Peter T

I would love to know! I have not received an NOA only an appointment letter for my biometrics which I've been to already now. I checked my status online in the hopes that something would come out over there but nothing so far. So what happens to my status as an employee, forget about travel?!

Employment: If you have filed for removal of condition, you are not out of status and you are authorized to work, until your case is adjucated. It is, of course, good to have some proof of your filing, like a USPS confirmation of delivery, a cashed check, or, best, the NOA from the USCIS. Regardless of which proof you have, your current employer is not only not obliged to check your continued authorization to work, but is prohibited from doing so (if not other federal laws force him to do that like compliance with export control laws etc.).

Travel: Even here is the filing itself principally enough, but lack of proof of filing is impractical, because the officer at the border is supposed to check you. I travelled with my NOA and spend a long time at the port of entry, but had no real difficulty to enter the US.

Aha! I tracked down a couple of straggler NSC > CSC transferees who show in their sig or timeline that they were approved weeks ago, although they haven't bothered to share their good fortune here . . . .

Thank you, James, for keeping the list updated and, thereby, more useful for us.

Peter

I don't know if anybody had published it here already. If not, it might serve as general information; if yes, please disregard.

The USCIS has published on their website

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

a link "USCIS Answers Frequently Asked Questions about Receipting Delays" that leads to the website

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...0004718190aRCRD

which says:

Receipt Delays

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) advises customers that, due to a tremendous increase in the number of applications filed, processing of fee payments and entry of cases into our tracking system is behind schedule. As a result, applicants can expect notices of receipt to be delayed. USCIS is working hard to deal with the increased volume and has published the following frequently asked questions in order to provide additional information to applicants (the questions are links on the originsal site).

What is the cause of the receipt delay?

How does a receipt delay affect my case?

Is this why I haven't received my receipt notice?

Is USCIS prioritizing certain application(s) during the receipting process?

What will USCIS do to ensure employment authorization documents are processed within 90 days?

How is USCIS planning to address this receipting delay?

If I filed before the new fee change and my application is rejected, do I need to pay the new higher fee?

How do I find out if my application is a part of the receipting delay?

How do I change my address while I am waiting for my receipt number? NEW

What if I need advance parole? NEW

Will my application be rejected if my check expires? NEW

I have received my receipt notice, but when I check my case online it does not appear. How do I get my case added to the system, so I can check on the progress of my case? NEW

If I filed before July 30 and there is a problem with the check I used to pay my application fees, will I have to pay the new higher fees when I reapply? NEW

What do I do if the information on my receipt is incorrect? NEW

Last updated: October 12, 2007

when I got my driver's license I still had my conditional card but the expiry date on my DL was way past the expiry date on my green card...

Same for me in Minnesota, but, because driver licenses are regulated by the states, we in Minnesota and California might just be the lucky ones, compared to the people of Misery.

Unless she has evidence to prove that he only married her for a Greencard... it is unlikely that ICE would take her word against him...

I agree. Only if the wife could show that he lied substantially on his applications, there would be a case against him.

I need some advice. (...)

First, you did the right thing by working with a lawyer, because your case is special. From what you write, your lawyer's judgement seems sound so far.

I sent it certified and I have the tracking email of USPS showing the date and time they have received it.

Then I recommend you to document your USPS information well and make an infopass appointment. Take your passport and the other documents with you as you would for getting an I-551 stamp. Either they tell you that your file is with them or not. If they have your file, they should give you a stamp after such long time without NOA. If they don't have your file, ask the officer how you should proceed with your application, to not pay double and to not be rejected because of late filing. Your USPS information should show that a mistake was made on their side.

ARRRGGH!!! If you are going to update your entry the list, and there are others who have asked to have their entries updated or have one added since the last updated list, please don't just update your entry and ignore those who for whatever reason are unable to do their own updating.

Thank you, James, for keeping up the good work.

Andre's driver's license will expire the exact same day as his conditional green card. Stupid Missouri.

Has anyone else had this happen? If so, I hear the NOA1 after you file to remove conditions, states it extends his green card for one year while they process. Has anyone used this NOA1 to renew the driver's license then?

Does he have to show his Green Card just to renew his license? (I don't know Missouri.) And if he renews it before it expires, as one would normally do, his Green Card would still be valid and you might not even have to show a NOA. You should get the NOA by then though (apply as soon as you can), just in case Missouri limits your driver license to the end of your documented legal stay in the US. Your NOA should state that the Green Card in question is extended for one year. After the Green Card originally would have expired, I would expect that Missouri accepts the NOA together with the expired Green Card for getting a driver's license (don't throw the expired card out), and I wish you that your husband receives a driver license with normal expiration date and not a conditional driver license for only one year.

I moved to Minnesota and had to exchange my previous license for a Minnesota one. I had to show my (then unexpired) conditional Green Card. The expiration date of my driver license was fortunately not limited by the expiration date of the Green Card; instead the duration of the driver license was as long as for everybody else.

December 19, 2006: Mailed I-751 petition

December 27, 2006: NOA1 notice date

January 20, 2007: Biometrics & Fingerprinting.

Didn't you file in Nebraska, too? The processing timeframe for I-751 there is 03-Jan-07, as of 15-Oct-07. You should have received either an RFE or an approval notice by now. Sorry to hear that you have not.

If your case is common, I might not get my card before Christmas as I expected :-(my NOA arrived on 26-Feb-07)

From what I've been seeing it looks like cases in California move along relatively fast. I've also seen approvals without interviews. Hopefully our cases will be the same.

CSC is faster, good luck for you. My I-751 sent to NSC in January is apparently still catching dust in Nebraska. I haven't heard, however, that CSC sends out fewer invitations for interviews than other service centers. I-751 that have been submitted by the couple together lead seldom to interviews anyhow.

I sent my I-751 on 31 Jul 2007 to TSC and have not received anything (no NOA) yet and even my checks are not cashed yet. Does it look normal?! (...)

You don't indicate whether you know if TSC ever received your I-751 -- i.e., did you send it Express Mail and thus were able to track the petition, or did you just drop it in a mailbox? Even though your petition should have been transferred to CSC, which would then cash your check and issue your NOA1, this is way outside the usual timeframe.

I agree. Moving from one USCIS district to another cannot explain a delay this long in cashing your check. You should act fast and inquire about your application, e.g., if you live close to your USCIS office, by making an infopass appointment there. If you find that your application was lost (happened once to my RFE'ed evidence that I sent without delivery confirmation), you should reapply soon and explain it if you would be late. Don't forget to sent a possible next application with delivery confirmation, which you can track online.

It's been suggested here that you could be approved by ONLY sending in tax returns and the birth certificate of your child. Nobody here has been brave enough to test that theory, (...)

I wasn't aware of that discussion here; otherwise I might have just tried it - to send only the birth certificates for a test (we have two children). I am looking on my I-751 rather relaxed anyhow - I keep my status, and I can work and travel until a decision. I would have expected in the worst case an RFE asking for tax returns, lease etc., upon which I would have sent the complete package, of course.

Horses split and it's to late to lock the barn door! (...)

Can't understand why you didn't submit affidavits or some pics.

After receiving the NOA, more evidence can be submitted together with a copy of the NOA.

Affidavits are considered weak evidence and not needed when there is enough other evidence. Photos only help if they document togetherness, like being together in distant places.

Adding beggartl and updating maguilart's info

UserName............Serv. Ctr.....Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date.......Biometrics......Approved

tumbin..............TSC...........04/22/06..........05/04/06........--/--/--........--/--/--

Feliz...............CSC...........10/26/06..........11/01/06........08/04/07-.......--/--/-- RFE

haozi101............NSC...........11/27/06..........12/06/06........01/03/07........09/14/07

jennybirgitta.......NSC...........01/13/07..........01/18/07........02/14/07........--/--/--

fragile093..........TSC...........01/27/07..........01/31/07........03/03/07........--/--/--

shahkr..............VSC...........01/29/07..........02/xx/07........03/01/07........--/--/-- RFE

ven2lin.............TSC...........02/01/07..........02/05/07........--/--/--........--/--/--

Illinois............NSC...........02/19/07..........02/23/07........04/18/07........--/--/--

kn687...............TSC...........02/27/07..........03/21/07........03/29/07........--/--/--

tweety..............TSC...........03/09/07..........03/28/07........04/06/07........--/--/--

Boscouple...........VSC...........03/16/07..........03/21/07........04/10/07........09/19/07

Frances.............NSC...........04/02/07..........05/05/07........05/24/07........--/--/--

Kearinne............NSC...........04/09/07..........04/30/07........06/02/07........--/--/--

gyuwono.............NSC...........04/17/07..........04/20/07........05/18/07........--/--/--

James...............TSC...........04/18/07..........04/20/07........05/31/07........--/--/--

Gringa..............VSC...........04/27/07..........05/24/07........06/22/07........--/--/--

Cassie..............TSC...........05/08/07..........05/09/07........06/04/07........--/--/--

Mr.Bigdog...........TSC...........06/06/07..........06/19/07........08/30/07........--/--/--

Joel'sWife..........VSC...........06/08/07..........06/21/07........07/07/07........--/--/--

thea................VSC...........06/09/07..........06/25/07........07/06/07........--/--/--

Silvanski...........TSC > CSC.....06/27/07..........07/12/07........08/17/07........--/--/-- (RFE 08/29/07)

Sweet Melissa.......TSC > CSC.....06/28/07..........07/10/07........10/10/07........--/--/--

wifiman.............NSC.> CSC.....06/29/07..........08/05/07........08/15/07........08/25/07

ForYou..............VSC...........07/20/07..........08/06/07....... 09/08/07........--/--/--

Sami................NSC > CSC.....07/20/07..........08/04/07........08/15/07........09/15/07

stina&suj...........TSC > CSC.....07/13/07..........07/26/07........--/--/--........--/--/--

Stefanie............NSC > CSC.....07/16/07..........07/25/07........military........--/--/--

Bree................TSC.> CSC.....07/24/07..........07/27/07........09/13/07........09/25/07

6901................TSC.> CSC.....07/24/07..........08/04/07........09/12/07........09/20/07

smushtaq............NSC > CSC.....07/26/07..........08/09/07........09/07/07........--/--/--

mahal...............TSC > CSC.....07/27/07..........07/27/07........09/28/07........--/--/--

Jo1973..............TSC > CSC.....07/27/07..........08/20/07........09/21/07........--/--/--

Widge...............NSC > CSC.....07/27/07..........08/22/07........09/12/07........--/--/--

Smoothsailing.......NSC.> CSC.....07/28/07..........08/17/07........09/10/07........09/15/07

dcl766..............NSC.> CSC.....07/28/07..........08/24/07........09/13/07........09/19/07

Lugn ...............NSC > CSC.....07/28/07..........08/24/07........09/11/07........09/13/07

Gene&Maria..........NSC > CSC.....07/28/07..........08/20/07........09/10/07........--/--/--

mcutchin............CSC...........07/30/07..........08/20/07........09/18/07........--/--/--

bsokny12............NSC > CSC.....07/30/07..........08/20/07........09/08/07........09/12/07

gwsmith01...........VSC...........08/03/07..........08/22/07........09/07/07........--/--/--

metta...............TSC > CSC.....08/04/07..........08/30/07........09/28/07........--/--/--

Gemma12nEl..........VSC...........08/07/07..........08/07/07........10/02/07........--/--/--

gandagirl505........CSC...........08/08/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--

moe_lisa............NSC > CSC.....08/09/07..........09/06/07........09/28/07........--/--/--

Alie................TSC > CSC.....08/11/07..........09/12/07........10/12/07........--/--/--

beggartl............NSC > CSC.....08/11/07..........08/13/07........10/09/07........--/--/--

pj1959us............NSC > CSC.....08/13/07..........08/15/07........09/29/07........--/--/--

guapitoyguapita77...TSC > CSC.....08/14/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--

annelizabeth........NSC.> CSC.....08/15/07..........08/17/07........09/28/07........--/--/--

Bubibu..............CSC...........08/15/07..........08/20/07........10/04/07........--/--/--

ca_babe.............CSC...........08/16/07..........08/17/07........09/28/07........--/--/--

eau_xplain..........TSC > CSC.....08/18/07..........08/21/07........10/11/07........--/--/--

nutmarg.............TSC > CSC.....08/20/07..........09/12/07........--/--/--........--/--/--

Kez.................VSC...........08/24/07..........09/01/07........10/02/07........--/--/--

maguilart...........NSC > CSC.....08/29/07..........08/30/07........--/--/--........--/--/--

kitty0657...........NSC...........08/31/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--

Inlove_tx...........TSC > CSC.....09/01/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--

DougandNancy........VSC...........09/04/07..........09/06/07........10/03/07........--/--/--

poppinslp...........CSC...........09/04/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--

hopeful_laura.......NSC...........09/07/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--

Tegan...............TSC...........09/10/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--

FVA.................NSC...........09/10/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--

silent-whispers.....TSC...........09/10/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--

Whodat..............VSC...........09/10/07..........09/19/07........10/16/07........--/--/--

Pedro...............TSC...........09/10/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--

Aussielad...........VSC...........09/11/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--

Moldovandish........TSC...........09/14/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--

Wild Wind...........CSC...........09/20/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--

Little Bear.........VSC...........09/20/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--

Serenity............NSC...........09/25/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--

Buckeye6976.........NSC...........09/27/07..........--/--/--........--/--/--........--/--/--

please add kitty0657 NSC>CSC , NOA1 9/4/07

And add me, too, please:

UserName............Serv. Ctr.....Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date.......Biometrics......Approved

Peter T...................NSC...........01/27/07..........02/26/07..........03/09/07.........--/--/--

When I first saw your title, I thought you has received really nothing, no NOA, no biometrics, which would be bad, but that's not the case from your signature. I received my NOA in February from NSC and nothing since then ... but I can live my life, it's not on hold. We are comparably lucky.

I can't understand why they don't do the first in...first out...if there are no issues (we are not even sure of that). This process was frustrating 3 years ago...and it still continues to be. Just venting.

That's what we are here for, the venting. Life isn't fair, but as long as the USCIS doesn't handicap me I am just happy that I haven't received the shortest straw.

If they don't RFE me I'll be in shock. I sent the wrong stack of photographs with my packet. We sorted our trip pictures into scenic pictures and pictures of us together in front of the scenery. I sent them wonderful pictures of the animals at the zoo, micky mouse, and lovely pictures of Hawaiin beaches- none of which include us.

Yours is one of the more memorable postings Thanks for the laugh, even if you would rather cry

By the way, you could anticipate the RFE and send them the correct photos now, with a copy of your NOA, as additional evidence.

Good luck,

Peter

My wife and my 1 yr old son went back home (...) she must stay for a while more (...) My plan is that to call her and her parents and tell them that your greencard nao1 came and that you have an mandatory appointment on october 3rd. It cannot be changed or missed.

What your wife does borders on kidnapping, but is not kidnapping yet. Extended travel does happen. Don't make the situation worse by lying. Try to speak your wife in person, not her parents, and tell her you miss her and your son and try to understand why she has stayed longer and when she could come back.

If your wife is intelligent (I hope) she would become suspicious at your statements about the appointment: Could it be already time for the interview? First appointments nearly always can be changed (exceptions exist in the criminal justice system, of course), so such a statement would raise red flag in my mind.

Good luck with your marriage.

Does anyone know if copies that we provide as evidence need to be conventional Xerox copies?

No, they don't need to be Xerox copies. Just be sure that they are well readable. If the USCIS has doubt that a copy is genuine, they RFE the original (and promise to send it back, too). If they invite you to an interview, they might also ask you to bring one or more original documents.

I flew to Germany for 4 weeks to visit my parents. Upon return, my conditional greencard was still valid for 13 days. I also had my extension letter. When entering the US in Minneapolis, the border agent forwned at my card and said it would expire. I handed her the extension letter. (...)

She asked me what my job was and then sent me to secondary inspection. The secondary room did not have anyone in it. When I saw an officer, I asked what to do (wait, etc). She just said to pull a number. This I did. Other people were sent to secondary and got the same answer. The atmosphere was quite hostile. (...)

Finally, someone called my number. I answered questions on what I brought in (alcohol etc). Then I was asked to bring in my luggage. They took it from me and went into another room. Half an hour later three officers questioned me on why I had a seal stamp in my bag (I am a translator and have a stamp for my translations). When I said so they told me not to get an attitude. I remained friendly when they asked me about my wife and where I was going. My connecting flight was not home but to another city where I had a job interview. I explained this and they proceeded to ask for my wife's phone number. They then called her in a backroom. Upon return the officer told me he felt I was not telling the truth and left. Then an hour later he returned and told me he had determined that uscis is responsible fo determining the purpose of my marriage and I was free to go but would have to expect an interview on my I-751.

What could have triggered this nightmare? (...) Also, why do border agents question the validity of my marriage? I had avalid greencard and extension letter in hand and was under the impression that the border agents just check that, not how it was obtained!

I live in the Twin Cities and have entered through Minneapolis airport many times. I haven't experieced such treatment yet and was only once sent to the passport check when my Green Card had expired and I travelled with extension letter. My luggage was not checked there. Why they send you to the passport check while your Green Card was still valid for 13 days, I don't know, but in principle, officers at the borders have pretty wide liberties to investigate people coming in and their documents. Maybe something in your answers raised a red flag (not your fault) and the officers decided to investigate further.

The passport check in Minneapolis is not friendly, but that didn't surprise me, because they investigate and question all kinds of immigrants and papers there, some of which might indeed have no business entering the US. But we know that our papers are in order - I remember the place just as slow and boring. I don't know if the borders' officer can add a remark to your file "suspicious, should be interviewed", but they are not the ones to decide if you're getting interviewed.

The process of removing the condition seems much easier than applying for the first Green Card, so this time I use no attorney. If your case is standard (still together with spouse), you can probably do it yourself. If your case is non-standard, but you don't have much money, you could also critically read a lot on the web or go to a legal immigration center where they help poor people.

Regards,

Peter

PS

Still, you probably should hire a lawyer, since you haven't yet mastered the construction

of complex sentences, spelling and basic punctuation.

Just a thought.

Get a life!

Just a thought!

I thought that was funny. Harping about grammar I find boring, but not making a joke about it.

Sending the application while applying for a waiver might have a delaying effect: They could start saving until the first application is denied and then apply with the fee added. But I don't know if this strategy would work - ask a legal immigration center about it first (I assume that you cannot afford an attorney).

It would be highly unlikely for you to get a fee wavier, I know someone here in boston who applied for the fee wavier to remove their conditions.... it was denied, the reason they were given was that you were aware that you would need to file this and when, you therefore had plenty of time to budget for the money

At least, they could plea that the fee was recently increased and they didn't know about it until they wanted to file. Still, a waived fee sounds improbable: the applicant passed the poverty test to get their Green Card. A waiver should be granted only, if also the sponsor cannot pay due to unforeseeable circumstances.

can i travel outside the US while my I-751 is still in process?

Yes you can. Most easiest is if you have the NOA from the USCIS as proof that you status has been extended. But even if only your check was cashed, you could go and claim legal resident status when you return - your name should be in the computer system. For your peace of mind, you might go to the nearest USCIS office though, before leaving the country, and get a stamp in your passport that you have indeed applied for removal of condition. (While travelling, you should have your passport and your expired Green Card with you.)

How important is the I-751 cover sheet? have most sent or not sent cover sheets? any experience from those who have completed the process, I don't believe it is required? I have thought I would prepare one but just curious.

I think that a cover sheet is just a matter of courtesy to the USCIS staff, to make their job easier. I would be interested to hear from the USCIS if a cover sheet actually does that - anybody from the USCIS lurking here?