Is anyone, just out of curiosity, interested filing FOIA to get know
how N400 is approved (or denied for that matter)? Is the FOIA
request the same as one for A-file?
A USCIS FOIA is for your A file. It's not some secret USCIS procedural document that states on what basis they approve or deny your application.
But I believe if you get your A-file, you get I485 file. On that I485 file, there must be some USCIS comments and decision on the part that warn us not to fill. So if you get the same thing about processed N400, you may see the
same stuff. This may be useful for those who plan to repply after the previous one was denied
I requested my A-file through FOIPA after completing the citizenship process. As Bobsmyth pointed out, there is no secret document describing reasons for approving or denying your application. Once an application is approved, the IO puts a red "APPROVED" stamp in the "For USCIS Use Only" section on the first page of the N-400. In fact, I saw this done at my interview. The main reason why I requested my file is to see the name check results and old applications that were filled out by my parents, since I was too young to fill them out myself.
Also, if an application is denied, a letter stating the exact reason for denial is sent to the applicant.
Interesting. How log did it take for you to receive the actual A-file copies after the FOIA request was received? I take it it was within the last year, no? Thanks.
Since it's that lengthy, and since I am about to file N-400 soon, should I somehow cancel a FOIA request I have put in a few days ago so as to not split my A-file and have it become unavailable for months for my N-400 process to-be?