8.5 months VSC still no NOA2

[wantmybaby 4]

We've been waiting 8.5 months so far for VSC. Isn't this like insanely long? I assume this means there's something wrong since everyone else we've been corresponding with has gotten approved long ago?

NOA1: April 2

5 months later, got an RFE for an item that was already included in the petition, so this time I sent the original.

2 months after that, no response, so I called USCIS. They told me to wait another month that this was "normal".

5 weeks after that, called USCIS again. This time, she agreed it was "outside of normal processing times" and filed a "service request".

Today, I got the response to the service request. It only says:

The status of this service request is:

Please note that we have reviewed our records regarding your case.

We received your response to our request for additional evidence on <date>. Be assured that your case will be worked just as soon as our resources allow.

Please allow at least 60 days before checking the status of your case again.

Thank you for your patience in this matter.

which is what I already knew.

What is going on here? Is there anything we can do? We really miss each other, and aren't getting any younger either... we want to have children before its too late. That's the worst part of this as it could very well mean too late to be able to conceive.

[Josie-Be-Happy 11]

We've been waiting 8.5 months so far for VSC. Isn't this like insanely long? I assume this means there's something wrong since everyone else we've been corresponding with has gotten approved long ago?

NOA1: April 2

5 months later, got an RFE for an item that was already included in the petition, so this time I sent the original.

2 months after that, no response, so I called USCIS. They told me to wait another month that this was "normal".

5 weeks after that, called USCIS again. This time, she agreed it was "outside of normal processing times" and filed a "service request".

Today, I got the response to the service request. It only says:

which is what I already knew.

What is going on here? Is there anything we can do? We really miss each other, and aren't getting any younger either... we want to have children before its too late. That's the worst part of this as it could very well mean too late to be able to conceive.

That seems to be a long time for your NOA2. Try to call USCIS again and ask to speak with a supervisor. If that doesn't get you anywhere, you may want to contact your congressman. The norm is 5 months..RFEs causes delays, but if you submitted the required documents USCIS requested, you should be good to go.

Maybe others can chime in and provide you with further guidance.

Good luck to you.

[wantmybaby 4]

Should I hire a lawyer? A law firm I called claims they can help in situations like this, although I can't imagine what that could be. I'm going to bet that asking for supervisor or calling congressman isn't going to get me anywhere.

[me&him 2]

I am so sorry to hear that you are going through this. Getting a lawyer will not help any. I would strongly agree about contacting ur congressman office. I was in a similar situation. I filed in may and reveived RFE in september. After 60 days were over I kept calling and emailing anf always get same answer that its under review. I finally contacted my congressman office for help. Someone from the congressman office contacted USCIS and my casse was expedited. Couple of hours later on the day I reveived an email that my case was expedited I was approved. I heard sometimes calling congresman can help and and sometimes its no help. Hope it helps and good luck to you.

[Moomin 292]

Sometimes it just takes longer. I understand you probably won't settle for that answer, I know I wouldn't. I recall at least one from the same time around my(our) petition who waited 200-and-some-days for an approval, the timeline was very similar to yours.

At one part of the process, name check is relevant, right now it's mostly about the US citizen. If that USC unfortunately happens to have a name(a "hit") that'll trigger an "investigation"(a more thorough check), then that's a part that cannot be rushed, and a lawyer has no influence in that matter. A Congressman can't speed up the process if that's the hold-up. That hit doesn't have to be you but if something came up they have to look into it.

Come to think of it, a lawyer can't do much right now at all unless there is an issue with your case that requires more than legal advise. A congressman(or senator), however, can inquire about your case. You'll have to request for assistance and allow them to look into your case.

Am sorry it's taking a long time.

[az110965 252]

Should I hire a lawyer? A law firm I called claims they can help in situations like this, although I can't imagine what that could be. I'm going to bet that asking for supervisor or calling congressman isn't going to get me anywhere.

A lawyer will have no impact on your case at this point. I'd recommend contacting your Congressional representative to make an inquiry on your behalf. While USCIS isn't comtrolled by Congress, they do receive their annual budget from them and are required to anwser an official inquiry in a relatively short amount of time.

The worst that can happen by contacting your Congressperson is that you'll be told what you already know - your case is in process, but contacting your Congressman won't cost you anything.

Good luck for a speedy approval.

[Ro Damon 7]

Congressman, congressman, congressman....try it! worked for many VJers in the last few week including myself. find out ur congressman/local reps's office and call, pay a visit n sign that doc giving them permission to inquiry on ur behalf and wait for the magic to happen....

Merry Christmas, I pray that works for u as it did for me

Ro

[wantmybaby 4]

Okay, I'll try calling the congressman next week. Are there any tips for doing this? Do they have a special office there for handling these types of calls, or will they be confused by my call as if I'm the first one making such a request?

I disagree that there is anything about my case that "just takes longer". I'm very boring, no criminal record, lived and worked at same place since end of the 90's, don't try to "hide" from the gov't or anything so my records are readily out there to find without trouble. I know there are no problems with them because as part of being a firearms owner, I'm required to go through a process every 5 years to renew the permit, and they check all these records to make sure I'm being a good boy and the slightest problem is reason for denial... they have never found a problem or a "match" for someone close to me, and the NICS check for purchases always comes back "approved" right away. Plus, this is my second petition... first one was 12 years ago and got approved in 1 month. I'm the same person living at same place and same job since then, just sadly divorced but happened to have found a girl in whom we get along really well together. Other than that, I haven't done anything that looks "interesting" in the eyes of government or that requires complicated scrutiny.

Although, I do wonder if the previous marriage to a K1 visa beneficiary could have invoked some kind of negative response from someone who works at VSC. Although I don't see why it should; we are both eligible to marry, have met in the last 2 years and show all the evidence of having met and a relationship. 10 years should be enough time to show that everything was legitimate but just didn't work out... I'm not trying to import my own harem here or something, one girl every 10 years. Any reasonable person thinking prudently should immediately think everything looks legit.