Processing Time for N400 in New York City......?

[Wilerao59 10]

As for asking whether immigration officers are nicer or not in a particular field office then I believe no one can rightfully answer on this even if they might have experienced an interview in a particular field office. Because every field office has many immigration officers, and obviously people haven't dealt with all the officers. Besides, bad and good people are everywhere, so do immigration officers.

When I was dealing with immigration during my citizenship case a couple years ago, I was interviewed at Garden City office and by a black-American officer who was so-so tough. This officer was so nasty and full of attitudes. She was putting words in my mouth for me admit something which wasn't true such as tell her that I was arrested even though I wasn't. She was asking the same questions again and again in a different ways and wanted me to admit that I was arrested. But I was kept saying to her respectfully but firmly that I was never arrested. She kept my case on hold for more than 2 months. So my experience with immigration officer has been bad. That's why when my wife's green card interview was scheduled in Garden City 3 years ago, I was so skeptical of her case because of my bad experience, but we had no choice but just to be prepared and confident.

Nevertheless, my wife was interviewed by the best immigration officer who even shaked hand with us in the beginning and did approve her green card application within 5 minutes but she did ask why we were divorced at first time, though. I thought her case would be complicated because I was married to my wife twice, first when I was illegal and second time after being a US citizen. I was afraid that USCIS might think that I divorced her because of marrying with a US citizen to get a green card and citizenship and then married my first wife again to get her immigration status. I did obtain my green card by marrying another lady who was a US citizenship but I wasn't married her just for immigration status though.

Now she is scheduled in Long Island city office now for her citizenship application, and I don't think the same officer (the bad one, in my citizenship time one) would be in Long Island city office but I can not rule that out. Thus, we are prepared fully. Most of the times people get nice officers during the citizenship time, but I think people should be prepared to meet tough officers too.

LIC field office is a new office which opened in February of this year. And yes it's crowded like any USCIS field office but not like Garden City which was only one office before aside from Manhattan one. I heard good things about this office, but then I heard so bad things about Manhattan office like officers are so tough in there.

My wife's interview is scheduled for 7:30am for her citizenship application for LIC office which kinda early in opinion because I didn't know that they even open at this our. I think she will be the first to be interviewed on that day. We will be there before 7 am especially when LIC office is just a few blocks away from our house. How funny and strange it is that when I went to Garden City office for my citizenship application a few years back, I left my house around 5 am in cold December to be interviewed at 9:00 am. I had to take 3 public transportation to get there in the absence of driving back then. I couldn't sleep whole night because I had to leave 5 am in the morning and I didn't want to be late. How much things have changed now when this new USCIS office is in our neighborhood!!!

[Wilerao59 10]

I'm sure people know so well that Garden City office is no more, instead USCIS has two new field offices after closing Garden City one. One is in Holtsville office in Long Island and another one is Long Island City (LIC) in queens. Please don't be confused with these two offices because one is in Long Island in Nassau county while other one is in Queens in Long Island City which is so close to Queensboro plaza train station in Queens. You can check by your zip code as to which office belongs to you by going to USCIS site. As for those who live in Queens then it would depend where they live in Queens because if they live close to Long Island in Nassau county then they will be sent to Holtsville office and all others will be interviewed in Long Island City office in Queens like my wife.

Thus, one office is in Long Island in Nassau county-named Holtsville office, while other office is in Queens- named Long Island City.

[Wilerao59 10]

My wife's interview on her naturalization application:

My wifed filed her N-400 on June 14, 2012 and did fingerprinting on July 9, 2012. After that she received nothing except a notice for interview appointment on October 5, 2012 for the interview on Nov 9, 2012. She filed her application based on 3 years' marriage to a US citizen (me). Knowing that we had to be up by 4am, I couldn't be able to sleep last night especially when a lots of negative thinking were coming into my mind about my wife's application particularly her criminal case and her remarrying me. Time went by so quick and it was 3:30am when I found that my wife was waking up too. I asked her why she woke up so early when we had to leave the house by 6am, to which she answered that she couldn't sleep anymore. So we started getting ready, ate breakfast and had coffee. We left the house exactly 6am in the morning even though our district office in Long Island City, Queens, NY is just a 15 blocks away from our house. We wanted to go there early so that we could find a place to park the car and get calm and relax before entering into the building. We could have walked there, but since it was a very chilly and windy day, so we decided to take the car. Besides, I had to drive my wife to her work after the interview.

It took us more than 45 minutes to find a place to park the car for free. We had almost given up and were going to a paid parking which is right in front of USCIS building where they charge $10 for the whole day which wasn't that bad but I didn't about it until I already found a place right close to it. It was by just luck when someone just pulled off and I just mistakenly drove in that one way street. We stayed in the car for another 10 minutes and my wife reviewed the history and civics questions again. Then we entered into the USCIS building where we found 3 security guards. One of the guards didn't like me wearing sunglasses on and having chewing gum. He asked me to throw out the gum and take off my glasses which surprised me but I didn't want to ruin my day, so I just followed.

After done with security checks, we approached a window right in front of the security check point to get a stamp on my wife's interview letter and then we were told to go up to second floor. We took elevator to second floor. Once elevator opened, a Spanish lady security officer was there who advised us to drop the interview-appointment letter in the tray and take a sit. We took a sit and noticed only 12 people altogether there. Office was so calm which I'm not used to see any USCIS office while dealing with them for the last 21 years. So it was nice to see so much "peace" in there. It's probably because it was too early in the morning. We were inside the office on our seat around 7:10am. We totally ignored the advisory statement on my wife's notice for the interview about not coming into the office 15 minutes before the scheduled time because we knew that this kind of warnings are applicable to applicants who are scheduled after 9am when offices get crowded. And our guess was so right as we didn't have any problem getting into the office at 7:05am even though we were 25 minutes ahead of our scheduled time.

The sitting hall has two doors, one on each side. We saw officers coming out from both doors and calling out names of applicants. There were 6 Chinese-American officers, 4 White Caucasian women officers, 2 African-American officers and one Filipino-American lady officer. All seems nice and jolly except two. One was Filipino-American lady officer who doesn't smile and seemed tough; while other one was White lady officer who was quiet old and this the same officer interviewed my wife today. We also noticed that many people were already called on even though they came after us, so we couldn't understand what was going on. Suddenly my wife's name was called on by this old White lady officer. I purposely tried to get up from my seat to go with my wife knowing so well that they won't allow me because citizenship application is interviewed individually and only with the applicant, but then I wanted to make sure officer to know that I was there because it does make a big difference if officer would know that applicant's other significance is there which makes officers not to grill alien-spouse that much on the ongoing marital union which I have learned over the years after reading thousands of postings/experiences. Anyway, my wife asked the officer if she would like me to be there with my wife, but officer said no and escorted her inside to her desk/cabin.

According to my wife, even though officer was old but was very energetic and active. She right away and very quickly asked my wife to raise her right hand to take the oath of telling the truth. Right away my wife was asked to provide passport and green card. Surprisingly she wasn't for a State ID or Driver License which most officers do ask along with passport and Green card as I was asked too when I went for my interview on my naturalization application. Afterwards, rather than going over the application, officer shoot 6 history and civics questions which are as follow-

(1) Name one branch of US government.

(2) How long is the term for US Senator?

(3) What does Cabinet do?

(4) What did Declaration of Independence do?

(5) If President and Vice-President could not serve, who would become the President?

(6) Who is head of Executive branch of US government?

She was asking all these questions from a print-out that she pulled off from the computer. After she got all six questions answered right, she stopped and marked checked-in by red pen and put that paper in my wife's file folder. Then she asked my wife to read loud and write down- Columbus Day is in October. She placed that one also in my wife's file. Then she went over the application. The first thing she questioned right away as to why my wife's name is so long and changed my wife's name. She made my wife's middle name and her last name as her new last name and leave her middle name empty which makes me very angry because who she was to decide what and how a person keeps a name especially when a person's consent is not taken nor any court order. She now added my wife's father's last name and my last name as her last name. And all this not because my wife's name doesn't fit in their data system, rather it is because she didn't like how my wife's name sounds like it. All this wasn't a problem at all during the time obtaining LPR, so what was the big fuzz about it now? My wife couldn't say anything because she is a very quiet person and besides she doesn't want to argue with the officer as she was afraid that officer might get upset or something like that. But I strongly believe that officer had no right to change my wife's name.

After that she went over the whole application, line-by-line and question-by-question, just re-confirming. After that she asked my wife to sign the application, 2 photos that we submitted with the application and one more paper which had the information that would be put it on the naturalization certificate. After that she asked my wife if she has any latest/recent bank statement of joint bank account, recent utility bill, and the lease documents, and while my wife was pulling out all these documents from a folder that contained all the documents related to our marital union for the last 3 years, officer noticed (with her sharp eyes) that we had car insurance document too, so she asked that one too. My wife was also asked to show her social security card. Don't know why, but I assume it was because of name verification with another govt. agency as my wife overheard the officer talking with her supervisor about not having my birth certificate; instead only the affidavits that we submitted during green card application. Supervisor told her that its okay. So I believe people should have their birth-certificate or affidavits and social security card as well.

After that my wife was told that her application is approved and that she would get oath notice in the mail within 2 weeks. My wife requested if she could get it today, but she was told that since there a name-change correction needs to make in her entire file then its not possible today to give her the oath notice; rather just wait for the mail. So, wifey had no other choice. No other document was asked aside from what I've stated above. My wife had two new photographs ready as per the instructions on her interview notice but wasn't asked which I knew so well but my wife always follows all the instructions as stated on any govt. stationary..

She was out in 13 minutes and we were in the car around 8:15am. Overall, it was a nice experience and a wonderful day; otherwise we were not able to sleep yesterday because of all the worries and huppa-duppa could-be, would-be....etc. Office seemed tough as she was certainly not a friendly and jolly person but then she turned out to be a nice in heart and professional. God bless her. Now my wife is just one more step away from closing down the last chapter of her life with USCIS. I believe we would receive her Oath notice much sooner than 2 weeks. I'll update you guys with that experience as well. I have described my wife's interview experience in detail hoping it might help someone somehow. I'm just very happy that everything has turned out just fine; otherwise I know how things could play out with USCIS especially when I've been dealing with this bureaucratic agency of US government for the last 21 years. I guess time has come pretty soon for us to be done for good with USCIS. I wish everyone to keep patience and good luck as they will get through too.....

Good luck...

[sasaqlain 24]

Congratulations Wilerao59! And thank you for sharing your interview experience in such detail. It will be extremely helpful for the members, especially the ones awaiting their interviews at New York. God Bless you!

[2012n400 0]

My wife's interview on her naturalization application:

Thank you for taking the time to post your detailed experience here, it certainly helps us NY filers and congratulations on passing the interview!

[Wilerao59 10]

You are so welcome PathanN and 2012n400. I'm glad that the detailed description of my wife's naturalization interview help you guys and probably others in NYC area. I guess that was the purpose of giving that much detail anyway.

A few things I did notice in this new USCIS district office in Long Island City, Queens, NY that-

(1) It doesn't seem to be a very busy office unless my observation was based on early morning as my wife's interview was 7:30am. We are out around 8:15am, yet still it wasn't that busy as I've seen most USCIS officers over the years.

(2) Most officers in this office are seemed to be immigrants themselves. And those officers who seemed natural born US citizen then they seemed extremely nice, friendly and helpful. Again, most officers were of Chinese decedent. Don't know why, but it's true.

(3) This office seemed extremely clean. It could be because it's a new office. Everything seems very organized here.

(4) This office is extremely accessible by public transportation. Just a block or two away from Subway. However, finding a free parking would be hassle because the whole neighborhood is a commercial area and a lot of constructions going on around there. So if one would like to drive there then have ample time to find a free parking unless s/he would like to pay $10 for the parking which is located just in front of the USCIS building.

(5) I think they don't allow anyone chewing gum as I was told so even though I saw a notice there only about not drinking, eating and talking over the phone.

(6) The sitting hall (waiting room for the interview) is nice sized, clean and modern sitting.

(7) Most officers were female compared to male. I saw only 4 male-officers and all were female-officers.

(8) Officers do go over the entire citizenship application, line-by-line, just to re-confirm those information provided there. These officers do know what they are doing as they conduct interview so fast and try their best to resolve any issue right there which needs supervisory intervention unlike how it was handled in my case a few years back in Garden City office. I had to wait 3 months just to be looked on my file by a supervisor; while in my wife's case in this new office officer went directly to the supervisor and was able to rectify things within a minute which is nice.

I remember going to Garden City, NY office a few years back on my citizenship case. For the 9:30am appointment, I left my home around 5am because I had to take two trains and one bus ride to get there and then a brief walking. I had the problem with my driving license and there was nobody at that time to drive me there especially that early and during a week day. It was a snowy and wintry day of December. It was totally dark and quiet at 5am. And when I arrived in the office, it was so full that you can't believe it. I had to wait 2 hours past my interview time to be interviewed and I was interviewed by an African-American natural born officer who doesn't seem to like immigrants. She never smiled nor said hi/hello nor replied to my greeting to her. During the whole time, she gave me a dirty look, but I didn't care. She did try to scare me and did putting words in my mouth to accept something which wasn't true, but I quietly and respectfully refused what she wanted me to accept. Even after the interview, she called me twice within 2 weeks to admit something which wasn't true and she was putting the words in my mouth. I'm sure my case had not been finalized if I had not been pro-active in aggressively following my case. I saw that officer over there when I went with my wife on her green card application interview. Thanks God that she was assigned to adjudicate naturalization applications and not green card ones. I think she is now in Manhattan office or Long Island office but certainly not in Long Island City office in Queens.

Just waiting for the Oath notice for my wife; otherwise an application for passport is ready following updating the status with Social Security office and registering for the vote. Then I would prepare things for my wife to obtain dual citizenship with her country. Slowly but surely getting there.

Good luck guys and keep posting updates.

[Wilerao59 10]

Adding additional information on my wife's interview-experience that I mistakenly forgot to mention above.

Officer did attentively notice on my wife's application about both of us marital history when she did make a statement to my wife-"Oh, you were married twice and both times with the same guy...ummmm.......and your husband is married three times....twice with you...hmmmmm". But she didn't say anything else nor asked any document related to our marital history. My wife and I were so afraid all this time as we thought that this could be a biggggg issue because USCIS might suspect an immigration fraud. I was married to my wife first and then got divorced 2 years later and then got married with another girl (a US Citizen) a year after the divorce (which couldn't and should be considered a fraud given the timeline between divorce and marrying another girl). However, I did obtain my LPR by virtue of my second marriage to a US citizen but under VAWA act and I was divorced with my second wife 3 years later of my marriage with second wife and a way before I even obtained my green card. Then I remained single for 9 years and then got remarried with my first wife again whom I divorced 12 years ago before remarrying her. During this whole time, my first wife was never married to anyone and I right away got re-married to her after becoming a US citizen. Given the timeline of all these marriages and divorces, I don't think that any reasonable person could suspect any immigration fraud, but can't say anything about USCIS because I have read very stories when it comes to dealing with USCIS. I just didn't want to fight with them forever in immigration courts. Thanks God that everything turned out just fine.

During the green card interview on my wife's application, interviewing officer did ask to us as to why we were divorce at first place in our first marriage, but since that officer was so nice that she didn't ask anything; rather she was telling us that what she would write on my wife's file positively. But we were certainly afraid at this time. Though there was no fraud in our part, but I know how USCIS operates especially when I know this bureacratic agency of US government for the last 21 years.

[sasaqlain 24]

We all appreciate the time and effort you have put in, in sharing your experience in such detail. It is indeed helpful for me and many after me. Indeed, yours was a complicated case, but as long as it had a happy ending, its all good:) Congratulations once again!

A Note: Since I reside in Flushing, I am sure my office will be the New Holtsville office instead of the Long Island one. About a year ago, my Mother-in-Law applied from this same residential address, and she was assigned the Holtsville office for her interview. But then, from this very same office, my sister-in-law was asked to appear at the Manhattan office for her naturalization 7 year ago.

[Wilerao59 10]

PathanN, I honestly don't know as to which office you will be interviewed at unless you will provide me the zip code of your address. You can actually find out by yourself as to which office you will be going to by going into USCIS website and by putting your zip code. And since you have said that your mother-in-law from the same address was sent to New Holtsville office then I strongly believe that you will be sent there too especially when it has occurred recently, just a year ago. As for your sister-in-law to have had sent in Manhattan office 7 years ago then we can not make anything out of this information because that happened so long ago when even Garden city office wasn't there or must have recently opened at that time. Things have completely changed since then. I do believe that New Holtsville office will be you going to, given its proximity to your residence.

Have you lately heard anything from USCIS about your case? Your case is based on 3 years' rule or 5 years' rule?

[sasaqlain 24]

PathanN, I honestly don't know as to which office you will be interviewed at unless you will provide me the zip code of your address. You can actually find out by yourself as to which office you will be going to by going into USCIS website and by putting your zip code. And since you have said that your mother-in-law from the same address was sent to New Holtsville office then I strongly believe that you will be sent there too especially when it has occurred recently, just a year ago. As for your sister-in-law to have had sent in Manhattan office 7 years ago then we can not make anything out of this information because that happened so long ago when even Garden city office wasn't there or must have recently opened at that time. Things have completely changed since then. I do believe that New Holtsville office will be you going to, given its proximity to your residence.

Have you lately heard anything from USCIS about your case? Your case is based on 3 years' rule or 5 years' rule?

More Likely i'll end up at Holtsville and am hoping that I do. Its a straight drive from my house all the way to the office if I take the L.I.E and there is plenty of parking. I applied based on 3 years. A week or so ago, i received a yellow paper with instructions to bring certain documents to the interview. The letter was from NBC and stated that during the initial review, they suggest that I bring these documents to avoid unnecessary delay. I am surprised my file hasn't reached the local office yet. Maybe, its on its way or has reached by now. Maybe not.

[wellmux 3]

Sallam Pathan saab,

I was looking at your timelines , and i noticed that your case is taking too long its like 5 months to the interview time and then maybe another month for oath ceremony.

i have seen some naturalization cases are completed in 3 months, i will be eligible to file for my citizenship in February 2013. i hope mine would not take that long but you never know.

i hope the best for you.

and i hope everything goes fine at your interview.

my prayers are with you.

[sasaqlain 24]

Sallam Pathan saab,

I was looking at your timelines , and i noticed that your case is taking too long its like 5 months to the interview time and then maybe another month for oath ceremony.

i have seen some naturalization cases are completed in 3 months, i will be eligible to file for my citizenship in February 2013. i hope mine would not take that long but you never know.

i hope the best for you.

and i hope everything goes fine at your interview.

my prayers are with you.

Thank you avatar. In my opinion I am very lucky as NY is really dragging the cases. Honestly, I wasn't expecting the interview this soon, looking at the other averages, in Atlanta, Chicago and NY. As long as I am done with it, I'll offer shukrana Nafal and move one:) I pray for your speedy decicion and wish you luck for your upcoming waiting ordeal.

[wellmux 3]

please brother give us inputs about your coming interview andi wish you the best on your upcoming interview,

[sasaqlain 24]

please brother give us inputs about your coming interview andi wish you the best on your upcoming interview,

Thank you wellmux. I surely will post my experience. Hopefully, i'll have some good news worth sharing

[wellmux 3]

Yeah fingers crossed. Happy new year.