How to Contact USCIS and the FBI - 12 Ways

[b4byd09 0]

Waiting hopelessly in an immigration backlog is frustrating; not knowing what is going on makes it even worse. FBI name check is a perfect example, leaving hundreds of thousands in limbo without telling them why or how much longer. ImmigrationRoad has accumulated over the years a list of methods to check on the status of an application. Hopefully one of them will work for you.

1. USCIS Online Status Check

If you have a case number, which is located on your USCIS receipt, you can check the case status online. You can check one case at a time, or set up an account and list all your immigration cases in your portfolio. You may also set up an auto update in your account, which will send you an email when there is an action taken on your case. This is a very convenient method, but lacks critical details such as security check information.

2. Set up an Infopass Appointment

gives you an opportunity to talk to an immigration officer directly. It can be very helpful if you have a rather urgent issue or a complicated question that benefits from a face-to-face discussion with a trained USCIS officer. They have access to more information, including FBI name checks and other case details, which are unavailable from the online system or general customer service. However, some officers may be unwilling to show you everything, or anything, so the outcome of your visit really depends on whom you talk to.

You do not have to wait for your case to be outside the processing window to set up an appointment, and you don't need a USCIS notice to go to your local office either. However, if your case is pending security checks, an USCIS officer cannot help speed up the process.

To make an infopass appointment, go to the secure USCIS web site. After typing in your zip code, you will be presented with several options. To check case status select "You need information or other services." Click "Continue" on the next screen, you will then be able to input your personal information such as your Alien Number and Receipt Number. The last steps are selecting a day and time for your appointment, and printing out a confirmation page which you will need to bring to the local office. If you wish to cancel the appointment, you will need the case number printed on the confirmation page.

3. Call a Service Center (TSC or NSC) Directly

An alternative to visiting a local USCIS office is to call the service center directly. By calling the national customer service line (800-375-5283), you will hear a long list of options. Choosing the right ones that fit your situation will lead you to the service center that is processing your case.

For example, if your case is at TSC and is outside the processing window, you should dial:

1-800-375-5283 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 6 - 1 - (receipt # SRCxxxxxxxxxx) - 1 - 1 - 3 - 3 (or 4)

Even if you reach TSC or NSC, your call may be automatically transferred back to general customer service. But if someone picks up the phone, you should explain your situation briefly and ask about your case status. As with the IO's at local offices, they do know a lot of details about your case. Just a friendly reminder: no matter how frustrated you are with the processing delay, please be polite and professional during the conversation. If an officer is unwilling to help, you can always call back at a later time.

4. Call National Customer Service

Unfortunately, USCIS representatives at (800) 375 - 5283 don't know much more than the online system. So in many cases this method is not very helpful.

5. Place an Official USCIS Inquiry

If your case is 30 days outside the current processing dates, you can call customer service ( 800-375-5283) and place an official inquiry. The service center will respond to your inquiry by postal mail, usually in a few weeks, to explain why your case hasn't been adjudicated. For most people, the answer is usually "in process" or "pending security checks."

6. Place a Congressional Inquiry

The FBI has clearly stated that congressional inquiries do not expedite processing name checks. In fact, FBI has expressed concerns that too many inquiries would only tie up vital resources, thus further slowing down the process. This is understandable. However, for people who have been waiting for multiple years, contacting their senators and/or house representatives for help does appear to be justified. This is especially true when neither the USCIS nor the FBI offers any information regarding those pending name check cases.

To find the congressional representatives for your region, simply go to these two websites:

U.S. Senate

U.S. House of Representatives

Then write a personalized letter to one or all of them, briefly explaining your case details and asking for their help to inquire about your case status. You may want to enclose a copy of your i485 receipt notice. Not all congressional offices are willing to contact the FBI or USCIS (some will do if your case has been pending for one year or more), but if they do, you can expect a written response in about 3-6 months. The FBI letter will include the date your case was received, and whether it is still in process or has been completed.

7. Write to First Lady Mrs. Laura Bush

It may sound strange, but many frustrated immigrants have been writing to the office of Mrs. Laura Bush too. Her staff may forward your letter to the Department of Justice, which then forwards it to the FBI NNCP. Just like congressional inquiries, it is probably not going to help expedite your name check process. However, if FBI has to dig out your files and confirm your case is still in process (read: not lost), it is worth a try for many.

This is the mailing address from the White House website:

Mrs. Laura Bush

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20500

8. Contact CIS Ombudsman

You can submit a case problem to the CIS Ombudsman using DHS Form 7001. There is no fee for submitting a problem. Although the Ombudsman cannot adjudicate your application or offer any legal advice, he may be able to provide assistance if you have an ongoing or urgent issue with the USCIS. DHS has an excellent website that contains all the important information on one page. The website is www.dhs.gov/cisombudsman and the email address is cisombudsman@dhs.gov

9. Call FBI Fingerprint Line

You will need your A-number when calling the FBI at 304-625-5590. A representative may be able to tell you when the fingerprint check result was sent back to the USCIS. Since a fingerprint check is relatively straightforward and usually completed within 24 - 48 hours, calling them is only useful when you have reasons to believe that your FP result may have been lost.

10. Email FBI Name Check Program

The email address (fbinncp@ic.fbi.gov) is still open, but you will be really lucky to get a response from the FBI. However, it doesn't hurt to send an email, doesn't cost anything at least, and get in line. You never know if the FBI will be required to offer some types of communications in the future, and suddenly decide to read their old inbox again.

11. Write to the Section Chief of FBI Name Check Program

You can also try sending a letter to Mr. Cannon if you have a compelling case:

Mr. Michael A. Cannon

Section Chief

National Name Check Program Section

Records Management Division, FBI

935 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

Washington, DC 20535

12. Initiate FOIPA Request

Filing a Freedom of Information-Privacy Acts (FOIPA) request will force the FBI to search your name in the database (main files only) and mail you the result. Most people will receive a written response in 1 to 2 months, indicating "no record" is found that matches their names. However, as we explained in the FBI Name Check section, this doesn't mean your name check is already cleared, because the FBI has to check the reference files as well for USCIS requests. It is reassuring nonetheless.

Go to the FBI's FOIA website, and check out the Privacy Act Instructions on the right side, which has the form as an embedded PDF file. Do not submit the FOIA request which is different from FOIPA. It is free of charge.

[Rabi 0]

UFF my god!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111111

[a-chan c-kun 0]

Wow, good stuff here. Thanks for compiling all these options.

[dstir 0]

Has anyone ever tried to send a letter directly to the service center to inquire about the status? For example, if I filed my K1 at the CSC then I sent a letter to the same address that I sent the packet to, would that get read by anyone who might care to read and act on it?