Autumnal

Which SSA office was this and what exactlly happened? Did someone not send the G-845 to immigration to verify your status? How many times did you go back to the SSA office after you submitted your application?

This was the SSA office in Aurora, IL down by the I-88.

What happened:

• 1. I went into the SSA office three-four days after I got my EAD card (September). After filling out all the forms I learned I wasn't in the system yet. The lady told me to wait ten business days, and if I hadn't received a confirmation letter or my SSN, call in.
  2. I wait 10 business days. Still no SSN. I called into the 1-800 number and they tell me it could take 4-6 weeks to confirm with USCIS. No news.
  3. I call the local SSA office near the middle of October with no letter. They tell me I am not in their system and without a SSN, they can't track anything.
  4. I went into the office during the first week of November and asked for news. They didn't have anything on record and said I wasn't in their system beyond my application being sent off. They took another photocopy of my passport, driver's license, EAD, and whatnot but did not need a second application. She said that they had tried to follow up with USCIS and would do so again.
  5. Called 1-800/SSA office again in late November after no SSN card/confirmation number received. They said there was no way to check. I asked to speak with the manager of the 1-800 number for SSA and found out that he had no means to determine whether or not the card was being processed, rejected, etc. He advised going back down to the office and asking them to follow up.
  6. December 27: I went back down to the SSA office armed with the checklist from the forums (on how to deal with SAVE, G-845, talking to USCIS). I ask about my SSN and cite trouble. Agent comes back... the form they send off to wherever for SSNs had not been signed and sent off. It was from my first visit in September, waiting from that period.
  7. January (mid): No confirmation letter. Whee!
  8. January (late): I go back down to the SSA office, first person in line just about. Mention nothing received. District manager gives me signed confirmation letter.
  9. Yesterday: Got SSN card.
  

So, I went back three or four times. I called repeatedly (about once every three-four weeks; a few weren't cited because I got the same rigamarole: "We can't tell you anything about your application for an SSN card. There is nothing here on file about its status." X( )

It's about time!

My social security number finally showed up, more than four months after I first applied. Ugh. The entire run around from the Social Security Administration has been a complete bother, especially since the left hand didn't know what the right was doing. They could not tell me what the delay on my application was -- it turned out to be someone did not sign it and send it off -- and what I needed to do.

How frustrating! But now I have this flimsy piece of paper and it's time to go get the state ID card and the driver's license.

Best of luck with the process.

Yes, as noted, USCIS will send you details if there's something missing. There's a checklist or two posted around the forums -- do a search for "checklist" and you should find it -- and that's worthwhile to look over before shipping it off.

Don't need it but it can't hurt.

Congratulations!

I was fortunate (it sounds like) to be able to go directly into my local application filing center just down the street and request to be added in. I went first thing in the morning after all the people with appointments went through the line, then asked the attendant if I could get my biometrics done. She looked over all my details, decided I needed my marriage license to prove my change of name. I drove down the street, came back 10 minutes later and was put into line. The place opened around 8, I got through at 9.10 after all the appointments a month and a half ahead of the appointment time.

It may work for you, it may not. The first time I tried, I was told they only did that on Wednesdays, and when I came the second time (as noted above) the superior had to approve it and she didn't look too happy. Just smile, be polite and have your documents (IE: your NOAs, etc).

How do you know if/when your case is transferred to a particular service center? Call and ask?

How utterly frustrating, especially since I was able to do a walk in here in Chicago. Are there any other offices in your area of KC that can do it? Try going in on a Wednesday and explain your situation, or just ask if you can get the biometrics done. See if there's a drop in day. They may not like it, but if you have all your documentation and get there first thing in the morning, they'll possibly let you through.

How frustrating this must be for you!

First of all, do you have your case status number, with receipts? If you do, I strongly advise that you log into uscis.gov's Case Status section and set up an account. Then add your information, so at least you have some record of when these files were touched.

Next, give that lawyer a call and ask for copies of all correspondence she has had with USCIS. You're paying her, after all, and it's my opinion she owes you this at the very least. If there are any outstanding responses, like RFEs and whatnot, they need to be addressed right away.

Where did you submit inquiries to? Getting your case status online is a good place to start, and that at least provides some estimation of how long processing times are, when USCIS last modified your case files. You could try calling the 1-800 number for USCIS to ask about a specific things about your case, but I'm not too sure if that will give you all the answers you need.

If you're within the area of one, make an Infopass appointment to talk to an immigration officer about your case status. It will probably help to put together as good a record as you can of things like:

1. When you filed and where.

2. Copies of any RFEs you received.

3. Copies of any feedback you've had from USCIS.

4. Short summary of when you've tried to contact USCIS.

The Infopass appointment is probably best done after you talk to the lawyer and find out the status of your case.

I've finally got a bit tired of waiting to hear anything about my concurrently filed I-485 and I-130. The last time they were touched was the end of August. I'd at least like to know if there's been any commentary or whatnot, so I scheduled an Infopass appointment.

The I-130 is supposed to be approved within 30-90 days, ideally; but it's been at least five months and that's well over the basics. Unless they're waiting to approve it along with the I-485, shouldn't they send some sort of notification?

This is such a frustrating wait, since I really do want to obtain residency.

I'm not even sure where they are being processed from! Is there any way to find out? We filed from within the US to Chicago lockbox, got the approvals of the I-131 and the I-765 from Missouri and never heard anything more. I've been checking the online case status and nothing's changed. Not even touched.