Green card decission lost in mail

[koplje]

I had to wait until my wife's I-485 case was 30 days beyond the current processing time to find out that INS has already made a decision on this case four-five months ago. They supposedly mailed me the notice saying that my wife's case had been denied in August of 2007. In the mean time, I have been calling them at least once a month over the last 5 months and was not able to get any information until last week when they told me that my case was likely lost in the mail and that they will mail me more information shortly. I received their mail yesterday saying that we were denied last August. No reason was given, nor was there any information on the appeal as this was not the original notice. Our case is as clean as they get, legal entries, no visa overstay, no criminal records, no illegal work, I am an American, we are happily married with a newborn, and the interview went very well - the officer told us that he will just verify the paperwork.

I have scheduled a meeting with my local INS office next week to find out what happened and to get the original decision document if possible. Do you think this meeting was a good idea? Can they take my wife into custody and begin deportation/removal procedure, even though we had no idea that they made a decision months ago? Btw, my wife actually has a ticket to fly out of the country in 2 weeks (family visit which we had to postpone a couple of times while waiting for the decision which was already made), so we will leave voluntarily if there is no chance for an appeal.

Thank you for any help!!!

[PraetorianXI]

Do not give up hopes just yet. And your wife NEEDS TO STAY HERE until this is sorted out, postpone any trips.

The local USCIS office may be able to help you more. Let us know what happens.