7 months for Advance parole, what's going on?!

[StephiePhills 0]

Hi Visa Journey!

I need some advice or direction.

I applied for my Permanent residence in July after our wedding in June. In Oct my grandfather suddenly died and I requested an expedite (even though it was past 90 days) on Oct 29. The customer service rep told me it would be 5 business days. After 6 days with no answer I called and requested another to attend the memorial service that was happening in 10 days. I never heard back. I heard no response from USCIS even after I called to check on the status numerous times. The rep just kept saying it looks like no one has gotten to your case yet but it should be soon.

Memorial service was now missed even after two expedite requests and absolutely no response. Dec 8 rolls around and I get an email asking for evidence to attend the event that was over a month ago!!

So now it's January 4, I just missed my Uncle's wedding a few days ago and I'm getting absolutely fed up. I applied for everything including advance parole, employment authorization and permanent residence July 10 and I have nothing. I have been unable to work or travel for 7 months. I feel like a hostage in the USA! Has anyone else experienced crazy long processing times like I have? Or what's going on with them?! We are struggling to stay afloat because I'm still illegal to work even though I have a University degree and am a Social Worker and we only thought it would be 90 days after I filed for work authorization. We're at day 177 now.

My family lives in Vancouver B.C and I am just outside of Seattle. It's a two hour drive north and I can't even visit nor grieve with my family for a death that happened in October. I feel like this is a violation of human rights somehow, being unable to travel or work. What am I doing here then?

I'm at my wits end. Two service requests and about 4 expedite requests placed after they have all been unresponsive. Help! Why do I feel like Im being completely ignored at USCIS.

-Stephanie

[Pinkrlion 2,610]

For emergency expedite for AP, you make an infopass appointment and go to the local office for a face to face appointment. Calling USCiS does not do anything.

Make an infopass appt.

Edited January 4, 2016 by Pinkrlion

[StephiePhills 0]

Apparently expediting doesn't do anything! You're totally right, it looks like you did one for AP. Since the family emergency was back in October would you still recommend making an infopass appointment based on the fact that I haven't been with my family to grieve the loss yet? It's not exactly an emergency but I'm almost at 7 months here with no travel document form yet.

Still working the waters of this terrible visa experience so far. Thanks for the suggestion!

[Darnell 8,478]

if everything was filed in july, and you not even get an appointment for the biometrics -

something is amiss.

you need yer EAD/AP doc/combo card anyway - and it's outside the 90 day window already,

so

call in to USCIS (again),

get a human, the CSR, then

ask to speak to a Tier 2 human, an ISO.

Once you get an ISO,

explain that it's more than 5 months about the EAD - ask him to deep review the casefile on his computer and tell _YOU_ exactly what the problem is.

Go Get Em, and Good Luck !

[StephiePhills 0]

I did my biometrics appointment back in August in Seattle. Thought everything was running smoothly until then!

I've just made an infopass appointment at the local office. Going to try this avenue out!

I'd been transfered to second tier customer service a few times and they literally had no idea what was going on. I had to explain the whole situation again and the only answer I ever got was, ' just give it more time'.

Thanks for your input!

[Darnell 8,478]

ah geez - you should have had your ead/ap combo card about 1 month after yer biometrics appointment.

since a tier 2 human can't figure it out - best best will be that local infopass appointment,

but

keep in mind - the humans behind the glass counter don't have full access - it's the same access that an ISO has...

ask for the shift supervisor when you get there. be adamant but firm about it.

[Pitaya 2,576]

~Moved from K1 Process to Fam-based AOS Forum~

~Inquiry about AOS-related process, past K1~

[TBoneTX 43,194]

Thread eased further from AOS/Family-Based main forum to the Case Progress subforum.

[Hypnos 6,576]

You should contact the DHS Ombudsman.

[StephiePhills 0]

Thank you so much Hypnos.

I didn't even know that existed. I'll see how my appointment goes at the infopass in Seattle next week then I'll try that as a last option. Thank you for these options, I wish I'd known sooner! Better late than never.

[Hypnos 6,576]

They're very much a helper of last resort. When USCIS have made either an error in law or regulations (not issuing an EAD within 90 days, for example) and other methods of contact have failed to resolve the situation, the Ombudsman is pretty much your best bet.

Unfortunately I speak from experience, although the Ombudsman was able to help in my situation.

[StephiePhills 0]

Did you have a similar situation that Ombudsman helped with?

I'm sure getting your EAD outside 90 days isn't illegal, but I feel like 7 months has got to be some sort of violation.

[Hypnos 6,576]

USCIS regulations require an EAD/AP based on a pending I-485 to be adjudicated within 90 days.

I had a separate issue that required the Ombudsman's assistance.

[Pitaya 2,576]

~New posting on older thread removed to new thread in Working & Traveling During US Immigration Forum~

~Old thread closed to further comment~

Pitaya

VJ Moderation

Edited October 16, 2016 by Pitaya