freezerman

I sent my check off to Nebraska SC on September 29th. It seems I should consider myself lucky that they cashed the check on November 7th.
I have no clue just what happens next or what timeline to expect but I will keep you all posted.

abir007

What the heck happened to TSC? Why are they so slow? Somewhere I read other Service Centers are helping TSC with the backlog, but it sure doesn't feel like it.

AlanR

From the N-400 instructions:
Notice to Those Making Payment by Check. If you send us a check, it will be converted into an electronic funds transfer (EFT). This means we will copy your check and use the account information on it to electronically debit your account for the amount of the check. The debit from your account will usually take 24 hours, and will be shown on your regular account statement.
You will not receive your original check back. We will destroy your original check, but we will keep a copy of it. If the EFT cannot be processed for technical reasons, you authorize us to process the copy in place of your original check. If the EFT cannot be completed because of insufficient funds, we may try to make the transfer up to two times.

Dan725

It is obviosly run by a shining example of a clock watching, useless, lazy civil servant who should've been fired a long time ago....

Thinking about it, I wonder if they simply have had more apps than everyone else. Geographically, considering the border area covered by them, that would make sense.

Whoever the ***** at USCIS was who decided to up the fee by 50% overnight without thinking about the consequences (raising staff levels/ improving procedures etc) needs firing.

ian-mstm

What makes you think that the "consequences" were ever relevant to the fee hike? Those who increased the fees were not those who were to do the work... so why should it have mattered to them?

Ian

Dan725

You are right, it didn't matter to them. However, only the government can get away with such nonsense. A normal service type business who hiked their prices 50% in a oner would have to seriously raise their game and have something to show for it, or go bust instantly.

Obviously thats not an option in this case, monopoly that it is.... but even so, the fact still stands the fool has caused severe chaos within USCIS's system and if I was his boss I'd be wondering why my organisation was an even bigger laughing stock.

Aycee

Yes, Dan - I'll post here as soon as they cash my cheque.

As well as the fee hike for N400s they had an influx of I485s and other applications, which they've had to clear first because they have to be dealt with within a time-frame - N400s were given second priority.

They said they received something of the order of 900,000 N400s between July/August, when the norm would be 100,000.

As you say, Texas probably got a bigger proportion of those than, say, Vermont. But even so, TSC should have more staff and facilities due to the area's size and juxtaposition with the border.

A very long wait ahead, even after receipting, I fear.

Aycee

My cheque was cashed today - TSC

N400 sent 26 July (received 30th July)

At last!!!!

abir007

Wow! That's good news.

Hope mine gets cashed before the check is expired on 12/10.

Dan725

Good news. So it seems the dates they are posting on their site are at least somewhat close and maybe even ahead slightly - the latest weekly update says 26th of July.

Rete

That's great news for the lot of you. I know that at least you want your petitions/applications accepted and in the system. Here's hoping that between today and tomorrow the USCIS gives you all a reason to be thankful this Thanksgiving

Aycee

Happy Thanksgiving y'all !

The citizenship bcklog is getting some publicity now, among others Fox News has this

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,312525,00.html

I think the LA Times and Boston Globe also carried articles yesterday.

It appears they are estimating 15 to 18 months start to finish (or is that from cheque cashing to finish I wonder?)

Dan725

Thanks for posting that......even though its not good news. USCIS - redefining useless.

Ah well, what can you do. Nothing. Happy Thanksgiving!!

fatbrit

See we've managed to change the story from one of the dismal failure of a government bureaucracy to one about immigrants and votes. Whilst it's understandable that those who have escaped from one oligarchy would be unlikely to vote for another, it really has nothing to do with the real story -- the lack of accountability in government bureaucracy.

abir007

WOW ... I knew it was bad, but I guess I did not know how bad it was. :curse:

I had plans to go out side the country in 2008 but it does not look like that will happen. Does any one know if one can travel when their N-400 is pending?