waiting for security clearance

S

Sleepless_OR

Registered Users (C)
I was wondering if there was anyone in my weird situation?

I went for my interview in December (Portland) and could not get my passport stamped because of the freeze. More than 3 months later, I am still waiting for a security clearance.

INS says that they are still awaiting the security clearance before they can stamp my passport. Seems like I am facing a catch-22.

Is anyone in this forum waiting for security clearance after being interviewed?

Any advice what to do??



Thanks
 
I was for an interview at Portland INS yesterday. though my security clearance was done (I believe so as it was approved), I overheard another interview conversation just next to mine clearly. at the end of the interview the officer told the person that your multi-level (which he later explained as CIA , FBI , name check etc) is pending and he will be approved after it is cleared. when the person enquired how much time it takes he said for some it gets cleared in week and for some it takes even three months specially who has common last names etc. He explained few more things which I didn't hear as I had plenty of my own worries. I hope this explains your situation a bit atleast.
 
why there is security clearance for India

now? Was that always a standard practice or just started after 9/11? I thought FP was only required and now they just went through a basic security checks and not a regular FBI security clearances..
 
These days regardless of country, they are doing these multi-level security checks. This started right after the "freeze".

It is frustrating that it can take as long as 3 months. I am into my 4th.

The problem is that I don't know who to contact to expedite this process.

So close, yet so far...
 
hi ghe,

furhter to sleepless's response not only they are done for every country, in fact officially india is a flagged country in INS lingo (whatever that means). A very close friend(indian) of mine (with greencard for last three years) was in texas near border and went out to mexico to buy few trickets while parking his car on the American side. when he re-entered after half an hour. he (along with his wife and six year old kid) was taken into a room and interrogated (yes interrogated) for more than an hour befoer they were totally satisfied. My friend was totally baffled and asked the officer what is going on and made a point that he is not someone from those country's requiring special registration. he was answered quite impolitely that India is a flagged country and every one enters might be subjected to this procedure.

He was totally unprepared for the questions they asked and was very very disappointed.

world around us is changing fast.
 
I had my interview in St. Louis last Nov. 19. I am still waiting for my name check result according to immigration officer who interviewed me.
 
So what do we do to get our clearance?

What if there is a glitch in their system, how do we get unstuck?

Case in point: I received a letter last june from NSC that said that my case was transferred to Portland. AVM & online said the same. So I was waiting for the interview and nothing happened.
Turns out that come october -- it was still in NSC. It was never transferred. After my lawyer's prodding, they finally transferred the case in Nov, and I had my interview. Thats the kind if glitch I am worried about.

I do not think it should take them over 3 months for a security clearance. I think we are relegated to some dustbin and collecting dust. The problem is that no one seems to know what we can do to clear ourselves...
 
Here's something from Murthy's bulletin. This was an answer to a question why there's a delay in issuing F and H visas in India. I think in a way it applies to all of us here too.

India seems to be in august company.......

*******************quote murthy.com ***********


There are enhanced security checks worldwide. A "hit" in the database for any reason, even something very minor or in cases of name similarities, will cause an extended delay while the matter is being resolved through FBI fingerprint checks.

Seven countries are considered to be state sponsors of terrorism and experience extended delays. Nationals of those seven countries are generally not allowed to send their passports for visa revalidation to the Department of State. Those countries are Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, North Korea, and Cuba. They are on a high level of alert with respect to security screening and travel restrictions.

However, on a second tier, India is one of five countries whose nationals are under an elevated level of scrutiny. Other countries are China, Israel, Pakistan, and Russia. There are special screening requirements for individuals from these five countries who apply for nonimmigrant visas to work or study in any of the areas listed on the Technology Alert List (TAL). The TAL is extensive and includes such areas as chemical and biotechnology engineering and advanced computer and microelectronic technology.

**** unquote ******
 
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