Interview Experience and 2 questions

pathenry

Registered Users (C)
My wife and I had our interviews today. Both of us passed with the standard N652 document with the usual two checkboxes checked (1. You have passed the civics test, etc... and 2. Congratulations, Your application has been recommended for approval, etc.).

In my case, I had left my GC sponsoring company 3 months (yes, 3 months) after my GC was approved, though this was not voluntary on my part (I was laid off). This was a question the DO asked me (i.e. why such a quick departure from the sponsoring company). He then asked me if I had any proof that I had worked in the company till the date I was laid off, and fortunately I had taken the company's Termination Letter with me. He then asked me if I had tax returns for the year which I was laid off (he wanted additional evidence that I had worked in the company till my lay off date). I did not have that year's tax return (I only had the previous 4 years returns), I told him that I was unable to locate that year's return and he seemed ok with it.

Then he asked me the standard civics questions and made me affirm all the information on my application. After that he shook my hand and congratulated me when handing over the N652 and handed me the application form for the US Passport saying that I could fill that out during the oath ceremony. He also told me that I should expect the Oath letter within 90 days.

Now here are my questions - The DO that interviewed my wife told her that she should expect to receive her oath letter in two weeks, however my DO told me to expect my oath letter in 90 days. Anyone have an idea why both of us were given different expected wait periods to recive the oath letter? does it mean that they need to do additional verification on my application (because of the missing tax return)?

Another question(s) - Can we travel out of the US between now (after our interview), and before our Oath ceremony? Would this have any implications during the oath? Who do we call to request a specific Oath date so we do not get the oath appointment letter when we are out of the US and miss our oath date?

Hope this helps some of you guys, and thanks in advance for answering my questions.

P
 
It's hard to say, but I would guess that different officers take different estimates. Probably some like to give long estimates so people don't get anxious if the letter takes three, instead of two weeks.

Yes, you can travel, provided that the travel doesn't break your physical presence requirement. The only implication is that you'll have to notify of this trip during the oath ceremony, same thing if you get traffic tickets.

Come on, is this a hypothetical question or are you serious? How long is going to be the trip? If you had something lined up you should have mentioned during the interview. Now, I would think it is probably too late to schedule a specific date. Anyway, you could try an Infopass for this, but if your trip plans are not settled I would just wait to do that trip after the oath.

My 2 cents.
 
Although this is not confirmed, there is a theory that a junior and a senior USCIS Officer adjudicate the case after the interview. There is a possibility that your wife was interviewed by a Senior Officer (in which case the Junior Officer's approval is a formality) and you were interviewed by a Junior Officer, the Senior Officer's approval requiring more time.

This may account for the extra time to adjudicate your application.

Although I have not yet received the Oath Letter, I have read that the back of the letter has questions about the time spent out of the country since you have passed the interview. You would be able to provide ab update at the time of the Oath Ceremony. By the way, please do not forget to carry your passport to the Oath Ceremony in case of verification.
 
You can request a postponement but they don't allow you to ask for a specific date, you can guess what would happen if they allowed that.
You could just leave a postponement request with your friend and s/he could mail it in the even of you oath letter arrival when you are gone.
 
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