Here is an interesting piece of information regarding how the "process" of case processing itself is clearly broken.
According to my findings from a few conversations with TSC, the reason that my case is delayed is nothing to do with pending security checks. I have had confirmation from TSC on several occasions that these were cleared on September 18, 2006.
So what is the problem exactly? Stick with me here because this is hard to describe...
When you file your I-485, in order for your receipt notice to be issued, they have to put your application into a physical file.
There are two types of "file" classification that can contain your case information, Alien "A Files" and Temporary "T Files".
Each alien that has filed any paperwork (ever) with USCIS has an "A File". This is the master file that should contain all pieces of documentation about the alien. These are physical files that can only be located in one place at a time. Allegedly, when these files are not currently being "used" by USCIS they are stored at the National Records Center.
A "T File" is purely a temporary place holder for documents that could not be placed directly into an "A File". So, dependant on the location of your "A File" at the time you file your Adjustment of Status paperwork will determine whether USCIS place your I-485 into your "A File" or create a "T File" for it.
Now I hope that wasn't too confusing and that everybody is still with me...
So what does this mean in terms of processing the case from that point? Well, this is where things seem to fall apart...
In order for the USCIS Service Center to adjudicate your adjustment of status they must be in possession of all the relevant documentation and it must be all located together in your "A File". If not, they cannot and will not move forward with adjudication.
Now that makes perfect sense to me. I would expect that all the documentation is needed before a decision can be made on a case.
So for example, if your "A File" was physically located at TSC when you filed your I-485 then it is most likely that it will be placed directly into the "A File". That is ideal as it means that all the documents are together and can be adjudicated as soon as all other requirements are satisfied (security checks, etc).
However, if your "A File" was not located at TSC when your I-485 was filed then chances are you would have a "T File" created for it. Meaning that your "A File" will need to be sent to TSC and then have the contents of your "T File" merged into it.
Hopefully this is still all making sense...
Now it appears that the "merging" of "A File" and "T File" is something that can be overlooked. In my case the I-485 has been sitting at TSC since August 11, 2006 being ignored. My "A File" that contains all the other information is still at the National Records Center (December 11, 2006).
The frustrating thing is that even if security checks are cleared, visa date is current, etc. the case can still not make progress. And yet as we all know, plenty of other cases are being approved at a rapid rate. But it does shed some light on why some cases get processed at much more speedily than others.
If the extremely helpful TSC representative (this is not common for them to be this helpful) hadn't looked into my case and put a request into the system for my file to be retrieved from the National Records Center, I seriously wonder how long this would have continued to achieve no progress.
We shall see if things now start to move in the right direction.
