Emergency AP

[JandC 0]

Well I just got another call from the USCIS....talked to a really nice officer who first asked me to fax over my Dads death certificate.....then called back 5 minutes later to tell me that they didn't need it as my AP had already been approved. She then took my card details (4th times the charm) so they could send it overnight to me.

PHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TracyTN 237]

Aaaah you don't know how glad I am to read this!!! :D Not nearly as glad as you were to get the call, LOL, but you get my meaning.

What a relief!

Again, I'm so sorry about the reason for the trip. But at least now you know you can go be with your family and let immigration be the least of your concerns.

[JandC 0]

Thank you so very much, TracyTN! You have been a great support...not only to me but to many on this forum!

It looks like I have spent just under $100 on mailing costs. My complete Emergency AP application has just been delivered back to my house (via overnight mail)...with photos and all (another $14 spent on them). A few things are stamped and there is a postit note saying "Attached are returned to you for your files. The National Benefits Centre willl process your I-131 as soon as possible, USCIS New Orleans". Now what was the point in them telling me to send it to New Orleans? I dunno....but then again I don't care....at least its all sorted now and the last year of my life, working through the K1 and AOS process wont have been wasted by leaving the country without AP!

[TracyTN 237]

Thanks JandC - that is much appreciated.

Its great that you already have it in hand! Yahoo!!!!!!

My guess about the letter in there is that your 'regular' AP will still be processed normally (seeing as you paid for it, you may as well get it - right?) at the NBC. Emergency APs are - to my knowledge - always handled through either local or regional offices; obviously in your case, it was the regional office of New Orleans. So I think that's why you were directed there. Anything outside the norm can't (or won't) be handled by the NBC.

Am I making sense? LOL

[Lona.C. 16]

glad you got your AP approved , sorry your trip is under those conditions but real glad they finaly aproved you

[Krikit 1,163]

Phew. I'm sure that's a big relief to you, JandC. I know it is for me. I was worried about you.

[JandC 0]

I cried. It was such a relief. Couldn't have done it without you guys!

[JandC 0]

Oh and I just noticed this

Application Type: I131, APPLICATION FOR USCIS TRAVEL DOCUMENT

Current Status: Approval notice sent.

On January 16, 2008, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I131 APPLICATION FOR USCIS TRAVEL DOCUMENT. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.

[TracyTN 237]

Interesting! I'll bet what New Orleans did was expedite your 'normal' I 131.

[zyggy 9]

District Directors have the authority to issue AP documents (they really are quite special in most cases) which is why the case was sent to the District Office in New Orleans. But since you already had a I-131 pending, the DD probably dropped MSC a line to tell them to pull your file and process it due to the emergency. If you hadn't already filed the I-131, New Orleans would have processed it themselves.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

So happy you got your AP hon.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Have a safe trip.

[JandC 0]

Okay I need help. The USCIS didn't send my AP in time...the officer who sent it said she was sending it Saurday delivery but she didn't. My flight leaves at 12.45pm tomorrow and my AP wont be delivered until Monday. I can't change my flight because it will cost an extra $1260 and I can't afford that. The only option I have is to get DHL to send my AP back to USCIS in MO and hope they get my messages to send it to England before the 1st February.

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

The USCIS already f*cked up the delivery....do I trust them not to mess it up again?? DHL will leave a message with the package saying to send it to England....but there isnt really a way for me to contact the USCIS and its a federal holiday on monday! I have a fax number for MSC/...and the name of the officer who sent it out to me....should i fax her and hope she gets it on tuesday morning in enough time to send it to England before my flight back? I have about 10 days for them to sort it out and get to the UK.

This is now beyond depressing.

[JandC 0]

Well...I sorted it out. I had to reschedule my flight for next saturday instead. That way it only cost me 400$ to change it rather than the 1300$ it would have cost me to change it to monday evening. I will also be able to be here to sign for my AP on monday. I get to England 2 days before the funeral....which is good but I really should have been there this week to support my Mum and help with everything.

Talk about making a bad situation worse....eh.

Its weird though cause i have been getting bad feelings about flying tomorrow....it will be a year exactly tomorrow that I left the USA and my now husband....to go back to England (for 7 months) and start the K1 process. That was a horrificly sad parting day for us....and somehow leaving on that day doesn't seem right.

[TracyTN 237]

Geez, I sure am sorry that you had to change your plans for the USCIS. I'd be sure you weren't charged for the Saturday delivery which didn't happen. If you were, I'd dispute the charge with your credit card company. That won't make up for the $ you lost for having to change the flight, but still.

I'm sorry you weren't able to be there this week for your family. But maybe the 'strangeness' with that day made it right somehow. Besides, I'm sure your family understands the predicament you're in, and that this must all be so hard on you anyway.

[chnst 6]

OMG.. First I am very sorry for your loss! It's just outrageous how unprofessional these uscis people work!

Like Tracy said, you should at least get reimbursed for the mailing expenses. I'd also file a complaint.

It seems like they neither have a heart nor a brain for such situations! I talked to an immigration officer about an emergency AP and she assured me that I could leave the country within 24 hours after filing if I provide a medical report or death certificate (I have a very sick grandmother)

yeah right!

It breaks my heart that there are people over here who miss heir family members funeral due to these lazy, careless people "working" for the uscis.

I'm glad you could reschedule your flight to a better date for you!