Gaharia

I was able to find this in the instructions for the K1 visa application:

"USCIS may require that you appear for an interview or provide fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature at any time to verify your identity, obtain additional information, and conduct background and security checks, including a check of criminal history records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), before making a decision on your application, petition, or request. After USCIS receives your petition and ensures it is complete, we will inform you in writing if you need to attend a biometric services appointment. If an appointment is necessary, the notice will provide you the location of your local or designated USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) and the date and time of your appointment or, if you are currently overseas, instruct you to contact a U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate, or USCIS office outside the United States to set up an appointment. If you are required to provide biometrics, at your appointment you must sign an oath reaffirming that: 1. You provided or authorized all information in the petition; 2. You reviewed and understood all of the information contained in, and submitted with, your petition; and 3. All of this information was complete, true, and correct at the time of filing. If you fail to attend your biometric services appointment, USCIS may deny your petition.

So it does appear as though this is for the background check - and that I can do it at the US Embassy in Cairo - though I need to call right away and let them know I can't make it to Milwaukee today since I'm in Egypt. 

anyone know what the biometrics fees are?  it doesn't say anywhere on the letter they sent me

Just now, Dutchster said:

Are you filling under the Adam Walsh Act?

no

1 minute ago, s + j said:

That's why they're calling you in  Biometrics is done so FBI can do a background check. 

 

As horrible as it is, are you of an Islamic background?

Well, yeah, but they've been running a background check since December - you'd think they would have wanted my prints before that.  You'd also think that since both my DNA and fingerprints are already on file they wouldn't need them again.  :/  I do know I am not on any special list though... Thankfully. 

Just now, s + j said:

Yes that a biometrics appt. do you have a criminal record?

Yes but all that information was provided as was requested - and my fingerprints are already on record from the said criminal record. 

8 minutes ago, ch3john said:

No, the petitioner doesn't get biometrics taken for any part of the process. 

I don't know what an ASC appointment but shouldn't be for biometrics

It specifically says," To process your petition, application, or request, the US Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) must capture your biometrics..."  And it addressed to me, the petitioner.  

Ok, so does every petitioner get a biometrics done for the K1 before their NOA2?  I'm seriously not seeing this in any timeline or schedule anywhere... Links?

1 minute ago, s + j said:

That's for AOS

So every petitioner gets a biometrics appointment done before their NOA2 for their K1?  Why can't I find this information on any of the USCIS timelines?  

I'm more confused because I thought the biometrics was only for my fiance not for me - the petitioner. 

It does say it is for biometrics, I didn't know those were done before the NOA2 - don't see that anywhere in any timeline given by the USCIS.  I didn't miss it yet - its at noon today US Central Time.  I will call before that to explain.  Obviously nothing I can do to get there by noon.  So... Why biometrics for petitioner - before NOA2?  Did I miss something here?

We are July 2016 filers.  We received our NOA1 on July 8th and were transferred to Vermont the end of September (2016). In January we were notified that we were put on a processing hold due to security checks.  Now, I just got a notice for an ASC appointment - which was supposed to be the 9th (but I'm visiting my fiance right now).  I didn't get the notification until today as my friend who checks my mail was out of town until today.  So... What is an ASC appointment and what is it for???  And it was scheduled for Milwaukee but I don't plan on - or have the financial means- to be back in the states until September... Is this something that can be done at the consulate or do I have to fly back?  No idea what's going on so any help would be appreciated. TY.

Anyone have to go through extra security checks and get their approval yet?   We were just informed that we have a processing hold due to waiting on security checks to return.  I have no idea when they  started the check, and they have no idea when they will get it back... I've heard they can drag on for quite some time... So, yeah, I'm hoping someone has gone through this and recently gotten word. Thanks. 

Ok here's a question for anyone who has been transferred.  On your case history page (with the USCIS) does it show when your case has been received by the office it was transferred to?  The only two things my case history shows is when they received my I129-f back in July and now my inquiry (received today) into what's going on. It doesn't show that it was received at another office at all, so I'm just curious if anyone else's does. 

On another note, I'm pretty confused because our letter said we were transferred to Vermont but the recording with the update on our case said we were transferred to California... Which is where we were originally.  I have a feeling we got lost somewhere because that just doesn't sound right. 

So after trying to get through for two hours, I finally get to talk to customer service (USCIS) only to find out I can't be transferred to a tier 2 agent because the transfer lines were shut down due to high call volumes.  UGH! I guess we're going to wait yet another day before we can talk to someone.  

I was able to get a letter faxed out to my senator today and will be calling her office tomorrow.  So, something was done.  I guess we weren't really looking forward to a winter wedding anyway.  My fiance doesn't like the cold in Egypt right now, which is nothing compared to the below zero stuff we're having in Wisconsin so... I guess it's just meant to be. I won't give up hope.  

4 hours ago, CRamak said:

It's midnight here. My fiance just picked up his passport at his hometown location in India. The CEAC status STILL says "administrative processing", but the passport had the visa in it. AHHHHHHHHHH THANK GOD!!!! I am in tears.. in a good way this time. Thank you all for your good wishes. I am shaking!! Now just to get him here asap! I am BEYOND relieved and happy. 

Congrats!!!  

So as of today I have finally been able to submit an inquiry into our case.  It has been just sitting in Vermont since 9/28 and the file hasn't been touched since getting there.  I figured I'd try to submit an online inquiry since as of 10/31 they were already on 6/1 petitions which was over two months ago.  Well, it finally went through.  So, as of tomorrow I'll be contacting the USCIS via phone and our congressmen to try to figure out what the holdup is and hopefully move forward.  I'd just like to know if our application is approved or denied, or if we have a REF.  We haven't even been able to get to that point in over 6 1/2 months of waiting and finally we should be able to find out something.

Kind of annoyed but at the same time relieved. 

Looks like by the looks of this email you Are going through security checks. That's the hold up

I would think so as well, but from what my attorney says, that's the normal transfer form and has nothing to do with an individual needing additional security checks. Don't know what to think. Nothing I can do but wait I suppose.

So we filed our I-129f for K1 on June 30th and received our NOA1 on July 8th. We were originally sent to California Service Center but were transferred on September 27th to Vermont. The letter I received said it was to 'speed up the process'.

Now here's where I'm getting frustrated. I checked today and found updated processing times and as of September 30th California was less than 5 months but Vermont was still processing applications from April 27th!!! They sent me to a backlogged office to 'speed up the process'?! I don't get it!

So now, as of the 8th, we'll be at the 5 month mark and if we were in California could request information on why it has passed expected processing times. I'd contact my congressman as well, but I'm not sure if I can anymore since they're backlogged in Vermont. Does that mean I'm not past the expected processing time if Vermont is backlogged? What can I do. It seems really messed up that they send me to Vermont to speed up the process if they're backlogged. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

So I am just going to rant a little more, sorry, utterly frustrated. What makes me angry is that they transferred us on September 27th to Vermont from Cali to 'speed up the process' but processing times in Cali as of September 30th were less than 5 months and Vermont was backlogged. Why send me to somewhere backlogged to 'speed up the process'?! I won't be able to get answers now because they're not technically behind in processing so I feel absolutely hopeless. We've already postponed our wedding date from January until March but I know if I reschedule again we're going to lose out on so much money in deposits. Ugh.

*End Rant*

Sorry, just have to get it out somewhere. Seems like no one else understand what the waiting feels like.

So, I have now seen the updated processing times from Vermont and can see why my application is just sitting there... As of September 30th they were still processing applications from April!!! Ugh. And the worst part is, now it no longer says >5 months so I can't contact my congressman to try to get this done. Worst part is, it was transferred to 'speed up the process' (states our explanation) but California is still >5 months. WTH. I just want to cry. This absolutely sucks. :'(

Come on Guys, come one. It is so clear you guys dont live in us. So clear.

Donald Trump does not much have influence in the united states. We have "checks and balances" so he is not a king. Period.

Now, do you remember when obama and bush said he will let illegal immigrants to become a citizen? Both of them could not passed that bill. So it is not easy to pass a bill they want. Plus, when we had the obamacare it took years and years to put on progress. So the new immigration law will take months and years to see in progress. Also, do you know more illegals have been deported in Obamas administration than other administrations? No, you all guys think Obama is the best thing ever happen to U.S.

So, dont panic. The system in the US is very different than our nations. FBI-CIA and all other departments work freely.

Also, he was kind a soft at the speech. This is interesting too.

However, the racistm nazisim will rise. I have heard in a bar in Alabama once Donald won the president, people were scream "Build that wall, Build that wall " Well, this is bad. One day, he can say terrible things to illegal immigrants and Muslims and next day we will see the reactions on the streets. This is not good. Thats what we should worry about.

Dont forget, Presidents do not have much impact in the united states since we have checks and balances.

Checks and balances... Like with the Patriot Act right? The Patriot Act which was illegally passed without the consent of Congress? It also doesn't help that Trump's supporters have also won the majority in the House and the Senate. Let's get real, the fear is legitimate for those who don't fit under Trump's America.

Didn't someone else have a similar issue? I think the difference was they had someone in the phone that wanted to help. They told the uscis officer other people with similar submission dates already received their notices. Maybe if it's not too difficult, to call again at a different time? I'm so sorry to those waiting so long. I trust it will happen!

I read somewhere that the USCIS office is not actually staffed with USCIS people but with outsourced phone personnel who have like 14 answers to choose from. Not sure how much of this is true but they were never able to give me any information when I called. Frustrating when other people, from the same country, who filed after me, have received theirs and then I get transferred to speed the process up (their explanation) but it is going just as slow. Ugh. What #######!!

Anyone know whether processing times start over or not when you're transferred? Still have not gotten our NOA2 and we're going on 4 months now. WTH?! This is getting frustrating. I just want to scream. I mean really?! What's the deal?

Sorry for the rant... Just don't know what to do anymore.

So here is our update. Our case was mistakenly sent to the Texas Service center, and it was supposed to go to the California service center. We were now transferred to the California Service Center. From the email they sent, it made it look like they were doing background checks but it is simply the standard email they send out with transfer emails for those pending approval or denial. I can't say how frustrated I am, but I know this stuff happens. I'm hoping that since we're now at the right place we'll finally move forward this soon.