I-751/N-400 combo filers in Chicago

[gabreigns 75]

Oath date 9/20.

[ordjnb 39]

On 9/7/2018 at 3:09 PM, gabreigns said:

Oath date 9/20.

Awesome! Happy for you!

 

Curious, what kind of questions did they ask your spouse? Was it similar to the I-485?

[egroeg 66]

Do we have any I-751/N-400 combo filers with upcoming interviews in September, October ?

[gabreigns 75]

On 9/8/2018 at 5:25 PM, ordjnb said:

Awesome! Happy for you!

 

Curious, what kind of questions did they ask your spouse? Was it similar to the I-485?

Yes I believe it was pretty much similar, the basic stuff.

[Charly2 11]

On 9/6/2018 at 7:04 AM, xilef said:

@newsonys had a successful combo-interview experience as well.

 

 

It seems that I was the only one not having a combo interview. I filed I751 in January 2017 and N400 in December 2017, both paper and no lawyers involved in any of the two. My N 400 app was August 27. I attended with my wife. The IO was really nice, but at the end of the interview he said he couldn't approved me because my pending I 751. He said he was not the officer to do it and than he needed a supervisor approval, so when he gave me the form N 652 he marked the option not able to make a decision at this time (or something like that). He did the test, thou, which I passed. Before I left he mentioned that they will mail my Oath letter, once the supervisor okays my file. And I am waiting since then. My current status online is: for 751: no changes since the transfer my case on May 1 2018. N 400: In line for Oath. It's a bit confusing, because it seems I am approved but then again I am waiting for 751.

 

I just hope It doesn't take them months to make a decision.

 

Something else: IO did have my 751 file as well, he went trough it briefly and made a small note on it (i didn't see what was that about) and then I put a rubber band to the 2 folders and left them together in his desk (I was ready to eat my nails thinking they could get forgotten there waiting for a supervisor). He asked if the person outside waiting for me was my wife and I said yes. I don't offer for her to come, I just waited to see if he could do the joint interview but that din't happen. Now just patiently waiting.

 

 

 

On 9/7/2018 at 3:09 PM, gabreigns said:

Oath date 9/20.

Congrats!!!! I want mine already!

[gabreigns 75]

12 hours ago, Charly2 said:

It seems that I was the only one not having a combo interview. I filed I751 in January 2017 and N400 in December 2017, both paper and no lawyers involved in any of the two. My N 400 app was August 27. I attended with my wife. The IO was really nice, but at the end of the interview he said he couldn't approved me because my pending I 751. He said he was not the officer to do it and than he needed a supervisor approval, so when he gave me the form N 652 he marked the option not able to make a decision at this time (or something like that). He did the test, thou, which I passed. Before I left he mentioned that they will mail my Oath letter, once the supervisor okays my file. And I am waiting since then. My current status online is: for 751: no changes since the transfer my case on May 1 2018. N 400: In line for Oath. It's a bit confusing, because it seems I am approved but then again I am waiting for 751.

 

I just hope It doesn't take them months to make a decision.

 

Something else: IO did have my 751 file as well, he went trough it briefly and made a small note on it (i didn't see what was that about) and then I put a rubber band to the 2 folders and left them together in his desk (I was ready to eat my nails thinking they could get forgotten there waiting for a supervisor). He asked if the person outside waiting for me was my wife and I said yes. I don't offer for her to come, I just waited to see if he could do the joint interview but that din't happen. Now just patiently waiting.

 

 

 

Congrats!!!! I want mine already!

Thanks. Wish you the very beat and hope you hear back soon.

[gabreigns 75]

For the oath ceremony One of the things they mention is to surrender your old green card.

i have my conditional green card but not the 10year green card. 

Anyone faced any problems considering that we had a combo interview and don’t have our 10year green cards yet?

[L&B2018 1]

22 hours ago, xilef said:

Do we have any I-751/N-400 combo filers with upcoming interviews in September, October ?

My N400 interview is on October 9th. Hoping for a joint interview.

[KCHICAGO 7]

Hi everyone,

 

Just wanted to share my experience here.

 

Background:

Pending I-751 (March 2017) and N-400 (Jan 2018). I had my N-400 interview this week.

 

Outcome:

I took my wife along just in case if the IO wanted to do a joint interview. But that did not happen. I was only interviewed on the N-400 application. I cleared the N-400 interview/exam and then the IO said to wait for about 30 days so a decision can be made on my I-751 before approving N-400. Bummer 😞 .

 

Interview experience:

We checked-in at the counter on the 3rd Floor (Chicago USCIS field office) and seated with the token. We were there about 45 mins before the scheduled time since my wife had to go back to work and thinking if the IO can take us in earlier. But after looking at the crowd we had second thoughts on how soon we are going to get done. Someone sitting next to us was waiting for nearly 3 hours so that got us little worried. To our surprise, we were called in about 45 mins after the scheduled time (on interview letter). The IO was nice and straight forward. Courteous and professional. From there-on, all standard stuff. Started with the 6/10 questions. I don't recollect all the questions exactly right now but will post later if I can. They were super easy though. After the IO mentioned about my pending I-751, I did ask if IO wants to see my wife who is outside in the waiting area, IO said no. I also asked if IO needs to see any more documents, IO said no. We talked about a few clarifications in general on application even though my application was very straightforward but I wanted to confirm a few things from my side. I also had a trip outside of USA for about 2 weeks after I submitted the application. I asked if IO wanted any evidence or documentation so the dates can be updated on my application. Again, IO said no to it as well citing it wasn't a concern since the trip did not last too long and my overall time spent outside US wasn't an issue either. So all good there. In the end, I was told if the IO finds everything on my I-751 that they need to review, then I will be approved in 30 days or so. Followed by N-400 approval and oath letter in mail. However, if the IO needs anything from me then it will be flagged for another interview (joint and only I-751). So I really do not know what is going to happen but hoping for a positive outcome.

 

So close yet so far from being approved.
 

My two cents

The IOs are generally all good I guess and they seem to be doing their job thoroughly and professionally. Earlier, I-751 for Chicago area was completely (or for the most part), if I'm not wrong, was being handled by California offices. However, with the backlog and changing priorities/goals of the USCIS, there are new processes being introduced and they are also getting used to it. Hence, we are seeing files being transferred to local offices to manage the work load. So let's not worry too much and just be positive  .

 

Thanks everyone though for sharing your experience. I know some of us here had the same experience of not being approved on I-751 or did not have a joint interview for I-751 while N-400 is pending. And some others were lucky to be approved on both applications almost instantly  

 

 

[egroeg 66]

8 hours ago, gabreigns said:

For the oath ceremony One of the things they mention is to surrender your old green card.

i have my conditional green card but not the 10year green card. 

Anyone faced any problems considering that we had a combo interview and don’t have our 10year green cards yet?

You should be fine turning in your Conditional resident GC @gabreigns

[egroeg 66]

19 minutes ago, KCHICAGO said:

Hi everyone,

 

Just wanted to share my experience here.

 

Background:

Pending I-751 (March 2017) and N-400 (Jan 2018). I had my N-400 interview this week.

 

Outcome:

I took my wife along just in case if the IO wanted to do a joint interview. But that did not happen. I was only interviewed on the N-400 application. I cleared the N-400 interview/exam and then the IO said to wait for about 30 days so a decision can be made on my I-751 before approving N-400. Bummer 😞 .

 

Interview experience:

We checked-in at the counter on the 3rd Floor (Chicago USCIS field office) and seated with the token. We were there about 45 mins before the scheduled time since my wife had to go back to work and thinking if the IO can take us in earlier. But after looking at the crowd we had second thoughts on how soon we are going to get done. Someone sitting next to us was waiting for nearly 3 hours so that got us little worried. To our surprise, we were called in about 45 mins after the scheduled time (on interview letter). The IO was nice and straight forward. Courteous and professional. From there-on, all standard stuff. Started with the 6/10 questions. I don't recollect all the questions exactly right now but will post later if I can. They were super easy though. After the IO mentioned about my pending I-751, I did ask if IO wants to see my wife who is outside in the waiting area, IO said no. I also asked if IO needs to see any more documents, IO said no. We talked about a few clarifications in general on application even though my application was very straightforward but I wanted to confirm a few things from my side. I also had a trip outside of USA for about 2 weeks after I submitted the application. I asked if IO wanted any evidence or documentation so the dates can be updated on my application. Again, IO said no to it as well citing it wasn't a concern since the trip did not last too long and my overall time spent outside US wasn't an issue either. So all good there. In the end, I was told if the IO finds everything on my I-751 that they need to review, then I will be approved in 30 days or so. Followed by N-400 approval and oath letter in mail. However, if the IO needs anything from me then it will be flagged for another interview (joint and only I-751). So I really do not know what is going to happen but hoping for a positive outcome.

 

So close yet so far from being approved.
 

My two cents

The IOs are generally all good I guess and they seem to be doing their job thoroughly and professionally. Earlier, I-751 for Chicago area was completely (or for the most part), if I'm not wrong, was being handled by California offices. However, with the backlog and changing priorities/goals of the USCIS, there are new processes being introduced and they are also getting used to it. Hence, we are seeing files being transferred to local offices to manage the work load. So let's not worry too much and just be positive  .

 

Thanks everyone though for sharing your experience. I know some of us here had the same experience of not being approved on I-751 or did not have a joint interview for I-751 while N-400 is pending. And some others were lucky to be approved on both applications almost instantly  

 

 

Thank you for sharing your experience@KCHICAGO, @Rmsh who is a January 2018 N-400 filer had a similar experience to what you faced.He brought his spouse along but the IO didn't want to talk to them either. He had his interview at the end of june I believe.

22 minutes ago, KCHICAGO said:

Hi everyone,

 

Just wanted to share my experience here.

 

Background:

Pending I-751 (March 2017) and N-400 (Jan 2018). I had my N-400 interview this week.

 

Outcome:

I took my wife along just in case if the IO wanted to do a joint interview. But that did not happen. I was only interviewed on the N-400 application. I cleared the N-400 interview/exam and then the IO said to wait for about 30 days so a decision can be made on my I-751 before approving N-400. Bummer 😞 .

 

Interview experience:

We checked-in at the counter on the 3rd Floor (Chicago USCIS field office) and seated with the token. We were there about 45 mins before the scheduled time since my wife had to go back to work and thinking if the IO can take us in earlier. But after looking at the crowd we had second thoughts on how soon we are going to get done. Someone sitting next to us was waiting for nearly 3 hours so that got us little worried. To our surprise, we were called in about 45 mins after the scheduled time (on interview letter). The IO was nice and straight forward. Courteous and professional. From there-on, all standard stuff. Started with the 6/10 questions. I don't recollect all the questions exactly right now but will post later if I can. They were super easy though. After the IO mentioned about my pending I-751, I did ask if IO wants to see my wife who is outside in the waiting area, IO said no. I also asked if IO needs to see any more documents, IO said no. We talked about a few clarifications in general on application even though my application was very straightforward but I wanted to confirm a few things from my side. I also had a trip outside of USA for about 2 weeks after I submitted the application. I asked if IO wanted any evidence or documentation so the dates can be updated on my application. Again, IO said no to it as well citing it wasn't a concern since the trip did not last too long and my overall time spent outside US wasn't an issue either. So all good there. In the end, I was told if the IO finds everything on my I-751 that they need to review, then I will be approved in 30 days or so. Followed by N-400 approval and oath letter in mail. However, if the IO needs anything from me then it will be flagged for another interview (joint and only I-751). So I really do not know what is going to happen but hoping for a positive outcome.

 

So close yet so far from being approved.
 

My two cents

The IOs are generally all good I guess and they seem to be doing their job thoroughly and professionally. Earlier, I-751 for Chicago area was completely (or for the most part), if I'm not wrong, was being handled by California offices. However, with the backlog and changing priorities/goals of the USCIS, there are new processes being introduced and they are also getting used to it. Hence, we are seeing files being transferred to local offices to manage the work load. So let's not worry too much and just be positive  .

 

Thanks everyone though for sharing your experience. I know some of us here had the same experience of not being approved on I-751 or did not have a joint interview for I-751 while N-400 is pending. And some others were lucky to be approved on both applications almost instantly  

 

 

Can you describe your officer, was it a middle aged hispanic gentleman ? 

Just now, xilef said:

Thank you for sharing your experience@KCHICAGO, @Rmsh who is a January 2018 N-400 filer had a similar experience to what you faced.He brought his spouse along but the IO didn't want to talk to them either. He had his interview at the end of june I believe.

Can you describe your officer, was it a middle aged hispanic gentleman ? 

@KCHICAGO

[egroeg 66]

5 hours ago, L&B2018 said:

My N400 interview is on October 9th. Hoping for a joint interview.

Good luck on your interview @L&B2018, keep us posted on what hopefully will be a great outcome

[KCHICAGO 7]

1 hour ago, xilef said:

Thank you for sharing your experience@KCHICAGO, @Rmsh who is a January 2018 N-400 filer had a similar experience to what you faced.He brought his spouse along but the IO didn't want to talk to them either. He had his interview at the end of june I believe.

Can you describe your officer, was it a middle aged hispanic gentleman ? 

@KCHICAGO

Yes, there have been a few cases where they did not do a joint interview. I don't know why they do not have a streamlined process.

 

Regarding the gender and appearance of the IO, I wouldn't feel comfortable disclosing it. Sorry.

[KCHICAGO 7]

Has anyone with solo N-400 (no I-751 interview) progressed any further? Or is there anyone with N-400 had a separate I-751 interview few weeks down the road?

[Charly2 11]

2 hours ago, KCHICAGO said:

Hi everyone,

 

Just wanted to share my experience here.

 

Background:

Pending I-751 (March 2017) and N-400 (Jan 2018). I had my N-400 interview this week.

 

Outcome:

I took my wife along just in case if the IO wanted to do a joint interview. But that did not happen. I was only interviewed on the N-400 application. I cleared the N-400 interview/exam and then the IO said to wait for about 30 days so a decision can be made on my I-751 before approving N-400. Bummer 😞 .

 

 

 

Thanks for sharing. We're pretty much in the same boat. One question: do you have the case tracker app and the online account? and if you do, what's your status on both processes? For N 400, mine says online APPLICATION APPROVED...in the app tracker says IN LINE FOR OATH....for I 751 says online WE TRANSFERRED YOUR FILE ON MAY 3 2018 and the case tracker app says the same.