NikkiFromCanada

On 6/8/2019 at 11:23 AM, Aleksandr_021 said:

You’re not alone. I’m on my 23rd day of waiting for a decision to be made.  I honestly don't understand why are they being so slow there in Baltimore while other states approve everyone on the spot right after the interview. Maybe they just love seeing people suffer. Lol. Too many question and no logic explanation for the Baltimore office’s actions. 

And the part that is even more baffling...it's not everyone that has to wait so long! I know 3 other people on this forum who had their Green Card interview after me, at the Baltimore office, and they only waited 2-3 weeks for their approval and they have their Green Card already. It makes NO sense!! I'm going to reach out to my Congressman again to see if he can make an inquiry. I just want to be done with this process for awhile. I thought once the interview was scheduled, that would be the beginning of the end...but NOPE! 

On 6/8/2019 at 7:55 AM, Nouchigang said:

Hello,

 

From personal my experience and what I read on VJ for the Baltimore office, if they did not approve you on the spot, yes it is normal not to hear anything for while at this office, you should expect an answer or follow up after 3-4 months. And you dont hear anything back please call to schedule an Infopass to make an inquiry.

I havent seen a lot of activity from this thread or other Baltimore threads for a while now, I think most people just dont come back after getting approved or we are not a big number here on VJ.

In the mean time,  If you havent done so, please make sure to create an account with USPS informed delivery, it is free and you can do it online, make sure to create accounts on both: https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/displaySignUpStep1.do and https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov/

If you move please make sure to file an AR-11 online asap and also please fill one AR-11 for each receipt numbers.

Also please keep up with updated  USCIS policy because some employees are not aware of them.

 

Let me explain why I am saying that: In my case, it has been almost a year now since my interview (adjusting from B2, interview was June 26 2018) and I havent had an answer yet. They sent me a RFE at the end of April 2019, probably triggered by us moving and filing the change of address. After getting lost for a while I finally received the letter 1 month and a half letter and they requested a new I-693 but the one I gave last year is still valid because they changed the validity for medical exams to 2 years in October 2018.

When I called to speak to an IO and tell them I do not understand why they are requesting a new medical exam from me because I already provided one in hand in hand to the immigration officer last year and it is still valid because the validity has changed and, it is now 2 years. The officer was surprised and even started to argue with me, I told him to double check, When he did verify, he realized his mistake and he even told me "well I learn something thanks to you". Can you imagine how many people got wrong information from him?!

Anyways all this to say, please stay on top of it, call every month if needed, to check on the status, and if you dont get approved after the 4 months please go talk to somebody at the field office

Good luck

Yes, I have an account on both USCIS sites, and I am already signed up for Informed Delivery with USPS. No plans on moving. 

I don’t see a lot of recent posts in here, and I’m not sure where else to ask. I had my K-1 Green Card interview 32 days ago in Baltimore and not a word since. Is this normal? Is there a more active group for the Baltimore office I should know about? Any info is helpful. 

32 days since our Green Card interview in Baltimore and not a word since. So frustrating!! 

14 hours ago, JMCKNG said:

Also, what I've done with my husband is added him to my Credit Cards as an authorized user, I know it's not much but at least he can get some exposure to cards with a bill that is being paid on time. He's on the cable/internet bill but I know that doesn't do much.

 

I'll probably end up getting him a secured card

I’ve been on my husband’s cards for 4 years (while I was living in Canada) Unfortunately, it doesn’t do anything to help your husband’s credit. But yes, good for him to learn the system. 

47 minutes ago, Gand2018 said:

Thanks for your response. I didn’t exactly “wait till I got here”. I had no plans of immigrating here when I came on B1/B2 so I couldn’t have planned for my credit score beforehand. The decision came way later. Anyway from what you’ve described it’s doable. I don’t see it as hard at all. I think when you’ve taken on this entire AOS process and conquered it you become fearless and extra patient. 

I didn't mean any insult to you. I meant when people know they're moving here, but either don't think of it in advance, or don't have the means to set things up before they come...it's not easy to build credit in a new country. I guess I shouldn't have said it's "hard" I should have said it takes a long time. 

7 hours ago, Gand2018 said:

Tell us your ways! Unfortunately I’m not from a country that can do what you did with Canada. So I’m starting from scratch. I don’t think I can be approved even for Macy’s card right now with a zero score. Where do I begin?? Got my green card last month.

It is soooo hard if you wait until you're here! The only thing you can really do is get a secured card, and use it for 6 months. Only use it for what you can afford to pay in full. Pay it in full every month, and don't pay any interest. Once they change it to a regular card, apply for one more card and don't use it. Continue to use one card only, and pay in full and in 6 more months, your credit score will be great! 

9 minutes ago, dr01d3k4 said:

I've had the same problem as @pending4ever. My receipt date is Oct 18th, got an RFIE at the end of February, and USCIS received the response on May 9th (well, the status updated on the 9th to say they got it, then also updated to say they got it on the 10th...?). My lawyer tried to send a service request for the EAD for me around May 22nd as I was outside of processing time at that point, but it was rejected because it had been less than 60 days since they got the RFIE response. Then of course a few days later the SR date pushed back to September :(. Hoping to hear about the EAD sometime this week as we're approaching 30 days since they received the response, and we're at 230 days total.

If you are out of normal processing time, and it won't allow you to put in an inquiry online, if you call USCIS they can put one in for you. That's what I had to do. I was outside or normal processing times by 12 days, and it still wouldn't let me put in an inquiry online. They did it for me when I called and explained it to them though. 

14 minutes ago, pending4ever said:

When I go on the request outside normal processing time website it says:

 

"

NOTE: We are actively processing your case if, in the past 60 days, you:

• Received a notice from us about your case,
• Responded to a request for evidence, OR
• Received an online update to your case status.

"

And I think I read people here or on another forum saying that you can't put a service request in since they had an update within the last 60 days. Am I mistaken?

I understand what you mean. You are not mistaken. However I'm pretty sure that verbiage is geared more towards I-485 and you haven't had any updates for EAD in the past 60 days so as soon as the "current processing time" passes your PD, I would call and put in an inquiry anyway. Once my case was outside of normal processing times, I tried to put in an inquiry online and it wouldn't let me, so I had to call to put one in. Regardless of that verbiage you read, still put the inquiry in a soon as it passes October 11. I'm so sorry you've been waiting so long! I had an RFIE too and I just received my EAD yesterday. My PD is October 19. It's soooo frustrating seeing people who applied after you receive theirs before you, regardless of RFIE or not! I hope you hear something soon! 

7 hours ago, DIVITA said:

My husband got both around the same week so expect yours same week!

I'm pretty sure you guys had your interview 2 days after me and you got your Green Card way before me. I am at Day 29 since my interview and not a word. Since EAD and Green Card are two completely separate processes, it was a coincidence he got both his the same week. I WISH I would get my Green Card! 

9 hours ago, ira1712 said:

Congratulations from the bottom of my heart!!!🤗Enjoy your new life!🚘✈️

Thank you SO MUCH!!! 😘

8 hours ago, K1visaHopeful said:

Additionally, the SSN comes from SSA headquarters in MD which is why you got it so quickly as that is where you are located. The Combo Card will come from Corbin, KY which is futher. In your case it makes sense.

Meh. That doesn’t really make much sense to me. I know the SSN head office is in Maryland, and I can see me getting my SSN day or two quicker than most because of how close I am, but it doesn’t make sense why it takes 10 days for others. USPS isn’t that slow that it takes 8 extra days to receive a letter from a different state. In unrelated news, my EAD card arrived today. 

6 hours ago, K1visaHopeful said:

Yes but you will go to SSA and request a replacement due to a change in immigration status.

Ahh ok makes sense. 

When I finally receive my Green Card, do they issue me another SSN card without the phrase “Valid For Work Only With DHS Authorization”? 

I am shocked! My updated SSN card (with my married name) arrived today, before my EAD card!! I was most worried about having to wait longer for the SSN card. EAD card will be arriving tomorrow or the next day!! ☺️

1 hour ago, calliope8 said:

  Just inexcusable.  Initial research says the K1 is faster but that is no longer the case.  Even on USCIS website the information is not correct. There was a time I would have been more than happy to move to England but now my family really needed me here during the time we would have had to live there for a CR1.  

 

People say we will forget this time of waiting and hardship once approval comes through but I'm not so sure! I think I will remember how awful the waiting & not knowing is for a long time. Hope you get a positive answer soon!  

I will 100% have PTSD from this experience. It will be a very long time before I'm over it!! I'm scarred for sure. I have never felt so disregarded in my whole life. Worst and most frustrating thing I've ever been through. 

3 hours ago, calliope8 said:

Looked at the AP approval letter case # & it is one number after our I-485. The AP has not changed status online. So we got mail notification before we could have known electronically so you never know what's going on! Take heart & stay positive y'all! Hoping his EAD will be on the AP card despite not knowing a case # for us.

Just call USCIS! They will tell you if it's just AP or AP & EAD. I have never heard of someone applying for both, and only getting AP approved. Also, my AP never updated online when my combo card was approved, and I'm pretty sure no one's has either. You will save yourself a lot of worry & wonder if you just call them and ask. I can't believe you've gone this long without having a case # for your EAD. 

7 hours ago, calliope8 said:

I didn't know this & if you don't get the receipt letter, how would you know if they had different case numbers when all filed together w/ I-485? I checked consecutive numbers & all were just the original notice of 'we've received your application for form # blah blah blah'. Two numbers ahead were both I-131s &  two numbers behind were an I-131 and completed interview. So weird. Three case #s after my AOS was an EAD completed May 29 (not mine) so must not be totally consecutive?

Hmm I’m not sure. I would call them and ask for your case numbers! 

7 hours ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

You are so right and found the exact words: the horror must be exposed.

 

Sometimes it seems like the ones who rule, base their decisions on whatever they watch on TV -shows such as "90 days fiancee" just misinform regarding legal immigration while news solely focus on illegal crossings-.

 

Right!!! 

48 minutes ago, calliope8 said:

  My husband got a letter today saying his AP is approved but no mention of EAD? It's still a bit too late as we won't get the card in the mail before his grandfather's funeral this week. Am I missing a place to look for the approval of AP/EAD?  I have tried looking at the progress of our I-765 but we only have a receipt number for the I-485 and it did not work to check the I-765.  Our online case progress has only said 'ready to schedule for interview' and now 'interview has been scheduled'. Also the letter went to our old address (which is fortunately a family home) while the notice of interview came to our new address. 

In the beginning of the process, you should have received receipt notices for all 3 filings. The letters would have had your case numbers on them. The EAD letter is probably on the way in the mail too, it might have just been delayed in the mail for some reason and it will likely arrive by Monday. When you check your case # online for I-485, just add and subtract the last digit to find your other 2 case numbers for I-765 and I-131. For example...if your I-485 case number ends in 85 check the same case number, only ending in 86 & 87 and also check ending in 84 & 83. I'm pretty sure your case numbers stay consecutive. 

53 minutes ago, rrobin0609 said:

Of course! I really tried to put a focus on there being legal immigrants that have had to put their lives on hold possibly due to the government only caring about illegal immigration and what to do with them to either a) deport them or b) get them a legal status. I also pointed out to the senators and representative that they should be embassared by the processing times at the NBC due to representing Missouri, were its based out of, because that is the state they represent. Then I said I wanted to see some form of legislation introduced to gaurentee a decision (not necessarily an approval) to those who apply for EAD and AP within 90 days while their green card applications are being processed.

YES! I am waiting for my combo card to get here, and have already had my Green Card interview (who knows when my Green Card will come) but I feel like I'm still not over the horror of this process. I will never be over it. I want to do something to expose it, and to make it a matter of concern within the government! It is NOT okay to put people through this! I am so glad you wrote these letters!! 

On 5/31/2019 at 5:20 AM, dkitchens2 said:

Hey Guys,

 

Hang in there. Our Date was Oct. 12, 2019. I filed an out of processing time inquiry on May 13th, 2019. I was frustrated that they didn't even assign someone to look at that for 2 weeks. Last Wednesday, I called USCIS and spoke to a Tier 1 who was extremely helpful. She advised that the Tier 2's were not available, but could she have our phone number to put a note in our record. She said that because we live in Hawaii, the NBC was handling our EAD and they were in fact back logged from the Government shut down. Our Attorney advised us that even though they were still required to work, many of them quit to take other employment. Well, to our surprise, Friday we finally saw some movement. We got notification that our interview was scheduled, and on Sunday (yes a weekend) notification that his EAD New card was being produced. Yesterday we got the message the card was mailed.

 

It's been a long, frustrating process for all of us. At least things are starting to move for us OCT. filers!

All K-1 EAD applications are handled by the National Benefits Centre. The local field office only processes & does interviews for AOS. Also, USCIS was not affected by the shutdown, as they are a self funded entity (funded by the applications) The reason USCIS is backlogged is because of all the extra work & screening that has been ordered by the Trump administration. Applications are actually down, compared to the past.

1 hour ago, Aleksandr_021 said:

Oh, sorry to hear that 😞 I know how frustrating it is. I feel your pain like no one.  However, I believe you'll hear from them next week. At least, I want to believe. Anyway, the interview is a part of the past now and we just need to take a deep breath and wait 🤕👀

Yes, it made it a little easier that my EAD got approved 3 days ago at day 222. At least I will be able to get a job and take a trip back home! 

4 hours ago, rrobin0609 said:

Processing times tirade about to hit DC in a few days 😎

 

 

I'm pretty sure Senators and Representatives are required to respond. 10 years ago in my HS biology class I had a yearlong bioethics project and part of it was writing to a senator. I think it took 3-6 months to get a response, but I got a response.

Omg I love you for this!!! 🙌🏼 Please let us know the outcome!!! 

8 hours ago, Aleksandr_021 said:

Congrats! Glad to hear that finally, your AOS journey has come to an end 😊😊😊 Now you can relax and enjoy your life without any restrictions!! 😃 Can I bother you with couple questions?Did your online status change right after the interview or you guys had to wait for several days? We had our interview in Baltimore on May 16th. My Case Tracker status changed on «Interview was completed and the case must be reviewed» only week after the actual date of interview. So I'm wondering whether we’re going to hear from them three weeks after appointment or three weeks after day our status changed. Our layer said that it usually takes three weeks for Baltimore USCIS to make a decision 

Thank you 😊

I had my interview in Baltimore 25 days ago. My status changed to “Interview was completed and my case must be reviewed” the same day. I haven’t had any changes or updates in 25 days. 🤷🏼‍♀️

3 hours ago, Allaboutwaiting said:

We thought once the interview was scheduled, things would depend on us, but turns out they don't. 

After a nice smooth interview we were informed that our K1 visa packet is missing. Retreiving it from wherever it is now -because they have no clue about its whereabouts-, can take days or months. Once they get it -if they do-, they will proceed to review our case.

 

Needless to say, we're beyond angry, frustrated, discouraged, disappointed, deeply saddened, weak, clueless and all the negative emotions you can think of. 

It doesn't help that while waiting, there was a couple near us, where the beneficiary entered in February this year with a tourist visa and they were today there for their interview. 

Ten months waiting for the K1, six months waiting to be scheduled and now, who knows how long we will wait...and who knows what the outcome will be. 

 

It seems that they incentivize those who break the rules while they punish us who follow them.

 

P.S.: We have no EAD/AP and as things are now, I'm certain we will never get one. 

Oh my god I am so sorry!!!!  Just so horrible!! I can’t even imagine your despair!! That is so unfair. Do they not realize they’re working with real human beings’ lives here??? So brutal!!! I really hope they find it quickly. It has to be somewhere, on someone’s desk. 🤞🏼