ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Citizenship General Discussionabout citizenship
QUOTE (jean&chard @ Jul 5 2008, 09:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Haole @ Jul 4 2008, 11:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Are you married to a US Citizen?
nop. I'm single and I have my PR (greencard Holder too)

it wont be a problem as long as im back before 6 month?

can when is the right time to apply for citizenship?
because after that i'm planning to file for K1 visa.

thanks!
good.gif I welcome you as my new clone!

90 days before the 5-years point of the GC.

(I naturalised from employment-based GC, and filed K-1; now waiting to file I-751)

Edited by CherryXS, 05 July 2008 - 10:20 AM.

Saddle BroncMale02008-07-05 10:20:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionAre photos allowed at the oath ceremonies?
QUOTE (NickD @ Jul 9 2008, 02:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I joined this board back in late March when green card panic time arose and have to see anyone from the St. Paul area. Is this area too cold for immigrants?
Depends on where the immigrants are from; there are considerable numbers there from Winnipeg.

Plus, immigrants can always adapt within a few years to the weather.

Edited by CherryXS, 09 July 2008 - 02:20 PM.

Saddle BroncMale02008-07-09 14:20:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionAre photos allowed at the oath ceremonies?
QUOTE (NickD @ Jul 8 2008, 04:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (CherryXS @ Jul 8 2008, 07:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yes; I actually posted pictures of my naturalisation ceremony (2005/04/25), but this thread is now somewhere in VJ archives.


I am still confused whether the oath is recited at the field office or in a court house or can it be either? Sure can't bring a camera into a field office or do they make exceptions? Maybe the reason you cannot bring in a cellular phone, as most have cameras built in now.

I am sure they have their reasons for blocking cameras and cell phones, even though those reasons are way beyond my imagination. But I do enjoy taking pictures of blank walls.
They usually have a special "citizenship courtroom" in the field office--and cameras are (but cellphones are not) allowed there.
Saddle BroncMale02008-07-09 09:51:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionAre photos allowed at the oath ceremonies?
Yes; I actually posted pictures of my naturalisation ceremony (2005/04/25), but this thread is now somewhere in VJ archives.

Edited by CherryXS, 08 July 2008 - 07:28 AM.

Saddle BroncMale02008-07-08 07:28:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCan you travel with the certificate?
QUOTE (Tammi @ Jul 10 2008, 11:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks! (no, we don't fly to Ontario, just drive).
Which route: Windsor, Sarnia or Niagra?
Saddle BroncMale02008-07-10 13:33:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWhat documents are needed?
You will need:
  • completed N-400 (and attached pages, detailing some answers, if necessary--such as entry-refusals to US, addresses, ...)
  • copy of your GC, front-and-back
  • cheque for $675
The packet should be sent to the Service Centre--recommend USPS Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation.

(note: the list for eligibility through marriage may include documents other than the above, which was general including work-GC--as mine)

Edited by CherryXS, 14 July 2008 - 10:30 AM.

Saddle BroncMale02008-07-14 10:29:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionIf I did not work for my petitioner, will I be denied if I apply for Citizenship?
Confirming Yu&Dan's response:

I resigned from the petitioning employer about 8 months after getting the GC, and was laid off from another about 13 months later--and it had no effect on naturalisation.
Saddle BroncMale02008-07-16 18:53:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionLawyer
QUOTE (roscove @ Jul 16 2008, 01:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello,

Can anyone in the Los Angeles area recommend an immigration lawyer they have used for their citizenship application? I have some complications that I need advice on.

Thanks.

Dave
Didn't actually use his services, but Ron Gotcher (of Sherman Oaks) is generally considered excellent.

Gotcher Law
Also, Discussion Forum, Immigration-Information
Saddle BroncMale02008-07-17 12:45:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionPost-Naturalization and Traveling on USA Passport
B)-->
QUOTE(Team J and B @ Jul 23 2008, 01:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi, I'm really early in my AOS but I got to thinking about this question. For those of you who have acquired US citizenship and are from a first world western country (sorry for lack of a better term), have you all been traveling on your USA passport?

What would be the disadvantages of my traveling on my Canadian passport provided I keep renewing it?[/quote]I presume you mean "other than the cost of renewing it every five years?"

You cannot re-enter US on the Canadian (or any other non-US) passport.

B)-->
QUOTE(Team J and B @ Jul 23 2008, 01:17 AM)
Has anyone been using their USA passport to leave the USA, entering another country with their Canadian (or insert another first world western country), and returning to the USA showing their USA passport again?

Also while I'm here, is it wise to apply for a Canadian passport for my kids (when I have them) as soon as possible and at the same time as I apply for a USA passport for them? Or do most people just apply for USA passport for their kids?

Thanks for any information you can share!

J of Team J and B[/quote]Well, I used my Canadian passport (actually two--then current, and expired one with India visa stamped in it) to enter India in 2005. At Paris (mid-journey), i showed both--and was told "show only the Canuck ones in India, and show the US passport only for return".

I then used my US passport to re-enter at JFK.


QUOTE (warlord @ Jul 23 2008, 08:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I was wondering if I should bother renewing my Canadian one as well or just use my US passport to enter Canada. So talked to my cousin who is also dual for many years and she said she just uses her US passport. I'm going to visit Canada in a month or so (first time in years) so I might just take both passports with me and use the US one to enter Canada. If an issue comes up I'll show my Canadian one and just claim I was confused on the proper proceedure...
Do you have a Canadian Citizenship Card?
  • 0
2005/07/10 I-129F filed for Pras
2005/11/07 I-129F approved, forwarded to NVC--to Chennai Consulate 2005/11/14
2005/12/02 Packet-3 received from Chennai
2005/12/21 Visa Interview Date
2006/04/04 Pras' entry into US at DTW
2006/04/15 Church Wedding at Novi (Detroit suburb), MI
2006/05/01 AOS Packet (I-485/I-131/I-765) filed at Chicago
2006/08/23 AP and EAD approved. Two down, 1.5 to go
2006/10/13 Pras' I-485 interview--APPROVED!
2006/10/27 Pras' conditional GC arrives -- .5 to go (2 yrs to Conditions Removal)
2008/07/21 I-751 (conditions removal) filed
2008/08/22 I-751 biometrics completed
2009/06/18 I-751 approved
2009/07/03 10-year GC received; last 0.5 done!
2009/07/23 Pras files N-400
2009/11/16 My 46TH birthday, Pras N-400 approved
2010/03/18 Pras' swear-in
---------------------------------------------------------------------
As long as the LORD's beside me, I don't care if this road ever ends.
Saddle BroncMale02008-07-23 08:33:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWhere to send my application?
SL has a field office.
Saddle BroncMale02008-07-23 13:13:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionUS Certificate of Citizenship, Document Details
There is also embossing within the (original) document which makes it somewhat harder to counterfeit.
Saddle BroncMale02008-07-28 14:29:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWork Visa & Naturalization
EED, it seems like you're projecting something from CIC onto USCIS--that of creditting time that you were in the country on a non-immigrant visa towards citizenship eligibility (CIC allows this at rate of 2 years non-immigrant = 1 year as permanent resident); unfortunately, USCIS doesn't credit such time at all.
Saddle BroncMale02008-08-29 12:38:00
US Citizenship General Discussioncitizenship
Yes, she can--in about 17 years or so based on the FB-4 (sibling sponsorship).
  • 11 years or so for visa number to become available
  • 1 year to process her application for immigrant visa
  • 5 years after she gets GC, she can apply for citizenship

http://travel.state....letin_4328.html
Saddle BroncMale02008-08-30 13:18:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionTravelling with a dual citizenship
AKDiver is correct--and I've actually done it (using non-US passport at destination, and US passport to reenter US). good.gif
Saddle BroncMale02008-08-29 03:53:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDual citizenship no longer allowed for Canadians????
QUOTE (raymaga @ Sep 2 2008, 02:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It's the first I've ever heard of that.

I'm pretty sure the HR person didn't have their facts straight.
On the nail! HR is 1,000% wrong on this one.

Edited by CherryXS, 02 September 2008 - 01:45 PM.

Saddle BroncMale02008-09-02 13:45:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCan 675$ be returned to me?
The only way you will get a cheque returned to you by USCIS is if your app is rejected the first time for corrections. After it's cashed, no way.
Saddle BroncMale02008-09-09 09:43:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDual Citizenship and Military
QUOTE (jilanik @ Sep 8 2008, 12:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I will be taking my US citizenship oath ceremony this Friday. I am thinking of joining the Army National Guard to help me cover my educational expenses. I was wanting to know if anyone had any experience with being a dual citizen and applying for military. Any feedback/comments would be appreciated. Thank you.
I work in an office which has many military personnel, some of whom have dual citizenship and others who have (or had) foreign-only.

For foreign-onlys, military does mind promotion to officer grades.

Can't say about duals, but security clearances may cause issues.

(edit: Laura/Tom already posted the same)

Edited by CherryXS, 09 September 2008 - 07:32 AM.

Saddle BroncMale02008-09-09 07:31:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionUS citizen entering US on foreign passport
QUOTE (payxibka @ Sep 24 2008, 01:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Sure, how would they (The CBP) know the rules of all the countries around the world?

Just because you enter on a different passport automatically removes that "label". If I act like a local or maybe do not act like an American, how would they ever know what passport I arrived on.
good.gif that even works in countries where full-dual citizenship (holding original country's passport) is not permitted, such as India--as I can attest from having entered several times on Canadian passports (next year, I'm hoping to make my first attempt at entering with US passport and OCI certificate).
Saddle BroncMale02008-09-24 12:53:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionExpedited passport after naturalization
QUOTE (rb1234 @ Sep 1 2008, 05:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I applied for US Citizenship through 319(cool.gif - we are living overseas, husband is US Citizen with US firm etc.

I received my notice for interview/oath ceremony last week and I am scheduled to appear in Newark, NJ.

As we live overseas I am flying back specifically for the interview and I am trying to figure out quickly after the interview/oath I can book my return ticket. I understand that once I have taken the oath that I am an American citizen and require a US passport to leave/enter the country.
Half true; you need the US passport to re-enter US, but not necessarily to leave (no check on that score--speaking as one who actually left on a Canuck passport after naturalisation and reentered on US).

So, you can book a return ticket overseas as early as 5 hours after the ceremony (allowing 2 hours to get to Liberty Airport, and 3 hours ahead to check in), and then apply for US passport at the consulate/embassy overseas.

QUOTE (rb1234 @ Sep 1 2008, 05:19 AM)
I can't quite get a clear answer as to how quickly I can get my US passport. I will have proof of travel - is it true that with this documentation I can make an appointment at a US Passport agency office (I know that one of the 10 of these offices are in NY) and have my passport issued the same day?

Any help/experience with a similar situation would be appreciated!

Saddle BroncMale02008-09-02 07:11:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDo you have to give up your foreign passport?
The US government actually cannot relieve ANY naturalising foreigner of the foreign passport. Countries which don't allow true-dual citizenship (such as India) may require the holder to send it to the country's Embassy/Consulate however.

Also, the US passport MUST be used for future reentry into US.
Saddle BroncMale02008-12-08 15:21:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionUSPS Track & Confirm
Priority mail with Delivery Confrimation is excellent for most USCIS petitions; gets it there within 2 days, and you can track that it was delivered for near-fixed cost of $5.45!
Saddle BroncMale02008-12-08 14:55:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionHow can I withdraw a petition for naturalization?
For eatingraoul:
  • If your country allows dual citizenship, then just retain that passport and use it when journeying there and US passport to re-enter US (time-honoured system used by many such as Limeys, Pakistanis, ...)
  • if not so, then just fluff USCIS' citizenship tests and cause your app to be rejected

Edited by CherryXS, 04 March 2009 - 02:49 PM.

Saddle BroncMale02009-03-04 14:48:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDual British and American citizenship?
QUOTE (Tammi @ Jul 10 2008, 09:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (lucyrich @ Jul 10 2008, 07:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Tammi @ Jul 10 2008, 04:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So if we go to Scotland, my husband thinks he can be very clever and enter in on his UK passport to avoid lines and then come back to the US with his US passport. But I can see now how that could not be a very good idea.
I don't know about UK law. But I am certain that US law requires that a US Citizen must present a US passport to US officials when crossing a US border. That's true regardless of whether the US Citizen also happens to hold other citizenship(s). I also know that US law doesn't address the question of what passport you should present to non-US officials. Because it's relevant to our family, I happen to know that Venezuelan law requires that Venezuelan citizens use their Venezuelan passport to cross Venezuelan borders, regardless of whether other citizenship(s) are held. So on Lucy's next trip to Venezuela, the law requires that she carry both passports, and show her US one to US officials, while showing her Venezuelan one to Venezuelan officials. The fact that it shortens the lines is irrelevant.
That's kind of what we thought, but the more I think about it, if my husband enters Scotland on his UK passport, won't he be in the system then as never having left? If he were to use his US passport to re-enter the US? And then wouldn't the US wonder when he left the US in the first place? I know he would have to use his US one to re-enter here. I would love to hear from those that have actually done it. It makes sense to me to use the UK one to enter the UK and the US one to enter the US, but I don't know what they are tracking with the computers.
Tammi, this is a time-honoured technique used by dual nationals (with US or Canada) of many other countries--so it's really neither "clever", nor even an issue to US officials.
Saddle BroncMale02008-07-11 13:03:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDual British and American citizenship?
QUOTE (katej0203 @ Jun 7 2008, 02:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am still at the beginning of the process, but am wondering...

I am presently a British citizen, and will eventually reach the stage where I am to consider having an American citizenship. I dont have any family based reasons to apply for it, but it would save me having to renew a green card in the future.

Can I keep my British citizenship too? Does anyone have both? Any opinions?
yes.gif Like Canada, UK does not require automatic forfeiture of citizenship--so you can keep both passports (though you can't use the Brit one to re-enter US subsequent to naturalisation).
Saddle BroncMale02008-07-07 09:10:00
US Citizenship General Discussionpassport travel question
QUOTE (tatedaoudi @ Sep 12 2009, 12:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
ah i just read the thread about passport timelines...it looks like the expedited is pretty good.. guess we will just send it off and cross fingers.

smile.gif
Sarah, I'll give you the benefit of my own experience.

I was naturalised (ceremony complete) 2005/04/25, and had to leave for India 2005/05/11 (and, the way my trip was booked, using the Naturalisation Certificate for US reentry was not an option). I sent out for expedited processing and got the passport on 2005/05/07.

(note: it looks like Morocco does allow multiple citizenship, which may make possible the idea--albeit it is not technically legal--of your husband flying out on the Moroccan passport, carrying the Naturalisation Certificate in luggage and getting US passport at the US embassy/consulate)

Edited by Saddle Bronc, 12 September 2009 - 01:19 PM.

Saddle BroncMale02009-09-12 13:18:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionOn 9/11 we received e-mail RFE
QUOTE (wannabe_texan @ Sep 11 2009, 03:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It's for the fingerprints - means your biometrics notice is on the way.
good.gif Yes, it was--biometrics scheduled for 09/26 (nice, on a Saturday).

Saddle BroncMale02009-09-14 17:41:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionOn 9/11 we received e-mail RFE
Included with Pras' N-400 were copies of:
  1. (front-and-back) of her 10-year GC
  2. marriage certificate
  3. biodata page of my US passport
Any required documentation missing?
Saddle BroncMale02009-09-11 13:40:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionHow to sign US Passport
In my case, I signed it same way as a cheque--and I've made three re-entries into US with it.
Saddle BroncMale02009-09-14 18:07:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400: Ant’s Naturalization Evidence and Information Submitted (3 year marriage rule)…
QUOTE (Haole @ Sep 14 2009, 11:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Looks like "overkill" except you seem to be missing one of the most important things.
Joint filing of taxes.
Eh, we filed only minimal:
  • N-400 + pair of 2"-square passport-style photos
  • copy of my US passport biodata pages
  • copy (both sides) of Pras' 10-year GC
  • copy of our marriage certificate
  • $675
No joint return, we got FP appointment already.

Edited by Saddle Bronc, 15 September 2009 - 06:10 PM.

Saddle BroncMale02009-09-15 18:09:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400
QUOTE (NickD @ Oct 16 2009, 06:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Wife was mystified by that word "spangled", by definition, not even the correct word to described the placement of the stars on our flag, but poetic by Francis Scott Key. Later set to music from an old England pub tune, really a contradiction since our country was formed by breaking away with England. Think with all the great song writers we have in this country, we can do better than that.

I have problems hitting some of those high notes, so have to lower those a couple of octaves. Seems almost blasphemous the way some of our pop singers, sing it.

Helping my wife study for the civics test was an eye opener for me, where did we go wrong. If I deduct my share of that weird abstract art thing they put in front of city hall from my property taxes, can have my home taken away.
Does not "spangled" mean set in circular pattern?

Flag as of 1812 did have such arranement (not doable with 50 though)

Many of the courts now use Lee Greenwood's 1990 song "God Bless The USA" instead now (they did at my own swear-in in 2005)

Edited by Saddle Bronc, 16 October 2009 - 01:33 PM.

Saddle BroncMale02009-10-16 13:32:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionHow much evidence did you send in?
QUOTE (Just Bob @ Oct 16 2009, 05:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
...
Why showing USCIS that you are psycho? ...
Maybe the idea of "retaliate for burns by hurling fire at adversary"? wink.gif

Saddle BroncMale02009-10-19 21:08:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionHow much evidence did you send in?
  • N-400
  • 2 photos 5x5 cm
  • double-side colour copy of Pras' 10-year GC
  • greyscale copy of my US-passport biodata pages
  • copy of our marriage certificate
Biometrics done, test scheduled on my 46[sup]TH[/b] at Fairfax.

Edited by Saddle Bronc, 16 October 2009 - 01:37 PM.

Saddle BroncMale02009-10-16 13:36:00
US Citizenship General Discussiondual citizenship
QUOTE (visacheck @ Oct 20 2009, 01:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (freetv @ Oct 19 2009, 09:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I just wanted to ask a question. Take China... a country that doesn't allow you to have dual citizenship... If you become an American the u.s. government isn't go to call the chinese embassy and inform them nor would you use an american passport to enter China..... nor would you even have the same name as that on your american passport (if your a girl). So if my wife leaves amerca on her american passport and uses her Chinese passport to enter China how would they know she is an american unless we say something? The chinese border police don't care about exit stamps and even if they do America doesn't have them so again how would they know? Now if I (the american) were to try and become chinese they would take my passport away (but couldn't I just say I lost it and need a new one at the american embassy... assuming that the chinese government doesn't say anything to them?). Now I know most countries in the world deal with each other a lot as far as people go, some share databases and others even hold coop war games together with the u.s. but china isn't one of them. There is no way the government in america could know if I did anything illegal in china because even the chinese government in beijing can't know if I did something illegal in say far west or south china (I know this for a fact after talking to chiefs of police and former miltary). So maybe in some rare situation you could get around dual citizenship.
Yes you could get around dual citizenship when you use chinese passport on chinese immigration. Coming back to US means your wife would have to use her US passport with no entry or exit stamp from China. You better hope that US does not care about passport stamps like China... You better hope that US does not care if China allows dual citizenship or not.
I faced that issue when coming back from India in 2005. I had entered India with 2 Canadian passports (expired one with visa, and unexpired one for travel/entry), and then showed the totally-blank US passport when re-entering at JFK. I was shown to another room, where they took a few minutes and then handed my passport back.

In the specific case of India (which does not allow "true" dual citizenship--as in will not issue Indian passport, but lifelong visa is OK), holding on to the Indian passport can cause problems later if the naturalised Indian decides to apply for PIO or OCI (as it is supposed to be turned-in to the embassy).

Saddle BroncMale02009-10-20 17:57:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionUS Citizen losing Citizenship...
Citizenship has to be explicitly renounced.

http://travel.state....enship_776.html
Saddle BroncMale02009-12-02 18:37:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionSpouse required on Interview day
QUOTE (Kathryn41 @ Dec 1 2009, 09:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
No. Your spouse can accompany you to the interview but they will not be allowed to join you during the interview itself. They will wait for you in the waiting room.
good.gif Exactly as happened

Saddle BroncMale02009-12-02 18:38:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionPras' oath-ceremony done

I managed to get one good photo of the office manager of our field office handing the certificate to my wife. Wife doesn't even want me to print it out, just as soon forget about those years with our relationship with the USCIS. Wondering if the USCIS would even get married and live together as husband and wife, stay married with the I-751, granted, USC wasn't to bad, but another 1,350 miles of long drives in mostly winter weather to get to that stage. For me, stating at that portrait of GWB

I guess that changes noiw for those still in process--in an "out with old, in with old" way--with GWB's portrait replaced by that of current-POTUS BH0 :lol:

for hours as the USCIS can't seem to keep their appointment times, but don't dare be a second late.

That too I've experienced more than once at USCIS and consulates.

We do enjoy reading our first chats and e-mails when we first met, definitely our first meeting and wedding and reception, our honeymoon, all happy times. USCIS was a burden that is finally lifted after years, just as soon take photos of us waiting in those long airport lines.

Don't feel bad that you don't have a photo, just be thankful you can start leading a normal life.

I can top the "burden" part--as I personally had to wait for two years in one-step-before-final stage of GC processing (I-140 approved).
Saddle BroncMale02010-03-22 22:03:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionPras' oath-ceremony done
I had brought our camera along to take photos (as had been taken for my own oath-ceremony at Hopkins Plaza in Balto) but was told at the door "no cameras, cellphones, ipods, ...by order of judge...". Not sure if if is due to integrated name-change petition (I didn't petition to change name--as it would mean much change in bank, credit-card, ...) or different in MD vs VA.
Saddle BroncMale02010-03-18 13:59:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWaiting time between cit. test and oath (Baltimore)
My own naturalisation in 2004/5 took a shade under 6 months (I sent app on 2004/10/15 to VSC, then got approval in March 2005--but due to lateness, could not take oath that day--and oath 2005/04/25 at Hopkins Plaza).
Saddle BroncMale02010-03-25 11:11:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWaiting time between cit. test and oath (Baltimore)

Just wanna know what are the things they asked from your wife during her oath? Did they ask to see her passport?

Wouldn't that actually be illegal, since many countries (UK and Canada among them) do not recognise US Naturalisation Oath as fulfilling conditions for renunciation of (their) citizenship?
Saddle BroncMale02010-03-25 11:08:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionBest way to send N-400

I suggest priority mail with a delivery confirmation.

:thumbs: tried-and-true!
Saddle BroncMale02010-03-25 13:32:00