USCIS Aims to Decrease Processing Times for N-400 and I-485 [merged threads]

[N400NYC 380]

See story at the link (June 17, 2019) here:

https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-aims-decrease-processing-times-n-400-and-i-485

 

USCIS will implement a national strategy to decrease differences in processing times based on location for Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Since the end of 2015, we have experienced an increase in processing times due to higher than expected volumes received during fiscal years (FY) 2016 and 2017 that did not decrease as originally projected. FY 2017 receipts were up 15.6% from FY 2016, and FY 2016 receipts were up 25.5% from FY 2015. The increased filing volumes did not affect our field offices equally, which resulted in some disparity in the processing times among field offices. As we shift caseloads between field offices to decrease processing times, we may schedule applicants to appear for an interview at a field office outside of their normal jurisdiction. Applicants may receive an interview appointment notice or other types of notices (such as a Request for Evidence) from a field office outside of their normal jurisdiction. However, these caseload changes will not affect where applicants attend their biometrics appointments. We will still direct them to the nearest application support center. Applicants should follow the instructions on any notices they receive from USCIS. USCIS remains committed to adjudicating applications, petitions, and requests for immigration benefits as effectively and efficiently as possible in accordance with all applicable laws, policies, and regulations while securing the integrity of the immigration system. If you have questions about an appointment notice we send you, you may contact the USCIS Contact Center.

 

This is encouraging news for those who resides in areas of the country were wait times are extremely long.

 

 

Edited June 17, 2019 by N400NYC

[Lemon23 400]

USCIS will implement a national strategy to decrease differences in processing times based on location for Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

Since the end of 2015, we have experienced an increase in processing times due to higher than expected volumes received during fiscal years (FY) 2016 and 2017 that did not decrease as originally projected. FY 2017 receipts were up 15.6% from FY 2016, and FY 2016 receipts were up 25.5% from FY 2015. The increased filing volumes did not affect our field offices equally, which resulted in some disparity in the processing times among field offices.

As we shift caseloads between field offices to decrease processing times, we may schedule applicants to appear for an interview at a field office outside of their normal jurisdiction. Applicants may receive an interview appointment notice or other types of notices (such as a Request for Evidence) from a field office outside of their normal jurisdiction. However, these caseload changes will not affect where applicants attend their biometrics appointments. We will still direct them to the nearest application support center. Applicants should follow the instructions on any notices they receive from USCIS.

USCIS remains committed to adjudicating applications, petitions, and requests for immigration benefits as effectively and efficiently as possible in accordance with all applicable laws, policies, and regulations while securing the integrity of the immigration system.

If you have questions about an appointment notice we send you, you may contact the USCIS Contact Center.

 

 

https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-aims-decrease-processing-times-n-400-and-i-485

[Natonstan 129]

Shifting interviews outside of jurisdiction, I wonder just how far outside they're going to put them, are we now going to be expected to book flights across the country for interviews?

[Crazy Cat 39,212]

Interesting......so they are balancing workload of local offices........wonder why I-751s weren't mentioned.  

[Lemon23 400]

9 minutes ago, missileman said:

Interesting......so they are balancing workload of local offices........wonder why I-751s weren't mentioned.  

That is the big question since i-751 is also have big loads too, lets wait for the next couple of days they might have plans as well.

Edited June 17, 2019 by Lemon23

[Crazy Cat 39,212]

1 minute ago, Lemon23 said:

That is the big question since i-751 is also have big loads, lets wait for the next couple of days they might have plans as well.

If one considers that I-751 denials are extremely low, they could easily just eliminate all or most ROC interviews...imo.

[TBoneTX 43,043]

Simultaneously posted threads have been merged.

[Lemon23 400]

1 minute ago, missileman said:

If one considers that I-751 denials are extremely low, they could easily just eliminate all or most ROC interviews...imo.

I believe if you got the interview for i-485 then I don't see the point of having an interview for i-751, but then again if the applicant's evidences are weak then it will still be subject to IO discretion. 

[jakejon 1,196]

It’ll be interesting to see how this works out. So there’s only one field office in Las Vegas, nearest I think is Reno but it’s not much faster, neither is Arizona. 

 

I’m maybe unclear but hypothetically does this mean that I could potentially be interviewed outside Nevada state? My LFO is 13.5-18.5 months. Or do they mean, that they could send you to a faster LFO in your state if there are multiple locations? 

 

 

Edited June 17, 2019 by jakejon

[Crazy Cat 39,212]

19 minutes ago, Lemon23 said:

I believe if you got the interview for i-485 then I don't see the point of having an interview for i-751, but then again if the applicant's evidences are weak then it will still be subject to IO discretion. 

Agree......My rationale for eliminating the I-751 interview comes from the fact that in the 1st quarter of FY 2019, a total of 43, 588 I-751s were adjudicated.  Of those only 1287 were denied......that's less than 3%.......if 75% of the denials were ultimately appealed & approved, that pushes the denial rate for I-751s during that quarter to less than 1 %.....

Edited June 17, 2019 by missileman

[N400NYC 380]

7 minutes ago, jakejon said:

It’ll be interesting to see how this works out. So there’s only one field office in Las Vegas, nearest I think is Reno but it’s not much faster, neither is Arizona. 

 

I’m maybe unclear but hypothetically does this mean that I could potentially be interviewed outside Nevada state? My LFO is 13.5-18.5 months. Or do they mean, that they could send you to a faster LFO in your state if there are multiple locations? 

 

 

I had similar thoughts. There might be limits to how effective such a strategy can be if all the offices in a certain area (e.g. NYC/Brooklyn/Queens) are all severely overloaded. 

[Lemon23 400]

16 minutes ago, jakejon said:

It’ll be interesting to see how this works out. So there’s only one field office in Las Vegas, nearest I think is Reno but it’s not much faster, neither is Arizona. 

 

I’m maybe unclear but hypothetically does this mean that I could potentially be interviewed outside Nevada state? My LFO is 13.5-18.5 months. Or do they mean, that they could send you to a faster LFO in your state if there are multiple locations? 

 

 

 

7 minutes ago, N400NYC said:

I had similar thoughts. There might be limits to how effective such a strategy can be if all the offices in a certain area (e.g. NYC/Brooklyn/Queens) are all severely overloaded. 

I'm pretty sure it will be closer to your current city and state with lesser application for both forms. 

I have a co-worker that lives in the Bronx and was scheduled for an N-400 interview in NJ.

[N400NYC 380]

3 minutes ago, Lemon23 said:

 

I'm pretty sure it will be closer to your current city and state with lesser application for both forms. 

I have a co-worker that lives in the Bronx and was scheduled for an N-400 interview in NJ.

NJ seems to have shorter waiter times so this would definitely work. I'd go anywhere!

[Lemon23 400]

Just now, N400NYC said:

NJ seems to have shorter waiter times so this would definitely work. I'd go anywhere!

Yes and they have same day Oath taking, but I guess the oath taking for New Yorker applicants will still be in NY.

[N400NYC 380]

18 minutes ago, Lemon23 said:

Yes and they have same day Oath taking, but I guess the oath taking for New Yorker applicants will still be in NY.

Yes, I would imagine so.