Hello Fellow Genners,

Prior to the previous increase in USCIS genealogy program fees nearly 4 years ago, I submitted a number of requests at that time.  With the dramatic increase in USCIS genealogy program fees looming, I reviewed the results of those requests to see if there was anything outstanding or follow ups that I wanted to try to resolve.  As a result of that review, I have the following questions for the group:

1. I submitted an index search request for my great-grandmother.  The response I received was "that the Alien Registration Form (AR-2) is the only file available for purchase from the USCIS Genealogy Program; no A-File exists".  This was consistent with my expectations; however, I subsequently found that she traveled back to Europe with my teenage grandmother to visit family.  This surprising realization was the result of finding their return passenger manifest by chance (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-G54W-NC7?i=721&cc=1923888&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3A24FK-YF9).  That manifest indicates that a visa was issued to her in Warsaw to enable her to return.  Should I resubmit a new index search request with this new information in hopes that the visa application file will be found?
2. I submitted a request for my grandfather's derivative citizenship replacement file, but received a response that the file "had been lost and/or misplaced".  He gained citizenship as a child through his father's naturalization in 1920.  I have his physical naturalization certificate from 1947 and used that number to make the request, but am hoping that the full file may have some additional information such as his birth record from Europe.  Should I resubmit the same request in hopes that it is found?

Shana Tova,
Aaron Slotnik
Chicago, IL