MKT3121

I had my interview yesterday and my application was approved. I was in the middle of my interview when the last oath of the day was taking place so will have to wait a bit more until they schedule me to comeback.

Anyways, I’m just so relieved this will be over very soon.

My interview has been rescheduled. I hope to finally be done with this whole process by May.

Thank you to everyone who helped in this forum.

17 minutes ago, abfar said:

I'm not sure I understand this part. Could you please explain why you think the cancellation took place?

They sent me a notice for the interview on Feb 4. In the notice, it said my interview was scheduled for that same day. This leads me to believe that’s the reason why they cancelled it immediately. Obviously I’m just guessing at this point. I have no way to know for sure.

16 hours ago, Scandi said:

They know that officers take the greencard from you when you get a stamp, that's a non-issue for the interview. Same goes for the oath ceremony where they take the greencard away from you when they give you the certificate. You just tell them why you don't have a greencard and they put a little note on your form. Not an issue.

Thank you! I was freaking out not knowing what to do about it.

I figured out why my interview was scheduled and canceled in the same day. They uploaded both receipt notices to my account. Apparently they scheduled my interview in the same day they sent me the notice. That's why they cancelled it immediately.

Also, In my interview notice it says I need to bring my green card with me. However, last year, when I got an I-551 stamp on my passport to be able to travel after my green card expired they kept my green card. Anyone had that happen? I'm not sure what to do about it.

Logged in to my account and noticed this message. Anyone has any idea what this is or has the same message?

13 minutes ago, keyuree1 said:

That is strange. I wonder if they made a mistake and canceled it right away. I think it's a good sign. Maybe you get a notice soon. Fingers crossed. 

I really hope you’re right. 

Just now, keyuree1 said:

I'm confused. Did they schedule your interview and then they canceled it? 

Yes. All in the same day. I don’t know what’s going on.

So this morning I got a text telling me that they have taken action on my case. I logged in excited only to be met with this message.

I just saw this on the FOIA website. Perhaps I won't get any documents until they send me a written response.

1 hour ago, Rn400 said:

On the same page you see step 1-5 complete you should see documentary Library. Click on that and will take you to all the pdf pages 

I checked and I see nothing there which is strange. I wonder if they’re mailing them instead.

2 minutes ago, Rn400 said:

MKT3121, did you also got a writeup of those pages withheld due to Privacy Act and 5 U.S.C. ?

I didn’t see any pages available on my account. Where should I look?

My FOIA is complete. No interview though. This is so frustrating.

Moved to step 4. Still no interview.

I bet they’ve noticed the recent bump in FOIA requests. Add staff shortages to it. Not a good mix.

12 minutes ago, Rn400 said:

Hi folks. I  am still in stage 3. No interview I filed FOIA on 12/10 for complete A-file. Estimated completion date 2/3

Same. 

1 minute ago, lightstream19 said:

Any idea? Can one do the FOIA request even if one’s case is still within the processing time?

You absolutely can.

1 minute ago, rams_usa said:

My immigration journey started from 2005. So paper/digital might not matter as my FOIA is in step 3 and wife in Step 2, but both got interviews today.

That's good to know. Maybe it's where the application was submitted.

I submitted my n400 application online and I live In Jacksonville, FL. My receipt notice says my application is in the National Benefits Center.

I'm so tired of waiting.

My immigration journey started back in 2008. Does anyone think the reason some people are getting their interviews scheduled after submitting FOIA is because their whole a file is digital?

I submitted my FOIA on December 10. It went to step 3 around December 30. No interview yet. I'm losing hope.

23 minutes ago, thewaitingame said:

Having the interview scheduled doesn't really mean that they will have the interview. A bunch of people on N400 facebook group got interview scheduled, then cancelled because their A-files is not available. I would not get your hopes up on this, cause FOIA is processed at NRC. So USCIS will send records to NRC and not the other way around. You can check on step 3 "Your responsive documents have arrived at the National Records Center." People on May 2020 thread got response that their file is stuck at NRC. 

 

I see what you are saying. However, I have heard that applications filed during the lockdowns were completely neglected while applications filed much later were being processed and completed in just a few months. 
 

This means that when the USCIS offices opened back up in July 2020, the only applications they have been working on are the ones filed around that time and beyond.
 

Hence the idea of filing an FOIA to trigger any action from USCIS.

I hope this makes sense.

29 minutes ago, whatsawotsit said:

Thanks. When I contacted my congressman, I initially had to do so via their website, which captured a lot of information, and then just printed it out on paper that I mailed to their office. I did however include a covering letter which included much of the information again and spelled out what I wanted to happen. Here's what the body of that letter looked like - obviously you'd alter the details, which I've enclosed in < >. Only send the information you are comfortable with - for example I sent my SSN as the website required it - you may chose to not do so. I am not a lawyer! 🙂

 

Name: <your FULL name here>
Date: <contact date you sent this letter>
Agency involved: USCIS
Numbers Identifying Case (VA claim, Alien number, tax ID, etc.): <your receipt number>
Branch of Service (If Applicable): <N/A, unless applicable>
Military Rank (If Applicable): <N/A, unless applicable>
Date of Birth: <Your DOB>
Social Security #: <Your SSN>
Street Address: <Your Address>
City, State, Zip Code: <Your City/State/zip code>
Telephone #: <Your contact number>
Email Address: <Your contact email address>
I, <YOUR NAME>, authorize the USCIS to release personal information to Congressman <Insert representative name> United States Representative. I authorize Congressman <Insert representative name> to request and have access to all records and reports pertinent to my request for his assistance in the following matter:
Nature of Problem:
Dear Congressman <Insert representative name>
As one of your constituents, I would be grateful for your help regarding service from a Federal Agency.
<Include brief precis of case status, timeline,actions and outcomes>

I have personally contacted USCIS multiple times to enquire further, and each time I have been unable to get USCIS to advance my case or gain relevant information. I feel I have exhausted all avenues for getting an answer from USCIS directly.  
I would be most appreciative if you or your office could make appropriate enquiries with USCIS to find out why they have failed to process my case in a timely fashion, what the current hold up actually is, and what USCIS or any other agency need to do in order to get my application back on track.

>
My application details are as follows:
FILING TYPE : N-400 "Application for Naturalization"
RECEIPT DATE : <receipt date>
RECEIPT NUMBER : <your receipt number>
APPLICANT FULL NAME : <YOUR FULL NAME>
APPLICANT DOB : <Your DOB>
APPLICANT A NUMBER : <Your A number>
Please accept my gratitude in advance for your assistance in this matter. If you or your office have any questions or I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours Sincerely

 

(end of letter)

Your mileage may, and almost certainly will, vary. But I hope this is useful. As I mentioned earlier, I have no way of knowing if this helped, as USCIS did not reply to my congressmans office.

Cheers

 

 

 

Thank you for taking the time to share this with us.

16 minutes ago, whatsawotsit said:

Hi rams_usa

 

For completeness, here are my particulars:

May 25th 2020 : Filed online & got receipt notice

August 7th 2020 : received Biometrics reuse notice

Summer 2021 : Out of "normal" processing times (several times!). Raised a SR/enquiry on each occasion

Mid-October 2021: Wrote to my congressmans office, who immediately raised their enquiry with USCIS

November 18th 2021: My case is under active review by USCIS

November 26th 2021 : Interview scheduled

January 6th 2022: Interview & approval

??? : Oath & naturalization complete

 

I have been reading the various threads discussing FOIA requests, but my interview was scheduled before this tactic was widely discussed, so no I didnt open any FOIA requests. Things started moving for me after writing to my congressmans office, though it's hard to know if that really made any difference - it may just have been coincidence. My wife is still at the receipt notice/biometrics reuse stage despite filing the same day as me, so I'll be watching this thread to see if the FOIA's pay off.

 

Wishing well to all

Cheers

Congrats on the completion of your naturalization.
 

Would you be able to share the letter you sent to your congressman? It would be nice to have a template since there are so many of us on the same boat. At this point I’m willing to try anything to trigger any action on my application.

Thank you!

I just checked mine and it's now on step 3 as well! Hoping I get some good news soon.

1 hour ago, Sam713 said:

I just left it blank!

Thank you!

I just submitted it. Hoping it triggers any action on my application.