Out of words. After 2 denials due to USCIS errors, being stuck abroad, an emotional roller coaster, almost 3.5 years, finally approved.
F2A - AOS - Changing from F1. No criminal history, no status violations, SFV office, not from banned country lists. Working with an Attorney from the beginning.
2022-12-27: I-485, I-130, I-765, I-131 filed concurrently
2023-01-26: Biometrics appointment completed
2023-08-15: I-130 approved
2023-08-15: I-485 denied
2023-08-30: I-290B Motion filed
2023-09-12: I-765 and I-131 denied (based on I-485 denial)
2023-11-20: I-290B approved, GC application reopened
2023-12-29: I-765 and I-131 reopened and approved same day. 5 year combo card. (Didnt reopen automatically with 485 motion, congressional inquiry solved the issue)
2025-02-24: Request for Evidence (RFE) issued
2025-04-27: RFE response delivered (signed proof of delivery)
2025-06-06: I-485 denied again, this time stuck abroad
2025-06-30: I-290B motion filed
2025-07-22: I-290B approved, GC application reopened
2025-08-11: Interview scheduled
2025-09-11: Back to US, no issues on AP, just secondary inspection no questions asked
2025-09-15: Interview completed
2025-09-16: Case transferred to NBC
2025-12-09: RFE issued
2026-01-21: RFE response received and acknowledged
2026-03-09: IFA (2nd denial event in API) event moved to top and started a constant update loop
2026-03-26: Congressman inquiry submitted
2026-04-21: First API silent update top level
2026-04-22: Congressman response received (case active, processing in order received, generic response)
2026-04-23: API silent update
2026-04-29: API silent update
2026-04-30: FTA0 event triggered
2026-05-01: H008 event triggered
2026-05-01: Case status update with Case Approved
2026-05-01: Approval notice generated
Denials:
1st: USCIS messed up with status documents. All dates gotten wrong somehow and claiming out of status at the time of filing. All F1, I-20s showing otherwise was sent with initial package. Fixed it via motion and reopened.
2nd: USCIS messed up again claiming not receiving RFE response, on top of that, same claim as 1st. This time happened during travel. Filed motion, attached proof of delivery, resent RFE package. Reopened.
USCIS never refunded the fees for motions, even though both times were their clear mistake.