chrisaivey

So, my case passed October 3, got shipped out - never landed in the NVC. It is now November 17th. Still no case number.
They told me to scan the approval letter and mail it in to NVCresearch 2 weeks ago - did that, still no case number.
8 weeks gone by since approval notice, yippee!

Well my I-130 passed today - pretty much took 8 months, best part is it hit on our anniversary of 5 years.

Hey there faith,
My wife was deported as well on her 18th birthday pretty much. She was sentenced a 5 year ban(I have never heard of a 3 year ban - there is 5,10, or 20). We are slowly getting out of the 6th month club and making our way to the 7th month. I am pretty sure as well, it is why it took us a bit longer because of her past mistakes as a minor.
Anyways, USCIS has told me her security/background checks she has passed and now they're going through the box we sent, this is the last update I received which is when I called USCIS last Monday. They did say I should be getting a NOA(RFE/NOA2/APPROVE/DENY) within the next 2 weeks since my case was at the CSC(California Service Center).
There is two things you can do -
1) Call USCIS and speak to a tier 2 operator. These guys know when your case has been accessed last, and can tell you a lot less vague answer on what is going on.
2) Make an INFOPASS appointment. These guys have the same information a tier 2 operator goes, but, from my Senator friend - an INFOPASS appointment during the I130 process is logged on their case files, and helps support that your marriage is indeed bonafide since you physically went to ask about your spouse. It looks very good to the US government.
Other than that, sit back, open up some whiskey(my preference) - find a hobby - maybe even work harder/overtime and save up money to see your SO. As I have told my wife/family, I live on the bible belt where there is a ton of hate for immigrants. I damn well know why people decide to come to this country illegally rather than legally. My wife and I are on month 7 in a few weeks, and at the same time the NVC process is taking around 4-5 months. 1 year of being apart from your family is expected for us who have not yet gotten our NOA2s.