LinG2018

Also a Quality person, now I may not be normal but if somebody dumped a load of ####### on me and I need to look for the nuggets I would be wondering what they were trying to hide. 

Tbf, he may not know the answers to these questions, since he is posting on behalf of his friend.
 
His friend needs to join VJ to get advice.
 
The couple in question better hope they actually live together because I'd be willing to bet they are getting a surprise visit sometime in the near future. 
 
It's unfortunate that the USC wife blundered questions so badly. Either there is truly something fishy going on, or she got really taken off guard and drew a blank on certain answers, or she had legitimate reasons for not knowing certain things but failed to adequately explain. For example, it's possible she doesn't know the exact amount of rent because the husband handles all finances/pays all bills. But if she just fumbled and threw out an incorrect number, it looks quite bad. And I don't personally know my husband's full SSN by heart ( I do know the last 4), but I can tell you for certain my husband has no clue what my SSN is. 😂 It's all the little things that seem "off" that add up and paint an bad picture for USCIS. 

All of these questions are things the lawyer they hired should have explained that are important and briefly prepared them to answer the same thing.
 
I had a lawyer for support really, had a very straightforward case with plenty of evidence and one of the things I got from my lawyer was a list of things we need to know and get right about the relationship - prime example is different first date dates because one partner thinks of first encounter and the other think about the first official date.
 
Also, it is impossible to know but the lawyer could have said something during the interview to maybe steer it in a more positive direction - I had just opened a joint account but shared no credit cards and when the IO started to press a bit too much on that my lawyer interrupted to say that having credit cards wasn't mandatory and please look at the house deed, thank you. It's what they are there for!

They suspect fraud. He AOS'd from a F-1 and it sounds to me like they don't believe they live together. It doesn't help at ALL that she didn't know how much the rent is, the cars models, when they met and a bunch of other things. Especially since she's the USC and petitioner. Even I have my doubts.

When they separate the spouses it means they conducted a Stokes interview ( suspected fraud) ..quite clear also from the type of detailed questions. 
The USC petitioner /wife did NOT do well at all:
did not know exact rent $ , was fuzzy on household expenses, did not know type of car husband drives and couldn’t remember first encounter with husband.
Your friend ( if F-1 past) is degreed so BIG education gap between them.
 
There was nothing attorney could have done . Other than listen and get a sense of what she will face . 
Your fried will get a NOID …but I doubt it will be anytime soon. They will likely refer to FDNS ( fraud unit) and schedule on site visit to their home / work….nothing will happen fast and nothing your friend ( or new attorney): can do to speed it up.
 
Because it was a Stokes interview and it went poorly, there was no need to conduct N-400.

Alexander division covers your area if you look up the court schedule for naturalization for eastern VA
 
Naturalization ceremonies are held the third Thursday of every month.
All preliminary paperwork is handled by Immigration and Naturalization located at 2675 Prosperity Avenue, Fairfax, VA 22031.
Please call 703-285-6000 if you have any questions regarding your application, testing, or to schedule your court appearance.
If you have any questions about the location of the courthouse, please click here, or, contact the Clerk's Office at 703-299-3304 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

We showed up a little early and waited in the plaza.  About 15 minutes before the ceremony, they asked the candidates to line up (probably around 20).  I went in as an interpreter and had no problem as we did answer yes to one of the questions. (travel since the interview).  An officer quickly viewed the questionnaire and marked the days of travel and sent us to another short line to a window where an Immigration Officer asked for the travel dates again,  proof of vaccine (we had  returned from our trip 10 days but that may not have been enough) and then for the new and old green cards.  The Officer sent my wife to a seat with the packet containing the oath, flag,  and said I could move an unoccupied chair next to hers.    The ceremony was moving and I noticed that my sister and brother-in-law were outside waving and since it was dark due to an impending storm, they could watch the proceedings!  The funny thing is that my brother-in-law is a federal judge and swears immigrants in from time to time!   The Officer mentioned SSA, passport and voting information.   After the ceremony they call the new citizens up and give them their certificates which you are supposed to check  for errors. 
 
I am glad we brought the vaccine cards as the USCIS Notice of Oath Ceremony does not mention them.  However, the USCIS  website says you can't enter if "Returned from domestic air, international air, or cruise ship travel in the past 10 days (unless you are fully vaccinated)." 

I do actually feel bad for someone like your mom. I know that it must be very hard. My parents actually immigrated to Canada when I was a kid, and it was very tough to be immersed in a new culture. But my parents, as hard as it was, learned English and managed to provide a good life for my sister and I. My grandmother is 90, she lives with my uncle and she came from Europe in her 80's, and she has made an effort to learn enough English to be able to converse with Americans. So where there is a will, there is a way.
I still think that if you're going to join American society (or any society), you should actually want to be part of American society. A society is people living together in organized communities with shared laws, traditions, and values. And the glue that brings these things together is language. You can't expect to share laws, understand laws, adopt values or traditions without speaking the language of the group. If you don't speak the language, then you may be living in the vicinity of that society, but you're not really part of that society.
I'm not trying to sound heartless, I know there are a lot of places in this world where human rights do not exist, and people need to escape to a better place, but I think that you owe it to a society that offers to take you in, and provide you with protection, rights and freedoms, to at least learn their language so that you can somewhat contribute to that society.
This is my personal view on it. I hope I don't piss anyone off by saying this. It's not my intention to do so. I just feel very passionate that you owe it to a society to make an effort to belong if they take you in.

There is a pretty good post from a former USCIS officer on Reddit on why USCIS is so slow.  It doesn't mention Potomac specifically but I believe his reasons fit in that category.  You can find it on the r/uscis Reddit group.  I believed them pinned the post so its at the top.  

I should add that the passport stamp required "special processing" at JFK last month.  The officer did require her green card and expired extension letter.  After going through the immigration line, we were all led to a side room by a guard and sat in a waiting room.  They have to look up each passport 551 stamp in a computer system and verify with the expired documents.  It took about 10-15 minutes for them to approve my wife and daughter's entry.  Kind of stressful because they were not very pleasant and didn't explain what was going on.

September 23 2020 PD just got notification card is being produced!! Did not file for citizenship. 

Hello All, 
 
I would like to share with you my experience with the USCIS and how I became a US Citizen yesterday 03/10/202. One thing that everyone needs to keep in mind is to BE PATIENT!!!!! and have as many documents as possible for your case, this process takes a long time and requires many documents. 
 
First,  I was a DACA recipient since it was initiated by the Obama Administration in 2012, I was grateful for this program as it allowed me to drive, attend college, get a job, and live a piece of my American Dream. After renewing my DACA up to 2018, my long term love and I got married in 2018 after six years of dating. While dating, we both attended college and graduated with Bachelor Degrees, and after I graduated with my engineering degree in 2018, we decided to get married and start our life journey  
Now my USCIS journey starts:
 
Two-Years Green Card:
 
10/04/2018, we received your Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, Receipt Number MSCxxxxxxxxxx, and sent you the receipt notice that describes how we will process your case. 11/07/2018: We are ready to schedule your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, for an interview. 01/03/2019: We scheduled an interview for your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. 03/08/2019: We ordered your new card. 03/15/2019: The Post Office delivered your new card for Receipt Number MSCxxxxxxxxxx, to the address that you gave us.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 ---------------------------- -Green Card delivered with the wrong expiration date on it!!! SMH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ------------------------------------------------------- 03/20/2019: We received your Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, and mailed you a receipt notice. It is being processed at our E-Filed Case Processing Section location. 01/13/2020: We produced your new card for your Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.  
While, the application to replace my Green Card was still pending, I was able to travel overseas with the "Green Card Stamp" also called "I-551 Stamp"
 
Removal of Conditions (Potomac Service Center) & N-400 Naturalization (Dallas Service Center), Both Moved to Local Office in Louisville, KY:
 
12/31/2020: We received your Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. 04/02/2021: The fingerprints relating to your Form I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, were taken. [Fingerprints applied automatically].                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              --------------------------------- I didn't hear anything since fingerprints were automatically applied until I filed for N-400 ------------------------------------------- 11/24/2021: We received your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, and sent you a receipt notice. 11/30/2021: We are actively reviewing your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. Our records showed nothing is outstanding at this time. 01/05/2022: Your Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, was transferred to another office for processing. 01/06/2022: We transferred your Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, to another USCIS office that now has jurisdiction over your case. 01/10/2022: We scheduled an interview for your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. 02/14/2022: We recommended that your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, be approved. Your case was submitted for quality review. 02/14/2022: We ordered your new card. 02/14/2022: We placed you in line for your oath ceremony and will send you a notice for Receipt Number IOExxxxxxxxxxx, with the date, time, and location of your oath ceremony. You should receive your notice within 30 days of its mailing date.  03/10/2022: Certificate of Naturalization Was Issued.  
While the application to Remove Conditions was still pending, my Green Card expired, and I have received a 18-months extension, then a 24-months extension which I have used with the expired Green Card to travel overseas and keep my job. 
 
This was it guys, I was grateful that my Naturalization process went much faster than my Green Card process. The interview for the naturalization went smoothly. After going over the application for removal of conditions with the Immigration Officer, I was surprised the Immigration officer didn't tell my wife to wait outside while I took the N-400 tests (Civics, Writing, & Reading). 
 
Be Patient! and Good Luck to all of you!!!
 
   

You can call the uscis and mention you want to schedule an infopass. It should be atleast 30 days prior the expiration date or maybe earlier. Tell them your reason for it (ex. For work, driver’s license, travel etc.) and if accepted, they will tell you to wait for a return call for them to schedule you an appointment. This is what I’ve done based on experience last year.
Expect a return call after a month. Can’t remember much, but I called August last year and they returned my call by September. The caller will then tell you what the available dates and time slots are still vacant, and will give you an email for the details. Then that’s it. The  earliest vacant slot they got me was 2 weeks after the call. It could be any date since it depends on the vacancy. Hope this help.

When I called for mine I had to request an emergency info pass. I got a call the next day and they did not even ask anything. The lady on the phone told me that I was eligible anyway and I could go in. a week later I had a stamp in my passport.

early September 2020 here and still nothing since fingerprints.

December 2020 filer. Hoping to hear something soon. It’s discouraging to read about people who filed in the summer of 2020 and still haven’t heard anything….. 

just got an email about my case 30mins ago! I was having dinner and checked my phone right after. I knelt down thanking God in tears! 5days before my 2 yr anniversary. My i751 is finally approved!!!
 
Noa: july 10, 2020
July 05, 2022: New card is being produced
Haven’t submitted N400.
 
My heart is crying in joy!!!

I filed ROC jointly 6/16/2020 Potomac center, just got an email “new card is being produced” today.  No RFE, no waiver,  didn’t apply for N400.  Good luck to everyone else who’s still waiting.  The end is near.  Cheers

Hello everyone,
 
Just wanted to let you know that my new card is being produced as of today! I filed on June 10 of 2020. I did not apply for citizenship. No RFE or interview either.
 
Good luck to everyone else!

USCIS Implements Risk-Based Approach for Conditional Permanent Resident Interviews
Release Date  04/07/2022 WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced a policy update to adopt a risk-based approach when waiving interviews for conditional permanent residents (CPR) who have filed a petition to remove the conditions on their permanent resident status.
Effective immediately, new criteria will guide USCIS officers on when to waive interviews for CPRs who filed a Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. This update replaces previous agency guidance that required all CPRs to undergo an interview if they obtained CPR status via consular processing.
“Implementing a risk-based strategic approach to the CPR-interview process will increase efficiencies that improve processing times, allow for a better use of agency staffing resources, and help reduce the pending caseload while still maintaining procedures to identify fraud and protect national security,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. “This update is consistent with agency priorities to break down barriers in the immigration system, eliminate undue burdens on those seeking benefits, and effectively respond to stakeholder feedback and public concerns.”
Prior policy requiring mandatory CPR interviews did not prove to be an efficient use of USCIS staffing resources. Under this policy update, USCIS may waive the interview requirement if the agency officer determines there is sufficient evidence about the bona fides of the marriage, the joint-filing requirement is eligible for a waiver (if applicable), there is no indication of fraud or misrepresentation in supporting documents, there are no complex facts or issues to resolve, and there is no criminal history that would render the CPR removable.
A noncitizen who obtains permanent resident status based on a marriage that began less than two years before obtaining that status receives permanent resident status on a conditional basis for two years. To remove the conditions on permanent resident status, family-based CPRs generally must file a Form I-751 within the 90-day period before the two-year anniversary of when they obtained CPR status.

I Just seen this on fb group and wanna share it to everyone. it's moving!
 
****NOT MY TIMELINE, JUST SHARING THE APPROVAL MOVEMENT****
 
submitted: May 5 - 2020
biometrics : June 12 - 2020
approved : today
NO RFE, NO INTERVIEW & I have not applied to citizenship yet
 
Goodluck to everyone!

To give Potomac filers some hope, especially those who did not file for citizenship as well:
 
Filed/NOA: 5/13/2020
Biometrics used: 6/13/2020
Ordered your new card: 3/17/2022
Case approved: 3/18/2022
 
Total time: just about 22 months. 
No interview, no transfer to another center, no citizenship. Just straight up Potomac. 
 
I know it is extremely difficult to stay sane while waiting for this process to be over. Everytime you inch closer to their deadline, they extend it. It's painful, especially when you see other centers with much shorter processing times. It feels so unreasonably unfair. 
All I can say is, try, try, try, as much as you possibly can, to NOT think about it. Go on with your daily life and things you enjoy and love. 
Good luck everybody! 
 

My case was never transferred. It’s been on fingerprints a month after I applied and now case is approved. Timeline questions can’t change anything. Just relax and wait. I didn’t even call to ask about my case for one day. 

hi everyone, my case says online
 
"Estimated time* until case decision: approx. 6 days"
 
but i didn't receive any interview date or anything after biometrics.
have i missed a letter? what does this "6day mean"? i just don't want to miss an interview or anything like that without knowing.
 
thanks if anyone can help.

Hi guys, just want to share my case with you all. 
 
May 1, 2020             I-751 was received (YSC ) 
June 12, 2020         fingerprints was reused
Jan 21, 2022            We ordered your new card
Jan 24, 2022             Case was approved... 
 
there is no case transfer, no interview... I got the update online but haven't received any mail yet. hope this info will help.