N-400 Receipting Update (Frontlog!)

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immigrateful

Registered Users (C)
According to the USCIS press releases on receipting updates (August 3 & August 10), it looks like most service centers are overwhelmed with new N-400 applications and are providing receipts for applications received about 3 weeks ago. Moreover they are able to process applications for receipts only 1 or 2 days per week. This will probably get even worse as they start processing applications for the last 2 weeks of July which most likely saw a surge in applications due to the new fee schedule deadline.

I think we should anticipate prolonged processing times for the entire citizenship process.

Doesn't the USCIS guarantee decisions within 6 months of applying? Can anything be done to mount pressure on the USCIS to make good on that guarantee?

Press release at:

http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/ReceiptingTimes080307.pdf
http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/ReceiptingTimes081007.pdf
 
Doesn't the USCIS guarantee decisions within 6 months of applying?

Whoa! I see people waiting much much longer even before this last minute July thingy.
 
youd think with the fee increase, that they hired more people, maybe open a few more service centers and process faster, i mean why pay more money for crappier service
 
js360 said:
youd think with the fee increase, that they hired more people, maybe open a few more service centers and process faster, i mean why pay more money for crappier service
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The key phrase in the above is "you'd think" - then stop right there :)
 
js360 said:
youd think with the fee increase, that they hired more people, maybe open a few more service centers and process faster, i mean why pay more money for crappier service
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This makes sense - the fee hike was substantial so they should utilize at least some of those funds towards making the whole process faster.

Or perhaps all of the funds will be spent on security related matters. Who knows.
 
IMO - there is going to be NO improvement in speed, and it will get worse because so many have applied in June and July 2007
 
CrossHairs said:
IMO - there is going to be NO improvement in speed, and it will get worse because so many have applied in June and July 2007
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CrossHairs,
Based on my decade-long interaction with the INS/BCIS/USCIS, I would definitely concur with your opinion. However, on the brighter side, the USCIS is getting better every year. The website now offers much more information - one can even check his/her case status online. There is now more transparency. There is definitely an attempt to process applications within 6 months.

There is still a lot of ground to cover but I'm hoping we will get lucky and our N-400s will be processed in timely manner. But you are right - given it's track record, we should not expect too much.
 
Immigrateful,
I hope so too.

Regarding the - "one can even check his/her case status online"...I read here that many people have found the online system either broken or inaccurate. For some the case does note even appear and they finish their oath at some stage!

But I too hope like you said - hope springs eternal :-)
 
Does the USCIS deposit the checks for clearance as soon as the the application arrives at the service center for frontlogged applications or do they wait until they record the receipt date in the system? It would not make very good business sense if they do the latter.
 
It's hard to say, but I would interpret front log as no one opens your envelope until the time comes for it, upon which time they will open the envelope and get your application and cheque and process the cheque after minimal verification of the application is made.

Summing up, with frontlog I very much doubt (as gleamed also from other posts) that they process the payment as the envelope arrives.

My 2 cents
 
The USCIS Adjudicator's Field Manual gives some Insight into the initial processing of incoming applications:
10.1 Receipting and Acceptance Processing.
(1) Open In-coming Mail; Deposit Fees .
[...]Mail should be opened the same day it is received. When this is not possible, arrangements must be made to record the actual date on which the mail is received from the post office or private courier so that the receipt date can later be recorded on the application or petition itself. The receipt date is important to ensure fair, chronological processing and to enable efficien t case tracking. Most importantly, the receipt date may be critically important in determining an applicant’s legal eligibility for a particular benefit. It is important that all mail be opened; fees removed, logged and deposited; and initial data entry completed as soon as possible.
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Mailing out the I-797 is less critical than opening the incoming mail as soon as possible and assigning a case number.
 
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