My elaboration!
Let me share my experience:
I applied based on marriage to a US citizen. I am proud to have a good record with the INS (no violations what so ever, especially the Selective Services). When I filed my N-400 last year, I applied 3 months earlier than my PR date since it states this option very clear in the “Guide to Naturalization” that the INS themselves ask for applicants to refer to when filing for the N-400.
When I went to my interview last month, the officer surprised me with a Premature Filling deal case!
I was stunned, mad and confused by this. I fought and fought with them since they said they are going to reject my application until the officer felt bad about my case eventually and decided to forgive me. I applied exactly 3 months before my third year as the guide mentions on page 22 “in the box toward the bottom of the page”. They claim it should be 90 days!! When we added the # of days, it turned out to be that I applied 91 days earlier as it appose to 90! So with the help of my lawyer the officer took a special action with my case described in the link below:
http://www.shusterman.com/natz699.html - Please take time and read through it.
My lawyer said that he would not mind at all to take them to court, but that would cost me money and time, although it\'s a win case. Sure, I’ll go sue them
that’s all I need.
My lawyer also said that the Service Center should have not Okayed my application and scheduled me for an interview if I was too early in my filing. They should have rejected it in the first time.
Anyways, as the article described, I was given form N-14 "additional proof of the marriage relationship". I sent that to them the same day via Urgent Express "same/2nd day delivery". They received it two days later per the tracking record. However, on my interview day, I was allowed to take the English and the US history tests and I passed, of course.
Now my case lies in the hands of the N-14 Review Officer and how fast he processes these types of cases. How long it will be? Beats me, and beats my lawyer to.
It has been almost a month since I had my interview. I am still waiting to receive and oath letter. I am feeling optimistic about what the outcome will be, I don’t know, maybe because I trust the officer’s word.
So my answer to your question is “YES, THE INS LOVES PUNISHING HONEST PEOPLE"