Preface: I realise that a SSN isn't essential for AOS. However, one is needed for my preferred banking option (again, I realise that a SSN isn't always needed to open a US bank account, but in my case it is.)
I had my SSN interview early August. It was fine, except that DHS hadn't updated their systems to show that I'd entered the country (I left it 3 weeks after entering before applying). I was given a letter saying that I should have my card in 2 weeks and was verbally told that it would be no issue.
Over a month has passed and nothing has happened. I have called them multiple times over the last few weeks only to receive the same answer: "it's pending".
I can't keep waiting around forever. I'm filling out the AOS forms from a K1 visa, but most importantly, am trying to create a joint bank account for my spouse and I. I struggle to find any banks that aren't a rip-off without a SSN and have been holding out for those options as I don't want to screw my finances by choosing a predatory bank.
Is this just the way the USA operates? Slow and incompetent? Here I am thinking the visa + AOS process was a mess, but perhaps it's EVERY branch of gov that is ran by sloths.
What do I do? Keep waiting more weeks and likely be told the same thing or look for an alternative?