I-751 OCTOBER 2018

[Suze1 366]

All this discussion raises a few questions -

 

1) If your I-751 is pending, does filing the N-400 mean that it will be transferred locally?

I think the answer is - Maybe, maybe not.

(It would seem that the IO's are not total dingbats...If they knew the downstream/local office was extremely overloaded would they mechanically/merely send it there anyway, as a matter of process, or would/can they exercise more discretion and, upon taking a look at the application, make the decision to not send it - and even make the decision to adjudicate the application right then and there?  I don't know. Does anyone here know?  If so, please chime in.)

 

2) If your I-751 application is transferred, is the applicant always made aware of that somehow - i.e. is evidence of such transfer available/shared with the applicant(s) or discernible somehow by the applicant(s)?

We saw/see no message or status updates that state that our application was transferred to our local office after we filed for N-400 with the I-751 pending.

We only saw confirmation of the biometrics, and then we got the green card in the mail (even before we got the approval letter - a fact we attribute to the US Postal Service processing timing more than anything else.)

 

3) Does the fact that we received the I-751 ROC approval letter from Lees Summit, MO mean that it was transferred? Or is that where such letters can come from whether transferred or not?

 

4) If it was transferred to Lees Summit, MO, then by whom? Could the Texas Service Center had transferred it there, or could our local Tampa Office have transferred it there?

We don't think Tampa got it and transferred it to MO. But did someone in Tampa get notified, saw it on the system, and transferred it electronically without ever getting the actual hard copy package? An electronic transfer from local to some processing site? We don't know. Does anyone here know?

 

 

We are considering calling USCIS and asking them. But then again, do we do that, or just let ours continue to process and ask them that question at the citizenship interview in Feb?

If we do the latter we cannot share what we hear until then.

 

One of the things the immigration officer said at biometrics when we asked how long, etc, he said - "You will qualify for citizenship long before we will ever get your package." That is how long we feared it would take for I-751. And it took a year.

 

Maybe some of the senior members here know, or have strong opinions about what they think can happen.

 

Comments are welcome, as always.

 

 

Edited December 25, 2019 by Suze1

[Pitaya 2,580]

Your very well described and quite palpable feelings of  frustration and bewilderment with USCIS is likely very widespread among anyone that is in the throes of their immigration journey. Just look at the old sputtering, breaking down, in dire need of repairs jalopy that is known as USCIS.  It seems to be chronically overworked, inundated with applications/petitions/etc., horribly understaffed, and by their own bureaucratic logic  woefully underpaid for the untimely service the agency currently provides.  Yes, it seems that the prez's newly appointed hatchet-man acting head of USCIS, Cuccinelli is clamoring for more money.   His proposed fee hikes amount to an often doubling of the current fees!  I have to ask, For what?  He says so that the agency can be more run like a business. Right! His plan sounds more like squeezing more money out of the intended immigrants, and still drive around the old USCIS jalopy with new bandaids for the leaky tires. There is no talk of increasing staff to accommodate the huge influx of workload....Nah  , just keep moving and shuffling paper around the country to different offices. Sounds like the old shell game to me. There is lip service being given to improving the system, revamping the processes, automation (kind a like Henry Ford's Model T production line)...  

 

Honestly, Suze1, your questions about current USCIS practices moving and shifting of cases and the current level of disservice reminds me a lot of the old Abbott and Costello comedy skit, 

 

 

Good luck on your immigration journey and Merry Christmas !!

Edited December 25, 2019 by Pitaya

[prok 56]

Time is far spent, most of us had been hanging on for what seems like eternity. Here is what I figured for those of us that had case status changed to Case was updated to show Fingerprint taken. I think this is a good omen, it obviously shows there will be no rfe, however, there will be only one thing, and that will be USCIS decision. There are only 3 possible decisions each and everyone of us could possibly get. The first decision which is the favorable and good decision is Approval. The second one is interview notice and the last one, which no one pray for is denial. Decision will roll in for most October 2018 filers within the coming days and most of us will have it as new year special gift, for t’s sure going to put smiles on our faces. It’s been well over 14 months now, those that receive biometrics in October 2019 , should be happy it was not rfe nor interview. The next notice shall be Approval in Jesus Name....Amen. Let’s get insight of what’s going on with you, update us your story so we can all learn and know what to expect. Did Suze1 got approved even when divorce is still pending? Does it mean USCIS don’t have details to what you don’t tell them? Obviously, they can’t know your marital situation unless you tell them and you can do that until the divorce is final. Let some one talk to me please. Suze1, tell me did you get an update that says Fingerprint was taken?

[Georgia16 2,858]

8 hours ago, prok said:

Time is far spent, most of us had been hanging on for what seems like eternity. Here is what I figured for those of us that had case status changed to Case was updated to show Fingerprint taken. I think this is a good omen, it obviously shows there will be no rfe, however, there will be only one thing, and that will be USCIS decision. There are only 3 possible decisions each and everyone of us could possibly get. The first decision which is the favorable and good decision is Approval. The second one is interview notice and the last one, which no one pray for is denial. Decision will roll in for most October 2018 filers within the coming days and most of us will have it as new year special gift, for t’s sure going to put smiles on our faces. It’s been well over 14 months now, those that receive biometrics in October 2019 , should be happy it was not rfe nor interview. The next notice shall be Approval in Jesus Name....Amen. Let’s get insight of what’s going on with you, update us your story so we can all learn and know what to expect. Did Suze1 got approved even when divorce is still pending? Does it mean USCIS don’t have details to what you don’t tell them? Obviously, they can’t know your marital situation unless you tell them and you can do that until the divorce is final. Let some one talk to me please. Suze1, tell me did you get an update that says Fingerprint was taken?

You can still get an RFE at this point. 
no USCIS can not know a divorce is pending it is up to you to tell them that. Not telling can get you in trouble at a later point and you of course have to N-400 after 5 year rule. 

[Brunno 11]

On 12/25/2019 at 9:30 AM, MorganandMichael said:

Hey Brunno,

 

We are still in the exact same spot as you as well. My husband got his  original green card in the mail on Christmas Eve 3 years ago, so I was hoping to have the same holiday luck. Oh well.

 

I am a little worried about the social media thing, but if everything is on the up and up with your marriage, I wouldn’t be too worried. If they are checking phones and social media, they would have known by now that things aren’t really working with my marriage. We haven’t gotten any RFEs or calls for interviews though, so if we’ve been safe, you should too.

 

I hope so at least... I won’t be able to get a finalized divorce decree for at least another 4 months thanks to the process for divorce in Wisconsin. So if they send out an RFE anytime soon, we are kinda hosed. 
 

My working (and probably incorrect) theory is that they possibly hold some cases back in order to give themselves leeway and more control over average processing times. But who knows.

Hello MorganandMichael,

 

When I mentioned about the social media I did not want to say our marriage is not legit. We are happy for many years. We have a baby and we have tons of proof...:-))

I just mentioned it because at this point we are just desperate and we are overthinking everything over and over. Reading here on VJ that some people are getting approved who applied months after us is making us think that something is not right. But I am sure it is. They are just busy. 

The social media: We just heard it that USCIS is using it as a tool nowadays to check the couple. And it make sense. I would do it as well if I would need to make sure that the applicant is saying what he/she is saying. Paperwork, BIO, background check and more. Including FB. Who does not have the FB today?

Like I said with us everything is fine and if we will get interview notice we will be ok. But because we overthink it I just mentioned that I am not so active on FB and because of that the case maybe be delayed. Maybe I should be more active on FB...:-)))

 

Have a good day!

 

Brunno...:-))

 

[losaltos 3]

Longtime lurker, wanted to give other California filers some hope

 

WAC1990019xxx

751 submitted: October 9, 2018

Fingerprints: April 5, 2019

Update to show fingerprints taken: December 13, 2019

New card being produced: December 27, 2019

 

Thanks to everyone for the updates along the way!

[prok 56]

4 hours ago, losaltos said:

Longtime lurker, wanted to give other California filers some hope

 

WAC1990019xxx

751 submitted: October 9, 2018

Fingerprints: April 5, 2019

Update to show fingerprints taken: December 13, 2019

New card being produced: December 27, 2019

 

Thanks to everyone for the updates along the way!

Congratulations, this is a good news and end the year package, we can as well call it a new year gift. I am really happy for you, the wait is long over. I got same update that Case was updated to show Fingerprints were Taken on December 13th as well, hopefully, Texas Service Center will produce my card too soonest. Once more, congratulations!!!

[yna2015 22]

4 hours ago, losaltos said:

Longtime lurker, wanted to give other California filers some hope

 

WAC1990019xxx

751 submitted: October 9, 2018

Fingerprints: April 5, 2019

Update to show fingerprints taken: December 13, 2019

New card being produced: December 27, 2019

 

Thanks to everyone for the updates along the way!

Thank you so much for sharing. I'm 1990058xxx. I hope my turn is coming soon! Congrats!

[pcke2000 39]

My wife's case has been at LIN for 14 months, no RFE, no interview, did biometrics early this July, no online status updates besides 'We have received your case'.

 

Do you guys think getting local congressman/woman involved may accelerate the processing? We are an active duty military family and I am on orders to move to another duty station (another state) early next year, so we really want to get this ROC done before the move.

 

Thank you very much and happy new year!

[prok 56]

1 minute ago, pcke2000 said:

My wife's case has been at LIN for 14 months, no RFE, no interview, did biometrics early this July, no online status updates besides 'We have received your case'.

 

Do you guys think getting local congressman/woman involved may accelerate the processing? We are an active duty military family and I am on orders to move to another duty station (another state) early next year, so we really want to get this ROC done before the move.

 

Thank you very much and happy new year!

That might be an option to explore, no harm in trying, but I think few more days or weeks  should be it for approval, little more patience. Wishing you happy new year in advance and taking this opportunity to appreciate your patriotism to this lovely country. Your service to this country will not go unnoticed.God bless America.

[Suze1 366]

On 12/25/2019 at 3:53 PM, Pitaya said:

Your very well described and quite palpable feelings of  frustration and bewilderment with USCIS is likely very widespread among anyone that is in the throes of their immigration journey. Just look at the old sputtering, breaking down, in dire need of repairs jalopy that is known as USCIS.  It seems to be chronically overworked, inundated with applications/petitions/etc., horribly understaffed, and by their own bureaucratic logic  woefully underpaid for the untimely service the agency currently provides.  Yes, it seems that the prez's newly appointed hatchet-man acting head of USCIS, Cuccinelli is clamoring for more money.   His proposed fee hikes amount to an often doubling of the current fees!  I have to ask, For what?  He says so that the agency can be more run like a business. Right! His plan sounds more like squeezing more money out of the intended immigrants, and still drive around the old USCIS jalopy with new bandaids for the leaky tires. There is no talk of increasing staff to accommodate the huge influx of workload....Nah  , just keep moving and shuffling paper around the country to different offices. Sounds like the old shell game to me. There is lip service being given to improving the system, revamping the processes, automation (kind a like Henry Ford's Model T production line)...  

 

Honestly, Suze1, your questions about current USCIS practices moving and shifting of cases and the current level of disservice reminds me a lot of the old Abbott and Costello comedy skit, 

 

 

Good luck on your immigration journey and Merry Christmas !!

Thank YOU, Pitaya, as well, for your cogent quandaries and frustrations. We are, indeed,  in the same leaky vehicle(s).

We loved the ole A&C skit, as always. Thanks for the laughs. It had been a while since last seeing such comedic brilliance.

All the best to you, too. Have a great End of the Year/New Year!

Forward and upward!

Suze1 & Spouse

[pcke2000 39]

19 hours ago, prok said:

That might be an option to explore, no harm in trying, but I think few more days or weeks  should be it for approval, little more patience. Wishing you happy new year in advance and taking this opportunity to appreciate your patriotism to this lovely country. Your service to this country will not go unnoticed.God bless America.

Thank you very much! I think I will give it a try with the congressman after new year. As you said, no harm in trying.

[KK1986 3]

Hello!

How are filers from California doing or applicants whose case was transferred to Potomac? My case was received 10/31/2018 and 6/2019 transferred to Potomac.  I haven't received any new updates since, it has now been pending for 425 days = 14 months. USCIS Time Processing calculator says 15-17 months. What do you think should I wait one more month or contact USCIS? Question: Have you used the chat option or called USCIS and asked to talk with Tier II officer? I did  that for my i-485 since that was pending quite long as well and after my call my case was reviewed within few days. 

Also my window for naturalization opened few months ago, but haven't applied. Now really debating if I should or just hold tight.. 

 

Thanks for any comments ! 

[Soley 73]

Update from a SRC filer:

I sent out my request to reschedule biometrics early december as I had missed my initial appointment the end of october because we were out of the country. I was a bit nervous about it - sent copies of our boarding passes along with the request, in which I explained the situation, and of course had to send in the original appointment letter. I received a new appointment letter the 21st of december for the 30st. I got my biometrics done yesterday 12/30/19 and received an update today 12/31/19 "case was updated to show that fingerprints were taken". Now the wait is on again patience patience patience. To all of you out there who are waiting as well: happy New Year and lots of luck on your case! Hopefully we will all get our cards soon!!

[prok 56]

2 minutes ago, Soley said:

Update from a SRC filer:

I sent out my request to reschedule biometrics early december as I had missed my initial appointment the end of october because we were out of the country. I was a bit nervous about it - sent copies of our boarding passes along with the request, in which I explained the situation, and of course had to send in the original appointment letter. I received a new appointment letter the 21st of december for the 30st. I got my biometrics done yesterday 12/30/19 and received an update today 12/31/19 "case was updated to show that fingerprints were taken". Now the wait is on again patience patience patience. To all of you out there who are waiting as well: happy New Year and lots of luck on your case! Hopefully we will all get our cards soon!!

Amen