I-751/N-400 combo filers in Chicago

[egroeg 66]

This is a question for the I-751/N-400 combo filers from Chicago, it seems like in Chicago there isn't a combo interview for your I-751 and N-400. From the looks of it or at least from reading 2-3 online experiences, it seems like you first have a N-400 interview, then an I-751 joint interview followed by another N-400 where you are finally approved . This seems to be causing significant delays as opposed to waiting out for the I-751 approval and then applying for the N-400.Perhaps I am getting the timelines wrong, but can anyone from Chicago who applied for their N-400 while their I-751 was pending share their experiences ?

[AK_2014 113]

We're probably one of the cases you read about.

 

If I'm remembering correctly, the N-400 interview was scheduled for early November. Officer refused to conduct interview because of the outstanding I-751, sent wife home. We came back for an I-751 interview in early/mid December. Everything went well; officer couldn't approve on the spot, but we got approved right around Christmas, and the 10-year GC was in the mail shortly thereafter.

 

We haven't heard a thing about when the N-400 interview might be rescheduled for. It's really frustrating that Chicago has this policy against combo interviews! As it is, not only do they slow down the individual applicant, but also the entire system, since people are getting scheduled for initial N-400 interviews that are then not conducted, thereby wasting the officer's time as well as the applicant's.

 

I haven't heard a case of a successful combo interview in Chicago; I'll be interested to hear if anybody can report one. I've only heard of at least 2, maybe 3 other negatives (hard to keep track).

[egroeg 66]

Hello @AK_2014 , you are right . You and @Kate_H were the only instances of combo interviews in Chicago that I  read about, it seems like they don't want to do them delaying the overall timeline.

 

It almost makes sense to wait for the I-751 to be approved prior to applying for citizenship since you wouldn't have to do an interview for the I-751 and the extra wasted initial interview for N-400.I am guessing it takes ~2 years ( 1.5 for .751 and 0.5 for N-400) which is ridiculous considering the whole process used to take less than 9 months until a f years ago.

 

I am a November 2017 applicant which means that I have a very long time to go before my case is looked at but I was just wondering what my options were at this point in time.

[TBoneTX 45,023]

Thread is moved from the US Citizenship main forum to the Case Progress subforum.

[gabreigns 75]

Joining this thread as I have a N-400 interview coming up on August 21st 2018 with an I-751 pending since January 2017. Will keep you updated and hope more people post their experiences.

[egroeg 66]

3 hours ago, gabreigns said:

Joining this thread as I have a N-400 interview coming up on August 21st 2018 with an I-751 pending since January 2017. Will keep you updated and hope more people post their experiences.

Good luck on your interview @gabreigns , when did you file for your N-400 ? Online or paper based ?

[gabreigns 75]

1 minute ago, xilef said:

Good luck on your interview @gabreigns , when did you file for your N-400 ? Online or paper based ?

Thank you for your kind words. I submitted N-400 online on Dec 2017. My  local office is Chicago, IL.

[ordjnb 40]

Keep us posted

[KCHICAGO 7]

On 7/18/2018 at 7:47 AM, gabreigns said:

Joining this thread as I have a N-400 interview coming up on August 21st 2018 with an I-751 pending since January 2017. Will keep you updated and hope more people post their experiences.

@gabreigns Wish you luck. Keep us posted. I share a similar timeline as yours and my local office is also Chicago. I got an update yesterday that my N-400 interview is scheduled. I'm guessing it will be in Sept. I have a pending I-751 and no word on that yet after case was transferred to NBC in May 2018.

[gabreigns 75]

4 hours ago, KCHICAGO said:

@gabreigns Wish you luck. Keep us posted. I share a similar timeline as yours and my local office is also Chicago. I got an update yesterday that my N-400 interview is scheduled. I'm guessing it will be in Sept. I have a pending I-751 and no word on that yet after case was transferred to NBC in May 2018.

@KCHICAGO Thanks! absolutely will update my experience on here after my interview since we are in the same boat.

[Jane D 24]

On 7/18/2018 at 7:47 AM, gabreigns said:

Joining this thread as I have a N-400 interview coming up on August 21st 2018 with an I-751 pending since January 2017. Will keep you updated and hope more people post their experiences.

Wish you good luck!!!!! Please share your experience as I am in the same boat, but different timeline. ( i751 filed May 2017, N400 filed in May 2018, local office Chicago.)

But at least now I know that they interviewing December 2017..

 

Edited August 18, 2018 by Jane D

[ordjnb 40]

If the guy interviewing can't adjudicate the I751 along with N400, ask for a supervisor to do so. I've read someone from Chicago doing the same and both got approved. 

[egroeg 66]

On 7/18/2018 at 7:47 AM, gabreigns said:

Joining this thread as I have a N-400 interview coming up on August 21st 2018 with an I-751 pending since January 2017. Will keep you updated and hope more people post their experiences.

Good luck on your interview @gabreigns, hopefully it's a combo interview and you get approved on the spot.

[gabreigns 75]

@Jane D @xilef @KCHICAGO @ordjnb

Thanks all for your well wishes..

 

Sorry about the delay in posting this. Was traveling  today after my interview.

 

My wife and I ended up getting there about 15 minutes before schedule however I realized that we were in the wrong line. 

The citizenship interview line is on the 3rd floor in Chicago.

Once we were at the correct line we got a number and waited for the appointment. In about 20 minutes we were called in by a woman who was polite courteous professional and wonderful to talk to. She brought up the topic of my 751 and 400 being adjudicated together as the 751must be adjudicated before n-400. So combo interview. 

She went on to mention that it’s a good thing i brought my wife as she was going to ask her questions as well. She mentioned that i751 cases are requiring an interview as well. She brought out both the files together and started asking my wife questions based on the I-751 like where she worked, phone number, ssn etc. Asked my wife for her drivers license to make copies. 

She made us both sign I-751 documents  and my wife was escorted out prior to my n400 interview.

Asked if I have travelled outside the country since applying and duration?

She asked me if I had any arrests or warrants and I mentioned that I did not. 

 

Pretty standard fare 6 questions and rapid fire questions about character trait checkboxes

 

Advice: make sure you try and upload any documents like last 2 year tax return, your passport copies beforehand and also bring a copy. 

Any documents you carry make sure the copies are single sided. It’s easier for them to make copies that way.

 

I was done in about 45 minutes from the time I was called in for the interview and she gave me a letter saying that I have been approved for naturalization. Once a final approval is granted I will be notified of when and where to report for naturalization ceremony. She also mentioned that it might take up to 30-40 days to get an oath ceremony. The reason it’s taking this long is because of the 2 systems that need to be updated for 751 and 400 and also each of their final review.

Now hoping for a quick turnaround. Will update accordingly.

[Jane D 24]

2 hours ago, gabreigns said:

@Jane D @xilef @KCHICAGO @ordjnb

Thanks all for your well wishes..

 

Sorry about the delay in posting this. Was traveling  today after my interview.

 

My wife and I ended up getting there about 15 minutes before schedule however I realized that we were in the wrong line. 

The citizenship interview line is on the 3rd floor in Chicago.

Once we were at the correct line we got a number and waited for the appointment. In about 20 minutes we were called in by a woman who was polite courteous professional and wonderful to talk to. She brought up the topic of my 751 and 400 being adjudicated together as the 751must be adjudicated before n-400. So combo interview. 

She went on to mention that it’s a good thing i brought my wife as she was going to ask her questions as well. She mentioned that i751 cases are requiring an interview as well. She brought out both the files together and started asking my wife questions based on the I-751 like where she worked, phone number, ssn etc. Asked my wife for her drivers license to make copies. 

She made us both sign I-751 documents  and my wife was escorted out prior to my n400 interview.

Asked if I have travelled outside the country since applying and duration?

She asked me if I had any arrests or warrants and I mentioned that I did not. 

 

Pretty standard fare 6 questions and rapid fire questions about character trait checkboxes

 

Advice: make sure you try and upload any documents like last 2 year tax return, your passport copies beforehand and also bring a copy. 

Any documents you carry make sure the copies are single sided. It’s easier for them to make copies that way.

 

I was done in about 45 minutes from the time I was called in for the interview and she gave me a letter saying that I have been approved for naturalization. Once a final approval is granted I will be notified of when and where to report for naturalization ceremony. She also mentioned that it might take up to 30-40 days to get an oath ceremony. The reason it’s taking this long is because of the 2 systems that need to be updated for 751 and 400 and also each of their final review.

Now hoping for a quick turnaround. Will update accordingly.

Wow!!! Congrats!!!! So they do actually do Combo interviews?!! I am trully surprised! Because there were several negative outcomes from similar like cases. Did you have anything  special about your case? Did you apply to any representative? Or they suggested Combo interview themselves?? Thanks in advance for you answers.

Edited August 22, 2018 by Jane D