June 2012 N-400 Tracker

HI Grasshoppr,
just catching up on all your posts. We've had a little bit of a hurricane here in NYC so have not had a chance to catch up on this forum till today. Sorry for all your troubles. I am glad you at least got the GC extension so you don't have to worry about the driver's license issue. So I wanted to provide a little bit of comfort to you. When I called USCIS previously they told me the same thing they told you about the 90 days period running from the date of the reply to my request. See my previous post on this. It was pretty much the same situation like yours. I called first after 30 days (when it was still 30 day period), was told to wait. called again a week or so later, put in the request for update. didn't hear anything in 15 days, called back in, was told that I was sent a reply email which I never received. and was told the 90 day period now runs from the date of the reply email (that I never received). they said the reply email was sent September 17 I believe so it would have meant 90 days from then. I was really worried, and posted here the warning about this. As you know, I have now received the IL and have the interview in later November. So basically, don't worry about the extension of the 90 day period. It may not be as bad as it looks right now. Maybe you will get the IL sooner than you think! Good luck!

Needavice71 - did you get your IL as well? when is your interview? I am now glad I got mine before the hurricane hit, who know how that will affect the scheduling now.
 
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Heh you're weather statement was a bit of an understatement - glad you're OK up there! :)

Thanks for that -yes that's almost exactly how it has happened for me. Hopefully I'll get my IL soon. I appreciate the encouragement!
 
Athena3 said:
HI Grasshoppr,
just catching up on all your posts. We've had a little bit of a hurricane here in NYC so have not had a chance to catch up on this forum till today. Sorry for all your troubles. I am glad you at least got the GC extension so you don't have to worry about the driver's license issue. So I wanted to provide a little bit of comfort to you. When I called USCIS previously they told me the same thing they told you about the 90 days period running from the date of the reply to my request. See my previous post on this. It was pretty much the same situation like yours. I called first after 30 days (when it was still 30 day period), was told to wait. called again a week or so later, put in the request for update. didn't hear anything in 15 days, called back in, was told that I was sent a reply email which I never received. and was told the 90 day period now runs from the date of the reply email (that I never received). they said the reply email was sent September 17 I believe so it would have meant 90 days from then. I was really worried, and posted here the warning about this. As you know, I have now received the IL and have the interview in later November. So basically, don't worry about the extension of the 90 day period. It may not be as bad as it looks right now. Maybe you will get the IL sooner than you think! Good luck!

Needavice71 - did you get your IL as well? when is your interview? I am now glad I got mine before the hurricane hit, who know how that will affect the scheduling now.
Click to expand...

Hi Athena3, yes I received my IL. My interview is on November 28th. Hope things dont get delayed or postponed due to the hurricane.
 
An update:

Oath Letter received today.
----------------------------------------------
GC-EB1EA-Dependent-August 2007
06/11/12: N-400 FedExed to Phoenix, AZ (Day 0)
06/12/12: Package delivered (Day 1)
06/14/12: Received and routed to NBC (Email notification) (Day 3)
06/16/12: NOA Received (Day 5)
06/19/12: FP notice sent (Day 8)
06/23/12: FP notice Recd. for July 13 (Day 12)
07/06/12: FP done (Day 25)
07/30/12: In line for Interview Scheduling (Day 49)
09/04/12: Interview Scheduled (Day 84)
10/09/12: Interview Passed (Day 118)
10/12/12: In Oath Scheduling que (Day 121)
10/31/12: Oath letter sent (Day 140)
11/02/12: Oath letter recd. (Day 142)
11/27/12: Oath Day (Day 167)
 
Journey on this thread

Hello All,
After my wife becoming a citizen on 11-01-2012, I think my journey on this thread has come to an end . I want to thank you all for bearing with me and wish good luck to every one.

My struggle with immigration is still on. My kids need their I-130s upgraded, I-485s need approval and my N-400 need to complete it's journey. I hope that it ends soon.
Good luck all....
 
Help on rescheduling Interview..

I just checked my online status and it says that interview was scheduled on Nov 2nd, 2012 and IL is on its way. Never got an email or text even though I am subscribed.

I am expecting the interview date to be sometime in December, probably 2nd week. Reason being a friend of mine with same day FP(same DO, same PD, same Inline for Interview Date, scheduled - 11/1) got Interview date of Dec 11th.

Now, here is the issue. I will be travelling to India for 3 weeks starting early Dec. The trip was planned in July after FP thinking I will be done with the process by now.

What are my options? I checked my friend's IL and nowhere it mentions anything about re-scheduling interview. Has anybody rescheduled Interview? What is the process?
Your help is appreciated. Thanks!


DO - Orlando, FL
----------------
PD - June 25th
FP - July 24th
Inline for Interview - July 26th
Scheduled for Interview - Nov 2nd
 
Recvd IL

I received my IL on Nov 9th for Interview on Dec 12th. Will send a letter to USCIS to reschedule the interview since I won't be in US at that time. Will let you know once I hear back from USCIS.
 
Hi, just wanted to see if anyone has a suggestion regarding scheduling of oath ceremony. I have an interview scheduled for 11/28 (next Wed) at Federal Plaza. Assuming all goes well, I am deciding whether to wait (following the interview) for the interview letter (if I even get that option) or ask for it to be mailed. In case I just decide to have it mailed, should I ask the IO to have it sent in time for me to receive it by mid-December, so I can decide if I can leave to short Xmas vacation, or have to cancel my plans, or is it better not to mention it at all? Not sure what's the best approach is here. Have been studying timelines of people on trackitt but they seem to be inconsistent, mostly though it seems the oath date is about 4 weeks after the receipt of the oath letter (though in few cases some shorter) and people seem to receive the oath letter in 2-3 weeks in general (again, with exceptions). My dilemma is that I already have Xmas vacation plans leaving the country on Dec. 21 and coming back in on Jan 5. I know I can leave the country since it's just for the short time, as long as it is before the oath. and of course, I want to know the oath date before I leave, so to make sure it's not withing those few days I am gonne. Any advice?
 
Do they ever do same day oath in NY? If I were in your shoes I'd simply ask about it and tell the agent that your plans depend on how they schedule you. You might have better luck speaking with somebody about it, than trying to make changes after a letter comes etc.

Worst they can do is say they don't do the scheduling and you get what you get... and I've read of people rescheduling online without too much fuss.

Good luck on Wed. let us know how it goes!
 
Thank you Grashoppr. Appreciate your suggestions.

So I just got back from my interview. I passed!! I know I know but one gets so nervous for no reason, even fully prepared. And it does not help when you see someone coming back from the interview indicating they have not passed (even if others who come out did).

So here is my interview experience. Overall, not bad, just really really really long wait time. I went over an extended lunch break figuring the most it would take would be 1.5 -2 hours. Ha ha. I arrived at about 10:55am and my scheduled interview time was 11:30am (following the instructions not to arrive more than 30min prior). My interview was at the Federal Plaza building in Lower Manhattan. First there is a line to go through security but that goes pretty fast. Then you go to the 7th Floor and you enter a huuge room full of maybe 500 people (I am guessing it was 500 because that was the max capacity posted on the wall and the room looked really full). You hand in your letter and wait for them to call your name. Now, given all the foreign names, that may not be the best system. Either way, I was called in about 25 min and I got very excited. It was about 1125pm by then. An officer took me to another smaller room this time. This one was very crowded and I would estimate had about 200 people, most of them seemed to be waiting for their oath letter. And I guess few of us for the interview. I was told to wait to be called again. And waited and waited. Most often they came in calling out people for their oath letters and few times swearing in minors. A lady sitting next to me said her interview time was for 1030am and she was done by 1045am but she had been waiting for her oath letter ever since then. One hour passed, second, and I was starting to get really nervous as I had to go back to work. I could not believe it was taking this long. But there is not much you can do about that. Finally at about 145pm (2 hours 45 min after arriving) I was called in. My IO was very nice though she was taking a really long time. I spent with her maybe 25 minuts, the test was done within the first 5-7 minutes and was very fast. First though, after swearing me in, she asked me for my passport, greencard, driver ID and social security card. luckily, I brought my SScard though it was nowhere mentioned you need to bring that one in. So just make sure you bring yours to the interview as well. She did not want to see any other documents I brought in. The test was very easy and fast.
She asked me to read the sentence: "Who was George Washington?" and then write down "George Washington was the first president". Then she asked me the following 6 questions;
1) The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
2) We elect US Representative for how many years?
3) In what month we vote for President?
4) Who is Chief Justice of the United States now?
5) Who is the Father of Our Country?
6) Name one war fought by the United States in 1900s.

After I answered all the questions correctly, she congratulated me on passing the test. The remaining 20 minutes was spent on going over my application in detail, any changes and corrections, and asking me all the yes/no questions at the back. And then I had to sign couple pieces of paper, my photos and she kept checking the application and her file. Finally she left to make copies of my ID. She was friendly and easygoing, even chatting with me about my profession and job, my new middle names I am adding that were her kids name as well etc. Then she said I was done and handing me the paper confirming I passed and would receive my oath letter in 30 to 60 days. I asked her then if it would be ok for me to leave the country for short time at the end of December and she said that should be fine and that I might receive my oath letter by then and that I just need to mention at the oath that I travelled. that was it. I went back to the 'hold room" where people were still waiting for their oath letters but by then I really had to get back to work and decided to just wait for mine to be mailed. I did ask while waiting for the interview before the officer who was handing out the oath letters when my oath could possibly be scheduled for and he mentioned that because I was Manhattan and had a name change (even if a minor one), the earliest would be Dec. 7. Whether I get that date still if they mail it, who knows. I will just wait and see. If I do get the oath for 7th, then I will have to pay special expedited passport service to get mine in time before leaving. by the time i left the builing it was 230pm, so only about 3 1/2 hour later. So just come prepared for the wait. Other location may not be so bad and it may be the Manhattan thing, but one never knows. And bring your SScard too. Good luck to all!

Needadvice71, how was your experience today? I recall you being scheduled for the same date and time.

Grashoppr, any news on you receiving your IL yet?
 
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Congratulations! You are almost there, and the worst is behind you now!

Nothing new here... 152 days and counting since I filed, 149 from my priority date... hopefully soon...
 
Hi Athena3,

testing part was really easy! my appointment was 8:30am and I got there around 8:00am. Went thru the security check downstairs and up to the 7th floor in about 10 minutes. I was directed to one of the windows and they picked up my notice and was asked to wait for my name be called. I didn't wait too long. In about 15-20 minutes a young lady was reading out my name in the hallway along with two other people. She told us to follow her and asked me to wait for the other two ladies as their appt time was 7:30am and 8:00am. She said each interview would take about 20 minutes. So she came in at about 9:00am and asked me to follow her. I had no idea she was the IO until she brought me into her cubicle and asked me to raise my hand to swear in. She was really very nice and professional. She asked me to take out the Green Card, Passport and State Issued ID. Then the test bagan. Here are the questions:

1) Who wrote the decleration of independence?
2) Name 3 of the original colonies?
3) How many many political parties are in the US?
4) What is the current President's party?
5) Name one of the states which borders Mexico?
6) Who is the commander in chief of the military?

I answered them all and asked "did I pass?". She said of course. Then she started going over my file. She asked me some questions on trips made within the last 5 years, my place of residence, places I worked etc. and asked me to sign bunch of papers with old and new name. Then she asked me whether I would like to wait for the oath letter and said it could take 1-2 hours. I told I could wait since I took the day off. then she escorted me out and showed me the way to the waiting room. She was very nice, polite and professional.

Then the waiting game began. There's a room on the same floor where they ask people to wait for the oath ceremony and people who wait for the oath letter like myself. Every half hour or so an officer comes in and reads out the names of people who are ready to pick up the oath letter or swear in for citizenship. There's no sequence at all. The lady who took the exam right before me was called out in an hour and I waited for about 3.5 hours. At one point, I went and talked to the guy at the desk and he said it could take up to 4 hours and that still would be normal. At about 1:00pm my name was called out and I was pleasently surprised when I picked up my oath letter which said I was scheduled to appear for oath ceremony in two days! I am going there again tomorrow to take the oath and get my certificate. They also handed an application to apply for the passport. You fill in the paperwork and bring a check and a photo and they'll take your application right after the ceremony.
Overall, it was a great experience and I was very pleased with the service they provided there even with the long waiting time to pick up the oath letter. I am sure it will be another long wait tomorrow but still worth the wait and I can understand they are going thru ton of applications each day.

Finally the wait is over for me and I wish everyone good luck with their application.
 
needadvice71, thanks for your update. We must have been in the same holding/waiting room that day (unless they have multiple ones). Sounds like your interview went very fast and smooth and then you just ended waiting up for the oath letter. I was in that same room, where it did seem that most people were waiting for the oath letter, and a handful of us were waiting for the actual interview. My wait was very long for the interview, so I was unable to wait for the oath letter that day. But, to my great surprise (after a wait of 3 months for scheduling of interview) I received the text/email the next day that a notice was sent to me and my case status was changed to scheduled for interview. I received the oath letter only 2 days later and I am scheduled for this Friday's oath ceremony. So I will be a citizen soon as well! I am very excited about that, the only bothersome part is I have to now go in person to the local passport agency to get an expedited passport as I will be travelling soon. Hopefully, that will go smooth, and I will post about the process in case someone has to go through it too.

needadvice71 - So you must be a citizen now already! congratulations!! how was the oath ceremony? Did you have it at the Pearl St courthouse? How long did it take? also, can you tell me about the passport application being accepted right after the ceremony - does that work also for expedited passports (or just regular ones) or expedited ones as well but no guarantee to get them back before 3 weeks? I suspect I still have to go to the passport agency as I am travelling on 12/21 already but just in case I can speed up the process somehow and not have to spend yet another day/two at another governmental agency. Thanks for the info.

Grashoppr - don't despair. Hopefullly, you will get your own interview letter soon. My conclusion is that there is just no order to this whole process, no matter how much we speculate, and it's just luck of the draw. As you see, I was waiting myself 3 months for the IL but only 3 days for the OL, although others in NYC wait much longer according to TrackIt. I guess NYC is now catching up. Hopefully, Atlanta will too soon! Good luck!

my updated timeline:

New York City DO

06/04/12 Mailed N-400
06/08/12 PD
06/12/12 Email/text confirmation of receipt
06/16/12 NA received
06/30/12 FP letter received
07/23/12 FP done
08/03/12 case status changed to "in line for interview"
09/17/12 YL received
10/22/12 text/case status changed to "scheduled for interview "
10/25/12 IL received
11/28/12 interview - passed!
11/29/12 text/email/case status changed to "scheduled for oath"
12/1/12 Oath Letter received
12/7/12 Oath Ceremony
 
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Thanks :) Growing a bit impatient now. I checked online status this morning - no change. Decided to try an e-request (again)... first time it wouldn't go through because I was within processing times. Well it has now been 158 days (5 months = ~150 days give or take a day or 4)... it still won't go through online, says I'm within processing time (!!) If I have time I may try a phone call again - I read of somebody waiting on hold for over an hour for a Tier 2 rep... not relishing that thought.

I'd really hoped that something would have moved by now, but not so far. Looks like I'll be renewing another short-term driver's license before this is all said and done - at least I have a passport stamp to get me through that part, but I'll wait a bit before I venture to the DMV for that fun :-/

I keep thinking that if I take it up a level, my IL will already be in progress and I'll have escalated things for nothing. There are a few others who filed just before me who are still waiting too (and a few who have filed much later but are done already) - you're right sometimes there is no order to things.
 
I am officially a U.S. Citizen now!!! And just picked up my expedited U.S. Passport as well.

Here is my updated timeline:

New York City DO

06/04/12 Mailed N-400
06/08/12 PD
06/12/12 Email/text confirmation of receipt
06/16/12 NA received
06/30/12 FP letter received
07/23/12 FP done
08/03/12 case status changed to "in line for interview"
09/17/12 YL received
10/22/12 text/case status changed to "scheduled for interview "
10/25/12 IL received
11/28/12 interview - passed!
11/29/12 text/email/case status changed to "scheduled for oath"
12/1/12 Oath Letter received
12/7/12 Oath Ceremony (U.S Citizen!!!!!)
12/10/12 Expedited Passport applied for at the New York Passport Agency
12/11/12 U.S. Passport picked up!
 
Congratulations!

I'm late posting... been hectic for me, I'm back in Canada again for 2 weeks tending to my Mom... again. After lung cancer surgery (that was successful in ridding her completely of the cancer - yay!), she had a minor heart attack on Saturday. She should be out of hospital tomorrow... but I digress (she should be just fine...)

On the 11th, the night before I was flying out, I got the text/email that I've been scheduled for interview. (Filed 6/29, PD 7/2, FP 7/26, in line since 7/30 - Atlanta DO). The letter hasn't come yet but my better half at home will open the letter for me when it comes so I'll know the date. I expect the letter should show up in the next day or two.

Finally... Atlanta's moving. 2 others who applied around the same time as me, also got their update on the 11th as well. They seem to move in bunches in the ATL.
 
Just want to give an update to those who live in NYC.

Interview letter was mailed to me on Oct 27th
Interview was scheduled for December 4th
Interview was nerve racking but passed it. The officer said she could not make the decision right away so she would mail me the letter.
Oath letter was sent to me on Dec 7th
Received it on Dec 8th
Oath ceremony scheduled at 225 Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn NY for tomorrow, Dec 18, at 8:30 in the morning.


Hopefully everything will go fine..
 
mkhwaja said:
Just want to give an update to those who live in NYC.

Interview letter was mailed to me on Oct 27th
Interview was scheduled for December 4th
Interview was nerve racking but passed it. The officer said she could not make the decision right away so she would mail me the letter.
Oath letter was sent to me on Dec 7th
Received it on Dec 8th
Oath ceremony scheduled at 225 Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn NY for tomorrow, Dec 18, at 8:30 in the morning.


Hopefully everything will go fine..
Click to expand...

Congratulations!!!
 
Just got word, IL came yesterday. Interview is 1/15 at 10:45 AM!

N-400 mailed: June 29/12
Priority Date: July 2/12
Fingerprints done: July 26/12
In Line for Interview: July 30/12
Yellow Letter Received: October 1/12
Interview Letter Received 12/17/12
Interview: 1/15/13
Oath: ??
 
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