USCIS reply to Congressman's I-485 case status inquiry

[GC20??]

As my priority date is current I contacted my local congressman's office for help with my I-485. NSC replied back to the office (see reply below) saying my background checks are still on. But the officer at the infopass appointment said my backgrounds checks are complete. I don't know whom to believe.

Is this some kind of standard reply that USCIS is giving for Congressman's or Senators case status inquiry?

Good morning XXXXXXXXXXX,
Re: I-485s <Applicant Name>

I have conversed with those in charge of these cases.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is
committed to adjudicating immigration benefits in a timely, efficient
manner that ensures public safety and national security.

Toward that end, USCIS requires extensive background checks for every
application or petition it adjudicates. While background checks for
most applications or petitions are completed quickly, a small percentage
of cases involve unresolved background check issues that result in
adjudication delays.

Background checks involve more than just the initial submission of and
response related to biographical information and fingerprints. When
checks and/or a review of an administrative record reveal an issue
potentially impacting an applicant's eligibility for the requested
immigration benefit, further inquiry is needed. The inquiry may include
an additional interview and/or the need to contact another agency for
updates or more comprehensive information. If it is determined that an
outside agency possesses relevant information about a case, USCIS
requests such information for review. Upon gathering and assessing all
available information, USCIS then adjudicates the application as
expeditiously as possible.

We have checked into your constituent's case and have been assured that
the agency is aware of your inquiry, and is monitoring progress related
to it. However, unresolved issues in your constituent's case require
thorough review before a decision can be rendered. Unfortunately, we
cannot speculate as to when this review process will be completed.


We realize that your constituent may feel frustrated by delays related
to his or her case. As an agency, we must weigh individual
inconvenience against the broader concerns of public safety and national
security.

We hope this information and assurance are helpful. If we may be of
assistance in the future, please let us know.

I hope this information is helpful to you. At this time I am closing the
inquiry on this matter.

Thank you,

<Officer Name>

Immigration Services Officer

NSC Congressional Unit

[ski_dude12]

The response I received from my congresswoman was that my case has been requested for review and to get back in 30-60 days. Also, that my name check/fingerprints were complete.

[vkrishn]

Why am i not surprised at USCIS ineffcieny. I made a similar enquory through my congresswoman and they got the response that my PD is Feb 2007 and there are no VISA's available where as my I40 approval notice and PERM laber certification approval shows as Feb 16th 2006.

Stopped by again at the congreswoman office with my I140 approval notice that shows my PD as Feb 16th 2006 (EB2).

Second instance where USCIS has some knuckle heads looking at cases is when i field a SR on July12th about my I485 to which i got a response that they cannot find my approved I140 in their system and told me to call back with the receipt number. Now when i call back they refused to take my receipt number as its not been 30 days of my SR and in order for them to take my receipt number they need to open another case and can do it only after 30 days.

Absolutely no accountability! I have mailed Ombudsman with all the replies i got from USCIS and hoping that my case is adjudicated properly.

[FrankZulu]

Originally Posted by GC20??

As my priority date is current I contacted my local congressman's office for help with my I-485. NSC replied back to the office (see reply below) saying my background checks are still on. But the officer at the infopass appointment said my backgrounds checks are complete. I don't know whom to believe.

Is this some kind of standard reply that USCIS is giving for Congressman's or Senators case status inquiry?

Good morning XXXXXXXXXXX,
Re: I-485s <Applicant Name>

I have conversed with those in charge of these cases.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is
committed to adjudicating immigration benefits in a timely, efficient
manner that ensures public safety and national security.

Toward that end, USCIS requires extensive background checks for every
application or petition it adjudicates. While background checks for
most applications or petitions are completed quickly, a small percentage
of cases involve unresolved background check issues that result in
adjudication delays.

Background checks involve more than just the initial submission of and
response related to biographical information and fingerprints. When
checks and/or a review of an administrative record reveal an issue
potentially impacting an applicant's eligibility for the requested
immigration benefit, further inquiry is needed. The inquiry may include
an additional interview and/or the need to contact another agency for
updates or more comprehensive information. If it is determined that an
outside agency possesses relevant information about a case, USCIS
requests such information for review. Upon gathering and assessing all
available information, USCIS then adjudicates the application as
expeditiously as possible.

We have checked into your constituent's case and have been assured that
the agency is aware of your inquiry, and is monitoring progress related
to it. However, unresolved issues in your constituent's case require
thorough review before a decision can be rendered. Unfortunately, we
cannot speculate as to when this review process will be completed.


We realize that your constituent may feel frustrated by delays related
to his or her case. As an agency, we must weigh individual
inconvenience against the broader concerns of public safety and national
security.

We hope this information and assurance are helpful. If we may be of
assistance in the future, please let us know.

I hope this information is helpful to you. At this time I am closing the
inquiry on this matter.

Thank you,

<Officer Name>

Immigration Services Officer

NSC Congressional Unit

I have tried multiple sources and following is the response:
* SR (july 19th): No response Yet
* IO Inquiry (2nd Level, multiple times): You are pre-adjudicated. Officer will review/in review.
* Congressmen: I am in the queue to be processed (File will be picked through electronic sweep ).
* Senator: Background check being conducted. (No written response yet, just was updated on phone by the senators office).
* InfoPass (3 months back): Your application is pre-adju. and will be approved once visa is available.

To all who have experienced something similar, how can I confirm if my application is really going through background check??? Or should I give it more time?

[meridiani.planum]

if your applications are pending for over 6 months (approvable and your PD isc urrent for this long), file a writ of mandamus. Thats the only thing I have seen that moves USCIS to approve such old applications that are hiding behind the 'under background check' flag. Note that FBI namecheck is also now required to be completed within 180 days, so there is no excuse for an application to remain approvable but not approved beyond those timelines. talk to a good lawyer and pursue your case aggressively.

[shreekhand]

OP,

Your PD has been current for only 12 days, it is in no way overdue. I would seriously continue to find more info and scale up efforts only after a couple of months. The real test of patience begins after the PD has become current.

That said, I have seen others get the reply you got before and then gotten approved in a few weeks

[myvinbox@gmail.com]

go exact same reply..please let me know if you hear anything about your case

[GC20??]

Originally Posted by myvinbox@gmail.com

go exact same reply..please let me know if you hear anything about your case

I got the same reply when contacted through two Texas senators.

[myvinbox@gmail.com]

I just decided to wait and see . hopefully it will get cleared in next 2-3 months

[myvinbox@gmail.com]

any updates on status of background processing for your 485 ?

[GC20??]

Originally Posted by myvinbox@gmail.com

any updates on status of background processing for your 485 ?

No updates yet. Though I know its useless I am taking an infopass tomorrow and will have IO open a service request.

[kaushik7]

Hello all,

I am on the same boat, and I opened the service request around the same time with same reply. Any updates for anyone? Please keep this active.
any information or directions is appreciated.

thanks