No action on case since naturalization interview in November 2019.

[ResidentTC 10]

Hey there,

I've written and called USICS thousands of times over the year, it is already been 1 year and 2 months since I passed the interview. Every time they give me a generic answer that my case being actively reviewed.
I consulted with immigration lawyers, and they said nothing can be done, and because of covid19, no mandamus is accepted.
I check my status online, and it says: "Invalid date Interview Was Scheduled".

I wrote to ombudsman, and they responded:
"While we understand your concerns, our review indicates that your case is within normal processing times as posted on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website at https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/.  Because your case is currently within normal processing times, our office will be closing this matter"

However, I checked processing times, it is 13-16 months for San Jose, CA. It is been 19 months, 7 days since I started naturalization process with them, and my case is still nowhere and not moving. I already out of any ideas what I can do. 

[milimelo 4,503]

Contact your senator or congressional immigration aide - they all have at least one on their staff and those folks have direct line of communication with USCIS. Find their website, complete the information release form, send it in as well as any documents you have (timeline, correspondence from USCIS) and then follow up with them over phone. 

[ResidentTC 10]

7 hours ago, milimelo said:

Contact your senator or congressional immigration aide - they all have at least one on their staff and those folks have direct line of communication with USCIS. Find their website, complete the information release form, send it in as well as any documents you have (timeline, correspondence from USCIS) and then follow up with them over phone. 

I did that before contacting Ombudsman. Just forgot to mention.

Edited January 4, 2021 by ResidentTC

[millefleur 5,047]

What is your background? Are you from a "non-friendly" country or a country that has had historical rifts with the US? Do you have any prior military or government experience abroad, or worked at a place that had such connections? All of this can bog down the naturalization process.

[ResidentTC 10]

1 hour ago, millefleur said:

What is your background? Are you from a "non-friendly" country or a country that has had historical rifts with the US? Do you have any prior military or government experience abroad, or worked at a place that had such connections? All of this can bog down the naturalization process.

The country is not "non-friendly", but we do have mandatory military service, so most of people serviced in the military in the past and most of people I know from my country, haven't had any issues with getting naturalization delayed.

My wife got approval immediately and had an oath ceremony in a week after the interview.

[millefleur 5,047]

28 minutes ago, ResidentTC said:

The country is not "non-friendly", but we do have mandatory military service, so most of people serviced in the military in the past and most of people I know from my country, haven't had any issues with getting naturalization delayed.

My wife got approval immediately and had an oath ceremony in a week after the interview.

November 2019 is not that far out, I know it's annoying to have to wait but just keep hanging in there. Since it says September 2019 is the latest they're processing, you might be next in line once they get through the September people.

 

See:

Receipt date for a case inquiry

September 11, 2019

[ResidentTC 10]

1 hour ago, millefleur said:

Since it says September 2019 is the latest they're processing, you might be next in line once they get through the September people.

Thank you! Where do you see it? 

I didn't know that I can see what cases they are looking at. 

[millefleur 5,047]

Just now, ResidentTC said:

Thank you! Where do you see it? 

I didn't know that I can see what cases they are looking at. 

It's on the site you linked:

https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

 

N-400 > San Jose, CA > Receipt date for a case inquiry: September 11, 2019

 

As soon as that "receipt date for case inquiry" changes to November 2019, you can have them officially investigate why your case is taking so long. So looks like November 2019 filers are up next!

[ResidentTC 10]

1 hour ago, millefleur said:

It's on the site you linked:

https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

 

N-400 > San Jose, CA > Receipt date for a case inquiry: September 11, 2019

 

As soon as that "receipt date for case inquiry" changes to November 2019, you can have them officially investigate why your case is taking so long. So looks like November 2019 filers are up next!

Receipt date for my case is May 28, 2019.

On November 12, 2019 I had my interview which I passed, but officer said she can't make decision, but will update me in couple weeks. Now I'm waiting for a second year since interview already.

Edited January 4, 2021 by ResidentTC

[ResidentTC 10]

When I was attending the interview, I did see she had tons of folders sitting on the floors, shelves, table, and everywhere, covered with the dust. When i had interview, I was thinking...what if those are all the cases she is procrastinating on? What if my case will make to this pile too and I will never hear back from USCIS. 

 

I'm afraid I wasn't wrong. 

[NEW CITIZEN 151]

18 hours ago, ResidentTC said:

Hey there,


I consulted with immigration lawyers, and they said nothing can be done, and because of covid19, no mandamus is accepted.
I check my status online, and it says: "Invalid date Interview Was Scheduled".
 

Mandamus doesn't apply until AFTER the interview.

 

Don't worry about invalid date, it says that on mine, and I was oathed, last June.

 

Also San Jose is the busiest immigration hot spot in the country next to LA.

[millefleur 5,047]

35 minutes ago, NEW CITIZEN said:

Also San Jose is the busiest immigration hot spot in the country next to LA.

Actually believe or not Minneapolis still ranks as the slowest in the nation.

[ResidentTC 10]

41 minutes ago, NEW CITIZEN said:

Mandamus doesn't apply until AFTER the interview.

Well, it's been 1 year and 2 months AFTER my interview.  It already happened on November 12, 2019. 

 

Passed test and interviews, but decision cannot be made. Officer said I should get decision in couple weeks, it is already second year I'm waiting. 

Edited January 5, 2021 by ResidentTC

[ResidentTC 10]

43 minutes ago, NEW CITIZEN said:

 

Also San Jose is the busiest immigration hot spot in the country next to LA.

We have a large community here, and every person I know, have completed their naturalization process within 6-8 months during 2020 even with covid19 lockdown.

A lot of people whom I know, have applied for naturalization back in 2020 and already naturalized. My wife had interview on the same day with me, and got approved immediately, and had oath ceremony a week after.

Edited January 5, 2021 by ResidentTC

[SalishSea 17,928]

6 hours ago, ResidentTC said:

When i had interview, I was thinking...what if those are all the cases she is procrastinating on?

Grand sweeping assumption to make.  Unless you work there and know the workflows and case loads, you can't really say the workers are 'procrastinating.'

 

It's certainly not their fault if you have red flags or issues with your case that don't enable them to make a decision within your preferred timeline.

3 hours ago, ResidentTC said:

We have a large community here, and every person I know, have completed their naturalization process within 6-8 months during 2020 even with covid19 lockdown.

A lot of people whom I know, have applied for naturalization back in 2020 and already naturalized. My wife had interview on the same day with me, and got approved immediately, and had oath ceremony a week after.

Your case is not anyone else's case.  Each is evaluated individually based on it's own merits.