N400 interviews on hold? Chicago Office

[DutchGuy 41]

Hello fellow VJ friends,

 

I have both my I-751 and N400 filed. I received my I-751 interview slot 2 months after filing my N400. 
Went to the interview in Chicago the other day and was told my Green Card is extended, however I was fully expecting them to process the N400 at the same time (they used to combine these, right?). To my surprise, that did not happen and the Officer informed me that the Chicago Office has not been processing N400 interviews for over 6 months! Is that true? I thought it was only for select countries. 

I was told to sit tight and wait, with no indication of when I can expect a N400 interview.
 

[Crazy Cat 46,422]

An internet search shows that USCIS Chicago is experiencing a backlog of N-400s.  Some info indicates about 7 months is current wait time.  I haven't seen anything which suggests they have stopped processing them.  Maybe a couple months more of waiting.

Edited 1 hour ago by Crazy Cat

[DutchGuy 41]

8 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

An internet search shows that USCIS Chicago is experiencing a backlog of N-400s.  Some info indicates about 7 months is current wait time.  I haven't seen anything which suggests they have stopped processing them.  

Appreciate that context, could not find anything online, besides USCIS's processing time of 7 months for Chicago office. Just taken aback by the officer saying they are not, and have not been processing N-400s for more than 6 months. Said it was higher ups who decided that.

I fully expected them to do both interviews, and so studied for the exam and took a full day off of work to celebrate. I guess getting my I-751 passed and greencard extended by 10 years is also worth the mini-celebration. Guess we keep waiting for N400 to be processed.

[Crazy Cat 46,422]

31 minutes ago, DutchGuy said:

I fully expected them to do both interviews,

I agree.  That would be the logical and most efficient way for them to process your case.  USCIS doesn't always make sense.  Some people who file an I-751 get approvals within a couple months.  My wife and I had to wait for 44 months (done during a combo interview).  Hopefully, you'll have USCIS off your back in a couple months.