Originally Posted by N1cky

Get her to call USCIS and ask them to expedite the case. They will tell you they can only do this if you meet 1 of a number of requirements, 1 of which is financial hardship. Explain that she will lose her job if she doesn't have her EAD, and that will mean you can't afford to pay your rent...

I did this when my first renewal was held up and close to expiring, and it was me who had messed up by not sending the supporting documents in again. Anyhow, the person on the phone was very bureaucratic, obviously reading from a script that he could not deviate from. He told me he had marked my case that I had asked for it expediting. I logged on to the USCIS website 10 minutes later to see if I could see if anything had been marked on my case, and it was showing 'card production' I had my card the following day.

Just as a fore-warning. When you file your visa renewal, make sure your attorneys file for your wife's EAD at the same time. We have done this twice now, and both times the EAD has been approved within 12 hours of the visa.

Originally Posted by dlake02

I thought this was a right my wife has to her EAD as an L2 Visa holder ?

Originally Posted by ian-mstm

I respectfully submit that you misunderstand the meaning of the word "right". She is allowed to apply for an EAD - no question about it... but, while the vast majority are approved, there is never a guarantee of approval.

Have you considered making an InfoPass appointment?

Ian

Originally Posted by N1cky

... the person on the phone was very bureaucratic, obviously reading from a script that he could not deviate from. He told me he had marked my case that I had asked for it expediting. I logged on to the USCIS website 10 minutes later to see if I could see if anything had been marked on my case, and it was showing 'card production' I had my card the following day.

Originally Posted by md95065

... but you aren't suggesting that there was actually any causal relationship between your call and your getting the card are you?

In fact, if you really got it "the next day" isn't it a pretty safe bet that it had actually been produced and mailed before you called.

Originally Posted by N1cky

Yes I am. The system clearly said "under review" when I made the call. Straight after the call it said "card produced"

After 95 days of waiting, it would be an incredible coincidence that I made a call, and they produced my card at the exact same time, within that 10 minute window.

Oh, I also got a letter saying my expedite was successful, but I already had my card then.

Originally Posted by dlake02

So what is really pi**ing us off is that you can't get ANY information.

The website was last updated on the 31st December.

In red there is a message saying something like "expect a 30-45 day delay in updating the status on the website"

We posted the application registered/signed-for and it arrived on the 7th December but it is showing as received on the 13th.

My wife went for fingerprints on the 31st December but nothing has been updated following her appointment.

This is not just inefficient - it is third-world inefficient. It's a national embarrassment.

Why is every public service so broken in this country ? Does no one shout at them and tell them to pull their fingers out ? I thought this was the land of great customer service - two years on, and other than McDonalds, I'm struggling to find it....

Originally Posted by N1cky

Try remember when you do speak to them on Monday, that the poor person who answers the phone has no room to make a decision, or give you an answer. The system may be crap, but it's you who wants them to help you. A little courtesy goes a long way in my opinion.

Originally Posted by dlake02

So that beggars the question.....

If the bloke in the call centre can't help, why would I phone them ?

I will, and I will be courteous but direct. It seems to be the only way of getting things done here -polite confrontation. But there must be an office we can call to escalate this ? Maybe I'll just make an appointment to go and see them ?

Originally Posted by N1cky

I didn't say they can't help, but they can't deviate from their script. They ask you all these pointless questions, that the know are irrelevant but have to ask anyway. If you get arsey with them they will be less likely to try and do anything for you.

Originally Posted by dlake02

But there must be an office we can call to escalate this ? Maybe I'll just make an appointment to go and see them ?

Originally Posted by dlake02

... the USCIS is part of government and therefore civil service (employed by us as taxpayers), surely it is us that calls the shots, not them ?

Originally Posted by dlake02

What the F takes 90 days to print a card ?

Originally Posted by jeffreyhy

It doesn't take 90 days to print a card. It takes 90 days to get through the long line of people who applied for a card ahead of you.

Regards, JEff