Boston Stamping Experience.

I

Irish272000

Registered Users (C)
I was approved on 9/15/2003 (RD, 01/07/2002) and received the courtesy copy of the approval notice in the mail on Friday, September 19th.

On Monday, September 22nd, I went to the local Boston BCIS office for stamping. Doors open at 7.00 a.m. - I got there at 6.15 a.m.. There were approx. 50+ people in front of me. By the time the doors opened, there were at least 60 people behind me.

Got through security - according to the Approval notice, I needed I89 form. I went to the forms desk to ask for it and they said I needed a number from the person at the desk to get it. Fine.

Stood in line for another 45 minutes to get to the desk and (as I thought) get a number.

The woman at the desk took my Passport, EAD, Approval Notice and I-94 (which was in the passport). She looked them over and said she didn't need to give me a number as she could take care of it right there (!!!) but I needed to go get the I-89 form. I went back to the forms desk and had some hassle until I firmly told them I was not going to run around in circles all day playing "he said, she said ...". The officer had told me she wasn't going to give me a number and to get the I-89 form (which required a fingerprint) and that they need to communicate with each other to straighten it out. They finally gave it to me (as that was easier than getting out of their chair) and I went back to the main desk (I didn't need to get back in line - I waited for her to finish with the person she was with and then she waved me back up).

She took all the documents I mentioned and told me to take a seat near by and she would call my name. Waited for about 20 minutes - she called me back and said,

"Ok - I'm going to stamp your passport with the temporary proof of permanent residency (I-551 stamp). This is valid for 1 year. Unfortunately, it's taking up to 18 months to actually get the card but you can get this stamp redone at any INS office. Have a great day!!!"

Apparently, my case was approved at the Boston office and not Vermont (so I guess at some point it was transferred). I'm assuming because this was the case, that is why I didn't get the "no visa number available today" excuse as they presumably did that check as part of the approval (this is only speculation on my part though).

That's it - saga over. I'm not too worried about waiting for the actual card once I have the stamp.
 
Congratulations!!

Did you have to do a second finger print?

All the best to you -- hopefully when ever we get approved, our stamping experinece will be smooth as well (yes -- keeping fingers crossed for approval now).

Congratulation again.
 
Reposting case details ...

EAC # : EAC-02-088-515XX

Labor Cert. : Sometime in 1998
I-140 AD : 09/2001

I-485 RD : 01/07/2002
I-485 ND : 01/17/2002
I-485 FP(1) : 03/14/2002

Changed Employer : 08/01/2003

I-485 RFE : 07/11/2003 (Proof of Employment)
I-485 FP(2) : 08/14/2003

I-485 AD : 09/15/2003 (As per NCSC phone line).


My employer was sponsoring and paying for the process.

As you can see the process began way back in '98 when I applied for Labor Certification (I'd already been in the country since '97 on H1B). The initial application was NOT RIR (as it was not in place at the time I think). When I became aware of RIR AND that I was qualified for this process, I forced my attorney to change to this process (at the time, it was taking 18 months less than regular process). My attorney didn't appear to know to much about RIR and was reluctant to change but I insisted. Unfortunately, she didn't prepare the application properly so it was rejected after 7 months in process - total delay was 15 months.

Changed attorney (Duh!) and re-applied. Labor certification went through in March 2001 and promptly applied for I-140. This was approved in six months (09/2001). Had to gather information for I-485 that the attorney had not warned me about up front - there were also some minor delays that in total added up to 3 months. Finally applied for I-485 in January 2002. Got receipt notice and applied for EAD in local INS office in Boston.

Due to the economy, things were looking bad for my company and my project was winding down. They informed me that if I was on the bench they didn't think they would be able to pay my salary (I saw the numbers - they were right!!). They were going to continue to support me (reduced salary while on the bench) and continue the process but stated that if a fulltime opportunity arose, and I liked it, I should go for it - no hard feelings. I'd been with them 5 years as a top revenue producer and they treated me very well and supported me all the time. After I-485 had been pending for 180 days, I changed to my current position as a full-time employee (using EAD). Previous employer did not revoke I-140. I did not inform BCIS of my change in employer (on attorney's advice).

I received an RFE on 07/11/2003 for Proof of Employment. I got the letter from my new employer, pay stubs and tax returns.
Attorney prepared a letter informing BCIS of my change in employer under the terms of the AC21 Act. This was received by Vermont Service Center on 07/25/2003.

I also received an appointment notice for the second fingerprinting scheduled for 08/14/2003. I did not go early. Results were received on 08/18/2003.

As I am travelling outside the country in December, I needed to apply for Advance Parole but was wondering if it would be necessary to spend that money. Last Wednesday (09/17/2003), I called the NCSC 1-800 number and spoke with an agent. He was very polite and pleasant, noted that I-485 applications were taking 20 months and then noted that I had exceeded that time based on my Receipt Date (01/07/2002). He took my details and said he can send an electronic "Referral Letter" to Vermont to see if there was anything outstanding on my case. He stated I would hear something from Vermont regarding my case within 3 - 5 weeks. In all, he was very friendly and helpful (as much as he could be).

Last Friday (09/12/2003), I checked the online status of my case and got the usual "On August 18th, the results of your fingerprint review .... blah, blah, blah". Checked today (09/15/2003) and it said "Case cannot be found ....".
Called the NCSC service line (in a bit of a panic) and it said "This case has been approved. On September 15th 2003, an Approval notice was mailed.".
 
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