Ok here is a summary of USCIS messages and what they mean:
1. On XXXXX, 2005, we mailed a notice requesting additional evidence or information in this case:
It means a RFI or a RFE was sent to you.
1a. On xxxxxx, 2005, we received the response to our request for evidence. It is taking between 10-12 years to process your case so just chill.
This is a generic message. DO NOT PANIC and say what the hell to the dates as they are written. Usually these dates don't mean anything.
2. Cannot Check Status of your Case:
It means that the officer has locked your case file to be updated with an approval most likely. Usually once the officer has approved your case, he lets go of the record and the CRIS computer updates the message in the database.
3. Your application is approved. If 14 days have passed and you have not received your approval notice, panic and call the dorks at the 1-800 number who may tell you to wait 2-3 years and call back..
It means the officer has approved your case but still hasn't ordered your new card yet. Once your card is ordered to be issued, you will get another mail such as the one in #4 below.
3a. On XXXXX, 2005, after approving your application, we ordered you a new card. Your card will be mailed to you as soon as it is ready.
It means that the officer has approved your case and has placed an order of the new card(with fries) to the card issuing division. Usually this happens if the officer is awesome and has approved your case and didn't stop to get his lunch and then ordered your card. Usually card id ordered if the officer determines that your BIO is complete...It is not automatic
4. On XXXXXX, 2005, the card order was completed and we mailed the applicant's new card directly to him or her.
The card was ordered and mailed to you. The case is closed, have fun...Au Revoir as they say in french.
5. Your application is approved however you may need to schedule BIOMETRICS appointment.
You are approved but somoene somewhere messed up and forgot that you need BIO to go on your card. So the officer approved your case and said ok let me order his new card but couldnt find your BIO so he can't go back and dis-approve your case so this message is generated.
You can take an infopass appointment or a BIO is sent out to you. If a BIO appt is not sent out, you can go to your local office who will issue you a temp card and send you to the Application Service Center(ASC) of your area to get your BIO done. After BIo is done, #4 is the message you will get.
6. Some people such as me don't get an approval message but get a "your card was ordered and mailed to you." This happens when the officer approves your case, and forwards it to CRIS(the big brother) to update the USCIS website...However the officer then goes and orders you a new card(same day) and sends that message to CRIS to update on the case status site...So as by default, the newer update to your file is sent to CRIS and you never get the approval message.
7. You never get an approval letter but get a card.
See #6 above. When CRIS is updated, the updated message and any outputs(approval letters, RFI, RFE, etc) are sent to the applicant so if CRIS is not updated with an approval message(even though your case is approved), you will never get an approval message.
There are 2 computers that USCIS works with, CRIS & the main application computer(USCIS-CSO). Usually CSO has all your history whereas CRIS has only the last update to your case and email generation enabled.
BTW my lawyer told me all this info and took lots of notes.
The things I do for you guys!!!
