Extended review ? I-765 is "on hold" ?

[TheReality]

What is the name of your state? MA

My visa # became available in February, I applied for Adjustment of status in late March, did the biometrics in mid April, and since then I haven't heard from the USCIS. The online case status check refers me to the processing dates of the processing center that handles my case, but I cannot find it among the centers posted here:
https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/ptimes.jsp
The address provided at bottom of the receipt notice is in Lee's summit, MO

This morning I went to a local INS office and was told there that the status of my case is set to: "Extended Review"

Also, I have a pending I-765 (Application for Employment Authorixation) that wes received by USCIS in mid April. I was told today by the local office that it is placed "on hold" and even if 90 days pass I may not be eligible for interim EAD because of that.

I'll be so grateful if you can give me an advice on my situation.

Additional information:
- I have a job offer that requires me to start on July 17th.

- My AoS is based on DV-2006, which means that if by September 30th, 2006 I don't get my visa the case will be considered denied.

- Previously, I filed a change of status application, and a background check has been conducted. The processing took a year and couple of months, from October 2004 to January 2006. Is such long term check requiered each time I submit an application to the USCIS ?

Thanks for your help and care you give to my posting.

 

[FLMommy]

Lee's Summit is the Service Center is Missouri, and you're correct, you cannot find their processing times online. Does your receipt no. have MSC as the first 3 letters?

Q. Where did you file your papers/send them to?
Q. What is the USCIS office nearest you? You can find that on the USCIS website, or look at the list of offices when you click on the link you provided in your post above.

You can also call the USCIS and ask them where your papers are being processed.

 

[ImmigAttyLana]

You need to keep following up with the local USCIS office about your case since it is a diversity visa lottery case and MUST be completed in just a few short months.


Lana
Immigration Attorney

 

[TheReality]

Thank you FLMommy and ImmigAttyLana for your replies

* Yes, the receipt # starts with MSC

* I sent I-485 and I-765 with the other required documents to Chicago, IL (starting in 2005 all DV cases should be filed in Chicago) and somehow it ended up in MO, Chicago address appears no where on the receipt notice.

* The nearst USCIS office is Boston office

* When I call the USCIS I am not able to get any officer to talk to me, it's all run by machines and there is no "talk to an officer" option.

I am so upset because of the current situation, my visa number is low (less than 4000 from Asia's 14000 visas) and I applied on time, however that will not help if the background check takes a long time as in the past. I expected that the previous security check would make things faster this time.

 

[ImmigAttyLana]

You need to not try to talk to them on the phone. You need to schedule an INFOPASS appointment to go in person and speak to them. You also need to do periodic follow ups in writing to document the process. You need to make sure the security clearance checks are finished in time; otherwise, you will not get your LPR status. As for the filings, you did the right thing by filing them with the Chicago lockbox. The MSC is the Missouri Service Center which is how the filings done in Chicago lockbox are designated. Did you make sure to specify that this is a DV case by highlighting it? The low number will not have much to do with anything if your case cannot be completed due to the security clearance checks. That is why you need to keep on the local office to get it completed in time.

Lana
Immigration Attorney

 

[TheReality]

Thanks alot attorny Lana

I already used infopass and visited the local INS office this morning as mentioned in the original post. The telephone thing was in response to FLMommy's last line.

For your question, yes I highlighted the DV-2006 everywhere in my application.

A question about the I-765, does the "90 days" start from the Received date or the Notice date ?

 

[FLMommy]

There is a way around their phone system, it just takes a while to figure out. You will never get to talk to an officer until the Cust. Service ppl don't know how to answer your q, then they will transfer you to an immi. officer.

You need to find out where your case in being processed. As Lana said, go get an INFO pass appt and ask them. Once you know, you can check online as to processing times. 90 days is an estimate.