wildling99

1 hour ago, Ecaen87 said:

I am not a expert on this things but I am just assuming most legal immigrants they initially move to big cities, mainly located on the east or west coast. Texas service center handle cases in the south and mid west mostly, so I am assuming they receive less cases and maybe the majority are not CR1, so maybe that is the reason why it’s faster. Add the pandemic and the delays get even worst. It’s like if you go to get your Drivers license at a big city office, you are gonna be in line for a long tine, but if you travel to a nearby town it might take minutes because is not as busy. Is it fair? No, but it is how it is. 

Interesting perspective. Looks like only one person at SRC (at least who entered their service center) is a CR1, so that might say something. Everyone at MSC is a CR1.

That said, Texas has three of the top 10 cities by population in the US and Phoenix is #5. SRC is getting a lot of 'big cities' too.

12 hours ago, Johnny829 said:

SRC center I assume? 

You know it! I understand USCIS is still operating under a hiring freeze, curious to know why SRC seems to be moving at lightspeed compared to other centers.

Channeling the @Eu_Sou_Douglas energy and was checking USCIS every day this week in case of surprise movement...just about dropped my computer on the floor when I saw our case was approved! 

Here's the full details of this petition for reference, and I'll add to the spreadsheet:

1 hour ago, Eu_Sou_Douglas said:

Hey everyone, potentially stupid question here.  I randomly checked on our case status today for our I-751 and it says a new card was produced on 04/05 and on 04/07 it says 'We mailed your new card your Form I-751'.  I don't see any approval or anything listed, so is this our new temporary card?  They waived our Biometrics appointment because they said they used the Bio from the I-29F because it was recent enough.  Other than that and the original receipt, we have heard nothing about an interview or anything else.  Any info would be very much appreciated - thanks!  I admittedly got excited for a minute thinking it was her new Visa, but surely that can't be the case after only 5 months?

Sounds like an approval! Congrats, you guys!!

Seems like there are some other Dec. 2020 filers who have already been approved according to the spreadsheet.

On 3/16/2021 at 11:50 AM, Ecaen87 said:

The fee is not exclusively to capture your fingerprints and take your picture. They still need to run background checks so they send that previously captured info to others government agencies to run those background checks. It cost money to do that, not because is being done at another agency it means they are free of charge.

Yes, I realize that.  Was being facetious, I understand it's not 'free'. Trying to make light of a very stressful and long process for everyone, especially during a particularly challenging last year when it's tough to plan your life in limbo.

Happy to see several cards being produced on the spreadsheet! That's awesome news. 

Rec'd my biometrics waiver on 3/13, dated 3/8. I'm SRC.

Since they don't issue fee refunds for the $85 and USCIS is funded primarily from fees, maybe they'll be able to bring back more staff and get things moving after 2020 backlogs?  Wishful thinking, I know!

Case received 12/23/2020.

Received my NOA today.

Notice date: 1/27/2021 (five weeks total)

Curious if there are any folks with an AZ driver licenses in the mix. Though AZ famously has like, 50 year expiration dates for DL's, mine is a limited term due to my GC. From what I'm reading about renewals, it doesn't look like the passport stamp is a valid way to renew. Has anyone looked into it in more detail?

Was checking my online statement for something else this afternoon, and to my surprise the $680 charge from USCIS Phoenix lockbox is on my visa! Showing 1/26/2021. I was anticipating at least another week. Our package was received on 12/23/2020 - so one day short of five weeks.

3 hours ago, george.conley said:

Package received 12/8. Card was charged 1/18. 

Thanks for the card update! I also submitted a cc form, so have been hoping to see some updates that help me establish a timeline. 

Hey all!

We mailed our package on 12/22, was delivered in Phoenix on 12/23. No notices thus far, card hasn't been charged. Our window opened Dec. 5/2020, but things got a little backlogged in our lives. Funny, I've been mentally preparing to file this for two years and when the window finally opens, we're behind schedule.

Good luck everyone, hoping for quick updates on all fronts!

Hi July 2017 friends!

I just got the notification that my new card is being produced! I sent in my medical last Monday and they received it Tuesday. My officer did say he doesn't like to have files sitting around on his desk and he wasn't kidding! About a week from it arriving at USCIS Phoenix to getting the 'New Card Being Produced' USCIS text update!

Holy c-r-a-p! What a run. Can't wait to do this again in two years...lol.

Anyone else getting any good news out there?

On 2/13/2019 at 10:17 PM, M&JB said:

Thanks for this! My interview is in a few days, also in Phoenix. Like you I also have my documents labeled and all ready to go. I didn’t submit my medical when I filed I-485, but I already have the sealed envelope from the doctor also all ready to go. My husband and I have been together for 10 years this October, and I am trying to remember all the dates! Haha. Good luck and please update when you received your gc.

I hope your interview went well!

I can see in my USPS informed delivery that we're receiving the I-130 approval (you can see through the window the page has shifted and it says "your petition is approved") and our RFE in a separate envelope for the new medical.

I went for all the medical stuff last Thursday, so just waiting on getting that back to send in again!

Hey July filers! I had my interview this morning in Phoenix. I don't think I slept last night with all the anxiety and trying to make sure I had all of the papers/documents/etc in order to bring. Our interview was at 7:15. We arrived at about 6:50 but the office isn't even open until 7. Went through security and checked in. They saw quite a few single people before they got to two couples and a family before us. I would say we went in around 7:35. Our agent was friendly. I guess I thought that it would be a uniformed officer, but we were just in a little personal office and he was dressed like a normal employee. We swore the oath and he asked us a lot of basic questions (when, where, how did we meet... when was the proposal... did my husband ever visit Canada... how did I enter the U.S. the last time according to my 1-485 form... when was the proposal... was there a ring). 

I submitted a LOT of stuff with the initial application (car insurance, our cell phone bills, about 50 photos, all of the W-2, tax returns, etc). He told me I was more thorough and prepared than most people who came with a lawyer/prepared using a lawyer, which was nice! I brought along updated copies of everything that was listed on the interview notice we received in the mail. I basically used it as a checklist and had everything labeled in a folder. He kept the new W-2 for my husband & 2017 joint tax return, three 8 x 11 sheets of printed photos, our new lease, our rental insurance and our joint dental insurance. He added all of that to the folder.

He told us he approved our I-130 and then it was on to the I-485. I brought my medical (as I hadn't submitted with the initial application). I thought it would be fine as the exam was in August 2017, despite being expired with the new rule being 2 years, but unfortunately my doctor had signed it in December 2017 and our application was filed in July 2017 - it needs to be signed no later than 60 days after the application. Even though the exam was within the timeframe, it was the signature that needed to be in the 60 days. In all honesty, my doctor's office was going through a lot of managerial changes and I think that had something to do with that. Long story short, they had asked me to get a flu shot, even though it wasn't flu season...anyway. I will have to redo the medical, but that's the only thing I'm missing. I'm going tomorrow morning to redo that and then will wait for the RFE to mail it back. He said to be sure it is sent certified with a signature and also to get the doctor to copy it before sealing it. The agent was very understanding - he said we were good except for that. That was really reassuring! He shook our hands when we left and noted again that I did a great job on preparing my application. We were out around 8:25.

I think I was way more stressed out than I needed to be. It's a very nervewracking experience for sure, especially when you've waited so long. The hardest part was remembering dates (we've been together for four years and sometimes you're questioning...oh wait, was that 2015? 2016?)

Good luck everyone! Hopefully I don't have any weird diseases on my new medical tomorrow lol!

9 hours ago, agnsd said:

and I applied first week of July have been out of normal processing time for 10 days now, but seems like a lot of people are they told me they will recontact between 15 to 30 days.

I got my first EAD card 3 months after approval absolutely unbelievable   

Mine was a few days over 3 months for the first one. I'm totally floored it has taken so long. It's a bummer - missed out on a trip at the end of December and looks like I will have to cancel a trip to Canada at the end of this month too. I even included that renewal barcode from the first one that said it would help them process, but I'm not sure if that even matters at this point!

23 hours ago, agnsd said:

hey guys!

I have a question for all of those who got their work permit renewed, how long did it take you to get the new card?

its just terrible to apply for a new job with a card that mention that it expired october 2018 even tho I'm allowed to work people get scared 

I haven't received my new card yet - applied for renewal in August. 

On 1/11/2019 at 10:37 AM, M&JB said:

Thanks! Do you liv in Phoenix?

We do! Well, Scottsdale

Close enough!

7 hours ago, Kirk&Kean said:

No you won't get 10 years if it is approved before your 2nd anniversary. But if for some reason, after the interview, the officer decided to take longer time to approve it, such as wanting to check with his/her supervisor, getting more info of something. And the case status did not update to "approve" until after your 2nd anniversary, then you may be getting 10 years. It is all about when they decide to "approve" which will trigger the issue date on the card. If the issue date is after 2nd anniversary, it is most likely going to be a 10 yr GC. But if it is < than 2 yrs of marriage for the issue date, unfortunately, you'll be getting 2nd interview. Hubby and I did talk about if we get interview before 2nd anniversary, whether we want to intentionally reschedule interview saying we cannot attend... but it is too big of a risk to take to reschedule. Best to go for it if you can. You don't want to be denied because of trying to save that $600 dollars of "removal of conditional GC" which will only happen 2 years later.

Yeah, postponing it would be awful. At the end of the day and all this time/money, what's another $600 in 2 years.

I'd really rather just be approved on Feb 13

21 hours ago, M&JB said:

Congratulaions! How long after you got an online update until you received your notice in the mail?

Online update on Dec 28, rec'd notice in the mail in 1/5!

Received our interview notice in the mail today! We are scheduled for February 13, 2019. 

On March 19, we’ll have been married for two years. Is there ever an instance of them issuing a 10-year when it’s that close? I’m so flipping happy to have an interview date at last!

My first EAD/AP I received in just over three months (that was in October 2017). I'm currently waiting for my renewal (card expired in October) and it's already been 4.5 months.

Got my updated status on USCIS today (12/28/2018) to say my interview is finally being scheduled! Can't wait to receive that notice in the mail and find out when!

On 12/12/2018 at 2:10 PM, Sherry/Robert said:

Has anyone recently had to file and EAD I- 765 extension ?  My husbands EAD expires on January 1st.   

We had our AOS interview on November 5th, and our I-485 was  "recommended for approval"  but we still have not received anything beyond the letter that we got at the interview, which is not a legal document.  We are still waiting for the "official approval letter" .   However, his EAD card expires on January 1st and so does his drivers license!  He has to have something showing he has been extended. 

 

We called the USCIS and asked about case status and was told we should file the I-765 - again.   The agent said we just had to send a copy of our previous approval and no fee was required.  BUT.. I can not find anything official that tells me what is required to send in the pack to apply for this extension.  When I searched visa journey I see where it says we have to do passport photos again and attache marriage certificate etc..  Has anyone recently done a renewal or know what we are required to send with the I-765 form to apply for an extension besides a copy of the first approval??  

 

I read the form I-765 directions and it really is not clear.  Time is of essence as it expires soon so I need to get in the mail.  Any direction would be greatly appreciated!! 

Hi! I filed my extension in August. My card expired October 15. I included everything from the original package (essentially filled out all forms again and included passport photos). I also filed to renew my AP again, so I basically just resubmitted everything like I did the first time. I also included the sheet that came with my card - there's a tear-off on the bottom that says to attach for a renewal.

You don't need to send a fee when your AOS is pending. I am still waiting for my renewal and it's been 4.5 months, so I doubt you'll have it in January.

EAD's automatically extend for 180 days, regardless of the card's expiration date, so he should be fine until June.

I tried to expedite my EAD/AP when I filed in the first few days of July 2017 for a mid-September 2017 trip. I requested to expedite twice for a family matter and was unsuccessful. I received my first EAD/AP in late October 2017. I filed my renewal in August 2018 and have yet to receive any updates, so my timeline is now at 4.5 months.

On 12/11/2018 at 9:03 PM, r_swift said:

 

Hi, thanks for your input! I'm actually leaving this Thursday and am a little nervous. 

 

Why would they hold everyone so close to their flight? I feel like that is a bit unfair and unorganized. That's going to drive me crazy! I'm one of those people who stresses about being late for anything. 

 

I actually made sure to chose an overlay of 3 hours and 40 minutes so I would have plenty of time to go through customs and inspections. I've never been through customs at an airport before, I usually travel by car.

 

When you said they pulled your luggage, do you mean they took it off of the flight, incase you wouldn't make it? How do they get it back on the flight in time? I'll be worried my luggage will get lost.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm still pretty nervous and I really don't want to sit there and think I'm missing my flight. But I guess it helps to be prepared in any way I can!

 

Sorry for all the questions!

No prob! I'm happy to elaborate. I know it can be stressful! So, why would they hold you so close to your flight time? Just because they can, really. It takes them two minutes to type in your information and double check that you're allowed into the US on parole, but instead they'll put your card and passport in a little yellow folder and literally just let it sit there. I know, it sounds insane but the less you worry about it, the better.

My advice would be to just let it be. If they pull you into secondary, just sit there, don't use your phone (you're not allowed to) and wait it out. There's really nothing you can do other than wait. If you're flying Air Canada, you'll be in Terminal One. You'll check in, drop your bags, go through security and then because you have an EAD/AP, you won't be able to use the automated customs machines. They'll generally have someone stationed to ask if you're a visitor or have a visa/green card, so for this purpose you're in the visa/green card line. Last time I waited about an hour in the line, and then probably another 1.5 hours in secondary. There will be an airline agent who will be in secondary kind of tracking who is in there and what flights they're on. I'd recommend just being polite and not asking questions. They WILL rebook you if you miss your flight, but they don't have any additional information on when the CBP agents are going to let you through. Likewise, the CBP agents don't care when your flight is, so I'd also not bother them about it. I literally watched those agents yell at people who were consistently asking. 

The airline pulls your bags off the flight because realistically you aren't supposed to have unaccompanied goods traveling to the US without you. My bags didn't get back on the plane in time, but they arrived the next day and Air Canada delivered them to my house.

FIVE minutes before my flight was departing, the agents called my name and just said "You can go." They hand you your EAD/AP card, passport and ticket, and the airline agent will basically just tell you to run to the gate. I've come to realize this is just kind of par for the course. Hopefully you're lucky and it doesn't happen to you, but both times I've traveled back into the US with my EAD/AP, this has happened to me.

Hope this helps! Good luck and deep breaths!