Initial evidence?

[GKER]

Hi

I couple of weeks ago I was scheduled for an oath ceremony that will take place late next week. As I was supposed to be outside of the US during that week and the following one I sent back the oath ceremony notice and explained my situation (that I would be outside of the US). Yesterday my case status changed to "Request for evidence". It says something about initial evidence.


Now what kind of evidence can this be? What kind of problems might this cause?

The worst part about all of this is that I might not leave the country after all (change of plans), and might be able to attend the original ceremoy.

 

[rjackal]

Hi

I couple of weeks ago I was scheduled for an oath ceremony that will take place late next week. As I was supposed to be outside of the US during that week and the following one I sent back the oath ceremony notice and explained my situation (that I would be outside of the US). Yesterday my case status changed to "Request for evidence". It says something about initial evidence.


Now what kind of evidence can this be? What kind of problems might this cause?

The worst part about all of this is that I might not leave the country after all (change of plans), and might be able to attend the original ceremoy.

It's probably just their generic way of putting the oath on hold. They may not have a status code for "need to reschedule oath".
I wouldn't worry about it unless you get a letter from USCIS.

 

[GKER]

It's probably just their generic way of putting the oath on hold. They may not have a status code for "need to reschedule oath".
I wouldn't worry about it unless you get a letter from USCIS.

But I will receive a letter, the cause status says "On May 18, 2012, we mailed a notice requesting initial evidence in this case". So what kind of evidence will this be?

 

[baikal3]

But I will receive a letter, the cause status says "On May 18, 2012, we mailed a notice requesting initial evidence in this case". So what kind of evidence will this be?

You won't get any letter requesting any kind of evidence. As rjackal said, the case status message is simply a placeholder that they used since the computer case status system does not yet have a code indicating that the applicant requested a rescheduled oath. So relax, they won't be asking for any kind of evidence from you. The next letter you get will be a letter with a new oath date, and it could be a couple of months before you get it.

 

[GKER]

You won't get any letter requesting any kind of evidence. As rjackal said, the case status message is simply a placeholder that they used since the computer case status system does not yet have a code indicating that the applicant requested a rescheduled oath. So relax, they won't be asking for any kind of evidence from you. The next letter you get will be a letter with a new oath date, and it could be a couple of months before you get it.

And you are 100% sure about this? Sorry if it comes across as rude, but I have been freaking out since I saw the changed case status this morning.

So there is nothing coming my way from USCIS, even though it says so on their website? Does this mean that I am removed from the oath ceremony that is taking place next week?

 

[GKER]

Copy and paste from case status page:


On May 18, 2012, we mailed a notice requesting initial evidence in this case. Please follow the instructions on the notice to submit the evidence requested. Meanwhile, processing of this case is on hold until we either receive the evidence or the opportunity to submit it expires. Once you submit the evidence requested and a decision is made, you will be notified by mail. 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.


A request for evidence is made when an application/petition is lacking required documentation/evidence (initial evidence) or the officer needs more documentation/evidence (additional evidence) to determine an applicant's eligibility for the benefit sought. We may send you a request for evidence at any stage of our review. The request will indicate what evidence or information is needed for us to fully evaluate your application or petition. The notice will explain where to send the evidence and will give the deadline for your response. Your application or petition will be held in suspense during that time. If you receive a request for evidence and have questions about what you need to submit, you may call our National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.


It is all okay?

 

[baikal3]

And you are 100% sure about this?

Nothing in life is 100% certain (well, except for the fact that we are all mortal), but I am 99.99% sure.

So there is nothing coming my way from USCIS, even though it says so on their website?

Yes, exactly.

Does this mean that I am removed from the oath ceremony that is taking place next week?

Almost certainly, yes. The fact that there was a status change on May 18 indicates that they did receive your request for oath rescheduling, and, presumably, are acting on it. If you want to be sure, you can call the 800 number on Monday and ask them.

 

[GKER]

Almost certainly, yes. The fact that there was a status change on May 18 indicates that they did receive your request for oath rescheduling, and, presumably, are acting on it. If you want to be sure, you can call the 800 number on Monday and ask them.

I sent the oath rescheduling request as registered mail, and they received it on May 1. Seems it took them a while to process the request.

Will just give them a call on Monday then. They should be able to givev me the real status of my case, and not just read up the same info as their website shows.

 

[GKER]

When I have been rescheduled for the oath ceremony, will the case status revert back to oath ceremony? Could the "initial evidence" that they "mailed" me on May 18 really mean that I have been rescheduled a new date?

 

[baikal3]

When I have been rescheduled for the oath ceremony, will the case status revert back to oath ceremony?

That's hard to say. The case status system is in general not very reliable and fairly unpredictable, particularly so if a case goes off the standard track.

Could the "initial evidence" that they "mailed" me on May 18 really mean that I have been rescheduled a new date?

Yes, that could be.

 

[GKER]

I called the 1-800 number and asked to be transferred to a second tier officer. When I asked about my case status to the 2nd tier officer, she just read the same information I already knew, and told me that I should allow for 14 business days for the notice to arrive. I specifically asked her if it only was a place holder, but she told me that there is a notice coming my way.


So is the information she gave me correct?

 

[baikal3]

I called the 1-800 number and asked to be transferred to a second tier officer. When I asked about my case status to the 2nd tier officer, she just read the same information I already knew, and told me that I should allow for 14 business days for the notice to arrive. I specifically asked her if it only was a place holder, but she told me that there is a notice coming my way.


So is the information she gave me correct?

Hmm, I rather doubt it. If there is anything "coming your way", it's most likely a letter with a new oath date.
I'd say that if you don't receive anything by the end of this week, try to schedule an INFOPASS appointment at your local DO (in fact you could try to schedule it now for next week).
The people staffing the 800 line do not have direct access to your file and they often refuse to use their brain even if they see that the case status message is obviously inapplicable...

 

[GKER]

Hmm, I rather doubt it. If there is anything "coming your way", it's most likely a letter with a new oath date.
I'd say that if you don't receive anything by the end of this week, try to schedule an INFOPASS appointment at your local DO (in fact you could try to schedule it now for next week).
The people staffing the 800 line do not have direct access to your file and they often refuse to use their brain even if they see that the case status message is obviously inapplicable...

I will just wait and see if something comes. Otherwise I will just schedule an Infopass next week.