I-751 and N-400 combo interview report - Raleigh, NC

[Ad & Ga 21]

Hey VJers! My journey is finally over (I think)!

I had my I-751 pending since January 2023 and became eligible in January 2024 for citizenship based on living here for 3 years and being married to US Citizen. I submitted everything in January and made sure to include an additional letter asking for the combo interview. 

As soon as my case was submitted I received a message about reusing previously taken fingerprints and on April 1st the interview was scheduled for May 7.

We got there only 10 minutes prior to the interview, we were given a number that would be called out when it was our turn. 10 minutes past that, it was time - I got into an empty room with a little tablet, my husband walked in with me and the interviewer (very friendly lady) said she had taken care of our i-751 already and told my husband he could wait for me outside. 

I had a massive stack of documents, she asked me to place somewhere on the table behind me and only have my green card with me and show it to the camera. She then proceeded with the tests and that was no issue at all. 

Then she asked why I had filled out 5 years of history if I had only gotten my green card 3 years. Then I explained that I wasn't really sure and I thought i was giving more information than I had to but it wouldn't hurt - that caused her to make a note on my case because it looked like I had spent over a year out of the US, but since it was very easily provable that I was on a tourist visa during that time, and never traveled out of the US after getting the green card, it was no issue.

I stayed with her for about 45 minutes. She then told me she was approving my case and I had to run because my oath ceremony was starting in 5 minutes. 

So that was it, in one morning we got everything done and now it's overrrrr! 

The only thing I'm confused now is that it seems like i'm going to receive a green card on the mail, but I already have my naturalization certificate, so I think this is likely a mistake. 

[OldUser 6,865]

You're should not receive GC after naturalizing, but sometimes USCIS makes error and sends one. Congrats!

Edited May 15 by OldUser

[Crazy Cat 41,979]

18 minutes ago, Ad & Ga said:

now is that it seems like i'm going to receive a green card on the mail,

Congratulations!!! No, you shouldn't....although USCIS has been known to send one in rare cases.  If they do, you can send it back to them.  Just to be clear, you qualified after being a Green Card holder for 3 years as the spouse of a US citizen.  It isn't based on time being in the US. 

Edited May 15 by Crazy Cat

[Ad & Ga 21]

On 5/15/2024 at 10:06 AM, Crazy Cat said:

Congratulations!!! No, you shouldn't....although USCIS has been known to send one in rare cases.  If they do, you can send it back to them.  Just to be clear, you qualified after being a Green Card holder for 3 years as the spouse of a US citizen.  It isn't based on time being in the US. 

Yeah, they actually sent the Green Card. I tried contacting USCIS but it will take them 30 days to contact me back.

 

[Crazy Cat 41,979]

16 minutes ago, Ad & Ga said:

Yeah, they actually sent the Green Card. I tried contacting USCIS but it will take them 30 days to contact me back.

 

Just mail it back with a letter explaining. 

[OldUser 6,865]

3 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

Just mail it back with a letter explaining. 

Agreed, every GC has address where to mail it of found. Perhaps if @Ad & Ga doesn't want to wait (I wouldn't think this is urgent matter), this can me mailed with proof of delivery...

Edited May 16 by OldUser

[Regdkp 53]

Congratulations!! I am thinking to start the N400 process now. Did you carry documents since the time of your I751 submission? Thanks a lot!

[Crazy Cat 41,979]

3 minutes ago, Regdkp said:

Congratulations!! I am thinking to start the N400 process now. Did you carry documents since the time of your I751 submission? Thanks a lot!

That is exactly what I did.  That is exactly what our officer asked for. 

Edited May 18 by Crazy Cat

[Ad & Ga 21]

On 5/18/2024 at 6:59 PM, Regdkp said:

Congratulations!! I am thinking to start the N400 process now. Did you carry documents since the time of your I751 submission? Thanks a lot!

I did! I had a massive binder with all the documents I could find - my officer asked me absolutely nothing - the only thing she asked was to see my Green Card and that's it. But if I had to do it again I would bring the binder - I would hate to be asked for something and not have it, so in case of doubt, bring as much information as you can.  

[OldUser 6,865]

39 minutes ago, Ad & Ga said:

I did! I had a massive binder with all the documents I could find - my officer asked me absolutely nothing - the only thing she asked was to see my Green Card and that's it. But if I had to do it again I would bring the binder - I would hate to be asked for something and not have it, so in case of doubt, bring as much information as you can.  

I anecdotally see this myself on VJ. People who bring large binders of evidence don't get asked for anything. People who come with nothing or very little - get grilled and asked for more evidence.

 

It seems to have a phychological effect. Whenever officer sees somebody confident, prepared, with a lot of evidence and ready to fight for their case - they don't waste their time. But somebody unprepared, too relaxed gets the pressure.

Edited May 20 by OldUser

[Regdkp 53]

Thank you so much for the inputs.