snathan
05-19 01:00 PM
Get a letter from your USA office on their letter head that you will be in USA to do just business discussion, and stay will be very short.
Show them that you have strong tie-up's back in India (family/house/properties/relatives etc).
Tell them you have to continue your job in India after the business discussions in USA.
Also show visa officer that you will not get paid in USA (no pay roll); business expenses are covered by company.
just one cent info....
How and how they can prove he is not going to do any work at the location, the client will not be charged for that?
Show them that you have strong tie-up's back in India (family/house/properties/relatives etc).
Tell them you have to continue your job in India after the business discussions in USA.
Also show visa officer that you will not get paid in USA (no pay roll); business expenses are covered by company.
just one cent info....
How and how they can prove he is not going to do any work at the location, the client will not be charged for that?
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DDLMODES
07-09 10:01 PM
Dude, please read completely. He said there was no update on USCIS case status check online but he got approval notice. Isnt that strange?
Dude, is not strange for USCIS. I know a guy who has the approval for 6 months and the case is still in process online.
Dude, is not strange for USCIS. I know a guy who has the approval for 6 months and the case is still in process online.
MahaBharatGC
10-13 10:57 AM
:confused:
Dear gurus,
I have one fundamental question.
why EAD renewal can take up to 3 months? (90 days). It just does not make sense. I can understand if it is fresh application OR it has been expired for quite sometime before applying for renewal. If it is fresh app, there might be some security checks, application verificaiton checks etc. But EAD Renewal is very simple. You were approved once, your application does not boast any address changes. All you are requesting is renewal based on pending I-485. No common sense!:eek:
This is very very unacceptable and shows the lazyness of USCIS in adjucating timely. But they are VERY TIMELY in increasing fees....:eek:
I know I am very furious but dont we think we should raise some momentum in allowing special processing for EAD renewal or allowing local offices to issue Renewals for EAD which has been eliminated now????
Sincerely...
Dear gurus,
I have one fundamental question.
why EAD renewal can take up to 3 months? (90 days). It just does not make sense. I can understand if it is fresh application OR it has been expired for quite sometime before applying for renewal. If it is fresh app, there might be some security checks, application verificaiton checks etc. But EAD Renewal is very simple. You were approved once, your application does not boast any address changes. All you are requesting is renewal based on pending I-485. No common sense!:eek:
This is very very unacceptable and shows the lazyness of USCIS in adjucating timely. But they are VERY TIMELY in increasing fees....:eek:
I know I am very furious but dont we think we should raise some momentum in allowing special processing for EAD renewal or allowing local offices to issue Renewals for EAD which has been eliminated now????
Sincerely...
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WeShallOvercome
11-08 01:48 PM
I beg to differ - while your general premise is accurate, I know of at least half a dozen people who filed 485 in June 2007 and got appproved over the last two weeks from TX Service Center - I dont think Aug 2006 is a hard date - like many other things with USCIS - they have an irrational passion for NOT applying the FIFO principle and we are expected to digest this irrational passion of theirs with dispassionate rationality.
you are right... Almost everyone who has dealt with USCIS even once in his/her life time, knows that USCIS is the most unpredictable agency in the world...I was just explaining what the dates are 'supposed to mean' according to the rules.
We all know how religiously USCIS follows its own rules.
you are right... Almost everyone who has dealt with USCIS even once in his/her life time, knows that USCIS is the most unpredictable agency in the world...I was just explaining what the dates are 'supposed to mean' according to the rules.
We all know how religiously USCIS follows its own rules.
more...
serg
04-06 11:18 PM
that's the official title of the bill, nothing wrong with it.
they still have a cloture motion vote tomorrow morning, so we'll see.
Yes, sure, I'm not going to give up until it will be clear. By the way, they will have almost a night to make some agreements (sure, they don't want to be "last mile" in this bill, both of them). Hope they will bring out something new tomorrow morning :)
they still have a cloture motion vote tomorrow morning, so we'll see.
Yes, sure, I'm not going to give up until it will be clear. By the way, they will have almost a night to make some agreements (sure, they don't want to be "last mile" in this bill, both of them). Hope they will bring out something new tomorrow morning :)
paskal
08-27 01:50 PM
Please be good enough to join your state chapter
We need all members' help if we are to succeeed.
I hope to see you in DC, but there is much to do even before!
We need all members' help if we are to succeeed.
I hope to see you in DC, but there is much to do even before!
more...
Dhundhun
10-13 04:16 PM
Visited several countries.
Whenever, visa interview was for Technical Presentations, Business Meeting and Business Development, I used purely formal dress (Black polished shoes, black/dark grey trousers, white/light blue, a good tie, appropriate hair style).
For engineering roles, business casual, casual shoes, black/grey/brown trouser (I never used jeans), shirt with light stripe/check.
For H-1B, it has been business casual as role was engineering.
I got every time visa - virtually no questions asked - almost within minutes. I faced questions like: Out of 14-15 stamiping these are only few questions asked
In US consulate Ottawa: Business Casual
Q: Why you want to go to US?
A: Some of my friends driving to NY, I want to join them for shopping
In US consulate Delhi: Business Casual
Q: Last time we gave you Visa and you did not go, why?
A: I did enough shopping before friends went to NY and so dropped the idea of going.
In US consulate Mexico: Formal
Q: Why do you need Visa Revalidation, you could have continued to work without it.
A: Company have plans to send me for business meeting in other countries.
My input and thinking is that appropriate dress helps - and in this context, I mentioned understanding of appropriate as above.
Good Luck
Whenever, visa interview was for Technical Presentations, Business Meeting and Business Development, I used purely formal dress (Black polished shoes, black/dark grey trousers, white/light blue, a good tie, appropriate hair style).
For engineering roles, business casual, casual shoes, black/grey/brown trouser (I never used jeans), shirt with light stripe/check.
For H-1B, it has been business casual as role was engineering.
I got every time visa - virtually no questions asked - almost within minutes. I faced questions like: Out of 14-15 stamiping these are only few questions asked
In US consulate Ottawa: Business Casual
Q: Why you want to go to US?
A: Some of my friends driving to NY, I want to join them for shopping
In US consulate Delhi: Business Casual
Q: Last time we gave you Visa and you did not go, why?
A: I did enough shopping before friends went to NY and so dropped the idea of going.
In US consulate Mexico: Formal
Q: Why do you need Visa Revalidation, you could have continued to work without it.
A: Company have plans to send me for business meeting in other countries.
My input and thinking is that appropriate dress helps - and in this context, I mentioned understanding of appropriate as above.
Good Luck
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bsbawa10
09-02 11:39 AM
lol..
I think we all shud send our customer service experiences to USCIS and DHS leadership..we need to make a note of Agent IDs in the beginning..
atleast then they will feel a pinch to improve customer service (didnt they say that this is also one of the reason for fee hikes last year?/ ) :D:D
I think right now the customer service/info pass people are just saying whatever comes to their mouth at that point of time or what they can see on their monitors. They do not research into the case at all. To me that is not customer service at all. Rather it is a disservice in the sense that I got nothing but confusions from them. I still do not know where my case is right now in CSC or TSC. I got three different answers to the same question. The interesting thing is that on talking to the customer service (who said my case is still in CSC), I argued and said that CSC says that it is back in TSC, the reply was, "so it must be in TSC ". In other words, she repeated my own words.
I think we all shud send our customer service experiences to USCIS and DHS leadership..we need to make a note of Agent IDs in the beginning..
atleast then they will feel a pinch to improve customer service (didnt they say that this is also one of the reason for fee hikes last year?/ ) :D:D
I think right now the customer service/info pass people are just saying whatever comes to their mouth at that point of time or what they can see on their monitors. They do not research into the case at all. To me that is not customer service at all. Rather it is a disservice in the sense that I got nothing but confusions from them. I still do not know where my case is right now in CSC or TSC. I got three different answers to the same question. The interesting thing is that on talking to the customer service (who said my case is still in CSC), I argued and said that CSC says that it is back in TSC, the reply was, "so it must be in TSC ". In other words, she repeated my own words.
more...
gc_chahiye
09-26 07:50 PM
also it puts things in perspective. Seeing this family getting torn apart (amazingly in their case there is no country where all can live together) makes my own H1 and GC related problems appear very tiny.
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lostinbeta
05-27 05:04 PM
Soul gets my vote, that site could cause epileptic seizures.
more...
immi_seeker
10-02 10:02 AM
just spoke with someone yesterday whose PD was april 2005. he files 485 in september 2005 before eb2 retrogressed.
he got his GC in august 2007. now how is that possible when i still see people wth PD of 2004, whose GC is pending. also btw, in august 2007 and in july 2007 the eb2 was U.
anyone can explain that please?
PD is important in asllocating visa numbers. An immigrant visa will be allocated only if pd is current. other background process like namecheck, fp etc shud happen irrespective of pd
he got his GC in august 2007. now how is that possible when i still see people wth PD of 2004, whose GC is pending. also btw, in august 2007 and in july 2007 the eb2 was U.
anyone can explain that please?
PD is important in asllocating visa numbers. An immigrant visa will be allocated only if pd is current. other background process like namecheck, fp etc shud happen irrespective of pd
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desi3933
07-19 11:35 AM
Hello IV Members,
I have a question about my Wife status(H4) here in United States, My I-485 (EB3/PD DEC 2003) got approved on July 16'th and my lawyer says they have applied my wife I-485 application on July 17'th after USCIS released rescinded July 2'nd bulletin.
My I-485 was applied before our marriage,Can anybody please share some thoughts on my wife status(H4) at present??.
Any help on getting more information will be greatly appreciated..My lawyer says she should be fine.please share your experiences.
Thanks.
You are ok.
Your wife had 180 days to file her I-485 after your approval. And that has been already filed. So no need to worry.
And, Congratulations for your I-485 approval. Welcome to the GC club.
______________________
Not a legal advice.
I have a question about my Wife status(H4) here in United States, My I-485 (EB3/PD DEC 2003) got approved on July 16'th and my lawyer says they have applied my wife I-485 application on July 17'th after USCIS released rescinded July 2'nd bulletin.
My I-485 was applied before our marriage,Can anybody please share some thoughts on my wife status(H4) at present??.
Any help on getting more information will be greatly appreciated..My lawyer says she should be fine.please share your experiences.
Thanks.
You are ok.
Your wife had 180 days to file her I-485 after your approval. And that has been already filed. So no need to worry.
And, Congratulations for your I-485 approval. Welcome to the GC club.
______________________
Not a legal advice.
more...
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GCard_Dream
02-27 01:51 PM
In fiscal year 2006, there were 5 Indian firms in the top 10 users of H1B visa.
http://www.networkworld.com/community/?q=node/15273
However, when it comes to PERM filing there is only 1 Indian company in the top 10 list of PERM filers. That is very interesting. Does it mean that Indian companies do not encourage or support GC process as much as the American companies do? I sure hope that's not the case and employees of those Indian companies are getting a fare shot at the Greencard.
http://www.networkworld.com/community/?q=node/15273
However, when it comes to PERM filing there is only 1 Indian company in the top 10 list of PERM filers. That is very interesting. Does it mean that Indian companies do not encourage or support GC process as much as the American companies do? I sure hope that's not the case and employees of those Indian companies are getting a fare shot at the Greencard.
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saileshdude
10-15 02:42 PM
I don't think it has anything to do with H1. I think its just a mistake on their part that they issued this to derivative instead of principal applicant. This is because they are asking for intended permanent employer letter and that terms of LC /I-140 is same. This seems typical of standard employment letter RFE that is issued to the principal applicant.
Is there a way you contact the IO to get confirmation if the RFE is for you or principal applicant? Do keep us updated on how your attorney plans to respond to this.
Is there a way you contact the IO to get confirmation if the RFE is for you or principal applicant? Do keep us updated on how your attorney plans to respond to this.
more...
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Michael chertoff
03-28 06:49 PM
Wait for ITIN to be processed and once get the ITIN amend your tax filing.
you seems to know everything man...whats your PD sir.
you seems to know everything man...whats your PD sir.
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arbhaat
10-08 08:06 PM
I think this was my lawyer's contention too when she described to me about being in EAD as well as H-4. As long as my husband is in H-1, I would be in H-4 contrary to most discussions that take place here. I think USCIS, has no clear explanation for this situation!!
Advance parole is similar to this, you have H1 but you become parolee. I don't understand. Any other comments from other applicants?
i think once you use EAD to work, your H4 status has to expire. as someone said above, H4 by definition is a dependent visa and does not allow independent earnings (no job, no business nothing)
as per your next question, usually a person with valid H1B would not use AP to re-enter. Only a person on EAD would use AP to re-enter. Now what if one applies, gets and uses AP to re-enter even after having valid H1B (and no EAD), I don't know what the resultant status is?
Advance parole is similar to this, you have H1 but you become parolee. I don't understand. Any other comments from other applicants?
i think once you use EAD to work, your H4 status has to expire. as someone said above, H4 by definition is a dependent visa and does not allow independent earnings (no job, no business nothing)
as per your next question, usually a person with valid H1B would not use AP to re-enter. Only a person on EAD would use AP to re-enter. Now what if one applies, gets and uses AP to re-enter even after having valid H1B (and no EAD), I don't know what the resultant status is?
more...
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gk_2000
02-03 08:16 PM
Hi EveryOne,
I got my Green card in mail yesterday. I want to thank IV and everyone for all the support during this GC journey. I wish everyone all the best for their green card process. I wish everyone gets to file 485 irrespective of priority dates and ultimately get their green cards. This is a question to Admin, i have a recursive donation going on, I would like to make a one time donation and stop the recursive donation.
Thanks.
I would say it's iterative, not recursive. But congrats anyhow
I got my Green card in mail yesterday. I want to thank IV and everyone for all the support during this GC journey. I wish everyone all the best for their green card process. I wish everyone gets to file 485 irrespective of priority dates and ultimately get their green cards. This is a question to Admin, i have a recursive donation going on, I would like to make a one time donation and stop the recursive donation.
Thanks.
I would say it's iterative, not recursive. But congrats anyhow
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hazishak
08-01 11:12 AM
Thanks for your quick reply :)
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ajju
10-13 05:57 PM
But ksircar, instead of accepting can't we raise red flags to USCIS?
This is going to be an issue for lot of folks who all filed for I-485 in the last year July fiasco. We will be forced renew every time. Only by giving 2 years is just a temporary postponement but not solving the real problem.
It is like Drivers Lincense renewal. If you have your documentation and you have been driving legally should be granted renewal instantly. Why can't they do the same thing with EAD?
agree.. 90 days is too much.. esp when just dates need to be extended.. In the first place.. it should be non-expiring .. something like valid with I-485 Receipt... and then when accepting EAD employer can check the I-485 status that its still pending... and any change will send email to the employer about 485 current status...
But then my dear.. where's the money...
Gov: Show me the money?
USCIS: let sdo 1 year EAD/AP renewal... and we can sit for 90 days on it for generating this much money... and find cheapest ways of printing the card and mailing... If errors happen we might get more money :-)
Gov: why are you not moving dates and making more money?
USCIS: Okay we'll issue 2year EAD and accept more new apps...
and so on...
This is going to be an issue for lot of folks who all filed for I-485 in the last year July fiasco. We will be forced renew every time. Only by giving 2 years is just a temporary postponement but not solving the real problem.
It is like Drivers Lincense renewal. If you have your documentation and you have been driving legally should be granted renewal instantly. Why can't they do the same thing with EAD?
agree.. 90 days is too much.. esp when just dates need to be extended.. In the first place.. it should be non-expiring .. something like valid with I-485 Receipt... and then when accepting EAD employer can check the I-485 status that its still pending... and any change will send email to the employer about 485 current status...
But then my dear.. where's the money...
Gov: Show me the money?
USCIS: let sdo 1 year EAD/AP renewal... and we can sit for 90 days on it for generating this much money... and find cheapest ways of printing the card and mailing... If errors happen we might get more money :-)
Gov: why are you not moving dates and making more money?
USCIS: Okay we'll issue 2year EAD and accept more new apps...
and so on...
babu123
07-16 05:56 PM
oh man!! Still not resolved. Have to see how it goes
pappu
03-17 03:55 PM
http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/structure/gc_1294871282792.shtm
Teleconference Recap: FOIA: How Is It Working For You?
On December 6, 2010, the Ombudsman's Office hosted a public teleconference on "FOIA: How Is It Working for You?" where the Ombudsman's Office interviewed Terry Sloan, Acting Center Director, National Records Center and Jill Eggleston, the Assistant Center Director ofFreedom of Information Act (FOIA) Operations for the National Records Center at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Inquiries to the Ombudsman's Office have identified FOIA requests as an area where the public continues to experience frustration in relation to citizenship and immigration services. Please direct any inquiries related to the topics raised in this teleconference to Margaret Gleason, Senior Advisor to the Ombudsman, at margaret.gleason@dhs.gov. If you have a concern with your USCIS FOIA request and have been unable to resolve the issue with USCIS, the Ombudsman's Office may be able to help.
Freedom of Information Act
Under the FOIA statute, "any person" may request documents from a U.S. government agency. This applies to both U.S. citizens and to citizens of foreign countries. The law allows 20 business days for response to a FOIA request. USCIS has been unable to make that deadline to date, although processing has improved in the past few years. Agencies may withhold information from a FOIA requester under certain exemptions. The law does not allow an agency to withhold information for other reasons, such as possible embarrassment to the agency.
USCIS Processing of FOIA Requests
USCIS FOIA processing is consolidated at the National Records Center (NRC). Prior to 2005, FOIA requests were decentralized, and could be handled on the local level by USCIS. In FY 2006, USCIS had a backlog of more than 88,000 FOIA requests. Jill Eggleston reported in the teleconference that in FY 2010 the backlog was down to 8,000 cases.
There are currently 120 NRC employees, with 30 more new employees authorized for hiring in 2011. Ms. Eggleston informed teleconference participants that current USCIS processing times for FOIA requests vary according to the type of request and that USCIS sorts FOIA requests into three separate tracks. Ms Eggleston also noted the processing time for each type of request.
* Track One FOIA Requests, or simple document requests, are those that request only a specific document, such as a copy of a particular immigration petition.
Processing time: 43 working days
* Track Two FOIA Requests are those where an entire file is requested.
Processing time: 34 working days
* Track Three FOIA Requests are those requests where the individual has a pending hearing scheduled before the Immigration Court.
Processing time: 59 working days
In the FOIA Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2009, the processing times published for USCIS show an average processing time of 215 business days for Track One FOIA requests, 344 business days for Track Two FOIA requests, and an average of 60 business days for Track Three FOIA Requests.
USCIS FOIA Process
As stated on the teleconference, FOIA requests to USCIS can be made with a Form G-639 (PDF - 2 pages, 100 KB) or by written request submitted by mail to USCIS NRC, P.O. Box 648010, Lee's Summit, Mo. 64064-8010; or by fax to 816-350-5785. Most FOIA requests are free, but if fees exceed $25, the requester will be notified in advance of such a charge. Ms. Eggleston stated that a web-based request system would be established in the near future and will be rolled out in two phases: Phase One will be for media requests, while Phase Two will be for all other requests. Currently, the status of a FOIA request can be checked with an NRC receipt number through the FOIA link on USCIS Home Page (http://www.uscis.gov).
Appeals of USCIS FOIA denials or material withheld under FOIA exemptions may be filed to USCIS FOIA Appeals, 150 Space Center Loop, Lee's Summit, Mo. 64064-2139.
As noted in the teleconference, more information on filing FOIA requests with other Department of Homeland Security components, such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is available at DHS | Freedom of Information Act & Privacy Act (http://www.dhs.gov/foia).
Expedite Criteria
By regulation, there are narrow expedite criteria that may allow a requester priority to receive a FOIA response. Expedites will only be granted for cases that present an imminent threat to life or safety requiring the FOIA response, or where there is an urgency to inform the public.
Overall, FOIA requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, which is only differentiated based on the three tracks described above, or the occasional expedite case.
Teleconference Questions
In response to questions from callers on the teleconference, Ms. Eggleston stated that certain information is required with a FOIA request to verify identity including name, address, date of birth, and place of birth. Without this information, a FOIA request is incomplete. If information in a file is incorrect, a Form G-639 (PDF - 2 pages, 100 KB) can be used to correct information under the Privacy Act. Another caller asked if USCIS could retrieve an envelope with a postmark from a particular file under FOIA. This documentation might be needed to support an application for adjustment of status under . Ms. Eggleston stated that there is a separate receipt file where payments to USCIS are recorded. If a receipt is requested, the FOIA request should specify that the NRC should search the alien's receipt file.
If records are requested on behalf of a child, Ms. Eggleston stated that names of parents will be requested, and USCIS may ask for proof of parent or guardian relationship before sending information to that party.
Ms. Eggleston said that sometimes in denying FOIA requests for persons with final removal orders, USCIS invokes the 'fugitive disentitlement doctrine' under Meddah v. Reno, No. 98-1444, (E.D. Pa. Dec. 8, 1998). She also said that her office may refer such FOIA requests to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE
Teleconference Recap: FOIA: How Is It Working For You?
On December 6, 2010, the Ombudsman's Office hosted a public teleconference on "FOIA: How Is It Working for You?" where the Ombudsman's Office interviewed Terry Sloan, Acting Center Director, National Records Center and Jill Eggleston, the Assistant Center Director ofFreedom of Information Act (FOIA) Operations for the National Records Center at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Inquiries to the Ombudsman's Office have identified FOIA requests as an area where the public continues to experience frustration in relation to citizenship and immigration services. Please direct any inquiries related to the topics raised in this teleconference to Margaret Gleason, Senior Advisor to the Ombudsman, at margaret.gleason@dhs.gov. If you have a concern with your USCIS FOIA request and have been unable to resolve the issue with USCIS, the Ombudsman's Office may be able to help.
Freedom of Information Act
Under the FOIA statute, "any person" may request documents from a U.S. government agency. This applies to both U.S. citizens and to citizens of foreign countries. The law allows 20 business days for response to a FOIA request. USCIS has been unable to make that deadline to date, although processing has improved in the past few years. Agencies may withhold information from a FOIA requester under certain exemptions. The law does not allow an agency to withhold information for other reasons, such as possible embarrassment to the agency.
USCIS Processing of FOIA Requests
USCIS FOIA processing is consolidated at the National Records Center (NRC). Prior to 2005, FOIA requests were decentralized, and could be handled on the local level by USCIS. In FY 2006, USCIS had a backlog of more than 88,000 FOIA requests. Jill Eggleston reported in the teleconference that in FY 2010 the backlog was down to 8,000 cases.
There are currently 120 NRC employees, with 30 more new employees authorized for hiring in 2011. Ms. Eggleston informed teleconference participants that current USCIS processing times for FOIA requests vary according to the type of request and that USCIS sorts FOIA requests into three separate tracks. Ms Eggleston also noted the processing time for each type of request.
* Track One FOIA Requests, or simple document requests, are those that request only a specific document, such as a copy of a particular immigration petition.
Processing time: 43 working days
* Track Two FOIA Requests are those where an entire file is requested.
Processing time: 34 working days
* Track Three FOIA Requests are those requests where the individual has a pending hearing scheduled before the Immigration Court.
Processing time: 59 working days
In the FOIA Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2009, the processing times published for USCIS show an average processing time of 215 business days for Track One FOIA requests, 344 business days for Track Two FOIA requests, and an average of 60 business days for Track Three FOIA Requests.
USCIS FOIA Process
As stated on the teleconference, FOIA requests to USCIS can be made with a Form G-639 (PDF - 2 pages, 100 KB) or by written request submitted by mail to USCIS NRC, P.O. Box 648010, Lee's Summit, Mo. 64064-8010; or by fax to 816-350-5785. Most FOIA requests are free, but if fees exceed $25, the requester will be notified in advance of such a charge. Ms. Eggleston stated that a web-based request system would be established in the near future and will be rolled out in two phases: Phase One will be for media requests, while Phase Two will be for all other requests. Currently, the status of a FOIA request can be checked with an NRC receipt number through the FOIA link on USCIS Home Page (http://www.uscis.gov).
Appeals of USCIS FOIA denials or material withheld under FOIA exemptions may be filed to USCIS FOIA Appeals, 150 Space Center Loop, Lee's Summit, Mo. 64064-2139.
As noted in the teleconference, more information on filing FOIA requests with other Department of Homeland Security components, such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is available at DHS | Freedom of Information Act & Privacy Act (http://www.dhs.gov/foia).
Expedite Criteria
By regulation, there are narrow expedite criteria that may allow a requester priority to receive a FOIA response. Expedites will only be granted for cases that present an imminent threat to life or safety requiring the FOIA response, or where there is an urgency to inform the public.
Overall, FOIA requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, which is only differentiated based on the three tracks described above, or the occasional expedite case.
Teleconference Questions
In response to questions from callers on the teleconference, Ms. Eggleston stated that certain information is required with a FOIA request to verify identity including name, address, date of birth, and place of birth. Without this information, a FOIA request is incomplete. If information in a file is incorrect, a Form G-639 (PDF - 2 pages, 100 KB) can be used to correct information under the Privacy Act. Another caller asked if USCIS could retrieve an envelope with a postmark from a particular file under FOIA. This documentation might be needed to support an application for adjustment of status under . Ms. Eggleston stated that there is a separate receipt file where payments to USCIS are recorded. If a receipt is requested, the FOIA request should specify that the NRC should search the alien's receipt file.
If records are requested on behalf of a child, Ms. Eggleston stated that names of parents will be requested, and USCIS may ask for proof of parent or guardian relationship before sending information to that party.
Ms. Eggleston said that sometimes in denying FOIA requests for persons with final removal orders, USCIS invokes the 'fugitive disentitlement doctrine' under Meddah v. Reno, No. 98-1444, (E.D. Pa. Dec. 8, 1998). She also said that her office may refer such FOIA requests to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE
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