B-2 visa extension application delay. General questions.

[oc631]

The first week of July 2008 I applied for a B-2 visa extension in the U.S. I received a letter confirming the receipt of my application from the Vermont Service Center (I applied from New Jersey). I left the U.S. in November, less than 180 days after arriving in accordance with USCIS rules on extension applications, and I have been outside the country for nearly 3 months now. I received an e-mail from USCIS that my B-2 visa extension application has been sent from Vermont to the California Service Center without explanation as to why. In turn this puts me at the back of the line, with all other applications in California, after waiting 5 months to hear from the Vermont Center. I have been unable to reach anyone by phone at USCIS concerning my case or other general questions so I turn to you for help.

(1) Can I apply for another B-2 tourist visa while my existing visa extension application from last year is being worked on?

(2) Will another B-2 visa be issued to me while my old extension application is still pending?

(3) Can I apply for another class of visa, and enter the U.S with this visa, while my B-2 visa extension application is pending?


Thank You,
Marina

[oc631]

I saw several posts by moderators or "immigration experts". Would anyone be kind enough to try and answer this question for me? It is virtually impossible to reach anyone at USCIS. Is there life out there?