Emergency AP

[JandC 0]

I went for an infopass appointment at Jackson, MS (Jan 14th) for Emergency AP due to my father passing away. Got to Jackson...they don't process emergency AP....so they gave me a list of instructions to send my application to the New Orleans office (overnight) for processing. Today I get a call from the New Orleans office telling me that they are sending my application to MSC for processing (i think thats where she said) and wanting my credit card details so they could overnight mail it. The lady said I should have AP by friday....though i'm not confident! I'm totally kicking myself now as I should have asked more questions....and should have asked for the fedex tracking number...grrrrrrr. Is there a way I can get the tracking number from fedex? Surely as I used a credit card to pay for it they could find it for me?

Has anyone had anything simular happen to them?

[TracyTN 237]

I'm so sorry to hear about your father. I'm sure its hard to think of details of this nature during something like this. I doubt Fed Ex could give you any information just from your credit card number. I'd be more inclined to call the New Orleans office back - did they not give you a case number or anything of that nature?

I don't suppose you could check your credit card statement online - see if the details of the charge have any sort of reference number or something?

[YuAndDan 153]

Fed-ex probably will not be able to get you tracking by your credit card, USCIS probably used USCIS account to send the package, and billed you, so the charge on your CC statement should say USCIS not Fed-EX.

[JandC 0]

Nope, they didn't give me a case number or anything....I should have asked more questiions...i feel so stupid of not doing so! I have tried to call the office back but the number they called me from wont connect. I have looked on my online banking but the transaction isn't on there yet.

I'm thinking of calling the USCIS customer service line....seeing if they can contact New Orleans for me....but thats unlikely.

Thanks for your support.

[TracyTN 237]

It certainly couldn't hurt to call USCIS customer service - sounds like a good place to start. Let us know what they tell you. Even if they cannot give you contact info for New Orleans, perhaps they can make an enquiry on your behalf. Surely they can understand the distress you're under.

The fact that there IS a charge to Fed Ex would be a good sign, though, that it is, indeed, being processed. I'd keep an eye on that too. Also maybe call your bank (if they make a habit of not showing 'pending' charges on your online account - some do, some don't).

Edited January 16, 2008 by TracyTN

[JandC 0]

Okay....I just spent the last hour on the phone to the USCIS. The customer service lady was really helpful and conected me over to an immigration officer who.....was a complete IDIOT! She didn't help at all...and said that I would have to wait up to 4 weeks for Emergency AP....apparently there is no way for anyone IN THE WORLD to call the New Orleans office and find out whats going on with my emergency AP. She did however send them a letter to ask the to make it priority....lets see...will snail mail get there before my flight on sunday? BAH!

So anyway....i'm going to wait until tomorrow to see if MSC get my application and update the system. Please please pleeeeeeeeeeease!

[TracyTN 237]

Sheesh. I would still be monitoring your credit card account online - but that doesn't make you feel any better in the meantime. What is the point of emergency AP if it takes 4 weeks? LOL. I have a feeling she is talking out of her #######.

Upon rereading your last post, I must edit - does that mean you have a case number with the MSC (if you can check on MSC updating you in the system)?

Edited January 16, 2008 by TracyTN

[JandC 0]

Because the New Orleans office is some sort of secret society which no one can call.....and because my case status hasn't been updated....the immigration officer couldn't help me at all....and i doubt anyone else at the the customer services will be able to help either because of these facts.

My husband and I fly to England on Sunday....i'd like to say with or without AP...but the thought of throwing away all that we have acheived so far is horrific. Jackson, MS is about 2 hours away but there is no time to go there.....I can't drive and my husband can't take any more time off work...he has taken more than he should already. I'm sure I could waste more money by getting a bus or taxi....just to get told the same thing in person....they don't know anything.

I'm just going to wait and see what happens tomorrow. Hopefully MSC will update my case status so I can at least know its there....I am regulary checking my back account too....to see if its been charged the over night mail fee.

Oh and yes I already have a case number for my I-131 and have the NOA1 for it (december 23rd notice date)....i applied for Emergency AP on Monday 14th Jan though....and no status update since the 2nd Jan.

Edited January 16, 2008 by JandC

[TracyTN 237]

Right. I guess what I was thinking was that maybe you'd be assigned a new number for this emergency AP application. I'm not sure if that's what New Orleans did, or if they found your existing, pending AP application and expedited it. Not that you care either way, per se, but I just thought that if it was a new application, then the idea of no 'touches' on the existing one shouldn't worry you. Guess there's not really anyway to know.

I need to think on this some more - there's got to be something you can do without abandoning everything and having to start over. That would completely suck - though if I was in your place, that's what I'd do. You can't miss your father's funeral - not even for US immigration.

[Krikit 1,163]

Unfortunately I'm not able to add anything helpful here. Tracy's doing a great job. I just wanted to say that I'm so sorry for your loss, JandC. And I am absolutely sickened at what you're having to go through at such a devastating time for you. Sending good vibes your way for the speedy delivery of your AP.

Edited January 17, 2008 by Krikit

[TracyTN 237]

Thanks Krikit, but I really don't feel like I'm helping her that much. I keep turning over things in my mind but none of them seem to make any sense for her situation. It would have been useful if the New Orleans person could have done more than taken her credit card number. She should have given her some sort of reference number - anything that would help her check up on the status.

[JandC 0]

Thank you very much for your support TracyTN and Krikit. Just knowing I have people on my side is helping alot! There isn't much I can do but wait and see what happens. Ya never know....someone from MSC might call me today! lol Anyway...I will let ya know if I hear anything.

Thanks again. I appreciate it.

[Jeremy + Kristy 0]

If nothing happens before Sunday, before your flight leaves, try to go to the US immigration office at the airport. They MIGHT be inclined to help you and give you the Emergency AP right there.

[Krikit 1,163]

If nothing happens before Sunday, before your flight leaves, try to go to the US immigration office at the airport. They MIGHT be inclined to help you and give you the Emergency AP right there.

That's a great idea, Jeremy. Take all of your documentation and receipts, JandC. But now that I've had a chance to think it over, I really do think that your AP will arrive by tomorrow.

[JandC 0]

If nothing happens before Sunday, before your flight leaves, try to go to the US immigration office at the airport. They MIGHT be inclined to help you and give you the Emergency AP right there.

Thats a great idea....if all else fails I will do it.

I still have hope for it comiing tomorrow too, Krikit.....and of course I still have saturday for it to come too. So i'm not in trouble yet!