How to Shake Your NOA2 Loose from the CSC

[TBoneTX 43,418]

These tips are not guaranteed for speeding receipt of your NOA2, but they worked for me after many weeks of banging my head against stone walls and unhelpful front-line call-screeners. They have also worked for other VJ members whose K-1 files had been sitting unapproved for some time. I recommend trying these tips if you're approaching or have exceeded the posted "we are processing applications received as of" date at the CSC.

These recommendations may (or may not) appear similar to what has been called the "RFE Trick." There is no "trick" involved here. Until now, I have posted these tips in individual response to plaintive cries for help. Without exception, others have stated that trying the recommendations proved effective and served to relieve their own personal stress. Perhaps the VJ moderators will consider pinning this thread so that all who are frustrated can have one place to look.

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Here is what I did to shake things loose. The keys are to [1] reach a correct person, and [2] speak USCIS's language.

Call 800-375-5283, then hit 1,2,2,4,2,1; enter your receipt number; hit 1,1. (There is no need to wait for all of the recorded options to be read before you hit these buttons.) The recording will almost certainly say that "additional evidence is required," but don't necessarily believe it.

When the phone rings, you should be speaking with an actual Immigration Officer (not a clueless front-line screener who can tell you only what you already know). If the recording said that "additional evidence is required," ask the ImmOff exactly this: "Why does the recording say that I have a Request For Evidence?" He/she will almost certainly tell you that there's no record of an RFE; thank him/her profusely.

Then (or first), ask exactly this: "Will you please tell me exactly where in the Division my file is?" He/she will tell you. Then say exactly this: "I'm aware that several files received after mine have already been approved, and the USCIS website clearly says 'we process applications in the order we receive them.' Will you please send an e-mail to the floor, and ask the person at the ____ station [whatever the ImmOff told you] to please hand-carry the file to the next station?"

The ImmOff will appreciate your "speaking the language," because it is so different from the usual plaintive "do something!" that they hear all day, every day. The e-mail should at least cause one of the processors on the floor to handle your file, and your record on the USCIS Case Status website may soon reflect a "touch."

The procedures that I have recommended are worth it, and you should feel better afterwards. Depending on how long ago you have submitted your application (the longer, the "better"), you can repeat this process every 10 to 14 days.

Do NOT mention that you are part of an on-line community; this is not necessary, and mentioning it could hinder your success. However, feel free to post your stories on VJ!

[LuciansGirl 0]

Thanks so much for posting this, TBone!

I'm sure it will be helpful to all of us!!

[BlakeandOlha 0]

Great thread, it's helpful to consolidate all helpful strategies in the process. How long into the process would this approach be helpful, I'm assuming something like 3-4 months for CSC and perhaps 2-3 months for VSC. Any advice?

[TBoneTX 43,418]

Great thread, it's helpful to consolidate all helpful strategies in the process. How long into the process would this approach be helpful, I'm assuming something like 3-4 months for CSC and perhaps 2-3 months for VSC. Any advice?

I can't comment about the VSC, but 4 months for CSC is probably reasonable. I suggest consulting the various lists on the "Waiting for an NOA2 from the CSC for an I-129f" thread -- periodically published by Igor, Still the Prettiest, and others -- to see when various approvals have been granted. If indeed several files that were submitted after yours have been approved -- preferably in a month later than when you submitted your file -- you can use my recommendations and have the "ring of authority" in the sound of your voice. If you "just" sent in your file, such as less than 3 months ago, the recommendations might not help if you try them, and your trying them may even hurt the VJ members who have been waiting for many more months and who need this approach the most.

Edited February 19, 2008 by TBoneTX

[mox 298]

Great thread, it's helpful to consolidate all helpful strategies in the process. How long into the process would this approach be helpful, I'm assuming something like 3-4 months for CSC and perhaps 2-3 months for VSC. Any advice?

Since part of the overall strategy is to tell them that you know people around your filing date are being approved, I wouldn't use this method until timelines similar to yours have been approved.

[TBoneTX 43,418]

Great thread, it's helpful to consolidate all helpful strategies in the process. How long into the process would this approach be helpful, I'm assuming something like 3-4 months for CSC and perhaps 2-3 months for VSC. Any advice?

Since part of the overall strategy is to tell them that you know people around your filing date are being approved, I wouldn't use this method until timelines similar to yours have been approved.

I thought I said that, but much more wordily and convolutedly, si man!

[TBoneTX 43,418]

I should have added to this thread's original post that writing one's Congressman or the USCIS Ombudsman or any other technique might slow you down, rather than inspire action on your behalf. Taking matters into your own hands will be more efficient and -- regardless of the actual results -- will probably allow you to regain a sense during this process that you're NOT merely a helpless victim who's without any recourse. I know that I was at the end my own rope (or past it) when I stumbled onto the ideas presented above. Si, man.

[sara..... 371]

okkkkkkkkkkkkkk I dont know if it is good or bad

I got a really nice lady

she asked for my receite number what kind of visa i applied for and my name.......she then said we are processing Aug at this time then she said wait a minute ......mmm I am going to send a email to find out where this is in the system why it is taking soooooo long give me ur phone number and i will get back to u (dont know if she will buttt????).....then said said happy birthday on fri..... and repeated my phone number back to me....

and she was LATINA.......so is this good or not????

at least i feel a little better as you said i would

[debbylyn 0]

Good luck estadia! Hope things happen quickly for you now! And special thanks to TBone for posting this information. I am very frustrated at the long waits we all have to endure and can only hope that CSC steps it up a bit now!

[sara..... 371]

Good luck estadia! Hope things happen quickly for you now! And special thanks to TBone for posting this information. I am very frustrated at the long waits we all have to endure and can only hope that CSC steps it up a bit now!

Thankyou everyone so much at least i feel better

[mox 298]

I did actually use TB's method when I called, but the CS person I got would not cooperate in the least. So I've taken a somewhat different but slightly similar tact. Since I'm still 20 days outside the 180 processing timeframe, I've contacted my congressman to ask why petitions are not being processed in the order in which they are received, as USCIS claims. I noted that there are many CSC petitions that were received after mine, but have been adjudicated before mine. In this way I hope to avoid the "you must wait 180 days" stock answer. The lady I spoke with at my representative's office seemed like a very sharp lady. She first said that "we'll see what we can do to expedite your case." Then I explained to her that I did *NOT* want them to try to expedite my case, that I only wanted to find out why my petition was not being processed in the order in which it was received. I also explained that "expedite" was not a word she should use at all, as this has an entirely different meaning with USCIS. She "got it" after that, asked me a bunch of questions, and really seemed to understand the issue. I've since sent a fax explaining my situation and a copy of my NOA1.

I am not optimistic that this will help at all, but it at least lets me feel like I'm doing something.

[TBoneTX 43,418]

I did actually use TB's method when I called, but the CS person I got would not cooperate in the least. So I've taken a somewhat different but slightly similar tact. [...] am not optimistic that this will help at all, but it at least lets me feel like I'm doing something.

This approach could also work. However, if a USCIS Immigration Officer is uncooperative (and on my several calls, all were exceptionally helpful), simply hang up and call again to reach somebody else.

Mox's tactics, if copied by all of us, could result in enough pressure on USCIS to effect change. Now may be the time to try this, with elections looming! Do try my recommended approach, though, until it pays off, either with an NOA2 or simply a better feeling.

Thankyou everyone so much at least i feel better

We care. Si, man!

[sauron 0]

I did actually use TB's method when I called, but the CS person I got would not cooperate in the least. So I've taken a somewhat different but slightly similar tact. Since I'm still 20 days outside the 180 processing timeframe, I've contacted my congressman to ask why petitions are not being processed in the order in which they are received, as USCIS claims. I noted that there are many CSC petitions that were received after mine, but have been adjudicated before mine. In this way I hope to avoid the "you must wait 180 days" stock answer. The lady I spoke with at my representative's office seemed like a very sharp lady. She first said that "we'll see what we can do to expedite your case." Then I explained to her that I did *NOT* want them to try to expedite my case, that I only wanted to find out why my petition was not being processed in the order in which it was received. I also explained that "expedite" was not a word she should use at all, as this has an entirely different meaning with USCIS. She "got it" after that, asked me a bunch of questions, and really seemed to understand the issue. I've since sent a fax explaining my situation and a copy of my NOA1.

I am not optimistic that this will help at all, but it at least lets me feel like I'm doing something.

Hey Mox,

Just curious, why did you not want them to expedite your case? Was it because you didn't want to "jump the line", so to speak? Or will expediting actually slow things down? You said "expedite" has a different meaning in USCIS, what does it mean to them?

[TBoneTX 43,418]

Just curious, why did you not want them to expedite your case? Was it because you didn't want to "jump the line", so to speak? Or will expediting actually slow things down? You said "expedite" has a different meaning in USCIS, what does it mean to them?

(Apologies for encroaching on Mox) To the immigration people, "expedite" is for Cuban applications, emergency asylum applications, military applications, and (only for the very few) TRULY emergent personal circumstances (life-or-death matters, if even those!). Mox may have a more complete explanation.

[mox 298]

(Apologies for encroaching on Mox) To the immigration people, "expedite" is for Cuban applications, emergency asylum applications, military applications, and (only for the very few) TRULY emergent personal circumstances (life-or-death matters, if even those!). Mox may have a more complete explanation.

Exactly.

Furthermore, "expedite" would initiate a whole different set of events, which would ultimately lead to a denial of the expedite because my situation does not fit any of the expedite reasons.

There are really good reasons to jump the line, and I don't begrudge anyone who meets the standards to do so. But I don't meet those standards, and even if I thought I stood a chance of being expedited, my over-developed sense of fair play would prohibit me from doing it. (On the other hand, I'm about 20 days from "expedite" being a moot point. )

Edited February 19, 2008 by mox