FOIA results for an ongoing N400

[CuriousImmigrant_ 8]

So I recently filed FOIA request to check if there is anything slowing down my N400 (submitted in August), and as far as I know, the security/FBI checks have already been processed long time ago and nothing wrong I can see within the application. What I noticed is that my A-file check in the N400 application has not even been processed or accessed by an officer and barely no comments were provided at all regarding my N400 case!

 

Also, I checked the actual A-file and I saw something like a stamp or a tag where it says: From NBC to NRC FOIA center. I also found that below the NBC, there was a note: N400 Await scheduling.

 

I am not sure where the delay is, but my gut feeling is that my FO (Montgomery) has not pulled my A-file yet for an interview as it may be slow compared to other FOs. I also heard from others that the delay sometimes is attributed to the NBC.

Any one having an experience like this or have used the Montgomery FO?

[jackiegringa 419]

52 minutes ago, CuriousImmigrant_ said:

N400 (submitted in August)

So...5 months ago? Why would you think that this is taking too long? It hasn't been enough time to do anything about it but wait until your interview is scheduled.

 

Other people getting their interviews in less the 5 months is not indication that your case will also take less than 5 months. I understand the anxiety of getting over with USCIS very well but you're well within processing times for your files office which is 7.5 months.

 

If you submitted in 2022 then yes, time to start bugging uscis and your local representative about it. Otherwise you're just gonna have to wait ...

Edited January 12 by jackiegringa

[OldUser 6,976]

It just seems like your case is waiting in a queue to be processed in a busy field office.

 

According to https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/, at the moment it takes about 7.5 months for 80% of cases.

 

Assuming you submitted your N-400 mid August 2023, it's only been 4.5 months in. No surprises here.

 

Note the important part - 80% of cases. Your case may randomly end up in the 20% which will take over 7.5 months. I wouldn't worry at all until at least August 2024.

 

Edited January 12 by OldUser

[CuriousImmigrant_ 8]

26 minutes ago, jackiegringa said:

So...5 months ago? Why would you think that this is taking too long? It hasn't been enough time to do anything about it but wait until your interview is scheduled.

 

Other people getting their interviews in less the 5 months is not indication that your case will also take less than 5 months. I understand the anxiety of getting over with USCIS very well but you're well within processing times for your files office which is 7.5 months.

 

If you submitted in 2022 then yes, time to start bugging USCIS and your local representative about it. Otherwise you're just gonna have to wait ...

I would like to tell you how many get their interviews in less than 3 months. I know that is very fast but at the end when you see the disparity in the processing times you start questioning if there is any issue with your case. Is it related to your country of origin? Do they do extensive background checks for people like you? 

Unfortunately the whole process is not transparent.

[OldUser 6,976]

17 minutes ago, CuriousImmigrant_ said:

I would like to tell you how many get their interviews in less than 3 months. I know that is very fast but at the end when you see the disparity in the processing times you start questioning if there is any issue with your case. Is it related to your country of origin? Do they do extensive background checks for people like you? 

Unfortunately the whole process is not transparent.

It's a lottery. It applies to all sort of cases with USCIS. My friend got I-751 approval 4-5 months earlier than me, even though his case was filed 3 weeks later than mine. I didn't have RFEs or anything else. Cases around mine were also delayed by several months for no apparent reason.

 

Having expectation to have your case adjudicated faster than standard processing time doesn't help. Are you ready for the interview and civics test if you were called for it today? If I was in your shoes, I'd ensure I studied everything and was prepared.

Edited January 12 by OldUser

[rebnoe 31]

How did you file a FOIA to see if anything is holding up the N400?

[OldUser 6,976]

8 minutes ago, rebnoe said:

How did you file a FOIA to see if anything is holding up the N400?

https://www.uscis.gov/records/request-records-through-the-freedom-of-information-act-or-privacy-act

 

 

Be aware that filing FOIA may slow down the N-400 case itself!

[SalishSea 17,969]

Dude, it's been 5 months.  Processing time for that FO is 7.5 months.  Relax.

[sweethrtt 124]

11 hours ago, jackiegringa said:

So...5 months ago? Why would you think that this is taking too long? It hasn't been enough time to do anything about it but wait until your interview is scheduled.

 

Other people getting their interviews in less the 5 months is not indication that your case will also take less than 5 months. I understand the anxiety of getting over with USCIS very well but you're well within processing times for your files office which is 7.5 months.

 

If you submitted in 2022 then yes, time to start bugging uscis and your local representative about it. Otherwise you're just gonna have to wait ...

Should I start bugging them about my N400? I sent mine in August 2022. 

[OldUser 6,976]

44 minutes ago, sweethrtt said:

Should I start bugging them about my N400? I sent mine in August 2022. 

Based on info in other threads, you filed N-400 in August 2023, not 2022?

 

If filed in August 2023, it's still early to bug USCIS.

 

It's also a bit early to bug regarding I-751 that you filed in August 2022, since most of I-751s take 20+ months nowadays.

Edited January 13 by OldUser

[.yana 598]

22 hours ago, CuriousImmigrant_ said:

Is it related to your country of origin? Do they do extensive background checks for people like you? 

First of all, don't compare your case to others'. It won't do you any good, just add to your frustration.

Back when I filed for my AOS in 2016, those who filed with me received their GCs within 3-6 months. At some point, I was the only filer left in my topic who got nothing from USCIS. 

 

Each of my filings (AOS, I-751, N400) ended up taking the longest out of the projected wait time, and I had no RFEs. 

 

So just be patient.

 

And yes, the country of origin might affect certain USCIS processes. For example, during my original AOS filing, at the infopass appointment I learned that my home country took over half a year to clear my background check which resulted in delay of my interview.

[Rocio0010 5,580]

On 1/12/2024 at 1:55 PM, CuriousImmigrant_ said:

submitted in August

You definitely need to chill. Mine took six months. You’re still well within your time frame 

[sweethrtt 124]

On 1/13/2024 at 2:48 AM, OldUser said:

Based on info in other threads, you filed N-400 in August 2023, not 2022?

 

If filed in August 2023, it's still early to bug USCIS.

 

It's also a bit early to bug regarding I-751 that you filed in August 2022, since most of I-751s take 20+ months nowadays.

Oh Geez you are so right about the N400. I totally confused the dates! Sorry about that! I filed my I-751 in 2022 🫣
 

Appreciate the response!