CIC Security Screening / CSIS

[Outlandish]

Hi all,
I recently received my ATIP notes and the status for security screening changed all the way in June 2014 and still inconclusive (status was blank in GCMS notes). I went to see a lawyer and he suggested that the reason it might be taking so long is because they might be conducting security clearance via CSIS for my husband??
Now, my question is:
1) If they really were to use CSIS, would they include this in the notes? There is nothing in the notes regarding that.
2) Do they usually not use a third party agent to conduct the clearance if the applicant lives out of Canada?
I am just so confused as there is no reason why my husband should be getting a CSIS clearance! We've been waiting for much too long...

 

[zardoz]

Hi all,
I recently received my ATIP notes and the status for security screening changed all the way in June 2014 and still inconclusive (status was blank in GCMS notes). I went to see a lawyer and he suggested that the reason it might be taking so long is because they might be conducting security clearance via CSIS for my husband??
Now, my question is:
1) If they really were to use CSIS, would they include this in the notes? There is nothing in the notes regarding that.
2) Do they usually not use a third party agent to conduct the clearance if the applicant lives out of Canada?
I am just so confused as there is no reason why my husband should be getting a CSIS clearance! We've been waiting for much too long...

All security related information in the GCMS notes is redacted (blanked) before you are given them. You don't know what or why checks have been or are going to be done. Don't draw any inferences from information that you don't have access to.

 

[SenoritaBella]

Every applicant must undergo certain checks during the process which include background, criminality and security checks in addition to document verification (to detect fraud).

CSIS conducts security checks and in some instances, they request a security interview. Nobody gets approved for PR if they have not cleared all these checks, no matter how long it takes. CSIS or CIC can't control it either because it also depends on how soon the information they are requesting from foreign govt's are provided. Some countries do a poor job of keeping records, have higher rates of fraud, etc which I don't think helps applicants from such regions.

CSIS has agents in other regions of the world who do the job. A reputable lawyer once told me they are able of going to a remote village to locate someone if they need to. This thread may provide more info: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t39578.0.html;msg1190357#msg1190357

One guy on the forum has been stuck at security checks for years. He had a security interview and was accused of being a hacker. Since then he's been in limbo. I don't know if he succeeded in getting PR. http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t155897.0.html;msg2411693#msg2411693

All these to say there is no use in seeing a lawyer or fretting over it because it's out of your control.

Like the previous poster said, the result of security checks is classified information. That's why it is "blank" on GCMS notes but you should be able to see the status - started or not started, in process or complete.

 

[Outlandish]

All security related information in the GCMS notes is redacted (blanked) before you are given them. You don't know what or why checks have been or are going to be done. Don't draw any inferences from information that you don't have access to.

It's just very frustrating, because at one point it said that the security screening had been started, but then cancelled. I understand it takes a while to conduct these checks but why not keep us in the loop? Ugh

 

[SenoritaBella]

Have you tried going through your MP (member of parliament)? I've read on here that some won't help unless you are above the processing time while others have gotten help. Perhaps try that and see if the MP is able to get more information for you. As it's an election year, you may have better luck. I know it's hard not knowing, but hang in there and don't give up.

 

[Outlandish]

Have you tried going through your MP (member of parliament)? I've read on here that some won't help unless you are above the processing time while others have gotten help. Perhaps try that and see if the MP is able to get more information for you. As it's an election year, you may have better luck. I know it's hard not knowing, but hang in there and don't give up.

Thanks SenoritaBella for the encouragement. I am in contact with my MP, he is in process of getting the information from CIC; hopefully he has news either tomorrow or Monday latest. My application is 2 months over the timeline and the fact that elections are close sort of doesn't help because the MP isn't meeting any of his constituents because they're not "officially" the MP during campaign -__-

 

[Outlandish]

Just an update, hopefully someone is able to answer me.

So I saw a lawyer who suggested I contact CSIS to see if they had received a request for screening for my husband. I got a reply from CSIS saying that they have concluded their screening in August 2014 and sent their info to CIC and mind you it only took them 2 weeks to complete their screening as per the letter.

2-0-14!!!! Are you serious??? So if security is done why have I not heard anything from CIC since?? Are there multiple screenings that are done or is CIC just taking their sweet time processing our case? I'm so darn frustrated right now. Any suggestions as to what to do next will be appreciated and just to note I am in contact with my local MP and apparently they'll get back to me in two weeks -_-

 

[Outlandish]

Just an update, hopefully someone is able to answer me.

So I saw a lawyer who suggested I contact CSIS to see if they had received a request for screening for my husband. I got a reply from CSIS saying that they have concluded their screening in August 2014 and sent their info to CIC and mind you it only took them 2 weeks to complete their screening as per the letter.

2-0-14!!!! Are you serious??? So if security is done why have I not heard anything from CIC since?? Are there multiple screenings that are done or is CIC just taking their sweet time processing our case? I'm so darn frustrated right now. Any suggestions as to what to do next will be appreciated and just to note I am in contact with my local MP and apparently they'll get back to me in two weeks -_-

 

[Sunset0505]

Our follow up was like 6 months for security..April 2014 application and still looking at it 03NOV2015 in interview that we thought was waved too...we were told by CIC we would have the PR by the end of NOV but nothing yet and just last week we were told another 2 to 3 weeks ...SO yes they are taking their time...

 

[Aquakitty]

Holy hell you've waited a long time. Sorry you've had to go through this. There's really absolutely no way for any of us to know what is up with CIC. Maybe the security screening found some red flag (it could be as simple as someone with a similar name, a suspicious friend, family member, who knows) and the CIC followed up on this or was waiting for something. All you can do is send a case-specific inquiry asking about it (be polite) and wait for your MP to respond. The good news is you must be at the end of the road. He's had his interview waved, correct? So he's likely getting his DM any time now.

 

[Sunset0505]

Holy hell you've waited a long time. Sorry you've had to go through this. There's really absolutely no way for any of us to know what is up with CIC. Maybe the security screening found some red flag (it could be as simple as someone with a similar name, a suspicious friend, family member, who knows) and the CIC followed up on this or was waiting for something. All you can do is send a case-specific inquiry asking about it (be polite) and wait for your MP to respond. The good news is you must be at the end of the road. He's had his interview waved, correct? So he's likely getting his DM any time now.

He had his interview waved but they set one up anyways...It was a waste of time but I think they did it to see if he really wants a PR

 

[Outlandish]

Holy hell you've waited a long time. Sorry you've had to go through this. There's really absolutely no way for any of us to know what is up with CIC. Maybe the security screening found some red flag (it could be as simple as someone with a similar name, a suspicious friend, family member, who knows) and the CIC followed up on this or was waiting for something. All you can do is send a case-specific inquiry asking about it (be polite) and wait for your MP to respond. The good news is you must be at the end of the road. He's had his interview waved, correct? So he's likely getting his DM any time now.

That's what I was thinking too because we should have heard something by now if the screening has finished in mid-2014. I had sent in a case specific inquiry almost every month and I finally got a reply about a month ago saying that my file was waiting for "review" and now according to my MP's office, she got a reply saying they're still doing background check. I am honestly so darn fed up with CIC and their slow and unresonable processing. They told the MP to contact them if we don't hear anything by 2017 HAHAHA

Does anyone here have any experience with a Mandamus request?

 

[Outlandish]

Our follow up was like 6 months for security..April 2014 application and still looking at it 03NOV2015 in interview that we thought was waved too...we were told by CIC we would have the PR by the end of NOV but nothing yet and just last week we were told another 2 to 3 weeks ...SO yes they are taking their time...

Yeah quiet unfair to be honest. And I've seen people who have had their application processed in less than a year and they have more travel/employment history. They just like to pick and choose

 

[Sunset0505]

Yeah quiet unfair to be honest. And I've seen people who have had their application processed in less than a year and they have more travel/employment history. They just like to pick and choose

My personal opinion is that they HAVE to have cases take longer because the Stats have to be supported for budgeting...there is just no way they cant have cases not take longer...there is aback log of 400K plus...it has to be support somehow...

 

[Outlandish]

My personal opinion is that they HAVE to have cases take longer because the Stats have to be supported for budgeting...there is just no way they cant have cases not take longer...there is aback log of 400K plus...it has to be support somehow...

You're right...I guess it just sucks that ours had to be one of them.

BTW I got a reply from my MP's office, and they were told that a second round of BGC was conducted about a month ago. Mind boggling! Does this mean they were just twiddling their thumbs up until a month ago when the last BGC expired and had to redo them as a result?