Fed up with USCIS

[foreignfantasy 0]

Guys, I need your opinion on the following situation:

I filed for citizenship on Nov.3, 2011. I never got a fingerprints notice, and after about 2 and a half months of waiting for that, I decided to give them a call and find out what was going on. The person I spoke to said they were going to find out what that was all about and I was gonna receive an email letting me know if or when I was supposed to have my biometrics done. Sure enough, 2 weeks later I received the following email:

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

USCIS National Benefits Center

P.O. Box 648005

Lee's Summit,MO 64002

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Emailed to XXXXXXX

Dear XXXXXXX:

On 01/03/2012 you, or the designated representative shown below, contacted us about your case. Some of the key information given to us at that time was the following:

Caller indicated they are:

-- Applicant or Petitioner

Attorney Name:

-- Information not available

Case type:

-- N400

Filing date:

-- 11/03/2011

Receipt #:

-- YYYYYYYYY

Referral ID:

ZZZZZZZZZZZ

Beneficiary (if you filed for someone else):

-- Information not available

Your USCIS Account Number (A-number):

-- XXXXXXXXXX

Type of service requested:

-- Non-Delivery of Other Notice

The status of this service request is:

Recently, you called to inform USCIS that you have not received a biometrics appointment letter. After checking our systems, the biometrics taken previously are still valid and you will not be scheduled at this time. We are sorry for any misunderstanding and thank you for informing USCIS of this matter.

Additionally, our records indicate that we recently sent you an appointment notice. Your case is currently in suspense until the interview date. Please follow any instructions on that notice.

If you have any further questions, please call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

Please remember: By law, every person who is not a U.S. citizen and who is over the age of 14 must submit Form AR-11 AND notify this office of their change of address, within 10 days from when they move (persons in "A" or "G" nonimmigrant status are exempt from this requirement). To notify this office of a move, visit our website at: www.uscis.gov or call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283. The Form AR-11 can be downloaded from our website or you can call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 and we can order one for you. Instructions for filing the Form AR-11, including mailing instructions, are included on the Form.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

So obviously I didn't need to have my fingerprints done. All I had to do was go to the scheduled interview.

My interview was on February 22, I passed the test, the interview went really good overall and the IO told me I was going to get an oath letter in 2 weeks, since I decided to have my name changed. It's actually just one letter in my name that I needed changed, to make it sound more "American", since I'm gonna spend the rest of my life here and all... But a change is a change nonetheless, and I knew that was going to cause some delay in the process.

On March 12 they placed me in line to be scheduled for the oath ceremony.

Since then it's been 2 months, and I hadn't heard anything from USCIS up until yesterday. I gave them a call probably about 2 weeks ago to ask why my case is in slow motion or stuck altogether, and the only answer I got was that they have 90 days to process it, so call back in 90 days. I tried to do an E-request, but it only tells me that my case is within the regular processing times.

And yesterday my case has finally been updated, but not to schedule an interview and get this ordeal over with like I was hoping... Now they decided they needed my fingerprints after all, and they're letting me know that they sent me a biometrics notice. And also, my case has been moved from Oath Scheduling to Initial Review on their website. Of course, I started steaming with frustration and I called them, but the guy I talked to on the phone said he doesn't know what happened and he suggested that I keep my fingerprints appointment... duh... and also, he kindly let me know they have 120 (!!!) days to process the case... so it's not 45 like the website says... it's not 90 like they said before... now it's 120. He also apologized for the confusion they created, but that didn't really help, since he had absolutely nothing else to tell me, to enlighten me as to what the heck is going on.

Now I'm asking:

Has anything like that happened to anybody else, or am I the only "lucky" one? It seems like no matter how much I want to get rid of USCIS and go on with my life, preferably stress free within the reasonable limits, they stick to me like glue;

And is there a way to speed up the biometrics, in the hope that it would speed up the whole process altogether? I heard of walk-in biometrics, but I'm not sure how or if I should do it. Do I just walk in their office and tell them I want my biometrics done before the scheduled date? Would that be a good idea? I feel like I'm walking on eggshells and they're not gonna like my attempt to speed up the process.

[grrrrreat 109]

Guys, I need your opinion on the following situation:

I filed for citizenship on Nov.3, 2011. I never got a fingerprints notice, and after about 2 and a half months of waiting for that, I decided to give them a call and find out what was going on. The person I spoke to said they were going to find out what that was all about and I was gonna receive an email letting me know if or when I was supposed to have my biometrics done. Sure enough, 2 weeks later I received the following email:

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

USCIS National Benefits Center

P.O. Box 648005

Lee's Summit,MO 64002

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Emailed to XXXXXXX

Dear XXXXXXX:

On 01/03/2012 you, or the designated representative shown below, contacted us about your case. Some of the key information given to us at that time was the following:

Caller indicated they are:

-- Applicant or Petitioner

Attorney Name:

-- Information not available

Case type:

-- N400

Filing date:

-- 11/03/2011

Receipt #:

-- YYYYYYYYY

Referral ID:

ZZZZZZZZZZZ

Beneficiary (if you filed for someone else):

-- Information not available

Your USCIS Account Number (A-number):

-- XXXXXXXXXX

Type of service requested:

-- Non-Delivery of Other Notice

The status of this service request is:

Recently, you called to inform USCIS that you have not received a biometrics appointment letter. After checking our systems, the biometrics taken previously are still valid and you will not be scheduled at this time. We are sorry for any misunderstanding and thank you for informing USCIS of this matter.

Additionally, our records indicate that we recently sent you an appointment notice. Your case is currently in suspense until the interview date. Please follow any instructions on that notice.

If you have any further questions, please call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

Please remember: By law, every person who is not a U.S. citizen and who is over the age of 14 must submit Form AR-11 AND notify this office of their change of address, within 10 days from when they move (persons in "A" or "G" nonimmigrant status are exempt from this requirement). To notify this office of a move, visit our website at: www.uscis.gov or call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283. The Form AR-11 can be downloaded from our website or you can call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283 and we can order one for you. Instructions for filing the Form AR-11, including mailing instructions, are included on the Form.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

So obviously I didn't need to have my fingerprints done. All I had to do was go to the scheduled interview.

My interview was on February 22, I passed the test, the interview went really good overall and the IO told me I was going to get an oath letter in 2 weeks, since I decided to have my name changed. It's actually just one letter in my name that I needed changed, to make it sound more "American", since I'm gonna spend the rest of my life here and all... But a change is a change nonetheless, and I knew that was going to cause some delay in the process.

On March 12 they placed me in line to be scheduled for the oath ceremony.

Since then it's been 2 months, and I hadn't heard anything from USCIS up until yesterday. I gave them a call probably about 2 weeks ago to ask why my case is in slow motion or stuck altogether, and the only answer I got was that they have 90 days to process it, so call back in 90 days. I tried to do an E-request, but it only tells me that my case is within the regular processing times.

And yesterday my case has finally been updated, but not to schedule an interview and get this ordeal over with like I was hoping... Now they decided they needed my fingerprints after all, and they're letting me know that they sent me a biometrics notice. And also, my case has been moved from Oath Scheduling to Initial Review on their website. Of course, I started steaming with frustration and I called them, but the guy I talked to on the phone said he doesn't know what happened and he suggested that I keep my fingerprints appointment... duh... and also, he kindly let me know they have 120 (!!!) days to process the case... so it's not 45 like the website says... it's not 90 like they said before... now it's 120. He also apologized for the confusion they created, but that didn't really help, since he had absolutely nothing else to tell me, to enlighten me as to what the heck is going on.

Now I'm asking:

Has anything like that happened to anybody else, or am I the only "lucky" one? It seems like no matter how much I want to get rid of USCIS and go on with my life, preferably stress free within the reasonable limits, they stick to me like glue;

And is there a way to speed up the biometrics, in the hope that it would speed up the whole process altogether? I heard of walk-in biometrics, but I'm not sure how or if I should do it. Do I just walk in their office and tell them I want my biometrics done before the scheduled date? Would that be a good idea? I feel like I'm walking on eggshells and they're not gonna like my attempt to speed up the process.

It sounds like your biometrics "expired" after your interview but before you were able to take the oath. You should be getting a biometrics letter, and you can either keep the appointment on it or take it to the center to try to have them done early. In any case, if your interview was successful you won't need to do it again. You'll just need to complete biometrics and then get a time to take the oath.

[foreignfantasy 0]

What about my case being moved from Oath Scheduling to Initial Review? If that means I have to go through everything all over again I'm gonna freak out lol

[rocks 494]

What about my case being moved from Oath Scheduling to Initial Review? If that means I have to go through everything all over again I'm gonna freak out lol

When you are sent a biometrics appointment you are in Initial Review, it's just how their website works. You have already completed your interview so don't worry about it.

To do your biometrics early you will need to have the appointment letter and take that to your local office. Some offices (like mine) don't allow early biometrics appointments though.

[Caroline and Phil 14]

I think at first you didn't need biometrics because you had valid ones, then it ended up taking too long, they expired so they need new ones done.

I'm pretty sure soon after you go for biometrics they will schedule you for interview.

Well, you're not the only "lucky"one. lol

Take a look at my signature and timeline. Pay attention to my AOS and N-400 (I named my N-400 Lazarus, because when I had almost completely forgotten about it, it came back to life ).

All the delay for me I can blame on my fingerprints (not readable in the system).

Well, i wish you good luck and that everything goes faster now. Try not to worry too much and be patient and keep your faith. This is the only thing that can help you since everything is alright with your application.

Edited May 10, 2012 by Lisa and Phil

[grrrrreat 109]

I think at first you didn't need biometrics because you had valid ones, then it ended up taking too long, they expired so they need new ones done.

I'm pretty sure soon after you go for biometrics they will schedule you for interview.

Well, you're not the only "lucky"one. lol

Take a look at my signature and timeline. Pay attention to my AOS and N-400 (I named my N-400 Lazarus, because when I had almost completely forgotten about it, it came back to life ).

All the delay for me I can blame on my fingerprints (not readable in the system).

Well, i wish you good luck and that everything goes faster now. Try not to worry too much and be patient and keep your faith. This is the only thing that can help you since everything is alright with your application.

He was already approved at an interview so I think he will go directly from biometrics to oath.

[Caroline and Phil 14]

He was already approved at an interview so I think he will go directly from biometrics to oath.

Yes, I meant scheduled for OATH Ceremony.

And speaking of that I checked my mailbox and didn't get my oath letter yet. It was send in May 2nd and so far nothing.

Edited May 10, 2012 by Lisa and Phil