N-400 and I-751 combo pending

[Derwood 203]

7 hours ago, Zombie69 said:

Hi, guys after 1 year and 8 months and 25 days of waiting. My 751 was finally approved this morning. I wish my husband were alive to see this. I think he helped from heaven. Good luck to those of you who are still waiting. In the midst of sadness and immigration complications, finally some good news, I want to thank those of you who have been supportive of me and my circumstances. I did not get my "card in production" update though. Probably due to my 400, they still have to reject my 400 due to my husband's passing 3 days after the 400 interview. Anyone got the approval notice first and card in production second? Thanks.

Finally. Congratulations.

[Mountain Climber 186]

On 4/29/2018 at 10:06 AM, David and Sinthea said:

First of all, I have just realized I've been calling it an N100 instead of an N 400. My goodness this process has me brain-fried!

 

Friday we went up to USCIS in Portland, Oregon. It's an hour and 40-minute ride for us. We got there early for our appointment to get an i-551 stamp only to find out that there was a system-wide, national, shut down of the system. We learned later that 22 field offices were granted access to certain program and it was too much for the system. Needless to say, we didn't get the stamp and have to go back up in 2 weeks.

 

The officer that we spoke to at the window was very kind. A lot different experience than we had with the AOS when the officer then had me shaking and in tears after 90 minutes of interrogation. That was me, before he brought my husband in for his interview! This new officer very willingly shared information and was extremely helpful.

 

To answer my question above in my other post, and all other questions, he said in regards to the N400, to send in as much information as possible. The more information the better. He gave the indication that if you think it is a good idea to send it in, just send it in. So in my case, even though my daughters are adults, we should send in their birth certificates. He even promoted my idea to have them sign a statement in front of a notary why they do not live in my home (adults/ married / partnered) and that they don't receive child support, though it's obvious by their age. He said what it will ultimately do is save time in the long run instead of wait for a request for additional evidence,  RFAE.

 

He was all about encouraging filing for the N400 even while waiting for Roc. Do it within the 90-day window of your 3 year anniversary for the green card. He indicated that if course it will save time. As soon as they get the N400 application, whether hard copy or electronic, they're going to call for the I 751 from the service center. They will do an interview for both at the same time, and if the interview is passed, first approve the i-751 and then immediately the N400. He acted like it was standard procedure to do a 2- for-1 interview. 

 

As far as CSC and VSC, he says CSC is tremendously backlogged. They are over 100,000 files deep according to his statement (I think he actually said something like 145,000  to be more precise). VSC does get the  whole eastern half of the country, but between the i-751 applicants and the special cases such as domestic abuse and so forth, they still have way less files to deal with.

 

Hope the information is helpful. Mostly echoing what's already been said but adding the importance of evidence for the N 400

We also went to get the I-551 stamp on Friday.  Like you, we were the victims of the system wide shut down.  Luckily, we had a very helpful officer. He gave us a form that allowed us to come back today and jump to the front of the line.  After getting the stamp, he told us that our I-751 and N-400 petitions were already joined together at NBC.  Once done at NBC, the petitions will be sent back to our local office.  He said we should be receiving a letter in about 30 days regarding the interview.  We are not going to hold our breath but at least we know our petitions are moving forward.

Edited April 30, 2018 by Mountain Climber

[Mountain Climber 186]

8 hours ago, Zombie69 said:

Hi, guys after 1 year and 8 months and 25 days of waiting. My 751 was finally approved this morning. I wish my husband were alive to see this. I think he helped from heaven. Good luck to those of you who are still waiting. In the midst of sadness and immigration complications, finally some good news, I want to thank those of you who have been supportive of me and my circumstances. I did not get my "card in production" update though. Probably due to my 400, they still have to reject my 400 due to my husband's passing 3 days after the 400 interview. Anyone got the approval notice first and card in production second? Thanks.

Congratulations!

[Zombie69 363]

40 minutes ago, Mountain Climber said:

Congratulations!

Thanks a lot.

[Zombie69 363]

1 hour ago, Derwood said:

Finally. Congratulations.

Thank you. Hope you hear from them soon.

[AustinCanada 681]

On 4/29/2018 at 10:03 AM, Zombie69 said:

Yes, it is hard to deal with the loss of my husband, I knew him for 21 years, but his passing and even the period when he was dying gave me strength to be brave and did whatever I had to do reduce the impact of my husband's illness and death on the process of immigrantion in addition to the personal and emotional stress/sadness. I visited Stan at the hospital before I went to interview, but my man was already almost unconscious, but he nodded after I told him to wish me luck, and I passed the 400 interview, but decision could not he made because Stan wasn't there to do the 751 interview despite my  packet of request with loads of evidence to expedite the adjudication of 400 and 751 on humanitarian ground(Stan's last wish to see me become naturalized, DOMA and Prop 8 prevented us from getting legally married until 2013 where the Supreme Court legalized same sex marriage immigration by finding prop 8 and DOMA unconstitutional). They did accept my packet, but the officer said he had to talk to his supervisor, and 3 days later the interview, my husband passed, but the update on my late husband's birthday gives me hope and I know he is somewhere watching over me. I am glad you find our story inspiring. Things do get better, but you have to have hope and you have to try when it is hopeless in life. I did it with my husband, I tried, I could not save him with the doctors, I tried with USCIS, it did not work out then, but I think I will get my 751 approval soon after the update, and I will be able to re apply for 400 next August based on the 5 year rule. There is always hope, and I can't lose hope. Good luck to you too, I will keep you updated. Fingers crossed.

Beautiful and inspiring story from an actual experience! 

 

But...it does make me feel angry that Stan didn't get to see you become a US citizen because you couldn't get married until 2013 and apply for immigration (plus the CSC backlog drama)!  

[David and Sinthea 50]

14 hours ago, Zombie69 said:

Hi, guys after 1 year and 8 months and 25 days of waiting. My 751 was finally approved this morning. I wish my husband were alive to see this. I think he helped from heaven. Good luck to those of you who are still waiting. In the midst of sadness and immigration complications, finally some good news, I want to thank those of you who have been supportive of me and my circumstances. I did not get my "card in production" update though. Probably due to my 400, they still have to reject my 400 due to my husband's passing 3 days after the 400 interview. Anyone got the approval notice first and card in production second? Thanks.

I'm so happy for you! Promise to hang around the thread to keep us updated on how everything else is going for you?

[Zombie69 363]

18 minutes ago, AustinCanada said:

Beautiful and inspiring story from an actual experience! 

 

But...it does make me feel angry that Stan didn't get to see you become a US citizen because you couldn't get married until 2013 and apply for immigration (plus the CSC backlog drama)!  

Thank you, it has been a rough journey, and I tried to reduce the roughness and complications as much as I could. I am also angry about the existence of DOMA and prop 8 that put us in this predicament, but I remain hopeful and will never stop fighting for good causes for myself and LGBT community in general. CSC is the problem, now the processing time for 751 at field offices is 2 to 4 years, wow. They seem to try to discourage people from applying for 400 while 751s are pending by arbitrarily creating "normal processing time". Pretty scary, and it is definitely Trump. I am glad and grateful my 751 was approved. I hope you will get your interview soon. 

[Zombie69 363]

13 hours ago, Nikkosan said:

At last! I can't yet see what the actual date is, but I hope it will soon update on the ELIS/DHS website. Doing a LOT of traveling in May, so travel arrangements may need to get adjusted; hopefully not!

 

Still very much pleased with the fact that I decided to file for citizenship back in November 2017 even though my ROC was still pending, November 2016 ROC filers are just starting to get approved now.

 

I'll update you once I am able to review the actual appointment letter, hopefully tomorrow.

 

Oath Ceremony Notice Was Mailed

We scheduled your oath ceremony for Receipt Number IOEXXXXXXXXXX. We sent a notice with the date, time, and location of your oath ceremony to the address you gave us. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you do not receive your notice by May 30, 2018, please go to www.uscis.gov/e-request to request a copy of the notice. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

Congrats, so happy for you.

24 minutes ago, David and Sinthea said:

I'm so happy for you! Promise to hang around the thread to keep us updated on how everything else is going for you?

Yes. I promise I will continue to be part of this community and help out as much as I can and keep you guys updated. Thanks for your support.

[Nikkosan 127]

6 hours ago, Zombie69 said:

Congrats, so happy for you.

Yes. I promise I will continue to be part of this community and help out as much as I can and keep you guys updated. Thanks for your support.

Thanks, buddy, I appreciate it.

[Zombie69 363]

24 minutes ago, Nikkosan said:

Thanks, buddy, I appreciate it.

You are welcome. Keep us posted about the oath.

[Zombie69 363]

6 hours ago, Nikkosan said:

Thanks, buddy, I appreciate it.

Of course! Thank you too.

[moonsky 20]

On ‎4‎/‎30‎/‎2018 at 10:51 AM, Zombie69 said:

Hi, guys after 1 year and 8 months and 25 days of waiting. My 751 was finally approved this morning. I wish my husband were alive to see this. I think he helped from heaven. Good luck to those of you who are still waiting. In the midst of sadness and immigration complications, finally some good news, I want to thank those of you who have been supportive of me and my circumstances. I did not get my "card in production" update though. Probably due to my 400, they still have to reject my 400 due to my husband's passing 3 days after the 400 interview. Anyone got the approval notice first and card in production second? Thanks.

Congratulations!

I have been following some of your posts and felt really bad for you and your situation.

I am glad that at least one hassle got out of the way. There might have been rainy days, but sunny days and rainbows sure will follow. It takes time and patience though.

Regarding the approval, I am VSC filer, I got the "card in production" message first, followed by the "My case was approved" the next day. No card in hand yet but it's something to be happy about.

 

All the best xx

Edited May 1, 2018 by moonsky

[Zombie69 363]

25 minutes ago, moonsky said:

Congratulations!

I have been following some of your posts and felt really bad for you and your situation.

I am glad that at least one hassle got out of the way. There might have been rainy days, but sunny days and rainbows sure will follow. It takes time and patience though.

Regarding the approval, I am VSC filer, I got the "card in production" message first, followed by the "My case was approved" the next day. No card in hand yet but it's something to be happy about.

 

All the best xx

Thanks for your support and words of encouragement. Yes, it has been a painful and intense immigration ride for me having to deal with personal loss and immigration. However, I at least got the 751 approval which is huge. I just wish my husband were here. I just got an approval notice in the mail yesterday, so I might get the card in production hi update. But every field office is different, a customer support representative told me. This approval his birthday gift for ne for sure as I was approved the his first birthday after he passed, magical. I am feeling a sense of hope for the first time, thanks for your support.

[AustinCanada 681]

21 hours ago, Zombie69 said:

CSC is the problem, now the processing time for 751 at field offices is 2 to 4 years, wow. They seem to try to discourage people from applying for 400 while 751s are pending by arbitrarily creating "normal processing time". Pretty scary, and it is definitely Trump. I am glad and grateful my 751 was approved. I hope you will get your interview soon. 

It takes 2-4 years for the I-751 application now!?  

 

21 hours ago, Zombie69 said:

Congrats, so happy for you.

Yes. I promise I will continue to be part of this community and help out as much as I can and keep you guys updated. Thanks for your support.

I hope I have some good news in the next 3-6 months!     Fingers crossed!