sachinky

Hi -- I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts/suggestions as to how one would file a request for expediting a case. My husband and I sent in our I-130 packets on Sept 3. Our check was pending for several weeks and we never received an NOA1 until we called up a few days ago and found out that they had cancelled our check and petition due to incorrect filing. This was an error on their part, since we had mailed it correctly to Chicago and not Detroit, as the operator insisted it should have gone to. Anywho, long story short, after my husband gave them hell for half an hour, they conceded that it was their mistake and we received our NOA1 dated September 29 in the mail yesterday. Our case is now at the CSC. I was told that USCIS error is grounds for expediting a case and I was wondering how I would go about filing a formal request for expedition. Who would I file it with?

Thanks for your help in advance. =)

What kind of time frame are we looking at here for a NOA2 from the CSC?

We got our NOA1 yesterday in the mail. So phew! Not as good as getting the NOA2, but I'll take what I can get right now. Our case is being processed the California Service Center. I hope we get our NOA2 soon too.

Good luck to the rest of you guys! And congrats to those who've had a speedy NOA2! =)

Also, my husband knows the local Congressman, or rather, my mother-in-law does. Is it worth getting him involved as well? Will he be able to help? Or is it going to harm our case, since we've already raised a stink about it?

Thanks for the information. Seems like we should qualify. However, our case is still at Chicago and from what I can tell, the check has not been deposited yet. When my husband called them earlier this morning, they said that they'd start processing it in the afternoon. The guy who we spoke to said that since he wasn't in charge of processing the paperwork, there wasn't much he could do about expediting it. Though he said he'd "try."

So in this case, who do I make the request to? Is it an official request made in writing? Should we wait until we get our NOA1 and request the Service Center? Or will the people at USCIS themselves print an expedite on the forms?

Thanks for your help. =)

Yeah, they admitted it was an error on their part after my husband ripped them a new one. However, since it's been cancelled I don't know how long it'll take for them to start up the process again. Hopefully, we'll have our NOA1s soon enough. Maybe by next week. They said to call up today as well, and make sure they've made a move on it. Do you think we could impress upon them how since this is a clerical error on their part, they are obliged to expedite the case or at least make it a priority? I don't want to have wasted a month's worth of waiting for nothing. This is frustrating as hell.

Yeah, they admitted it was an error on their part after my husband ripped them a new one. However, since it's been cancelled I don't know how long it'll take for them to start up the process again. Hopefully, we'll have our NOA1s soon enough. Maybe by next week. Do you think we could impress upon them how since this is a clerical error on their part, they are obliged to expedite the case or at least make it a priority? I don't want to have wasted a month's worth of waiting for nothing.

We sent in our packets on Sept. 3 -- never got our NOA1, check was pending for a while. Now when my husband called the USCIS, they said MI filers have to file in Detroit. Even though the instruction package says Chicago. Can someone help me? We followed the instructions and mailed the I-130 to the correct Chicago Lock Box address. Because we still hadn't received our NOA1s, my husband called to ask what was going on? The woman on the other end of the line said our petition was cancelled because we filed it in Chicago and not in Detroit. She said to call some toll-free number where, when prompted for the zip code, the automatic machine message read out an address for Detroit. Our check was pending for a while, so my husband had called a week or so ago too. The guy on the line said there was some mix-up with about 2000 applications. And that we should have our NOAs by the end of the following week (which was last week). Today when we saw the check was no longer pending but money hadn't been withdrawn, my husband called the USCIS office again. And then we hear that the petition has been cancelled due to incorrect filing -- that we should've filed in Detroit, not Chicago. I have no idea what the heck is going on. I feel sick to my stomach.It's basically the same customer service number -- 1-800-375-5283. And the zip code thing is an option on the automated system. Now because I am outside the U.S., I can't access it, but my husband can. Once he punches in the zip code, it says that the local USCIS office that serves his zip code is Detroit. And gives him an address for that office. I looked it up. It basically processes N-300, N-400 etc -- intention to declare U.S. citizenship. Different forms altogether. Now I don't know if this woman is completely incompetent or not.

Ok. Phew. Well, my husband is on the line now, and is giving them hell. Or so, in his words. Let's see what happens. Fingers crossed.

Not to rain on everyone's parade here, but what is an AP?

That's what I thought. Thanks for your help, guys. What do I do though? Call and insist they don't cancel my petition? Because the check is no longer showing up as pending and no $ has been withdrawn. Speak to someone in charge of their faculties? I don't want to have wasted this entire month completely because of some stupid error on their part.

It's basically the same customer service number -- 1-800-375-5283. And the zip code thing is an option on the automated system. Now because I am outside the U.S., I can't access it, but my husband can. Once he punches in the zip code, it says that the local USCIS office that serves his zip code is Detroit. And gives him an address for that office. I looked it up. It basically processes N-300, N-400 etc -- intention to declare U.S. citizenship. Different forms altogether. Now I don't know if this woman is completely incompetent or not.

Our check was pending for a while, so my husband had called a week or so ago too. The guy on the line said there was some mix-up with about 2000 applications. And that we should have our NOAs by the end of the following week (which was last week). Today when we saw the check was no longer pending but money hadn't been withdrawn, my husband called the USCIS office again. And then we hear that the petition has been cancelled due to incorrect filing -- that we should've filed in Detroit, not Chicago. I have no idea what the heck is going on.

We followed the instructions and mailed the I-130 to the correct Chicago Lock Box address. Because we still hadn't received our NOA1s, my husband called to ask what was going on? The woman on the other end of the line said our petition was cancelled because we filed it in Chicago and not in Detroit. She said to call some toll-free number where, when prompted for the zip code, the automatic machine message read out an address for Detroit.

Please help -- I am really confused. The woman said something about pinning your zipcode in an automated machine. And when my husband used his MI zipcode, it said Detroit. But the website says Chicago. USCIS said our petition had been cancelled but they haven't sent back our packet yet. I don't know what to do.

Yes, to clarify, it is the 1-130.

If I my husband is filing from MI -- where is it supposed to go? The Chicago Lockbox or Detroit? I have no clue. We sent in our packets on Sept. 3 -- never got our NOA1, check was pending for a while. Now when my husband called the USCIS, they said MI filers have to file in Detroit. Even though the instruction package says Chicago. Can someone help me?

Hi there all,

I sent my package to Chicago on September 3, 2009. Since the 9th, my bank account is showing the check as "pending." My husband called the bank today, they said it was normal procedure to take a few weeks when the government is involved. Should I be worried?

I want my NOA1, dammit.

Hey guys,

Here's the thread for the September filers. I sent my I-130 package on the 9/3/09 to Chicago. Right now my bank says "check pending."

What about you guys? Keep us posted and good luck to everybody!

Thank you so much for clearing that up! =)

My husband, a USC, is a recent college graduate and doesn't have stable or sufficient income yet, so my cousin, also a USC, will be filing a I-864 as joint sponsor.

1) Should my husband and cousin mail both their I-864s in together in one envelope? Or separately?

2) Do they use the ones online or wait till the NVC sends the forms?

I'm a little confused as to whether

3) they mail it to the NVC or do they mail it to me and I keep it in my possession till I get to the embassy interview?

4) Or is it just that I should have copies of the I-864 package that was already sent, in hand at the time of the interview?

I've read conflicting threads so I am confused. Thanks for your replies in advance! I really appreciate it! =)

Alright, I'll ask them to get on that then. I am a little confused about the bar-codes -- do the forms themselves have to be barcoded? Or does the NVC send barcoded cover-letters? Could somebody clear this confusion up for me?

And what needs to go with the DS 3032 and DS230? I just want to make sure I have complete packages ready to send out as soon as they are required as to avoid any delays. Sorry if I sound obsessive. What's an optimistic timeline? Am I looking at 3-4 months or 8 months to a year? I'll be filing from Mumbai or Delhi since I live in Calcutta.

Thanks for all your patient replies so far! =)

Thanks for the link. Really helpful reading!

Hey, thanks for taking the time to respond! I'll be sure to keep that in mind.

I'm a little confused about the part after the I-130 is approved. Could you please trace the steps for me? My husband is a recent college graduate and so he doesn't have sufficient income. My cousin, a USC as well, has agreed to joint sponsor. Now as I understand it, the NVC sends the I-864 to the petitioner? Is that barcoded? Does my cousin need a barcoded one as well or can he download it off the website? Are these forms mailed back to the NVC or do I keep them with me to take along to the interview at the embassy? What are the other forms that we have to fill? I'd like to get a headstart on the paperwork so that we can send out documents as soon as the NVC asks for them. What can I do make sure that we're not wasting anymore time being apart than we absolutely have to? Can I do my medical now? Please advise!

Hi,

I am an Indian and just got married to my USC fiance two weeks ago in Calcutta. My husband has returned to the U.S. and we're getting ready to send in the I-130 package in a day or two.

This is what the package contains -- are we missing out on anything important?

1. Check in the amount of $355.00 for processing fee.

2. Form I-130.

3. G-325A Biographic Information for Petitioner.

4. G-325A Biographic Information for Benificiary.

5. Copy of U.S. Spouse Driver's License.

6. Copy of the front and back-page of Beneficiary's Indian Passport.

7. Original Certificate Of Marriage.

8. Two (2) passport size photograph of Petitioner.

9. Two (2) passport size photograph of Beneficiary.

10. Copy of Petitioner's Birth Certificate.

11. Copy of Beneficiary's Birth Certificate.

12. Six (6) pictures as a secondary evidence of Bonafide Marriage.

13. Copy of U.S. Spouse's Passport.

14. Letter of Support from U.S. Spouse's Father.

15. Letter of Support from Beneficiary's Mother.

16. Letter of Support from Beneficiary's Uncle.

17. Bank account indicating joint account.

18. Wedding invitation card.

Also: I'm a little confused about the part after the I-130 is approved. Could someone please trace the steps for me? My husband is a recent college graduate and so he doesn't have sufficient income. My cousin, a USC as well, has agreed to joint sponsor. Now as I understand it, the NVC sends the I-864 to the petitioner? Is that barcoded? Does my cousin need a barcoded one as well or can he download it off the website? Are these forms mailed back to the NVC or do I keep them with me to take along to the interview at the embassy? What are the other forms that we have to fill? I'd like to get a headstart on the paperwork so that we can send out documents as soon as the NVC asks for them.

I'm a newbie and currently overwhelmed at the entire immigration process. I ask for your understanding and patience. Thank you in advance!

Hi,

I'm an Indian citizen, currently on an F-1 visa, studying in NY. I will graduate in mid-May and my OPT will kick in from July for a year. I recently got engaged to my U.S. citizen boyfriend and we're trying to figure out the best way to proceed. I would like him to meet my parents in Calcutta first so I don't want to file for AoS right now. If there is no other option, then we will have to do that but I was wondering which is a better route, K1, K3 or Consular Processing in India? Anyone have any recent similar experiences? How long is the average waiting time? Can I file for a K3 if my F-1 is still valid till July 2010?

Thanks for your help in advance!