probingoduke

1 hour ago, fabianafcm said:

Hello everyone! Quick question to you all; Today I went to the RMV in Boston to get my ID. I asked what was the process to apply for a learner's permit and the office told me I could not apply with the EAD. He said and I quote "USCIS believes you have the right to work but not to drive. Driving is a privilege" ?!!?!?!?!?!?! He said since the EAD card expires in less than a year (if you notice, your ead card expires one day before completing 1 year), I cannot apply for a learner's. Can anyone share their experience with me please? This sounds absurd. 

Boston RMV is notorious for doing such BS. Try going to revere RMV or just go to another person in their office. This whole ‘privilege’ ####### is just a uninformed employee flexing. My friend had similar issues and this was with their university i20. Her degree was 3 years and she went to get her license at 2 year point and they said the same thing. Just make sure to take your green card application receipt with you as added proof that your stay here is authorized long term 

Happy to note that most folks here have got their biometrics on file. I'm hoping this translates to a push for most of us also getting their EAD's next.

Today marks the 8 month point for our case and 2.5 months since biometrics. Our special request is still awaiting action. 

Congressman's office has been helpful but 2 days back they got a dumb response from USCIS. Our congressman's office had reached out with a status inquiry to find the current location and status of our case. The response they got instead was the standard 'If you want to expedite your case please provide a 12 page proof of expeditious request processing requirement.'.

Thankfully the congressman's office was equally irritated at the response and immediately shot back a reply that this was not what was asked. The waiting game continues for now  

26 minutes ago, Sarge2155 said:

I agree they tell you all kinds of BS to end the call as fast as they can. Not all every now and then if you call enough you'll finally get someone who cares enough to help.

1 hour ago, LilyKins said:

I wouldn't hold your breath for the 15-30 day timeframe -- I submitted an out of normal processing time inquiry for my I-131 in August with a "you'll hear by" date of September 22. The service request hasn't even been assigned for processing yet as of this morning 🤣.

2 hours ago, probingoduke said:

Update day 3. No talk with tier 2 agent today either. You can only reach them via the phone system and not the chat apparently. Its been 2 days since my service request and today's new information is that the 'out of normal processing time' special requests are generally addressed between 15-30 days.

Oh yeah, certainly not holding any High hopes on them keeping to their word. I have been following other folks here who went the special request route and never got any update.

just sharing the absurd unaccountability that comes out in all this.

On 10/7/2020 at 10:52 AM, probingoduke said:

Attempt day 2 got blocked as well. Apparently, no new action has been performed thus transfer to Tier 2 is not necessary. A new information from Tier 1 agent- 'You just need to attend biometrics once even if the biometrics letter does not mention all your applications. The case will automatically transfer the biometrics between all applications.'

 

I have seen contradicting information as we all know folks who attended multiple biometrics appointment but this is good information for anyone who gets a bio appointment after attending one. 

Update day 3. No talk with tier 2 agent today either. You can only reach them via the phone system and not the chat apparently. Its been 2 days since my service request and today's new information is that the 'out of normal processing time' special requests are generally addressed between 15-30 days.

On 10/6/2020 at 9:50 AM, probingoduke said:

So attempt 1 got blocked. Apparently the Tier 1 agent refused to connect with Tier 2 agent stating that she can mark the 'out of processing time' request herself and I don't need to talk to a tier 2 agent. I mentioned over 4 times in different parts of the call that my case has fingerprints applied and has been sitting for 2 months without any activity and I'm hoping to get more information from a Tier 2 agent on what's happening. Well, I will try tomorrow to talk to a tier 2 agent again. 

Attempt day 2 got blocked as well. Apparently, no new action has been performed thus transfer to Tier 2 is not necessary. A new information from Tier 1 agent- 'You just need to attend biometrics once even if the biometrics letter does not mention all your applications. The case will automatically transfer the biometrics between all applications.'

I have seen contradicting information as we all know folks who attended multiple biometrics appointment but this is good information for anyone who gets a bio appointment after attending one. 

17 minutes ago, probingoduke said:

Happy Tuesday Folks, I wanted to update all with a reply to the 'processing time' related posts. My PD is 02/21 and yesterday marked the 7.5 month point. My case has biometrics already applied so I'm waiting for EAD to be processed next. 

 

Today the processing time table went to 'Feb 22, 2020'. No action so far on my case so I'm on hold with USCIS (45 min estimated wait time) to request a call from a tier 2. I have already sent a request to the congressman's office last week so I'm hoping collectively this will nudge things forward. Sharing this update for others waiting like me. Best of luck to one and all and congratulations to the recent interviewee!

So attempt 1 got blocked. Apparently the Tier 1 agent refused to connect with Tier 2 agent stating that she can mark the 'out of processing time' request herself and I don't need to talk to a tier 2 agent. I mentioned over 4 times in different parts of the call that my case has fingerprints applied and has been sitting for 2 months without any activity and I'm hoping to get more information from a Tier 2 agent on what's happening. Well, I will try tomorrow to talk to a tier 2 agent again. 

Happy Tuesday Folks, I wanted to update all with a reply to the 'processing time' related posts. My PD is 02/21 and yesterday marked the 7.5 month point. My case has biometrics already applied so I'm waiting for EAD to be processed next. 

Today the processing time table went to 'Feb 22, 2020'. No action so far on my case so I'm on hold with USCIS (45 min estimated wait time) to request a call from a tier 2. I have already sent a request to the congressman's office last week so I'm hoping collectively this will nudge things forward. Sharing this update for others waiting like me. Best of luck to one and all and congratulations to the recent interviewee!

2 hours ago, B3M said:

That's the story of my life

Have you completed 7.5 months? If so have you contacted congressman/sent for' out of processing time' request?

Anyone completed the 7.5 month mark and still waiting for bio appointment or EAD?

Our case at NBC had biometrics applied on August 11 and will complete 7.5 months on Monday.  I'm planning to seek my congressman's help and put in an 'out of normal processing time' request via the website too. I will also be calling to find a tier 2 agent and ask them.

Just looking for any other folks on similar boats?

2 minutes ago, B3M said:

Well, the most people I've seen here that got their EAD approved, applied for Expedite, but I believe I've seen one or another by normal process.

Me, I am a February 24 Filler, my biometrics were postponed to August and I did not have my EAD approved yet! Either way the processing times for i-765 increased to 7.5 month, in my case I will only surpass the Timeline on October 8.

2 minutes ago, LilyKins said:

Nope -- still waiting here.

Yes, today would be the 7 month point for our application as well. One of the USCIS employees on reddit responded that as long as they have bio on file NBC will work on getting the EADAP out asap but I haven't much updates from other feb filers on that front.

Happy Monday folks! I have been keeping an eye on the EAD approval tool here on VJ and have been noticing a spike in late march/early April filers. I haven't seen any Feb. filers being approved, are most folks here already in EAD/AP approved status?

5 minutes ago, Manuel94 said:

If you guys are ready for a good laugh, here's my congressman's reply to my inquiry:

 

"Dear Mr. ************ : 

 I have received an update from the Congressional liaison from the National Benefit Center. Your case is currently awaiting biometrics submittal and will not be processed until this step is completed. To schedule a biometrics appointment please go to: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/preparing-for-your-biometric-services-appointment.

 If you have questions or concerns, please send me a message."

 

If you click on the link, it's about how to prepare for your biometrics appointment. This is just like going in circles, not sure how to respond anymore.

Yes, don't lose hope. Explain to them what the link is about and how your biometrics has been delayed for x months without any directions. I have been through this and its horrible how they are asking you to find a corner in a circular room.

15 hours ago, Sandyl said:

Hey y'all,

 

I was going to let everyone know how my interview went. We got there at 12:45 and were the first ones to be allowed inside. We waited in the room and got called in by this gentleman. Before taking a seat we had to take the oath. He asked for my SSN, combo card, passport, my husbands DL and his passport. He made some copies. Took a picture or something. He then proceeded to ask questions about my I485, I had to tell him my name, date of birth, current and previous address, SSN (only knew the last 4 digits) lol, parents name and date of birth, their address and my husbands full name and date of birth. He then started going over the questions from page 11 to 14?. 

 

After that he wanted to know how we had met, when we met irl, when we began our romantic relationship, our first date, relationship with his parents and my parents. He asked my husband where he works, asked when he decided to propose to me and when we decided to do the K1. We talked about our case taking long and he asked why I thought it took long and I gave my explanation because we didn't file the right paperwork about my husbands juvenile case and got an intent to deny.

 

He was very friendly and made a conversation, he also asked when I had came down and I gave him all my dates, he asked if my diploma would carry over and if id be able to use it. 

At the end he asked for our shared bills and I was lucky since I copied them this morning, gave that to him. He asked if we are being pushed by family yet to have children. We said that my husbands mom wants to be a grandma but we will wait lol.

 

He said he would approve me today and id get my green card in 2 weeks. Told me about the removal of conditions, naturalisation and what to do for that. 

Congratulations and thank you for such a detailed post!

42 minutes ago, Sandyl said:

Hey everyone, just had my interview and I got approved for my adjustment of status 🤩

 

If anyone wants to know how it went, I’ll let y’all know once we get home 😁

Congratulations! Please take your time and give us all the information and questions. Every experience helps here!

5 hours ago, LilyKins said:

Our congressman is very anti-immigration. So much so that he uses words like "radical left" to describe any opposition to the border wall. He supports the abolition of sanctuary cities, voted to fund the wall, and voted in favour of the anti-asylum movement. The only involvement he's had in immigration has been to stop immigration.

 

Somehow, I don't think he'll care too much.

Each state has multiple congressmen and sometimes senators, did you try the others? I reached out to 3 in total and got response from 1.

16 hours ago, eddie90 said:

Didn’t u apply for AP (Advanced Parole) along with EAD? I think the processing time of AP is 5 months. 

Not  yet, our lawyer recommended that its useless at best but he was planning to file for us at the 6 month mark but of course that's the day the processing times changed to 28.5 months. I'm waiting for 9/21 to file it as that will mark 7 months since starting the process and would be 2 months since we received last communication of action on our case

3 minutes ago, Q&Y said:

ok. Maybe I was wrong. I thought my biometrics was already applied to i131 as well, so I got my combo card.

but today, I received a new biometrics appointment letter for i131 and i765, nearly a month after my last biometrics appointment. I wonder whether I should go to the appointment.

 

I asked Emma just now, she also had no answer on whether I should attend my appointment.  I will call tomorrow early in the morning and ask for an officer.

Anyone has the same experience? 

 

Have seen this happen a few times now, best thing would be to go! Or seek help via congress folks. The thing is that the officer might/might not note that you are not going to attend the appt as you already have the card and that might cascade to a different avalanche altogether. 

Our case is AOS marriage based with a PD of 02/21. My biometrics were completed on 08/11 and on 08/16 the i485 went to 'Ready to schedule'. Today I heard back from my congressman's office and USCIS told them that the current processing times at NBC are 7.5 months the case is within normal processing time. I'm happy to see the trickle of EAD approvals that have come here and those that I read on other sites.

Sharing this with other folks still waiting and if you haven't reached out to your congress people, please do!

2 hours ago, Nativequeen said:

Does anyone know how long after fingerprints are taken does it take to approve and receive the EAD/SSN? 

Its completely random. Applicants like me have been waiting more than a month and some folks here have got approval within 24 hours. 

1 hour ago, A.Siddiqui said:

Hi

Still waiting for biometric? Anynews ? Or am i the only one ?

 

Bunch of folks are waiting with you. Good news is th NBC timing changed again and has reduced. You should be nearing the end and thus Bio appointment should be coming soon. Try contacting your congressman for help

1 hour ago, LadySpiker said:

My ead card just arrived today! Thank God! 
Need to wait a week or so for ssn card. 

Congratulations! Thank you for keeping us posted!

3 hours ago, Sandyl said:

I just got emails saying my EAD and AP are approved. I still have my biometrics appointment for AP on Wednesday lol. 

Congratulations! Thank you for keeping us posted! Do go to the bio appointment!

2 hours ago, NKDL said:

Combo card(approved July 7th) received in the mail today after biometrics Sep 4th so basically a week from bio to card in hand. 

Congratulations! Thank you for keeping us posted!

27 minutes ago, Elif_and_Greg said:

I'm pretty bummed. My NOA date was March 24th and there's no status for our EAD or advanced parole beyond our case being received. 

 

We did have an RFE for our AOS which they received on 5/27, and that status for the AOS is unchanged beyond them having received our response.

 

I try not to panic and base my loose estimates on other people's timelines, but even taking into account other people's RFE's and when they got their NOA1, I'm very concerned that not a single other thing has changed on our case. No biometrics appointments or anything. 

 

Should I just sit back and continue to wait? I've called USCIS in the past and I personally can't stand their automated lines and all the ever-changing prompts and extensions. 

Hey I understand its hard! My PD is 02/21 and there have been other folks with PD like mine who I found here and on reddit that haven't gotten their Bio yet. Best thing to do would be to reach out to your congressman and try to remember that this is a unpredictable process. Folks at USCIS from the few I have seen make posts are continuing to work as fast as they can. All the very best and have faith.

38 minutes ago, Sarge2155 said:

No it's  not NBC is in Missouri!

Thank you for responding! Yes that's why I was confused. I found out that when we populate our timeline the option says that most likely its Chicago national office. Thank you for clarifying!

I have been tracking the Employment authorization tracker and noticed that most cases list local CIS office as 'Chicago National office'. Is this the same as National benefits center?

8 hours ago, TandClaudia said:

We received an update this morning that we are ready to be scheduled for an interview.  More waiting for snail mail.  My mail lady probably things I'm a stalker.  i'm always standing outside when she pulls up.  LOL.

in case you haven't done this, sign up for informed delivery with USPS. It will notify you of all mail pieces coming to your home that day.