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Has anyone at USCIS or NVC been able to explain why it would be there for security review? USCIS was able to give me general information on the refusal we had, and NVC explained to me more thoroughly their role in the process, of course which is only administrative, but they had information too on what next steps would likely be. I wonder if they could answer that? 

Hi, I just saw this post. Did you contact the USCIS again? Checking in with USCIS and NVC is good, if they have updates or notes they can tell you. I hope you find out something soon if you haven't already.

After the reaffirmation notice on October 24 2020 I called NVC, I was told to call back in one week,,,by then they had case notes,said it was already back at the embassy and we would have a second interview. The Embassy didn't send us a notice for an interview and nothing changed on our CEAC to say anything about an interview,,it was the same refusal information from September. So we contacted the embassy around first week in November and they confirmed he will have a second interview in January. Our PD is October 2018 so we've got one of the older cases, it took a year to hear back on the I-130. Everything after moved along quickly until covid-19 of course, definitely that has contributed to longer wait times with the amount of cases there are to keep up on. 
Wishing you to hear soon, and all will be good!
 

Thank you, and we'll see how it goes and update! And thanks for sharing your timeline too,,your case is in line, they will get to it, hopefully soon for you! We waited so long for I-130 approval, an entire year, and when I called USCIS in September 2019 before it was approved the USCIS agent told me they were still on June and July 2018 PD dates, ours was October 2018. With covid-19 closing offices earlier this year things are probably still a little behind,,and the holidays. Sending prayers and good luck, and happy new year too!

Thank you, I wish you best with your case too! We are still waiting to see how the second interview goes.
 
My husband interviewed at the American Embassy in Tunisia on September 16. When he was given the refusal paper they told him his wife should contact NVC in 7 weeks, 7 to 8. I called after a week to see if we could get further information, all they were able to say was the file had been received electronically and forwarded to USCIS.
 
On October 26 I received an Affirmation notice in the mail from USCIS with
instructions to contact NVC for further information. Our I-130 reapproval notice was dated October 20. NVC said the case was forwarded back to the embassy and we should wait on a second interview scheduled with the Embassy. We emailed the Embassy to request a case status, they gave us a new interview date in January, they said it is an appointment for review. USCIS never requested anything else from us in regards to relationship evidence or any other type of information.
 
Have you had any other information yet? It's definitely a lot of waiting, and so unnerving to get a refusal. We felt a little better in finding out that refusals are not uncommon and oftentimes are just due to further review or needing additional relationship proof. Just wait for what information is requested, or maybe no information will be requested after the review!
 

Hello, I was talking with someone else with the same refusal about whether security checks might also be included, because it's taking awhile for a response on their case and because Tunisia is among countries subject to additional security checks. We were reaffirmed quickly, within a month, so we did not have to go through congress or senate or keep waiting on responses from the various immigration departments. Our PD date is also from 2018 though, two years now.
 
Did you request the information or did USCIS just update you when they were ready? Did it take very long, or did you use your congressman or senator?  It's great that they gave you a reason.

,*And while I can't say for sure,,,my best guess is that our possible inadmissibility pertains to the joint sponsorship,,,which again the USCIS wasn't aware of when the I-130 was approved. 
 
I am curious to know if others with the 212a5 are also going to just be reaffirmed without further information requests. If so, hopefully they share to give a little more insight into what the code is about, which seems like a general placeholder that literally just means a review as stated on the refusal. 221g is a definite request for more information but 212a5 doesn't seem to be. Best to everyone going through the immigration process.🌸

Does anyone of you guys know what it means to be “case last updated” indicated on CEAC Website?  I’ve been having 2 updates after the interview on 10th Sep. Does this frequent updates mean that they’re working on my case and finalizing? Or anyone has any idea of it? Thanks in advance.

It is a catchall, seems to be used most often when they do not think the marriage is valid.

It looks like there was a newbie working at the embassy. People make mistakes in private companies all the time, embassies can't be that different. It's annoying when it's at your expense though. 

True, it's applicable to public charge. But since it's being used generally, maybe they use it for various reasons at their discretion? I have read that consular officers can pretty much select refusals as they see fit but USCIS of course has authority on the decision. 
 
When I emailed the embassy and asked about the 212a5 and labor certification and if it could have been chosen incorrectly, the response was that it is was not a mistake. Another couple with the same refusal was also told by the Embassy that 212a5 is a general placeholder. But there is also a Miscellaneous option so I don't know why they choose one over the other. 
It's interesting how even the attorneys we and others have consulted with also don't know why 212a5 is being used as a general placeholder.
 
When I contacted USCIS and asked about it shortly after he received the refusal, the agent told me, as soon as I said 212a5, "They will just reaffirm and you won't be notified until you receive the affirmation notice." Our attorney had expected a NOID but it was as the agent said, there was a notice of reaffirmation sent. So it does seem like something technical and not related to needing proof of bona fide marriage. A further review as stated on the refusal. Hopefully all the 212a5 refusals are simple like that.