Immigration Site

Hi can you please give me some advise - i am UK citizen, arrived in may 2007. my husband is American and we got married on july 21st 2007. I filed my I-130 separately from the I-485 as could not afford the huge fee at once.

When we went for our interview on April 3, 2009 the interviewer said she could not make a decision as I had two case numbers because I filed I-130 and I-485 separately. She would have to review the first case number and if everything with that was fine then I would get welcome letter. It is now October 4th and i have still heard nothing. My case status on the USCIS website isnt even in "interview" status yet. I contacted the non-profit organization that helped me fill in my forms and she said that she had checked my case status with the Hartford, CT office and it was still showing pending officer review. She also told me not to worry as many of their clients were in the same situation as the officers interviewing are new therefore cases have to be reviewed by supervisors.

I dont understand. We gave the officer everything, I had all my documents very well organized and I had more than enough evidence. She seemed friendly as we got into the interview, and it lasted half an hour. We left quite happy but its like the interview never happened because it hasnt even updated on the website that i have had my interview or that i am at the interview stage. I dont understand. I keep getting told that it is a waiting game - but when I check the internet so many people have received their welcome letters within 3 weeks of interview, or even received appointments for second interviews sooner than this! I have contacted USCIS but no-one seems to care.

can someone who deals with this please give me advise?

Did you go to Infopass and actually talked to the real IO? If you just CALLED it wont help you a bit (as the answering people are not even CIS and have no access to your info).

Infopass at hartford has been unhelpful. How do I talk to a real Immigration Officer there is nothing to contact them other than this Infopass and with past experience I cannot afford to take days off, unpaid, to be sent home more frustrated than I did before I got there. I have emailed my Congressman but it can take a few weeks for him to reply. That is why I have asked if anyone with experience or background could help me unravel how much longer it may take as I cannot work out the processing times on the USCIS website either.

It says processing time for I-485 is for February 09 and takes 6 months. Is 6 months from the interview? or 6 months from the date you sent it or they received the form? Its ridiculous trying to get answers, and calling is pointless as they put you on hold and tehn read off a script, that doesnt have anything to do with what you asked.

There is no way to talk to the real CIS except Infopass. I know its frustrating, but thats how they did it.

When I run into the problem with CIS I actually sent email with the complaint to the senator. About 1.5 weeks later his office sent me the response from CIS regarding my issue (it was solved ). So may be you want to try that too. It wont hurt at least. Good luck!