N-400 May 2020 filers

[Oladipo 35]

Hello everyone,

 

please I need clarification. I’m preparing for my N-400 interview and I’m asked to bring (Any evidence of Selective Service Registration). I don’t know what that is. Please help. 
 

Thanks

[MKT3121 1]

Hello everyone,

 

I just found this website after scouring the internet for an answer as to why my case has had no action since January 2021.

 

I read the whole thread and couldn’t believe how many people are in the same boat.

 

Submitted a service request on October 22, 2021 and this was the reply I got:

 

The status of this service request is:

Thank you for contacting USCIS concerning the above-referenced application. Below is a summary of what we have found and how the issue has been resolved or additional actions required.

What We Have Done:
USCIS has reviewed your Service Request and determined that your application is currently in the pre-processing stage. After the pre-processing stage is complete, your file will be scheduled for an interview. No further action is required from you at this time. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by delays in processing.

 

Anyone know what “pre-processing” means or gotten a similar reply?

 

I am so frustrated and I losing patience with each passing month.

 

Anyways, thank you for all your replies in this thread.

 

Here is my timeline:

 

N-400 Application: May 6, 2020 (Online 1 year before my 10 year permanent resident card expired on May 10, 2021).

Biometrics Reuse Notice: January 20, 2021

I-551 Extension Stamp: May 3, 2021 (it will expire on May 2, 2022)

[whatsawotsit 8]

1 hour ago, MKT3121 said:

Anyone know what “pre-processing” means or gotten a similar reply?

Hi MKT3121

 

I'm afraid I cant tell you what "pre-processing" means. However I can tell you you're not alone. I opened a ticket and got the same response when I raised an Outside Normal Processing ticket during the summer

 

Yes, it's very frustrating and you have my sympathies as somebody in the same bind. Unfortunately the only encouragement I can give is chin-up and hope for the best.

Cheers

 

Edited November 26, 2021 by whatsawotsit
Edit for typos

[MKT3121 1]

1 hour ago, whatsawotsit said:

Hi MKT3121

 

I'm afraid I cant tell you what "pre-processing" means. However I can tell you you're not alone. I opened a ticket and got the same response when I raised an Outside Normal Processing ticket during the summer

 

Yes, it's very frustrating and you have my sympathies as somebody in the same bind. Unfortunately the only encouragement I can give is chin-up and hope for the best.

Cheers

 

Thank you for your encouragement! 
 

I actually went ahead and sent USCIS a message online requesting clarification on the previous message and if there is anything that can be done to speed up the process.

 

Let’s see what they say!

[whatsawotsit 8]

Hi All

 

Yesterday I saw on My USCIS some updates.

 

My Estimated Time to Completion has jumped from "Taking Longer than expected" to "14 Months" 😮

 

However, on the plus side,  I have been given an interview date (Jan 6th 2022) 😀. So that 14 Months seems suspect.

 

My wife however, who filed on exactly the same day with exactly the same particulars, has heard squat!

 

Cheers

[rams_usa 5]

3 hours ago, whatsawotsit said:

Hi All

 

Yesterday I saw on My USCIS some updates.

 

My Estimated Time to Completion has jumped from "Taking Longer than expected" to "14 Months" 😮

 

However, on the plus side,  I have been given an interview date (Jan 6th 2022) 😀. So that 14 Months seems suspect.

 

My wife however, who filed on exactly the same day with exactly the same particulars, has heard squat!

 

Cheers

Congrats. may i know when have you filed N400 ?

[whatsawotsit 8]

3 minutes ago, rams_usa said:

Congrats. may i know when have you filed N400 ?

Thanks - it ain't over 'til it's over, but even just seeing the light at the end of the tunnel now is a good feeling. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for everyone else who still hasn't seen progress. Hopefully this is a sign of USCIS starting to clear the backlog

 

I filed May 25th 2020, online, the interview notification was issued Nov 26th 2021. So I got the interview notification 18 months and 1 day after filing.

[roddie2k 68]

1 hour ago, whatsawotsit said:

Thanks - it ain't over 'til it's over, but even just seeing the light at the end of the tunnel now is a good feeling. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for everyone else who still hasn't seen progress. Hopefully this is a sign of USCIS starting to clear the backlog

 

I filed May 25th 2020, online, the interview notification was issued Nov 26th 2021. So I got the interview notification 18 months and 1 day after filing.

Congrats..mind if I ask what your field office is?

[whatsawotsit 8]

Just now, roddie2k said:

Congrats..mind if I ask what your field office is?

Thanks. My field office is Memphis, TN.

[iacrossnation 4]

received this from senator office 

 

----------------

The law firm Mintz Levin is interested in talking with constituents about their naturalization applications that are not moving forward because the files are sitting at the Federal Records Center. If this is of interest to you, please reach out to Susan Cohen at SJCohen@mintz.com and title the subject line "Federal Record Center" in your email. 

Please know that this outreach will be at no cost to you and they will not provide legal advice. They are exploring how large an issue this is nationally so that they can address the situation head-on. 

[rams_usa 5]

33 minutes ago, iacrossnation said:

received this from senator office 

 

----------------

The law firm Mintz Levin is interested in talking with constituents about their naturalization applications that are not moving forward because the files are sitting at the Federal Records Center. If this is of interest to you, please reach out to Susan Cohen at SJCohen@mintz.com and title the subject line "Federal Record Center" in your email. 

Please know that this outreach will be at no cost to you and they will not provide legal advice. They are exploring how large an issue this is nationally so that they can address the situation head-on. 

Sent email to Susan.

[ironfist81 7]

About to send as well, did you include your Receipt#? Thanks.

[rams_usa 5]

20 minutes ago, ironfist81 said:

About to send as well, did you include your Receipt#? Thanks.

No receipt. Just sent when N400 was applied, Fp dates and latest response from USCIS.

[iacrossnation 4]

21 minutes ago, ironfist81 said:

About to send as well, did you include your Receipt#? Thanks.

 

no, don't send your information. just tell her when you applied and major timeline, I think it will be sufficient. 

 

I just received her response. She is trying to get press on this issue. I think it's great because it's faster and impactful than other channels. 

 

Edited December 1, 2021 by iacrossnation

[abfar 119]

On 10/27/2021 at 8:56 AM, roddie2k said:

Received a lengthy response back from Newark Field office (critical parts bolded) :

 

 

We have reviewed the available information related to your constituent’s concerns and determined that your constituent has a file, which is currently at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Typically, archived files which are not in the custody of the USCIS National Record Center (NRC), must be requested through NARA. Yet, at the present time and due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, NARA has suspended or closed their research facilities to the public and other Federal agencies.

USCIS is committed to adjudicating immigration benefits in a timely and efficient manner while also ensuring public safety, national security, and compliance with all relevant directives. Like other Federal agencies, USCIS has taken necessary measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Such mitigation efforts include increased social distancing and frequent cleaning in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control guidance and limited access to facilities when necessary. Yet, throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, our agency has worked to balance the safety and health of our workforce with the needs and desires of our applicants and petitioners. USCIS cannot compel other Federal agencies to circumvent their own COVID-19 protocols to assist us in our adjudication efforts.

While the processing steps for most applications or petitions are completed quickly, a small percentage of cases involve researching unresolved issues that may result in adjudication delays because of COVID-19 restrictions throughout the Federal government. Additionally, increased filings and other external factors may result in some applicants and petitioners experiencing increased delays in adjudication if essential file information is located at NARA.

We understand your office’s concerns regarding the processing of your constituent’s applications and petitions. USCIS is striving to resolve these issues as soon as possible. However, USCIS is unable to render a decision on your constituent’s application until we are able to access and review information that is currently unavailable to us due to its storage at the NARA. We are unable to determine when the review process for the application will be completed and ask your patience and understanding while this situation persists.

 

----------------------------------

Spouse & I  received the above response. Senator's office has asked to reach out once case hits outside of processing time.

 

Note: NARA is currently operating at 25% capacity as part of its Phase 1 reopening effort. 

 

Their excuse is such BS. Not a single person has stopped going grocery shopping, or going to work or school due to covid. Most of us have no option to avoid doing our job. Just put on a mask, take your shot and get back to work what we've all been doing in our daily lives. Why is NARA any different? Absolutely loathe the fact that most govt facilities just love to milk an excuse to avoid doing their job. It sucks waiting since May 2020 for my n400 still being stuck and even now showing a 13 month estimated completion time.

Covid isnt going away anytime soon, does that mean people will be waiting for NARA to open up in 5-10 years from now when covid is under control and then start doing its job?