Help! N400 Denied

[Kan777 2]

So sorry Angela. It sounds like you did everything 100% correct as far as covering your bases when sending it. Best wishes with getting this resolved. 

For the benefit of others and myself Im curious about how the online situation is with RFE's? (had to look up what that was). Im doing my online app and wondering if this RFE would be requested online as well as snail mail? 

[Kan777 2]

9 minutes ago, Kan777 said:

So sorry Angela. It sounds like you did everything 100% correct as far as covering your bases when sending it. Best wishes with getting this resolved. 

For the benefit of others and myself Im curious about how the online situation is with RFE's? (had to look up what that was). Im doing my online app and wondering if this RFE would be requested online as well as snail mail? 

Well a bit of googling seems to have answered my own question on the matter. From the USCIS website under tips for filling online. 

 

Respond to requests for evidence 

We will notify you by mail and text message or email, if you need to respond to a request for evidence (RFE).

Log in to your USCIS online account and go to the “Documents” tab to view notices and respond to the RFE.

https://www.uscis.gov/file-online/tips-filing-forms-online

[Sugarlegetiti 566]

57 minutes ago, Angela Lyman said:

 

Thanks for the tip! I just filed to Ombudsman. I got the confirmation# for my filing. Do you know if they really respond? The confirmation says it usually takes 90-120 days. but I feel it's just another typical bureaucracy...  

I hope you get a response very soon, I sympathize with you.

[usmsbow 796]

1 hour ago, Angela Lyman said:

 

Thanks for the tip! I just filed to Ombudsman. I got the confirmation# for my filing. Do you know if they really respond? The confirmation says it usually takes 90-120 days. but I feel it's just another typical bureaucracy...  

 

I contacted the Ombudsman when I had a problem in 2015. They were very prompt in responding, and my problem was resolved within a few days. 

 

I also e-mailed SCOPSSCATA@dhs.gov, which oversees all the service centers. They were also responsive (told CSC to get their act together). Since you're dealing with a field office though, and not one of the service centers, I don't know if that would be very helpful. You might want to send them an e-mail anyway saying you're frustrated with the customer service there.

 

Good luck! 

[Nitas_man 3,100]

1 hour ago, Angela Lyman said:

 

Thanks for the tip! I just filed to Ombudsman. I got the confirmation# for my filing. Do you know if they really respond? The confirmation says it usually takes 90-120 days. but I feel it's just another typical bureaucracy...  

They were extremely helpful when we did not receive a travel document that USCIS said they sent and filed for another one.  Resolved within 3 weeks.  But we did file/pay twice - just needed it expedited.

Edited July 26, 2018 by Nitas_man

[Ontarkie 13,979]

~~A few post removed as they were derailing this thread. lets get back to helping the OP.~~

[Zaira RH 0]

Something similar happened to my brother's paperwork. How did you contact  the congressman office? Did you go or did  it over the phone?

[Angela Lyman 9]

3 hours ago, Zaira RH said:

Something similar happened to my brother's paperwork. How did you contact  the congressman office? Did you go or did  it over the phone?

You first need to google who's the congressman in your district. Then go to his/her website and submit the inquiry. Their office staff will contact you... Good luck to your brother too!

[Rocko20 159]

A long with Ombudsman you might have to seek some legal counsel from an immigration attorney. Perhaps they've seen cases such as this before and can also direct you in the right place.

 

USCIS (or any other agency) losing any of my paperwork is one of my greatest fears

Edited July 27, 2018 by Rocko20

[randomstairs 270]

12 hours ago, Angela Lyman said:

Hi everyone,

 

My N400 got denied because USCIS said they didn't receive the RFE documents (the RFE letter was hand delivered to me during my interview). However, I DID send it and send it on time. I have FedEx delivery proof. Denial Letter says that I can file an appeal (8/1/2018 deadline). But I really don't want to spend $700 for the appeal because they lost my package!  These are the methods I tried so far:

 

1. Infopass: visited the local Infopass where I had the interview. The lady at the counter was not friendly, gave me attitude and blamed on me for everything. In the end, she took the package I prepared, including the requested RFE document and the FedEx delivery proof. She said she'll forward to N400 officers but they might not take it because the case is closed.  She gave a receipt to prove I visited Infopass and submitted the evidence. 

 

2. Congressman: after Infopass, I contacted my district congressman and hope they could ask USCIS to reopen my case. I also gave them my evidence and supporting documents for their reference. The office staff responded quickly. But it seems they need quite some time to check my case first before reaching to USCIS. So I'm not sure how much they could help before the deadline for appeal.

 

 

Does anyone have any suggestion????? I think it's really unfair that I might need to spend money on appeal or re-apply just because USCIS lost my package. This system sucks....

 

 

I totally sympathize with you. It's a Kafkaesque system. But, perhaps off topic, could you tell us what the RFE was about? It's been my understanding that for N-400, even if you don't respond to RFE, you can still get approved based on whatever evidence they have. So, it must depend on the kind of RFE.    

[POA 175]

6 hours ago, randomstairs said:

I totally sympathize with you. It's a Kafkaesque system. But, perhaps off topic, could you tell us what the RFE was about? It's been my understanding that for N-400, even if you don't respond to RFE, you can still get approved based on whatever evidence they have. So, it must depend on the kind of RFE.    

 

I don't know if I  can believe that. My RFE was just a missing N/A from a second form and that question was already answered on the other form and yet, my petition was denied. 

[Achiles6408 1]

Apply online now, I uploaded all my documents via scan or photo, no shipping, they keep you posted on progress online and you can keep adding documents to the case if you wish. No Fedex to blame, I would recommend this to everyone. 

[saladboye 166]

18 hours ago, Angela Lyman said:

 

Thanks for the tip! I just filed to Ombudsman. I got the confirmation# for my filing. Do you know if they really respond? The confirmation says it usually takes 90-120 days. but I feel it's just another typical bureaucracy...  

 

They do, it may take time but they do. They are very picky about cases they take on, even a slight error on your side and they will say you failed since you didn't follow process.

 

But since you followed everything each step of they way, it is very likely ombudsman will intervene and get it resolved.

 

Look at the annual report they put out: https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/DHS Annual Report 2018.pdf

 

Page 6 has an example where USCIS lost documentation and ombudsman stepped in to assist.

 

Like I said, its official public business, no one wants some agency riding them hard for doing something wrong or congressman knocking on behalf of their constituents. It may take time as they cross their T and dot their i so no more errors are present. They will not only resolve this but also track the accountability for internal purposes and how it can be improved.

[Angela Lyman 9]

Hi everyone,

 

This is OP. Just a quick update. I submitted the case investigation to Ombudsman yesterday from the tip of this thread. While I was thinking it would take forever for Ombudsman to reply, I received a phone call from USCIS local field office today! What a miracle!!! 

 

They were very polite and said they received the package that I submitted to Infopass. I just need to bring 2 photos to an officer next Monday and then they will proceed with my case. Although I DID include the 2 photos in the package to Infopass (they were securely taped and placed on the top page), the photos were missing when delivered to their hands. They don't know why it happened. Again, they lost my stuff one more time... but at this point, I don't have much to complain as long as my case will be moved forward. (I have a thought about this missing photo thing. Could it be an excuse so they can verify my identity or something when seeing me in person....?)

 

I'll update it again next Monday. Fingers crossed!

[Sugarlegetiti 566]

9 minutes ago, Angela Lyman said:

Hi everyone,

 

This is OP. Just a quick update. I submitted the case investigation to Ombudsman yesterday from the tip of this thread. While I was thinking it would take forever for Ombudsman to reply, I received a phone call from USCIS local field office today! What a miracle!!! 

 

They were very polite and said they received the package that I submitted to Infopass. I just need to bring 2 photos to an officer next Monday and then they will proceed with my case. Although I DID include the 2 photos in the package to Infopass (they were securely taped and placed on the top page), the photos were missing when delivered to their hands. They don't know why it happened. Again, they lost my stuff one more time... but at this point, I don't have much to complain as long as my case will be moved forward. (I have a thought about this missing photo thing. Could it be an excuse so they can verify my identity or something when seeing me in person....?)

 

I'll update it again next Monday. Fingers crossed!

This is great news.