Passed interview test, but file is gone for additional review ?

[caliguy77 1]

Well my citizenship interview went well, passed the test, and the guy gave me a sheet of paper that says I am being recommended for Citizenship. But then he also said that my file needs to go for additional interview and I should hear something by 3 weeks. I checked on the website - and the status is still stuck on interview and testing. In this office, usually oaths are same day - my appointment was around 2pm, so may be it was after cut off time, but I got suspicious.

Now I don't know which black hole I am stuck in. Any ideas what that means ? I did get my conditions removed based on good faith marriage - and I am married again to a foreign spouse and I am getting ready to petition 130. He did ask for marriage certificate for current marriage. I really wan to go see her, and I don't know if I should travel before I hear something or not ?

Other then that- I have no other issues - very legal and smooth sailing, since I entered in the US as a F-1.

Not sure if I should make an info pass appointment for exactly 3 weeks from now. I am not sleeping at all these days - anyone else gone thru something similar ? Please share your experience.

Thanks

[paliboy 0]

Did the IO explain why the additional interview is needed for ? anything during the interview that went wrong or you felt that the IO was placing emphasis on ?

I am assuming you're filing based on the 5 year as LPR since your conditions were removed based on good faith marriage.

Did the IO asked for any evidence that you did not have with you during the interview or question anything else specifically ?

Well my citizenship interview went well, passed the test, and the guy gave me a sheet of paper that says I am being recommended for Citizenship. But then he also said that my file needs to go for additional interview and I should hear something by 3 weeks. I checked on the website - and the status is still stuck on interview and testing. In this office, usually oaths are same day - my appointment was around 2pm, so may be it was after cut off time, but I got suspicious.

Now I don't know which black hole I am stuck in. Any ideas what that means ? I did get my conditions removed based on good faith marriage - and I am married again to a foreign spouse and I am getting ready to petition 130. He did ask for marriage certificate for current marriage. I really wan to go see her, and I don't know if I should travel before I hear something or not ?

Other then that- I have no other issues - very legal and smooth sailing, since I entered in the US as a F-1.

Not sure if I should make an info pass appointment for exactly 3 weeks from now. I am not sleeping at all these days - anyone else gone thru something similar ? Please share your experience.

Thanks

[caliguy77 1]

Did the IO explain why the additional interview is needed for ? anything during the interview that went wrong or you felt that the IO was placing emphasis on ?

I am assuming you're filing based on the 5 year as LPR since your conditions were removed based on good faith marriage.

Did the IO asked for any evidence that you did not have with you during the interview or question anything else specifically ?

He just went over my application. Kept flipping papers in my file, asked when I had entered the country and that if I was ever a student. And I said I've always been one. He did mention that I got my conditions removed. When we were walking out - he said he did everything, and that someone else has to look over the file to verify everything - and that because it was marriage related it needs to be looked over by another set of eyes. I asked him how soon will I be able to find out, is it possible to hear back within a week, and he said no way since the file will sit some where ( i dont remember where) for a week or so.

God help me ...

[paliboy 0]

He just went over my application. Kept flipping papers in my file, asked when I had entered the country and that if I was ever a student. And I said I've always been one. He did mention that I got my conditions removed. When we were walking out - he said he did everything, and that someone else has to look over the file to verify everything - and that because it was marriage related it needs to be looked over by another set of eyes. I asked him how soon will I be able to find out, is it possible to hear back within a week, and he said no way since the file will sit some where ( i dont remember where) for a week or so.

God help me ...

It'll be helpful if you provide your timeline... did you apply based on marriage or as a 5 year LPR ? I'm a little confused

[Kathryn41 3,205]

As alarming as it seems, your interview experience doesn't seem out of the ordinary.

When I had mine the interviewing officer said, 'well I am recommending you for citizenship but my Supervisor has to review this first'. She then asked me if I would be available for the next ceremony in 2 weeks and I said yes, so she said to wait in the waiting room and once her Supervisor gave the ok, she would prepare the interview letter for me since there wouldn't be enough time to send it in the mail. Obviously her Supervisor was accessible right then and there and not letting files pile up on her desk waiting for review. Atlanta is a really busy office, though, and I suspect they can't afford to let things sit around on desks.

It seems to be standard practice to have all applications reviewed by Supervisor for a final decision although some IOs give a more definite indication of approval at the interview even though someone else has final say on the application. If the Interviewing Officer is recommending approval (which is the case because you received the approval recommendation) then I doubt you will have any problems. It sounds like your office is not one of the busier ones and the Supervisor isn't as 'efficient' as others are in getting to the necessary paperwork. It could be that they are waiting for enough people to be approved so they can schedule an oath ceremony date, and they will let you know when that is. If you have the approval letter you really are just waiting for the oath ceremony. The Supervisor 'review' seems a 'rubber stamping' only at this stage.

If you don't hear anything in 30 days I would make an Infopass appointment to find out if they have an oath ceremony date yet. Good luck.

Edited April 20, 2010 by Kathryn41

[v333k 59]

Well my citizenship interview went well, passed the test, and the guy gave me a sheet of paper that says I am being recommended for Citizenship. But then he also said that my file needs to go for additional interview and I should hear something by 3 weeks. I checked on the website - and the status is still stuck on interview and testing. In this office, usually oaths are same day - my appointment was around 2pm, so may be it was after cut off time, but I got suspicious.

Now I don't know which black hole I am stuck in. Any ideas what that means ? I did get my conditions removed based on good faith marriage - and I am married again to a foreign spouse and I am getting ready to petition 130. He did ask for marriage certificate for current marriage. I really wan to go see her, and I don't know if I should travel before I hear something or not ?

Other then that- I have no other issues - very legal and smooth sailing, since I entered in the US as a F-1.

Not sure if I should make an info pass appointment for exactly 3 weeks from now. I am not sleeping at all these days - anyone else gone thru something similar ? Please share your experience.

Thanks

If the IO recommends you for approval, then there is nothing much to worry about... they say things because that's what they learned to say....

[caliguy77 1]

As alarming as it seems, your interview experience doesn't seem out of the ordinary.

When I had mine the interviewing officer said, 'well I am recommending you for citizenship but my Supervisor has to review this first'. She then asked me if I would be available for the next ceremony in 2 weeks and I said yes, so she said to wait in the waiting room and once her Supervisor gave the ok, she would prepare the interview letter for me since there wouldn't be enough time to send it in the mail. Obviously her Supervisor was accessible right then and there and not letting files pile up on her desk waiting for review. Atlanta is a really busy office, though, and I suspect they can't afford to let things sit around on desks.

It seems to be standard practice to have all applications reviewed by Supervisor for a final decision although some IOs give a more definite indication of approval at the interview even though someone else has final say on the application. If the Interviewing Officer is recommending approval (which is the case because you received the approval recommendation) then I doubt you will have any problems. It sounds like your office is not one of the busier ones and the Supervisor isn't as 'efficient' as others are in getting to the necessary paperwork. It could be that they are waiting for enough people to be approved so they can schedule an oath ceremony date, and they will let you know when that is. If you have the approval letter you really are just waiting for the oath ceremony. The Supervisor 'review' seems a 'rubber stamping' only at this stage.

If you don't hear anything in 30 days I would make an Infopass appointment to find out if they have an oath ceremony date yet. Good luck.

Thank you Kathryn41 sooo much !! May be because it was late in the day - they couldn't get a supervisor, or may be he/she might be on vacation. This office is not busy - usually does oath same day. I have already made an info pass appt for 2 weeks after the interview. I check the case status everyday online and it shows the case in interview/testing phase - not the decision one. I will let you know of any updates.

[paliboy 0]

Hope you will hear something very soon. Best of luck to you

Where did you have your interview at?

Thank you Kathryn41 sooo much !! May be because it was late in the day - they couldn't get a supervisor, or may be he/she might be on vacation. This office is not busy - usually does oath same day. I have already made an info pass appt for 2 weeks after the interview. I check the case status everyday online and it shows the case in interview/testing phase - not the decision one. I will let you know of any updates.

[NickD 202]

IO at St. Paul told my wife her application is sent off someplace for final approval. Learned that to be a false statement, approved by her supervisor right at the field office. Also the field office manager has the authority to issue the USC certificate right at the field office. Each one seems to have their own way of doing stuff. I learned all this from my senators office.

Kind of strange, during our AOS, all copies were sent in, and the only thing we had was an I-797C appointment slip, never asked to see our originals, no ID was required to get in, but yet my wife and daughter got their conditional cards. Same with the I-751, only copies were sent in, no interview nor any other personal contact, sent to the Nebraska service center, then to California just to gather dust until the ten year cards came in. Wasn't even going to bother bringing in the originals to my wife's USC interview, but that was the only time her IO wanted to see all the originals plus some that weren't even on the list, like that worthless utility bill.