SJordanS

Hello All,

My husband and I married October 18, 2020. He received his 2 year conditional green card in May 2022 (long delays, then RFE, then approval). When can we apply for citizenship? I'm hearing its a 3 year wait time from time green card was "issued". Just need help managing my timeline on what to do and when. Thank you!

22 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

You likely received incorrect info. 

Always ask to speak to a Tier 2.

For others reading: they were denied for not following instructions to mail their RFE in.

That is correct I did not mail it in. I'm going to add more details to anyone who has the same situation.....I took advice of Tier 1 agent (as I only called to ask a question, didn't feel it required Tier 2  agent) and it was that phone call where they encouraged me to upload it which was followed by a USCIS email instructing me how to upload evidence requested from RFE. That email was submitted with my i-290b which may have very well helped me. In retrospect had I not received the email, I would have simply mailed it in but since it was explained why its encouraged, with a follow up email I felt it was fine. Once uploaded I also took advice of the Tier 1 agent and called USCIS back and had them confirm all items were uploaded properly and clear and he at that time said he would send a message to the Immigration Officer who conducted the interview to pull items and that it was completed. Officer had not acted on the email. When I received the denial (site also said case closed) I called back into USCIS and they said they would send another message to the TO and have a Tier 2 officer call me but they would also have a Tier 2 supervisor review everything and to give it 5 days. He said get an i-290b ready just in case. Thats when I found my wonderful attorney. From the time she submitted to approval was exactly 5 weeks. They did not "re-open" the case, request updated documents, ask to re-interview, just CASE APPROVED followed by card produced next day. Thanks all. 

On 3/15/2022 at 5:43 AM, K1visaHopeful said:

Did your RFE state you could submit documents online or were you told to mail them?

It said mail. But when I called USCIS to simply ask a question, they encouraged me to upload it so it wouldnt get lost and officer can see it. They would notify the officer. Well hadnt seen it and I got denied. UPDATE: Then I had an excellent lawyer file an I-290b and after 5 weeks, it was approved. Green card is enroute.  

On 3/14/2022 at 10:11 PM, Mike E said:

File a new I-485.  Since you had an RFE the first time, consider hiring an attorney this time around.  
 

Next time you talk to USCIS by phone, make sure it is a tier 2 officer.  

Update: Just had an excellent lawyer file an I-290b as it was pointless to do a new I-485. It was approved in 5 weeks and green card enroute. Celebrating this part is finally over.  

To be honest, and I know everyones experience is different, I LOVED working with my local Congressman and highly recommend it. In fact thats how I knew my husbands Green Card was approved. Through them. They knew before my lawyer. My lawyer eventually knew when she called in that same day but they emailed my CM with details. Prior to that I had put in an inquiry to my CM and they said they will check every 14 days. So on the second time around they inquired they got the detailed response via email not even lawyers can get. This is not the first time my CM gave me good news. The same happened when the issued my husbands Visa. I heard through the CM office with details so I say GO FOR IT! Good Luck.

So my husband and I had our interview October 6, 2021 for adjustment I-485 from K1. We thought everything went great until:

- The officer handed us a "file being held for review" letter.

- On November 16, 2021 we received an RFE and started preparing

- On December 13th uploaded everything onto the USCIS portal and met the deadline which was December 21st

- I waited 60 days as told then I called USCIS in January to check on things and agent confirmed he saw all evidence and send a notice to the interviewing officer to review and get back to us within 30 days

- I went to my post office and opened a letter today which was dated March 7th and it was a denial stating we never submitted the documents required by December 21st and therefore we are considered ABANDONED. (#######!!!)

- Letter also stated we can not appeal but can file a motion to reconsider I-290b.

What would you all do in this case besides the obvious which is file an I-290b. Should I create an infopass and go down to the USCIS office, hire a lawyer or??

Thanks,

On 12/13/2021 at 8:05 PM, Jorgedig said:

Never heard of this, or seen it on VJ.

 

Maybe it is related to the extended AP he had in Jordan to get the visa?  Didn't you only get it after filing a writ of mandamus?

Didn't think of that. We got out of AP after WoM yes but he did submit a police clearance out there 1 year prior to his interview and then once the Embassy called for his passport he had to renew the police clearance. We have now submitted everything as of 2 weeks uploaded police clearance and all evidence online and we are waiting....

On 12/13/2021 at 10:39 AM, ra0010 said:

Does he have a common name?

No in fact very uncommon

4 hours ago, K1visaHopeful said:

Has he committed a crime anywhere in the world?

Or answered in the I485 that he did?

 

 

No, not at all. Never had any issues. The police clearance was for LA County. Thought it was as a result of his biometrics BUT my husband in fact got his EAD expedite approved following his biometrics so not sure why. 

4 hours ago, arken said:

Police clearance from where? If it's from the US cities/states where he lived, it could be due to his fingerprinting error during biometrics.

 

Did you two not bring evidences of bonafide marital relationship to the interview?

We brought a ton of evidence even though its stated not to bring to AOS and the agent took our evidence. He asked for the same evidence in the RFE with a police clearance from Los Angeles County and included the number to call. We headed down to County and picked one up but it seems awfully unusual. We did fingerprints for EAD and in fact got our EAD expedite approved following biometrics. Thats why we found this odd. Just wasnt sure why he was asked. 

5 hours ago, ra0010 said:

Certainly not common at all. What was the interview like? Did the IO said something about you getting a RFE?

He said nothing about getting an RFE. I was pretty surprised to get a paper saying its in review. Then the RFE followed. 

I found it strange that after my husbands green card interview we would get an RFE asking for police clearance as well as the same evidence we SHOULD present on removal of conditions. Anyone else get a request for police clearance as an AOS request AFTER the interview? Very odd (and irritating). Adj from K1 by the way. Thanks.

Hi Visa Fam,

In submitting my evidence per an RFE we received, is it better to submit through USCIS portal which allows us to upload documents, through express mail or both? What have any of you done in the same? Thanks! 

On 11/16/2021 at 10:45 PM, SJordanS said:

Unbelievable!! What is going on with these immigration officers!!?? Wondering if anyone else had the same happen...

 

So my husbands green card interview was 11/08 . We felt it was going well but then to our surprise the immigration officer could not find his medical on file that he should have been able to access from DHS. He checked his computer multiple times. Said he wasn't sure why it wasn't present. My husband confirmed on his arrival he handed it to DHS officer. He said you did correctly but there is no copy here. My husband never got ANY COPY at the time he took his medical either. I was a bit concerned but I.O. didn't seem too concerned and would email for a copy. Gave us a white paper saying it would be in review. I knew we would get that now that there was NO MEDICAL on file. Then today I got notified on the app tracker there was an update. Sure enough it was an RFE. Just not what I thought it would be....

Now mind you at the interview the officer only asked for birth certificate, marriage certificate, ID's and passports to make copies. We felt rushed. After the questions we saw he was ready to let us go but then I asked him "Sir, don't you need evidence and photos?" He said "Uhh what do you have?" I said "Everything you need" and showed him the huge stack of evidence. I sprayed it across the table like a deck of cards. I had receipts, chat logs, an entire photo album with years of photos, joint evidence. He said "Pick out 6 pictures and Ill take the chat logs (dating back to 2017 mind you) and the joint evidence." Today the RFE asked for everything I gave him...IN PERSON. I mean WTH? Anyone else get the same? I even gave him originals! I honestly thought it would be an RFE for a new medical but geez. Ill send it all over but the (removed)....

RFE FRONT.pdf RFE BACK.pdf

18 hours ago, beloved_dingo said:

Take a photo, black out identifying info (name, address etc) and attach it as a file to your post. 

I added it as a comment to my original post. Seems I could not edit my original. 

19 hours ago, Mike E said:

A police certificate for an I-485 case is unusual.  
 

Sometimes USCIS asks for inane things and that’s when you wish you had competent legal representation at your side.  

Ii regret not having a lawyer present. Police Certificate is totally ridiculous. 

6 hours ago, K1visaHopeful said:

Post the RFE in its entirety.

It likely doesnt say what you presume or for the reasons you are presuming.

Im not sure how to upload it? It asked for a list of evidence....exactly what he took. Plus a police certificate clearance as well. 

On 8/30/2021 at 4:25 PM, Sarah & hubby said:

Hey guys. My husband had his interview for a CR1 spouse visa at the Beirut lebanon embassy back in March 2021 and we have been waiting for 6 months now in administrative processing and we still have not gotten any response except that his case is still pending AP. We filed a writ of mandamus action and still no response. Does anyone have any experience with them? We still haven’t passed the 60 days they are allowed with the mandamus action, but does anyone have experience of a possibility that the embassy would surpass the 60 days and not respond? We are soooo worried and so desperate for help!!   

I filed a WoM after only 7 months waiting and it was approved even during the pandemic last year. In fact my lawyer told me to file at 6 months but I waited an extra month to save up and IT WAS APPROVED. It was K1 (which is even riskier than CR1) and everyone and I MEAN everyone here on VJ,  friends who worked in government and even a California lawyer REJECTED I do this. I found Jim Hacking, who is by far the best at WoM, hired him and my husband got the call from the Embassy 29 days after filing. Another girl filed same time and waited more than 60 days. I have her details. HOWEVER, at or just before 60 days, they should have requested an extension. Did they? If not your lawyer has to reach out to the liaison with the Embassy. Please email me for more details and also check my posts as I posted details about my WoM journey....and don't worry, 6 months is MORE THAN enough time to have given them on AP and you were right to file. Please reach out if you need. 

On 3/29/2021 at 9:23 PM, Huskyfan32 said:

what a freaking joke the people at USCIS are..

 

i filed before you and they received my RFE for i-944 in December, and my case still shows "Response To USCIS' Request For Evidence Was Received"

 

still no biometrics or EAD. cases should be done in the order they were received.

 

the low IQ idiots at USCIS are most likely doing newer received cases before  doing the older ones.. if someone has an IQ of a peanut, they are automatically qualify as a USCIS agent. Smart people arent hired by these agencies

 

the US government and all of their agencies and employees are complete failures. no wonder the world is laughing at us..

 

hell, look at our economy.. it's in complete shambles, along with the $28 trillion national debt...

Curious to know if you got your EAD card yet 😄 

On 4/11/2021 at 8:58 AM, David and Anna said:

that's great.  Can you please take a moment to share any insights and advice you have that might help others here get their biometrics and EAD as quickly as you did?  Thanks!

Yes, basically I did a search right here on VJ on how to expedite. There was a poster who posted his success story and I basically took the same draft of his request letter and made it my own. Of course I included the job proposal letter (very important of course) and explained with everything going on in the world, we are fortunate to even have a job offer especially with no certainty on what this year brings. Also in him being able to get EAD, it will also enable him to get his drivers license here in CA. He can start working Uber in the evenings after work. Lots of opportunity. He will then be a taxpayer as the rest of us are. When we made the request over the phone we had to wait for the email which told us exactly what to fax in. We faxed it and it only took 5 days. I believe that him having a social security may have helped. At least thats my opinion. Good Luck. 

UPDATED MY TIMELINE. EAD Approved!!! 

On 3/19/2021 at 3:24 PM, payxibka said:

You must mean on Monday cuz they are already closed for today 

No I called at 4:30 and they were open and told me they are opened until 8pm

On 3/20/2021 at 5:10 PM, bebifa said:

Thanks for asking this question. We have asked for expedition on our case before through our congressman for the K1, but idk if it harmed our case in any way at all. 

I was wondering if we should do the same for EAD for the same obvious reasons as your husband has. We probably will ask our congressman's help once more because this is taking too long already.. On USCIS' website it shows more than 4 months for EAD..  I just received the text message with our case numbers for AOS and EAD. Once I get the paper NOA1, I will ask for expedition also. 

 

A question for you: How many pictures did you send with your AOS and EAD package? 

Would be great if you update here. 

I did not send any pics the AOS package. Just what they asked for. II have uploaded pics onto a document tab on USCIS website along with evidence and plan to bring it to the interview. I am waiting for an email as I was told by the USCIS rep that I should expect an email to fax evidence for the expedited EAD. Once I know hear more I will come back and updated.

8 minutes ago, payxibka said:

You could have requested an expedite the moment it was filed.  Not sure about the nonsense you've abouts heard about being harmed.

Not sure either. But I plan on calling USCIS in a bit. Thank you!

8 minutes ago, payxibka said:

You could have requested an expedite the moment it was filed.  Not sure about the nonsense you've abouts heard about being harmed.