Applied for N-400 more than a year back

Bubble12

Registered Users (C)
Hello Everyone,

I applied for N-400 in April 07, FP done May 07 and since then I have not heard anything from USCIS. Couple of days ago I called them and they said I am stuck in background check. What are my options? How can I find out, where my application is stuck? Is it stuck with FBI due to name check or what? I am so tired of waiting. Please advice
 
Did you check out the B'more timeline thread? Also search this forum for people stuck in namecheck. The search function can help you learn more about this and what to do next.
 
Join the club

Hello Everyone,

I applied for N-400 in April 07, FP done May 07 and since then I have not heard anything from USCIS. Couple of days ago I called them and they said I am stuck in background check. What are my options? How can I find out, where my application is stuck? Is it stuck with FBI due to name check or what? I am so tired of waiting. Please advice

You are not the only one. My PD was April 2006. I was stuck in name check or my file was missing.....God knows. I filed mandamus (WOM) in Nov 2007 and got my citizenship in Jan 2008. Waiting is the name of the game here with USCIS....sorry.
 
How to File WOM

Please guide me as to how I file WOM. I am really tired of being apart from my husband. I want to become a citizen so I can sponsor him soon. Thanks.
 
Too soon

Please guide me as to how I file WOM. I am really tired of being apart from my husband. I want to become a citizen so I can sponsor him soon. Thanks.

Bubble12,

I'd say it's pretty soon to think about filing for WOM at this stage. It has been little over a year since you've filed your application. I was told that one should file after 18 months of wait. This is what I did in my case. Where do you live? Have you consulted any attorney in your area? Lets see what others have to say here & let's take it from there.
Just hang in there, your journey will be over soon. Dealing with USCIS isn't that easy but the key word is "Patience" upto a certain point and then you start excercising and looking into different options to make it happen.

Good luck.
 
Bubble12,

I have the exact timeline as yours. I am also stuck in background check.

However, it seems they are working on the case. There is one guy whose PD is 10/06 his namecheck got cleared and he is in queue for interview.

so be patient..our turn will come. In the meantime it wont hurt to write to first lady about this. I am going to.

Take care
 
On WOM

OK-Boy and others:
Thanks for the useful info. I am not sure how long does one need to wait before file WOM. Below is my info:

August 20, 2007: N400 App mailed
August 21: Priority Date
Dec 20: USCIS entered the info in their database
Dec 20: Name Check initiated
Feb 22, 2008: FP completed
Many times visited USCIS and called 800 number and was told that FP is passed but NC is still going on
March 22, Filed for FOIPA with FBI which came back cleared

Not sure what else could be done
 
OK-Boy and others:
Thanks for the useful info. I am not sure how long does one need to wait before file WOM. Below is my info:

August 20, 2007: N400 App mailed
August 21: Priority Date
Dec 20: USCIS entered the info in their database
Dec 20: Name Check initiated
Feb 22, 2008: FP completed
Many times visited USCIS and called 800 number and was told that FP is passed but NC is still going on
March 22, Filed for FOIPA with FBI which came back cleared

Not sure what else could be done

What is the process of FOIPA and what is the cost associated with it.

Thanks in advance.
 
OK-Boy and others:
Thanks for the useful info. I am not sure how long does one need to wait before file WOM. Below is my info:

August 20, 2007: N400 App mailed
August 21: Priority Date
Dec 20: USCIS entered the info in their database
Dec 20: Name Check initiated
Feb 22, 2008: FP completed
Many times visited USCIS and called 800 number and was told that FP is passed but NC is still going on
March 22, Filed for FOIPA with FBI which came back cleared

Not sure what else could be done


By doing FOIPA what benefit have you achieved....most of the people have clear its just red bureacatic carpet one has to go through...just a thought....so whats next for you...
 
FOIPA Request

FOIPA is free of cost. Just fill send the request to the FBI and they will reply back in writing if you have any record that they are looking for.
How much it helps, not much. It is just for your own satisfaction that you are okay in thier files. The name check can still take a while.

I just had my one more info-pass this Friday (5/30/2008) and I was told that I am still stuck in the name-check. I had a long conversation with the lady and she mentioned that FBI has already improved significantly and she used to see cases 4 to 5 years old but now a days for the most part she onlys see one to two years old cases.
She said there is not much that can expedite the process except:

1-You are in military
2-You are losing social security
3-and one more which i forgot.

I did not qualify for any one of those. So I am back to the waiting game.
She said best thing to do is keep on calling 800 number as long as they can you updates. The moment they say they do not have it anymore, means your are done with name-checks and your file has been moved to local uscis for processing
 
Wom

How do you file for WOM. What are the advantages and disadvantages of WOM. I am so tired of waiting. I filed for N-400 in April, 2007 and so far no interview letter. Went for info pass and called USCIS couple of times and the only reply I get is that your file is stuck in background check and we do not know how long it will take. I am so tired of listening to the same answer over and over again.
 
How do you file for WOM. What are the advantages and disadvantages of WOM. I am so tired of waiting. I filed for N-400 in April, 2007 and so far no interview letter. Went for info pass and called USCIS couple of times and the only reply I get is that your file is stuck in background check and we do not know how long it will take. I am so tired of listening to the same answer over and over again.

As Chakwal-Boy indicated , check out info on WOM at

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/FBI_name_check
 
How do you file for WOM. What are the advantages and disadvantages of WOM. I am so tired of waiting. I filed for N-400 in April, 2007 and so far no interview letter. Went for info pass and called USCIS couple of times and the only reply I get is that your file is stuck in background check and we do not know how long it will take. I am so tired of listening to the same answer over and over again.

Ask all Wom-related questions in this thread
http://boards.immigrationportal.com/showthread.php?t=194681&page=555

Pros:
- The USCIS/FBI will start working on your case
- you'll gain experience in federal litigation
- you'll be able to become a citizen a lot sooner
- you'll be able to sleep well

Cons:
- You need to pay court fees and mailing expenses (approx. $400)
- You need to dedicate some time to file Wom and to fight your case (I estimate it at 40 hours)
 
wom wait

Ask all Wom-related questions in this thread
http://boards.immigrationportal.com/showthread.php?t=194681&page=555

Pros:
- The USCIS/FBI will start working on your case
- you'll gain experience in federal litigation
- you'll be able to become a citizen a lot sooner
- you'll be able to sleep well

Cons:
- You need to pay court fees and mailing expenses (approx. $400)
- You need to dedicate some time to file Wom and to fight your case (I estimate it at 40 hours)


LAZYCIS:

What is the good time to wait before filing WOM

Bobsmyth:
What is happening to your case. I do not see that you mentioned NC issue for you anywhere.
You have almost same timeline as I do.
 
Bobsmyth:
What is happening to your case. I do not see that you mentioned NC issue for you anywhere.
You have almost same timeline as I do.

My name check cleared back in Jan 08 and I have been in the queue waiting for an interview ever since. I've been told it can take up to 6 month for an interview to be available so the wait continues...
 
LAZYCIS:

What is the good time to wait before filing WOM

Bobsmyth:
What is happening to your case. I do not see that you mentioned NC issue for you anywhere.
You have almost same timeline as I do.

If your PD 2-3 months outside processing times and overall wait is more than 9 months, you can try Wom route. Especially in light of upcoming elections.
 
Please guide me as to how I file WOM. I am really tired of being apart from my husband. I want to become a citizen so I can sponsor him soon. Thanks.

Yeah I can understand your pain... But if you file WOM rite now, you will waste your time and money (it is too early for WOM in your case). Most of the females are getting their name check cleared pretty fast... My situation was worse than yours... got letter a week back saying that my name check has been done... hope to get my IL and Oath soon so that I can sponsor my wife to join me soon.
 
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