I-751/N-400 combo filers in Chicago

[flash9153 28]

Update on my wife's interview this morning at 8:30am today:

 

Our officer was probably the nicest gentleman there. When he called my wife's #, I accompanied her to the door to ask if I'm needed for a combo interview, and he kindly said, "yes please, you can join her".

 

I-751

After going in, the officer took my wife's biometrics and then she was sworn in to tell the truth. The first thing he did was explain to us that he ROC was pending, therefore he will first interview her on that application. He started by collecting all the documents that we had brought for verification of identity, which included  expired GC, both our passports, driver's licenses and social security card. After verifying our identities, he collected evidence for continuing relationship. We provided tax returns for three years, recent bank statements, copy of lease agreement, health and car insurance documents with both our names. I didn't have any utility bills with both our names, but he was content with rest of the evidence. Then he went through the entire application line by line including all the dates, addresses, yes or no questions, etc. He was incredibly thorough and didn't skip over anything. After that, he said that the i751 application looks good, he doesn't have any reservations approving it. However he said that he is new at doing combo interviews, so it'll take a few days before he can have the application adjudicated. I'll take that as a win in my book, waiting a few days is acceptable than having to wait months for NBC to adjudicate the i751. 

 

N400

 

After that, he returned my passport and driving license but held on to my wife's. Once again, my wife had her left index finger scanned, and swore to tell the truth. At this point, I thought I was going to have to leave, but he didn't say anything. He already had all the evidence he needed from i751 application, so he didn't ask for it again. Also, all of my wife's evidence was  submitted online, so he had it on his screen for review. He started with the civics exam, then reading, lastly the written portion. She passed all three, so the officer congratulated her. After that, he went through the application line by line. He actually found a couple of minor errors, which he corrected and then asked my wife to review the corrections and then sign off on them through a mounted iPad. After that he printed a piece of paper that says she passed the exam but a decision cannot yet be made. To that he explained, he needs to adjudicate the i751 first, which will take a few days, and then he'll process the N400 to put her in queue for an oath. WE WERE ECSTATIC! Couldn't believe our ears. This crazy journey might actually be coming to an end very soon. I'll keep posted when I see an updates on My USCIS account, or receive something in mail.

[Meme.B 14]

45 minutes ago, flash9153 said:

Update on my wife's interview this morning at 8:30am today:

 

Our officer was probably the nicest gentleman there. When he called my wife's #, I accompanied her to the door to ask if I'm needed for a combo interview, and he kindly said, "yes please, you can join her".

 

I-751

After going in, the officer took my wife's biometrics and then she was sworn in to tell the truth. The first thing he did was explain to us that he ROC was pending, therefore he will first interview her on that application. He started by collecting all the documents that we had brought for verification of identity, which included  expired GC, both our passports, driver's licenses and social security card. After verifying our identities, he collected evidence for continuing relationship. We provided tax returns for three years, recent bank statements, copy of lease agreement, health and car insurance documents with both our names. I didn't have any utility bills with both our names, but he was content with rest of the evidence. Then he went through the entire application line by line including all the dates, addresses, yes or no questions, etc. He was incredibly thorough and didn't skip over anything. After that, he said that the i751 application looks good, he doesn't have any reservations approving it. However he said that he is new at doing combo interviews, so it'll take a few days before he can have the application adjudicated. I'll take that as a win in my book, waiting a few days is acceptable than having to wait months for NBC to adjudicate the i751. 

 

N400

 

After that, he returned my passport and driving license but held on to my wife's. Once again, my wife had her left index finger scanned, and swore to tell the truth. At this point, I thought I was going to have to leave, but he didn't say anything. He already had all the evidence he needed from i751 application, so he didn't ask for it again. Also, all of my wife's evidence was  submitted online, so he had it on his screen for review. He started with the civics exam, then reading, lastly the written portion. She passed all three, so the officer congratulated her. After that, he went through the application line by line. He actually found a couple of minor errors, which he corrected and then asked my wife to review the corrections and then sign off on them through a mounted iPad. After that he printed a piece of paper that says she passed the exam but a decision cannot yet be made. To that he explained, he needs to adjudicate the i751 first, which will take a few days, and then he'll process the N400 to put her in queue for an oath. WE WERE ECSTATIC! Couldn't believe our ears. This crazy journey might actually be coming to an end very soon. I'll keep posted when I see an updates on My USCIS account, or receive something in mail.

Congratulations !!

[Meme.B 14]

54 minutes ago, MLChicago said:

Hi Meme.B Congratulations on passing the Citizenship N-400 exam and application. It sounds like they need some more time to process your removal of conditions. Hopefully that will be approved very soon!

Thank you, hope you cross this journey soon.

[egroeg 66]

18 hours ago, Meme.B said:

 

Hi everybody, my interview was so easy than I was expect. I arrived before my appointment more than one hour but the officer called my no. Excacty at my appointment 11:15 am. 

My husband was with me, but stayed outside the room and the officer didn’t ask me if he present or not.

 

On his table was a big file, It was mine seems to be gathering I-751 and N-400.

 

First of all he asked about my driver license, passport (old and new one), and my green card. Then begin with the civic test, and writing and reading after that he said great job you passed the test.

 

Then asked me approximately all (yes, No) questions, in the application, when he finished asked me: Did you understand all what I asked you? He didn’t ask me about the meanings anymore. 

 

Then asked me to give him last taxes we paid.

After that he asked Who lives with me, and if I have more proof that I and my husband still with each other, I gave him life insurance and bank statement. 

At the end gave me paper checked on two boxes:

1- you passed the English test and the U.S history and government test.

2- A decision cannot be made yet about your application.

Then he pointed to the paper and told me don’t worry you passed the test but you have to wait your I-751 to be approved. 

 

Congrats @Meme.B you are almost done, what does your status say for your I-751 and your N-400 applications ?

[Meme.B 14]

4 hours ago, xilef said:Congrats @Meme.B you are almost done, what does your status say for your I-751 and your N-400 applications ?

Thank you @xilef

My status still the same since last changes done, No changes any more after my interview. 

N-400 : Interview was scheduled. August 28, 2018.

I-751: Case was transferred And new office Has Jurisdiction. May 3, 2018.

[egroeg 66]

22 hours ago, flash9153 said:

Update on my wife's interview this morning at 8:30am today:

 

Our officer was probably the nicest gentleman there. When he called my wife's #, I accompanied her to the door to ask if I'm needed for a combo interview, and he kindly said, "yes please, you can join her".

 

I-751

After going in, the officer took my wife's biometrics and then she was sworn in to tell the truth. The first thing he did was explain to us that he ROC was pending, therefore he will first interview her on that application. He started by collecting all the documents that we had brought for verification of identity, which included  expired GC, both our passports, driver's licenses and social security card. After verifying our identities, he collected evidence for continuing relationship. We provided tax returns for three years, recent bank statements, copy of lease agreement, health and car insurance documents with both our names. I didn't have any utility bills with both our names, but he was content with rest of the evidence. Then he went through the entire application line by line including all the dates, addresses, yes or no questions, etc. He was incredibly thorough and didn't skip over anything. After that, he said that the i751 application looks good, he doesn't have any reservations approving it. However he said that he is new at doing combo interviews, so it'll take a few days before he can have the application adjudicated. I'll take that as a win in my book, waiting a few days is acceptable than having to wait months for NBC to adjudicate the i751. 

 

N400

 

After that, he returned my passport and driving license but held on to my wife's. Once again, my wife had her left index finger scanned, and swore to tell the truth. At this point, I thought I was going to have to leave, but he didn't say anything. He already had all the evidence he needed from i751 application, so he didn't ask for it again. Also, all of my wife's evidence was  submitted online, so he had it on his screen for review. He started with the civics exam, then reading, lastly the written portion. She passed all three, so the officer congratulated her. After that, he went through the application line by line. He actually found a couple of minor errors, which he corrected and then asked my wife to review the corrections and then sign off on them through a mounted iPad. After that he printed a piece of paper that says she passed the exam but a decision cannot yet be made. To that he explained, he needs to adjudicate the i751 first, which will take a few days, and then he'll process the N400 to put her in queue for an oath. WE WERE ECSTATIC! Couldn't believe our ears. This crazy journey might actually be coming to an end very soon. I'll keep posted when I see an updates on My USCIS account, or receive something in mail.

That awesome @flash9153, Congratulations and best wishes ! thank you for sharing your experience 

[egroeg 66]

On 10/1/2018 at 7:54 PM, MLChicago said:

Good News! My spouse had a combo I-751/N-400 interview at the USCIS Chicago office today, 10/01/18. Based on other posts here I knew there might be a strong possibility that our N-400 interview would actually be a combo I-751/N-400 interview, and it was.

 

We were very relieved because we had not heard anything on the I-751 application since we received the May 2018 notice saying our case had been transferred to the National Benefits Center in Missouri. Therefore, we had no idea what the status of the I-751 case was or where the file actually was. Also, at our most recent Infopass appointment where we received a I-551 stamp extension, the officer at the infopass desk said they don't do combo interviews at the Chicago office (which we now know is not correct).

 

When our number was called today at the citizenship interview (after waiting about an hour), I went with up with my spouse to the officer and introduced myself. The officer said that was fine if I attended the interview with my spouse and that it is a good thing that I am there because we have to do the I-751 interview first before the citizenship interview can be done. 

 

When we arrived at the officer's private office she went through the I-751 file folder first (it was the original paper file we submitted, so she had the file in Chicago) and she quickly went through it and asked a few quick questions. Once that was finished she moved on to the citizenship interview and she allowed me to stay in the room. The whole process was very quick, efficient and easy. The officer was very friendly and professional. At the end of the interview, she said she was recommending the file for approval and that we should get a notice of the oath ceremony within the next 6 weeks. The whole interview process took about 30 minutes.

 

I highly recommend everyone who has a I-751 that hasn't been processed yet to go with your spouse to the N-400 interview. It sounds like they are doing combo interviews in Chicago after all.

 

This has been a long journey for us. Congrats to everyone in the VJ community and good luck to everyone on your journey to citizenship. 

Thank you for sharing @MLChicago What does the case status for your I-751 and N-400 say ? If you don't mind me asking 

[Tcainkb 11]

On 10/2/2018 at 9:12 AM, xilef said:

When did you apply for your I-751 , how about your N-400 ?

@xilef I applied for the i-751 in March of 2017 & the N-400 in February of 2018.

[MLChicago 4]

On 10/4/2018 at 2:39 PM, xilef said:

Thank you for sharing @MLChicago What does the case status for your I-751 and N-400 say ? If you don't mind me asking 

The online USCIS case tracker for the I-751 has like 6 notices of case transfer. The N-400 says "we approved your application. Your final step to becoming a citizen is to attend your naturalization ceremony. We will mail you a letter when we schedule your naturalization ceremony."

[L&B2018 1]

On 10/3/2018 at 1:35 PM, Meme.B said:

 

Hi everybody, my interview was so easy than I was expect. I arrived before my appointment more than one hour but the officer called my no. Excacty at my appointment 11:15 am. 

My husband was with me, but stayed outside the room and the officer didn’t ask me if he present or not.

 

On his table was a big file, It was mine seems to be gathering I-751 and N-400.

 

First of all he asked about my driver license, passport (old and new one), and my green card. Then begin with the civic test, and writing and reading after that he said great job you passed the test.

 

Then asked me approximately all (yes, No) questions, in the application, when he finished asked me: Did you understand all what I asked you? He didn’t ask me about the meanings anymore. 

 

Then asked me to give him last taxes we paid.

After that he asked Who lives with me, and if I have more proof that I and my husband still with each other, I gave him life insurance and bank statement. 

At the end gave me paper checked on two boxes:

1- you passed the English test and the U.S history and government test.

2- A decision cannot be made yet about your application.

Then he pointed to the paper and told me don’t worry you passed the test but you have to wait your I-751 to be approved. 

 

Hi, any news on either your I-751 or N-400?

[Lu_So 32]

I woke up to the enclosed message, after two years of waiting, an August 2016 filer (I-751), two RFEs and finally an interview July 2018. 

:

New Card Is Being Produced

On October 15, 2018, we ordered your new card for Receipt Number WACXXXXXXXXXXX, and will mail it to the address you gave us.

 

Thank you to everyone for their contributions, because in my sleepless nights, it is the feedback I received from this platform that kept me strong, hopeful and resolute in my pursuit. Next week, it is my N-400 interview and now I don't have to worry about a decision not being made because of a pending I-751. I want to wish everyone best outcome in your cases, please don't tire, continue to believe and keep fighting!

 

Background

 

Filed I-751:  August 2016

Went through 2 RFE 

Filed N-400:  March 2018

Interviewed (I-751):  July 2018

Card in Production (I-751): October 2018

Interview (N-400):  October 2018

[Meme.B 14]

On 10/15/2018 at 3:08 PM, L&B2018 said:

Hi, any news on either your I-751 or N-400?

No, 2 weeks after N-400 interview nothing changed till this moment. Still waiting...

 

 

Edited October 17, 2018 by Meme.B

[Meme.B 14]

On 10/16/2018 at 7:31 AM, Lu & Soso said:

I woke up to the enclosed message, after two years of waiting, an August 2016 filer (I-751), two RFEs and finally an interview July 2018. 

:

New Card Is Being Produced

On October 15, 2018, we ordered your new card for Receipt Number WACXXXXXXXXXXX, and will mail it to the address you gave us.

 

Thank you to everyone for their contributions, because in my sleepless nights, it is the feedback I received from this platform that kept me strong, hopeful and resolute in my pursuit. Next week, it is my N-400 interview and now I don't have to worry about a decision not being made because of a pending I-751. I want to wish everyone best outcome in your cases, please don't tire, continue to believe and keep fighting!

 

Background

 

Filed I-751:  August 2016

Went through 2 RFE 

Filed N-400:  March 2018

Interviewed (I-751):  July 2018

Card in Production (I-751): October 2018

Interview (N-400):  October 2018

Congratulations, happy to hear your good news. Hope you pass your N-400 interview. Good luck.

[Lu_So 32]

5 hours ago, Meme.B said:

Congratulations, happy to hear your good news. Hope you pass your N-400 interview. Good luck.

Thank you so much @Meme.B. I realize that you are in a limbo with the outcome of your interview. It took me almost 3 months after my I-751 interview to get notification of the outcome. Today the status has changed to:  

Case Was Approved

On October 16, 2018, we approved your Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, Receipt Number WACXXXXXXXXXX. We will mail your approval notice.

 

@Meme.B, please hang in there, you've done your part and you'll soon get your case approved too! I don't know if my several attempts to submit an inquiry assisted my case, but every month since my interview I have been submitting an inquiry and asking for Tier 2 officer to check my case status as I was advised by my IO who interviewed me. Good luck, @Meme.B!

[Meme.B 14]

On 10/17/2018 at 2:42 PM, Lu & Soso said:

Thank you so much @Meme.B. I realize that you are in a limbo with the outcome of your interview. It took me almost 3 months after my I-751 interview to get notification of the outcome. Today the status has changed to:  

Case Was Approved

On October 16, 2018, we approved your Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, Receipt Number WACXXXXXXXXXX. We will mail your approval notice.

 

@Meme.B, please hang in there, you've done your part and you'll soon get your case approved too! I don't know if my several attempts to submit an inquiry assisted my case, but every month since my interview I have been submitting an inquiry and asking for Tier 2 officer to check my case status as I was advised by my IO who interviewed me. Good luck, @Meme.B!

At least your I-751 approved. 

The officer told me to wait 30 days, 16 days passed. So I have to wait. 

@Lu & SosoWhen your N-400 interview Scheduled ?