Dublo

Hi all!

New to this forum, so please cut me slack.

I’ve tried to see if there was another thread on this but couldn’t find anything. So...

I am a UK resident in the US on an ESTA (part of the Visa Waiver Program, or VWP).

I arrived in mid Feb and have since been able to extend my stay (Satisfactory Departure) on emergency grounds (because of COVID19). I have successfully done this 5 times by calling USCIS and asking to speak to an Information Specialist.

Ten days ago (11/05/20), I attempted to apply again. However, USCIS have changed their automated phone system and it is now seemingly impossible to speak to an agent.

I have tried to email USCIS but they simply bounce back. I have tried the “live chat” on the website, but it does not connect you to a person and is no more helpful than the phone system. I have even direct messaged USCIS via Twitter. None of these has resulted in being able to speak to an agent.

There is no form to download for this. The website is very clear that to attain a Satisfactory Departure you have to speak to an agent in person.

I have already engaged an immigration lawyer, but he has thus far not been able to help me speak to an agent.

My Satisfactory Departure expires tomorrow and I am now desperate.

Is anyone else experiencing similar difficulties or does anyone have a solution to this problem? And advice would be greatly appreciated.

Noorah101

You won't like my advice, but it is to leave the USA before your time runs out. That way you don't risk losing the use of the VWP forever.

Rene

SanDiegogirl

What's stopped you returning to the UK before now? Plenty of flights for months.....

What 'emergency grounds' do you have to remain? - unless you are in hospital with Covid you could return to the UK

Dublo

I live with my stepdad in the U.K. He has stage 4 prostate cancer and is high risk. I don’t consider travelling back to the U.K. from the States to be safe and neither have the agents at USCIS, hence them granting me the extension 5 times.

I understand you wanting to get clarification, but my question was about how to contact a USCIS agent or to talk to someone in similar circumstances, not for you to cast doubt on my “emergency circumstances” or to explain the nature of why I can’t return.

Dublo

Thank you for your advice.

If I return to the U.K. I risk putting my step father at risk of contracting COVID19. He has stage 4 cancer. He would likely not survive. So, returning for me is not an option. USCIS have granted me extensions based on this, so it isn’t a question of the validity of whether I can stay. It’s about the facility to apply for an extension being withdrawn.

I have the right to apply for an extension under these circumstances. I’m only wanting to be advised on how to exercise that right. USCIS should have a mechanism in place for this. I’m hoping for someone to advise me on what that entails.

tht

The fact you got through to a person and got 5 extensions is pretty impressive, when I was getting my visa and GC it was near on impossible to get a human on the phone. I assume you have a GF or family you are able to stay with here for free, or you could leave and pay for separate accommodation in the UK to quarantine for 14 days.

Can’t help on the extension but assuming you had the original 90 days and now another 150 days you should also look in to the tax consequences of your stay. Since you have been unable to work since Feb maybe it’s not an issue but if you have passive income you may have to declare it: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/inte...-presence-test

spouse of scouse

I don't know if this will help you, but the CBP website offers two contact methods:

Visa Waiver Program travelers may seek satisfactory departure by contacting:

1. Any local CBP Port of Entry or Deferred Inspection Site; or
2. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Contact Center.

​​​​​​​https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/nationa...gram-travelers

tom169

When I want to talk to an agent and stuck in those menus I just spam 0 on the keypad. Not saying it will work with USCIS.

christmasoompa

When does your extension run out, how much time have you got to play with?

I know you've said you don't want opinions on your situation, but do remember that an immi officer may be thinking the same as people on this forum i.e. that there is no reason you can't go back to the UK and stay somewhere other than with your stepdad. I'd also be prepared to prove that you can keep financing your stay in the US, it's a long time to go without working whilst paying living expenses.

Good luck.

Rete

He stated it expires tomorrow ... which is now today.

christmasoompa

Oh gosh, I missed that, thanks Rete. Hope he's either got an extension or got on a plane then!

civilservant

Go home. Frankly, you should have done that months ago. What on earth USCIS were thinking is beyond me.

Just out of curiosity, did you receive paperwork on all these extensions after they were verbally granted?

Noorah101

I am just curious why you had to get 5 extensions? Each VWP visit is 90 days. Mid-Feb to mid-Nov is three 90-day periods. When they did the extensions, did they extend for less than 90 days?

Yours is a very unique scenario that we don't see here on BE. Details will help others in the future who read this.

Rene

christmasoompa

I wondered the same thing, so Googled out of interest, and seems Satisfactory Departure only gives an extra 30 days to allow extra time to depart.

Noorah101

Good information, but if that's the case, then the initial 90 days plus five 30-day extensions brings us to only mid-October.

Rene