punter13

Interesting point of view and I agree with your second point!!
 
However lets breakdown why I am having hard time keeping up with what USCIS is doing (ofcourse my view lol):
1. I guess the big issue here is the low priority of i-751 applications over the other applications. CSC is still going at slow speed even with i-751 transfer to local field office. So I don't see them processing application any faster.
 
2. Now lets say that USCIS indeed decides to send my i-751 to Dallas field office. As you might be aware that Dallas field office is super slow when it comes to N-400 processing. So where do we see the faster processing here? It looks to me that one service center is overburdening another office. That is why I said mismanagement at its best.
 
3. I agree that life is possible with i-551 stamp. But even with i-551 stamp things will not go as smoothly as you normally would like to. Some examples from personal experience.. A) Secondary inspection at the airport upon arrival from international trip. I had terrible experience. One nice CBP officer admitted me on LPR status without secondary. But as I was about to exit the baggage claim area at the final point, another different CBP officer did not like the fact that I was admitted without secondary (really?). So I was sent into secondary area and had to face one rude officer. He did nothing new that first nice office did not do. On bonus I also had to put all my luggage through scanning machine again to please him.  B) Job change is literally pain as not all people are aware of i-551 stamp. They always give you weird look when they see i-551 stamp and even more hesitant to hire you. C) International travel is painful when you have to travel through European routes to your final destination. You need a transit visa even if you have i-551 stamp otherwise they will not let you board the plane. (If you have valid plastic green card then you are all good. So in their eyes, i-551 stamp is not equal to plastic green card) D) Getting the i-551 stamp appointment at local field office is hard to get. Plus some field offices are asking to come at later date.
 
P.S. Personally what frustrates me is the longer N-400 processing time because citizenship is my ultimate goal. The reason being that I want to make job switch in defense/aerospace field. And all of these jobs require security clearance which you can not get without becoming a US citizen.

@Hypnos I am very sorry to hear about your denial. This is plainly ridiculous. In 2017, I also applied via ELIS exactly on 90th day as per early filing calculator and my priority date was one day early just like yours. When I saw my priority date issue, I called USCIS to see what is going on. Apparently I was told by USCIS that they adjudicate based on received date so I am good. During my interview I was also given "decision cannot be made" paper just like you. But eventually my N-400 was approved exactly after two months and took the oath after another four months.
 
Honestly I am more bummed right now given two completely opposite outcome with our applications. I really hope you can put an end to this big mess asap. Good luck!

Sorry to hear Hypnos, that is some bollocks right there. Either you become eligible 90 days prior or you don't, that shouldn't be open to interpretation by a computer or a confused officer. I hope they put this right. 

@Hypnos I am very sorry to hear about your denial. This is plainly ridiculous. In 2017, I also applied via ELIS exactly on 90th day as per early filing calculator and my priority date was one day early just like yours. When I saw my priority date issue, I called USCIS to see what is going on. Apparently I was told by USCIS that they adjudicate based on received date so I am good. During my interview I was also given "decision cannot be made" paper just like you. But eventually my N-400 was approved exactly after two months and took the oath after another four months.
 
Honestly I am more bummed right now given two completely opposite outcome with our applications. I really hope you can put an end to this big mess asap. Good luck!

@Hypnos I am very sorry to hear about your denial. This is plainly ridiculous. In 2017, I also applied via ELIS exactly on 90th day as per early filing calculator and my priority date was one day early just like yours. When I saw my priority date issue, I called USCIS to see what is going on. Apparently I was told by USCIS that they adjudicate based on received date so I am good. During my interview I was also given "decision cannot be made" paper just like you. But eventually my N-400 was approved exactly after two months and took the oath after another four months.
 
Honestly I am more bummed right now given two completely opposite outcome with our applications. I really hope you can put an end to this big mess asap. Good luck!

@Hypnos I am very sorry to hear about your denial. This is plainly ridiculous. In 2017, I also applied via ELIS exactly on 90th day as per early filing calculator and my priority date was one day early just like yours. When I saw my priority date issue, I called USCIS to see what is going on. Apparently I was told by USCIS that they adjudicate based on received date so I am good. During my interview I was also given "decision cannot be made" paper just like you. But eventually my N-400 was approved exactly after two months and took the oath after another four months.
 
Honestly I am more bummed right now given two completely opposite outcome with our applications. I really hope you can put an end to this big mess asap. Good luck!

Congratulations!!
 
Enjoy your oath ceremony, take some pictures haha. 
 
Don't forget to check your naturalization certificate for accuracy and never ever laminate it.

Congratulations on becoming US citizen very soon!! I have very similar situation where I had combo interview in April 2018. I-751 was approved in May 2018 and N-400 was approved on June 1st, 2018. But unfortunately I am having the worst of both world. As of today neither do I have actual green card nor do I have my oath scheduled yet (it was scheduled once but quickly de-scheduled by USCIS). My green card was never ordered due to N-400. So I did numerous info-pass and phone calls to at least process one of them. Unfortunately it was futile. Since USCIS was dragging my N-400 oath,  in last shot I submitted e-request with very stern message on 08/17 to produce my green card. Last week USCIS informed me that they requested my actual green card  and told me that it can take upto 60-90 days. I thought that my e-request would force USCIS to schedule me for oath. But alas, what a disaster they created....So in a nutshell I believe rules vary from one field office to another. You have to be on top of your game!
 
P.s. I got I-551 stamp from my last info-pass visit in August but it is only good for 4 months.

Congratulations on becoming US citizen very soon!! I have very similar situation where I had combo interview in April 2018. I-751 was approved in May 2018 and N-400 was approved on June 1st, 2018. But unfortunately I am having the worst of both world. As of today neither do I have actual green card nor do I have my oath scheduled yet (it was scheduled once but quickly de-scheduled by USCIS). My green card was never ordered due to N-400. So I did numerous info-pass and phone calls to at least process one of them. Unfortunately it was futile. Since USCIS was dragging my N-400 oath,  in last shot I submitted e-request with very stern message on 08/17 to produce my green card. Last week USCIS informed me that they requested my actual green card  and told me that it can take upto 60-90 days. I thought that my e-request would force USCIS to schedule me for oath. But alas, what a disaster they created....So in a nutshell I believe rules vary from one field office to another. You have to be on top of your game!
 
P.s. I got I-551 stamp from my last info-pass visit in August but it is only good for 4 months.

You don't need to submit any passport size photo unless you are deployed abroad in the military. USCIS will use the photo taken from your fingerprints appointment for naturalization certificate. For some reason, if USCIS requires new photo then they will request it during an interview. Good luck!

It was very easy. Appointment was scheduled for 9:15am. We arrived at 9:05am, checked in and was directed to proceed to second floor. There were about 6 other people waiting. 
I took my US husband (due to ROC) and we got called in by a nice guy at 9:45am. He told my husband to wait and he would be called if we needed him (strange but okay). He took me back into little office and asked me to remain standing to take an oath before sitting. 
I looked at my file he had on his desk (no joke, about 5 - 6 inches thick). He asked me for my greencard in which I told him that the infopass ladies downstairs had taken them (mine and my 3 childrens cards) when I got the extension stamp. He then asked to see my stamp to verify, and he stated that he knew that greencards were taken and destroyed. I then had to sign a form stating that I had not applied for renewal cards of any kind and he had a lady enter the room to witness me signing it. He told me that he knew this was a few applications rolled into one. 
 
Firstly, They had 2 N-400 applications. USPS lost my first one so I sent second one. First one arrived about 5 weeks after the second. I phoned USCIS up to cancel that one as well as sending a withdrawal letter. He had the letter and even envelope with him and he shook his head as to why nothing had been done about it after 8 months. He told me not to worry about getting a denial or withdrawal status change on that one. 

Second, he knew that I had ROC waiting to be adjudicated also. He completed a quick check over it all, asked a few questions verifying address, phone numbers, dates of birth etc etc. He told me that everything looked good. I told him that I had new tax transcripts since I filed the ROC in Sept 2016.  He looked at me like I was kidding about the filing date. He gasped at why I had been waiting 20+ months. I shrugged and said "well lets get it done today". He agreed and told me it would be done. He made sure that my AOS, ROC and N-400 all had my children listed on them so they can derive citizenship from me without any hassles. (Hubby was still waiting in the upstairs lobby)

Lastly, N-400. He asked if I had studied and I told him that I had done so very often. The Interviewing Officer must have had this job for some time because the next 10 mins was the Yes/No questions that you filled out on your N-400 application. If you answered honestly, then nothing to worry about here. He knew all the questions off by heart. He was marking many pages throughout my whole file while asking these Yes/No questions. He was almost running out of breath. LOL. The last question he asked during this part was if I had any questions. LOL I asked him how long it took him to memorize all those questions? 6 years was his reply. Good thing he had a sense of humor. It made it so much more relaxing. 
He gave me a piece of paper that I had to read to him. 
"The President lives in the White House". He then gave me another piece of paper and asked me to write the same sentence that I had read. (It was written above it so you will not forget it). 
 
Now for the questions. 
1. Where is the Statue of Liberty located? < Pointed at the huge poster on the wall 5 feet away that had the answer written there. 
2. Who is the Governor of this state?  < Told me I could meet him at the Oath Ceremony. 
3. What is 1 promise you make when you become a United States Citizen?
4. Who is the father of the country... of Brazil? < Yes, I raised my eyebrow at him and spoke George Washington very wearily.  
5. What movement tried to end racial discrimination? 
6. Name 2 National US holidays? 
 
He then gave me another piece of paper that had a cross in the box that says he recommends me for Approval. YAY!
He then asked me what my plans were for 4th of July? I replied with celebrating with everyone else. "Good, then you can take a few hours out of your celebrations in the morning to be sworn in as a US Citizen and then you can really party hard if that's okay with you" .
I told him, "Let's do it". He then gave me another sheet that told me where to go on the day and what time to arrive yadda yadda yadda. 
 
Since there was so much to do in so little time in the office, he asked me if I wanted to wait with my husband so he can make sure he can lock  in the oath for that day. He wanted to make sure ROC got approved and the computers where going to allow him to override the green cards from the ROC process. 
I went back to hubby, told him the good news and then 20 mins later, he came and got me again at the door to let me know that all is good with the computers and that I was scheduled for Oath on July 4th. 

All in all... 10/10 for ease. 11/10 for the IO. Couldn't have asked for it to be any easier.  Arrived at 9:05am. Left the building at 11am. 
Hope this helps ease some worries for you. 

Congratulations @Ozgirl1981 !! How was your interview experience?

The email that you got is a generic email that I also used to get. But I disabled it as it did not serve any purpose. If your I-751 case was transferred to NBC then most likely your I-751 is combined with N-400 at your local office. So you will find out on your interview day about the exact status of I-751.

@MHZ I am the person you are looking for. I had my N-400 interview on 11/04 in Dallas while my I-751 was still pending. In my interview notice, there was no mention of bringing the spouse. I still took my wife with me in case USCIS wants to do combine interview.  However, the interviewing officer called only me for the interview and was not interested calling wife. Officer formally started with I-751 interview and told me that my I-751 is approved  (I was kind of shocked and surprised). Then officer started with the actual N-400 interview. I passed the interview and was given a sheet telling me that decision can not be made. On 05/09, my I-751 was approved on case status website after raising status inquiry. Finally, today got the notification that my N-400 is approved and oath ceremony will be scheduled.
 
In worst case, if they require your wife's presence then they will reschedule your interview. Good luck!

@Zombie69 Many many congratulations!! That was really a roller coaster ride. But I am glad that it worked out in your favor.

Adding my approval info...
 
California Service Center (70 applicants, 58 approved - 82.86%) VJName.............Date of I-751.....NOA1 Date....Biometrics.....Approved....N-400 FROMPHWITHLOVE.......08/30/16........09/01/16......10/13/16......--/--/--.....--- SDDUDE89.............08/31/16........09/01/16......10/12/16......01/12/18.....--- MARINADF.............--/--/--........09/01/16......10/14/16......01/17/18.....--- DIMPLES2x............09/01/16........09/02/16......10/18/16......01/24/18.....NO CHRISTOPHER1384......09/01/16........09/06/16......10/11/16......01/18/18.....NO THAIRI...............09/01/16........09/06/16......10/11/16......02/06/18.....--- TEXANS_99............09/01/16........09/06/16......10/14/16......01/18/18.....--- 9/22/17 Infopass stamp exp 9/21/18 MLAROUSSI............08/25/16........09/06/16......--/--/--......--/--/--.....YES NUTOSF...............09/01/16........09/08/16......10/10/16......02/13/18.....NO JENNYS1071...........--/--/--........09/08/16......--/--/--......02/20/18.....NO COLGIL...............09/06/16........09/08/16......10/31/16......01/24/18.....NO 10/25/17 Infopass stamp exp 10/24/18 BLADERUNNER49........--/--/--........09/08/16......--/--/--......02/01/18.....NO PUNTER13.............09/06/16........09/09/16......10/14/16......05/09/18.....YES N-400 decision still pending 4444510..............09/08/16........09/09/16......10/12/16......01/31/18.....NO HAPPYHAPPYHAPPY......09/09/16........09/12/16......10/11/16......02/02/18.....NO 10/13/17 Infopass exp 10/13/18 ARDALLAS.............09/09/16........09/12/16......10/11/16......10/25/17.....YES Approved with N400 HISTORICALMAN........--/--/--........09/12/16......--/--/--......01/31/18.....NO TEE328CEE............09/07/16........09/12/16......10/12/16......02/07/18.....NO TONY23...............09/01/16........09/13/16......--/--/--......--/--/--.....--- NADESHDA.............09/09/16........09/13/16......10/12/16......03/07/18.....NO RFE 2/17/18 KETTLEFISH...........09/09/16........09/13/16......10/13/16......02/02/18.....NO 3/08/17 Infopass exp 12/8/17 YVY23................09/09/16........09/13/16......11/01/16......05/03/18.....NO 10/26/17 Infopass - RFE 2/8/18 WONDERLA87...........09/11/16........09/13/16......10/26/16......02/12/18.....NO BING2K...............09/11/16........09/14/16......10/13/16......01/30/18.....--- 10/12/17 Infopass exp 10/12/18 DGREENING............09/12/16........09/15/16......10/14/16......03/14/18.....NO 12/08/17 Infopass exp 12/08/18 RFE 2/17/18 JVCC_2013............09/14/16........09/15/16......10/14/16......01/08/18.....YES Approved with N400 ZULUWETA.............09/14/16........09/15/16......11/10/16......03/06/18.....NO HANAMERICANA.........09/14/16........09/15/16......10/12/16......02/09/18.....NO 09/05/17 Infopass stamp exp 3/4/18 MECHANICALSHASTA.....09/01/16........09/16/16......11/03/16......02/03/18.....NO 09/26/17 Infopass stamp exp 9/25/18 A&K_2013.............09/12/16........09/16/16......11/14/16......02/21/18.....NO CDNRN................09/13/16........09/16/16......11/03/16......02/05/18.....NO OZGIRL1981...........09/13/16........09/16/16......10/13/16......--/--/--.....YES N-400 Interview Scheduled. SADSTORIES...........09/14/16........09/16/16......11/01/16......02/09/18.....NO 9/20/17 Infopass (joint to divorce) JIMLEEN..............09/16/16........09/16/16......10/13/16......--/--/--.....YES N-400 Interview May 7 2018 TDCK83...............09/12/16........09/17/16......--/--/16......02/01/18.....NO (Divorce Waiver) BRIDGE12219..........09/12/16........09/19/16......10/17/16......02/13/18.....NO FRALIFAY.............09/13/16........09/19/16......10/17/16......02/07/18.....NO 10/16/17 Infopass exp 4/16/18 PAPILLON24...........--/--/--........09/19/16......10/13/16......02/12/18.....NO SHENHUA..............09/16/16........09/19/16......--/--/--......02/14/18.....NO KCMO.................09/16/16........09/19/16......11/03/16......02/14/18.....NO 09/11/17 Infopass exp 09/11/18 VFORA................09/16/16........09.19/16......10/14/16......02/25/18.....NO HARAMI...............09/14/16........09/20/16......10/11/16......02/22/18.....NO (BIO EARLY-DIFF STATE 10/04/2016) BRUNOGAVA............09/--/16........09/20/16......--/--/16......02/14/18.....YES Approved with N400 SIDELCAMPEADOR.......--/--/--........09/21/16......10/18/16......03/23/18.....NO RFE SUNGTORY.............--/--/--........09/22/16......11/07/16......--/--/--.....--- SAMG.................09/09/16........09/23/16......10/13/16......01/31/18.....--- Infopass exp 11/8/18 HOPEFULLS............09/07/16........09/23/16......10/13/16......02/02/18.....NO 7/05/17 Infopass stamp exp 04/19/18 (due to passport validity) FRIENDLYUSA..........09/17/16........09/23/16......10/12/16......02/08/18.....NO CLWA.................09/20/16........09/23/16......12/16/16......--/--/--.....YES 3/28/17 Infopass exp 9/28/18. N-400 Online 1/11/18 SARAH&MARC...........09/12/16........09/24/16......10/14/16......01/26/18.....NO FAY2017..............09/13/16........09/24/16......10/12/16......02/26/18.....NO KITYCAT886...........09/19/16........09/24/16......10/13/16......--/--/--.....NO RFE 2/16/18 VICKY86..............09/20/16........--/--/--......--/--/--......--/--/--.....--- CAMELOT13............09/21/16........--/--/--......10/14/16......--/--/--.....YES NOWAY123456..........09/23/16........09/26/16......--/--/16......--/--/--.....--- RFE 2/28/18 NEWBRIGHTON..........09/25/16........09/27/16......10/22/16......03/08/18.....NO 11/1/17 Infopass exp 11/1/18 BOMZY............... 09/22/16........09/27/16......11/20/16......03/26/18.....NO LALA1................09/23/16........10/12/16......11/14/16......03/24/18.....NO MDX81................09/24/16........--/--/16......--/--/16......--/--/--.....--- BECKEPAUL06..........--/--/--........09/28/16......--/--/--......03/09/18.....--- ANDJUSTICEFORALL.....09/26/16........09/28/16......11/04/16......03/19/18.....NO FARIHAK..............09/28/16........09/28/16......11/08/16......04/02/18.....NO KETSUBAN.............09/26/16........09/28/16......11/14/16......03/15/18.....NO 10/30/2017 Infopass DASHUTO4KA...........--/--/--........09/29/16......--/--/--......03/05/18.....NO BFP Xx...............09/27/16........09/29/16......11/07/16......03/16/18.....NO OHSNAPKC.............--/--/--........09/29/16......11/04/16......03/06/18.....--- HIGHLYBELOVED........--/--/--........09/30/16......--/--/--......03/09/18.....NO DENISE777............--/--/--........09/30/16......--/--/--......03/07/18.....--- LILIDEYAN............09/28/16........09/30/16......11/08/16......04/27/18.....NO 10/18/17 Infopass exp 4/18/18 TIGLON...............09/30/16........10/03/16......12/08/16......03/09/18.....NO 10/15/17 Infopass exp 12/14/18 * Make sure that your VJ Text Editor setting is set to Rich Text Editor. * Go to the MOST RECENTLY POSTED VERSION of this list (go to the last post and scroll UP) and "Reply" to it, deleting the "quote" tags in your reply. * Please DO NOT change the font, font size, add colors, stuff like that. * Please PREVIEW before posting to make sure it is properly formatted. * Please check that you have not deleted anyone's NAME & DATA. Date of I-751 = The Date you sent your application. NOA Date = The Receipt Date on your original NOA letter. Biometrics = The Date of your biometrics appointment. Approved = The Date your case was approved. * Please Capitalize your VJ Name when adding it to the list. * When you're on this list, please come back to update your information accordingly. * If you cannot add your information yourself, please ask another VJ member to help you do so.

I had pretty strange experience. I had combo interview with name change request (wife’s presence was not needed) on 04/11 and was told that my I-751 is being approved. 2 weeks went past and no change in my application status. So I raised service request online and at the same time booked infopass appointment for 05/08. After one week someone was assigned on my service request and got the response via email that my case is still under review . Anyway I still attended infopass appointment on 05/08 to see what is going on. I was told that some background checks were still pending on my both applications (I still have a hard time to fathom that!). Guess what, on same day evening I started getting flurry of text/email I-751 notifications that my case is being transferred and new office has jurisdiction. I was really confused as to why my I-751 file is being moved out to new office from local office. But finally on Saturday I had two mails came together from USCIS (Potomac and NBC). Potomac mail (Notice date is 05/08) said that my I-751 is being moved to NBC. While NBC mail (Notice date is 05/09) said that my I-751 is approved! I checked the notice date for both mails. There was only one day difference.  So USCIS just adjudicated my application within one day of transfer notification?? Certainly not if you ask me. I believe local field office adjudicated my application but must have asked NBC to send out the decision letter. So you @Bill & Katya should get your decision soon enough too!
 
@Ozgirl1981  My guess is that Potomac service center already adjudicated your application and now asking NBC to issue a decision letter. Certainly it is a whole lot different game when I-751 is pending with N-400 unfortunately. Very hard to predict anything.... I hope you get your decision before N-400 interview!

Thanks!!

Finally, my I-751 is approved yesterday . It was such a long journey. I had my N-400/I-751 combo interview in Dallas on 04/11/18. Surprisingly the officer did not need my wife's presence for combo interview. My N-400 is still stuck at "interview is scheduled". Hopefully, it will be approved soon too. I had an infopass appointment on 05/08/18 to see the status of my both application because there was no movement post interview. I was told during infopass that some of the background checks were still pending (not sure if true or not). But looks like infopass did the trick and I started getting all weird notification about my case being transferred to another office blah blah... and then finally the approval!!
 

Thanks for sharing your interview experience and congratulations on passing N-400 interview! I hope you get your oath ceremony soon. Also wishing a speedy recovery to your husband!

If you think it is worse then see pictures below. They have added processing time for local field office which seems ridiculously off and erroneous (god knows which field offices they are referring??). I don't know what to even say...

Hello Everyone,
 
Got the message yesterday that I am scheduled for my N-400 interview. So it looks like I will be having a combo interview at my local field office.

Finally got the notification that interview was scheduled!! Lets see how long it would take to get the letter online. I still have I-751 pending so I believe interview would be combo one.

 

Finally got the notification that interview was scheduled!! Lets see how long it would take to get the letter online. I still have I-751 pending so I believe interview would be combo one.

 

Interesting point of view and I agree with your second point!!
 
However lets breakdown why I am having hard time keeping up with what USCIS is doing (ofcourse my view lol):
1. I guess the big issue here is the low priority of i-751 applications over the other applications. CSC is still going at slow speed even with i-751 transfer to local field office. So I don't see them processing application any faster.
 
2. Now lets say that USCIS indeed decides to send my i-751 to Dallas field office. As you might be aware that Dallas field office is super slow when it comes to N-400 processing. So where do we see the faster processing here? It looks to me that one service center is overburdening another office. That is why I said mismanagement at its best.
 
3. I agree that life is possible with i-551 stamp. But even with i-551 stamp things will not go as smoothly as you normally would like to. Some examples from personal experience.. A) Secondary inspection at the airport upon arrival from international trip. I had terrible experience. One nice CBP officer admitted me on LPR status without secondary. But as I was about to exit the baggage claim area at the final point, another different CBP officer did not like the fact that I was admitted without secondary (really?). So I was sent into secondary area and had to face one rude officer. He did nothing new that first nice office did not do. On bonus I also had to put all my luggage through scanning machine again to please him.  B) Job change is literally pain as not all people are aware of i-551 stamp. They always give you weird look when they see i-551 stamp and even more hesitant to hire you. C) International travel is painful when you have to travel through European routes to your final destination. You need a transit visa even if you have i-551 stamp otherwise they will not let you board the plane. (If you have valid plastic green card then you are all good. So in their eyes, i-551 stamp is not equal to plastic green card) D) Getting the i-551 stamp appointment at local field office is hard to get. Plus some field offices are asking to come at later date.
 
P.S. Personally what frustrates me is the longer N-400 processing time because citizenship is my ultimate goal. The reason being that I want to make job switch in defense/aerospace field. And all of these jobs require security clearance which you can not get without becoming a US citizen.