Administrative Review - Who else, how long

[The_dip_sticks 0]

What do I say to them? That my case is at USCIS stuck in bacgkground checks and I want ot know if they have my case? I dont want to step on any ones toes and piss them off. Any advice?

[zqt3344 21]

I am just curious how many others find themselves in that big black hole called Administrative Review, how long you have been sitting there and what courses of action you have been taking?

Mine has been there for 6 weeks. I am giving it 4 more and then going to contact my congresman's immigration specialist to see if they can help. I know of no reason for it. It is the second K-1 for both me and my fiancee (not to the same person). I am guessing they are checking to see what happened on her last K-1 which she stayed here for 30 days and returned home well ahead of the 90 day period she was allowed. Other than that we have a clean slate.

My friend, IF YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING AT LEAST 3 months since you mailed in I-129F, CALL your US REP local office and also call both your US Senators offices, and tell them your situation and you need help, they should either have you come to local office and fill out a "Congressional Inquiry" form or mail one to you or have you write a letter and mail or preferrably fax it back in to them. This Congressional will get you an answer within 48 hours and get USCIS off their ### and moving. Sorry to say it but sadly the only way to speed up this process and get what you want is to demand and complain to politicians, believe me it works. I know from experience, I found out hard way, I believed that if I followed rules and did what instructions said everything would go fast and well, and I have learned from reading what others have done on here, if you notice there are some people on here that will apply at same time as you and will be approved within like 3 to 4 months and have k1 interview and visa approved, it is no luck thing or accident, they had some help or contacted those politician offices within 2 to 3 months of applying to move and speed up the process. I know it is not right and a person should not have to do it, but hopefully by now you will have learned this by reading other posts, if not call them now. Also a potential problem with Russia women is fact of where they come from, things are still icy cold with their government and ours behind the scenes more so than we know. Thus it slows down the visa process.

ZQT3344

[A Wang 0]

I am just curious how many others find themselves in that big black hole called Administrative Review, how long you have been sitting there and what courses of action you have been taking?

Mine has been there for 6 weeks. I am giving it 4 more and then going to contact my congresman's immigration specialist to see if they can help. I know of no reason for it. It is the second K-1 for both me and my fiancee (not to the same person). I am guessing they are checking to see what happened on her last K-1 which she stayed here for 30 days and returned home well ahead of the 90 day period she was allowed. Other than that we have a clean slate.

My friend, IF YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING AT LEAST 3 months since you mailed in I-129F, CALL your US REP local office and also call both your US Senators offices, and tell them your situation and you need help, they should either have you come to local office and fill out a "Congressional Inquiry" form or mail one to you or have you write a letter and mail or preferrably fax it back in to them. This Congressional will get you an answer within 48 hours and get USCIS off their ### and moving. Sorry to say it but sadly the only way to speed up this process and get what you want is to demand and complain to politicians, believe me it works. I know from experience, I found out hard way, I believed that if I followed rules and did what instructions said everything would go fast and well, and I have learned from reading what others have done on here, if you notice there are some people on here that will apply at same time as you and will be approved within like 3 to 4 months and have k1 interview and visa approved, it is no luck thing or accident, they had some help or contacted those politician offices within 2 to 3 months of applying to move and speed up the process. I know it is not right and a person should not have to do it, but hopefully by now you will have learned this by reading other posts, if not call them now. Also a potential problem with Russia women is fact of where they come from, things are still icy cold with their government and ours behind the scenes more so than we know. Thus it slows down the visa process.

ZQT3344

Sorry but I wouldn't be all that optimistic about the political process being that smooth especially now that Russia is being blacklisted by our government.

Honestly, immigration is becoming tougher and tougher. And sadly enough, AP will become a longer and longer process....

[Turboguy 6]

Your comment about Russia being blacklisted was the first I had heard anything about that. Can you tell me more about what you mean?

I am giving them 6 more days on mine then I am going to try to follow up a bit. I am going to call again Tuesday night of next week and check on the statis. If it is still in A/R I am going to start trying to contact my congressman next Wednesday. If it does any good I will let everyone know.

Ironically enough the VJ'r with the closest time line to mine as well as the same regional center and Embassy will have his interview two days after that. I never got jealous over someone with more money than me, a fancier car or a prettier woman, but I am very jealous of that lucky dude.

[A Wang 0]

Your comment about Russia being blacklisted was the first I had heard anything about that. Can you tell me more about what you mean?

I am giving them 6 more days on mine then I am going to try to follow up a bit. I am going to call again Tuesday night of next week and check on the statis. If it is still in A/R I am going to start trying to contact my congressman next Wednesday. If it does any good I will let everyone know.

Ironically enough the VJ'r with the closest time line to mine as well as the same regional center and Embassy will have his interview two days after that. I never got jealous over someone with more money than me, a fancier car or a prettier woman, but I am very jealous of that lucky dude.

Russia is on the political outs with American in general particularly since Russia has some connections with Iran especially with the nuclear crisis. I was talking with some of my Russian friends and it seems like that they are conducting more security reviews on everyone coming from there.

Honestly, the same problems are occurring in other FSU countries too. Even Uzbekistan seems to have AP quite a bit on their lists, esp. for visa lottery winners. Honestly, being jealous of someone with quick approval is understandable. But patience is the key.

I found that rushing the whole process is a red flag for the embassy. They seem to like to feel that they are in control.

[Turboguy 6]

Thanks for the explaination. I follow the posts in the Russian Regional section and had not seen anyone else there talking about A/R but what you say makes sense.

When I said about being jealous of the couple who are on the same timeline and have their interview in a week it is more envy than jealousy. I am glad they did not go through this and wish them luck.

My case seems a little odd too that I hit A/R at the NVC level. It seems like all the cases I read about got it at the Embassy level. At least going through it now I should be clear at the Embassy level. (hopefully but then again it is the governent)

I am trying to not make a pest out of myself with them and for me it is only two months so far. I see others that are in A/R for 6 to 9 months and that is scary.

My plans are still the same. Check the status on Tuesday and if there is no progress contact my congressman on Wednesday. I don't expect it to help but who knows.

[Abdul456456456 2]

It took 3 months exactly for my wife's security clearance to clear from DOS.

[Turboguy 6]

Thanks for the feedback Fasel. I have to admit that it is a frustrating thing to go through but even if it would only be another month which would be three months for me at least there would be an end. I am glad to hear yours is all worked out and I apprecaite the information.

[Turboguy 6]

Something I am curious about. Does anyone in A/R ever hear anything from anyone doing the checks. For example to they ever get a call or visit from anyone looking for information or is everything done in the background with no contact ever to the petitioner?

[Ta Ta 1]

After the embassy interview there have been home visits to some beneficiaries

during AP/AR.

I also heard from a former embassy fraud prevention employee

that they used to call beneficiaries at home asking the so called "fiance" of a USC

if the Mrs. is home and the Mrs. actualy came to the phone.

He said it happened constantly. The foreign fiance was already married in the

foreign country.

So they do home visits, document check, etc.......but on the USCIS level I have never

heard this.

[A Wang 0]

Something I am curious about. Does anyone in A/R ever hear anything from anyone doing the checks. For example to they ever get a call or visit from anyone looking for information or is everything done in the background with no contact ever to the petitioner?

THat would be very rare. Often the AR process is extremely secretive so you wouldn't know anything about what goes on.

[Turboguy 6]

Well, I just came back from my first visit with my congressman's immigration specialist. I am not sure what good it will do but my impression at this time is that it was worth doing. I think one of the advantages is they can have phone access to people we do not.

I will add that as I went over the details of my case with him he could not understand why it was in A/R. Basically I have a very straight forward and above board case. Of course him feeling that way will not make much difference but hopefully he can make a little.

[ELW 5]

Great you went to the congressman’s office, I’ve heard many times that things go fast after that. Here’s hoping for your quick approval FINALLY!

[Turboguy 6]

Yes, I went there Friday. I was very pleased with the meeting. He asked me every question you could imagine and then said he could not understand any reason it should be in A/R. He said he could not promise anything except that he would work very hard to get as much information as he could and to work hard to try his best to get it out of A/R and moving.

[bin&jie 0]

Ok, I called and went to the congressman's office today as well. I walked out with a feeling that they not gonna help that much. the guy didn't ask anything about my case, and soon as he heard it's under administrative review/processing, he said there is not really much we can do, but I will try to reach out to them. he said he had encountered couple of cases like that, and I asked him how did it go. He said the only case he dealt with, it took the person 2,3 months to get cleared out. I don't feel that he will try hard for my case.

Turboguy, please keep me updated with your process, I would love to know how your congressman were able to offer.

good luck

Yes, I went there Friday. I was very pleased with the meeting. He asked me every question you could imagine and then said he could not understand any reason it should be in A/R. He said he could not promise anything except that he would work very hard to get as much information as he could and to work hard to try his best to get it out of A/R and moving.