I'm sure there has been other people in my situation, but after reading over a dozen pages in the forum, and all the FAQs, I could not come up with a clear answer, so any help would be much appreciated:
My wife (of 15 years) and I both filed our N-400's back in May 2007. My wife got her citizenship in March 2008. I'm still waiting for an interview date...
I wasn't much worried about the delay until about July 2008. Since then I've been trying the official channels with no luck. And it has gotten quite irritating that the process has gotten stuck at some point. So, I would like to figure out what I need to do next. My life doesn't depend on the citizenship, so I'm not quite on top of things as everyone in this forum seems to be, but I'm hoping you can help.
Here is all my communication so far:
Priority Date: June 4, 2007
FP notification: June 22, 2007
FP complete: July 11, 2007
I received absolutely nothing after this until July 2008. On July 28, 2008 I called the 800 line for USCIS. After establishing that it was outside of normal processing times, the rep sent an inquiry to the Detroit Field Office (I live in mid-Michigan) and told me to call back if I don't hear anything in 6 weeks.
On September 15, having still heard nothing, I made another phone call. A second inquiry was sent. On September 17, I received an email notifying me that my case was still being actively processed and that I should contact them again in 2 months if I don't hear anything.
On October 31, 2008 I received a notice for second FP since the first one expired. On November 14, I was FP'ed for a second time.
On January 15th, I called for a third time. Another inquiry was sent to the Detroit Field Office with a specific notation that this was the third request.
On January 26th, I received a letter from the Detroit Field Office that said: "We are actively processing this case. However, we have to perform additional review on this case and this has caused a longer processing time. If you do not receive a decision or other notice of action from us within 6 months o this letter, please call customer service at the number provided below." (bold mine). So, they are asking for another 6 months, after it has already been 19 months since my N400!
My case should be simple. I have been in the US for 15 years, first as a student, then as a green card holder, always in status. I have filed and paid all my taxes. I have no criminal record, never been arrested. Yes, I have a few speeding tickets, but all have been paid and under $200 (not mentioned on N400). I have an extremely uncommon name. Both my first and last names are quite uncommon, so the combination is even more rare. As far as I know I'm the only one in the world with that name (I'm sure I'm the only one mentioned on the Internet since I'm the only one that comes up with a search). I do travel somewhat (both business and pleasure), but never stayed outside for longer than 2-3 weeks at a time (In my N400, I had 26 trips for 144 days in the last 5 years).
So, I fail to understand what has taken so long, and the fact that I don't get any information other than "additional review" and "don't call us for 6 months".
Oh, one more thing. I don't know if this means anything, but the phone reps always tell me my case is with the Detroit Field Office. But, when I enter my receipt# on the website it says the case is at the Nebraska Service Center... The website simply shows "Case received and pending" as the status.
What should my next steps be? Can I do anything to learn more? Can I do anything to expedite it at this point?
Thanks in advance!
My wife (of 15 years) and I both filed our N-400's back in May 2007. My wife got her citizenship in March 2008. I'm still waiting for an interview date...
I wasn't much worried about the delay until about July 2008. Since then I've been trying the official channels with no luck. And it has gotten quite irritating that the process has gotten stuck at some point. So, I would like to figure out what I need to do next. My life doesn't depend on the citizenship, so I'm not quite on top of things as everyone in this forum seems to be, but I'm hoping you can help.
Here is all my communication so far:
Priority Date: June 4, 2007
FP notification: June 22, 2007
FP complete: July 11, 2007
I received absolutely nothing after this until July 2008. On July 28, 2008 I called the 800 line for USCIS. After establishing that it was outside of normal processing times, the rep sent an inquiry to the Detroit Field Office (I live in mid-Michigan) and told me to call back if I don't hear anything in 6 weeks.
On September 15, having still heard nothing, I made another phone call. A second inquiry was sent. On September 17, I received an email notifying me that my case was still being actively processed and that I should contact them again in 2 months if I don't hear anything.
On October 31, 2008 I received a notice for second FP since the first one expired. On November 14, I was FP'ed for a second time.
On January 15th, I called for a third time. Another inquiry was sent to the Detroit Field Office with a specific notation that this was the third request.
On January 26th, I received a letter from the Detroit Field Office that said: "We are actively processing this case. However, we have to perform additional review on this case and this has caused a longer processing time. If you do not receive a decision or other notice of action from us within 6 months o this letter, please call customer service at the number provided below." (bold mine). So, they are asking for another 6 months, after it has already been 19 months since my N400!
My case should be simple. I have been in the US for 15 years, first as a student, then as a green card holder, always in status. I have filed and paid all my taxes. I have no criminal record, never been arrested. Yes, I have a few speeding tickets, but all have been paid and under $200 (not mentioned on N400). I have an extremely uncommon name. Both my first and last names are quite uncommon, so the combination is even more rare. As far as I know I'm the only one in the world with that name (I'm sure I'm the only one mentioned on the Internet since I'm the only one that comes up with a search). I do travel somewhat (both business and pleasure), but never stayed outside for longer than 2-3 weeks at a time (In my N400, I had 26 trips for 144 days in the last 5 years).
So, I fail to understand what has taken so long, and the fact that I don't get any information other than "additional review" and "don't call us for 6 months".
Oh, one more thing. I don't know if this means anything, but the phone reps always tell me my case is with the Detroit Field Office. But, when I enter my receipt# on the website it says the case is at the Nebraska Service Center... The website simply shows "Case received and pending" as the status.
What should my next steps be? Can I do anything to learn more? Can I do anything to expedite it at this point?
Thanks in advance!
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