Iranian living in Aurora sues feds over 2year wait for citizenship interview

An Iranian who has been living legally in Aurora since 2011 has sued U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and other federal officials, claiming he has been waiting two years, two months and 28 days for a prenaturalization interview in violation of federal standards.

Ali Nejatbaksh Azadani says an interminable delay on the basis that his background check is still in process has thwarted his attempt to become a U.S. citizen.

So on Tuesday he filed a civil lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Denver against Sessions, FBI Director Christopher Wray, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Lee Cissna.

Devin O’Malley, Sessions’ spokesman, declined to comment about the lawsuit.

Azadani is asking a federal judge to order the defendants to give him his natu ralization interview within 30 days. He is also seeking unspecified monetary damages and attorney fees and costs, according to the lawsuit filed by Denver attorney Catherine Chan.

Azadani submitted his citizenship application on July 5, 2016, and has been waiting ever since for his socalled “biometrics appointment,” the lawsuit says.

When Azadani calls about the status of his naturalization interview, he has been repeatedly told that his applications are awaiting “completion of security clearance,” according to the lawsuit.

The legal deadline for holding such interviews is 180 days, the lawsuit says. His 820day delay violates the Administrative Procedures Act, the lawsuit says.

Azadani also says he meets all requirements for becoming a U.S. citizen, including having no criminal record, the lawsuit says.