Hello Everyone,
A big congrats to those who've navigated these waters successfully 😅
I'm technically a December 2022 filer for ROC, though it could have been November if not for... well, immigration lawyers. After my experiences with legal counsel for both my AOS and ROC—where errors were made that I had to catch—I decided to tackle the N-400 on my own.
This is my first post, by the way. I'm about to share a slew of questions, so feel free to guide me if there's a more appropriate way or place to ask. I'm finding this forum much friendlier than others, so I'm hopeful for some insightful responses 😄
My Situation:
I was eligible for ROC filing by the end of November 2022 but submitted it in early December; it's at the Vermont Center, which currently shows a 26-month processing time.
I became eligible for my N-400 at the end of November 2023 and filed it promptly. This is being processed at the National Benefits Center, and I fall under the jurisdiction of the Newark, NJ field office, which has a 9.5-month processing timeline for N-400s.
The USCIS portal suggests a decision on my N-400 could come in 2 months, based on the 5-year green card averages.
My Questions:
There seems to be a discrepancy between the average processing times and the anecdotes I hear. Many in similar situations seem to have progressed much faster, yet the official timelines seem to justify the lack of movement on my cases. Am I missing something?
I'm thorough with my documentation, praised by lawyers for assembling solid applications. But could this attention to detail be a hindrance, prolonging my processing times? My AOS interview was notably smooth, attributed to the comprehensive nature of my application. However, it took about 1.5 years to get an interview appointment. Could providing too much information be slowing things down?
We're expecting a child, a development that postdates my ROC and N-400 filings. Should I update this information in the portal, or could that delay the process further?
Is there a processing time estimate for N-400 cases based on a 3-year green card through marriage, as opposed to the 5-year track?
Does the fact that my ROC is at the Vermont Center and my N-400 at the National Benefits Center pose any issues?
I appreciate your insights—and yes, a bit of emotional support wouldn't hurt either 😅
Thank you!