IO says can't take a decision yet after the interview

[procrastinator 0]

I have heard that in some cases the IO says after the interview that we can't take a decision about the approval yet and you will be notified in mail later. And then people wait for months and hear nothing from the uscis. This has happened to atleast 1 person I know and his fault was that he didn't notify the uscis of his change in addresses during the last few years. I didn't do so either, and now I am worried that I might have to go through the same thing. Anybody has more info regarding this?

Thanks in advance.

[Flames9_RN 358]

ya, happened to me. Was an "extra" file in which they had to retrieve from the central holding area. I passed the written and oral exams, but thanks to that file had to wait. About 1 month later got an letter for my oath ceremony, Which was approx 2 months after the initial interview. not a big deal, not much one can do about it. One can just send in the stuff they ask for, study for the exam. Best of luck

[Jickser 0]

This has happened to atleast 1 person I know and his fault was that he didn't notify the uscis of his change in addresses during the last few years. I didn't do so either, and now I am worried that I might have to go through the same thing. Anybody has more info regarding this?

Yes. I hate to be a #######, but this kind of thing is why most people treat immigration with some respect from the start. If you can't be bothered to follow the basic instructions from USCIS (until it's in your best interests to do so), then why do you suddenly expect USCIS to be bothered to show you any courtesy in return?

[T and M 1]

This has happened to atleast 1 person I know and his fault was that he didn't notify the uscis of his change in addresses during the last few years. I didn't do so either, and now I am worried that I might have to go through the same thing. Anybody has more info regarding this?

Yes. I hate to be a #######, but this kind of thing is why most people treat immigration with some respect from the start. If you can't be bothered to follow the basic instructions from USCIS (until it's in your best interests to do so), then why do you suddenly expect USCIS to be bothered to show you any courtesy in return?

It's always in one's best interests to follow the instructions. Failing to do so sucks for the applicant, as in this gentleman's case who had to wait 2 extra months to get his citizenship. Sorry, but why does it bother YOU if someone screws up costing themselves time and money? This whole bulletin board EXISTS so that we can better follow USCIS rules and get through this process as quickly and painlessly as possible.

It's a shame you hate to be a #######, b/c you make a pretty good one.

Edited January 18, 2009 by Thomas and Milena

[Flames9_RN 358]

oopss I missed the "didnt change the address " statement!!

[Stella08 0]

I received my greencard in 1999, never got a Welcome letter. I didn't even know I had to file an AR-11 and my sponsor had to inform USCIS of address changes also, until I started reading in immigration forums a few years ago. And a lot of people who received their greencards in the '80s and '90s never heard of the fact that they have to report address changes. I think this regulation had been neclegted for many years until 9/11 happened and the government became more strict about the country's immigrants and immigration laws. I know people who have renewed their greencards several times without any problems even though they never had filed an AR-11 after they had moved (several times). But of course, if you do know the law, you definitely should follow the rules.

[KyngSilva 0]

This has happened to atleast 1 person I know and his fault was that he didn't notify the uscis of his change in addresses during the last few years. I didn't do so either, and now I am worried that I might have to go through the same thing. Anybody has more info regarding this?

Yes. I hate to be a #######, but this kind of thing is why most people treat immigration with some respect from the start. If you can't be bothered to follow the basic instructions from USCIS (until it's in your best interests to do so), then why do you suddenly expect USCIS to be bothered to show you any courtesy in return?

It's always in one's best interests to follow the instructions. Failing to do so sucks for the applicant, as in this gentleman's case who had to wait 2 extra months to get his citizenship. Sorry, but why does it bother YOU if someone screws up costing themselves time and money? This whole bulletin board EXISTS so that we can better follow USCIS rules and get through this process as quickly and painlessly as possible.

It's a shame you hate to be a #######, b/c you make a pretty good one.

Settle down people. No need for this on the boards.

[Jickser 0]

It's always in one's best interests to follow the instructions. Failing to do so sucks for the applicant, as in this gentleman's case who had to wait 2 extra months to get his citizenship. Sorry, but why does it bother YOU if someone screws up costing themselves time and money? This whole bulletin board EXISTS so that we can better follow USCIS rules and get through this process as quickly and painlessly as possible.

Get over yourself.

It doesn't bother me one little bit. I was merely pointing out the fact that since the OP didn't care enough to follow the USCIS rules in the first place, is he really surprised that his past behavior is coming back to haunt him now?

Perhaps if more people were a little quicker to condemn behavior that is clearly detrimental to the smooth running of the system, we all wouldn't all have to wait 6 months to be naturalized? It's cases like the OP that slow things down for everyone, simply because he basically couldn't be bothered to play by the rules.

[spikeyflip 0]

I have heard that in some cases the IO says after the interview that we can't take a decision about the approval yet and you will be notified in mail later. And then people wait for months and hear nothing from the uscis. This has happened to atleast 1 person I know and his fault was that he didn't notify the uscis of his change in addresses during the last few years. I didn't do so either, and now I am worried that I might have to go through the same thing. Anybody has more info regarding this?

Thanks in advance.

Well the IO will give you a white sheet with the pending decision checked over and it states that to allow around 4 months (I think) for them to decide on your citizenship. If it goes over the number of months you can call them or set up an infopass to follow it up. IMHO, a change of address is not that big of a deal but you might have to check on other immigration forums and see if someone also has that similar situation.

[T and M 1]

It's always in one's best interests to follow the instructions. Failing to do so sucks for the applicant, as in this gentleman's case who had to wait 2 extra months to get his citizenship. Sorry, but why does it bother YOU if someone screws up costing themselves time and money? This whole bulletin board EXISTS so that we can better follow USCIS rules and get through this process as quickly and painlessly as possible.

Get over yourself.

It doesn't bother me one little bit. I was merely pointing out the fact that since the OP didn't care enough to follow the USCIS rules in the first place, is he really surprised that his past behavior is coming back to haunt him now?

Perhaps if more people were a little quicker to condemn behavior that is clearly detrimental to the smooth running of the system, we all wouldn't all have to wait 6 months to be naturalized? It's cases like the OP that slow things down for everyone, simply because he basically couldn't be bothered to play by the rules.

Perhaps. But as Stella said, it's a pretty common mistake. I for one did not know we had to notify USCIS of address changes, but then again, we haven't changed addresses. Again, this board exists so we can help each other out and save ourselves - and others - untold headaches and time.

My only point was that the applicant probably cared a great deal, but made an honest mistake. Mistakes can haunt as much as negligence, however, as you so bluntly put, Jickser.