EgonRonay

As for freaking out/stressing/worrying over the wait, STOP IT. There is nothing we can do to change it, so why get physically sick frm the stress. Worrying or screaming and yelling at the USCIS robots won't change a thing. It's funny because I'm a total type A personality, but when it comes to immigration, I have been completely patient the whole way. It will get processed when it gets processed and there's nothing (at least until it gets outside the "normal processing times"), so just let it play out.

I don't understand why I'm so relaxed with all of this.

No one is getting stressed out. The NYC center is extremely and unacceptably slow - possibly the slowest in the country. Everyone has paid the same fee across the US and to see our processing taking twice as long (sometimes longer) is disappointing, even more so when USCIS doesn't always bother to update online status - so it's only natural that people might be concerned letters have been lost in the mail. For many it's outside processing time and USCIS phone lines are at best less poorly informed and at worst downright dishonest

I can't speak for anyone else but I have other plans that I can't get on with until the process is finished, so their slowness is holding me up, something I don't appreciate given the cost.

You've been waiting two months just for the interview date to be scheduled?! Wow... That doesn't bode well for us at all.

Do you think the wait depends on how easily they are able to get information from your home country? I've seen some people zip through this process and for others it seems to take quite a lot longer.

Unfortunately yes - and very annoying it is too, especially seeing people who applied at different centres months after my application and they're already citizens!

Not sure about any delay getting information from people's home countries - though I'd guess what they need is negligible (if they even need anything at this stage) and I would suspect the UK and Canada would be amongst the easiest countries in that respect. NYC seems slowest for everyone I've not really seen anyone zip through.

One good things is that it appears summer is the slowest time, especially for NYC processing so it does appear things are speeding up now. Looking at last year's threads for the same period (yes, I'm obsessed!) there's a similar pattern - drags over summer, speeds up around now

So, when " in-line for interview", is there a timeframe where I should expect a scheduling. If I don't hear anything, when should I contact Uscis for an update?

Unfortunately being put in-line doesn't necessarily mean an interview letter is coming anytime soon - I was put inline on July 10th and am still waiting - though as you said, things will be speeding up now summer is over.

Good morning everyone,

I have never participated, but have been following you for some time...Prompted by everyone’s calls to USCIS re NYC scheduling and “coincidental” notices, I have tried to get some kind of an answer from USCIS this am. For the record some stats for me: based on 3 year marriage rule, application was sent on May 21, check cashed on May 29, biometrics completed on 07.08.12, put in line on 07.24.12 and since then nothing.

The first service rep, I spoke to was a really nice lady, but knowing she does not have access to much of the info, I requested to be connected to second tier rep. Unfortunately, he was nothing like his colleague. The bottom line is that NYC is processing application since January 2, and my application is still in their valid time frame. For it to be considered out of the normal timeframe for this office, a 143 BUSINESS DAYS need to pass in order for them to do anything. His was unwilling to open a service request, and only suggestion was to make an InfoPass.

So wise people of VisaJourney any suggestions for me. Should I and rest of us NYC people just waited it out, or there is anything for us to do?

For the record our dates are quite similar (filing date May 25th, biometrics 07/06/12, put in line 07/10/12)

It would seem we're both a fraction later than the two people who got their notification yesterday so for now it seems waiting a a short while as realistically it could (and hopefully will) be sometime in the next two weeks.

Prompted by everyone’s calls to USCIS re NYC scheduling and “coincidental” notices, I have tried to get some kind of an answer from USCIS this am.

The first service rep, I spoke to was a really nice lady, but knowing she does not have access to much of the info, I requested to be connected to second tier rep. Unfortunately, he was nothing like his colleague. The bottom line he told me is that NYC is processing application since January 2, and my application is still in their valid time frame. For it to be considered out of the normal timeframe for this office, a 143 BUSNIESS DAYS need to pass in order for them to do anything. His was unwilling to open a service request, and only suggestion was to make an InfoPass. As BKMatthew I did rise the point that applicants after Jan 2 and as recent as May applicants have received their interview notices. At that point, conversation went downhill.

So wise people of VisaJourney any suggestions for me.

I feel you frustration. My only advice from here would be to watch for people whose time frame on here is similar to yours - the two people who recently had their letters sent were added to the 'interview scheduling' queue the same day as me so I'm hoping to get a notice or letter soon.

Frustratingly, it seems waiting in the only option at this point.

I finally managed to get through to USCIS this morning, they told me NYC is processing Jan 2 applications now. I said that I participate in an online forum and that someone in NYC with a priority date after mine has already got an interview scheduled (that would be BGD). The agent on the phone opened a service request for me for non-receipt of documents, the NYC field office has 15 days to respond. I also contacted my Congresswoman and Sen. Gillibrand's office to express my disappointment in the under-resourcing of the NYC field office, pointing out that we pay fees for to file applications and have a reasonable expectation that our applications will be processed in a timely and professional manner.

I spoke to them last week and after getting a service request, was also told the January 2 thing, which I knew to be untrue (though unlike you didn't raise it with them - I wish I had now, good on you for doing it).

I wouldn't be so bothered by the timing - 8 months or so to become a citizen really isn't so bad IF it were the normal timescale. Seeing people at other centers getting their oaths within 3 months is amazingly annoying. Even more so when it means I won't get to vote this year.

Lawyer said that USCIS often underestimates the amount of time to schedule and interview. She said I could call the number, but they'd likely tell me the same thing. Tried calling the number, it doesn't answer. Our tax dollars at work.

Tax dollars AND $680 filing fee.

That's what's annoying me most - I get that NYC is busier than most, but every one applying has paid their money to file, yet we're getting an inferior service.

Know of a 21 year old boy working with my stepdaughter, from Mexico, that was here illegally. After sitting in the county jail for close to two months, two big guys came over, with him in handcuffs, and escorted him clear down to Mexico. And was told to never come back. All he had was the shirt on his back, had a new vehicle and other personal possessions that was confiscated.

Is this how you were deported? Or just told you weren't eligible for a green card, so go back? Was your work visa still good?

Would help if you would specify exactly what question you are responding to and giving more specifics. Can be rejected for permanent residency for many reasons, like not putting in a N/A in a blank that doesn't apply to you.

He covered all of those points very clearly.

Good to see some progress with the NYC filers - good luck to those with an interview date, and to those expecting one in the next few days

I would be worried that your entry pattern will be closely examined when you file for naturalization as the greencard was issued so you could live with your USC spouse in the US but clearly that hasn't been the case thus far.

If they determine you have misused the privilege USCIS can put you in removal proceedings.

This is good advice - you're potentially opening up a can of worms if you apply for citizenship now or soon. The USCIS will be obliged to look at your presence in the US very closely, and may find that you've not been using the US as your actual residence. It's called Permanent Residency for a reason - if you're found to have breached the terms the consequences could be very problematic.

Also, the office is fresh out of study guides for the test, good thing my B.A. is in U.S. History :-)

Forget everything you were taught - the test questions are from the Mickey Mouse School of American History.

Called uscis and as a feared my status is correct. The representative said that NYC its processing January filers right now.

Wonder what that means. The whole processes or just the interview.He was not able to answer my question

It possibly means there are still some January filers being processed - the more complicated cases, ones that need a second check etc. Looking back on the April and March threads here, a few going through NYC have already ended or are ending their process so it's certainly not the case that they've only just reached January.

NYC is frustratingly slow for sure, but it looks like May NYC filers are just entering the time to expect an interview letter.

thanks. yeh again, it was for a personal reason why I may wish to hand back that citizen to this...####### country

but overall, citzenship or not, seems the only way I can move to the US realistically is to get hitched huh? That wouldnt be fair really on all levels.

If you finally get here you'll soon stop thinking the UK is '#######' when you're having to find money to buy your own health insurance because you're self employed.

Since it seems you're going to be there a while enjoy a murder rate less than a quarter that of the US and massively more affordable education.

Well, you can contact the British authorities and ask how you can drop your citizenship of that country (Kingdom, but currently a Queendom).

Once you have renounced the Queendom of Great Britain, you will then be stateless. If they are a kind people, they will probably consign you to one of the refugee camps they have.

...what?

"Jimmy and Angela" Just what is the point of calling? Processing duration is listed as 6 months, You have not reached that yet, NOA-1 4/15.

I was wondering the same thing. Service Centers would no doubt get things done much faster if they weren't having to field calls from people asking why their case wasn't approved yesterday.