I had my Green Card interview on October 20th, and it went fine. The gentleman conducting it was friendly, he didn't ask any of the dreaded "are you a real couple" questions other than the basics, and he outright said he had enough info and felt comfortable approving me based on the evidence we provided.
The kicker was, he said there was a system issue which was flagging another file with my name on it and confusing the system, and he physically couldn't enter the approval because the system needed the other file. Which would only make sense if it was my K-1 file, because that's the only other application I've ever made for US visa/immigration services (i've had enough background checks conducted on me at this point, and I have no red flags). Ok, pretty irritating, but just a matter of time until he gets sent the file, sees what it is and sends me on my way, right?
On Friday, my online account gives me the notification "Notice Was Returned To USCIS Because The Post Office Could Not Deliver It". I had issues with this before, so I'm 100% sure my address is up to date, and I received every other piece of mail, so that's weird. Then I get the same second notification on Saturday, but this time accompanied by a packet in the mailbox. It's an RFE for form I-693 Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. Which outright states on it's instructions that "If you were admitted as a K-1 Fiance( )...You received a medical examination prior to admission, then: You are not required to have another medical examination as long as you file your form I-485 within one year of an overseas medical examination". I have the vaccination record sheet from my K-1 exam, and the dates are fully within the required range of my receipt date. The only thing I can think is that someone in the office just looked at the file, and because of that system error didn't make the K-1 connection (despite it being the box I selected on my I-485) and sent out the RFE as routine.
I've tried contacting the USCIS via phone which (as anyone who's been blessed with the elevator flute music from hell knows is a complete and total crapshute), and got told I was in the queue for a tier 2 officer, and only had to wait 30 business days..... which brings me well over my RFE deadline of 30 days....
I've tried contacting my local representative, and filed a case with the Ombudsman, but I have no idea what to do with this. I don't have spare thousands of $$$ lying around for this medical exam, I don't have insurance because my whole case was massively delayed and I don't even have my SSN yet, but I have a perfectly valid vaccine record and chest xray that should have been accepted according to their own rules.
Has anyone ever seen something similar? Should I respond to the RFE with the proof of my K-1 and the old vaccine records? Is there any chance of actually getting them to realise their mistake?
any advice welcome
Thanks!