N-400 - March 2009 Applicants

[bluehills73 2]

I just tried calling to get a more up to date status and got nowhere. Those who get errors on the website are lucky because they can actually get someone to look at an internal system.

I recently applied for Social Security Disability and my confirmation number didn't work on their website. They were much more receptive to status inquiries over the phone than USCIS seems to be. Social Security was much faster too. They processed my case in just over a month.

I've been using this cool website where it gives you all the shortcuts to talk to a human rep. instead of holding endlessly on the phone:

http://www.get2human.com

Just look for uscis by clicking on the letter 'u' on the left side of the screen, it'll give you all the prompts to be able to get to someone.

And firmly ask to talk to someone on a higher level, I did it last week and got through.Good luck!

Tini,

You are welcome. I just have a qn. Shall I take my wife with me for the interview? She hasn't filed anything for citizenship but She is in H1B status and 6 months pregnant. If I bring her with me will that be helpful for my interview in case the IO wanted to asked any questions with her? Since this is not her AOS but wanted to clarify with you guys. Thank you.

[queendlee 0]

I just tried calling to get a more up to date status and got nowhere. Those who get errors on the website are lucky because they can actually get someone to look at an internal system.

I recently applied for Social Security Disability and my confirmation number didn't work on their website. They were much more receptive to status inquiries over the phone than USCIS seems to be. Social Security was much faster too. They processed my case in just over a month.

I've been using this cool website where it gives you all the shortcuts to talk to a human rep. instead of holding endlessly on the phone:

http://www.get2human.com

Just look for uscis by clicking on the letter 'u' on the left side of the screen, it'll give you all the prompts to be able to get to someone.

And firmly ask to talk to someone on a higher level, I did it last week and got through.Good luck!

I did not get them quite that way, i selected option 1 for english, then 2 for tracking, then 3 for not having my receipt number, then explained to them that the system was not working (you could also say it's not updating).

Thanks Tini27 for that site, I am sure I will use it for other things! You're so helpful!!!

Edited May 19, 2009 by queendlee

[queendlee 0]

I just tried calling to get a more up to date status and got nowhere. Those who get errors on the website are lucky because they can actually get someone to look at an internal system.

I recently applied for Social Security Disability and my confirmation number didn't work on their website. They were much more receptive to status inquiries over the phone than USCIS seems to be. Social Security was much faster too. They processed my case in just over a month.

i suggest to say to them that your info does not appear to be updating and see if they will give you more info. Try the prompts I gave above and see if it works... but as many people can attest to, everything depends on the person who you may get on the phone. For my AOS, i called for an update and they told me to wait til i am 60 days outside of the priority date.

Edited May 19, 2009 by queendlee

[jsnearline 2]

I tried calling again... three times... Each time the representatives refused to transfer me. They told me I would have to make an InfoPass.

What the @#$% is the 800 number there for then?

[queendlee 0]

I tried calling again... three times... Each time the representatives refused to transfer me. They told me I would have to make an InfoPass.

What the @#$% is the 800 number there for then?

They are messed up, as i said and you very well experienced, they are iffy. If you can manage to, call at different times of the day or week you may get different responses... but they make it painful. We are immigrants to them, so it does not matter i guess.

Hang in there... they have to process your file sometime w/in the processing time (I know its not consolation though).

I am sure many of us are worried b/c of the economy, you never know how long it will be that you have a job, or may need to move to find work or the restrictions placed on some jobs based on residency or citizenship etc. i have seen a few non-federal jobs asking for USC.

[Tini27 0]

I tried calling again... three times... Each time the representatives refused to transfer me. They told me I would have to make an InfoPass.

What the @#$% is the 800 number there for then?

They are messed up, as i said and you very well experienced, they are iffy. If you can manage to, call at different times of the day or week you may get different responses... but they make it painful. We are immigrants to them, so it does not matter i guess.

Hang in there... they have to process your file sometime w/in the processing time (I know its not consolation though).

I am sure many of us are worried b/c of the economy, you never know how long it will be that you have a job, or may need to move to find work or the restrictions placed on some jobs based on residency or citizenship etc. i have seen a few non-federal jobs asking for USC.

@queendlee, you're right!! they're so messed up!! Sometimes you just get lucky on the phone and sometimes it's a nightmare!! No consistency!!

@jsnearline, try them at # times like queendlee said, it's your best bet, you may get to a customer rep who will transfer you to higher IO. I know this whole thing can be a pain but hopefully you'll get to talk to someone shortly. Also, could you try to get your rep or senator's office to call them? Or even a lawyer friend? Sometimes that will yield better results, it gives it an "official layer".

[motu 5]

thanks for your kindness Tina27...hopefully we`ll get it this week...what do you think...?

I actually have couple questions that

-my wife will not be able to come to the interview with me since she just changed jobs she doesnt have any vacatioin or sick time ...

-and i filed the taxes done with federal but still havent paid the state taxes due to my wifes unemployment and INS sucked all my wallet

should I worry about those things...?

thanks in advance

Hey gyenigun" I sent you a PM about federal taxes - same holds true for state taxes. Actually you don't need to send copies of state tax returns - I never did (for my wife's K1, AOS, removal and now Citizenship). Relax. Good Luck

[gyenigun 0]

thanks for your kindness Tina27...hopefully we`ll get it this week...what do you think...?

I actually have couple questions that

-my wife will not be able to come to the interview with me since she just changed jobs she doesnt have any vacatioin or sick time ...

-and i filed the taxes done with federal but still havent paid the state taxes due to my wifes unemployment and INS sucked all my wallet

should I worry about those things...?

thanks in advance

Hey gyenigun" I sent you a PM about federal taxes - same holds true for state taxes. Actually you don't need to send copies of state tax returns - I never did (for my wife's K1, AOS, removal and now Citizenship). Relax. Good Luck

thank you vey much... i really do appreciate the quick answer...it was very helpfull..thanks again and you have a wonderful day...

[meogia 0]

Just want to share with you guys my 2 cents. Hope it'll help when you call uscis.

I've just used the instruction on www.get2human.com to call uscis at 5:25 PM today. I didn't think anybody will pick up the phone at this late hour, but I gave it a shot anyway. It went through almost immediately and I was able to talk to both a representative and a data analyst. Looks like nobody call uscis after 5:00 PM.

First, I told the representative that I got a yellow letter from uscis 02 weeks ago, requesting me to bring "...." to the interview. I have been longing for the interview letter but still have not received it yet. So, she told me to hold on, she would transfer me to the data analyst, or something like that.

When connected to the analyst, I told him the same statement as to the representative. He asked for my green card number, looked up data and told me everything was fine and hurried to get me off the phone. So I asked if he could give me a few seconds to explain my case. I tried to win his sympathy, telling him that my co-worker and I are state employees (which is true), both of us filed for naturalization about the same time, and he got his interview letter almost 2 weeks ago, but I still haven't got my yet. So he started asking me about my address, date of birth... to verify my identification before informing me that my interview letter was sent out this morning, and I will be scheduled for interview in "city", July "date", at 7:30... Then "I am so happy to hear this", "thank you so much", "I appreciate your help"...

Now I will wait till friday to see if I get my letter or I have to call them again.

Edited May 20, 2009 by meogia

[doxATL 0]

I tried calling again... three times... Each time the representatives refused to transfer me. They told me I would have to make an InfoPass.

What the @#$% is the 800 number there for then?

Hey jsnearline, here is a tip that works ALL THE TIME!!!!

When you call the 800#, then do 1-2-3

The first operator who picks your call will ask for your receipt #,

TIP: TELL HIM/HER that that's the reason you calling, you have never received your receipt!

The Key is your application has to be sent more than 30days.

They will automatically escallate your call to the 2nd level officer, who has access to more info. And don't be nervous, because the 2nd officer doesn't know what excuse you told the 1st one (there is no communication between them)

this trick has worked for me every single time, no question asked!

Good luck,, Let me know

[merci08 0]

I tried calling again... three times... Each time the representatives refused to transfer me. They told me I would have to make an InfoPass.

What the @#$% is the 800 number there for then?

Hey jsnearline, here is a tip that works ALL THE TIME!!!!

When you call the 800#, then do 1-2-3

The first operator who picks your call will ask for your receipt #,

TIP: TELL HIM/HER that that's the reason you calling, you have never received your receipt!

The Key is your application has to be sent more than 30days.

They will automatically escallate your call to the 2nd level officer, who has access to more info. And don't be nervous, because the 2nd officer doesn't know what excuse you told the 1st one (there is no communication between them)

this trick has worked for me every single time, no question asked!

Good luck,, Let me know

Hi doxATL and everyone in the waiting (like me). I'll try that trick tomorrow.

I too, tried calling this morning, and person on the line just told me to wait coz my application is in process. That's it, even if I told her that my letter from the uSCIS before (I-750) "fell on the wrong hands," and I want to make sure that won't happen again. She still refused to give the phone to a higher level officer.

What happened then was, my paper was mistakenly sent together with the same form for another person with the same last name as mine. This good samaritan then mailed it to me, with her contact number cause she wanted to make sure I get it. I gave her a call as soon as I got it from the mail. She said, the letter for me was mailed in together with the letter for her. Whoever sorts these letters, made a big blunder. Anyway, I missed my fingerprint appointment back then and had to reschedule, but was very thankful that the person who got it realizes how important that mail was.

I just worry a little bit that something might have gone wrong AGAIN with the mail. And it is very unfortunate that the person I spoke with on the phone, never really helped me ease my worry.

Newark seems to be slowing down (hope not). I should be getting my IL within the week, based on the timelines of my co-Newark applicants.

Good Luck to all awaiting their ILs and to all waiting for their interview!

[jsnearline 2]

It amazes me to have paid $675 for the application and then to get such rude customer service. Compare this to my recent experience with SSA, where they called to advise me that I was probably eligible to get SSDI and then processed my application to completion in a month's time (with no fees). Their claims rep and customer service folks couldn't have been more professional and helpful. USCIS could learn a thing or two from them.

[nabbas 0]

So my wife received the Interview letter three days back, but I did not. Applied at the same date, everything happened together but my letter has not come.

1. Is anyone else in the same situation?

2. Was anyone else in the same situation and the interview dates were different?

The interview is in another city, so this will be very inconvenient to go there twice!!

I called USCIS, they were useless as expected.

[jsnearline 2]

If I remember right, you can call the 800 number and select 2, 1, enter your receipt number, and once the status is done, it should give you an option to select if you filed a group of cases together and they got separated. Is that the option you selected?

[merci08 0]

I took DoxATL's advice and the trick worked!

I just got off the phone with the 2ndlevel officer. She told me I am in queue for an interview, they're just waiting for an available date. She also said I would be receiving a yellow paper, if I haven't yet.

At least I know now, I'm getting there. Thanks very much for the advice, and for everybody's tips. I've been reading this forum and it's amazing to see how everybody just support each other.

So, for those who need some answers, get the phone, tell USCIS you never got a receipt # and they'll transfer your call to someone else who has some info. As DoxATL said, the 2nd level officer doesn't know what you're calling about, this time, just ask the person about your case status. They're also very polite.