Hi
I aggree that " It's really very sad to post that DC and FAIRFAX DOs' are far behind the nation in terms of processing the N400 applications".
I FILED MY n-400 on Feb 14, 2008 and I had my interview on sep 26, 2008 at washington dc field office and I was recommanded for approval. I am still waiting for the oath letter.
I schedule an infopass on 11/07/08 to seek an update since i could not access my case file using uscis web services. DURING THE INFOPASS SESSION, I WAS TOLD" Our records indicate that your application is in the queue for a judicial naturalization
through the court in Washington, DC. Unfortunately, the queue for the court
in the district is large and I cannot project a date for your ceremony at this time".
That was not I want to hear, "...name in the queue....waiting...large...cannot project..." what I want to hear is " you passed your interview, approaved and come back for the oath in the same day, and that will be great.
These is all bad and can be describe as poor service. In this edge of technology, name check, qualification can be verified on the fly if it was set right". I think having DHS on the top level of command should be able to extract all the information from all the agencies (FBI, DMV, Embassy, public records,...), but they have failed miserably.
These are the steps That I will take: Since The USCIS could not project the exact ceremony date due to large waiting list in DC court.
1. By Nov, 25, 08 ( 2m pass): file an inquiry with uscis 1800 and I have already set up an infopass.
2. By dec 25, 08 (3m pass): I will repeat the previous step
3. By Jan 24, 09 (120 days): a day after I will send a certified letter with returned receipt to USCIS SAYING that I completed the naturalization interview and has not received a decision nor an oath letter within 120 days, therefore, i WANT THEM TO EXPIDITE MY APPLICATION. IFTHERE RESPOND FALL SHORT AGAIN. i WILL GO HEAD AND FILE A PETITION TO THE COURT.
pet
PS: IF THE USCIS ARE INCREASING THEIR FEES TO EASE AND EXPIDITE THE PROCESS, THEN THEY MUST BE HOLD LIABLE IF THEY FALL SHORT ON THEIR END.
If you made mistake in your n400, or you have criminal record or even too many traffic ticket they will not hesitate to deny your app. They are trained to follow their set of rules, thus if they fall short in their end they should be also hold liable as I said before.
Who is eligible to sue the USCIS?
"Virtually anyone who has an immigration application pending and has been waiting for an unreasonable amount of time for an answer is eligible to sue the USCIS. In general, some courts have found that waiting times that go months beyond the average processing time for a particular application, as recorded on the immigration website:
www.uscis.gov/processingtimes/, are considered unreasonable."
I suggest that you keep in touch with uscis for the next 120 days to avoid any uncessary delay
