The FY2014 RFE Thread

[helpful_leo]

The online status is a lagging indicator i.e. its an "after the fact" notification. It does not drive the process. They have received and acknowledged your response. That means they are looking at your file. Plus the L2 said it won't affect the processing time.

Good point, and well put. I am also hoping that is all there is to it.

My concern was - the way the monstrous USCIS machinery functions - if the online status affects the queuing of cases, which can make a difference in a time crunch situation, such as that we have with the narrow window for GC approval. For example, the L1 officer, otherwise reasonable and coherent, had a really hard time understanding that USCIS could have received the RFE response, when their system showed USPS returned the mail. I am worried if more significant folks at TSC also interface with my case via the online status.

[hulimari]

Hi All,

Have a quick question on RFE reply. I received RFE for both me my wife and I was wondering should send both out replies in one package or separate ones? Appreciate your replies.

Thanks

[PD2008AUG25]

Given these complex factors, the TSC is collecting all files that need to be sent to completion in a "centralized manner". Once they do this computation, they will tell CO how many cases they will approve, and CO will decide where to put the September bulletin date. That's basically it.

I really want to believe in your theory as it is one the most positive explanation to what could be going on. I would think in this case, CO would coordinate with all service centers, not just TSC. NSC is happily approving GCs, even to the RFEs responded 3 weeks back.

I think there is something systematically wrong with TSC this time. RFEs not delivered, RFEs not issued, No status change or update alerts, RFEs issued to people outside of potential movement and on top of that CO's ominous warning. All point to some massive f**k up.

I spammed few lawyers on twitter about this, but haven't heard anything back.

[vizcard]

Hi All,

Have a quick question on RFE reply. I received RFE for both me my wife and I was wondering should send both out replies in one package or separate ones? Appreciate your replies.

Thanks

One package is fine just put them in separate envelopes with the respective cover page on top.

[helpful_leo]

I really want to believe in your theory as it is one the most positive explanation to what could be going on. I would think in this case, CO would coordinate with all service centers, not just TSC. NSC is happily approving GCs, even to the RFEs responded 3 weeks back.

I think there is something systematically wrong with TSC this time. RFEs not delivered, RFEs not issued, No status change or update alerts, RFEs issued to people outside of potential movement and on top of that CO's ominous warning. All point to some massive f**k up.

I spammed few lawyers on twitter about this, but haven't heard anything back.

I too hope Sports is right, and his explanation is quite plausible. Except that NSC appears not to be following that script.

Honestly, learning how TSC screwed up my RFE mailing address - mixing the street line from my current address & city line from a 3 yr old address - (and this after once having sent EADs to the right address) has put me in a state of mild shock regarding their operational accuracy/efficiency and work culture in general!

The current TSC tardiness may also be a case where we should not attribute to complexity what may be explained by mere incompetence - esp. since old 2010 trackitt threads are also complaining selectively about TSC.

[RMS_V13]

Helpful Leo : Our status changed from RFERR to Initial review on June 20th. We changed our address in 2012 December and we even got our new EADs to that address. Our RFEs were delivered to the new address. Wonder why ours changed to Initial Review too. Status says :

Initial Review

On June 20, 2014, your address was changed relating to the I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS that you filed. Please check our website at www.uscis.gov for further updates on your case. Please wait until the end of normal processing time before calling customer service at 1-800-375-5283 for live assistance.

Hope they don't look for RFERR status to identify cases for next step.

[helpful_leo]

Helpful Leo : Our status changed from RFERR to Initial review on June 20th. We changed our address in 2012 December and we even got our new EADs to that address. Our RFEs were delivered to the new address. Wonder why ours changed to Initial Review too. Status says :

Initial Review

On June 20, 2014, your address was changed relating to the I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS that you filed. Please check our website at www.uscis.gov for further updates on your case. Please wait until the end of normal processing time before calling customer service at 1-800-375-5283 for live assistance.

Hope they don't look for RFERR status to identify cases for next step.

I personally think you are good, as I have seen many posters change from RFER to IR and then get GCs (and some never do but still get it).
So it seems there is a valid reason to progress from RFER to IR - presumably, that the RFER was found valid.

My problem is that my reversion to the IR status is due to the weird scenario I've described earlier, and seems to be sort of a 'pre-RFE' Initial Review status, rather than the post-RFER Initial Review status, that yours seems to be (despite the random reference to address change). My status reads like below (and it is true they sent it to wrong address and it was undeliverable):

Your Case Status: Initial Review

On July 9, 2014, the post office returned the notice we last sent you on this case I485 APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR TO ADJUST STATUS as undeliverable. This may have serious effects on processing this case. Please call 1-800-375-5283 to update your mailing address for this notice to be re-sent.

[RoosterC]

About CO's ominous warning: I just think it's a slap in the face of trigger happy desi people who are probably flooding their call centers. When I called yesterday, the L1 simply did not transfer me to the L2 and I read on trackitt it's been done to everyone now. I would say, let's not make matters worse if they are bad already.

What is the ominous warning referred to in this post?

[helpful_leo]

Relevant to the discussion here, someone posted this on Trackitt (if this breaks any rules here, pls delete):

"Spoke to my attorney who had a chat today with the guys at TSC. He told me that TSC wants to finish sending RFEs to all those who are current in July (whose medicals are expired) before granting visas. He was also told that TSC is systematic in issuing GCs( RFE first, gc later)."

[vizcard]

First TSC approval is on Trackitt - username risingstar.

[jackbrown_890]

I really want to believe in your theory as it is one the most positive explanation to what could be going on. I would think in this case, CO would coordinate with all service centers, not just TSC. NSC is happily approving GCs, even to the RFEs responded 3 weeks back.

I think there is something systematically wrong with TSC this time. RFEs not delivered, RFEs not issued, No status change or update alerts, RFEs issued to people outside of potential movement and on top of that CO's ominous warning. All point to some massive f**k up.

I spammed few lawyers on twitter about this, but haven't heard anything back.

I would also like to believe his theory but something doesn't add up. as you said "RFEs issued to people outside of potential movement"..and it is not like just 1 or 2 random late 2009 PD people like me got RFE. Its big number. See number collected on Trackitt: And not all are included in this data. and the RFE stops exactly at end of October, 2009 pd. Someone has told them to issue RFEs upto OCT. 2009 pd. even after CO's warning, couple of people with late 09 pd are receiving RFEs.

[venkat]

what a relief? Hope we see at least 10 approvals in Trackitt tomorrow (that will equate to 60-70 cases in the real world)

His PD is similar to yours (who knows you may be next ), not sure whether it matters but his initial 485 received date is 11-Jan-2012

I'm beginning to see light at the end of tunnel now

First TSC approval is on Trackitt - username risingstar.

[PD2008AUG25]

First TSC approval is on Trackitt - username risingstar.

That's great news. I hope it is followed by at least a few more approvals soon. Otherwise, it will only deepen the mystery.

[PD2008AUG25]

My point was that there is something systematic about lack of approvals. Given that the date will hold at least for 4 months, there is absolutely no reason for any concern whatsoever in the first 2 weeks itself.

That is true, it is just that with porters, late 2013 filers (most of NSC approvals as no RFEs for them) and first time filers, it makes people like me very anxious. Thought of being left behind this time, even though I-485 was filed 2 years ago, because recent filers can easily get approved is just unsettling.

[Spectator]

It might turn into a fiasco or the USCIS might just extend the validity (which is far more plausible) and award green cards next fiscal without requiring another renewal.

I think that is probably unlikely. CDC set the policy and USCIS cannot unilaterally ignore that.

Given how long it took to put a new policy in place, I don't see it changing again in time for next year.

Once people have to retake medicals, USCIS will be in a position to have a conversation with CDC about the impact.

I always thought the new policy would set a validity period of 2-3 years, precisely to avoid the situation people will find themselves in. That would have virtually eliminated the need for repeat medical exams and still addressed CDC's valid health concerns. Eventually, that is where I think we might end up, but the wheels grind exceedingly slowly.

[helpful_leo]

Update on continuing weirdness with my wife's situation at TSC ( she is primary applicant; EB2I, Dec 2008 PD):

Her status had changed to IR from RFER on Wed, as the duplicate RFE sent by USCIS to wrong address was returned to them. We had earlier replied to RFE sent to the lawyer and they had acknowledged receipt.

Well, today morning we got notice of 'Card production ordered', and to wait 30 days to receive it. Problem is, she is current only on Aug 1.

My status is still RFER.

[Spectator]

Update on continuing weirdness with my wife's situation at TSC ( she is primary applicant; EB2I, Dec 2008 PD):

Her status had changed to IR from RFER on Wed, as the duplicate RFE sent by USCIS to wrong address was returned to them. We had earlier replied to RFE sent to the lawyer and they had acknowledged receipt.

Well, today morning we got notice of 'Card production ordered', and to wait 30 days to receive it. Problem is, she is current only on Aug 1.

My status is still RFER.

What does the message say?

I'm going to hazard a guess it says "We mailed the document" or something similar. That would just say they had resent the RFE.

If it does say "We ordered production of your new card" then that would be an approval and be somewhat odd, particularly if you have not also been approved as the primary.

[hulimari]

Thanks Viz

[saibaba01]

One more approval from TSC...on trackitt... user name Iluvgreen.. 2013 filer .. PD apr 2008 No RFE

[helpful_leo]

What does the message say?

I'm going to hazard a guess it says "We mailed the document" or something similar. That would just say they had resent the RFE.

If it does say "We ordered production of your new card" then that would be an approval and be somewhat odd, particularly if you have not also been approved as the primary.

Yes, you are correct!

I was expecting the RFE re-send notice to show as 'RFE' status, as it did the last time they sent it. Anyway, this makes more sense.

So now we will receive an RFE notice to which we should not respond (as told by an L2 officer)!

[vizcard]

Few more TSC approvals today but all but one with RD of 2013. Low hanging fruit.

[helpful_leo]

Yes, you are correct!

I was expecting the RFE re-send notice to show as 'RFE' status, as it did the last time they sent it. Anyway, this makes more sense.

So now we will receive an RFE notice to which we should not respond (as told by an L2 officer)!

The update further says that this status typically applies to persons expecting to receive GC, naturalization or EAD cards. However, I think Spec is right and in this case refers to the RFE being re-mailed, as "Card/ Document Production" is a better fit than "RFE" status, as they do not want us to respond to the RFE.

"Your Case Status: Card/ Document Production


On July 11, 2014 we mailed the document to the address we have on file. You should receive the new document within 30 days. If you do not, or if you move before you get it, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.


This step applies to applications that result in an applicant receiving a card (such as a "green card") or other document (such as a naturalization certificate, employment authorization document, travel document, or advance parole). Applications will be in this step from the time the order to produce the card/document is given until the card/document is produced and mailed to the applicant. You can expect to receive your card/document within 30 days of the approval of your application.

If you do not receive your document, please contact our National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283."

[helpful_leo]

Few more TSC approvals today but all but one with RD of 2013. Low hanging fruit.

Yes, they seem to be going for 2013 RDs without RFEs. Some of those RDs seem to be from Nov '13, for which they had several more months to go before Medical expiry.

[RMS_V13]

Helpful_leo,

Ask your lawyer..don't just go by l2s word.


Will there be a prob if u called again and ask l2 after receiving the doc?

[Pundit Arjun]

My RFE (2012) response review status message showed 60 days timeline, but that should be applicable for non-retrogressed countries staying current all-time.

This spillover season should be exempted from SR timelines.

You are correct, Kanmani. For RFE response, the USCIS indicates the 60 day timeline to provide an update to the case.
The following is a snippet from my RFE response update status :
"We will notify you by mail when we make a decision or if we need something from you. You should expect to receive a written decision or written update within 60 days of the date we received your response unless fingerprint processing or an interview are standard parts of case processing and have not yet been completed, in which case you can use the processing time information on our website to estimate when this case will be done. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.

Once a timely response to the request for evidence is received by USCIS, we review the evidence or information you submitted. If you submitted the requested evidence, we continue with the adjudication of your application or petition in light of the new evidence."