I-797C spelling mistakes and DHS absurdity

[Tchuco 0]

Hello everybody,

I am looking for some advice/comments on my recent adventure with the US government.

Today, I wasted an hour of my life trying to fix a problem they created, and I am at my wits' end.

Let me explain:

I am a US citizen currently living in Brazil. I married my long-term girlfriend a few month ago. We filled out I-130 petition with all the bells and whistles and sent it off to the Chicago lockbox.

Yesterday, I received a receipt (Form I-797C) from the Department of Homeland Security telling me that the I-130 form I filed for my wife was received. Unfortunately, the name they listed for her had 2 spelling errors (mistakes on the part of the Department of Homeland Security; the forms I submitted were perfect). No worries because at the end of the document, the DHS told me that if there were any mistakes, all I needed to do was call the 1-800 number and a customer service representative would help me.

1. At 2:10pm today, I called the 1800 number. After 5 minutes of inputting numbers I was send to a customer service rep who promptly disconnected me.

2. I called again. This time I talked to 'Marta'. I explained the mistakes. She noted them and then asked for my zip code. I told her that my zip code was a Brazilian one. She replied that she couldn't help me because she could only help people calling from the US. Instead she would transfer me to an 'officer'. She transferred me to a voice mail system that asked for my phone number so someone could call me back. I inputted my Brazilian telephone number. The system said the number was invalid. I inputted the number again. The system said the number was invalid and disconnected me.

3. I called again. This time I talked to 'Josh'. I explained the mistake and the problems I had talking to an officer. He told me that he couldn't help me and that I had to talk to an officer. I told him about the voice mail system problem. He said he couldn't help me. I asked if he couldn't help me because I was in Brazil and if I had to talk to an officer instead, how I was going to talk to an officer if the voice mail system didn't accept my Brazilian number? He had no answer except call the Embassy in Brazil. I explained that the Embassy in Brazil does not solve permanent visa problems (a fact explained on the Embassy website) and that the Embassy recommends that I call the fine folks at the Department of Homeland Security. He told me, "You have to talk to an officer. I have to transfer you." He transferred me to the voice mail system that disconnected me again.

4. I called again. This time I talked to 'Bianca'. I explained everything again, I explained the voice mail system problem, I explained the Embassy issue, etc. She put me on hold. She came back and told me everything I already knew -- I needed to talk to an officer but the officer wasn't able to talk to me because the voice mail system wouldn't allow it, I couldn't contact the Embassy because the US Embassy in Brazil doesn't solve permanent visa problems." She put me on hold and returned to tell me that actually the officers in her area weren't able to help me at all because I lived outside of the US.

The only solution she could offer me was to write a paper letter to the Department of Homeland Security in California explaining the mistake. I asked her how the receipt of this letter (let alone their correction of the problem they made) could be verified so I would have a paper trail. She told me there was no way. I asked her what would happen if I sent the letter, but the mistakes were not fixed and then my wife was approved with an incorrect name. Would there be problems because of the mistake that the Department of Homeland Security made? She said that they could be fixed but that I would need to submit more forms and documents. I asked her why I had to do all the stuff for a mistake I didn't make and that my extraordinary actions to fix this mistake wouldn't be verified. She had no answer. She apologized. I told her to stop apologizing.

I am used to bureaucratic absurdity here in Brazil. I never knew my own government (so practical, so serious) could take it to a such a higher level.

Does anyone have any advice?? I would greatly appreciate any!

[Ryan H 3,812]

You may have to wait until the NVC has the file to correct the name mistakes.

[Tchuco 0]

Don't they have the file because they sent me the I-797C with the "notice type" as "Receipt"? Why would the I-797C have the statement, "The I-130, Petition for Alien Relative has been received by our office for the following beneficiaries and is in process" if it hadn't been received???

Also, why would the I-797C include the statement "Please verify your personal informaiton listed above and immediately notify the USCIS National Customer Service Center at the phone number listed below if there are any changes" if they hadn't received it and wanted corrections???

[Ryan H 3,812]

Don't they have the file because they sent me the I-797C with the "notice type" as "Receipt"? Why would the I-797C have the statement, "The I-130, Petition for Alien Relative has been received by our office for the following beneficiaries and is in process" if it hadn't been received???

Also, why would the I-797C include the statement "Please verify your personal informaiton listed above and immediately notify the USCIS National Customer Service Center at the phone number listed below if there are any changes" if they hadn't received it and wanted corrections???

I was referring to the National Visa Center (NVC) which is a part of the State Department and not DHS. They don't have the file now and will not have the file until after USCIS sends it to them. USCIS will not be sending the file to the NVC until/unless they approve the petition.

When dealing with the NVC, you are able to communicate with them via email in addition to the phone.

[Tchuco 0]

Ryan,

So what you're recommending is to wait until the I-130 is approved and sent to the NVC and then contact the NVC to correct the mistake. Do I understand you correctly?

Best.

[CallMeShams 34]

This sounds like grounds for an expedite I would think. Are you able to put in a service request for this?

[Ryan H 3,812]

Ryan,

So what you're recommending is to wait until the I-130 is approved and sent to the NVC and then contact the NVC to correct the mistake. Do I understand you correctly?

Best.

Recommending isn't the right word. I'm only suggesting that avenue based on the fact that you are getting nowhere with USCIS on this issue and you aren't likely anywhere with them.

Once the NVC scans the file into the system and assigns a case number, then you will have the opportunity to see if they spelled the name right or went with an incorrect spelling that is on USCIS notices. If they spell the name correctly, issue over. If they go with an incorrect spelling, then you can contact them using your case number to have it corrected.

[Tchuco 0]

CallMe,

How would I put in a service request?

[CallMeShams 34]

When you call customer service request to put in a service request for the name change.