N-400 Questions

[devid456 1]

Good morning,

@Jeanne Adil @OldUser @Crazy Cat @TBoneTX @appleblossom

For context, I am a current green holder from Nigeria. I got my green card on Dec 15,2021. 

I was going through the Naturalization Eligibility Tool (https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship-resource-center/learn-about-citizenship/naturalization-eligibility-tool) I had wanted to re-check my eligibility for naturalization. 

After going through it, I got this message

I have some questions:
(a) Should I be looking to engage a lawyer's services for my eventual N-400 application?
(b) Should I be looking to join any of the mass-action lawsuits going around?
(c) Is the USCIS Naturalization Eligibility tool broken?
(d) Should I prepare for an abnormal delay in the processing of my eventual N-400 application?
(e) Does the USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0194 (https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-alerts/PM-602-0194-PendingApplicationsAdditionalHighRiskCountries-20260101.pdf) affect me?

Thanks.

[JeanneAdil 7,518]

if you are appling under 5 year rule ,  it will be 90 days prior to the Green card date Dec 15, 2021 ( so later this year )

you have a nigerian wife -married in 2025 and have done the I 130 for her , so no USC spouse and married 3 years to go that route

it is only the 5 year rule for u

[appleblossom 6,012]

9 hours ago, devid456 said:

I have some questions:
(a) Should I be looking to engage a lawyer's services for my eventual N-400 application?
(b) Should I be looking to join any of the mass-action lawsuits going around?
(c) Is the USCIS Naturalization Eligibility tool broken?
(d) Should I prepare for an abnormal delay in the processing of my eventual N-400 application?
(e) Does the USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0194 (https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-alerts/PM-602-0194-PendingApplicationsAdditionalHighRiskCountries-20260101.pdf) affect me?

Thanks.

 

(a) I wouldn't personally, I've not been through it myself, but seemingly it's the easiest thing to do yourself so unless you have complicated circumstances I can't see why you would.

 

(b) Why? How are they relevant to you?

 

(c) Why do you think it is? It's telling you you're not eligible *now*, which is correct. 

 

(e) potentially but it'll just be some extra checks (which may mean there's a bit of a delay, not sure I'd call it 'abnormal' though personally)

 

Good luck. 

 

 

 

 

[devid456 1]

@appleblossom

(a) -  (b) I was looking at this thread. That was why i was asking that question as I am also a Nigerian as the OP in the thread. 

(c) Thanks. That is clearer.

(d) - (e) Okay. I was thinking about the recent news about USCIS slowdown for adjudicating cases. 

Part of the reason I am asking is because I am hoping that when I get my citizenship, I can upgrade my pending I-130 application for my wife who lives in Nigeria. So the earlier the better. Also having the citizenship allows for me to do other things like move to a different country to be with my wife. 

I guess I will have to wait.

Thanks @appleblossom @JeanneAdil

Edited Saturday at 12:50 PM by devid456

[appleblossom 6,012]

1 hour ago, devid456 said:

Part of the reason I am asking is because I am hoping that when I get my citizenship, I can upgrade my pending I-130 application for my wife who lives in Nigeria

 

Looks like you applied in May 2025? So that's probably going to make no difference anyway by the time you get your citizenship.

 

The thread you've linked to above is from before the changes were implemented. As long as you got your LPR status legitimately (was it through employment?) then you have nothing to worry about. 

 

Good luck. 

[devid456 1]

@appleblossom

Yes, I got my LPR through employment. But do you think that this memo https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-alerts/PM-602-0194-PendingApplicationsAdditionalHighRiskCountries-20260101.pdf will have any effect as I got my LPR status in Dec 2021?

Thanks.

[appleblossom 6,012]

2 hours ago, devid456 said:

@appleblossom

Yes, I got my LPR through employment. But do you think that this memo https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-alerts/PM-602-0194-PendingApplicationsAdditionalHighRiskCountries-20260101.pdf will have any effect as I got my LPR status in Dec 2021?

Thanks.

 

Again, not unless you have something to worry about. If you didn't lie at any point, and it was a legit job, then it shouldn't be an issue for you.