The FY2014 RFE Thread

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Originally Posted by RMS_V13

The whole month of September and 1/2 August is available. I understand your situation. Mine was with TSC and no news for over 50 days. I wanted to give them the 60 days they ask and then begin spamming everyone with escalation emails. But in your case, you may or may not have 60 days to wait.

I would call L2 first. See what is going on with your file and then play it.

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Thanks RMS. Called yesterday evening. The Customer Service rep wouldn't connect me to L2. She kept on repeating the status that my file is under RFERR and I should get a decision within 60 days. :-(

what do you guys think? Should I try getting an Infopass next week or should I contact the congressman after 30 days (on Thursday)? I am planning to submit my EAD/AP renewal on Thursday as well (120 days before expiration).

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Originally Posted by RMS_V13

Any updates from Vizcard?

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I don't think we have seen any posts from viz lately. I can only imagine what he must be going through. I am only close to 30 day mark and so anxious/nervous/frustated and he has even crossed the 60 day mark.

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Originally Posted by la_2002_ch

Thanks RMS. Called yesterday evening. The Customer Service rep wouldn't connect me to L2. She kept on repeating the status that my file is under RFERR and I should get a decision within 60 days. :-(

what do you guys think? Should I try getting an Infopass next week or should I contact the congressman after 30 days (on Thursday)? I am planning to submit my EAD/AP renewal on Thursday as well (120 days before expiration).

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1. Just try telling them that your PD is 2009/2008 and You filed in 2012 and want to know whats going on with your case. In spite of this, if they say, no L2, then tell them that dates could retrogress in Oct when fiscal year begins and you need to talk to l2 before submitting your EAD/AP. But honestly, things are slow and its too early for anything to happen on yours since the July filers are still waiting... :(

In another 2 weeks if no response, I will start following up aggressively, just me.

Just ask your spouse to call and inquire on her case. May be shell have luck with the L1. Anytime I called, I would always be asked if I want to talk to l2 or create an SR. I was too scared to do so and would refuse.

Hope this helps.

I called USCIS on the 59th day post RFERR and the L1 just bluntly refused to connect me to L2 no matter what I told her, rather asked me to take an Infopass appointment (which I did). On the 62nd day post RFERR, I called and they connected me to L2 immediately. Another friend of mine called on 45th day post RFERR and he was connected to L2. YMMV is what I got from the experience.

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Originally Posted by la_2002_ch

Thanks RMS. Called yesterday evening. The Customer Service rep wouldn't connect me to L2. She kept on repeating the status that my file is under RFERR and I should get a decision within 60 days. :-(

what do you guys think? Should I try getting an Infopass next week or should I contact the congressman after 30 days (on Thursday)? I am planning to submit my EAD/AP renewal on Thursday as well (120 days before expiration).

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Originally Posted by ramaka02

I called USCIS on the 59th day post RFERR and the L1 just bluntly refused to connect me to L2 no matter what I told her, rather asked me to take an Infopass appointment (which I did). On the 62nd day post RFERR, I called and they connected me to L2 immediately. Another friend of mine called on 45th day post RFERR and he was connected to L2. YMMV is what I got from the experience.

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Originally Posted by RMS_V13

1. Just try telling them that your PD is 2009/2008 and You filed in 2012 and want to know whats going on with your case. In spite of this, if they say, no L2, then tell them that dates could retrogress in Oct when fiscal year begins and you need to talk to l2 before submitting your EAD/AP. But honestly, things are slow and its too early for anything to happen on yours since the July filers are still waiting... :(

In another 2 weeks if no response, I will start following up aggressively, just me.

Just ask your spouse to call and inquire on her case. May be shell have luck with the L1. Anytime I called, I would always be asked if I want to talk to l2 or create an SR. I was too scared to do so and would refuse.

Hope this helps.

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Thanks for the replies. I think I will wait till the end of August and get into the escalation mode from Sep 2nd. I am hoping that the dates won't retrogress in Oct, so even if my approval doesn't come before the FY2014 numbers run out by mid-Sep(based on history), I will sail through from FY 2015 numbers in Oct.

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Originally Posted by la_2002_ch

I don't think we have seen any posts from viz lately. I can only imagine what he must be going through. I am only close to 30 day mark and so anxious/nervous/frustated and he has even crossed the 60 day mark.

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Originally Posted by RMS_V13

Any updates from Vizcard?

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No update. I reached out to Senator but haven't heard back from his office yet. Also got a SR started. I was crazy busy with work so I was distracted but now it's hitting me again. Wtf !

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Originally Posted by vizcard

No update. I reached out to Senator but haven't heard back from his office yet. Also got a SR started. I was crazy busy with work so I was distracted but now it's hitting me again. Wtf !

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Senetor or not, your approval is around the corner. TSC has finally picked up the pace and give them a week to settle down.

RMS,

Agreed, TSC have now picked up the pace and are catching up with the NSC numbers.

Here's the latest figures from the Trackitt thread in FACTS & DATA.

July ------- 1 -- 2 -- 3 -- 4 -- 5 -- 6 -- 7 -- 8 -- 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24 - 23 - 26 - 27 - 28 - 29 - 30 - 31 - Total
Number ----- 9 - 20 -- 4 -- 1 -- 1 -- 0 -- 7 -- 9 -- 4 -- 2 - 11 -- 6 -- 0 -- 2 -- 8 -- 9 - 10 - 16 -- 3 -- 1 - 12 -- 8 - 15 -- 4 -- 8 -- 1 -- 0 -- 3 -- 7 -- 4 -- 1 --- 186

August ----- 1 -- 2 -- 3 -- 4 -- 5 -- 6 -- 7 -- 8 -- 9 - 10 - 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24 - 23 - 26 - 27 - 28 - 29 - 30 - 31 - Total
Number ---- 17 -- 6 -- 0 - 17 - 26 - 29 - 22 - 11 - 14 -- 0 - 13 - 17 -- 5 - 17 - 15 -- 7 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 --- 216


Center ---- NSC ----- TSC ----- CSC ----- VSC --- Total
Total ----- 240 ----- 162 ------- 0 ------- 0 ----- 402
Percent -- 59.7% --- 40.3% ---- 0.0% ---- 0.0% -- 100.0%

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Originally Posted by sportsfan33

One thing about people like Viz: I have a weird feeling that the RFE response was sent too soon. It went to the USCIS in June and since then, it seems to be collecting dust in a separate box. It would really suck if this was the case and I am sincerely hoping Viz is not losing sleep over this (I lost mine but then, I didn't have the RFE to begin with). I hope a Senator inquiry would eing his longstanding case to adjudication.

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I don't think that's the case. a lot of ppl with June RFERs have been approved. I've been losing sleep but not because of this :) This week is going to be pretty important one. I have some final round job interviews and I'm counting on getting the GC this summer to not have to worry about being in a "similar" role for AC21.

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Originally Posted by vizcard

I don't think that's the case. a lot of ppl with June RFERs have been approved. I've been losing sleep but not because of this :) This week is going to be pretty important one. I have some final round job interviews and I'm counting on getting the GC this summer to not have to worry about being in a "similar" role for AC21.

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Viz, my RFERR date is June 19th and the same Officer issued our RFEs. I would definitely follow up with a senator once you hit the 58th day mark so that they get the inquiry at exactly 60 days

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Originally Posted by RMS_V13

Viz, my RFERR date is June 19th and the same Officer issued our RFEs. I would definitely follow up with a senator once you hit the 58th day mark so that they get the inquiry at exactly 60 days

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Ive gone past my 60 days already and I've emailed my Senator's office. I'm going to follow up with them tomorrow morning.

Still waiting. Already one and half months gone while my dates are current. My PD is 7/2/2008 EB2I, TSC. Getting worried, frustrated and irritated at the same time.

PD Nov 2008 EB2I: RD Mar 2012:

My RFE response was received by TSC on July 14, 2014 but status is still RFE.
So I called USCIS Customer Service on August 4 to ask why and to confirm if they received my RFE reply.
I did not ask for SR. But the representative volunteered to open an SR saying my application is outside
normal processing time frame. I got the following response to the SR today from USCIS.


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The status of this service request is:


Your case is currently pending. We received your response for request for evidence (RFE) on 07/14/14. All cases are worked in the order they are received. If you do not receive a decision or other notice of action from us within 90 days of this letter, please contact customer service at the number provided below.


Thank you,
XM1331
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1. The officer who issued RFE was XM0136. But the above response is from XM1331.
Does this mean the case is transferred to this officer now?


2. What the hell is this 90 days from this message? Dates will be retrogressed by this time.
I thought we have to wait 60 days from RFE response received date. (30+90) 120 days? Is this a joke?

Sports:
My RFE material reached Mesquite on June 6 around 10 AM CST. The status got updated to RFERR and I received status update SMS (&email) confirmation around 7AM EST on June 9th.

The process and online status updates lag big time. I was not able to track my application (RD: Jan 2012) till June 2012. It was in Acceptance stage all along until they received the RFE Reply packet and it got updated to RFERR. It did get updated to Card Production once the case was approved, but I have seen cases (on Trackitt) where the online status did not reflect, but folks received the GC and welcome letters directly :)!

I have been asking about transparency/logic behind these for weeks now, I did not get any positive reply from any members anywhere. If you come up with anything let me know, I am game for it. GL buddy, hang in there...I know easier said than done!

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Originally Posted by sportsfan33

My mail has been delivered by the USCIS as of Friday around 2 PM at the PO box address on the RFE letter. But the status still has not changed.

I was under the impression the status changes within 24 hours. Can someone chime in?

P.S. This has finally started to break me down. This whole process is ridiculous, excruciating and downright pure evil. I have no idea when I can expect the GC. Maybe tomorrow, maybe in 2 years. Some people on trackitt have reported receiving a second RFE. People like Viz are still in the dark. It seems getting an RFE is not enough. The USCIS can find more ways to mess with you.

I am seriously considering starting an effort among us to get back at this nonsense. Can we brainstorm? I wish future applicants don't go through this. Any ideas are welcome. Without having any procedural knowledge, my first idea is to contact the Congressman rep and get a seat at the USCIS conference call. We need to establish some kind of dialogue and get transparency in the process.

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Some with Feb 2009 PDs have gotten RFEs. This is even better news.

Welcome to the list of people waiting for the final mail/notification. I can very well understand on how hard it is to focus on life and work with all this. Had some big changes at work within the last couple of weeks and I can't really focus on it. Its like I have to force myself to do something other than constantly checking mail/messages.

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Originally Posted by sportsfan33

Sure. I will be around here and I will try to open a dialogue with people who are stuck. Thanks for showing support!

P.S. The status did change finally. I didn't receive an email strangely though. Anyway, the final step (is it really?). It's hard to focus on life when this limbo continues. Oh my USCIS!

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How much has the situation improved in Texas service center? I know people who got current in August are anxious but there are still a lot of people (including me) who became current in July and not approved yet.

Based on Trackitt it appears that the approval rate has kind of picked up in the last 2-3 weeks but its still no where near the rate that is required to clear all who became current in July.

Experts, please chime in!!!

Venkat, I have not analyzed the data to support anything I say, but I strongly believe TSC will clear most of July and some of August. I doubt dates will be advanced as it has and no action be taken.

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Originally Posted by RMS_V13

Venkat, I have not analyzed the data to support anything I say, but I strongly believe TSC will clear most of July and some of August. I doubt dates will be advanced as it has and no action be taken.

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Do you mean to say that all of August current applicants cannot or is unlikely to be greened over the next 2-3 months?

I thought the consensus here and elsewhere was that - despite the present slowness - TSC will be able to clear most / all of August current folks, and even further.

I am Dec 08 PD - tell me if my interpretation was wrong and I should be panicking!

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Originally Posted by GreenDream

Yes Sportsfan, the RFE response was sent and status turned to RFERR on June 20th. I hope you are right.

I also wish you the best too. I see you are sending your RFE response today. It is very shocking to see that they took so long to just send the RFE in your case. Thankfully there should be enough time for approval.

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So today was 61 days after my RFERR. My lawyer called the USCIS and was asked to wait another 15 days for receipt and then 30 days after that for any update on the case. This whole SR thing is turning out to be a joke as usual. The USCIS is hiding behind this another timelines now. Not sure what to do except wait.

I have taken Infopass after two weeks. Lets see if it is useful or not. I have no high hopes.

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Originally Posted by helpful_leo

Do you mean to say that all of August current applicants cannot or is unlikely to be greened over the next 2-3 months?

I thought the consensus here and elsewhere was that - despite the present slowness - TSC will be able to clear most / all of August current folks, and even further.

I am Dec 08 PD - tell me if my interpretation was wrong and I should be panicking!

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Leo, Sorry! I don't mean to freak you out. As I said I have not paid close Attn to metrics. Since Sept is the end of financial year I was not sure how visas can be carried over to new year. Matt and/or Spec if they are not one and the same are the ones who provide insights bases on available analytics.

PD Apr 4 2008
RD Sep 23rd 2013
RFE May 30 2014 (EVL,medicals)
RFERR June 26 2014
Opened SR on Aug 4th online
system said expect a response by Aug 26th
got reply back for e-request raised on Aug 4th yesterday via email
The officers on my RFE and this SR are different so i am assuming that whoever answers SR are just folks who update status after checking with the actual case adjudicating officer.
The below is status and i am taking it with grain of salt as this seems to be a standard reply will hit 60 days next week so took infopass after labor day weekend.

"We have received your service request and researched the status of your case. We have had to perform additional review and this has caused a delay in processing time. Your case is currently with an adjudicating officer. You should receive a decision or notice of further action within 30 days."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by helpful_leo

Do you mean to say that all of August current applicants cannot or is unlikely to be greened over the next 2-3 months?

I thought the consensus here and elsewhere was that - despite the present slowness - TSC will be able to clear most / all of August current folks, and even further.

I am Dec 08 PD - tell me if my interpretation was wrong and I should be panicking!

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helpful_leo,

My general sense is that those current in the August VB should generally expect to see approvals in September, with a few approved in October from the FY2015 allocation.

I think there will be sufficient visa numbers available in FY2014 to cover those current in the August VB. Both SC are capable of higher rates of approvals than seen to date.

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Originally Posted by Spectator

helpful_leo,

My general sense is that those current in the August VB should generally expect to see approvals in September, with a few approved in October from the FY2015 allocation.

I think there will be sufficient visa numbers available in FY2014 to cover those current in the August VB. Both SC are capable of higher rates of approvals than seen to date.

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Thanks Spec. I was just checking if my interpretation of the prevailing opinion here was correct or not. Seems it is.

I also know there are many moving parts here and no one may be able to accurately predict what happens eventually.


Btw, is it true that TSC 'internally retrogresses' dates mid-September? If so, do we know if that retrogression is based on PD or RD?

And are the new FY numbers available in October much fewer than those available now thru Sept?

Thanks, and sorry about all the Qs!

SR reply with a "within 30 days" mentioned in it is always a good sign. You should get approved within a week or so for sure.

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Originally Posted by wolverine82

PD Apr 4 2008
RD Sep 23rd 2013
RFE May 30 2014 (EVL,medicals)
RFERR June 26 2014
Opened SR on Aug 4th online
system said expect a response by Aug 26th
got reply back for e-request raised on Aug 4th yesterday via email
The officers on my RFE and this SR are different so i am assuming that whoever answers SR are just folks who update status after checking with the actual case adjudicating officer.
The below is status and i am taking it with grain of salt as this seems to be a standard reply will hit 60 days next week so took infopass after labor day weekend.

"We have received your service request and researched the status of your case. We have had to perform additional review and this has caused a delay in processing time. Your case is currently with an adjudicating officer. You should receive a decision or notice of further action within 30 days."

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by ramaka02

SR reply with a "within 30 days" mentioned in it is always a good sign. You should get approved within a week or so for sure.

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Thanks ramaka..I will stay positive for next 2 weeks :)

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Originally Posted by wolverine82

Thanks ramaka..I will stay positive for next 2 weeks :)

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You will squeeze through.

I called NSC just to see what's going on with the case. The officer was helpful and said since the case was outside normal processing time she would open a service request. I told her it is not outside processing time, but she insisted anyway! My PD is Oct 08 NSC RFERR Jul22. I've been seeing 2009 folks getting approved and the anxiety is beginning to build so I thought I would call them. I've never done this before, what do they do for the service request, I just hope I didn't complicate things!

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Originally Posted by RMS_V13

Leo, Sorry! I don't mean to freak you out. As I said I have not paid close Attn to metrics. Since Sept is the end of financial year I was not sure how visas can be carried over to new year. Matt and/or Spec if they are not one and the same are the ones who provide insights bases on available analytics.

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I feel for you Wolverine, hope you get approved soon - it is really crazy that your case continues to be pending.

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Originally Posted by Spectator

helpful_leo,

My general sense is that those current in the August VB should generally expect to see approvals in September, with a few approved in October from the FY2015 allocation.

I think there will be sufficient visa numbers available in FY2014 to cover those current in the August VB. Both SC are capable of higher rates of approvals than seen to date.

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Nice! If Spec is optimistic about proceedings, then it must be okay :) All will be well!

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Originally Posted by triplet

Nice! If Spec is optimistic about proceedings, then it must be okay :) All will be well!

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triplet,

It's a bit out of character, isn't it! :D

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Originally Posted by triplet

I called NSC just to see what's going on with the case. The officer was helpful and said since the case was outside normal processing time she would open a service request. I told her it is not outside processing time, but she insisted anyway! My PD is Oct 08 NSC RFERR Jul22. I've been seeing 2009 folks getting approved and the anxiety is beginning to build so I thought I would call them. I've never done this before, what do they do for the service request, I just hope I didn't complicate things!

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You are lucky. My RFERR @TSC has been pending since June 20th. I tried to call them couple of times to open SR but they never budged. May be TSC just dysfunctional but nobdy was helpful. Finally they opened the SR after 60 Days, and have been asked to basically wait 45 days to hear the update.

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Originally Posted by Spectator

triplet,

It's a bit out of character, isn't it! :D

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I've been following your posts since 2011, it most definitely is! Even otherwise, I have always enjoyed your posts:D

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Originally Posted by GreenDream

You are lucky. My RFERR @TSC has been pending since June 20th. I tried to call them couple of times to open SR but they never budged. May be TSC just dysfunctional but nobdy was helpful. Finally they opened the SR after 60 Days, and have been asked to basically wait 45 days to hear the update.

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Sorry to hear that GreenDream - hope you get it soon!

My pd (Jan 28, 2009) becomes current in September (NSC). However I am going to leave my current employer tomorrow. So I will be losing the services of a big law firm. The RFEs have been responded to in June.

When and if my case gets through without further RFEs does the law firm get any document - 797 etc - from USCIS? I am guessing the applicants get the GCs directly, but not sure if the law firm will receive anything.

Appreciate responses by the community here.

A 2nd question if I may - what are the chances my case will get through in September? (RFERR June 27, RD Feb '12)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GreenDream

You are lucky. My RFERR @TSC has been pending since June 20th. I tried to call them couple of times to open SR but they never budged. May be TSC just dysfunctional but nobdy was helpful. Finally they opened the SR after 60 Days, and have been asked to basically wait 45 days to hear the update.

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I have the same story. They told me low-end 15 days, high-end 30 days. But its bull crap. If they don't respond by then, I'm going to the Ombudsman.

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Originally Posted by ksur23

My pd (Jan 28, 2009) becomes current in September (NSC). However I am going to leave my current employer tomorrow. So I will be losing the services of a big law firm. The RFEs have been responded to in June.

When and if my case gets through without further RFEs does the law firm get any document - 797 etc - from USCIS? I am guessing the applicants get the GCs directly, but not sure if the law firm will receive anything.

Appreciate responses by the community here.

A 2nd question if I may - what are the chances my case will get through in September? (RFERR June 27, RD Feb '12)

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You should get everything. At most the law firm will get a copy of the approval notice.

As for your 2nd question, being in NSC, you probably have a very good chance... probably better than those that got current in July at TSC (like me) :P

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Originally Posted by vizcard

I have the same story. They told me low-end 15 days, high-end 30 days. But its bull crap. If they don't respond by then, I'm going to the Ombudsman.

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How do you contact the Ombudsman? I have doubt this whole SR thingy is gonna help me at all. I am expecting some generic boiler plate response.

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Originally Posted by GreenDream

How do you contact the Ombudsman? I have doubt this whole SR thingy is gonna help me at all. I am expecting some generic boiler plate response.

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Just google uscis ombudsman... there's a whole site with instructions and a form and all.

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Originally Posted by sportsfan33

You may have done these things already, but just to recap anyway:

1) Fill the online G28 form at "some point" for all pending 485 cases. I would normally do it right away, but since your case is in the "last of the last legs", you might want to hold off on that until the second week of September or until you receive the GC ((whichever is sooner). This way, you become your own lawyer.

2) Get a copy of the approved PERM and approved I140. Get copies of all approved H1Bs with this firm.

3) If possible, get a letter that explicitly states your employment duration, your job title, duties and present salary.

4) Your chances are good regardless of what's happening right now. As we come close to Sept 30, approvals will skyrocket if there are leftover visas.

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Thanks a lot for the response Viz. I really hope you and others in your boat get the GC asap - I know life isn't fair but it should be some of the time. All the best.

Sports, thanks a lot for detailed response, appreciate it. I hope your frustrations disappear soon with some EO magic soon. There was a time when I used to feel like an animal caged wrt to my job. But I have come to realize, although I relapse every now and then, that life is better than 90-95% of people in the world. It's hard to think on these terms all the time but this kind of framing has helped me a bit.

btw - why is G28 necessary if I get GC?