ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400: Filing Later...But need help now...
For #6 - You can say something like this - Made several trips to Canada during years XX-YY; some for a day or less; others for a few days; none lasting more than 15 days (or some such number).
This is what I wrote, as I had made trips to buy gas in Canada, to buy Pizza in Canada and even to play Golf or go on a date (Canada was 10 minutes away from Port Huron and 20 minutes away from Detroit during 4 years of my stay). I didn't provide any dates (I didn't know the dates anyway) and no one ever questioned it. Good Luck

Edited by motu, 02 February 2009 - 11:48 AM.

motuNot TellingColombia2009-02-02 11:47:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 Question
Don't worry about it. I did the same for my wife's K1, AOS, Removal and citizenship - no one asked any questions yet. My copies are also not signed (as I file electronically) but no one has raised any issues with that either. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-02-07 11:05:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionPros & Cons of Citizenship?
I believe the poster was more interested in Estate planning issues - and most people here are not financial experts. You may need to talk to a friendly financial expert either at work or in your social circle (that way it's free) or else pay a financial expert for his advice - make sure he knows the issues involving foreign citizenship before hiring him - if you already have a financial adviser - he should be able to get the answers for you. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-02-11 12:32:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWhen can I start tracking my case online?
Lappa is right - I have been able to track by putting the * in the number. You can also sign up for email notification at the same time. Good Luck

Edited by motu, 12 February 2009 - 01:43 PM.

motuNot TellingColombia2009-02-12 13:42:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN400 Question (First time poster!)
What and are you going to disclose the impure jest.gif thoughts you had about your Kindergarten teacher? Or the girl next door or the playboy bunnies etc. etc. ???
You are not going to a confession - and traffic infractions are not 'crimes'. Perhaps they should also have an 'I am an idiot' box for people to check. headbonk.gif

Edited by motu, 13 February 2009 - 12:42 PM.

motuNot TellingColombia2009-02-13 12:41:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 INTERVIEW @ BOSTON
Nice report. Congratulations!
motuNot TellingColombia2009-02-17 13:42:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN400 question part 7
I crossed out 5 and wrote in 3 - others have done it before and have been OK. Since they do not make separate forms or have a means of checking a 3 year box etc. - this seems to be an easy way. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-02-13 15:55:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionPreparing to File N-400
QUOTE (cookiee @ Feb 22 2009, 05:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (YuAndDan @ Feb 22 2009, 05:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

do we need to use pen or pencil to write A-number on the back of the check ??

I tried to write with a pencil and I couldn't read it - so just used a pen. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-02-23 12:02:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionTax filing for 2009
QUOTE (Stella08 @ Feb 24 2009, 09:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I mean, taxes for 2008 aren't even due until April 15th. And sometimes you have to wait for paperwork from your employer, banks, child care services and so on, so you can't file taxes right away (we just got all the papers about two or three weeks ago).

Technically they all need to provide you tax statements (W-2s. 1099s etc. etc.) by January 31st - otherwise they might be in violation of IRS. Yes, some partnerships and investment providers can take longer - but no way a W-2 or Mortgage/interest statement etc. can be delayed legally beyond Jan 31st - they must mail it by then.
You can do your taxes in two or three hours by sitting on your pc and using a turbotax or taxcut or other such website or buying a cd and doing it. If you have some understanding of numbers and forms - you should be able to do it - no need to pay anyone to do your taxes unless you have extreme complicated financial/tax situation. You can take a copy of your taxes to the interview (or mail it with your N400) tax transcripts are not a must (I have never used transcripts - just the copies from my internet filings). Good Luck

motuNot TellingColombia2009-02-24 13:53:00
US Citizenship General Discussionno oath ceremony letter after interview
Great - there's hope for everyone - just try and remember the name of the interviewer (I wrote down his name after my wife's AOS and she was asking me what are you doing (I explained later that I could use it to ask about the case - we didn't have to)) but its a good idea in any case. Congratulations
motuNot TellingColombia2009-02-27 12:26:00
US Citizenship General Discussionno oath ceremony letter after interview
If you remember the name of the interviewing officer - use that when you go for infopass - it should help get the answer to why the delay even after he told you it was OK. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-02-17 13:48:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN-400 apply 1 day early and approve
I think you are worried about nothing. Generally if you send in your application too early they return it to you. So, you are good to go. Don't worry about it or as others have said it "Furgetta bout it!"
motuNot TellingColombia2009-02-26 18:03:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionFuture Doubt
It also depends on how other countries treat your citizenship. When applying for Indian citizenship (after becoming US citizens and giving up Indian citizenship earlier) - they just stamp your US passport with a Permanent stamp - no its not a visa stamp its a citizenship stamp (a little strange as I see it) but its possible to also get another Indian passport issued (but my sister hasn't tried that yet - she is the dual national). In any case, if asked - you can show the other passport (or the stamp in my sister's case) to show you were legally in another country. My wife is always asked to show her cedula when she leaves Colombia (they don't care to see the greencard or passport it seems).
motuNot TellingColombia2009-02-27 12:24:00
US Citizenship General Discussiondoes anyone know whats that interview all about during the N-400 process...
My wife just got her interview letter and other than marriage certificate, USC spouse's birth certificate or Naturalization certificate or passport and death and divorce papers of previous spouses - it doesn't say nothing about the spouse or the spouses' presence being required. Though I will go with her and wait, I guess. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-03-16 21:34:00
US Citizenship General Discussion2 additional passport pictures??
We will get two more passport type photos (from our local walgreens) and take them with us - if they take it - fine. If they don't - we will use them for the Passport application. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-03-16 21:36:00
US Citizenship General Discussionjury duty
It's not a big deal as long as you don't actually present yourself as a citizen. Mu wife got a Jury summons two weeks ago - it has a place to checkoff that you are not a citizen of USA and attach a copy of your greencard. So that was that. I believe her name was pulled off the drivers license file too. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-03-19 12:44:00
US Citizenship General Discussionquestions about USC
It seems that your wife has been a legal resident for 3 years - she can apply for citizenship 90 days prior to her 3 years (that's the soonest she can apply).
My wife has language problems too - but she has been taking Citizenship classes at a community college (they charge her $60 and she can attend till she passes her citizenship - total just $60 not recurring); she has also found an English communication class she has joined (once a week - 2 hrs per class - $80 per month). She is able to talk and answer her civic and English questions including reading and writing pretty well. We shall see how she does in her interview. You can find out similar classes in your city (I didn't want to pay thousands in a regular college for almost the same thing.) Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-03-24 15:02:00
US Citizenship General Discussiona few questions about the 400 process
After looking at a few timelines I guess that its between 4 to 6 months for any of the processes (K1 or K3 or AOS or Removal or Citizenship) - it has held generally true in my wife's progression in each step. And yes, some people do get stuck in namechecks etc. and can take longer for any of the steps. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-03-24 14:56:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionYellow Paper
Yellow paper?
My wife just got her interview letter with a 'white' paper (N659, Naturalization Interview Document Checklist) stating all the documents she may need to bring. I guess they have changed the color of the paper! Unless the number on your yellow document is different than N659. Is it?
motuNot TellingColombia2009-03-16 21:28:00
US Citizenship General Discussiontax papers for naturalization process
QUOTE (saywhat @ Mar 29 2009, 11:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Am I reading your signature timeline wrongly as I reading that your citizenship interview is May 2009 ?


I became a citizen earlier - My wife's citizenship interview is on May 5th. The timelines are hers not mine.
Also, I have been a Tax Administrator for 20+ years and I do not see a need for certified copies for anything - buying homes I never supplied one, nor for my own citizenship. Do what makes you comfortable - but before it's deemed a 'requirement' I will like to know where exactly it says so - further, I have not had a problem in my citizenship or my wife's process to-date; so I doubt that its a requirement. Good Luck

Edited by motu, 29 March 2009 - 01:49 PM.

motuNot TellingColombia2009-03-29 13:46:00
US Citizenship General Discussiontax papers for naturalization process
QUOTE (Tini27 @ Mar 28 2009, 10:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (motu @ Mar 28 2009, 12:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Tini27 @ Mar 27 2009, 08:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
They have to be from the IRS. They cannot be copies of what you sent. Also, there are other optons: copies and certified copies which you have t pay for so be sure you are ordering the right ones. Also, be sure to have the latest 3 years (including 2008). If you haven't yet filed for this year, wait until you do. Cheers!

Incorrect. They can be your copies. I use online tax-preparation services (Tax Act and Turbo tax) and just print out a copy for me and send a copy of that - I have done it for the K1, AOS, Removal and now for the citizenship - I never sent certified copies or IRS transcripts. My copies don't even have a signature (I file electronically). Never had a problem. Good Luck


Maybe you were lucky?? or your IO was trustful? I am not sure this is a rule though because I remember I was told at my last interview AOS that a copy of my tax papers did not actually mean I had filed since it hadn't gone through IRS yet. That's why the document checklist says: transcripts or certified copies. In any case, I'd advise going the safe way, you never know:)
)

I am also a naturalized citizen and yes - for my citizenship I just used the copies that I printed out (nothing official or certified). And try as I might, I see nowhere on N-400 or its instructions where it asks for 'official or certified tax returns'. I often either didn't have the time to order or couldn't find the number to order the transcripts or just plain forgot it - but in any case from my own case I learned that a certified copy was not needed and have not used it for my wife's K1, AOS, Removal or citizenship. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-03-29 12:53:00
US Citizenship General Discussiontax papers for naturalization process
QUOTE (Tini27 @ Mar 27 2009, 08:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
They have to be from the IRS. They cannot be copies of what you sent. Also, there are other optons: copies and certified copies which you have t pay for so be sure you are ordering the right ones. Also, be sure to have the latest 3 years (including 2008). If you haven't yet filed for this year, wait until you do. Cheers!

Incorrect. They can be your copies. I use online tax-preparation services (Tax Act and Turbo tax) and just print out a copy for me and send a copy of that - I have done it for the K1, AOS, Removal and now for the citizenship - I never sent certified copies or IRS transcripts. My copies don't even have a signature (I file electronically). Never had a problem. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-03-28 11:05:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionArrested for speaking with a (cop) prostitute: what happens now?
gigant - Many of the posters are holier than Christ (or perhaps even holier than his mother Mary). They seem to like to stone everyone any chance they get.
You have a legitimate problem and your best approach will be to talk to an immigration attorney, who may have handled such other cases and can help you comply with the immigration rules. There are worse crimes that people have committed and with help of attorneys they can overcome them - case in point - there are actually forms and processes set up for people who illegally cross into USA (without being inspected) either through Canada or Mexica - so it's not impossible to overcome these things. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-03-30 11:12:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCountry of Citizenship
Just take a corrected copy to the interview and submit it. For my wife's N400 - I screwed up one whole page - it had information from an example that I forgot to over-ride (on a fill-able online form); so dates of marriage and address etc. are all incorrect. I subsequently did a corrected page and mailed it to them and my wife will take a copy of the corrected page and submit it at the interview time also. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-04-02 12:17:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDid I commit an offense or not?
QUOTE (jsnearline @ Apr 1 2009, 01:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If it were me, I'd report it. They certainly wouldn't deny your application because of a parking ticket.

The thing is you don't want to give the adjudicating officer ANYreason to deny your application. Check out this story in the New York Times from last year.

Perfectly Legal Immigrants, Until They Applied for Citizenship
http://www.nytimes.c...t...ial&st=cse#


Absolutely disagree. On my own application I answered No and didn't disclose any traffic violations (yes I had a few) - the story quoted is about domestic violence which is a completely different offense.
Yes, many people are scared of this process and will even disclose the criminal offense they committed in their dreams, I chose not to do so and had no problems in my citizenship application (currently my wife is applying for hers - the timeline is hers not mine - for those that get confused by that). Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-04-02 11:37:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionSearched and Searched- Couldn't find- Oath Question
I think it all depends - when I went for my citizenship interview in Denver, the examiner asked me after the interview, if I wanted to take the oath the same day as there were some no-shows.
Since I was in no hurry for traveling or sponsoring someone, I told her to give the spot to someone else because I could wait. I also needed to get back to work (The sooner I got back, the less time I would take off from my leave bank.) One of the things I will ask my wife to do is to ask for same day oath (we want to get her US passport and travel sooner than later). It wouldn't hurt to try and ask them. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-04-03 11:18:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionInterview
Definitely take your 2008 tax return with you if you didn't submit it already. Other things to carry - all your passports and your current greencard (or extension letter) - anything else that you might think they might ask you for - throw them in a folder and if they ask, you have it. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-04-06 11:19:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDomestic violence with N400
Hopefully everything will work out OK for you, at least I think so. However, I have another thought/question - when the citizenship is denied in such a case like this, what happens to the LPR status? Is that changed or does that remain intact? Pankaj has no criminal history/record, so I would assume that his LPR status should remain intact.
Any one knows any more details? I have heard that some people never change their status (to citizenship) because they want to retain their birth citizenship - how long can they do it? 20 years? 40 years?
motuNot TellingColombia2009-04-20 11:27:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionNeed advice , i am in so much trouble
I know of someone who lied about being married - his father sponsored him as a single son over 21. He came here on a GC and treid to bring his wife - result - not only was his wife denied but the immigration dept (homeland) issued deportation orders for him.
You are probably toast, as I understand the law. You can try and contact an attorney and see what they can do for you. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-04-23 14:18:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDays out of US Question
Easy. I crossed out 'five' and wrote 'three' on the form and then listed the days out in the last 3 years. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-04-24 10:24:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionBirth cerificate
Like Ann said - call them and find out what the process is - some of them will mail it overnight also - you can prepay through Fedex. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-04-25 12:04:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionSignature on Naturalization Certificate
Actually its a useless piece of paper for most purposes. The officer at the ceremony forced me to 'write' my name in capitals - I argued with him that It won't be my signature, but he wouldn't let me, so on my citizenship certificate my name is signed in Capitals - it doesn't match any of my signatures - on my driver's license or my passport etc. In the end it really didn't matter because I only needed it a few times - once to get my first passport and then a few times to send in as proof of my citizenship when sponsoring my wife and no one has ever questioned the non-matching of the signature. Relax, its immaterial. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-04-27 12:13:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCitizenship Interview
Keep in mind - if you came on K1 or K3 visas, your initial immigration was based on marriage to a USC and they may question you about it. Search the forums here - I have read about it. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-04-28 11:00:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionIntervie scheduled with no FP appointment
My wife had her Biometrics done in April 2008 but was still asked to do another - this February. So there is no hard and fast rule, it may depend on their whim. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-04-27 12:17:00
US Citizenship General Discussiongetting ready!
I just included recent docs - but about 1 third of what I did with removal of conditions. My wife carried this year's tax return with her and some recent statements but they only wanted tax returns, nothing else. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-05 11:50:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDoes spouse needs to be with me at interview?
I just came back from the interview - they just talked to my wife. I sat in the waiting room. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-05 11:51:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDoes spouse needs to be with me at interview?
I will be going on Tuesday with my wife and I guess I will sit and wait while they interview her. I interpret the application this way - the USC spouse is not required to attend the interview, but as others have said it, if they want to check him/her out then its worth being there. AT the very least, she will be carruying my passports with her (in case the IO wants to look at dates on passports, so at least have your wife's passport/s with you). Good Luck

Edited by motu, 03 May 2009 - 10:41 AM.

motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-03 10:41:00
US Citizenship General Discussionowing back taxes
QUOTE (fumes @ May 4 2009, 11:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
can a citizenship application be denied due to owing back taxes?

Absolutely not. Not filing taxes is a major offense but not paying taxes is a minor thing - go figure. You are perfectly OK, keep filing every year and possibly pay it off when you can. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-05 11:44:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionTaking a break from life in America.
One easy way to maintain a residence - use a friend or relative's address as yours (make sure and file AR11) that way, they can receive all your mail especially the USCIS stuff. Also keep a bank account open - most require a small amount to keep just a savings account (my bank just requires $25 to be kept in savings). This way at least you are not worried about saying that I didn't maintain a residence - however the days and months of absence could be troublesome if you accrue too much time outside. Most friends/relatives will not have a problem with such a request. Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-04 12:54:00
US Citizenship General Discussiondid anybody lose their "born"citizenship??
Many countries do allow dual citizenship, you may have to contact the embassy here to find out if they allow it and what's the process for it. Most info is available online. I know that India allows dual citizenship, you have to fill out some forms and send your info along with $250. Sometimes they take as long as one year (my sister is still waiting to hear from them). My gut feeling is - this process (if allowed by your birth country) is fairly easy to do.
Some countries simply 'ignore' the other citizenship - which means that they insist you enter your 'birth' country with your 'birth' passport (you leave with your US passport so you end up carrying both when you travel) - Colombia and some other countries fall into this category - the downside is - you must serve the national military if required regardless of your new citizenship - so Iran will arrest you if you are a male of a certain age etc. - so one must be aware of these rules (yes that means you can't go back home!) Good Luck
motuNot TellingColombia2009-05-07 10:20:00