I went to the scheduled appointment this morning. However, I wished I had not. The lady this time around was actually not rude. She told me that my background check is still in process and they have not heard anything from the FBI yet. I can apply for a travel document if I need to.
After this, she gave me a pre-printed letter and asked me to read it whenever I get a chance. She said that this has information about the name checks. She also confirmed that all cases are processed at the National Benefits Center regardless of which district initiated the case. She also asked for my EAD and entered something in the computer and sent me on my merry way.
On my way out, I read the letter. This is what is stated verbatim:
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security
8101 N. Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, TX 75247
USCIS LOGO HERE
DATE: (today’s date stamped in red)
To: Applicant
This letter is to inform you that we are unable to approve your application at this time. To ensure our national security, additional background checks were instituted to insure that all applicants qualify for the benefits sought. A review of your file revealed that your name has not cleared the required background checks.
This office constantly monitors the progress of the required checks and has instituted new procedures to insure that all applications are completed in a timely manner. Unfortunately these checks are performed by another agency outside of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and we are unable to predict when your case will be approved.
With a limited amount of resources available, we ask that you not submit an inquiry on the status of your case for at least six months.
Sincerely,
Angela K. Barrows
District Director
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What does this letter mean? I am shocked to see the first and the last lines of the first paragraph“unable to approve your application at this time…”. and “A review of your file revealed that your name has not cleared the required background checks.” As soon as I read this, I turned around and tried to enter the building again but the guard did not let me. He said that once you are out, you are out. You cannot get back in. When I insisted, one of the guards told me OK…you can go in. The other asked me to show my ID. He took the ID inside and came back after 5 minutes and said that the lady who helped me does not want to see me.
Has anyone of you have received this letter when you went to the inquiry? Also, what did she do when she asked me for my EAD? I hope she did not cancel it. She should have notified me if it was. Also, the letter is not addressed to me. It is addressed to general applicants. I want to believe that it is a poorly formulated letter and all it means is that at this time, they cannot approve my application because my name check is not YET cleared.
I checked the online case status and it has not changed yet.
I am confused and the USCIS saga continues.