Relocating for U.S Citizenship?

W

wantmygcnow

Volunteer Moderator
Can anyone(thankful?) shed a light on this? Since the wait time in DC for processing is 18 months, is it viable for somoene to relocate say 3 months before they are eligible. I am eligible in August 09, I was thinking of moving to somewhere like Idaho(wait time 4 months) in May 09...and get some job there.

Will they decline you because you are moving for processing?
 
wantmygcnow said:
Can anyone(thankful?) shed a light on this? Since the wait time in DC for processing is 18 months, is it viable for somoene to relocate say 3 months before they are eligible. I am eligible in August 09, I was thinking of moving to somewhere like Idaho(wait time 4 months) in May 09...and get some job there.

Will they decline you because you are moving for processing?
Click to expand...

If it is a genuine relocation there is no reason for them to deny it subject to one important requirement. You must have lived in the state (or the USCIS District) for three months before you can submit your form. So if you move from DC to South Bend, IN today then you cannot apply until August 6, 2008 even if you meet other requirements. Do that make sense?

That seems like a HUGE sacrifice to make though. You will kick yourself if after you move there the processing time in your new location lengthens.
 
thankful said:
If it is a genuine relocation there is no reason for them to deny it subject to one important requirement. You must have lived in the state (or the USCIS District) for three months before you can submit your form. So if you move from DC to South Bend, IN today then you cannot apply until August 6, 2008 even if you meet other requirements. Do that make sense?

That seems like a HUGE sacrifice to make though. You will kick yourself if after you move there the processing time in your new location lengthens.
Click to expand...

Thanks. What is a genuine relocation? OFcourse I am moving so I can get my U.S Citizenshpi faster for personal reasons(my wife's h1 expires in Jan 09) so she has to be out of here.
 
wantmygcnow said:
Can anyone(thankful?) shed a light on this? Since the wait time in DC for processing is 18 months, is it viable for somoene to relocate say 3 months before they are eligible. I am eligible in August 09, I was thinking of moving to somewhere like Idaho(wait time 4 months) in May 09...and get some job there.

Will they decline you because you are moving for processing?
Click to expand...

dear WANT: DO YOU KNOW THE PROCESSING TIME FOR HAWAII,

I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING, I WAS PLANNING TO MOVE FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO HAWAII, I THOUGHT ITS EASY THERE
 
John Smith 1 said:
dear WANT: DO YOU KNOW THE PROCESSING TIME FOR HAWAII,

I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING, I WAS PLANNING TO MOVE FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO HAWAII, I THOUGHT ITS EASY THERE
Click to expand...

Projected Local USCIS Office Processing Times at end of September 2008



Office Months Office Months
Agana, Guam
8.6

Memphis, TN
9.8

Albany, NY
7.2

Miami, FL
14.2

Albuquerque, NM
8.7

Milwaukee, WI
6.8

Anchorage, AK
8.7

Mount Laurel, NJ
11.6

Atlanta, GA
9.9

New Orleans, LA
14.5

Baltimore, MD
14

New York, NY
10.1

Boise, ID
14.2

Newark, NJ
10.3

Boston, MA
9.9

Norfolk, VA
14.6

Buffalo, NY
6.4

Oklahoma City, OK
8.6

Charleston, SC
14.1

Omaha, NE
5.8

Charlotte Amalie, VI
7.9

Orlando, FL
14.4

Charlotte, NC
14.4

Philadelphia, PA
11.8

Chicago, IL
8.6

Phoenix, AZ
14.4

Cincinnati, OH
7.5

Pittsburgh, PA
6

Cleveland, OH
7.5

Portland, ME
7.3

Columbus, OH
7.4

Portland, OR
9.7

Dallas, TX
13.7

Providence, RI
14.2

Denver, CO
8.2

Reno, NV
7.3

Des Moines, IA
5.8

Sacramento, CA
7.8

Detroit, MI
8

Salt Lake City, UT
8.6

El Paso, TX
14.2

San Antonio, TX
9.8

Fort Smith, AR
8.6

San Diego, CA
9.1

Fresno, CA
12.6

San Francisco, CA
8.6

Harlingen, TX
6.5

San Jose, CA
14.2

Hartford, CT
14.3

San Juan, PR
13

Helena, MT
5

Seattle, WA
9.8

Honolulu, HI
6.8

Spokane, WA
6.9

Houston, TX
14

St Albans, VT
8.3

Indianapolis, IN
5.7

St Louis, MO
10.8

Jacksonville, FL
7.6

St Paul, MN
8.6

Kansas City, MO
10.4

Tampa, FL
11.3

Las Vegas, NV
14.1

Tucson, AZ
14.4

Los Angeles, CA
14.3

Washington, DC
14.7

Louisville, KY
7.1

West Palm Beach, FL
9

Manchester, NH
14.6

Yakima, WA
14.1
 
wantmygcnow said:
Thanks. What is a genuine relocation? OFcourse I am moving so I can get my U.S Citizenshpi faster for personal reasons(my wife's h1 expires in Jan 09) so she has to be out of here.
Click to expand...

A move is not genuine if they conclude you have only have a sham home there to file an immigration related application and your actual home is elsewhere. This happens a lot in asylum cases because some asylum offices are more sympathetic to certain types of applicants.
 
Well but don't ppl move all the time ?? I am thinking of moving this year in sept if I find a job. If u have a steady job for over a year where you are applying, I don't see a problem
 
How come there is such a big difference between San Francisco (8.6 months) and San Jose (14.2 months). There is only 2 hour drive between the two cities. Unfortunately I'm in San Jose, may consider moving to San Francisco then.
 
What do you think about 2009, these processing times are going down based on the following?

1- Elections are over (less people asking for citizenship)
2- Impact of Fee price increase is over.
3- USCIS hired more employees

Share your thoughts.





wantmygcnow said:
Projected Local USCIS Office Processing Times at end of September 2008



Office Months Office Months
Agana, Guam
8.6

Memphis, TN
9.8

Albany, NY
7.2

Miami, FL
14.2

Albuquerque, NM
8.7

Milwaukee, WI
6.8

Anchorage, AK
8.7

Mount Laurel, NJ
11.6

Atlanta, GA
9.9

New Orleans, LA
14.5

Baltimore, MD
14

New York, NY
10.1

Boise, ID
14.2

Newark, NJ
10.3

Boston, MA
9.9

Norfolk, VA
14.6

Buffalo, NY
6.4

Oklahoma City, OK
8.6

Charleston, SC
14.1

Omaha, NE
5.8

Charlotte Amalie, VI
7.9

Orlando, FL
14.4

Charlotte, NC
14.4

Philadelphia, PA
11.8

Chicago, IL
8.6

Phoenix, AZ
14.4

Cincinnati, OH
7.5

Pittsburgh, PA
6

Cleveland, OH
7.5

Portland, ME
7.3

Columbus, OH
7.4

Portland, OR
9.7

Dallas, TX
13.7

Providence, RI
14.2

Denver, CO
8.2

Reno, NV
7.3

Des Moines, IA
5.8

Sacramento, CA
7.8

Detroit, MI
8

Salt Lake City, UT
8.6

El Paso, TX
14.2

San Antonio, TX
9.8

Fort Smith, AR
8.6

San Diego, CA
9.1

Fresno, CA
12.6

San Francisco, CA
8.6

Harlingen, TX
6.5

San Jose, CA
14.2

Hartford, CT
14.3

San Juan, PR
13

Helena, MT
5

Seattle, WA
9.8

Honolulu, HI
6.8

Spokane, WA
6.9

Houston, TX
14

St Albans, VT
8.3

Indianapolis, IN
5.7

St Louis, MO
10.8

Jacksonville, FL
7.6

St Paul, MN
8.6

Kansas City, MO
10.4

Tampa, FL
11.3

Las Vegas, NV
14.1

Tucson, AZ
14.4

Los Angeles, CA
14.3

Washington, DC
14.7

Louisville, KY
7.1

West Palm Beach, FL
9

Manchester, NH
14.6

Yakima, WA
14.1
Click to expand...
 
wantmygcnow said:
Can anyone(thankful?) shed a light on this? Since the wait time in DC for processing is 18 months, is it viable for somoene to relocate say 3 months before they are eligible. I am eligible in August 09, I was thinking of moving to somewhere like Idaho(wait time 4 months) in May 09...and get some job there.

Will they decline you because you are moving for processing?
Click to expand...

If you live in DC area you dont' have to change your job. You can just move to Maryland. I have been following the Baltimore processing time and it seems that they process N-400 within 6-8 months. I live in DC and plan to move to Maryland, chevy chase, which is practically DC, before I apply for my citizenship.

Gino
 
Flashington said:
What do you think about 2009, these processing times are going down based on the following?

1- Elections are over (less people asking for citizenship)
2- Impact of Fee price increase is over.
3- USCIS hired more employees

Share your thoughts.
Click to expand...

One thing has been proven over time with USCIS is if a backlog is there, its there forever. No matter how many ppl they hire or what they do, it never seems to go away.

So no this wont change by 2009.
 
I think, there is no need to move.....

USCIS is hiring more people. Waiting lines are not so long any more. If they continue by the same road by the time you apply for citizenship waiting times will be close to 6 months everywhere.

Do you remember what happen with asylum adjustment......waiting lines of 5 to 10 years........now a days just one year.

I'll be applying June 1 2009.
 
lookingforgreen said:
USCIS is hiring more people. Waiting lines are not so long any more. If they continue by the same road by the time you apply for citizenship waiting times will be close to 6 months everywhere.

Do you remember what happen with asylum adjustment......waiting lines of 5 to 10 years........now a days just one year.

I'll be applying June 1 2009.
Click to expand...

Asylum adjustment delay was because of the quota. Plus remmeber, they said by Sep 2006, wait time for ASylum GC will be 6 months? That never happened.

You can't trust USCIS with timeframes.
 
wantmygcnow said:
Can anyone(thankful?) shed a light on this? Since the wait time in DC for processing is 18 months, is it viable for somoene to relocate say 3 months before they are eligible. I am eligible in August 09, I was thinking of moving to somewhere like Idaho(wait time 4 months) in May 09...and get some job there.

Will they decline you because you are moving for processing?
Click to expand...

Hey Want -

There should be no problem whatsoever if you move - in fact, you do not have to give a reason. It can be for any reason, school, work, better quality of life, less noise pollution, etc.

I myself have lived in NOVA for a long time until I decided to move to Western New York - suburbs of Buffalo for several reasons: 1) closer to relatives, 2) graduate school here that I liked out of all I applied for, 3) better quality of life (even if it is colder), 4) was able to take my job with me, 5) faster processing time. I moved here summer of 2005 and never looked back. Even with the backlog, I was processed within 7 months and will be sworn in less than 9 months from applying in August 2007. I think the Buffalo DO is now processing Feb/March 2008 applicants for naturalization. I think oath is held 2x a month and done by the court unlike NOVA which is same day oath - but I'd take faster processing over same day oath any day!

Bottom line, go ahead and move and the sooner, the better. This way you do not look like you are moving for N-400 processing only. If asked at the interview, and I was asked casually, I simply said for personal development/growth - and that was that.
 
LolaLi said:
Hey Want -

There should be no problem whatsoever if you move - in fact, you do not have to give a reason. It can be for any reason, school, work, better quality of life, less noise pollution, etc.

I myself have lived in NOVA for a long time until I decided to move to Western New York - suburbs of Buffalo for several reasons: 1) closer to relatives, 2) graduate school here that I liked out of all I applied for, 3) better quality of life (even if it is colder), 4) was able to take my job with me, 5) faster processing time. I moved here summer of 2005 and never looked back. Even with the backlog, I was processed within 7 months and will be sworn in less than 9 months from applying in August 2007. I think the Buffalo DO is now processing Feb/March 2008 applicants for naturalization. I think oath is held 2x a month and done by the court unlike NOVA which is same day oath - but I'd take faster processing over same day oath any day!

Bottom line, go ahead and move and the sooner, the better. This way you do not look like you are moving for N-400 processing only. If asked at the interview, and I was asked casually, I simply said for personal development/growth - and that was that.
Click to expand...

Lolali, it would be great if you could post your entire u.s citizenship experience. Everyone is begging for it. Can you please elaborate..like did they ask you about ur asylum etc..
 
Today's Washington Post:


Mark Sapir got fed up waiting years for immigration officials to act on his citizenship application. So the native of Russia did the most American thing he could think of: He filed a lawsuit.

Sapir, a mathematics professor at Vanderbilt University, asked a federal court to enforce the law that requires U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to decide whether to grant citizenship within 120 days of interviewing an applicant. In Sapir's case, that deadline had long passed.

"Since nothing worked, I decided this was the only thing I can do," Sapir said in an interview last week.

He is not alone. An increasing number of immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship are using legal action to force a decision from the perennially backlogged immigration office, which in 2003 became a part of the new Department of Homeland Security.

In fiscal 2005, applicants filed 370 such lawsuits against the agency. By last year, the number had jumped to 3,900, and applications this year are on pace to surpass 5,200.

"We acknowledge a significant increase in litigation against the agency during the last few years," CIS spokesman William G. Wright said in an e-mail.

A big reason for the agency's slow pace is that immigration officials began scrutinizing applicants' backgrounds more extensively after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Applicants for citizenship must undergo an FBI name check to determine whether they appear on any terrorism watch lists or are mentioned in a federal law enforcement investigation. If red flags arise, the applicant must prove that he is not the person in question.

Since October, immigration officials have submitted 792,397 name check requests to the FBI. In March, 345,600 were pending, including 72,000 that had been in process for more than six months.




"We are making significant progress in reducing the backlog," said Wright, who noted that the vast majority of name checks are completed within six months.

Sapir and his family came to the United States in 1991 on a work visa, obtained permanent resident status in 1994 and applied for citizenship in 1999. In 2000, immigration officials interviewed them and gave them the required exams in English, civics and U.S. history, all of which they passed.

"After that, nothing happened for like three years, during which I tried all possible ways to speed it up," Sapir said. "After some time, it was clear they had lost my file."

By April 2003, Sapir decided that he had waited long enough. With the help of an attorney, he filed his federal lawsuit that month. He even managed to garner some press coverage. A trial was set for August 2003, but it never got that far. By July, he and his wife and their older daughter had been granted citizenship. (Two of his other children were U.S. citizens by virtue of being born here.)

The court ordered the government to pay half of Sapir's legal fees -- about $4,000, he said.

The government received nearly 1.4 million applications for naturalization last year, according to federal figures. Most applicants will never reach the point where suing the government would make sense tactically, and even among those who do, the cost might be a powerful deterrent.

Such lawsuits cannot force immigration officials to grant citizenship only to make a timely decision on an application. In defending itself in these cases, the government has argued that the "examination" stage includes the FBI check, so the 120-day clock should not begin ticking until that is completed.

Federal courts have come down on both sides, experts say. Even so, filing a lawsuit has become an increasingly popular tactic.

"The mere bringing of an action puts pressure on the immigration service by the assistant U.S. attorneys, who call them and say, 'Look, I don't want to deal with these 400 cases. Why aren't you acting on them?' " said Muzaffar A. Chishti, a lawyer and senior official at the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan Washington think tank.

"And that inevitably may result in the senior bureaucrats making those cases rise to the top of the pile."
 
wantmygcnow said:
Lolali, it would be great if you could post your entire u.s citizenship experience. Everyone is begging for it. Can you please elaborate..like did they ask you about ur asylum etc..
Click to expand...

I'll get this done today - I promise. I started typing it out on my PC but completely slacked on it.
 
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