through the automated system and online access.

This is the sort of post that makes my day. Tips, tips, tips! Your current script is now the basis for my future one.

Ha! Maybe I'll even use your shower idea, to help make it a bit more relaxing ... better than the stress-eating I would have probably opted for on my own!

[Yodrak 7]

cybernutguy,

I don't know what legislation the immigration officer may have been referring to, but I can tell you that overall things are moving faster these days, start to finish (petition to LPR status) and each step in between, then they were a decade ago despite increased volume and all of the 'overhead' that has been added post 9/11.

Something a lot of people these days don't appreciate.

Yodrak

.....

He was explaining that several years ago, before President Bush signed legislation into law it had taken some petitioners up to 7 years to process their visas and that the process has been streamlined in recent years. Anyone else heard of this?

.....

Edited August 17, 2006 by Yodrak

[shree_anil 0]

Thank you very much for that hopeful news.

[bly 0]

I have been one of the people unable to track our K3 spousal visa since receiving the NOA1 in July so I have been calling and enduring the hold times to get a status updates from an immigration officer every week. Most of the time the officer just finds my case and assures me that it is processing but today I spoke with a very helpful officer who has been through the process himself and he gave a lot more information and insight into what is going on.

The office I spoke with today says my file was last worked July 24 and that everything looked fine and that I should see an approval soon. I asked him about the IMBRA and RFE's. He advised that although that was still at the descretion of the officer processing the petition that the new forms were cutting a lot of those out and that he is starting to see the petitions a lot sooner now. He said unless an officer found an error he said I should see an approval soon. He also mentioned that the regular K1 fiance petitions are more closely monitored for fraud than if the petition is used for spouses already married as long as documentation is provided because the USCIS defers the security checks to the embassy level where the petition lands after the NVC.

The officer told me when I call for status updates, to always tell the customer rep that answers that you want to talk to an immigration officer, he said and officer has access to more information and your case and is in a better position to help you with information.

He was very familiar with the embassy in Manila and told me his own wife immigrated from there. He also advised me that as long as I follow the instructions through the rest of the process that is was reasonable to expect to have the wife here for Christmas.

He was explaining that several years ago, before President Bush signed legislation into law it had taken some petitioners up to 7 years to process their visas and that the process has been streamlined in recent years. Anyone else heard of this?

When I asked why I am unable to track the petition online or via the automated system on phone he said it must be a data entry error to get the receipt into the system but that it would in no way hold up the process, that the petition is moving forward as it should. At least I have my first touch date ha...July 24th

I know a lot of this is wishful thinking on my part but it does give me a bit of hope that the process is moving forward for us. I just wanted to share my conversation with this officer with you all and get your feedback on it.

I say a small prayer when I check my mail everyday ha.

I don't have a k3, but I have AOS, EAD, and AP that was sent to the Chicago lock box and I can't check my status online either...

(sigh)

[bradyvicky 0]

Cybernutguy...

Thank you VERY much for the inspiring information! I also cannot check my information online and would like to be able to know where I am at! Sometimes the wealth of information on here is more than one can filter, so it is nice to get your script.

I printed it out and will try it myself tomorrow morning! I'll post the results and comments I receive...

[bradyvicky 0]

Cybernutguy...

Thank you VERY much for the inspiring information! I also cannot check my information online and would like to be able to know where I am at! Sometimes the wealth of information on here is more than one can filter, so it is nice to get your script.

I printed it out and will try it myself tomorrow morning! I'll post the results and comments I receive...

So far I have tried this option and I got nothing but a snotty rep who said it is not possible to speak with an Immigration Officcer. I was REALLL nice and REALLL friendly and she immediately told me she had no information on my application. I asked to speak with an Immigration Officer and she got as snooty as hell, saying there was none available there and she has to transfer me to a higher level of Customer Service!

I dont know how, but I am GOING to find out where I am at and why I can view my status online today!

Edited August 22, 2006 by bradyvicky

[The_dip_sticks 0]

I think you should keep trying till you get a customer service rep that does help and does put your call to an IO. Thats what I had to do. When you give them your receipt number and they are unable to pull it up they should foward you to an IO so they can find out whats going on since they are unable to track it themselves. I can no longer use this tip as the number has started showing up for me online so every time I try to talk to an IO regarding other questions they wont put me through, but before when it was not showing up for weeks it did work. Just keep trying. I know its a long wait but its a peace of mind when you are able to talk to some one. Also you might want to try the bilingual customer serivce. One time I eded up in the bilingual spanish customer service. I dont know how but Im glad I did. The IOs that I have talked to there have been whole lot nicer and helpful.

[meauxna 15]

I dont know how, but I am GOING to find out where I am at and why I can view my status online today!

Brad,

Where you're at is: an I-130 waiting processing in Texas, and an I-129f waiting its turn in Missouri.

Your files are still in line waiting their turn on someone's delk--there is no individual information that anyone can give you about your files, particularly since you are not only not over the posted processing date, you're not even close. If your case were available online, there would be *no* information about it.

I'm super jealous of your upcoming trip, btw. I loved Providencia, and San Andres has it's own charm once you get out of the city. Have a great time, but don't try to drink the water!

[peace 0]

hey what is the number you used when you called? thanks

[Raqiwin 2]

I have been one of the people unable to track our K3 spousal visa since receiving the NOA1 in July so I have been calling and enduring the hold times to get a status updates from an immigration officer every week. Most of the time the officer just finds my case and assures me that it is processing but today I spoke with a very helpful officer who has been through the process himself and he gave a lot more information and insight into what is going on.

The office I spoke with today says my file was last worked July 24 and that everything looked fine and that I should see an approval soon. I asked him about the IMBRA and RFE's. He advised that although that was still at the descretion of the officer processing the petition that the new forms were cutting a lot of those out and that he is starting to see the petitions a lot sooner now. He said unless an officer found an error he said I should see an approval soon. He also mentioned that the regular K1 fiance petitions are more closely monitored for fraud than if the petition is used for spouses already married as long as documentation is provided because the USCIS defers the security checks to the embassy level where the petition lands after the NVC.

The officer told me when I call for status updates, to always tell the customer rep that answers that you want to talk to an immigration officer, he said and officer has access to more information and your case and is in a better position to help you with information.

He was very familiar with the embassy in Manila and told me his own wife immigrated from there. He also advised me that as long as I follow the instructions through the rest of the process that is was reasonable to expect to have the wife here for Christmas.

He was explaining that several years ago, before President Bush signed legislation into law it had taken some petitioners up to 7 years to process their visas and that the process has been streamlined in recent years. Anyone else heard of this?

When I asked why I am unable to track the petition online or via the automated system on phone he said it must be a data entry error to get the receipt into the system but that it would in no way hold up the process, that the petition is moving forward as it should. At least I have my first touch date ha...July 24th

I know a lot of this is wishful thinking on my part but it does give me a bit of hope that the process is moving forward for us. I just wanted to share my conversation with this officer with you all and get your feedback on it.

I say a small prayer when I check my mail everyday ha.

That is about the most awesome bit of information I've ever heard ever! Come to think of it, maybe I should try to talk to an immi officer and see what's up...I haven't had a touch since they got my IMBRA RFE Jul 18!!!!

just to add to your first post, you mentioned that it used to take 7 years before they streamlined. Just an example, my cousin went through her K-1 last year...from the time her then fiance filed the petition to when they got NOA2, it took them one (1) month! then about 5 more months to apply for her visa and step foot on US soil. So a total of about 6 months is what it took her to get here. Now it's my turn, filed in March...and still haven't gotten an NOA2! even if I get it this week..that's still another 5 months we have to wait...at least! I just wanna scream bloody hell! Anyhow, I'm gonna try to talk to that immi occifer.