transfered to baltimore
- Thread starter 485bn
- Start date
i'm a baltimore victim, had interview in last oct., but still nothing. long story short -- it took 2 months to schedule for interview after the transfer, but that's in last aug/sep period when batches of cases were transferred. after that, it looks like fewer cases were tranferred and it took longer (yes, longer than 2 months) to schedule. my problem was my doctor forgot to sign one form, although i sent the form back one day later, for some reason, the case was "frozen" on the shelf for another 5 months until they sent it to fbi for name check, now the check has been taken for 4+ months, still "pending". i called bcis for 5 times (no use, don't do it if your case is at local) and visitied local for 3 times and asked my lawyer to send in request 2 times, all same result, "name check has not been done, once it's done, it will be approved ......."
all i can tell you is the processing speed at local offices is totally UNPREDICTABLE and you have no way to find updates. Service center at least has a better communication.
the interview at baltimore was simple, you don't need to have a lawyer to be with you. BUT, here's my suggestions:
1) bring as many documents as you can think of, besides the ones they ask for. (for your case, some extra docs to prove your marriage). it's not likely they'll ask for them, but if they do and you don't have them in hand, it could cause your troubles/delays;
2) questions are simple, some are related to your wife's visa status since entered u.s., criminal records, your marriage, etc., don't worry.
3) REMEMBER the officer's name in case something happens, you can find the name on his/her door (this is my lawyer's advice).
4) the. whole process (not include waiting time) takes less than 30 mins.
5) the biggest problem is FBI NAME CHECK, if it's already done smoothly, then everything will be fine, otherwise you'll NEVER know WHEN they'll look at your case again, and by that time, some new policies/regulations/whatever may come out, and, believe me, things will only get WORSE.
all in all, it all depends on your luck and i wsih you have a better one than mine.
all i can tell you is the processing speed at local offices is totally UNPREDICTABLE and you have no way to find updates. Service center at least has a better communication.
the interview at baltimore was simple, you don't need to have a lawyer to be with you. BUT, here's my suggestions:
1) bring as many documents as you can think of, besides the ones they ask for. (for your case, some extra docs to prove your marriage). it's not likely they'll ask for them, but if they do and you don't have them in hand, it could cause your troubles/delays;
2) questions are simple, some are related to your wife's visa status since entered u.s., criminal records, your marriage, etc., don't worry.
3) REMEMBER the officer's name in case something happens, you can find the name on his/her door (this is my lawyer's advice).
4) the. whole process (not include waiting time) takes less than 30 mins.
5) the biggest problem is FBI NAME CHECK, if it's already done smoothly, then everything will be fine, otherwise you'll NEVER know WHEN they'll look at your case again, and by that time, some new policies/regulations/whatever may come out, and, believe me, things will only get WORSE.
all in all, it all depends on your luck and i wsih you have a better one than mine.
I'm sorry to hear that hk2001. I just came back from Baltimore office today to pick up my EAD card and also to register my SS number at Benson Office (only 7 miles from BCIS). I will get my SS# within 10 days. Easy day.
Sometimes even we planned things really careful, just because someone else mistake (like your case is your doctor), it can be delayed. Thats really not fair! Geshhh, that is why when they put my form in the envelope I keep asking whether they sign and put everything in order...just in case you know. But since we cannot open the envelope, that is the problem, we cannot check what is in there. For me, my doctor not even give a copy! Some ppl got it and some ppl done, depends on the doctor.
I wish you guys good luck. Its look my interview will be coming soon. For now I'm concentrate on searching jobs. Hope get one soon
Have a nice day.
Sometimes even we planned things really careful, just because someone else mistake (like your case is your doctor), it can be delayed. Thats really not fair! Geshhh, that is why when they put my form in the envelope I keep asking whether they sign and put everything in order...just in case you know. But since we cannot open the envelope, that is the problem, we cannot check what is in there. For me, my doctor not even give a copy! Some ppl got it and some ppl done, depends on the doctor.
I wish you guys good luck. Its look my interview will be coming soon. For now I'm concentrate on searching jobs. Hope get one soon
Have a nice day.
Another one from Baltimore
My interview was done in Dec 2002. They said everything is OK and informed me that they have to send my case for name check. Waited till April to check the status. In April 2003 they told me that they send it for Name check in March. Wondering what they were doing during December - March period. They said it is another name check. Only God knows what it is ? I am still waiting.
My interview was done in Dec 2002. They said everything is OK and informed me that they have to send my case for name check. Waited till April to check the status. In April 2003 they told me that they send it for Name check in March. Wondering what they were doing during December - March period. They said it is another name check. Only God knows what it is ? I am still waiting.
chichu, we're on the same boat, mine was sent to fbi on 3/8. i checked at local office three times (the last time was a week ago), still same thing. i asked the officer for an estimate, she said it's normal to wait this long and she knew ppl waiting since this jan.
god knows what they were doing between last nov. to this mar., and god knows what's happening now.
i'm guessing:
1) local offices may have a worse communication with fbi for this name check procedure than service center. because i guess service center has more officers processing cases and they send in batch to fbi. if the result comes back, it's more likely somebody will pick it up and continue the process. and maybe once in a while, they'll do some cleanup work, that may explain why recently we saw more old sep./oct./nov. cases approved directly from vsc. BUT, if it's a transfer case, vsc has no idea what's the status and they may not bother to care.
2) another guy's case (search this forum) was interviewed on 3/4 at baltimore and got approved 2 weeks ago. i was thinking maybe our cases were name checked in the same batch at fbi, but it looks like not.
3) it's also possible our cases were already cleared from fbi, but they're still on the shelf and nobody is picking it up, and nobody is updating the computer system
i noticed during my three visits (mar. to last week) to the local office that nobody was waiting in the interview room (it used to be full). i think maybe the officers are busy processing special registration cases or something else now. this may answer why recent transfers are scheduled to interview in mid aug. - sep period (hopefully it means they'll be back to normal by then).
only my own thoughts. it's really a torture everyday you check mailbox and find nothing, what an endless tunnel!
god knows what they were doing between last nov. to this mar., and god knows what's happening now.
i'm guessing:
1) local offices may have a worse communication with fbi for this name check procedure than service center. because i guess service center has more officers processing cases and they send in batch to fbi. if the result comes back, it's more likely somebody will pick it up and continue the process. and maybe once in a while, they'll do some cleanup work, that may explain why recently we saw more old sep./oct./nov. cases approved directly from vsc. BUT, if it's a transfer case, vsc has no idea what's the status and they may not bother to care.
2) another guy's case (search this forum) was interviewed on 3/4 at baltimore and got approved 2 weeks ago. i was thinking maybe our cases were name checked in the same batch at fbi, but it looks like not.
3) it's also possible our cases were already cleared from fbi, but they're still on the shelf and nobody is picking it up, and nobody is updating the computer system
i noticed during my three visits (mar. to last week) to the local office that nobody was waiting in the interview room (it used to be full). i think maybe the officers are busy processing special registration cases or something else now. this may answer why recent transfers are scheduled to interview in mid aug. - sep period (hopefully it means they'll be back to normal by then).
only my own thoughts. it's really a torture everyday you check mailbox and find nothing, what an endless tunnel!
When I visited the Baltimore office last time, an officer told me that I can fill up a form if I have waited more than 6 months after the interview. If you do that , according to the person at the information counter, INS is supposed to take action within 30 to 60 days. Another officer told me that giving that form does not make any difference at all. Again God Knows. Anyway I did it.
Good Luck ! Keep in touch.
Good Luck ! Keep in touch.
from what i read, i don't think it could make any difference. most likely the senator office will send some request and the lcoal officer will check their computer with "oh, it's still pending for name check", just like what they did every time i personally checked at local.
every time my lawyer sent the request, he put copies of every notice(RD, transfer, FP, last response, etc.) since 485 RD inside and clearly asked for an explanation, your know what the response looks like? a copy of pretyped short letter with only 1 hand-written line, "your case is pending", that's it.
patience? i think i lost it long time ago but what can i do? believe me, when eventully i get through, i'll have no feelings at all. it's a nightmare that takes all the joy away.
thanks for your reply!
every time my lawyer sent the request, he put copies of every notice(RD, transfer, FP, last response, etc.) since 485 RD inside and clearly asked for an explanation, your know what the response looks like? a copy of pretyped short letter with only 1 hand-written line, "your case is pending", that's it.
patience? i think i lost it long time ago but what can i do? believe me, when eventully i get through, i'll have no feelings at all. it's a nightmare that takes all the joy away.
thanks for your reply!