Great News!

[frustrated_alot]

Called immigration today. They have finally approved my citizenship. I am currently waiting for the oath ceremony. Does anyone know how long it takes for them to fit you into an oath ceremony?

[mario]

Can you give us a little more info? Like which # did you call? Did you speak to the regular reps. who answer the phone or ask to speak to an actual IO? What's your timeline and SC/DO?

[kkboy]

Congrats Frustra....don't need to be frustro anymore

Called immigration today. They have finally approved my citizenship. I am currently waiting for the oath ceremony. Does anyone know how long it takes for them to fit you into an oath ceremony?

Hey, what DO is yours ? IN SJ, they have the ceremony on the 2nd last wed every month. It usually takes 1-2 weeks for the oath letter to come in mail, and it's usually done with in 30 days ( next oath date). SF masonic center has oaths 2 times a month..hopefully u are in the oakland DO to get lucky at SF.
congrats again !!

[frustrated_alot]

Can you give us a little more info? Like which # did you call? Did you speak to the regular reps. who answer the phone or ask to speak to an actual IO? What's your timeline and SC/DO?

It's been quite a journey for me.
My receipt date was March 7, 2005. Yep, 2005.
Everything went quickly and i was interviewed on August of that same year. I cannot remember exact dates.
Anyway, i was told that they were waiting my background check. THat was since August of 2005. I kept hearing that all these months. Hence, my name frustrated_alot.
I finally called and was told this morning it was approved. I live in MD and my local office is Baltimore. I am just waiting now they said to be fit into an oath ceremony but I am just wondering how long that is going to take.

[frustrated_alot]

Can you give us a little more info? Like which # did you call? Did you speak to the regular reps. who answer the phone or ask to speak to an actual IO? What's your timeline and SC/DO?

My case number never shows up, so i always have to be transferred to an officer.

[mario]

I called the 800# at 3 different times today because I kept getting different stories each time I called. Each time I asked (insisted) to be transferred to an actual immigration officer (IO). Here is how that went:

1) Officer #1:
My case is in "the queue". I asked which queue. He said "well it's in queue for oath" but he can't see all the details. He then poked around a little more and said, that it looks like the FBI checks are not complete!! When he said that I was shocked bec. I thought that since May 2006 they only schedule interviews after the FBI security checks have been completed! He then said that even if you are congratulated at your interview and are "recommended for approval" there can be additional "checks" that are done on the appl. To that I asked "like what checks", and he said that it might need to go through additional FBI sec. checks. I then asked "aren't they only scheduling interviews after the sec. checks are complete"? And he said, no - that's not the case!! He also went on to tell me that they randomly select people for sec. checks!!! I said WOW! You mean not everyone goes through sec. checks? He said, no, just the name check/full blown check. He also made some real interesting comments that "everyone goes through a FP check but not the full blown sec. check" (I guess name check, but he didn't use that term). He also said that my wife was pending sec. checks too (so much for believing that women have it a lot easier!).

2) Officer #2:
Said that I am in line for oath scheduling. I then told her that earlier I was told that my case is still pending an FBI check. She poked some more and then came back and said tha I am all set and approved and that all security checks are complete!! I asked again and she said yes, "you & your wife are approved and just waiting for oath scheduling".

3) Officer #3:
Said that both my wife and I are in line for oath scheduling but not scheduled for oath - big difference. According to him the reason I am "not scheduled" vs. "being in line" for oath is because the FBI checks are not complete. Amazing stuff! At this point I was sooooo frustrated that I told him about the other 2 officers giving me 2 different stories. He said that what he sees is updated info but..... the San Antonio DO could have "more updated info." but it's unlikely. He then said that the only way Officer #2 could be correct is if the FBI checks cleared today and did't update the system. I asked what does being "congratulated" and "being recommended for approval" mean and he said that it's "standard stuff that all IO's say after passing the interview", but does not mean that the FBI checks are complete. Zing!

All I can say from this bizzarre set of events is that I am now more confused than I've ever been. There could be a variety of things at play, like:

1) The IO's are not very well trained in using the computer system
2) There are a bunch of screens with diffferent info. - some being updated - some not.
3) Shear stupidity - not knowing what to look for, etc.

After all this, I now feel very silly and almost defeated. Why? Well, because
1) I thought that passing the interview was the end of the process. "Congratulations! You have been recommended for approval..." WHAT? Yeah right!
2) I was given to believe (by reading the USCIS bulletins and reading the posts here and in other places) that since 5/2006 they only schedule interviews after all security checks are complete.

Now, I'm not sure who/what to believe anymore about this crap!

[frustrated_alot]

I called the 800# at 3 different times today because I kept getting different stories each time I called. Each time I asked (insisted) to be transferred to an actual immigration officer (IO). Here is how that went:

1) Officer #1:
My case is in "the queue". I asked which queue. He said "well it's in queue for oath" but he can't see all the details. He then poked around a little more and said, that it looks like the FBI checks are not complete!! When he said that I was shocked bec. I thought that since May 2006 they only schedule interviews after the FBI security checks have been completed! He then said that even if you are congratulated at your interview and are "recommended for approval" there can be additional "checks" that are done on the appl. To that I asked "like what checks", and he said that it might need to go through additional FBI sec. checks. I then asked "aren't they only scheduling interviews after the sec. checks are complete"? And he said, no - that's not the case!! He also went on to tell me that they randomly select people for sec. checks!!! I said WOW! You mean not everyone goes through sec. checks? He said, no, just the name check/full blown check. He also made some real interesting comments that "everyone goes through a FP check but not the full blown sec. check" (I guess name check, but he didn't use that term). He also said that my wife was pending sec. checks too (so much for believing that women have it a lot easier!).

2) Officer #2:
Said that I am in line for oath scheduling. I then told her that earlier I was told that my case is still pending an FBI check. She poked some more and then came back and said tha I am all set and approved and that all security checks are complete!! I asked again and she said yes, "you & your wife are approved and just waiting for oath scheduling".

3) Officer #3:
Said that both my wife and I are in line for oath scheduling but not scheduled for oath - big difference. According to him the reason I am "not scheduled" vs. "being in line" for oath is because the FBI checks are not complete. Amazing stuff! At this point I was sooooo frustrated that I told him about the other 2 officers giving me 2 different stories. He said that what he sees is updated info but..... the San Antonio DO could have "more updated info." but it's unlikely. He then said that the only way Officer #2 could be correct is if the FBI checks cleared today and did't update the system. I asked what does being "congratulated" and "being recommended for approval" mean and he said that it's "standard stuff that all IO's say after passing the interview", but does not mean that the FBI checks are complete. Zing!

All I can say from this bizzarre set of events is that I am now more confused than I've ever been. There could be a variety of things at play, like:

1) The IO's are not very well trained in using the computer system
2) There are a bunch of screens with diffferent info. - some being updated - some not.
3) Shear stupidity - not knowing what to look for, etc.

After all this, I now feel very silly and almost defeated. Why? Well, because
1) I thought that passing the interview was the end of the process. "Congratulations! You have been recommended for approval..." WHAT? Yeah right!
2) I was given to believe (by reading the USCIS bulletins and reading the posts here and in other places) that since 5/2006 they only schedule interviews after all security checks are complete.

Now, I'm not sure who/what to believe anymore about this crap!

After reading your experience, i called back to be on the safe side, only to be told that no, my case is not approved. It's still pending the background check. Frustrated with Immigration, i wrote a letter to my congressman's office. I am tired. How can they make a mistake like this?

[mario]

After reading your experience, i called back to be on the safe side, only to be told that no, my case is not approved. It's still pending the background check. Frustrated with Immigration, i wrote a letter to my congressman's office. I am tired. How can they make a mistake like this?

Wow! Your first post said "currently waiting for the oath ceremony". Now you are saying they told you the same thing they told me? Are you serious?

What's your timeline and case history? Can you post the details?

[frustrated_alot]

Wow! Your first post said "currently waiting for the oath ceremony". Now you are saying they told you the same thing they told me? Are you serious?

What's your timeline and case history? Can you post the details?

Yes and like you i called back a couple of times and everytime i got different answers. I have written a letter to my congressman. I am tired. I even called the FBI but they wouldn't give me information about background checks. It's just not right.

[mario]

Can you post your timelines/DO and details?