ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaA Question for the Canadians: Do you plan to become a citizen?
QUOTE (rhymeswithcandi @ Feb 9 2008, 04:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I actually voted "no" because I never want to denounce my Canadian citizenship. It was my understanding that one has to denounce citizenship to any other country during the citizenship ceremony. Isn't that the case?


No, it is not the case. I became a US citizen in 1983 and I retained my Canadian citizenship. You actually have to file a form with an application fee to surrender your Canadian citizenship. I have gotten my kids Canadian passports without any problems.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-02-09 15:56:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionTSC late April I-751 filers
Yes, it finally did come in the mail, both the NOA and the biometrics appointment for May 22.

The reason I was so worried was because when I filed the AOS paperwork for my stepchildren, the USCIS sent the notices to our street address. We live in a little town which does not have mail delivery to your door, everyone gets a PO box free of charge. Any mail sent to the street address is returned to sender. It took me a long time to get that mess sorted out and I was afraid that it was happening again.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2007-05-12 16:08:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionTSC late April I-751 filers
I sent the I-751 to the TSC on April 13, 2007 and the check was cashed on April 23, 2007. On the back of the cancelled check I can see a case number of SRC0718200055. We have not received any NOA yet and when I try to put that case number in the USCIS online lookup, it comes back as not found. I am getting a little worried about it and thinking I may make an Infopass appointment in San Antonio to see what's going on.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2007-05-06 14:59:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionLawsuit against USCIS
You're right, Surasak_oregon. Maybe the simple minded US citizens would do well to remember what Ben Franklin said, "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Of course I am sure that our patriot ancestors are rolling over in their graves to see what a travesty the nation they founded has become.

We are truly living in an Orwellian world when a law that violates our constitutional rights is labeled the "Protect America Act". I despise these fascists far more than any of Osama's terrorists.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-02-26 09:12:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionLawsuit against USCIS
"I'm sorry to say, but only idiots and dumwits make sweeping generalizations like this."

Well, I am a US citizen so I guess I fit the description.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-02-26 01:38:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionLawsuit against USCIS
QUOTE (KarenCee @ Feb 24 2008, 04:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I beg to differ with you. I am a US Citizen and I am very intelligent. Generalized judgments such as this will only serve to show one's own immaturity.

I assume you are here because you are engaged/married to a US Citizen?


I am a US citizen and believe me, I know all too well what idiots my countrymen are. How else would you explain the USCIS? A long time ago it was H.L. Mencken who said, ""No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public."
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-02-25 01:03:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionLawsuit against USCIS
QUOTE (bettenan @ Feb 24 2008, 03:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I just found the article Immigrants sue to speed citizenship applications and was not surprised but still annoyed by the over 500 (mostly ignorant) reader comments that followed the story...I guess it's a sad commentary on the USA Today readership....or maybe the popular in general (?).


The citizens of the US are as dumb as dirt.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-02-24 15:24:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionOK now I am worried about an RFE
I do agree with James. How many couples in a sham marriage are going to have a child together in order to put one over on the USCIS? Has it ever happened? I doubt it. I know of one sham marriage and the couple has not even consumated that relationship.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-03-06 22:49:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWe got our email today - Card Production Ordered
#######???????

We filed our I-751 with the TSC six months earlier, on April 19, 2007 and we are still waiting after getting shipped off to Vermont. And here you are filing in October and now you're approved. Nice.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-03-20 23:49:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWhat a GIGANTIC waste of time!!!
QUOTE (Cassie @ Mar 22 2008, 02:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (iansig40 @ Mar 22 2008, 03:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (utopiacowboy @ Mar 22 2008, 03:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The USCIS is getting steadily worse, not better. So is the US. Once my wife gets her citizenship, we're outa here.


Why does she need the US Citizenship if you guys plan to move out of this country anyway ?
I got my 10 GC but I don't plan to apply for Citizenship and waist more money for the same reason


Because if you leave before getting citizenship, you will have wasted a lot of time, energy, and money. If by chance they need to come back to the US they will essentially need to start this process all over. THAT, my friend, would be even more waste of money.


Exactly! Once you have US citizenship you can live outside the US forever but you always have the right to come back. Having multiple citizenships is like having some good paid-up insurance policies.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-03-22 16:45:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWhat a GIGANTIC waste of time!!!
The USCIS is getting steadily worse, not better. So is the US. Once my wife gets her citizenship, we're outa here.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-03-22 14:16:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionOld TSC cases transferred to VSC
"As you can see my hubby and I are very happy for you and your wife with the approval. I will see you on the N-400 trail eventually. Save me a seat."

Let's hope the N-400 bus is faster than the I-751 bus was. I was convinced our bus had broken down completely a few times.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-05-18 17:56:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionOld TSC cases transferred to VSC
I've been coming back to this thread just to see if James got approved. Finalmente! Felicitaciones!

I can't believe that the Miami office charges for parking and doesn't keep appointments on time. I have often thought it unfortunate that everyone could not have the same level of service that we get in San Antonio where the parking is free, the appointments are actually appointments and local petitions are handled in a timely manner. If one office can do it, why can't they all do it?
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-05-15 23:56:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionOld TSC cases transferred to VSC
"No the system isn't perfect and I think the feds would be the first to admit it. But then again, there's something to be said for *respectfully* waiting your turn in line and not resorting to playground name-calling while so doing. I work hard in my line of work and certainly would resent being called a *loser* or some other disparaging insult by someone outside my organization who had no concept of how my company did business. These people are human beings, they make mistakes (as do all of us). Can we please show them a little respect perhaps?"

No, the Feds do not admit it. The director is a bald-faced liar who should be removed from office.

As for respect, how much respect do they show the millions of applicants that they deal with? NONE!

BTW, if your company did business the way that the USCIS does business, you wouldn't be in business at all. You'd be bankrupt and your competitors would have eaten your lunch.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-05-04 19:01:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionOld TSC cases transferred to VSC
I'm bummed that James hasn't gotten approved yet although it's nice to see everyone else get take care of. There may be something to the alphabetical order idea. My wife's last name starts with O.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-04-21 21:39:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionOld TSC cases transferred to VSC
They send the cards out quickly. We were approved on March 31st and we received the card on April 7 from the VSC. I was amazed at the speed.

BTW, it's great to see everybody getting approved! Felicitaciones a todos!

Edited by utopiacowboy, 08 April 2008 - 11:04 PM.

utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-04-08 23:03:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionOld TSC cases transferred to VSC
I checked the online status late today and it showed that we had been touched and approved as of 3/31/2008. Our case status is now "Card production ordered." I wish everyone who had filed before us had gotten approved but I hope this means that it will happen soon.

As for whether having kids affects their determination, we have no children together but her three kids went through AOS about a year after my wife did and they have 10 year cards. I submitted copies of their 10 year cards along with our other proof.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-03-31 21:55:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionOld TSC cases transferred to VSC
I am a little disappointed that it wasn't A_C but thinking that maybe we've been distributed among a bunch of case workers, it is good news. As much as I want my wife to get approved, I really want those ahead of us to get approved before we do. Fair is fair (except to the USCIS!).
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-03-26 08:14:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionOld TSC cases transferred to VSC
Cute video!

Anyone from the US who mocks the Third World is probably not aware of the extent to which THEY are moving up and we are declining. In Colombia a citizen can get a passport in a day and a spousal visa is processed in a matter of weeks. And don't get me started on the economy. The US dollar used to buy 2900 Colombian pesos in 2003 and now buys about 1800 and going down. My wife's apartment in Medellin which was worth about $30,000 back then is now worth over $100,000.

Edited by utopiacowboy, 22 March 2008 - 10:38 AM.

utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-03-22 10:34:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionOld TSC cases transferred to VSC
QUOTE (baunzerbrudi @ Mar 20 2008, 02:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I agree. The whole transfer game is nothing but a cheap trick. For some reaosn we are always at the receiving end. First, TSC filers after July got transferred and we had to wait, seeing them get approved. Now we have been transferred but this time it slowed things down and we are put back in the far end of the line. I predict several months of seeing Jan/Feb TSC filers getting approved and VSC filers from late 2007 before we even get touched!!! This is what jokes about bureaucracy are made from!!!


You got that right. Some guy who filed his I-751 with the TSC in OCTOBER, 2007 just got approved and was crowing about it in another thread. Meanwhile we're getting it up the tailpipe without any lube. Your tax dollars at work. NOT!
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-03-20 23:52:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionOld TSC cases transferred to VSC
Talk about a raw deal. I don't begrudge the VSC filers getting their I-751s approved. It's not their fault we're getting it without lube. It pisses me off that the USCIS doesn't have the common fairness and decency to at least start working our cases after we've waited close to a year already. And in some cases more than a year.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-03-10 23:42:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionOld TSC cases transferred to VSC
QUOTE (Staashi @ Mar 7 2008, 07:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Get her into some ESL classes STAT!!! - they're typically free or even buy her Ingles Sin Barreras. My husband attends two ESL classes a week at our local library and a citizenship class offered at the Baptist Church (we're Catholic), but we thank the Baptists greatly for the class. wink.gif My husband was telling me that there is a lovely Chinese woman in his citizenship class that is almost 69 years old and has paid more than $1200 dollars to take the citizenship test twice. She has been able to pass the questions portion of the exam, but when the IO asked her "What color is my shirt?" she just blinked at him. blink.gif Test failed. sad.gif


My wife did take ESL classes for a couple of years after she got here. Her ability to read and write English is passable, her problem is with oral communication. In spite of this, she has a good job as a production supervisor at the Toyota plant in San Antonio. Luckily for her, the Japanese can't speak English any better than she can!
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-03-08 00:59:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionOld TSC cases transferred to VSC
QUOTE (kn687 @ Mar 6 2008, 12:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Is any one from this thread applying for Naturalization ?


My wife is eligible to apply now but her English ability (or lack thereof) concerns me. She got a "break" when we went for her AOS interview in San Antonio because the interviewer spoke Spanish. I am hoping that her English improves enough in the next couple of years but I could be unrealistic. She's been here four years already and can barely speak English so I don't know what's going to change.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-03-06 22:39:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionOld TSC cases transferred to VSC
QUOTE (Staashi @ Mar 5 2008, 09:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (James @ Mar 5 2008, 07:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Staashi @ Mar 4 2008, 04:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I've seen people with kids get RFEs because there is still doubt.


I've never seen one, and you're talking in the plural? Can you tell us who these "people" are here?


About four years ago, there was a story in the SP Times about a couple who were undergoing the removal of conditions - they already had one child, were pregnant with the other and had received an RFE. They then submitted the documentation and were called for an interview to remove the conditions. They had assumed that with one child and a new pregnancy that would be enough to prove their valid marriage, but obviously not. In the end they were approved, but the woman said she couldn't believe that it had happened to them - she was actually around 8 months pregnant during the interview and thought it was ridiculous. All I can say is never underestimate the insanity of USCIS.


I agree that you should never underestimate them. Sometimes they pull you in for an interview for quality control purposes not because they necessarily think your case requires one. After all the interviews we've had, K-3, AOS, AOS for the kids, I don't care if they interview us one more time. It gives my wife an excuse to show off her photo albums. After half an hour of that, they approve her just to get her out of there.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-03-05 08:55:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionOld TSC cases transferred to VSC
Nosotros tambien.

Nice to see some activity even if it's not clear what it means.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-02-26 01:36:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionOld TSC cases transferred to VSC
It's a party! We got an email late this evening saying the same "Current Status: This case is now pending at the office to which it was transferred. blah, blah, blah......." Lots of touching going on but nobody's getting to home plate.

There doesn't seem to be any order to it since our original NOA1 date from the TSC is 4/19/2007.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-02-23 00:40:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionOld TSC cases transferred to VSC
We have not been touched either since the initial 2/4/08 transfer notice. Nothing that the USCIS does surprises me. It seems to be a chaotic organization without any leadership. There are bright spots however. The San Antonio office is a model of efficiency and handles AOS and naturalization petitions within about 6 months of filing.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-02-22 09:23:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionOld TSC cases transferred to VSC
Our NOA1 date on our I-751 to the TSC was April 19, 2007. My wife had her biometrics done shortly thereafter in May. We were also transferred to the VSC back on January 31, 2008. The last update for us shows as 02/04/2008 as well.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-02-16 01:10:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionVSC I-1751 Status List
QUOTE (gyenigun @ Mar 10 2008, 06:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
smile.gif thats excatly my point...there are some people waiting over a year and some people 3 weeks...thats crazy u know...dont get me wrong...but when my friend ( a real friend who lives couple blocks away from my house) gets approved in 3 weeks and this is my second month....thats so not fairrrrrrr...

smile.gif and we dont even know that how longer we are going to wait...


Second month!?!?!? Try going into your second year waiting and then tell me how it feels. Next month we'll be starting our second year of waiting. Some people are already into their second year.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-03-10 23:48:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionVSC I-1751 Status List
Can you add us to this list too?

Filed 4/15/2007
NOA1 4/19/2007
Biometrics 5/22/2007

Transferred from TSC to VSC along with everyone else on 2/13/08.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-03-05 09:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresaccompanying wife during her interview
Some embassies don't allow the spouse/fiancee to be present while others do. I went with my wife to the interview in Bogota, Colombia. The interviewer didn't really ask us any questions. She just wanted to match her kids up with their names and birth dates.
utopiacowboyNot TellingColombia2008-02-17 02:35:00