Received RFE after N-400 Interview. Help?

[melryn222 1]

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting, thanks in advance for helping out...

I had my N-400 Interview today. The officer said that I passed the test, but that she was missing part of my file and could not officially approve the application until she saw the entire file. I told her that I had copies of everything, and asked her what she needed. She said it wasn't anything I could provide, she was just missing part of my file and "needed to look for it."

I checked the status of my application online and it is showing that they send me an RFE today. Has that happened to anyone? What could they possibly need? I had copies of everything they could possibly ask for, and even if they needed anything else, why didn't she ask for it while I was there???

I read a few posts saying that some people got RFEs but they were Biometrics appointments. I already HAD my biometrics appt. a month or so before the interview.

Has anyone been in this situation? Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you!

[Anh map 2,098]

Don't waste energy trying to guess. Just wait for the letter. The finish line is near.

[OKflyboy 35]

I got an RFE after my AOS interview. They asked for updated sponsor income information. I obviously did not have that with me at the interview, I only had the copies of the file. It delayed me about 3 weeks, but only because I had to get my sponsor to mail the letter to me first and then to forward it to USCIS.

Just relax and wait for the letter. There's not much you can do right now.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

First, the online system is notoriously screwed up.

Secondly, there is no reason to panic before you even don't know if there's a reason to panic.

Finally, even if you get an RFE, there's no reason to panic.

[dubliner 0]

I'm exactly in the same boat! I just finished my interview and everything went ok. The office approved my case at the end but i explained to the officer that my interview was held a few days before my 5 year anniversary. The officer confirmed that the application was filed within 90 days. She told me that she cannot approve it today but everything is ok, and that she will approve when the time comes.

Then tonight, i received a email notice saying that a RFE was mailed. I am scared....

[Udella&Wiz 325]

It's easy for us to say 'don't panic' but really - there isn't a whole lot that can go wrong at this point. If you've passed the civics, written and language portions...unless you answered 'yes' to some of the dreaded questions and they need more information, it's probably nothing to worry too much over.

You've got your GC, you're legal - if Naturalization takes a little extra time, life will not change too much.

Cheer up and remember how slow and confused they can be at USCIS!

[NickD 202]

Sounds like the "misplaced" file scenario that happened to my wife after she passed her interview, but that was the entire file so we were told, not just a part of it. But they found it in very short order after my senators office called them. They even did a special oath ceremony for my wife. Office manager wanted to get 3,500 applications before having an oath ceremony. Was talking to a nice woman outside the field office that worked in the filing department, said it was a complete madhouse having to dig out all those files again. Wife said her file was over 3" thick, but her IO was too lazy to look through it and wanted to make copies off of her originals, but actually wanted to keep our originals, wife said no to that.

Keep us posted when you receive your RFE letter, yours is the first case I read about with this problem, another fellow had the wrong alien number typed by the USCIS that caused a delay.

In our history, had three "misplaced files" and one decision cannot be made due to a "miscommunication" error. Surprising how fast my senators office could correct those problems.

[melryn222 1]

Thank you so much for the replies everyone. This has been a very long journey, so I guess I'm just disappointed that I didn't get the approval I was hoping for yesterday. I'll wait for the letter to come in the mail and will let you know what they ask for.

I guess my mind is just filled with apocalyptic scenarios and I need to snap out of it until I know what's going on... Thanks so much for the encouraging words.

[melryn222 1]

Hi there! Here's an update...

As of today, my case status online still shows that an RFE was sent on the 18th. If anything had been mailed on the 18th, I would have it by now, so I called USCIS for the third time in two days. I got the same standard response from a person who sounds like an automated recording (they basically just regurgitated everything that shows when I check my case status online).

I asked them to please escalate my call to someone who could give me more information... and it's a MIRACLE--they did!

The person I spoke with (after waiting 22 minutes, but who's counting?) was actually very helpful.

He asked: "Did the officer ask you for any additional information that you did not have?" Nope.

So he explained that this happens a lot, and that the IO should have been clearer. Basically, the rest of my file is in the Missouri Service Center. They need the entire file before they can approve the application. There's nothing I need to send, my file looks clean (his words). I just need to wait for the first person to approve it, and then for another person to approve the approval. After that, they will mail my notice to appear for the Oath Ceremony--assuming of course that everything goes well and the stars and planets are aligned...

He also said to check in with them every 15 days or so and not be shy about calling. "This is the last step," he said, "you want to stay on top of it. When you call, I'll be able to tell you if there has been any progress, if you got the first approval, etc."

No need to ask me twice. I already have them on speed dial.

I feel very relieved, but won't be celebrating until I have that little blue passport in my hands. Best of luck to everyone going through this same long arduous process!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Good to hear you got someone helpful and it really is just a little glitch on their end causing the delay. It is surprising how much paperwork they accumulate (and we submit) throughout this process so I guess it can be expected that someone somehow didn't forward all of the file information. I know that when I had my interview there were two very thick file folders on the interviewer's desk. If you also have two file folders and they only have the one present then they would probably need to verify your initial entry information (contained, of course, in the delayed 'first' file folder) to ensure you have satisfied all of the visa requirements for the process. It is frustrating, but as the agent mentioned, you are in deed in sight of the finish line.

Edited July 20, 2011 by Kathryn41

[dubliner 0]

Sounds great! I have not received a RFE letter yet either. I hope my case is in the same situation.... I am keeping my fingers crossed. My case cannot be approved before Monday. I will check back with the USCIS next week.

Hi there! Here's an update...

As of today, my case status online still shows that an RFE was sent on the 18th. If anything had been mailed on the 18th, I would have it by now, so I called USCIS for the third time in two days. I got the same standard response from a person who sounds like an automated recording (they basically just regurgitated everything that shows when I check my case status online).

I asked them to please escalate my call to someone who could give me more information... and it's a MIRACLE--they did!

The person I spoke with (after waiting 22 minutes, but who's counting?) was actually very helpful.

He asked: "Did the officer ask you for any additional information that you did not have?" Nope.

So he explained that this happens a lot, and that the IO should have been clearer. Basically, the rest of my file is in the Missouri Service Center. They need the entire file before they can approve the application. There's nothing I need to send, my file looks clean (his words). I just need to wait for the first person to approve it, and then for another person to approve the approval. After that, they will mail my notice to appear for the Oath Ceremony--assuming of course that everything goes well and the stars and planets are aligned...

He also said to check in with them every 15 days or so and not be shy about calling. "This is the last step," he said, "you want to stay on top of it. When you call, I'll be able to tell you if there has been any progress, if you got the first approval, etc."

No need to ask me twice. I already have them on speed dial.

I feel very relieved, but won't be celebrating until I have that little blue passport in my hands. Best of luck to everyone going through this same long arduous process!

[dubliner 0]

There was some progress... today i received an email notification from USCIS saying that they received what they requested from me. The weird thing is that i did not receive a RFE letter from them and did not send anything to them. The email says that they will send me a written decision. Hopefully I will hear from them. I guess that the case is still moving forward at least.... I will wait for the letter.

Sounds great! I have not received a RFE letter yet either. I hope my case is in the same situation.... I am keeping my fingers crossed. My case cannot be approved before Monday. I will check back with the USCIS next week.

[David-and-Mae 15]

There was some progress... today i received an email notification from USCIS saying that they received what they requested from me. The weird thing is that i did not receive a RFE letter from them and did not send anything to them. The email says that they will send me a written decision. Hopefully I will hear from them. I guess that the case is still moving forward at least.... I will wait for the letter.

Now that is ODD! And yes, hopefully it's the oath taking ceremony for you.

[w8inglongtime 29]

There was some progress... today i received an email notification from USCIS saying that they received what they requested from me. The weird thing is that i did not receive a RFE letter from them and did not send anything to them. The email says that they will send me a written decision. Hopefully I will hear from them. I guess that the case is still moving forward at least.... I will wait for the letter.

Hmm USCIS at their finest. They probably found some of your documents that they misplaced earlier. Hopefully you will be getting the oath letter soon.

[melryn222 1]

Hmm USCIS at their finest. They probably found some of your documents that they misplaced earlier. Hopefully you will be getting the oath letter soon.

Yep. I called again yesterday, asked them to the escalate my call again, and the officer told me "The information online is not accurate. Please disregard anything you see online."

What is the point of having an online system if it's spreading misinformation? I thought the whole idea was to help keep us updated on what progress is being made (or not)...

Hope you get your oath letter soon dubliner!