WPB , the sequel
WPB DO stood me up once already. This is my second N-400 application and another few $$hundreds paid.
The first time, I applied on a basis of being married to an American citizen:
I had PD of 06/20/2001. After 2 years(!) and 2 months, I finally had my interview on 08/18/2003. Then there was NOTHING!.. In January 2004, I made an appointment and went to the office to check if my case was lost or if there were any problems. I was answered that everything was fine and my case was 'in process'. Eight(!) months later and exactly
one year since the interview, in August 2004, I received a letter for another fingerprinting appointment. Since then, there had been DEAD SILENCE again... and congressman Wexler's interference could not speed up the process despite three inquiries made on my behalf.
...In the meantime, my married life had been on decline for quite some time, I had to leave my husband (couldn't take it anymore!). I did not care for divorce but since I left him, my husband got a quick divorce... which put an end to my marital status as the basis for N-400. It was 8 years since we got married and
3.5 years since I filed! Should INS have been speedier and more efficient, I wouldn't have been reading these boards now
...I then wrote a letter to USCIS, made an Infopass appt., and brought it in personally to Fern street office to notify them that I had to withdraw my application and will reapply again.
PUNCHLINE: the officer asked me, "Who told you that bull that you have to abandon your case because of divorce?" I said I would be happy to learn that I was wrong but this is what their immigration law says. He had to call his supervisor who confirmed that I did the right thing:
if applying on a basis of marriage, you have to retain your married status until after the oath. Ladies applying on the basis of marriage, keep in mind that not only you have to be married to the same US citizen at the time of application but also be sure you marriage will last at least until after you take the oath! (Of course, I was sure that my marriage would last forever... but looking back now, I wish I waited until 5 yrs since I got my GC and applied then rather than counting on my then-husband).
WPB office is extremely slow, unprofessional, and unaccountable, according to my experience. Good luck to everyone waiting in line with me here!
