N400 Interview - A decision cannot be made

[thepeeeeej 33]

I went to my interview today hoping to pass but it turned out a decision cannot be made with my application just yet. My appointment was at 12:40PM in Downtown Los Angeles and was called in around 1:10PM. Right before we started, the IO warned me that he has allergies so he apologized in advance if ever he sneezes or his voice cracks during the interview. I thought that was interesting. We went ahead to do the civics test which I passed after correctly answering 6 questions. He asked if I want to change my name which I do I but the new middle name I want is composed of two letters only which he said may cause problems. I told him I am aware of it but I would like to keep it that way since everyone knows/calls me by that two-letter name. He wrote a note on my application that he warned me that having a two-letter name might cause problems in the future but I want to still keep it and had me sign next to his note. He also had me sign two other forms about the name change and then he proceeded to ask me how I got my green card.

 

I told him I am married to a USC but separated. I am applying under the 5-year rule. My ROC was approved in 2015 but for some reason, the officer asked me about my marriage and why I am currently separated from my wife. My wife has been coming back and forth from the Philippines since 2014 but we only became separated just before I applied for my citizenship. I was honestly not prepared for him to ask me about my marriage because I thought it's irrelevant since I am applying under the 5-year rule but I tried to keep my composure and answered his questions to the best of my knowledge. After that, he asked what I do for work. I told him I am currently a student doing my externship full time and will finish in May. He asked how I support myself and I told him I have money from student loans and I have some money saved from when I was still working full time. He told me those student loans are evil and that I should be ready to pay for them once I'm done with school and have a job. He also asked for my tax returns for the past 5 years which thank God I brought with me. He looked at each one of them and held on to the 2017 tax forms.

 

After all the questioning, he handed me a letter saying I passed the civics test but a decision cannot be made at this time. I asked if there's anything wrong with my application. He said none and that there's another interview after me waiting for him. That he hasn't had lunch yet and that he will revisit my application tomorrow. That I should just wait for a letter in the mail about the decision. He sent me outside and told me to wait for my DL, green card and 2017 tax return after he copied them. After 10 minutes, IO called me again and told me there's another question he forgot to ask me earlier. When we got to his room, he asked me why I filed "married filing jointly" when my wife and I are already separated. I said because technically, we are still married. Also, by filing jointly, I help her pay for her back taxes (she owes the IRS about $6K which we have almost paid off this year) when she was in school 8 years ago. IO asked if my wife was aware of it since she's in the Philippines when I filed for our 2017 taxes and if she signed it. I said yes she is aware of it and I signed for the both of us which my tax preparer said was ok to do. He wrote a note on my application about my statement and made me sign next to it.

 

After that, he said I should wait for a letter in the mail about the decision. I am honestly very sad right now. Has anyone experienced this lately? I know I have to wait but for how long? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Edited April 14, 2018 by thepeeeeej

[praizee 10]

What is going to happen is they will do background checks or the IO will just leave your file on his/her desk to collect dust.

 

Realistically, under the 5 yr rule they are not supposed to question you a lot under your marriage but these days they tend to review the whole file from when you adjusted your status.At this point all you can do is wait and hope for the best. they made you signed the statements you made so that when they do their checks they can verify with what you said and ensure that there are no discrepancies

 

I got the same response but i haven't had a decision yet. 

[thepeeeeej 33]

17 minutes ago, praizee said:

What is going to happen is they will do background checks or the IO will just leave your file on his/her desk to collect dust.

 

Realistically, under the 5 yr rule they are not supposed to question you a lot under your marriage but these days they tend to review the whole file from when you adjusted your status.At this point all you can do is wait and hope for the best. they made you signed the statements you made so that when they do their checks they can verify with what you said and ensure that there are no discrepancies

 

I got the same response but i haven't had a decision yet. 

Thank you. When did you have your interview if you don’t mind me asking?

[Gekgek 13]

Hi everyone! I just had my naturalization interview this morning, everything went well. I was expecting that I could passed the interview but the IO gave me a paper ‘a decision cannot be made yet’. I felt dissappointed and depressed coz I’ve been waiting for this for long. But when I got home and check my account on uscis they sent me a notice that Ive been approved and will mail me a letter to schedule for my naturalization ceremony. I never expected that it would be faster like this. Is anyone there had same situation like mine?

[CarlHamilton 252]

1 hour ago, Gekgek said:

Hi everyone! I just had my naturalization interview this morning, everything went well. I was expecting that I could passed the interview but the IO gave me a paper ‘a decision cannot be made yet’. I felt dissappointed and depressed coz I’ve been waiting for this for long. But when I got home and check my account on uscis they sent me a notice that Ive been approved and will mail me a letter to schedule for my naturalization ceremony. I never expected that it would be faster like this. Is anyone there had same situation like mine?

This is normal.

[sarad 0]

I had my interview and gave me decision cannot be made yet and I was still waiting from may still no reply very depressed. they said everything was clear and I have no issues to worry I am still worried what is going on any one please suggest me. should I wait or take an infopass.

[Going through 5,668]

6 minutes ago, sarad said:

I had my interview and gave me decision cannot be made yet and I was still waiting from may still no reply very depressed. they said everything was clear and I have no issues to worry I am still worried what is going on any one please suggest me. should I wait or take an infopass.

Legally they have up to 120 days to render a decision....that being said, since you've waited a couple of months already, I'd suggest calling USCIS and request to be transferred to a L2 officer (who can actually look into your personal case details) and see if they can give you more info (and see if any RFE/letter has been sent out to you that perhaps never actually reached you in the mail.)

[nywestq 51]

trust me I understand the struggles I got the same decision June 7 and was told needed to review my travel then on the 14th of June I received a letter online saying bring proof that you've been living in marital union for 3 years I brought those in June 18th then while away the same letter apparently came in the mail with an extra document saying to appear in person for interview or to submit the same documents I submitted June 18th this time though they want it on July 20th and in person then when I went will all these documents again officer not at work. The 18th of July one month after I submitted it before the letter in the mail It shows response submitted online but they told me do it the 20th then I go the 20th of July  they took them but the officer wasn't at work that day so im like I could've mailed this in plus I did bring it in June 18th before like really. so now ive brought in the same documents maybe 4 times now not to mention when I originally filed it online

[marriedtomrg 140]

On 4/13/2018 at 8:25 PM, thepeeeeej said:

I went to my interview today hoping to pass but it turned out a decision cannot be made with my application just yet. My appointment was at 12:40PM in Downtown Los Angeles and was called in around 1:10PM. Right before we started, the IO warned me that he has allergies so he apologized in advance if ever he sneezes or his voice cracks during the interview. I thought that was interesting. We went ahead to do the civics test which I passed after correctly answering 6 questions. He asked if I want to change my name which I do I but the new middle name I want is composed of two letters only which he said may cause problems. I told him I am aware of it but I would like to keep it that way since everyone knows/calls me by that two-letter name. He wrote a note on my application that he warned me that having a two-letter name might cause problems in the future but I want to still keep it and had me sign next to his note. He also had me sign two other forms about the name change and then he proceeded to ask me how I got my green card.

 

I told him I am married to a USC but separated. I am applying under the 5-year rule. My ROC was approved in 2015 but for some reason, the officer asked me about my marriage and why I am currently separated from my wife. My wife has been coming back and forth from the Philippines since 2014 but we only became separated just before I applied for my citizenship. I was honestly not prepared for him to ask me about my marriage because I thought it's irrelevant since I am applying under the 5-year rule but I tried to keep my composure and answered his questions to the best of my knowledge. After that, he asked what I do for work. I told him I am currently a student doing my externship full time and will finish in May. He asked how I support myself and I told him I have money from student loans and I have some money saved from when I was still working full time. He told me those student loans are evil and that I should be ready to pay for them once I'm done with school and have a job. He also asked for my tax returns for the past 5 years which thank God I brought with me. He looked at each one of them and held on to the 2017 tax forms.

 

After all the questioning, he handed me a letter saying I passed the civics test but a decision cannot be made at this time. I asked if there's anything wrong with my application. He said none and that there's another interview after me waiting for him. That he hasn't had lunch yet and that he will revisit my application tomorrow. That I should just wait for a letter in the mail about the decision. He sent me outside and told me to wait for my DL, green card and 2017 tax return after he copied them. After 10 minutes, IO called me again and told me there's another question he forgot to ask me earlier. When we got to his room, he asked me why I filed "married filing jointly" when my wife and I are already separated. I said because technically, we are still married. Also, by filing jointly, I help her pay for her back taxes (she owes the IRS about $6K which we have almost paid off this year) when she was in school 8 years ago. IO asked if my wife was aware of it since she's in the Philippines when I filed for our 2017 taxes and if she signed it. I said yes she is aware of it and I signed for the both of us which my tax preparer said was ok to do. He wrote a note on my application about my statement and made me sign next to it.

 

After that, he said I should wait for a letter in the mail about the decision. I am honestly very sad right now. Has anyone experienced this lately? I know I have to wait but for how long? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

Any news on your situation?

[thepeeeeej 33]

3 hours ago, marriedtomrg said:

 

Any news on your situation?

I am going to my oath taking ceremony tomorrow. :-)

[semsem 19]

42 minutes ago, thepeeeeej said:

I am going to my oath taking ceremony tomorrow. :-)

Many congrats for you.

[marriedtomrg 140]

1 hour ago, thepeeeeej said:

I am going to my oath taking ceremony tomorrow. :-)

Well thank goodness.  Mine is tomorrow, too!

[sarad 0]

I still don't have any update about my application and I am happy atleast you guys are over with it.

[thepeeeeej 33]

3 hours ago, marriedtomrg said:

Well thank goodness.  Mine is tomorrow, too!

Congrats!

[shell20 746]

47 minutes ago, thepeeeeej said:

Congrats!

Mine is tomorrow as well, but not sure what I need to take to it, all documents from USCIS? Think I probably shredded the ones not relevant.  Hmm.

4 hours ago, marriedtomrg said:

Well thank goodness.  Mine is tomorrow, too!

Good luck for tomorrow.