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Concerned after Interview

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Filed: Country: Canada
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Hi everyone.

Apologies for the long post -- I'm a little stressed after this interview because it brings back memories of being denied years ago for my green card and having a long appeal process, or that even worse, they'll now retroactively decide the green card shouldn't have been approved. Apologies for the long post, I want to give as much relevant detail as possible. Thanks.

I had my naturalization interview at the local office here in L.A. on May 24th. I've been a permanent resident for 3 years and applied for citizenship now based on my marriage to a US citizen. The interview went well. My attorney was present and the immigration officer was very bubbly and joked around a lot. I passed the exam at 6 questions.

Then the officer asked if I had ever been arrested. I said yes, for possession of a tiny bit of marijuana in 1996 back in Canada. I paid a small fine and a few years later applied for a Canadian pardon which was granted (see more details below).

At this point, the officer said that my case file (a massive folder) was disorganized and that she needed to take a closer look later. My attorney said it was all there, including the appeal board's decision, etc, etc. The officer looked at me and said, "You seem worried. Don't be, I just have to organize this and get a closer look." Then she said you'll hear back soon, even though she has to officially say it can take 90 days. We thanked her and left.

Today I checked the case status and it said "On May 24, 2016, we mailed a request for initial evidence for your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. The request for evidence explains what we need from you. We will not take action on your case until we receive the evidence or the deadline to submit it expires. Please follow the instructions in the request for evidence."

My lawyer said she doesn't think they're requesting evidence, that she's seen it before where it was under review but then a few weeks later the oath notice came. She says "request for evidence" is the only way the officer can code it.

Does anyone have any similar experiences or any thoughts on my case?

Thanks!

(Some more backstory: My initial green card application based on my marriage was denied by the USCIS because they couldn't determine if the amount of marijuana fell within the USCIS's accepted guidelines to waive. My court records were so old they couldn't find my case, only a summary of the charge. I had to appeal the USCIS denial with a letter from a prosecutor in Canada who vouched that because of the fine I paid, it was likely that the amount of marijuana fell within the USCIS's accepted guidelines. After a 2 & 1/2 year wait, my appeal was approved, and a few months later, I got my green card.)

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Egypt
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Hi everyone.

Apologies for the long post -- I'm a little stressed after this interview because it brings back memories of being denied years ago for my green card and having a long appeal process, or that even worse, they'll now retroactively decide the green card shouldn't have been approved. Apologies for the long post, I want to give as much relevant detail as possible. Thanks.

I had my naturalization interview at the local office here in L.A. on May 24th. I've been a permanent resident for 3 years and applied for citizenship now based on my marriage to a US citizen. The interview went well. My attorney was present and the immigration officer was very bubbly and joked around a lot. I passed the exam at 6 questions.

Then the officer asked if I had ever been arrested. I said yes, for possession of a tiny bit of marijuana in 1996 back in Canada. I paid a small fine and a few years later applied for a Canadian pardon which was granted (see more details below).

At this point, the officer said that my case file (a massive folder) was disorganized and that she needed to take a closer look later. My attorney said it was all there, including the appeal board's decision, etc, etc. The officer looked at me and said, "You seem worried. Don't be, I just have to organize this and get a closer look." Then she said you'll hear back soon, even though she has to officially say it can take 90 days. We thanked her and left.

Today I checked the case status and it said "On May 24, 2016, we mailed a request for initial evidence for your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. The request for evidence explains what we need from you. We will not take action on your case until we receive the evidence or the deadline to submit it expires. Please follow the instructions in the request for evidence."

My lawyer said she doesn't think they're requesting evidence, that she's seen it before where it was under review but then a few weeks later the oath notice came. She says "request for evidence" is the only way the officer can code it.

Does anyone have any similar experiences or any thoughts on my case?

Thanks!

(Some more backstory: My initial green card application based on my marriage was denied by the USCIS because they couldn't determine if the amount of marijuana fell within the USCIS's accepted guidelines to waive. My court records were so old they couldn't find my case, only a summary of the charge. I had to appeal the USCIS denial with a letter from a prosecutor in Canada who vouched that because of the fine I paid, it was likely that the amount of marijuana fell within the USCIS's accepted guidelines. After a 2 & 1/2 year wait, my appeal was approved, and a few months later, I got my green card.)

I think you have an RFE letter on its way to you. Your lawyer has seen many cases and I'm sure there are cases where the online status updates to indicate an RFE as a mistake, but I've never come across one. It probably happens, but it must be rare. That, along with the fact that you have a couple of complicating factors in your history, probably means that the RFE is real. If it's a mistake, you'll get a status update soon about your oath ceremony.

This may simply mean that they didn't find a form they were looking for in your file or that it's not in the right format. They may want to see something related to your arrest, or the green card denial, or your marriage. Sometimes it's something very simple; a tax return the interviewer forgot to look at or a copy of your passport he forgot to make. It may be that they want an original and you sent a copy. So it could be a formality or it could be something that will affect the decision.

Just wait and see what they ask for. No point in worrying now. Until you see the letter, just take the interviewer at his word that your case looks ok.

My guess is that the letter will say that they need some court document that you were not able to present the first time around.

Edited by JimmyHou

For a review of each step of my N-400 naturalization process, from application to oath ceremony, please click here.

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Egypt
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I read other people's cases where the online status changes to RFE then to RFE received and then in line for ceremony.

You can only wait and see if this happens to you or if you actually get something in the mail...

You know what... you're right... there are several (not many) cases like that that I've read about.

I don't know why, but I couldn't think of any until I read your post; the way you wrote it reminded me.

Exactly as you describe... RFE... RFE Received... In Line... without any letters sent out or anything.

Thanks for the correction!

To the OP... real RFE or not, just wait and see... and good luck!

Edited by JimmyHou

For a review of each step of my N-400 naturalization process, from application to oath ceremony, please click here.

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Filed: Country: Kenya
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Yes. It is likely that you may not receive any RFE and it will change in a few days to evidence received. Most RFEs are given during the interview not after so it is highly likely that it is a smokescreen from the officer. Relax..you will have your oath soon. If it is indeed an RFE it may be something very simple. All the best.

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Egypt
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Yes. It is likely that you may not receive any RFE and it will change in a few days to evidence received. Most RFEs are given during the interview not after so it is highly likely that it is a smokescreen from the officer. Relax..you will have your oath soon. If it is indeed an RFE it may be something very simple. All the best.

Most RFEs I've read about arrive in the mail.

But some are given at the interview.

No rule one way or another.

For a review of each step of my N-400 naturalization process, from application to oath ceremony, please click here.

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Filed: Timeline

Do you know if when u call customer service the officers can see details on the cases?

I was told over the phone that i am in the process to be approved but he could not tell me if i am actually approved....

I was hoping for an update before the long weekend

Edited by rdsv
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Filed: Timeline

i think you should not worry, since you have a lawyer.

Any further evidence needed for the service to approve your case will requested by the service direct to your lawyer. And you should get a copy to, they usuallu cc a copy to both.

RFEs come by mail or maybe given at the interview in writing.

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Filed: Timeline

You know what... you're right... there are several (not many) cases like that that I've read about.

I don't know why, but I couldn't think of any until I read your post; the way you wrote it reminded me.

Exactly as you describe... RFE... RFE Received... In Line... without any letters sent out or anything.

Thanks for the correction!

To the OP... real RFE or not, just wait and see... and good luck!

The RFE sent and RFE response received" without an actual RFE being generated and mailed has something to do with Security checks that are rerun either because the applicant wanted a name change or somehow the initial checks weren't completed. If it's an actual RFE, the OP should receive something in mail in a week.

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