USCIS suspends all naturalization approvals & oaths for ELIS cases

[Eugr 5]

I'm sorry to bring bad news, but apparently House Judiciary committee got their hands on USCIS's Director's email asking not to approve or schedule oath for cases processed in ELIS system (I believe that's IOE cases) due to issues with background checks. Looks like there is a bug in the system that didn't run FBI check properly on certain cases.

Here is the source: https://judiciary.house.gov/press-release/house-judiciary-committee-uncovers-uscis-fails-conduct-background-checks-immigration-applicants/

Looks like all IOE applicants will have to wait even longer

[M&Ms 8]

Would this delay the NVC as well?

[Eugr 5]

As far as I know, all ELIS applications are IOE numbers, so NBC ones should not be affected.

[soulstriker 274]

n400 cases from green card holders are those elis applications , i dont understand who this affects

[Canerican 242]

I am thinking of applying for naturalization within the next few months. Will this affect me?

[Cathi 5,610]

As far as I know, all ELIS applications are IOE numbers, so NBC ones should not be affected.

who does this effect? My husband just received NOA1 a few days ago for naturalization and it is being forwarded to NBC

[Thozelle 16]

As far as I know, all ELIS applications are IOE numbers, so NBC ones should not be affected.

correct. IOE is ELIS.

Wasn't aware naturalization was being run electronically through ELIS. Will be interesting to see what impact this will have.

[Kiran&Salman 5]

I filed thru ELIS on Apr 28th 2016. Had my interview on Nov 08th 2016 and scheduled for oath on April 16th 2016, but i received a phone call on November 14th 2016 from my local FO which is Houston that due to system error my oath has been de-scheduled and they will send me a new oath letter in mail. So that being said my case is on halt. This news just disheartened me. Hopefully they will figure something out quick.

[Cathi 5,610]

I filed thru ELIS on Apr 28th 2016. Had my interview on Nov 08th 2016 and scheduled for oath on April 16th 2016, but i received a phone call on November 14th 2016 from my local FO which is Houston that due to system error my oath has been de-scheduled and they will send me a new oath letter in mail. So that being said my case is on halt. This news just disheartened me. Hopefully they will figure something out quick.

you can file for citizenship through ELIS?

[Kiran&Salman 5]

Well its paper application but it gets converted to ELIS once they receive your package.

you can file for citizenship through ELIS?

[Eugr 5]

who does this effect? My husband just received NOA1 a few days ago for naturalization and it is being forwarded to NBC

If his receipt number starts with NBC, he should be OK.

[Eugr 5]

correct. IOE is ELIS.

Wasn't aware naturalization was being run electronically through ELIS. Will be interesting to see what impact this will have.

They introduced a new N400 back in April and all applicants who filed using the new form between April and, I believe, September, were getting IOE receipt numbers. I filed in May but using the old form, so I've got NBC number, and while my application took longer than I expected, but most of May applicants with IOE numbers still don't have their interviews scheduled.

Apparently they decided to process all new applications the old way at some point because of many issues with ELIS, so based on other tracking posts here, all applicants started to get NBC receipt numbers around September. My wife applied in October using new form, but got an NBC number.

I am thinking of applying for naturalization within the next few months. Will this affect me?

No one can be sure, but it seems like they are processing all new applications using the old system, so you should be fine.

[lost_at_sea 995]

I wonder if they'll have to convert those ELIS/IOE ones back to the old system, since USCIS isn't exactly known for their timely IT related fixes.

Welp. I guess we'll have to wait and see. Would be interesting to see if this delays all applications, or if there's any benefit to starting a new application (for anyone who might be trying to seek an faster process currently in the IOE queue). Hopefully they'll actually communicate with applicants (I won't be holding my breath).

[Cathi 5,610]

If his receipt number starts with NBC, he should be OK.

Yes, it does. Thank you.

[jkb11 26]

Well, that explains why I got a notification that my oath has been scheduled, and yet there is no notice in the ELIS system or physical oath letter in the mail. These IOC cases are a disaster...