Reneecakes

I just received my Oath date, which is scheduled for July 17th. As luck may have it, I am leaving the country on the 13th and returning the 30th. I cannot change the trip as it is for a family emergency. I know everyone says you don't reschedule the ceremony, but I do not have another option at this point. Can anyone advise ? Has anyone requested it in the past with success? My case has not followed any normal timelines, for no specific reason, I assume I have been assigned to an agent that is taking longer than expected (passed my interview Feb 27th). I have even sent a change of address which they acknowledged by letter, yet they have failed to update their records even though it's been over a month. I spent the whole day trying to get a Level 2 officer on the phone, yet all 3 times that my call went through after a ridiculous wait (call back), the line dropped. I was then informed that they have closed the lines for the day due to the high volume of calls.

I even considered attending the ceremony and ask for an expedited passport the next day, but the family emergency is making it impossible, even if that was an option.

24 minutes ago, Lela37 said:

I'm also a NYC filer had my interview on 2-27-18

was approved at the spot and now I'm waiting on the oath. She did ask me for photos and for my last 3 years tax transcripts!

I wonder why didn't I get and oath letter right them and there??

 

Did you have a late appointment? Everyone who went in before me got a letter on the spot. There was even a guy with an expired green card (since 2011!!!!) that got his oath date. Meanwhile, my 2.50 pm appointment took 1,5 hours and I was probably the last one in.

On 3/7/2018 at 9:26 PM, jkstark said:

I had a paper application, and did not need pictures - but I have heard of cases where they have been asked for, and the process put on hold till they were provided.  Usually, the IO will point you toward a place that does them if they need pictures, and allow you to go get some and return them to the office that day...

 

However, as mentioned, they are cheap insurance that you'll be able to use for your passport application if you don't need them.

 

As to other paperwork - as  a 5 year filer, I was asked for my passport, green card and appointment letter - that's it.  I had tax returns, marriage certificates, birth certificates for my son and a bunch of other stuff as well, but never was asked for any of it...

I had a paper application, was asked about photos and I said I didn't bring any but was pretty sure I had some because I carry them just in case. He said "no need, we have your photos on file". I wonder if that is why I was told I will be getting a letter with their decision. I went in with so many documents and was asked about random ones. For example, they didn't request my husband's or son's original birth certificates but asked for cancelled passports way before the 3 or even 5 year period (I paper filed in NY under the 3 year rule). I had only brought cancelled passports from 2010. They also went through my original tax returns (page by page) and asked about my recent lease (which I didn't think of bringing because we just renewed). They also checked bills and bank accounts, social media photos which were all part of my green card removal of conditions application and then IO gave me the form saying I will be getting a letter "but I am good". I asked if the letter was just a formality since everyone else was given an oath date right away and he said the system needed to be updated. It's been over a week and I am wondering if I am waiting for an rfe or an oath date...

Had my interview today and I left confused. After 1,5 hour of scrutinizing all my paperwork, they gave me a paper saying i passed the test and i will be getting a written decision about my application. The officer was not very helpful, he mumbled something to the effect of "you are good" but also did not want to tell me when I asked what i should be expecting in the mail. Meanwhile, everyone else in the waiting room was given a letter right then and there with an oath date of March 13. I wasn't asked any questions that would indicate red flags. They even examined my application for removal of conditions from 2 years ago. But then did not ask to see my son's original birth certificate, nor my husband's, so I am very confused. Does anyone know what this could mean? 

Received the letter in the mail on Monday, NYC (Queens field office) filer for 2/27 interview. Can someone please add that to my timeline? I am completely clueless how to do it myself!

14 minutes ago, zoom123 said:

Don't worry you will get soon. One of my friend applied in March-17 and she got interview for January 25, 2018. Currently the cases are moving for the month of March and April. Hope you will get soon.

Not a good idea to withdraw N-400 at this stage.

Did your friend file a paper application for the Queens field office?

Hello everyone!

I filed in May 2017 and my office is Queens. Unfortunately there wasn't an online option back then (or at least I wasn't aware of it) so I have been in line for interview since June 8th... They say this field office takes too long and as of today according to the uscis website, they are still processing October '16 applications. Does anyone have any experience with paper filing in Queens? I wonder if I can withdraw my application and reapply online since the online applications seem to go by way faster.

1 hour ago, iamwhatiam80 said:

Alright. Keep us posted.

Well that was a waste of time. They basically gave me the same response: my case is in process and I will receive a notification once they schedule an interview. The process can take anywhere between 6-12 months and blah blah blah.

4 minutes ago, Eric-Pris said:

There is no longer a Queens office.  Queens residents go through the Manhattan (26 Federal Plaza) office.  There is a new USCIS Support Center (for biometrics, but not interviews) in Queens (43rd Ave in Long Island City) but the actual office (where my wife had her citizenship interview) on Jackson Ave closed either in 2015 or 2016.

 

I am sorry, I meant I am a Queens resident (in case the field office matters).

20 minutes ago, iamwhatiam80 said:

Alright. Keep us posted.

Also, can someone please add me to the timeline? My case was received 5/16, had my biometrics appointment on 6/6 and have been in line for interview since 6/8. Paper filing, Queens.

1 hour ago, iamwhatiam80 said:

Did you do paper filing or e-filing ?

You should have requested to talk to the level 2 officer. Yes thats a silly fear

Sadly I did paper filing. I followed your advice and called back. I am now waiting to receive a call back from USCIS. The wait time for a higher level officer is approximately 105 minutes! 

Just now, iamwhatiam80 said:

Yours probably is the Queens field office that is located in Federal plaza, Manhattan. This is a slow field office as per the cases i have seen here.

Sigh... I just got off the phone with USCIS, they told me my case is within normal processing times and that, per their website, they are still processing January 27th, 2017 cases. I did not want to ask to speak to a level 2 officer because I have this silly fear that they will put my file at the bottom of the pile because I am asking too many questions. I was told I could submit an e-request but according to their official processing times, I cannot justify that. Does this mean I still have 3,5 more months of waiting for an interview? This waiting game never ends!

1 hour ago, iamwhatiam80 said:

What is your field office in NY ? There are like 3 in the NYC area. You will probably see some movement on your case this month or maybe next month. You can call USCIS and talk to a level 2 officer ( request the customer rep politely that you want to talk to an actual immigration officer) and ask him/her what the internal status of your case is. They have access to the internal systems and may tell you where your file is.

Not too sure how I can tell which field office it is, I live in Queens and that is where I had my Biometrics appointment.

Is there a way to follow up on our case? I am still in line for interview since early June although I filed in May. My field office is New York and the uscis website shows outdated processing times (hasn't been updated since August).  At first I didn't anticipate to hear back from them anytime soon, but after looking at other May filers' timelines, I am beginning to wonder.

Hello everyone,

New here, so apologies if I am missing a bunch of steps. I was checking other New York May 2017 filers and noticed that most (if not all) have received interview dates? I am still in line for interview and my application was pretty straightforward. Is anyone else in the same boat?