N-400 approved without interview?

[seablock 23]

We filed a I-751 in June of 0219 and a N0400 in July of 2020.  An interview was scheduled for N-400 on April 8 which we postponed and USCIS said they would reschedule.   On April 9 we received notice that the USCIS had approved the I-751 without an interview.  However, it stated, "Our records also indicate that we have approved your Form N-400."  "Because we also approved your N-400, you will not receive a new"  green card.  However, a week later a notice of interview for N-400 arrived for May 18.    The two notices are in conflict with each other and we still don't have a new green card only an "adit stamp."  Anyone have a similar experience?      

[Crazy Cat 39,261]

Citizenship applications are never approved without an interview.  If you want to become a citizen, you must attend the interview.  Your I-751 was approved.

[seablock 23]

Thru Emma, I have a "tier 3" callback as the two forms are in conflict with each other.  Whats more troubling is that we don't have a new green card because of the screw up.  I would not advise frequent traveling with adit (infopass stamp) as we were send to secondary immigration in Miami Friday and it took 20 minutes in an empty office with two "unbusy" officers for us to be cleared.

[Crazy Cat 39,261]

28 minutes ago, seablock said:

Thru Emma, I have a "tier 3" callback as the two forms are in conflict with each other.  Whats more troubling is that we don't have a new green card because of the screw up.  I would not advise frequent traveling with adit (infopass stamp) as we were send to secondary immigration in Miami Friday and it took 20 minutes in an empty office with two "unbusy" officers for us to be cleared.

There is absolutely no way your N-400 was approved without an interview.....that is why you were sent an interview notice later.  Go to the interview.   In addition, there is no issue with travel if you have an I-551 stamp in the passport.  You don't need a plastic Green Card if you have an I-551 stamp.

Edited April 25, 2021 by Lucky Cat

[seablock 23]

7 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

There is absolutely no way your N-400 was approved without an interview.....that is why you were sent an interview notice later.  Go to the interview.   In addition, there is no issue with travel if you have an I-551 stamp in the passport.  You don't need a plastic Green Card if you have an I-551 stamp.

Not sure where you are getting your information, in my book, there is an issue with the I-551 stamp.  Further,  you need to show the expired green card along with the passport stamp.    Last Friday, In the Miami Global Entry area,  there was an immigration officer who was helping us with the new GE machines.  When he saw the "addit" stamp, it was as thought he had encountered El Chapo. He said loudly, "addit stamp here" and escorted us to a officer in a booth where he must have mentioned 4 times "addit stamp."  Then he escorted us to  large empty waiting area where we were told to wait by two officers who were engaged in a bull session at 6 am.  We were asked for the expired green card,  at the check in counter, the Colombian Migration,  by the booth officer and secondary officers.  After about 15 minutes, my wife was called up and asked various questions and we were "released" and were the last to pick up our bags.  If the waiting area had been full, we would have been waiting for a couple of hours and would miss our flight.   So while the I-551 stamp will get you in the country, it does not mean you will entry with "no hassle" like a green card.  They can send anyone they like to secondary, but in this case we were clearly flagged because of the "ADDIT" stamp. As we left, I saw the "addit" officer milling about and  made sure I told him "no problem with the addit stamp." 

[Crazy Cat 39,261]

1 hour ago, seablock said:

Not sure where you are getting your information, in my book, there is an issue with the I-551 stamp.  Further,  you need to show the expired green card along with the passport stamp.    Last Friday, In the Miami Global Entry area,  there was an immigration officer who was helping us with the new GE machines.  When he saw the "addit" stamp, it was as thought he had encountered El Chapo. He said loudly, "addit stamp here" and escorted us to a officer in a booth where he must have mentioned 4 times "addit stamp."  Then he escorted us to  large empty waiting area where we were told to wait by two officers who were engaged in a bull session at 6 am.  We were asked for the expired green card,  at the check in counter, the Colombian Migration,  by the booth officer and secondary officers.  After about 15 minutes, my wife was called up and asked various questions and we were "released" and were the last to pick up our bags.  If the waiting area had been full, we would have been waiting for a couple of hours and would miss our flight.   So while the I-551 stamp will get you in the country, it does not mean you will entry with "no hassle" like a green card.  They can send anyone they like to secondary, but in this case we were clearly flagged because of the "ADDIT" stamp. As we left, I saw the "addit" officer milling about and  made sure I told him "no problem with the addit stamp." 

A valid I-551 stamp is a Green Card in functionality.  An expired Green Card is not required along with an I-551 stamp.  You even stated that.  Even a valid plastic green card does not prevent a secondary inspection.  It happens.  By the way, N-400s are never, ever approved without an interview.  Only the I-751 interview can be waived.

Edited April 25, 2021 by Lucky Cat

[JFH 12,189]

This happened to many combo filers last year and it was an administrative error that was corrected a week or so later. You will definitely have an interview for the N-400. The I-751 can be approved without. 

[igoyougoduke 1,605]

3 hours ago, seablock said:

We filed a I-751 in June of 0219 and a N0400 in July of 2020.  An interview was scheduled for N-400 on April 8 which we postponed and USCIS said they would reschedule.   On April 9 we received notice that the USCIS had approved the I-751 without an interview.  However, it stated, "Our records also indicate that we have approved your Form N-400."  "Because we also approved your N-400, you will not receive a new"  green card.  However, a week later a notice of interview for N-400 arrived for May 18.    The two notices are in conflict with each other and we still don't have a new green card only an "adit stamp."  Anyone have a similar experience?      

its possible your n-400 is clean and they dont want to send you a new card - it costs for USCIS. so they think n-400 will be approved baring any new evidence. make sense once they complete the interview and take oath you become a citizen

[African Zealot 1,452]

By law I believe you can’t be approved for citizenship without an interview, ain’t gonna happen. Unfortunately I can’t seem to find the source although I recollect reading it somewhere.

Edited April 25, 2021 by African Zealot

[JFH 12,189]

*~*~*duplicate thread removed. Please post each question only once. Thank you.*~*~*

[Limey 550]

On 4/25/2021 at 10:52 AM, seablock said:

So while the I-551 stamp will get you in the country, it does not mean you will entry with "no hassle" like a green card.  They can send anyone they like to secondary, but in this case we were clearly flagged because of the "ADDIT" stamp. As we left, I saw the "addit" officer milling about and  made sure I told him "no problem with the addit stamp." 

This is just part of the ups and downs of the immigration process. When my 2yr GC expired I was sent a letter extending my legal presence for 1yr (and so I didn't bother with the passport stamp, I was told I did not need that). When I traveled internationally I'd scan my GC in the machine when returning to the US and it would flag it as expired (because it had expired) and I'd have to go to the desk and wait ages in line. Once at the desk I'd show my expired GC and the letter and everything was fine. I never had any problem with being admitted it just took more time as I had to go the manual route. That's just how it works - not great, but it's only for a year or so. The biggest issue was that they'd check my visa status in London before I flew (they do this to ensure they aren't flying people to US who don't have visa/esta etc and then have to be returned). Sometimes it would take some persuading that they have to let me fly with expired GC and the letter - even though the letter was quite clear in terms of extending my US legal presence. The US immigration people know the process, understand the letter/extension and I never had any problems entering the US other than it taking longer.
 

You will not get citizenship without an interview. I had my interviews waived for initial GC and later for the ROC. But the interview for citizenship is never waived - it's a legal requirement. The letter you've got is stating that your n400 is approved - that means that you've crossed that hurdle and now have the interview and ceremony. The letter is badly worded because it assumes you'll be successful at interview (most are). I assume if you were not they would then have to issue another GC.

Edited April 29, 2021 by Limey

[seablock 23]

 

8 hours ago, Limey said:

This is just part of the ups and downs of the immigration process. When my 2yr GC expired I was sent a letter extending my legal presence for 1yr (and so I didn't bother with the passport stamp, I was told I did not need that). When I traveled internationally I'd scan my GC in the machine when returning to the US and it would flag it as expired (because it had expired) and I'd have to go to the desk and wait ages in line. Once at the desk I'd show my expired GC and the letter and everything was fine. I never had any problem with being admitted it just took more time as I had to go the manual route. That's just how it works - not great, but it's only for a year or so. The biggest issue was that they'd check my visa status in London before I flew (they do this to ensure they aren't flying people to US who don't have visa/esta etc and then have to be returned). Sometimes it would take some persuading that they have to let me fly with expired GC and the letter - even though the letter was quite clear in terms of extending my US legal presence. The US immigration people know the process, understand the letter/extension and I never had any problems entering the US other than it taking longer.
 

You will not get citizenship without an interview. I had my interviews waived for initial GC and later for the ROC. But the interview for citizenship is never waived - it's a legal requirement. The letter you've got is stating that your n400 is approved - that means that you've crossed that hurdle and now have the interview and ceremony. The letter is badly worded because it assumes you'll be successful at interview (most are). I assume if you were not they would then have to issue another GC.

Actually the letter said N-400 was approved and  the last step was the oath.  I did talk with an USCIS agent on the phone.   Unfortunately, I had to read the text of the I-797 approval letter to her as she did not have access to it.  She also said it was possible to be approved without an interview for a N-400 under certain circumstances.  We will see.   She said she would refer the case to the National Benefits Center. 

 

FYI:  CBP's Carrier Information guide is used by airline industry personnel to board folks inbound to the USA and you have to satisfy the check in agent just to fly to the USA as there are large fines for the airlines if they board undocumented folks. In our case, they requested the expired green card along with the addit stamp.  So did the immigration officer leaving Colombia as well as the CBP folks in Miami.  Why take a chance?  I am not interested in being detained and possibly missing my next flight if I can avoid it by forcing USCIS to do their job.    If you only have an expired green card but did not get the addit stamp when you could,  there is a good chance you won't be boarded depending on the airline or the whim of the agent.   You might be able to fly to Mexico and walk across at the Tijuana border and tell your story there.

 

[Limey 550]

18 hours ago, seablock said:

 

Actually the letter said N-400 was approved and  the last step was the oath.  I did talk with an USCIS agent on the phone.   Unfortunately, I had to read the text of the I-797 approval letter to her as she did not have access to it.  She also said it was possible to be approved without an interview for a N-400 under certain circumstances.  We will see.   She said she would refer the case to the National Benefits Center. 

 

FYI:  CBP's Carrier Information guide is used by airline industry personnel to board folks inbound to the USA and you have to satisfy the check in agent just to fly to the USA as there are large fines for the airlines if they board undocumented folks. In our case, they requested the expired green card along with the addit stamp.  So did the immigration officer leaving Colombia as well as the CBP folks in Miami.  Why take a chance?  I am not interested in being detained and possibly missing my next flight if I can avoid it by forcing USCIS to do their job.    If you only have an expired green card but did not get the addit stamp when you could,  there is a good chance you won't be boarded depending on the airline or the whim of the agent.   You might be able to fly to Mexico and walk across at the Tijuana border and tell your story there.

 

The letter I received extending my legal presence made no mention of obtaining a passport stamp. It said that the letter itself together with the expired card was all the evidence that was required. As I said, I had no problem entering the US with this. The problem is that airlines don't want to take any risks boarding someone without correct visas (for the reason you outline) and that they aren't knowledgeable about US immigration law. They see an expired GC and automatically want to bounce you off the flight, so sometimes you have to ensure they take advice from more knowledgeable staff etc.

Approval of the N400 isn't approval of US citizenship. I too received a notice that my N400 was approved. But I still had to go to an interview. Its possible that they may waive it, but I've never heard of this happening and I see no reason in your case why they would do that. I did my citizenship interview in July 2020 in the midst of the pandemic. My initial GC and ROC interviews were both waived, but I still had to do the citizenship one. Its really a pretty easy interview, the questions are not difficult assuming you've done some basic study about the US and in my case the oath ceremony was immediately afterwards (due to covid pandemic). Its quite likely you might have the same - a same day interview/oath. Good luck!

[seablock 23]

On 4/29/2021 at 10:38 AM, Limey said:

This is just part of the ups and downs of the immigration process. When my 2yr GC expired I was sent a letter extending my legal presence for 1yr (and so I didn't bother with the passport stamp, I was told I did not need that). When I traveled internationally I'd scan my GC in the machine when returning to the US and it would flag it as expired (because it had expired) and I'd have to go to the desk and wait ages in line. Once at the desk I'd show my expired GC and the letter and everything was fine. I never had any problem with being admitted it just took more time as I had to go the manual route. That's just how it works - not great, but it's only for a year or so. The biggest issue was that they'd check my visa status in London before I flew (they do this to ensure they aren't flying people to US who don't have visa/esta etc and then have to be returned). Sometimes it would take some persuading that they have to let me fly with expired GC and the letter - even though the letter was quite clear in terms of extending my US legal presence. The US immigration people know the process, understand the letter/extension and I never had any problems entering the US other than it taking longer.
 

You will not get citizenship without an interview. I had my interviews waived for initial GC and later for the ROC. But the interview for citizenship is never waived - it's a legal requirement. The letter you've got is stating that your n400 is approved - that means that you've crossed that hurdle and now have the interview and ceremony. The letter is badly worded because it assumes you'll be successful at interview (most are). I assume if you were not they would then have to issue another GC.

Well that error on the I-751 may have thrown a monkey wrench into the process.   On May 18, I was able to talk my way into my wife's citizenship interview (I think the officer was under the impression that it was also an I-751 interview) and she passed the English exam and was approved.  However, the officer could not figure out what was going on with the I-751 approval (approved with no interview and an error regarding the N-400).  No updates so far.on the USCIS account.  You would think that if they were at fault and made an error that they would expedite the process to correct it but it appears that my wife will bear the burden of their mistake.  So (as usual) hurry up and wait mode. 

[Crazy Cat 39,261]

Just now, seablock said:

Well that error on the I-751 may have thrown a monkey wrench into the process.   On May 18, I was able to talk my way into my wife's citizenship interview (I think the officer was under the impression that it was also an I-751 interview) and she passed the English exam and was approved.  However, the officer could not figure out what was going on with the I-751 approval (approved with no interview and an error regarding the N-400).  No updates so far.on the USCIS account.  You would think that if they were at fault and made an error that they would expedite the process to correct it but it appears that my wife will bear the burden of their mistake.  So (as usual) hurry up and wait mode. 

One way or another, the I-751 will have to be approved first.  Good luck.