January 2018 I-129F Filers, Part II

[Lucy&Jason 807]

2 hours ago, Amiina and Kim said:

I spoke to them yesterday. They said nothing was mailed it is sitting on supervisors desk for approval for RFE to be sent since August 8.

 

Tier 1 said RFE was mailed on 8 August and requested reissue 

 

Tier 2 said no RFE sent and the first week.of September we should hear something and to call back to Tier 2 on September 10 if we dont hear anything. 

Did you try to ask tier 2 what’s your RFE all about? This is getting crazy coz everytime you call them they will give you different answer. 😢

[Greenbaum 12,259]

19 minutes ago, Lucy&Jason said:

I have read from here that a scanned letter of intent to marry is acceptable. @Greenbaum any thoughts?

If the Embassy requires a letter of intent to marry it's perfectly acceptable to have it either wet or dry. Each Embassy is different where most do not ask for a new letter of intent. Refer to your Embassy's P3 for details. Why do when do will do?

[Lucy&Jason 807]

Just now, Greenbaum said:

If the Embassy requires a letter of intent to marry it's perfectly acceptable to have it either wet or dry. Each Embassy is different where most do not ask for a new letter of intent. Refer to your Embassy's P3 for details. Why do when do will do?

That Letter of Intent to marry is upon submission in response to an RFE. Do USCIS accept a scanned copy?

[Greenbaum 12,259]

1 minute ago, Lucy&Jason said:

That Letter of Intent to marry is upon submission in response to an RFE. Do USCIS accept a scanned copy?

Yes they will accept a scanned copy. All documents for USCIS can be scanned. It's the Embassy that is sometime particular about "wet" signatures.

 

"A signature is valid even if the original signature is later photocopied, scanned, faxed, or similarly reproduced. Regardless of how it is transmitted to USCIS, the copy must be of an original document containing a handwritten, ink signature, unless regulations or the form instructions state otherwise. USCIS will not accept signatures created by a typewriter, word processor, stamp, auto-pen, or similar device."

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/interview/interview-prepare/required-documents.html

 

https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-finalizes-guidance-signature-requirements

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Laws/Memoranda/2018/2018-02-16-PM-602-0134.1-Signatures-on-Paper-Applications-Petitions-Requests-and-Other-Documents.pdf

 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Outreach/Draft%20Memorandum%20for%20Comment/PED_SignatureRequirementPM.pdf

[Lucy&Jason 807]

4 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

Yes they will accept a scanned copy. All documents for USCIS can be scanned. It's the Embassy that is sometime particular about "wet" signatures.

 

"A signature is valid even if the original signature is later photocopied, scanned, faxed, or similarly reproduced. Regardless of how it is transmitted to USCIS, the copy must be of an original document containing a handwritten, ink signature, unless regulations or the form instructions state otherwise. USCIS will not accept signatures created by a typewriter, word processor, stamp, auto-pen, or similar device."

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/interview/interview-prepare/required-documents.html

 

https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-finalizes-guidance-signature-requirements

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Laws/Memoranda/2018/2018-02-16-PM-602-0134.1-Signatures-on-Paper-Applications-Petitions-Requests-and-Other-Documents.pdf

 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Outreach/Draft%20Memorandum%20for%20Comment/PED_SignatureRequirementPM.pdf

Sure thanks @Greenbaum this is very helpful.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

4 hours ago, nyaliss said:

Received the RFE today (day 226). I had called last week and was told nothing could be done until the inquiry I submitted was handled by the 31st. RFE was dispatched on the 17th.

 

Within is a brief questionnaire regarding criminal history, I swear I filled that out but this document says I didn't. I am correct in thinking this refers to me, the petitioner? YES The document is addressed and written to me, mostly. I just want to double check. Let me give you a bit of caution when completing the questionnaire regarding the criminal history. Make sure you answer each question truthfully. If you have ever had a case dismissed or sealed or expunged be to list it. It wasn't too long ago that a fellow back in his youthful years had a case expunged and thought nothing of it when he received his RFE for this same topic. Come to find out USCIS was looking for just that. Since he didn't reveal it he was denied. Now he had to fly back to her country, marry her, and the are now filing a CR-1. So two years will pass before she and the kids arrive in the US. 

Also, is the request of passport style pictures of each of us and an intent to marry from her. I'm going to include one from me as well, though it's not specifically asked for. If it wasn't requested from you then don't muddy the waters. Do what do will do. Would it be acceptable for her to send me a scanned copy of her letter of intent (signed of course) and I print it out to attach with the RFE packet? YES it's perfectly acceptable. See below.

"A signature is valid even if the original signature is later photocopied, scanned, faxed, or similarly reproduced. Regardless of how it is transmitted to USCIS, the copy must be of an original document containing a handwritten, ink signature, unless regulations or the form instructions state otherwise. USCIS will not accept signatures created by a typewriter, word processor, stamp, auto-pen, or similar device."

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/interview/interview-prepare/required-documents.html

 

https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-finalizes-guidance-signature-requirements

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Laws/Memoranda/2018/2018-02-16-PM-602-0134.1-Signatures-on-Paper-Applications-Petitions-Requests-and-Other-Documents.pdf

 

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Outreach/Draft%20Memorandum%20for%20Comment/PED_SignatureRequirementPM.pdf

[Greenbaum 12,259]

5 hours ago, PaddyH said:

Hi All,

 

I am 216 day mark since NOA1. I filled an inquiry on Monday but got the response that they will get back to me before 9/4 (however this seems to be inconsistent looking at other folks). I have rang and asked to talk to a Tier 2 on a number of occasions and while some are pretty unhelpful, two gave me the update that was case was sent for background checks in July and there was no update since. Does anyone have an idea around how long the background check phase usually takes? No one can say for sure as each case is different. Just have to have a little more patience.

 

Additionally i reached out to my congress representative yesterday, hopefully they will be able to help, at the very least it can't do any harm.  From the form they asked me to fill out it appears that they get a lot of similar requests. 

 

NOA1 Old site 1/19

NOA1 New site 1/23

 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

6 hours ago, C32 said:

FINALLY got approved after 226 days. 

 

I can’t wait to start being able to set up exams/interview/etc... I want to get this process moving 😊

 

does anyone know know how long we should wait after NOA2 before calling to get our NVC number?

About 2 weeks.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

8 hours ago, SilverMonk said:

For those who contacted your congressman or senator, did you guys send them just the release form or did you send in a copy of your NoA1 or birth certificate. Or just the form?

Dear Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman,

 

I am writing you today about the California Service Center and their recent handling of I-129F cases. The stated goal of the USCIS for I-129F is 5 months. However that has increased to 7-8 months and is getting longer every day due to their recent performance. If you look at the National Processing and Trends provided by USCIS you will find completions for I-129F has dropped to a fraction to what is being received.

 

I’m asking for a service request on my personal case, as I have only been waiting 6 months, but asking for immediate action to be taken on I-129F cases at CSC. If something is not done quickly the backlog for fiancé visas could reach 8 months or longer.

 

Thank you for any help you might be available to provide.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Note:

 

Email address: cisombudsman@HQ.DHS.GOV

Subject: Your receipt #

Body: Petitioner's Complete Name Birthday ; Beneficiary's Complete Name Birthday

 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

13 hours ago, GP1977 said:

Has anyone tried contacting their Senator or Congressman for assistance once you are outside of normal processing? They are supposed to have a liaison that works within USCIS and from my understanding can help push things along.  

Here are two options you might try both options below.

 

First try shooting off an email to the Ombudsman at cisombudsman@HQ.DHS.GOV The Ombudsman provides an impartial and independent perspective to USCIS in an attempt to resolve problems.

 

Second try your U.S. representative's contact information can be found in this handy directory, and your U.S. senator's information is in this one.

 

If you receive a response and it contains anyone of these sentences this will be the meaning of that phrase.

 

If the CSC response is due to a congressional case worker inquiry, the service center will say "security checks"

 

If the CSC response is from a regular service inquiry from their website, the service center will say "adjudication"

[Greenbaum 12,259]

21 hours ago, Amiina and Kim said:

Hi I'm a long time lurker.  

Old site NOA1 jan 24

Recieved email and text this morning.  Called got confusing information. 

 

Tier 1 said RFE mailed on Aug 8

Tier 2 said RFE on supervisors desk waiting approval. 

 

Any ideas for me to be concerned?

 

You should always be concerned about an RFE. It indicates that you may have forgotten a document that they need to completely finish the adjudication of your case. It might be further information needed because of a background check. It could be as simple as you forgot to tick off a check box. RFE are not denials, they are opportunities to "right the ship" so to say.

[Lucy&Jason 807]

9 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

Dear Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman,

 

I am writing you today about the California Service Center and their recent handling of I-129F cases. The stated goal of the USCIS for I-129F is 5 months. However that has increased to 7-8 months and is getting longer every day due to their recent performance. If you look at the National Processing and Trends provided by USCIS you will find completions for I-129F has dropped to a fraction to what is being received.

 

I’m asking for a service request on my personal case, as I have only been waiting 6 months, but asking for immediate action to be taken on I-129F cases at CSC. If something is not done quickly the backlog for fiancé visas could reach 8 months or longer.

 

Thank you for any help you might be available to provide.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Note:

 

Email address: cisombudsman@HQ.DHS.GOV

Subject: Your receipt #

Body: Petitioner's Complete Name Birthday ; Beneficiary's Complete Name Birthday

 

Can a beneficiary email the Ombudsman? Or only the petitioner can?

[VickeySis 318]

1 minute ago, Greenbaum said:

You should always be concerned about an RFE. It indicates that you may have forgotten a document that they need to completely finish the adjudication of your case. It might be further information needed because of a background check. It could be as simple as you forgot to tick off a check box. RFE are not denials, they are opportunities to "right the ship" so to say.

@Greenbaum you have any data or trends on current RFE turn around I have been trying to find with no avail....mine was aug 10, csc receiced and updated that case is now being processed on aug 20...just curious if god forbid it really is the 60 days they advised on RFE 😒😒😒😒

[Greenbaum 12,259]

On ‎8‎/‎22‎/‎2018 at 8:43 AM, kmza89 said:

I received this today. This is the first time I received any email from uscis and I’m wondering what happened to all the people who received this last month? 

 

That's SOP (standard operating procedure) and many get this but it's like "junk mail" you look it over and put in the "pile".

[Greenbaum 12,259]

2 minutes ago, Lucy&Jason said:

Can a beneficiary email the Ombudsman? Or only the petitioner can?

I'm not sure but I think the petitioner carry's more weight with USCIS and the Ombudsman. I have seen some beneficiary's get refused "service" just because they are the beneficiary. Since the I-129f originates with the petitioner I think that is their reasoning.