USCIS did NOT conduct interview at scheduled Appointment citing pending security checks !!

[amiintrouble]

Dear friends, 

I know the title of this topic is odd but this is exactly what happened to me this morning when I appeared for interview at the Detroit USCIS field office.

After 15 months wait I finally got interview appointment letter dated 7/20/2017 to appear for interview today, i.e. , August 24, 2017 at 8:40 am. I was at the office by about 8:10 am.  My name was called much earlier than appointment time. The officer introduced herself and to my shock said that she cannot conduct the interview because security checks are not complete !!

My immediate response was why was the interview notice sent ? To which she repeated her earlier statement. This happened a couple of times before I asked to speak with her supervisor. All this conversation happened in the corridor, I was not even called into an office. 

I was then asked to sit in the waiting area so that she could call her supervisor. The supervisor came into the corridor and pretended as if she knew nothing. I insisted we go into her office and talk. We went into the office of her subordinate (the officer who was supposed to interview me). I asked the supervisor why the interview notice was sent when security checks were not complete. She explained the N400 process, application, security check, interview and oath process.  She mentioned an additional level of checks at the field office prior to oath which leads to delays after interview sometimes.

I asked her if they are going to send my file back to NBC. She seemed to indicate that the checks will be local. I asked her that the interview was scheduled more than a month ago, they could have easily called me earlier and told me not to come to interview. To which she said they received my file yesterday (unbelievable !!). I insisted you could have called me yesterday. She said they received my file yesterday evening !! 

I asked to speak with the Field office director. The supervisor said he/she is out of office.

Her subordinate said that I was being rude to which I backed off and pleaded with them to understand my frustration of going through all this after a 15 month wait and also being a 21 year legal resident of this country. The supervisor left and I was escorted by the officer to the waiting area. 

Frustrated and seeing the number of people in the waiting area, I just left the office.

Haven't really thought on what to do. Really sorry to bother you guys with this long post. Kindly advise if you can. Thanks a lot. 

 

[JoeF]

Not much you can do. Maybe contact an immigration lawyer and see if you can get things done that way.

They nowadays usually don't want to do an interview if background checks are pending. Reason being that by law they have to make a decision no later than 120 days after the interview. In the past, when they did interviews with checks pending, people filed writs of mandamus to get them to approve their cases.

[Alexander-2017]

Unfortunately you can do nothing. However, it is not only you. I have heard from a couple other folks that have been residents (not in your metro area) for 15+ years they experienced similar situation. It seems that when a long-term resident applies for citizenship (many did last and this year) they do some additional type of security check.

 

Stay calm and relax. I understand your frustration but it won't help you at all. If it takes long time (3+ months) for the additional check, you can talk to your senator office. 

[pontevecchio]

As suggested, get a lawyer involved.

[amiintrouble]

Thanks for the replies. I had a lawyer involved right from the beginning. He doesn't do litigation work and has consistently advised me against WOM, even after what happened at interview. I guess, I'll have to look for another lawyer.