Thanks.
Do you still recommend a visit to the FO next week to plead the case as a last resort to get extra info on ensuring they’re trying to get the background check moving as much as they can?
DV 2025 AOS (Adjustment of Status) Process Only
- Thread starter Sm1smom
- Start date
Do you still recommend a visit to the FO next week to plead the case as a last resort to get extra info on ensuring they’re trying to get the background check moving as much as they can?
Sm1smom
Super Moderator
Yep, you most certainly should try that also.
blackchemist
Member
Hello Mom,
1) If an AOS application is denied, is any pending background check still completed, or does USCIS terminate it even if incomplete (notifying the relevant agencies)?
2) In addition, for how long is this information retained?
I understand that this may not be the kind of information that is readily available, but I'm just asking
Thanks
1) If an AOS application is denied, is any pending background check still completed, or does USCIS terminate it even if incomplete (notifying the relevant agencies)?
2) In addition, for how long is this information retained?
I understand that this may not be the kind of information that is readily available, but I'm just asking
Thanks
Sm1smom
Super Moderator
1. If an application is denied for one reason or the other while the background check clearance is was pending, they will still go ahead with completing the background check - it is useful datapoint on people in the US.
2. Most likely indefinitely.
Do you think it’s worth doing it even at the end of this week potentially or still wait till next week, Monday perhaps?
Sm1smom
Super Moderator
Week of 22nd as previously suggested.
Hello! I’m going to go to interview tomorrow. I wanna show what my wife and me prepared for it, maybe you can recommend what else we need or don’t need. Very appreciated for some advice.
Me:
• I-131 (2022) Travel Authorization
• I-94
• Welcome Letter
• DS-260 receipt
• I-485 + notices for 485
• I-134
• Birth Certificate
• Marriage Certificate
• Diplomas (evaluation, translated school certificates)
• Car Title
• Notices (TPS, old and new I-131, work permits)
• Renewal parole
• New TPS notices as renewal
• father case about asylum notices just in case + letter to uscis about withdrawal me from case
• Passport, work permit, SSN, Driver License
• Taxes 2023
• Letter from employer + last few pay stubs
• Medical exam closed envelope renewed
• Vaccination record
My wife
• Medical exam closed envelope renewed
• Taxes 2023
• Marriage certificate
• Vaccination record
• Diploma, school certificates with translation
• Birth certificate
• Notices (for all work permits, TPS, I-131 entry, re-parole)
• I-485 (copy,notices)
• I-134 copy
• SSN, work permits (2), driver’s license
• DS-260 payment
• I-94, travel authorization, passport
joint folder
• Sponsor’s taxes for 2023 and 2024, paystubs for last year, copies of sponsor’s documents
• Health insurance policies for proof of same address
• Joint taxes for 2024 (as a family)
• Joint bookings/reservations
• Polish Slavic statements from my and Artem’s accounts where we are both listed
• Verizon statements
• Lemonade (insurance) statements
• Proof of our address (medical bills, wedding and engagement rings receipts(with address), bank letters, auto insurance letters, etc.)
• Affidavits from friends
• Joint car insurance
• Chase statement and letter from Chase with summary of deposit joint account
• Marriage Certificate
• Photo album with photos since 2016
• Wedding invitations from friends + congratulatory cards from our friends
What can you recommend bring with me more ? Thank you
Me:
• I-131 (2022) Travel Authorization
• I-94
• Welcome Letter
• DS-260 receipt
• I-485 + notices for 485
• I-134
• Birth Certificate
• Marriage Certificate
• Diplomas (evaluation, translated school certificates)
• Car Title
• Notices (TPS, old and new I-131, work permits)
• Renewal parole
• New TPS notices as renewal
• father case about asylum notices just in case + letter to uscis about withdrawal me from case
• Passport, work permit, SSN, Driver License
• Taxes 2023
• Letter from employer + last few pay stubs
• Medical exam closed envelope renewed
• Vaccination record
My wife
• Medical exam closed envelope renewed
• Taxes 2023
• Marriage certificate
• Vaccination record
• Diploma, school certificates with translation
• Birth certificate
• Notices (for all work permits, TPS, I-131 entry, re-parole)
• I-485 (copy,notices)
• I-134 copy
• SSN, work permits (2), driver’s license
• DS-260 payment
• I-94, travel authorization, passport
joint folder
• Sponsor’s taxes for 2023 and 2024, paystubs for last year, copies of sponsor’s documents
• Health insurance policies for proof of same address
• Joint taxes for 2024 (as a family)
• Joint bookings/reservations
• Polish Slavic statements from my and Artem’s accounts where we are both listed
• Verizon statements
• Lemonade (insurance) statements
• Proof of our address (medical bills, wedding and engagement rings receipts(with address), bank letters, auto insurance letters, etc.)
• Affidavits from friends
• Joint car insurance
• Chase statement and letter from Chase with summary of deposit joint account
• Marriage Certificate
• Photo album with photos since 2016
• Wedding invitations from friends + congratulatory cards from our friends
What can you recommend bring with me more ? Thank you
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Sm1smom
Super Moderator
Review your list against the list in the “Interview Tips” tab of the AOS process spreadsheet to see if there’s any other recommended item on the spreadsheet which may not already be on your list.
blackchemist
Member
Hi Mom, life is strange.
Yesterday my congressional representative reached out to me by email. They wrote:
We spoke at telephone with USCIS about your case at length. The field office reviewed the situation and consulted with its legal counsel. After that review, USCIS decided that their earlier determination was not in error, and that to be eligible the application would have needed to be receipted on or after August 1. I’ve also flagged the discrepancy between the website language and the USCIS policy manual with the Office of Legislative Affairs, though I don’t expect that to significantly affect the outcome of your prior application.
I’m current in September. On Monday I filed a new I-485, which was delivered on Tuesday morning to the Elgin, Illinois lockbox (I haven’t received any text or email yet). In the meantime, I was trying to push my Field Office through my lawyer, my congressional representative, and my university (my employer). This morning, the supervisors of the field office called my lawyer and said they are reconsidering my case and scheduled an interview for me on September 25. A few minutes later, they sent by email a “Call-in Letter” to my lawyer, who forwarded it to me.
On myUSCIS accout now it appears:
September 18, 2025 Case Was Reopened For Reconsideration
September 11, 2025 We denied your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
I have some questions:
1. Do you think they just want to interview me and then deny me based on the early filing? It feels strange because yesterday my congressional representative told me USCIS did not consider their decision an error, and today they reopened my case.
2. They haven’t said if they will mail me the hard copy of the call-in letter. Is it enough if I just print this version and bring it? Or am I supposed to receive an original notice by mail? The letter I received only says “I-485 interview appointment” with the date, time, and location, and instructs me to bring: “This interview notice and your government-issued photo identification. Any immigration-related documentation ever issued to you.” Why isn’t it an interview letter?
3. As I said, I submitted a second I-485 application that was delivered Tuesday morning to the Elgin lockbox. I don’t want to stop the cashier’s check. What if at the interview they insist the early filing wasn’t valid? Could they then use the new I-485 (assuming it gets receipted in time)? Is it a problem to have two I-485s pending? If one gets approved, does the other get denied automatically? Or should I withdraw the second one? Please tell me your thoughts about that.
4. I completed biometrics on August 5. The background check should be finished by now, but is there any way to confirm? I just don’t want the interview to go well but then have the case stuck because the background check is still pending.
5. I will bring all my original documents (e.g., diplomas). For my birth certificate: my lawyer has the original issued by my hometown on 01/23/2025 (used in both applications we submitted). I also have a new original dated 07/15/2025. They are identical, only the issuance date is different. Should I bring mine, or should my lawyer return to me the original dated 01/23/2025?
Thank you
Yesterday my congressional representative reached out to me by email. They wrote:
We spoke at telephone with USCIS about your case at length. The field office reviewed the situation and consulted with its legal counsel. After that review, USCIS decided that their earlier determination was not in error, and that to be eligible the application would have needed to be receipted on or after August 1. I’ve also flagged the discrepancy between the website language and the USCIS policy manual with the Office of Legislative Affairs, though I don’t expect that to significantly affect the outcome of your prior application.
I’m current in September. On Monday I filed a new I-485, which was delivered on Tuesday morning to the Elgin, Illinois lockbox (I haven’t received any text or email yet). In the meantime, I was trying to push my Field Office through my lawyer, my congressional representative, and my university (my employer). This morning, the supervisors of the field office called my lawyer and said they are reconsidering my case and scheduled an interview for me on September 25. A few minutes later, they sent by email a “Call-in Letter” to my lawyer, who forwarded it to me.
On myUSCIS accout now it appears:
September 18, 2025 Case Was Reopened For Reconsideration
September 11, 2025 We denied your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
I have some questions:
1. Do you think they just want to interview me and then deny me based on the early filing? It feels strange because yesterday my congressional representative told me USCIS did not consider their decision an error, and today they reopened my case.
2. They haven’t said if they will mail me the hard copy of the call-in letter. Is it enough if I just print this version and bring it? Or am I supposed to receive an original notice by mail? The letter I received only says “I-485 interview appointment” with the date, time, and location, and instructs me to bring: “This interview notice and your government-issued photo identification. Any immigration-related documentation ever issued to you.” Why isn’t it an interview letter?
3. As I said, I submitted a second I-485 application that was delivered Tuesday morning to the Elgin lockbox. I don’t want to stop the cashier’s check. What if at the interview they insist the early filing wasn’t valid? Could they then use the new I-485 (assuming it gets receipted in time)? Is it a problem to have two I-485s pending? If one gets approved, does the other get denied automatically? Or should I withdraw the second one? Please tell me your thoughts about that.
4. I completed biometrics on August 5. The background check should be finished by now, but is there any way to confirm? I just don’t want the interview to go well but then have the case stuck because the background check is still pending.
5. I will bring all my original documents (e.g., diplomas). For my birth certificate: my lawyer has the original issued by my hometown on 01/23/2025 (used in both applications we submitted). I also have a new original dated 07/15/2025. They are identical, only the issuance date is different. Should I bring mine, or should my lawyer return to me the original dated 01/23/2025?
Thank you
Sm1smom
Super Moderator
1. No, I do not think so. There's no point in bringing you in for an interview only for them to re-deny the case on the same basis for the initial denial. It is not unusual for a previously denied case to be re-opened for reconsideration. My guess is the deny got flagged to possibly a supervisor/manager (some whose authority is above your IO's or the person that responded to the congressional inquiry), hence the case being re-opened for reconsideration. legacy1 is a DV2024 selectee whose initial filing was denied for early filing, the case got re-opened and was subsequently approved. There's a couple more of those listed in the "Early Filing" tab of the DV Tracker - Unique Situation spreadsheet if you want to read more about those.
2. They can label it anything, it doesn't detract from it being an IL. Just print out what was emailed to you, it will be allowed when you show up as scheduled.
3. Not a problem. legacy1's case that I referenced in response 1 above had a 2nd application in the system when the first one was re-opened and approved.
4. You can ask about it when you go in for your interview.
5. Just use your discretion on this.
@Sm1smom do you think it's worth reaching out to my senator's office for additional help, i.e asking them to expedite the case with the USCIS? Reading BlackChemist's situation it seems nice that they are able to call and talk with the FO on the phone and get some information that way, while mine seemingly only does it via email.
Perhaps via my senator's office they would be able to do a phone call to get more information?
Perhaps via my senator's office they would be able to do a phone call to get more information?
Sm1smom
Super Moderator
Your senator cannot make USCIS expedite your case any faster than they are currently doing if the delay is background check clearance related. You however could still try that. Bear in mind each congress person has their preferred method of reaching out to USCIS - some prefer to call, while some prefer email contact. Plus, some of them they tend to ask if a previous congressional assistance was initiated.
SusieQQQ
Well-Known Member
I suspect phone vs email has less to do with who is a congressman and who is a senator than with how often they deal with USCIS and how immigrant-friendly they are.
Is there anything the USCIS can actually do in that case or is it totally reliant on the FBI? Can they even try to have it expedited with the FBI or with whatever other agencies they are working with?
blackchemist
Member
Agree. For example, I contacted another congressional representative, and they told me they were aware I had already submitted the same inquiry through another senator, so they would not file a duplicate request. I also want to clarify for @MrBobert that my representative did not speak directly with USCIS but "with one of their USCIS liaisons at the Field Office". That’s what they told me, if that makes sense. I realize I was not so precise in my previous post.
Sm1smom
Super Moderator
Please take a look at the "Background Check" tab of the AOS Process Spreadsheet - you can go through the linked resources to learn more about the process yourself.
Sm1smom
Super Moderator
Since both you and @blackchemist are under the same FO, have you tried reaching out to your congressman's office to explain about your case denial and have them contact your FO to consider re-opening your case also?
I had my interview today. As soon as we entered the building, the security at the entrance refused to let us in, saying: “This department is not working today, there is a mistake in your notice, since the computer mistakenly chose the wrong date.” I insisted that this could not be the case, and they told me to go to another floor to reschedule a new interview date.
Still, I went according to the information in the invitation. There was another guard there, and he told us to wait in the waiting room since no one was around. The waiting room was absolutely empty, not a single person. A few minutes later, our officer arrived — a very pleasant woman. She took our documents and, after about 10 minutes, led us into the interview room.
The interview was very easy and simple. We went over the application, a few questions from the form, and that was it. She told us to expect a notice in the mail.
When I asked whether the case was approved on her side or not, she replied that she could not say that — the case still needs to be processed and we should wait for the notice by mail. She is aware of the deadline.
My question is: after the interview, does the September 30th deadline still apply in my situation?
Thank you all for your help. Later, once a decision is made, I will share the full story of my case.
Still, I went according to the information in the invitation. There was another guard there, and he told us to wait in the waiting room since no one was around. The waiting room was absolutely empty, not a single person. A few minutes later, our officer arrived — a very pleasant woman. She took our documents and, after about 10 minutes, led us into the interview room.
The interview was very easy and simple. We went over the application, a few questions from the form, and that was it. She told us to expect a notice in the mail.
When I asked whether the case was approved on her side or not, she replied that she could not say that — the case still needs to be processed and we should wait for the notice by mail. She is aware of the deadline.
My question is: after the interview, does the September 30th deadline still apply in my situation?
Thank you all for your help. Later, once a decision is made, I will share the full story of my case.
SusieQQQ
Well-Known Member
Adjustment has to be approved by 30 September.
Hello everyone!
I got a short-notice call about my interview from the congressman's office after submitting a congressional inquiry. My case was current in August, and over a month had passed since USCIS received it, including three weeks after biometrics.
My interview was on 09/10 and I didn’t receive an interview letter, but I decided to go anyway. At check-in, I was initially turned away because I wasn’t in the system. I was disappointed, but soon noticed a status update on my case, so I waited. About 10 minutes later, I was called in.
The officer was kind and asked about my entry to the US, previous visas, and questions from the I-485. He said I came well-prepared. That same day, the status changed to “New Card Is Being Produced,” and I received my GC on 09/17.
I couldn’t find a DV-experienced lawyer, so I did everything by myself with this forum’s guidance. Huge thanks to Mom and everyone on this forum for the support and helpful info (especially Anna Z, who shared her experience)!
Wishing the best of luck to all DV2025 applicants!
I got a short-notice call about my interview from the congressman's office after submitting a congressional inquiry. My case was current in August, and over a month had passed since USCIS received it, including three weeks after biometrics.
My interview was on 09/10 and I didn’t receive an interview letter, but I decided to go anyway. At check-in, I was initially turned away because I wasn’t in the system. I was disappointed, but soon noticed a status update on my case, so I waited. About 10 minutes later, I was called in.
The officer was kind and asked about my entry to the US, previous visas, and questions from the I-485. He said I came well-prepared. That same day, the status changed to “New Card Is Being Produced,” and I received my GC on 09/17.
I couldn’t find a DV-experienced lawyer, so I did everything by myself with this forum’s guidance. Huge thanks to Mom and everyone on this forum for the support and helpful info (especially Anna Z, who shared her experience)!
Wishing the best of luck to all DV2025 applicants!
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