STurcotte77

3 minutes ago, Vol_UTK said:

Thanks for sharing this information, what specific document should be asked to qualify the request as track 1?

That I am not sure of except for my own filing. I requested my entire N400 application file as that is the only application I have in process right now. 

4 minutes ago, ramwho said:

Did anyone receive a letter with such wording when you made your FOIA request?

Your request is being handled under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552). It has been assigned the following control number: . Please cite this number in all future correspondence about your request. We respond to requests on a first-in, first-out basis and on a multi-track system. Your request has been placed in the complex track (Track 2). You may wish to narrow your request to a specific document in order to be eligible for the faster track. To do so, please send a written request, identifying the specific document sought, to the address above. We will notify you if your request is placed in the simple track.

Yes!  Except mine was "simple track (Track 1). Here is an explanation of the Track System;

"If you have requested an entire copy of your file, your request has been placed in Track 2, or the complex track. You may narrow the scope of your request from a copy of the entire record to a copy of specific documents. This will move your request to Track 1. Track 1 cases are typically processed in a shorter amount of time than track 2 cases because fewer documents are being reviewed for release."

1 hour ago, GingerCat said:

Congrats to your wife!! Just a question - what year did your immigration original journey start? I am just wandering if your A files are paper or electronic.

Hmmm! 

I haven't thought about that, if it makes a difference if the original file was paper or online.  My original filing was paper back in 2007.. 😞

1 hour ago, roddie2k said:

Happy to inform that my spouse has received an interview request for FO Newark,NJ for Feb 7th . I am still waiting to hear on mine.

 

It may be noted that we both did the FOIA request on the same day , however her case moved a few days earlier to Step 3  than mine did. 

 

 

That is great news! Congrats.

Yeah, mine is still stuck on 3 since Dec 23.  Fingers Crossed for us all. 

Are you on the May Filers 2020 thread on here?   There is a lot of helpful information on ways to try to get things moving from everyone that filed in May 2020.

Here is the link to the forum:  go read through the last 4-5 pages it will go through what some of us are doing (and some have been successful so far). 

That's good to hear!   I am 15 days past it reaching the 3rd step and the completion date was 1/6 and no movement.  😞

On 1/4/2022 at 10:39 AM, roddie2k said:

I believe in a few days we will know for sure if the FOIA strategy works ..since the person who reported it first mentioned that he received the notification for interview 10 days after getting to stage 3 ...and many of you are now in Stage 3..Regardless if you manage to get the A-file in your inbox by the estimated completion date -then there is nothing stopping USCIS from scheduling your interview. Hang in there guys!

Yes!   I am 14 days since it went to stage 3 (but it was also the holidays) and have a projected end date of 1/7.  Will definitely keep everyone updated, there have been no changes as of today. 

On 12/27/2021 at 11:13 AM, Mauricokito said:

Infopass is no longer an option to get an extension, right? Only way I see to take care of expiring GC while waiting for N400 is to apply for GC renewal (I-90) which it might take a long time as well while the pandemic is still going on. Im on a catch 22 situation right now as well. Applied for citizenship back in February 2021 and my GC expires in April 2022. Havent heard anything about my process since i got the biometrics reused. Some say submit the I-90, some others say dont bother. Still debating...

Hmm, I don't know about currently.  Mine expired and I was able to get an Infopass within 3 days of me calling to get an extension stamp.   I do know that even then you can't get an infopass appointment for the I551 until you are within the 30 day expiration of your GC.  

Depends where you are filing, but the I90  from my office processing time is 6-9 months so you would still run into that issue. 

3 hours ago, magentahaze said:

I'm still waiting myself. 

I think I'll wait til the new year and file one of these as well. 

 

Also, is anyone else having trouble logging in today? I've gotten the error message. 

I've noticed this happens on weekends and holidays sometimes.  They may be using that time to update or whatever, I bet you anything it'll be working Monday. 

Correct you don't lose your permanent resident status but you need a valid ID to work (unless of course you are self employed and don't have to drive anywhere)...(valid ID being DL, ID Card), these expire when your GC expires .  I will just leave that there. 

My GC expired while I am still waiting for my N400 (it has been 18 months since I filed), I thankfully was able to easily make an infopass at and get an I551 extension stamp for 1 year and renew my DL for a year! 

If I were you, I would not wait to file for you N400 but do it sooner than later.  It may take 6-9 months or I've seen up to two years.... But the sooner you get the application in the better. 

I hope that helps coming from someone who's GC expires while having my N400 in process. 

11 hours ago, avmvisajourney said:

I applied for FOIA on 14th Dec 2021 and the status shows Submitted only. Don’t see number in Place in Queue row and no date in Estimated Completion Date. Anyone else see the same?

All that information didn't show till it went into step 3 on mine .

Just wanted to share… I filed out a FOIA request on Dec 14 and 10 days later I received this… so let’s hope it pushes my application through. 

Thank you for the information! I just submitted mine this morning! 

I had the most uncomfortable experience at the Chicago immigration the other day (this is the third time I have come into the US with my I551 stamp and no issues the other times in my hometown of Atlanta).

I was pulled into secondary due to what they told me was a possible "fraudulent stamp",  it took 30 minutes for them to "check" my status (even tho I carried my receipt notices with me).  Anyway, I cannot wait to be done with all this.  It has now been 19 months since I filed.  Fingers crossed this gets the ball rolling. 

33 minutes ago, salvo said:

I’m a May 2020 filler waiting for an interview.

Today I did my weekly login to my uscis account and found out that my case has disappeared and the below message pop up:

 

Encountered an unknown error retrieving your data.

 

Anyone has a similar error?

 

thanks 

It looks like their online system is down... this happens occasionally.   Wait till business hours tomorrow, it usually comes back up. 

9 hours ago, roddie2k said:

Good question-  I'm going so far as to think it's got nothing to do with being a Spring 2020 filer or sheer tough luck. Elsewhere I also read that some field offices ( or officers) are willing to adjudicate without the need of the A -files (i.e it is within their discretion)- not sure how true this is.

 

Having said that my A-file was created in 2015 ( entered the country back then)- so it does not seem to be the case necessarily where the records are stuck for those who have been here a long time.

 

The extreme vetting process introduced during Trump administration may also be a factor - some field offices / officers are continuing to use that excuse to be lackadaisical? Again no one knows .

 

Totally agree that there is no rhyme or reason to the insanity.

 

Rather than trying to figure out why it's happening  to us, I feel it would probably be more constructive to channel our focus on our options to ride this storm. 

 

For example , Would a change.org petition help?

Would ranting over this to the head of DHS on social.media help?

 

Would getting the word out on traditional media build pressure on the incumbent agencies ?

 

 

I think that USCIS processing systems are so far down on the list of issues for the government right now they are just letting them govern themselves at this point. 

I agree with this!    Can we find something or a few things that we all can do collectively to help push things along?   A petition maybe that we can all sign to send the WH and/or USCIS/DHS?

Ranting on social media seems to help things sometimes.. I am down to join in whatever we can all do to help move things along.  

Hi all. 

Just adding this link to the DHS Ombudsman for an extra place to put in a request for action.   I am just trying to exhaust all avenues, so figured I would share. I only just submitted today so will keep you updated if i hear anything. 

https://www.dhs.gov/case-assistance

Cheers. 

14 hours ago, Coco&Kitten said:

Exactly, totally agree with you, I don't buy it either.  I think this extends to any of us who have old A-files (for whatever reason: long time here in the US, older visas, etc...).  It should be fixed and escalated, you are absolutely right.

Hmm.  I wonder if that's it!   I waited (like an idiot, I see now) to file on year 9 of my GC just because I didn't want to deal with immigration till I had too.  TBH honest at this point I just feel like renewing my  green card and doing a name change. It seems it will be easier than waiting to try to find out where my file is.  I mean I am now going on month 18 of waiting.  And the Holidays are coming which everything slows down even more. 

6 hours ago, Sunny111 said:

Thanks for the update and that's great. Hopefully yours get scheduled soon. Still waiting here - 7 months and counting 😞

Thank you!  I am going in my 18th month since filing...so fingers crossed. 

I just got a  message on my USCIS account that my file is indeed at the Atlanta office. They have put in a file request. so, here's hoping i get an interview date soon. 

1 hour ago, Linamona said:

unfortunately my field office is completely out of touch with reality and they don't know where my file is. It is unbelievable.I contacted both and got no response just yet.

Yeah!  this is just speculation on my part, but I think some of our files never even made it to the local USCIS office.  The only thing we can do is just keep calling and emailing to try to get some movement. 

I will be putting in an Infopass appointment soon to see if I can get some answers (I doubt it), but just trying to do everything I can. I really am hoping I can an interview date before my extension stamp runs out next year. 

On 10/17/2021 at 5:56 PM, ptMay2020 said:

How do we write to the ombudman. Is there a specific email address or link?

Hi! If you go to this link and click your state, it will show who your Ombudsman is and how to contact them. 

Hope that helps. 

13 hours ago, Linamona said:

It has been 547 days since i filled my N400 application in Florida, Tampa area. With the exception of receiving a biometrics reuse 01/2021 I heard absolutely nothing but bogus excuses that they give when you file the " past the processing time" form stating that your case is in the pre processing stage. For 6 months now  I hear the same nonsense and nothing more. I requested to speak with the higher level officer still waiting to hear back but I'm not holding my breath. 

I've held a green card since 2007 and I have a clean record this is why I feel completely perplexed considering they are processing July cases now.

Are any of you dealing with this and what actions are you taking or took to help you. 

Hi Lina, 

I filed in May, received my bio reuse Jan 20, 2021 and am in my 17th month of waiting for an interview date.  I have had my GC since 2009 and because of the delays have had to get an I551 GC extension stamp (1yr). 

My case has passed the "normal processing time" twice and the first time the time posted increased the next day... this time I am definitely outside.  I  put in a message request through my USCIS portal and received a reply "A file request has been initiated. Once the file is received, we will schedule the interview. ".

I have also contacted my Ombudsman and another VJ'er suggested contacting the White house.  I think the only thing we can do is be persistent on following up with USCIS, Ombudsman etc..... 

20 hours ago, roddie2k said:

Well its good that you didn't get a response like ' your files are held up at the FRC which is closed ' . When I called up tier 1 , they were able to tell me from their system that my file hasn't reached the field office yet. 

 

 

You could probably write to the Ombudsman's office to see if they can move your case quickly.

 

Elsewhere I also read a request sent to the white house did the trick (https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/)

 

Oh Gosh!  Yes, that would have decidedly been worse.   I have already written to my ombudsman here and have yet to hear back, but I may write again specifically requesting action on my file. 

Thank you for this info!  I am already on  an extended I551 stamp, I would really hate to have to go again for another one.  Especially since I have been a permanent resident for the last 2 years (from approval of the intial GC application)..:-)  

So, I just received a response from USCIS to my request regarding "outside normal processing time".  

"A file request has been initiated. Once the file is received, we will schedule the interview".  Not sure exactly what this means, but I am going to use my common sense that my file has not even reached my local ASC.   Grrrrr. 

Any others here have an idea? 

19 hours ago, WOODHIKER said:

The journey is finally over. I had my interview and oath ceremony today. The IO asked me if I wanted to schedule the oath ceremony for a later date. I told him that while the IOs have all been very nice during this whole immigration process, I was done with having to come back for another time. So, I got sworn in and I have an appointment later today at the post office to submit my passport application.

 

Good luck to everyone still waiting.

Congratulations!  So nice they were able to get everything done at the same time.