LisaLisa

21 hours ago, LoveTakesOver said:

We also received our RFE updated on the website Feb. 26 for form I-485 and received the mail last Friday Mar. 1.

 

The RFE is for certified English translation of a foreign birth certificate. We just sent the request today via FEDEX. 

 

The RFE indicated that they need this information before they can make a FINAL decision. 

 

Is it a possibility that they may approve a conditional permanent residence without an interview?

In the instructions of the application it indicates that you need to send original and translated certified copies from appropriate authorities.

21 hours ago, DeepakChani said:

Did you guys send the official marriage certificate for the I765 and i131? I sent a copy and wonder if my RFE is because of that. 

Of course in the instructions of the application it says that the documents you need to provide are either original or certified copies. Mostly likely they will ask you for a certified copy by the county that produced it.

Before Christmas it looked like Detroit was doing an amazing job with AOS. Now it seems like people's applications have been halted completely. I have called like 1000 times USCIS and asking about application and how things are. Today I talked to a very nice USCIS Tier 2 agent that described the situation. Said that while the government shutdown doesn't officially apply for USCIS. They weren't paid at the time (government wasn't issuing payroll for any government agency) a large amount of agents were taking long vacations. As a result the operations for many offices were under-performing and  now we are experiencing this backlog or applications after September filers. Be patient and good luck to everyone. 

2 hours ago, Chochosun said:

Good luck to you!! 

 

I am trying to check my status less since I've already signed up for automated notifications but it's sooo hard not to. The tracker apps and immigrations forums are both a blessing and a curse lol. I feel like the more I try to figure out the process and timeline and when everyone else is getting theirs, the more obsessive I become. Like I know there's nothing I can do other than wait and I probably should focus my energy and time on something more worthwhile like learning something new, pick up a hobby, workout etc, but gahhhhh why can't I just take my own advice and do what's good for me!!!

You could not be more right. I find myself obsessed trying to figure out the timeline of the process. Always end up realizing this is a very personalized process and there is no real define timeline.

14 minutes ago, azblk said:

I had a similar situation last month where my EAD was expired and the automatic extension was 2 weeks away from expiring but my renewal was still pending. I sent my employer an email asking for a letter saying they would terminate me I didn't submit a new EAD when my extension expired. My employer replied that they couldn't give me a letter like that because they would not terminate me but instead put me on unpaid leave until i got a new EAD. Long story short I printed the email from HR about the unpaid leave plus the 2 most recent pay stubs and used that as my evidence  of severe financial loss. My EAD was expedited after that - on a side note I also did an infopass at local USCIS office who also out in an expedite request and my local congressman also contacted USCIS all at the same time.

I had a similar situation last month where my EAD was expired and the automatic extension was 2 weeks away from expiring but my renewal was still pending. I sent my employer an email asking for a letter saying they would terminate me I didn't submit a new EAD when my extension expired. My employer replied that they couldn't give me a letter like that because they would not terminate me but instead put me on unpaid leave until i got a new EAD. Long story short I printed the email from HR about the unpaid leave plus the 2 most recent pay stubs and used that as my evidence  of severe financial loss. My EAD was expedited after that - on a side note I also did an infopass at local USCIS office who also out in an expedite request and my local congressman also contacted USCIS all at the same time.

Did you manage to expedite EAD with that?

1 hour ago, DanyalW said:

Update...I finally received an appointment for the biometrics next week! And, surprise, surprise...they sent me my SSN card as well! But, still no actual EAD card... I would have thought the SSN is after the EAD or AOS? Everything seems to be a mess with this tbh. 

A mess indeed!

On 2/23/2019 at 1:21 PM, K1visaHopeful said:

Very true on the photos but I think they use those photos as documentation on your Afile. Otherwise the biometrics would only involve fingerprints unless the photo at biometrics is used as a confirmation of who those fingerprints belong to in that moment.

Hey man I have been following your posts for a while you are very active and good job for helping a lot of people. EAD doesn't need your fingerprints per say. This is what they do as part of your C9 category which you need fingerprint background check for your adjustment of status. Now the fact that this guy is 180 days in and hasn't gone for bio metrics is crazy. However, they can issue EAD without background check. I currently have an EAD without ever going to a bio metrics appointment. That's why USCIS says again and again we review requests on a case to case basis. 

On 2/25/2019 at 9:12 AM, Najee & Maan said:

You called USCIS when you did request your EAD to expedite correct? You received the email they sent and you sent your paperwork?
If you did, there's no harm for you to call and ask USCIS directly. It's their job to help us out as long as we have the patience for it.

Unfortunately it looks like no one has information when you call I have been passed to a Tier 2 three times same story an officer has your case and they haven't updated anything in the system.

6 minutes ago, Adrii said:

How did they request it from you, was it email of by mail? Super frustrating it’s been over a week since I requested the expedite and they still haven’t asked for anything 

It was through email. They requested that I fax them the information. 

17 hours ago, Adrii said:

When did you get asked to send a fax?

I haven’t been asked yet. I’ve also called a few times and I get told to keep waiting lol.

I think it’s pretty standard after the fax to expect to wait a few weeks. Hopefully you hear something soon!

The next business day they requested me to provide them with evidence for my case and I did. However, since then nothing has changed and nothing is different 

1 minute ago, Adrii said:

No I haven’t received an email or letter and there hasn’t been any change in my case status

Did you also recently file for an expedite?

 

 

Yes I did on the 14th. They requested that I send them a fax and I did. I have called them twice and as always they don't have much to say to me.

On 2/19/2019 at 2:25 PM, Adrii said:

Hey guys!

 

I submitted an EAD expedite over the phone today based on severe financial loss and a pending job offer that I’m wanting to accept.

 

The person I spoke to had me make a statement explaining why I wanted the expedite and said they would attach this to my request and that I should hear something back by Feb 24, and that the request will expire in 30 days..

 

Has anyone else had this experience? I asked if he needed me to fax through my job offer or any additional evidence and he said it may not be required and just to wait until Feb 24 🤔

 

Also big congrats to everyone in this thread who successfully received their expedite 🥳

Hello Have you gotten any email back like the one mentioned by the other people that they received your information or anything like that. Or have you seen any change in your case status?

On 1/16/2019 at 3:27 PM, tweenyo said:

Okay thank you, i guess they've received my documents but just haven't started reviewing or maybe they just didn't send a mail.

When you applied for the expediter and after you faxed in information did you receive an email confirming that they have received the information you faxed ?

I just called USCIS in order to ask information regarding my expedite process. They passed me to Tier 1 then the 2 and then a 3rd one called me back. The only thing the officer said to me is that it is USCIS policy to make a decision in 45 days if they haven't decided the expedite has been deleted off the system and a new one should be submitted. That's what he said to me. 

On 2/22/2019 at 12:40 PM, mantou said:

Hey guys!

 

My EAD request was received by USCIS on 11/30/2018 and it's almost been 90 days and there's no update. My attorney submitted an EAD expedite by letter on 2/10/2019 based on severe financial loss and a pending job offer that I’m wanting to accept. I have also contacted a couple of senators but it takes them 4-6 weeks to process my request. 

 

Any suggestion on what should I do now? Should I call USCIS directly? 

 

Thanks so much!

I think you get an idea here you can call them in order to ask and verify the information he even read the exact policy part and number to me.

20 hours ago, linuxma said:

i think you are in the normal time line, for me since 157 day until now i just got my ead, take it easy and soon you will hear good news

Can you please submit your timeline 

5 hours ago, Charmss said:

Hello,

 

We requested EAD expedite for severe financial loss due to termination with a letter (I included our situation where the job is terminated as of visa expiration date, and they would continue the position if status is resolved). USCIS got back to me saying that we need more than this letter. 

 

The workplace orally confirmed that "they would continue with the position once EAD is obtained," but would not write a letter to confirm the statement. They would also not write a letter for the termination, but we have an email conversation of when the termination is, etc. Can I just print this email conversation as supporting document? We are about 5 months out. What other documents do I need to make my case stronger?

And is it even necessary to push for it now that I have about 1 month to officially inquire for processing outside of timeline? (since they have the timeline of 4-6 months for family based C9)

I have OPT and I am currently employed and applied for financial loss expedition request all they asked for was a letter from my employer saying I will be terminated. They specifically said please send only letter from employer. They did not request any additional evidence. 

24 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

Some banks you do. You cant make a blanket statement that an "SSN is not needed to get a bank account". If they want a bank account at a bank that requires an SSN, they will require an SSN.

It is kind of idiotic to try to open an account with a bank that requires SSN if you don't have one don't you agree?

10 minutes ago, RedroseMT said:

I have said “ many of us “ not all . All that depends on someone’s situation and age . 

 

Good luck to all of us!

6 minutes ago, RedroseMT said:

 

 I am really a  total beginner in this , but I truly hope they are aware that they have a power to change someone’s life and ( possibly) even make someone’s life very very hard. However they are people too but I still believe in professionalism. The fact that you have a bad day shouldn’t be the reason to deny real and honest people. Many of us had better prosperity in our countries of residence ( Norway in my case) , but we have come here only because we love our partners, not for Green Card and better life .

Haha RedroseMT you are taking this all wrong I came here with F-1 and graduated with a PhD and currently work under OPTStem. I stayed here because of my wife and despite the fact that you enjoy prosperity in Norway is good for you and your country mates. It's funny you say that just because my country of citizenship is Greece. Long live the European stereotypes.

On 2/19/2019 at 2:59 PM, yuni_yuni said:

@Greek,

 

the VJ average timeline based on experience of people who have updated their case on VJ.

so hopefully it is true that AOS process in Detroit, MI only take 4-5 months and (i wish) even faster

 

I am afraid that 4 months is a long dream and wont happen. I don't even think 5 months will happen. I was talking to a lawyer and he was explaining to me how the government shutdown has actually impacted the timelines severely. I am just very sad that I was unlucky enough to file my application during one of the worst times possible. Based on the timelines that other people submitted it looks like it took 4 months for them up to September filers. My case status hasn't changed for 115 days.

On 2/22/2019 at 3:22 PM, RedroseMT said:

We live together 3 and half months  ( have been long distance and vacations together about a year) , because of lot of pets we can’t travel a lot and our families live too far ( but we have copies of their cards sent to us ) . As stated before  we are old people living very simple country life in Montana. 

We will try to make a bit more pictures for the interview at least. 

I think that officers are aware that people are different, not having so much pictures is not good ( better to have ) but our other proofs might show them we are not fake pair. The fact that I have abandoned all my retirement money saved for years in funds just in order to live with my husband might tell them a bit too , at least I hope . 

Well , I have read that sometimes that depends if the officer had good or bad day which is very sad and unfair but I am keeping all at the positive site. 

I couldn't agree with you more. This whole process is unfair.

On 2/22/2019 at 3:02 PM, K1visaHopeful said:

You didnt come across as snobby but I will, lol. The poster we are trying to help doesnt have any of these things because she doesnt have an SSN. (Scroll up).

You don't need an SSN to open a bank account. Bank of America allows you to open a bank account with SSN.

1 hour ago, mantou said:

Hey guys!

 

My EAD request was received by USCIS on 11/30/2018 and it's almost been 90 days and there's no update. My attorney submitted an EAD expedite by letter on 2/10/2019 based on severe financial loss and a pending job offer that I’m wanting to accept. I have also contacted a couple of senators but it takes them 4-6 weeks to process my request. 

 

Any suggestion on what should I do now? Should I call USCIS directly? 

 

Thanks so much!

Did they ever send you verification that they received your documents?

50 minutes ago, RedroseMT said:

Yes, true - with today’s technology people can easily fake photos . I have written the explanation why we don’t have them: older  people, living few miles from the little town , no neighbors and not into so much gatherings. Really hope they will understand. Besides the proofs I have mentioned in my previous post I will add copies of the greetings cards from the family and ( hopefully at interview ) will have my name at our trucks and motorcycles titles as now I still don’t have American drivers license so not able to do that. 

I will pay one agency to help us preparing all .We are afraid of to being denied because of some minor mistake . 

I mean guys everything is good I work with a lawyer I have 500 pictures from our wedding, travels, engagement. Friends family places. Everything you consider an evidence is an evidence, photos , bank statements, any form of insurance. It doesn't mean you will get denied or approved with or without them. It might raise some suspicion  if you have been with your wife for 2-3-4 years and you have all together 5 pictures.To be honest if you don't have pictures just take some just so you have some backup. Me and my wife, travel, hike, run and love photography so we got all kinds of pics. Take some you like it or not why risk it.

3 hours ago, dentsflogged said:

Photos are pretty much secondary evidence - a lawyer friend of mine who helped me get everything sorted out basically said "put a few in, but don't expect them to hold any weight - photos are way too easily faked"  

Seems like your other documents are more than enough! 

45 minutes ago, rrobin0609 said:

I mean, I just suggested that maybe something similar would be useful for the interview if they don't have any co-mingling finances or both parties names on bills. It would at least show that the couple is doing stuff together. Not the most solid evidence, but if theres nothing else it might be worth having and showing.

I didn't want to sound snobby in the message me and my wife have mutual bank accounts and we just provided them with 2 years of work direct deposits and transactions showing shopping bills, car payments, utilities, rent and all it is the easiest way in order not to have to provide anything else pretty much. Bank account shows all translations in and out and all the join financial life.