Finally Got Approvals..must read..(2002 case)

[kris_t100]

If you remember my case history posted here, the online system used to wrongfully show mine and my wife cases approved ever since we applied in Sep 2002. Could not get that fixed and the status changed later in aug 2004 when I requested for FP and gave them. Thats when my troubles became evident that system was still internally thinking that our cases are aproved.

Literally went through hell for past 1 year to knock on every possible door at USCIS, Washington and Locally. With congresman's help, was able to move the case in Jan 2005 and to our mis-fortune, found that out doctor screwed my medicals. Had to redo them. Then the case got shelved again. With congressman's help, was able to move it again in Feb and ever since they keep telling me that my name check is pending and my wife's cleared.

But whenever I call TSC 1-800#, they say that the case has been approved long time ago and we should have gotten the cards and we should file I-90 for lost/stolen card, which was so absurd. I used to get the right status only thru congressman.

My numerous letters, faxes and phone calls did not work for long time and I almost gave up. Rahuls kumar's posting really gave me great ammunition.

But Well, I did not give up and fought with the system almost every day contacting USCIS personally and thru congressman, FBI and USCIS ombdudsman. We got out approvals over the weekend and I got my stamping done today.

Here is what I think did the trick:
I took my FOIPA result from FBI (which showed no records) and attached that to my personal letter to TSC director expaining the problem and attached proof of wrong approvals. You have to state on the envelope that DO NOT OPEN IN MAIL ROOM. FOR PERSONAL ATTENTION OF DIRECTOR.

At the same time, I fedex'ed my problem to USCIS Ombudsman's office in Washington D.C headed by Rajiv Khatri. So I called Ombudsman several times after that until they contacted USCIS TSC.

In about 3weeks to a month, I got a letter from TSC director saying that they are requesting for expedited name checks from FBI and they can't do anything further, which was a welcome news.

And guess what, 4 days later, I received the magic emails, initially got one email saying that my case was re-opened bcos of a BCIS motion (i think bcos of Ombudsman) and couple of hours later on the same day got the approval emails.

I believe that the expedited name checks have come back right in time when Ombudsman was following up. So thats what happened. Even though my wife also got the approval, her online status did not change. I hope they won't give us this hard time with the actual plastic cards.

I hope this information is useful to all of you. I wish you all good luck.

[atllab]

kris_t100,

Congratulations! Wish you all the best for your actual plastic green cards. I wish no one has to go through all these troubles like you did and saras76 is going through...


Eb3 India Sept. 2002,
I140/I485 Oct. 8 , 2004
I140 approved = Feb. 18, 2005
I485 approved date == ???????? LUD changed May4, 2005 after FP, Lud changed July 1, 2005, July 5,2005.
FP = May3, 2005 (code 3)

[saras76]

kris_t100,

It is always good to see approvals for cases that have been "abused" by TSC. Congratulations on your well deserved approval. I am glad you fought this system every step of the way and came out a winner. My case is currently being abused by TSC and I am fighting this battle. It gives me a lot of hope.

Enjoy your freedom, you truly earned it.

regards,

saras76

[kris_t100]

Thank you very much.
I have seen your posting and I feel your pain. When somebody is involved in a shocking accident, it haunts them for a while. Thats exactly what I am feeling now. It still haunts me at night for what I have gone through for last 1 year. I do not wish this even on my enemies.

I feel your pain and hang in there. Its your struggle, nobody will help you to get out of it other than yourself. So just keep fighting ...it might be very discouraging every day but like I said, you will loose if you give up.

I wish you all the best and I personally thank all the people in these forums for sharing and supporting each other.

I have found wealth of information here and it helped me guide through the difficult phases.

Please let me know if any of you need any other info.
I am very thankful to all of you and the forum hosts. Thanks to Rajiv for hosting this free service.

[victim_of_INS]

[rsns1]

Congratulations!!! A well deserved freedom....

[kris_t100]

Mine is EB2 with priority date in Nov 2001.

[eternal_labor]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Mine is EB2 with priority date in Nov 2001.

[PrinceofJungle]

We are glad that u share with us the details of efforts u did, hope it would encourage others.

Happy GC to you and family

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Good Luck

[greencard12]

Congrats, kris_t100. I am stuck in the same name check process. Could you please what is the fax/tel number of CIS Ombudsman? I want to contact them to speed up my name check process as well.


Priority Date: 12/17/2002
EB2
I140/I485 ND: 4/18/2003
FBI Name Check Initiated: 5/7/2003
I140 AD: 1/5/2005
FP1: 7/2/2003
FP2: 2/25/2005
I485 AD: ?

[kris_t100]

I believe my name check was expedited due to my letter to TSC director directly. Get FOIPA from FBI first and then attach it to your letter. On top of the enveloope, do not forget to write DO NOT OPEN IN MAIL ROOM. FOR PERSOANL ATTENTION OF DIRECTOR. If you have a legit case, they might ask for expedited name checks from FBI.

You might want to follow with Ombudsman as well to get it moving. Here is how:
You would have to send a letter first ( i would suggest fedex as it takes sometime to go thru radiation check of mail ..so normal mail would delay it more) and then give it 2 weeks and then followup.

Go to this website and follow the instructions for the letter.
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interap...orial_0497.xml
Explain your problem clearly in that letter and be precise.

After 2 weeks, call ombudsman office 202-272-1874.
I was also able to contact them thru email after 2 weeks. Mention your src and A# in every email so that they can track your case problem.
Email: Cisombudsman@dhs.gov

Good luck.

[greencard12]

Thank you very much for sharing the info.

[rajmandude]

Hi tkris congrats...I too applied on Sep 5, 2002 and had the same problem as yours. Can you tell me how to get the FOIA from the FBI and how long it takes. Could you send me your tel no at rajmandude@yahoo.com. I too have been going thru hell for almost a yr. and want to get this sorted out.

-Thanks

[susan ward]

Congratulations

and WELL DONE YOU


for not giving up.



Sometimes these people really get me down one day, then the next I think what the hell

The start writing and fighting the next day

Hopefully eventually my sons case will work out.


Been denied, told to reapply, then approved, then lost by constulate, then found by consulate, then consulate are asking for advisory opinion


AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH


This has been ongoing since Jan 2002


You case has given me even more determination

Watch this space


Regards Sue

[haoyun04]

Can some one kindly explain to me what is FOIPA? I am inquiry my pending name check again, and I might need some help from congressman...

THanks for your time

[kris_t100]

Under Freedom of Information And Privacy Act, every individual is entitled for a free personal name check from FBI. If you fax the form, they will get back to you in a week or two. This FOIPA process hits the same Central Record System (CRS) database, which is the same for USCIS name check process. If you name comes as "no record", you will have more ammunition to ask for expedited name check as FBI states that names with no records should finish name check in 72hrs.


Here is a very good post about name checks written by Rahul Kumar and it had the necessary pdf forms and very good information on who to contact for different followups. This should give you wealth for information and will keep you busy for a month at least
http://www.immigrationportal.com/sho...+approved+wife

Good luck

[greencard12]

Kris_t100, Could you please also tell me the mail address of USCIS TSC director? Thanks a lot.

[kris_t100]

Acting Director: Lisa Kehl
USCIS TSC
P.O. Box 851488
Mesquite, TX 75185-1488

Note in the heading of the letter and on the envelope: "DO NOT OPEN IN THE MAILROOM. FOR THE PERSONAL ATTENTION OF THE DIRECTOR."

The following USCIS TSC page has some good information about their heirarchy, contact info and other stuff.
http://uscis.gov/graphics/fieldoffic....htm#anchorORG

Good luck

[Kanu2000]

Our I-485 receipt is early 2002. Totally frustrated. Got FOIPA no record. Send email to FBI name check, but no reply for last 4 months.

Would you mind to share your letter to TSC director, would you please share that letter too ( just the template)

Thanks in advance....

[nikhitha]

can you give the mailing address for TSC director.I have applied for 485 in aug 2002. FP1 expired at the beginning of this year. FP2 just last week, not with notice form TSC but FP notice from local district office which I got personally from that office. I need to write a letter to TSC director about this issue.


Thanks