Help Needed - AOS (I-485) in CIA Check..Confused!

S

spysonic

Registered Users (C)
Hi All,

Would appreciate any thoughts. I've combed the forum with regards to the CIA check, but haven't really found much except for a lot of info on FBI checks. My wife (USC) and I were married in late '03

Filed: Jan '04
EAD/AP Rec: March '04
FP: July '04
Interview: Aug '04 (Newark, NJ)

At the time, the officer said that everything looked fine but the case was pending a CIA Check, after which point I should get an approval letter and I can come back to get my stamp.

He then gave me a letter that said the following:

"Today you were interviewed for an AOS. The results of the interview are the following:

Your case is being held due to a CIA Check which is required prior to AOS. Please allow an additional 90 days from today's date before you make inquiry so that we may complete the required security check and advise you accordingly of the descision.

Received INS Aug 25 2004"

Well, needless to say its been well over 90 days and I have not heard anything. Have other people experienced this? From what I gather the FBI check and CIA check are separate - please correct me if I am wrong.

Either way what timeframes are we looking at here?

Secondly, my EAD is expiring on Apr. 11, 2005. My incompetent lawyer (who I am filing a grievance against) failed to advise me to apply for an EAD renewal 90 days prior to my current EAD expiring.

I have since then applied (online) for my EAD renewal (I-765) on Feb 17th and have gone into the Application Support Center (ASC) for my fingerprinting / photo and mailed in all supporting documents via overnight mail (to Missouri)

As of now, my online status regarding my EAD says pretty much what I have written above. On the BCIS website (and via NCSC) I was informed that as of March 18, 2005 they were processing all EAD's on or prior to Jan 31st.

My concern: is it feasible for me to expect my renewed EAD prior to my current one expiring on Apr. 11.

Secondly, any advice/thoughts/opinions regarding my AOS would also be appreciated.


Sorry this is long winded, but with a baby on the way and preparing to close on a house, the thought of having to stop working is keeping me up at night!

Truly appreciate your thoughts. Many thanks and regards.

-s
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Folks,

I would appreciate any feedback you may have. Is the CIA check separate from the FBI Check?

On the letter the officer gave me, he clearly circled CIA and even wrote on the note 'CIA Check'. From all that I've read here about the FBI check, I am now confused! Thanks,

-s
 
Indeed frustrating..

spysonic said:
Folks,

I would appreciate any feedback you may have. Is the CIA check separate from the FBI Check?

On the letter the officer gave me, he clearly circled CIA and even wrote on the note 'CIA Check'. From all that I've read here about the FBI check, I am now confused! Thanks,

-s
Click to expand...

Hi Spysonic, I know your worries are legit, but unfortunately there is not much you can do. I am going through similar situation, My wife is USC and i have been legal in this country for last 7 years. Atleast you know your case is in CIA, only information i have about my case is that they received it Last year. I have also re-applied for EAD right befor 90 days and i dont know if i will get it before that. I think you might be able to get your EAD before it is going to expire. By randomly guessing, I think by April 18, they should process cases till February 31st, so i think you have a chance. I am also working and as you said it is really difficult situation. I would suggest contacting your Congressman. I have not done that yet. Finally, have faith and good luck.
 
Faisalt, thanks so much for your response, I really appreciate it. I hadn't realized that by Apr 18th they will process all Feb 31 cases, makes me a little hopeful. I have sent an email to my congressman via the senate website. All I got was an email which didn't say much except for 'Thank you' and nothing else - this was over a month ago.

You're right, atleast I know that my case is in CIA. Hope you get word on yours soon.

I am trying to understand if there is any difference b/w the FBI check and the CIA Check? Any insight on that would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

-s
 
Only thing i have heard is FBI check, this is the first time i am hearing CIA check??Sorry can't help you there.
 
Update on the CIA check. Turns out there is the FBI check (name, etc) and a CIA check. Evidently, if your name gets a hit on the CIA database it gets escalated to make sure you don't have any terrorist affiliations. This is a common problem for people who have muslim names. As much as that stereotype pisses us off, we really can't do much about it. Even though I am not muslim, having lived most of my life in the middle east is probably what set off some alerts, hence the delay.
 
spysonic said:
Update on the CIA check. Turns out there is the FBI check (name, etc) and a CIA check. Evidently, if your name gets a hit on the CIA database it gets escalated to make sure you don't have any terrorist affiliations. This is a common problem for people who have muslim names. As much as that stereotype pisses us off, we really can't do much about it. Even though I am not muslim, having lived most of my life in the middle east is probably what set off some alerts, hence the delay.
Click to expand...

myself and my wife are all from India and none of us ever have been to any middle eastern countries and we are not muslims, still my wife is going through the same situation. there is no correlation as far as I look at it.
 
You're possibly right, but this is one explanation our corporate lawyer thought was possible. How long has your wife been waiting?

We went for our interview in Aug '04, been 7 mos since then and no word.

Went to the Newark office in person about 4 weeks ago, but they were 'short staffed' that day and said I'd have to wait 5 hrs before seeing anyone - time that I didn't have so I left.

Let's see I just hope my EAD renewal comes through before my current one expires on Apr. 11.

Thanks for your input. Good luck.

-s
 
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