N400 Seattle (merged)

[Bassam 4]

16 hours ago, GermanG said:

The Immigration Officer asked me for an employer letter and even though I emailed them back, they assured that they don't have spots.

What is an employer letter and why do we need it to have an extension stamp? 

[GermanG 31]

1 hour ago, Bassam said:

What is an employer letter and why do we need it to have an extension stamp? 

In order to give me an Infopass appointment to get the 4th I-551 temporary evidence for Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR), the Immigration Officer asked me to email him a letter from my current employer stating that without that stamp, my job can be at risk.

I did email him back such a letter, from HR department.

However, he said that they didn't have spots available for Infopasses. He asked me to call on May 27 and schedule for the month of June.

The extension stamp is a "Green Card" stamp.

Combo filers we don't have a plastic green card or an extension letter any more.  The only way to change jobs, be promoted, apply for federal grants or travel is showing that I-551 stamp. It's also known as ADIT stamp.

USCIS may provide an “Alien Documentation, Identification & Telecommunications” (ADIT) stamp to prove your status as a green card holder if:

• You have an urgent need to prove you’re a lawful permanent resident — for example, if you’re applying for a new job — while you wait for your new green card.
• You applied for naturalization at least 6 months before your green card expires, in which case you would not need to file Form I-90.

https://www.stilt.com/blog/2019/05/i-551-stamp/

So far, it's the only proof that we have to show your Permanent Resident status, especially when you travel internationally.

I have already had 3 stamps because of their lack of efficiency.

 

 

[Bassam 4]

1 hour ago, GermanG said:

In order to give me an Infopass appointment to get the 4th I-551 temporary evidence for Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR), the Immigration Officer asked me to email him a letter from my current employer stating that without that stamp, my job can be at risk.

I did email him back such a letter, from HR department.

However, he said that they didn't have spots available for Infopasses. He asked me to call on May 27 and schedule for the month of June.

The extension stamp is a "Green Card" stamp.

Combo filers we don't have a plastic green card or an extension letter any more.  The only way to change jobs, be promoted, apply for federal grants or travel is showing that I-551 stamp. It's also known as ADIT stamp.

USCIS may provide an “Alien Documentation, Identification & Telecommunications” (ADIT) stamp to prove your status as a green card holder if:

• You have an urgent need to prove you’re a lawful permanent resident — for example, if you’re applying for a new job — while you wait for your new green card.
• You applied for naturalization at least 6 months before your green card expires, in which case you would not need to file Form I-90.

https://www.stilt.com/blog/2019/05/i-551-stamp/

So far, it's the only proof that we have to show your Permanent Resident status, especially when you travel internationally.

I have already had 3 stamps because of their lack of efficiency.

 

 

Thanks buddy! I believe we are in the same boat then. Combo filer here (I-751 in Nebraska since Nov2018 and N-400 in Seattle since Jan2020). My extension letter is expiring on coming August so I was thinking I need to request an info pass appointment sometime in July. Thanks for sharing your detailed thoughts here! It is sad you needed to go through all of this unnecessary delays. Sorry to hear so.

One more thing I was wondering about, I will be moving to Albany, NY on coming October. Do you think this move may result in having both my cases transferred to Albany center which could be better than Seattle? Thoughts? The case status of my I-751 is still "fingerprint reviewed", there is nothing to indicate that my case is/was transferred to Seattle office. 
Thanks again and I do wish you all the best with your application.

[py6 43]

23 hours ago, GermanG said:

I am a combo filer.

I-751: filed on 11/4/2017

N-400: filed on 10/22/2018

I have never moved and lived for the last 9 years in Seattle.

 

Updates:

 

1) Even though I called to get 4th extension stamp (form I-551 that supports LPR status), they were not able to schedule me an Infopass appointment in Seattle. The Immigration Officer asked me for an employer letter and even though I emailed them back, they assured that they don't have spots. They told me to call at the end of May to schedule an appointment for June. My stamp expires on June 4, 2020.

 

2) I sent an E-request for the N-400 because it is now outside normal processing time.

This is the reply that I got:

"USCIS acknowledges the receipt of your N-400, Application for Naturalization, Receipt #..., which you filed on 10/25/2018.  It is true that the website says we are processing N-400s with a filing date of October 15, 2018 or sooner.  However, your N-400 application cannot be adjudicated until your I-751 is completed.

Therefore, according to our USCIS.gov website, the processing time for an I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, is 20 months to 46 months for the Seattle Field Office.  USCIS received your I-751 application on 11-13-2017 which is 30 months from today.  Therefore, your case is still within processing guidelines.

We are unable to determine at this time when the review process for your I-751 will be completed.  If you do not receive a decision or other notice of action from us within 30 to 60 days of this letter, or after the stay home order has been lifted from your state, you may contact our National Customer Service at 800-375-5283 to further inquire about your case."

 

Conclusion:

 

There is a discrepancy in the messages that they have been sending to people.

They told US Senator Cantwell that "both cases will be adjudicated simultaneously, at the time of Naturalization".

NOW THEY ARE SAYING THAT WE HAVE TO WAIT 46 MONTHS TO APPROVE THE GREEN CARD BEFORE THEY TOUCH THE NATURALIZATION CASE.

Something does not make sense here. I am totally puzzled and don't know what to do (other than waiting 16 more months so they can finish the ROC case).

 

 

 

You applied right after me. If there weren't this closure, you probably would have already been called for interview. I think you are very close. Don't stress yourself on those procedural things. We don't really know the inner workings. 

 

Also I think you might have misinterpreted their reply. They are using the max wait for I-751 to tell you your case isn't out of normal processing range. Your N400 isn't ready because your I751 isn't ready. You could ask them if your I751 has been transferred to Seattle office. Your N400 is waiting because your I751 might have not finished processing yet. It's not the case that they haven't touched your N400. It's just stuck at this right-before-interview point due to ongoing I-751. My I-751 was transferred to Seattle office 1.5 months before I was scheduled for an interview. USCIS representative on the phone informed me. 

 

What they told you really is just old information that they tell everyone else. I-751 first. If I751 still in process at NBC, then N400 is stuck and waiting. Your N400 is not out of range because you applied for I751 and that one is in-range. So nothing really new here.

[JollyRedd 2]

12 hours ago, GermanG said:

Combo filers we don't have a plastic green card or an extension letter any more.  The only way to change jobs, be promoted, apply for federal grants or travel is showing that I-551 stamp.

If it is just the employment that you are seeking, as a lawful permanent resident, there are some guidelines describing alternate forms of proof you may be able to use. You should checkout these links: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/61-lawful-permanent-residents-lpr

Take a look at the I-9 form: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9 especially the first and last page.

[Pachaking 1]

14 hours ago, py6 said:

You applied right after me. If there weren't this closure, you probably would have already been called for interview. I think you are very close. Don't stress yourself on those procedural things. We don't really know the inner workings. 

 

Also I think you might have misinterpreted their reply. They are using the max wait for I-751 to tell you your case isn't out of normal processing range. Your N400 isn't ready because your I751 isn't ready. You could ask them if your I751 has been transferred to Seattle office. Your N400 is waiting because your I751 might have not finished processing yet. It's not the case that they haven't touched your N400. It's just stuck at this right-before-interview point due to ongoing I-751. My I-751 was transferred to Seattle office 1.5 months before I was scheduled for an interview. USCIS representative on the phone informed me. 

 

What they told you really is just old information that they tell everyone else. I-751 first. If I751 still in process at NBC, then N400 is stuck and waiting. Your N400 is not out of range because you applied for I751 and that one is in-range. So nothing really new here.

Agreed. Our I-551 stamp is now expired. Our lawyer called and was told we can only get a new one right now if there is a family death abroad. The last time we got one, we were told we should expect an interview around May. Then all this happened. Our N400 is now over a month outside of processing. Our lawyer filed a second case inquiry and was told "we anticipate you should receive a decision or other notice from USCIS within 120 days of this notice." That was at the end of April. So we shall see. One consolation is that we are all in the same boat right now. 

[GermanG 31]

On 5/14/2020 at 7:38 AM, Pachaking said:

Agreed. Our I-551 stamp is now expired. Our lawyer called and was told we can only get a new one right now if there is a family death abroad. The last time we got one, we were told we should expect an interview around May. Then all this happened. Our N400 is now over a month outside of processing. Our lawyer filed a second case inquiry and was told "we anticipate you should receive a decision or other notice from USCIS within 120 days of this notice." That was at the end of April. So we shall see. One consolation is that we are all in the same boat right now. 

I have a letter from Homeland Security coming today to my mail box!!!!!! It's coming from Boise, Idaho (even though I live in Seattle and never lived in Idaho!!!). Super excited and anxious!! I will be opening after when it comes and updating this forum. I am combo filer (i751, from early Nov 2017 abd N400 from end of Oct 2018. i751 transferred to NBC in Dec 2018).

My USCIS website does not show any updates from any of the two pending cases.

Last week, I was very active. I called Customer Service twice, sent two E-requests (for each case) and sent emails to US Senator and US Representative for my district. I have no idea what is it.

Has anybody else received a physical letter recently???

[GermanG 31]

6 hours ago, GermanG said:

I have a letter from Homeland Security coming today to my mail box!!!!!! It's coming from Boise, Idaho (even though I live in Seattle and never lived in Idaho!!!). Super excited and anxious!! I will be opening after when it comes and updating this forum. I am combo filer (i751, from early Nov 2017 abd N400 from end of Oct 2018. i751 transferred to NBC in Dec 2018).

My USCIS website does not show any updates from any of the two pending cases.

Last week, I was very active. I called Customer Service twice, sent two E-requests (for each case) and sent emails to US Senator and US Representative for my district. I have no idea what is it.

Has anybody else received a physical letter recently???

I have news! The letter came from the USCIS field office in Boise, ID.

They want to us to submit more evidence (it's a Request for Evidence Letter, RFE) to prove our marriage.

They said that they have already all the documents submitted for I751 and N-400 in November 2017 and October 2018.

But they want us to submit UPDATED evidence between the filing of N-400 (October 2018) and now.

Not a problem!!! They gave us time by June 16, 2020 but we may file everything this week.

They listed everything that they want (same list as for I751).

I will ask my lawyer how they might process this "combo" situation. 

The title of the letter says "I-751, PETITION TO REMOVE CONDITIONS ON RESIDENCE".

And the case number is the WAC..for I751.  Interestingly, they mention that they already have the evidence for N-400.

We submitted a lot...house mortage, insurance, bank accounts, credit cards, trips, photos, letters from our common physician, our bosses, etc. but they want more updated information. Whatever it takes!!

 

 

 

 

 

[py6 43]

USCIS could run out of money by the end of summer without a $1.2 billion bailout

 

This is worrisome. Paralyzing the USCIS without actually changing the immigration law is a pretty smart move for "some" advisor.

[py6 43]

At this point I just hope that they open up in June and I can get the final bit of N400 done before everything potentially frays. Family-based categories, H1B, OPT,... sinking one by one and with bankruptcy hanging over the edge. It's time to look out for oneself.

[Hamido 7]

5 minutes ago, py6 said:

At this point I just hope that they open up in June and I can get the final bit of N400 done before everything potentially frays. Family-based categories, H1B, OPT,... sinking one by one and with bankruptcy hanging over the edge. It's time to look out for oneself.

Most likely either they will raise the applications fees or reduce the staff but not closing the door 

[py6 43]

19 minutes ago, Hamido said:

Most likely either they will raise the applications fees or reduce the staff but not closing the door 

High chance the already super backlogged lines will become even longer. 

[Hamido 7]

16 minutes ago, py6 said:

High chance the already super backlogged lines will become even longer. 

Agree 

[skyflyer 0]

Most probably the waiting times will double or even triple...

People are massively applying online for N400 during these difficult times and at the same time USCIS offices are closed..so backlog will just keep increasing exponentially...

On top of USCIS offices will be running at 50% capacity when they reopen....

I hope i am wrong and we all make till the oath...

good luck all

[justwaiting2018 51]

Hey hope everyone is doing well! I have a question. I have both my I-751 and my N-400 pending. However, my I-751 just got approved today and card was in production yesterday. I thought I was going to have both cases adjudicated together. Apparently,  it's not the case. Does anyone of you experience this? Not sure how long I have to wait for N-400(pending since December. 2019)

 

Let me know what you guys think!

 

Thanks!