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Seems people with common names trigger security blocks from databases that causes delays. So if you have a common name or a name that is flagged by other individuals, this might explain your delay. So do not freak out, just standard protocol. This is taken from an interview with an USCIS Adjudicator http://www.visajourn...dicator-q-and-a What types of things are "red flags" in someone's file? Why types of things would someone be put on "additional review" for during the petition review process? Does country of birth and residence for the beneficiary (and country of birth for the petitioner) play into this? Well let's see how much I remember... Maybe it might be easier if I just described what I would do to approve a petition - my process. First, I would select a case file/folder. All petitions/files are kept in folders that a have a scanable bar code identifier. This folder has everything that a person submits on the left side of the folder and all the agency generated documents on the right side. They should be in date order, Petition and then most recent from top to bottom. The left side has the pictures on top. You begin by looking at the petition for correctness by checking the information via several databases depending upon what type of petition you are adjudicating. Also if the form was complete and everything was in order. Discrepancies in peoples names from what the database had vs. what the petition said, birth dates, things like that all had to be resolved and could generate a RFE if the adjudicator couldn't figure it out with the tools he had. There were some standard criminal and background type databases that were required for all petitions. A "hit" in any of these databases would flag the petition and it would be sent to a special group who worked to resolve why the "hit" occurred. Sometimes it could be something simple as a similar name of a bad guy, but every hit had to be resolved. I remember that certain surnames would invariably cause a hit, but they could be resolved rather quickly by comparing the applicant's background information with those of the "hit" name. There were various ways to do this of course, and it took time. That's why some applications take longer to process because there are stumbling blocks along the way that must be worked through before approval. Consequently, all the other petitions that the officer was working get set to the side. or, the adjudicator/officer might set the difficult one to the side and work on less complicated ones. Remember it was a production environment where you had to be accurate but fast. Getting a petition kicked back for mistakes to be re-worked hurt your overall stats, so, you tried to be a thorough as you could, but also as quick as you could. After clearing a applicant through the various mandatory database searches, then you could begin to review the various information on the petition. Sometimes there would be stupid mistakes like forgetting to sign it, or using a copy when an original signature was required etc... Kinda careless mistakes or from not really understanding the instructions type of thing. Anyway, these would generate an RFE, and the file's staus would be update in the computer as awaiting response to RFE or something like that, I don't recall the exact terminology. Anyway, instead of sending the newly RFE'd file back to the large file storage area, it would be kept at the officers desk in a holding cue. Then when an RFE reply would come in, I would pull it (the file) off the shelf and rework it. I tried to clear all my answered RFE's out first thing every morning because it was "old" work as compared to the dates I was working at the time. If the RFE had the required information, it would continue to be processed and/or approved and sent on its way. If the RFE did not address the item, then another RFE would be generated and back on the shelf it would go. A word about RFE's. It was my experience that no two officers would always see eye to eye on if an RFE was required. Some officers could or would spend some more time digging around the file or a database to find the information (if they thought it could be found) and others would just as soon rip off an RFE. So it varied. Then there were some times that an RFE was required because of the situation. Again, it depends a lot on who was looking at your case and what the question was / what information was needed. No hard and fast rule. Also, each adjudicator/officer had a master list of RFE "phrases that they could pull off their computer and plug into a standard RFE form depending upon the situation. Each of these "phrases" could be further "wordsmithed" to suit a particular situation. Again depends on the officer. That's why you may see some RFE's that are similar but not exact. We would borrow each others RFE phrases to add to our list as we came across one that fit a particular situation. It would be like "Hey, cube mate. I've got this situation, do you have anything in your RFE library that might fit?" answer "Sure, try this one. I'll email it to you". And that's how that worked. You asked about country of birth etc.. Yes and no. There were "watch lists" of certain countries that meant that certain procedures had to be followed when processing petitions from these countries, but it was just a couple more things to check/verify along the approval process. It didn't slow things down dramatically. So, I wouldn't worry about that being a big factor. Additional review. Mainly if you came up as a "hit" for a surname of a bad guy (or gal) that would have to be resolved. Marriage Fraud. Overstaying your visit. Lying. Criminal activity/organized crime, police reports, things that would be outside of a "normal" person's life you might say. So back to the approval process. So if no RFE was needed then i would "approve' the petition, affix my stamp with my identifier # , sign and date it. I would then scan the file, update the status and send it on its way to the next stop wherever that was. Actually, all the approved petitions/files were placed in a separate box and those were collected as you went along and taken for final disposition/processing. Then you start all over again with the next case... __________________

ok, so i just thought i'd write down about how my experience went when i applied for my SSN. 1.) Before going, I downloaded and filled out the SSN app. i left the "citizenship" question blank. the lady who took my application filled in "legal alien allowed to work" 2.) she asked me some basic question, such as if my address was correct, if i ever applied for a SSN before, etc. easy questions and nothing to be worried about. 3.) then she said, that once the SSA varifies my EAD with DHS, then i should have my card within the next 7-10 days. i took my BC but was never asked for it. before i went, i was worried about the 10 day waiting thing but the lady never said anything about it and i didnt ask. lol so i hope this gives a litte insight on how my experience at the SSA office went.

I went at 9 this morning, the lady said wait 10 days...and I went back again around 1 pm today hoping i wont get the same person that accomodated me this morning, thank goodness i got someone else! FIRST, fill out the form when applying for SSN for the first time...THEN present your EAD, Birth Certificate, and Passport...Birth Certificate was KEY to the office i went to. they looked for my birth certficate more than they paid attention to my passport. THEN ask me a couple of questions....I then asked when can I get my number and she said physical card gets to me about 2 weeks...BUT come back Thursday and they will have my number...they can print if out and give it to me!! NO NEED TO WAIT 10 DAYS! some people just doesnt know what they're doing! Im so happy I went back today! AHH!!

This is my personal experience: Every EAD card has 2 dates. The VALID FROM and EXPIRES. Ill use my dates as an example, my EAD is valid from 10/8/12-10/7/14. If we do our math, 10 days after the VALID FROM date would be 10/18/12. Today is the 10/16. I took a risk and applied for my new SS card just because I already have a SS card and therefore, I assume I exist in the system. I went prepared with the the printed out and filled out application found on the SS website, my original and certified birth certificate, my EAD, my consulate ID, a bill under my name ( just to prove present address) and the letter from USCIS stating that I had been approved for DACA. I even took my high school diploma. I prefer to be over prepared than under prepared. I got to the SS office at about 9AM. They hadnt opened yet and there was a line of about 20 people. As soon as they open there was a security guard and another man asking the reason one is there and handing out tickets/number. I noticed there are 2 catergories. Tickets A and Ticket B. From my assumption, not fact,Ticket A was handed to individual who have a SS card and were just applying for a new card, either because of change of last name or in my case because I obtained my EAD. Ticket B was for individuals who wanted to handle cases with SS benefits or military benefits. My number was A6.I waited at the most 20 minutes in a line until I was seen by the next available teller. I told her I was there to change the status of my present SS card to VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT because I had just received my EAD. She asked to see it and all the questions I had answered on the application available on the SS website, she asked again. I didnt have to hand over my printed out application. She DID NOT ask me for birth certificate or anything else. She just asked to see my EAD and to confirm my SS #. After that she gave me a print out and told me I was updated on their system and ready to go. She told me to expect my new card within 2 weeks. I would be keeping the SAME number, therefore no need for me to go back and wait for a new # to be created for me. With this print out, if asked my potential employers to see my card, I have a 2 week window to present that card but my # is activated from NOT VALIID FOR EMPLOYMENT to VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT. Overall, this process was fairly quick and fast for me. I was out of the SS office in about 30 minutes. I hope everyone elses process goes as smoothly.

Obama: Romney Said 'I Would Veto the Dream Act' ABC News Obama: Romney Said 'I Would Veto the Dream Act'. Obama adds he will not empower those who doubt citizenship of "my daughter or yours" based on their looks. 10/16/2012. Related Links: Watch: Romney Deflects 'Self Deportation' Attack · Watch: Obama: ... and more » View the full article

i just made a walk-in today at the Chatsworth CA office... and i did my biometrics 16 days early.... the staff were very nice and they helped me...

Squirm Romney, squirm....lol...

I liked Obama much more in this debate. He was much more aggressive and assertive in the way he called out Romney's lies. Overall this was a very entertaining and hard fought debate. I could have sworn they were about to throw it down when they both met in the middle at one point. If you want to hear the part on Immigration, skip to 0:56:00

I feel Obama put Romney on the spot by having him admit previous statements which he tries to dodge or avoid. Example: he would make it hard for us to stay in this country and therefore we would opt for volutary deportation.Romney had nothing to say. In this 2nd debate I saw Romney be his usual rude self. I saw Obama put a little for fight into this debate and I believe Obama won this one...just a few weeks for Obama to be re elected

For those of you who missed it . I personally believe Obama killed it ( did good) Romney danced around some questions .

I think you should be honest with your resume facts. Include previous jobs that you think would help your cause with your job search. Depending where you choose to seek employment, it will be in your cover letter that you may choose to include your reason for the lack of a post college career. Keep in mind that most employers appreciate honesty right upfront. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Date Application Sent: September 07, 2012 Lockbox: Chicago, IL Mail Method: USPS Flat Rate mail w/ delivery confirmation Date Delivered: September 10, 2012 Date of I-797 C Notice of Action: September 12, 2012 Service Center: Texas Date of Biometrics: Walk-in September 24th, 2012 @10:00am Date of EAD Letter/Email/TXT Approval: Pending Date of EAD Mailed: Pending Date of EAD Received: Pending

so there would be no problem if i go the next day to get my biometrics done even if the appointment is like 2 or 3 weeks later? that would be great..

I havent really been following Vermont statistics, as seflish as it sounds, but I have seen many approvals from California and a bit from Nebraska. Seems that those that were transfered to Texas are in the possibility of receiving EADs...but dont quote me on this.