February 2021 N-400 filers (edited title)

[Savva 222]

Hey guys! Good news! I got reuse, so it's been 9th day since I applied, the letter is already visible in my doc tab, I checked my case at 7am, est, nothing was in there, and then at 9am, the letter already was there, I got no notification not thru email neither thru text, the only thing did confuse me is my estimated wait time moved from June 2021 to December 2021

[Savva 222]

[J S 11]

I Have the same! Reused it today after 13 days since I applied.

[ollie 47]

1 minute ago, Savva said:

Hey guys! Good news! I got reuse, so it's been 9th day since I applied, the letter is already visible in my doc tab, I checked my case at 7am, est, nothing was in there, and then at 9am, the letter already was there, I got no notification not thru email neither thru text, the only thing did confuse me is my estimated wait time moved from June 2021 to December 2021

I just checked, and got the same notice......which means they've really relaxed the rules.....it previously said that to be eligible for reuse, your previous biometrics had to be less than 5 years old. My last biometrics appointment with USCIS was 9 years ago. I don't know if they have access to other federal agencies, I have had biometrics at a federal level for NMLS and CCW screening in the past 2 years

[Savva 222]

2 minutes ago, ollie said:

I just checked, and got the same notice......which means they've really relaxed the rules.....it previously said that to be eligible for reuse, your previous biometrics had to be less than 5 years old. My last biometrics appointment with USCIS was 9 years ago. I don't know if they have access to other federal agencies, I have had biometrics at a federal level for NMLS and CCW screening in the past 2 years

Don't forget that they also reuse biometrics from the airports when you travel internationally and come back 

[ollie 47]

Now just to wait for interview.....and hopefully clarity on which Civics test we'll take.

[Savva 222]

2 minutes ago, ollie said:

Now just to wait for interview.....and hopefully clarity on which Civics test we'll take.

I can not become a citizen before May 11th (5 years since I got my GC) but I know they schedule interviews 2 months prior the interview, so hopefully!!!

[Savva 222]

And guys!!! Don't forget!!! We are taking a new 128 civic test, since we applying on/or after  December 1th 2020

[ollie 47]

Just now, Savva said:

And guys!!! Don't forget!!! We are taking a new 128 civic test, since we applying on/or after  December 1th 2020

That's the current rule......but Biden's executive order earlier in the month directed the agency to review the N-400 process, including considering reverting to the old test. I would closely monitor for any changes.

[ollie 47]

The Government moves slow, so I don't foresee any changes on our current projected timelines.......but it is important to be aware of, especially if our interview gets pushed back into the 2nd half of the year.

 

From the Executive Order signed 2/2/21.......

 

 

Sec. 5.  Promoting Naturalization. (a)  Improving the naturalization process.  The Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, within 60 days of the date of this order, develop a plan describing any agency actions, in furtherance of the policy set forth in section 1 of this order, that they will take to:

(i)    eliminate barriers in and otherwise improve the existing naturalization process, including by conducting a comprehensive review of that process with particular emphasis on the N-400 application, fingerprinting, background and security checks, interviews, civics and English language tests, and the oath of allegiance;

(ii)   substantially reduce current naturalization processing times;

(iii)  make the naturalization process more accessible to all eligible individuals, including through a potential reduction of the naturalization fee and restoration of the fee waiver process;

(iv)   facilitate naturalization for eligible candidates born abroad and members of the military, in consultation with the Department of Defense; and

(v)    review policies and practices regarding denaturalization and passport revocation to ensure that these authorities are not used excessively or inappropriately.

(b)  Implementing improvements to the naturalization process.  Within 180 days of the issuance of the plan developed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall each submit a report to the President describing the progress in implementing the plan, any barriers to implementing the plan, and any additional areas of concern that should be addressed to ensure that eligible individuals are able to apply for naturalization in a fair and efficient manner.

(c)  Strategy to promote naturalization.  There is established an Interagency Working Group on Promoting Naturalization (Naturalization Working Group) to develop a national strategy to promote naturalization.  The Naturalization Working Group shall be chaired by the Secretary of Homeland Security, or the Secretary’s designee, and it shall include the heads of the following agencies, or senior-level officials designated by the head of each agency:

(i)    the Secretary of Labor;

(ii)   the Secretary of Health and Human Services;

(iii)  the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development;

(iv)   the Secretary of Education;

(v)    the Secretary of Homeland Security;

(vi)   the Commissioner of Social Security; and

(vii)  the heads of other agencies invited to participate by the Working Group chair.

(d)  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Naturalization Working Group shall submit a strategy to the President outlining steps the Federal Government should take to promote naturalization, including the potential development of a public awareness campaign.

[J91939 63]

13 hours ago, genie12 said:

Even if it's not before then you might still be able to get a passport within 3 business days of your travel, you just have to show them proof that you will actually travel internationally: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast.html

Thank you for this!! I am changing my name also, so I'm wondering if that will affect anything?

[Savva 222]

23 minutes ago, J91939 said:

Thank you for this!! I am changing my name also, so I'm wondering if that will affect anything?

It doesn't affect anything besides the time, because of you don't change your name officer can conduct you oath ceremony, if you do they get a judge involved and then it takes some time, just Google something like name change oath ceremony, there are a lot of people's stories about their names being charged

[ollie 47]

I've also been watching some of the posts by last year's filers that have gotten to their interviews. Provided they don't have a continuation, all have been given their Oath and certificate on the day of their interview. Again, this is probably part of the effort to cut down the processing time. Seeing as family members are not allowed attend the Oath Ceremonies right now, I'd prefer just to do it on same day as interview. That, and biometric reuse combined are cutting about 3 months out of the process. 

 

My estimate is still reading June 2021.......there is a 5 day period that I am out of town, just hoping not to have bad enough luck to have an appointment that week.

[J91939 63]

5 hours ago, Savva said:

It doesn't affect anything besides the time, because of you don't change your name officer can conduct you oath ceremony, if you do they get a judge involved and then it takes some time, just Google something like name change oath ceremony, there are a lot of people's stories about their names being charged

My boss changed hers during her oath ceremony on the same day my question was geared towards buying the ticket beforehand with my current name then flying out with the name changed

[Savva 222]

21 minutes ago, J91939 said:

My boss changed hers during her oath ceremony on the same day my question was geared towards buying the ticket beforehand with my current name then flying out with the name changed

 

22 minutes ago, J91939 said:

My boss changed hers during her oath ceremony on the same day my question was geared towards buying the ticket beforehand with my current name then flying out with the name changed

So I guess you're going to have US passport with your new name and your Brazilian passport with your old name at the airport you just can use both of them as a proof that your changed your name