biggish data

QUOTE (saywhat @ Dec 1 2009, 06:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I dont fit into any stereotype easily ..

I'm also not as straight forward as I might seem... Here is my take

QUOTE (saywhat @ Dec 1 2009, 06:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am against capital punishment coz I think a life in prison is X times worse

I used to think so too, but not anymore. Several reasons why:

1) Yes, it would seem to anyone that life in prison is much worse than quick death, but human phychology plays funny games with persons mind when such person is put in what seems to be a dead end situation. They found hope and live day by day hoping to get an appeal, a parole, a pardon or simply escape. Logically they realize that none of that is likely to happen, but in their mind it's their light in the end of the tunnel. They have nothing to lose too, so they are more likely to go to any extremes to escape.

2) Keeping a person in jail costs A LOT of money. Why a criminal who killed or raped someone gets free room and board, free healthcare, free library, free activities all on tax payers dime? That's just unfair. Imagine a person in his 20s is locked up for life and he ends up living until he is 70 for example. 50 years of free life paid on our dime for killing an innocent person? I don't think it's fair at all.

3) Even if the case is crystal clear and there is no possiblity of parole or appeal, there is always a chance to escape. Some people that commit certain crimes should NO chance to see the light of day again, by any means. Put them down and get it over is.

QUOTE (saywhat @ Dec 1 2009, 06:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have a pistol and a concealed carry permit and AR-15 assault rifle (US version of Kalashnikov) but I am PRO tight gun control/required training /locked up guns etc

Define what you mean by tight gun control in this matter. I hang out around many gun web boards and sometimes I see such reckless cowboy attitudes there, that I'd actually agree with both training requirments, mandatory safes at homes, and mental health evaluations similar to those law enforcement officers have to clear. The only problem I see here is that gun rights erode one thing at a time and anti-gunners wouldn't stop no matter how much they get, in fact they will want more and more. This is an eternal struggle between gun right groups and anti-gun groups in this country and I don't think compromise is possible so both sides have to take extreme positions.

You saw what happened in your home country - first came licensing, then registraion, then partial bans, then confiscations. I don't want to see it go down that way here. I wish there was a compromise like everyone should get training, mental evaluation and get issued a license; but after that no more attempts to ban guns or confiscate them...but unfortunately examples around the world shows that's it's not possible. Plus, as I mentioned before, I just don't trust the government.

Also, it seems to me that you are being hypocritical on the issue. You admit that you have a CCP, probably pack heat in public and own what anti-gunners call an assault weapon. Seems like a pretty extreme selection of what anti-gunners wet their beds over. I know some hunters and skeet shooters who own a bolt action rifle or an over-and-under shotgun and say that they are against handguns or concealed carry or assault weapons. That I can understand. But seems to me that you are a different case. Seems that you trust yourself with having all this serious weaponry, but don't trust others. While I do understand where you coming from, it seems like a little bit of elitism to me...

QUOTE (saywhat @ Dec 1 2009, 06:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am very anti illegal immigrant/amnesty - but pro universal health care

I'm also very much against illegals. As for the health care... I agree that the idea is good and in theory I'd support it, but in reality I think that it will simply bankrupt the economy even further, at least right now. I don't buy the argument how the proposed reform gonna cut costs either, it's just not feasible.

QUOTE (saywhat @ Dec 1 2009, 06:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am for just defensive wars - but against foolhardy adventures for commercial gain

Would I bear arms for the US ? Yes if the North Koreans were flooding ashore in Seattle. BUT - protect the Afghan heroin poppy fields to please our 'allies' who own them ? Nope.

Apart from that ... the absence of anything bad happening after the Vietnam defeat tells me the reasons for the war were bogus and we could have had cheap shirts 15 years earlier.

Say yes but think hard and be true to yourself would be my answer.. jeez it's great being old and exempt

You whippersnappers have it hard.

Here I agree with every word.

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-12-02 09:44:00

QUOTE (saywhat @ Dec 1 2009, 04:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Brit Abroad @ Dec 1 2009, 09:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Interesting take on this one - if you're born American you aren't required to swear an oath to bear arms in defence of the country and yet a foreign-born American has to? Seems like discrimination to me. I could understand being asked to swear an allegiance of priority to America over your former domicile, or to relinquish American citizenship and return to your birth country if you couldn't, but allowing a native to opt out while forcing a naturalised citizen seems somewhat unfair.

Yes I thought the only difference between me and a natural born American would be being President but I suspect there is more.
Up to July this year a Washington State Green Card holder could not buy a firearm without a special alien license which was withheld anyway. Only citizens. Now they can and I did on day 1. Nice little CZ .22 target rifle like I had in the UK.
It was changed by the court under the 14th amendment - discrimination.
The law reflected the time when black people could not be citizens and therefore could not have a firearm. The US is moving forward on all fronts - but it will take time.

It's interesting they did that in Washington state - i didn't know. Here in VA it wasn't an issue - you have to present your green card and 3 consecutive months of proof of residence with the same address (bank statements or so) in addition to DL and second form of ID that citizens need, but then you are all good to go. Can easily get a CHP too, and don't even need to show GC there, just attest that you are a citizen or permanent resident.

CZ is a good toy too - well priced and great quality!

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-12-01 17:14:00

QUOTE (saywhat @ Dec 1 2009, 01:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Redneck-NOVA @ Dec 1 2009, 05:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm not an anarchist, I understand that government is a necessity and it can be useful at times, but I don't trust it and act on my best concience too.

I would swear but with my own definitions in my mind and judging the situation as it unfolds.

If a tyrannical Wasilla based govt takes over in the US I won't bear arms against it ('it' being the combined US armed forces) - I will grab a cheap ticket Seattle-Heathrow one way. Actually I might fly business class.

This dual citizenship thing (Europe/USA) looks better and better

Tyrannical government is in the WH NOW. Bush was bad, real bad, but the "messiah" beats the ###### out of anyone. I'd take Wasilla anytime...

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-12-01 13:14:00

QUOTE (saywhat @ Dec 1 2009, 12:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Redneck-NOVA @ Dec 1 2009, 05:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (saywhat @ Dec 1 2009, 11:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If the constitution was legally amended to exclude all hand gun ownership, would people uphold the amended constitution and hand in their guns ?
I bet some would pick and chose which parts of the constitution (as amended) to uphold.

No offense, but this is a dumb statement. There are always people who don't like some laws, complain about them, or outright ignore them. It's illegal right now for felons to posess handguns or any other guns, but it doesn't seem to stop them does it? Plus, playing "what if" game doesn't prove anything. As of now, the Constitution says what it says and Heller decision last year cleared up the possible interpretations too.

No offense taken - I am married and therefore used to it.
But the post is one big 'what if'.
'What if ' you were called upon to take part in a war which you didn't think was for the defense of the USA and where hundreds of thousands of innocents would die ? - could one sign up for an oath to do that ?

I am pointing out the blank cheque (check) that many are willing to hand to the government when it comes to going to war, but they would take back that check when the government asks for something that takes away from their lives.

Either you trust the government with it's gun control AND wars, or you exercise your discretion when it comes to supporting either of these. In that case we are picking and choosing and I see nothing wrong with that. Handing our lives to the govt in an unreserved manner belongs to the past and that is what oaths seek to do.

Hitler was very keen on oaths as the mind and discretion of the oath taker is switched off and they submit to higher authority who remind them of their oath :
example: >>>
Jungvolk Oath (taken by ten-year-old boys on first entering the Hitler Youth)

"In the presence of this blood banner which represents our Führer, I swear to devote all my energies and my strength to the saviour of our country, Adolf Hitler. I am willing and ready to give up my life for him, so help me God."

I think that swearing to act within one's own concience and with only the finest motives at all times would be a much more admirable thing for a citizen of any country to do.

I would still do the swearing thing though and then act with my own concience which takes precedence.

I don't trust the government with anything, period. I dealt with USCIS for 4 years now, how can I be so stupid to trust government after this?

Seriously, I don't. Not a singe government in the world. None of them have my best interests in mind. Government is a necessary thing and everyone has to deal with them and it's better to find most painless ways to do so, but hell no I don't trust it. Not with wars, not with gun control, not with healthcare, not with social security, no, no, no. That's one of the reasons I oppose gun control too. I don't trust that police will be there when and where I need it, so having a gun gives me a chance should SHTF.

In perfect world only people who are sane, honest, responsible and qualified would have access to weapons, but world ain't perfect. And if you trust government with gun control, they will do what they did both in your home country and in mine - being unable to do anything about criminals, they just disarm the law abiding and tell the sheeple that now it's safe.

I'm not an anarchist, I understand that government is a necessity and it can be useful at times, but I don't trust it and act on my best concience too.

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-12-01 12:47:00

QUOTE (NickD @ Dec 1 2009, 12:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (rsn @ Dec 1 2009, 10:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Redneck-NOVA @ Dec 1 2009, 10:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (rsn @ Dec 1 2009, 11:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

voulanteerely?

What's your point? As of now, there is no draft in the US, so all people who are in the war zone, joined military voulanteerely. If you join the military, you have to be prepared to fight - that what armies do. If you just would like to run around shooting guns and get basic training in a safe environment, you can always go to Blackwater or any similar organization and pay them top bucks for private training.

"Voulanteerely" is not a word. That was my point.

Voluntary is and Blackwater has a strong advantage of NOT having to follow rules of engagement like the lowest paid guy, now guy or gal, on the totem pole. That doesn't make sense either, even when we had the draft, that guy on the bottom of the totem pole received the lowest pay. Hell, we were well aware, that we were cheaper to the government dead than alive. And even a lot more expensive to them if wounded.

The real crime was the millions of dollars CEO's were making as defense contracts, Ross Perot, even tried to run for president. Guys that were exempt from the draft had daddies rich enough to send them to college, Clinton and that Bush kid fell in that class. John Wayne and Ronald Reagan beat wartime service by making patriotic movies. Surprised John Wayne didn't run for president, but that other guy did. Other of my classmates in high school beat the draft by getting their girlfriends pregnant in high school followed by a shotgun wedding. Really didn't pay to be a clean cut kid.

What really fried my butt is when shopping with my wife, found clothes made in Viet Nam not to mention China that is a first class butt fryer, we saved them during WW II so they joined up with the Soviets right after, still a communist country, but we are pouring in our bucks like crazy, but getting killed in Iraq and Afghanistan so they can have a democracy. So why aren't we doing that in China? China was our biggest enemy during the so called South Korean conflict, can't call that a war as only congress can declare that. So we helped South Korea only to lose a practically all of our ship building industry that left many Wisconsin cities go broke.

Are our leaders insane? Or are they complete traitors to this country? I feel that latter is true. Would be happy to debate anyone of them on this issue. But they are very good at ignoring my letters.

I absolutely agree with you. It's very sad...

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-12-01 12:16:00

QUOTE (rsn @ Dec 1 2009, 11:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Redneck-NOVA @ Dec 1 2009, 10:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (rsn @ Dec 1 2009, 11:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

voulanteerely?

"Voulanteerely" is not a word. That was my point.

Ok, you got me. I made a mistake. I learned English in Russian high school, starting at age 10 and it's not my native language. I think that considering the fact that I only lived in the US for less than 4 years, my English is pretty decent and if I made a mistake so be it. You still got my point, didn't you?

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-12-01 12:12:00

QUOTE (saywhat @ Dec 1 2009, 11:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-12-01 12:02:00

QUOTE (rsn @ Dec 1 2009, 11:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

voulanteerely?

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-12-01 11:38:00

QUOTE (elishav @ Nov 30 2009, 09:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Boiler @ Nov 30 2009, 10:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Justine+David @ Nov 30 2009, 05:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yikes, I didn't realize this kind of question was going to be asked for my future husband. He's from the UK and like a majority of his country, thinks gun control is extremely important and that Americans are too gun-happy.

I'm inclined to agree, especially with a Constitution that has amendments for a reason...

Now, I come from a strong military family and my dad is a colonel, so I very much support our troops, especially as they put their lives in danger for our country. It's more about Congress that I wouldn't agree with who have the power to involve the U.S. in wars, but I guess there's no stopping them except for voting them out.

*sigh*

Gun control in the UK is only an issue if you want to own one legally, illegally not a problem.

I prefer the US system. Gives you a chance.

Please stop jacking threads. This is not about gun control. Your off-topic snide comments to people are all over this board. There are plenty of places on the internet for what you are looking for. People have politely asked you to stop, so please stop.

Actually, she mentioned gun control first. As NickD pointed out, the Oath statement about bearing arms has absolutely nothing to do with the 2nd Amendment. But when you start talking about morals of bearing arms, these 2 subjects mix and I was partially guilty in taking this thread somewhat offtopic by making comments about Right to bear arms. However, it was Justine+David who mentioned gun control first, so don't scream at Boiler just because you disagree with his statement and agree with hers. We see enough of this tactic in congress and media, it's really not cool

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-12-01 11:33:00

QUOTE (saywhat @ Nov 30 2009, 06:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (NickD @ Nov 30 2009, 03:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just sayin', it ain't very easy to get in, and with three kids, even when we had the draft, they would want no part of you, would have to give you free medical and dental care to your kids even if you met all the other requirements. You would be too expensive for the government.

My granddad had 5 very small children and tried his best stay out of the army when everyone else was signing up voluntarily..
They conscripted him anyway and he was killed within a few months when he and his friends were ordered to walk towards a heavy water cooled machine gun. His body was never found.

They pass all sorts of laws in time of war and those bear little resemblance to peacetime laws.

These people who advocate arms to attack their own (the US government) are fantasists. They spend half their time praising the US military, and the other half polishing their guns and saying they will kill their own servicemen if the government becomes too socialist and tyrannical.

I am 62 years old and in shape. I have a brand new AR-15 assault rifle and National expert marksman qualifications starting in 1967. Luckily I am considered incapable of causing any harm to an enemy so that's ok. However, paper targets should be very afraid.

The poster who talks about Chavez should realise that it wouldn't be him on the end of your bayonet, it would more likely be a scared 17 year old begging for his/her life and your comrades encouraging you to give 'battlefield justice'. War is not a noble thing - it's organised murder no matter how it's portrayed.

The politics and the theory is one thing, the reality is something else. When you are under 26 you don't think like this and that's why the government wants you and not me.

Would you die for the Vietnam war ? 50 thousand Americans dead and half a million crippled in mind and/or body. As soon as it ended we were all friends and US manufacturers were setting up sweat shops there to make shirts. So what was all that about ? What were the terrible consequences of losing ? What happened when we lost ?

All in all I would try my best to avoid killing people in that sort of war. But soldiers can't pick their wars - they have to obey the orders of a Bush brother or Sarah or even - Glenn Beck ?

I generally agree with you. War should be avoided at all costs. And as someone coming from the country with abusive government and mandatory military servie, I'm very passionate about the distinction between voulanteer service and a mandatory one - see one of my posts above.

I believe that the only situation when government is somewhat justified in conducting mandatory draft is when the fighting going on the native soil and it's literally a question of survival. For example, like with Soviet Union in WWII. All wars which are not critical for survival (which is 99% of all modern conflicts) - Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, Chechnya, you name it, should be only fought by the hands of professional soldiers who voulanteerely decided to join the military knowing all pros and cons and possible risks.

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-12-01 11:27:00

QUOTE (Justine+David @ Nov 30 2009, 07:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

He's from the UK and like a majority of his country, thinks gun control is extremely important and that Americans are too gun-happy.
*sigh*

Important for what? Keeping criminals safe and making sure none of them get killed and just take what they want when they break into someone's house??? This logic just kills me...

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-12-01 11:21:00

QUOTE (elishav @ Dec 1 2009, 11:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If the country decays to the point that honoring the oath would become an issue, well... we all won't likely be concerned with semantics at that point.

That's a twisted statement. I always thought that honoring any oath is a proper thing to do if you took this oath volounterely and in good faith. The real problem is that the country decayed to the point when no one takes any oaths seriously and even elected officials all the way to the oval office do not honor the oath of office. What happened to "defend and protect the Constitution...against all enemies - foregn and domestic"!?!?!?

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-12-01 11:18:00

QUOTE (Udella&Wiz @ Nov 30 2009, 11:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Because I'm not fan of guns or war does not indicate that I will be a poor American and therefore not willing to protect my country of residence. There are plenty of naturally born Americans with the same opinion.

I DO NOT think that not liking guns makes you un-American. I DO, however think that actively fighting against gun rights is un-American.

After all, it is a basic Constitutional right. But, just like with any other right, it's your choice whether to exercise it or not. Constitution doesn't oblige you to bear arms, but it does reaffirm your natural right to do so. I respect your opinion on guns and I respect your choice not wanting to bear them, but I do expect the same in return.

As for the old debate about gun violence...it is certainly a huge problem, but it has little to do with guns and a lot with violence. Violence can be fuled by criminal intent or phycological issues or something else. In either case, gun is just a tool. Violence exists due to poor morals and absence of basic values, not due to availiability of guns. If you don't believe me, look how most of gun violence (per capita) happens in large cities where gun rights are heavily restricted, and yet in many rural and semi-rural areas, where virtually every household has guns and kids learn to shoot from early age it's pretty calm and safe?

I see you live in Centreville, VA, very close to me. You know that next door, in Manassas alone, along Rt 28, there are 3 rather large gun stores within 10 miles of each other? And they are always busy, always sell a lot and it's very easy to get a gun in VA. And yet (knock-on-wood), you rarely hear about shootings happening in the area. In the neighbouring DC though, where getting a gun is much harder than crashing a White House party, there's a new shooting virtually every night.

Again, not trying to convince you otherwise and not trying to change your mind on guns. Just giving you food for thought. Guns are not evil - they are just tools, inanimate objects that can be used in a variety of ways. To explain the "evil" part, you have to look at the operator and his motives...

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-11-30 14:08:00

This is a tricky question though. As you can guess from my signnature, I'm a gun enthusiast and own several guns, most of which would fall under what anti-gunners define as an assualt or military grade weapon. For the most part, I own them as a hobby. I don't hunt, but I enjoy target shooting. It a very addictive hobby too. I never owned a firearm before coming to the US as it is very hard in my home country, but I have always been interested in guns, both in their history and, as an engineer, in it's mechanics. The main reason to own A gun for me is personal defense though. I enjoy having an effective tool to defend myself and I am very passionate about having a right to own and carry one. As it's often said, "when seconds count poilice is only minutes away". But in this capacity it's a safety tool for me and nothing more.

However, bearing arms on behalf of the country is a whole different matter. I'd not think twice to use a gun to defend myself and my family. However, I have very little faith in the government (and yes, dealing with USCIS for several years didn't help much

) and generally don't agree with many policy (including foreign policy) desicions. While I see a number of political and tactical reasons for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, I wouldn't risk my life in such conflicts. All in all, ever since the Civil War (or the War of Northern Agression as we call it here, below the Mason-Dixon line

), there was not a single conflict which I would consider a personal defense issue for most of US residents and I don't think any of them called for a mandatory draft.

However, I think that professional members of Armed Forces who made a voulantary choice to join the military, do have, in fact, a professional obligation to follow the orders and participate in whatever conflict government calls them to join. But the only situation in which I would consider a total mandatory draft of all able people into the military fair, is when the enemy is literally at your doorstep and fighting is going on on the native soil. But since realistically this is pretty much the only scenario when Congress would approve an all-in draft anyway, I did answer "yes" to this question.

Sorry for a long rant...

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-11-30 10:38:00

How long should I wait to call about oath?

QUOTE (naiku @ Dec 15 2009, 09:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks, I was afraid that I might have to make an info-pass appointment. The office is a 2 hour drive for me, which pretty much means an entire day wasted.

Don't waste your time on Infopass - they will tell you the same 120 days bullshit there. Contact your Senators and get them involved. That was the only way for me to break through the USCIS desinformation wall when I was in the same situation recently.

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-12-15 12:29:00

QUOTE (WishAllGood @ Nov 11 2009, 08:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (wannabe_texan @ Nov 6 2009, 05:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Redneck-NOVA - I hate to say it, but I think you will have to wait a month or 5 weeks from your ID to get your OL

I'm only basing this on people like fellow June filer Mohsin's experience who had their interview date prior to GC anniversary. It seems that when people who are 'exceptions' to the same day process have to be reallocated, the DO is doing the allocation in a batch process (likely at the same time as they schedule interviews, so that a day's quota is filled etc). If you're one of the exceptions, its a matter of them finding a day when there's less people scheduled already, which is by necessity going to be a date 'further out'. That's my hypothesis.

I so understand the wait is killing you, but it's not a personal thing, I don't think it has anything to do with your specific case, just scheduling at the DO... hang in there

, you'll be a citizen for Christmas I'm sure, perhaps even by Thanksgiving.

Redneck-NOVA -
I totally agree with what wannable_texan said. I personally encountered similar situation for the delay though it's not GC anniversary problem.
However, I believe the DO put my file to another pile and caused me to wait for 6 weeks to get my OL and my OD is two more months later than my interview date. Due to infopass and customer service line's information, my case was approved 12 days after the interview (name change cause the first delay). People from my DO get their OL in about 10 days only. However, I do not think write to the senator would work at this point. You had better check with infopass and see what they say about your case. If lucky enough, you can try to ask them for a supervisor to talk to. However, I don't know if that will work.

When you go to infopass or call the service line, did you ask them if your case is approved? Or, maybe just as wannable_texan said, they just need to find a less busy time to do the work for all those people excluded from the normal process.

I can totally understand your frustration. Maybe you need to put your focus on other's things and then the OL will just come when you do not pay that much attention to it. That's what happened to me.

WishallGood, thanks for your reply. I made an Infopass appointment 2 weeks after the interview and it didn't do anything - I mentioned it in a previous post. Senator's guy wasn't much help, but at least he got me an Oath date - see my post above. In anyway, I'm frustrated and pissed.

Thanks for your support though - it does help!

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-11-12 11:05:00

QUOTE (wannabe_texan @ Nov 6 2009, 07:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Redneck-NOVA @ Nov 6 2009, 02:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (phillydude411 @ Nov 6 2009, 02:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Redneck-NOVA -

I think each DO is really different in the way they schedule oaths and handle cases. Did you find other people that had the same situation as you did , in your DO, and when they received their letter? It is possible that they have only one day a month allocated for people who couldn't do same day Oaths. I know there is one state (can't remember which one) that has oath ceremonies only twice a year.

The only people I saw here from my DO had same day Oaths. However, I think since they do offer same day Oaths, they gonna have them quite often. Also, this office covers the whole Nothern Virginia area and Washington DC which is full of immigrants and I imagine they do Oaths at least once a week. Oaths are not held in Courthouse like in some less populated areas with small DOs, but right in the DO itself.

Redneck-NOVA - I hate to say it, but I think you will have to wait a month or 5 weeks from your ID to get your OL

, you'll be a citizen for Christmas I'm sure, perhaps even by Thanksgiving.

wannabe_texan, I'm afraid you might be right. Or maybe they just put my case in the wrong pile. Either way, Senator's immigration guy told us that I'm scheduled for Oath for December 10th - almost 2 months after the interview which is really freaking ridiculous for a same-day oath office. While I understand the logic behind what you said, it's still thoroughly pisses me off. What happened to the infamous "first come - first serve" basis they were using as an excuse to explain delays in processing on every step before.

Just proves my strong belief that government is absolutely worthless. Not that I had any doubts before, but now I'm absolutely sure if the government ever runs healthcare in this country, we are all totally screwed.

Still trying to get the lazy Senator's guy to ask my DO to move my Oath to a sooner date, but doubt it will work. I wish old John Warner (R-VA) was still our Senator - this guy instilled some serious fear into these USCIS paper pushers. Our new Senators don't seem to have much influence on them.

By the way, I remeber you from I-751 VSC to CSC thread I started earlier this year - back then we were approved around the same time. Congrats on being done with this God forsaken organization (USCIS) forever!

Still waiting for official Oath letter...

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-11-12 10:33:00

QUOTE (phillydude411 @ Nov 6 2009, 02:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-11-06 15:41:00

phillydude and internetkafe,

I'm here from the July filers thread, but I have the same (or even worse) situation. My interview was on October 15th and I still got no Oath letter. I did schedule an Infopass and didn't get any results other than "wait 120 days". Note that my interview went as smoothly as it gets - no concerns about the application, no issues, answered all test questions from the first time without any mistakes, brought a pile of supporting evidence which IO didn't even look at, was recommended for apporoval in like 10-15 minutes.

Also, my record is clean (not even a parking/traffic ticket), my English is almost native (just a slight accent), travelled abroad just several times and never left the country for more then 2 weeks at a time. There is REALLY nothing I can imagine that would be a red flag of any kind for any sort of extended review. Plus, my office generally conducts same day Oaths and the only reason I didn't get one was because my interview was 9 days before my GC anniversary.

I'm really losing my patience now and am afraid that they just lost my application or put it in a wrong pile or something. I already worte my Senator, but didn't get any feedback yet.

Below is my post from a week ago which I posted after the Infopass and now it's been another week and a day since then, 22 days total since the interview.

Any other advices/ideas/suggestions?

QUOTE (' date=')

Here is my frustration. I quickly and successfully passed the interview 2 weeks ago (on October 15th). The problem is that my interview was 9 days too early to take the Oath even though my local office generally performs same day Oaths. I was trying to ask the IO to give me an Oath letter on the spot but she was reluctant and said that it will come in mail. However, she indicated that I should get the letter on or right after my eligibility date (October 24th) and the Oath should be in couple of weeks.

So it's been 2 weeks and my mailbox is still empty. I lost patience and scheduled an infopass appointment today. Unfortunately, before you can get to an actual IO at the infopass, you first have to fight your way through the receptioninst who knows as much (if not less) than the disinformation line and whoes main job is to turn as many people away as possible without letting them talk to the actual IO.

This receptionist just kept parroting the same phrase over and over again "sir, you have to allow 120 days from your interview until the Oath ceremony. If 120 days pass and you still don't recieve anything you can schedule another Infopass". No calls for reason and asking to talk to a higher level IO who can actually look into my case and figure out what the hold up is and probably give it a push didn't seem to work at all. The other guy at the reception was trying to be more helpful and actually looked up my alien number in their system and said that my Oath hasn't been scheduled yet and there is nothing he can do.

Anyhow, I left with nothing. My whole application from the day I sent it to the interview date took 2.5 months and now I'm stuck at the Oath stage when I see most of the people on this board take the Oath within 2-3 weeks after the interview max.

Any idea what the hold up may be and how long can it possibly take? Also, at the interview she didn't stamp APPROVED on my application, just gave me a N-652 (or whatever it is) saying that I was recommended for approval. Does it mean that it can still be pending supervisors final approval? What else can it be?

I'm really frustrated because I'd prefer not to travel between the interview and the Oath and I cannot make my holiday plans until I know I can get the passport before the end of the year. Any advices, opinions, theories will be highly appreciated!

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-11-06 09:37:00

Done!

Oath Ceremony took about 2 hours and was pretty neatly organized despite some waiting time. Will write more later. Thanks to everyone for their support and help and best of luck to all those who are still on their way...

UserName.............Sent........NOA.....Biometrics..Int Letter..Interview....Oath......Office
Alyssa84............07/02/09...07/06/09...07/29/09....08/13/09...09/18/09...09/28/09...Saint Paul, MN
abyss ..............07/21/09...07/30/09...08/17/09....08/24/09...10/27/09...11/04/09...Seattle, WA
big al .............07/21/09...07/28/09...08/19/09....09/17/09...10/27/09...11/18/09...Sacramento CA
Leviathan23.........07/22/09...07/31/09...08/17/09....09/02/09...11/09/09...12/16/09...Milwaukee, WI
Mooonika............07/23/09...07/28/09...08/29/09....09/06/09.. 11/10/09...12/09/09...Honolulu, HI
Philipsen...........07/24/09...07/28/09...08/19/09....09/05/09...10/21/09...--/--/--...Phoenix, AZ
Ohiobuck............07/31/09...08/03/09...08/26/09....09/03/09...10/15/09...--/--/--...Columbus, Ohio
ilto................08/04/09...08/17/09...09/01/09....09/12/09...10/29/09...--/--/--...Salt Lake City, UT
walls1010...........08/05/09...08/17/09...09/01/09....09/12/09...10/19/09...11/18/09...San Bernardino, CA
Giss................08/08/09...08/17/09...09/08/09....09/18/09...11/12/09...12/03/09...Los Angeles,CA
hussamk.............08/12/09...08/18/09...09/09/09....10/08/09...11/20/09...--/--/--...Sacramento, CA
Leah................08/17/09...08/21/09...09/24/09....11/05/09...12/10/09...--/--/--...Detroit, MI
fine&jadwin.........08/17/09...08/25/09...09/11/09....10/09/09...11/17/09...11/18/09...Sacramento, CA
elishav.............08/20/09...08/28/09...09/22/09....10/05/09...11/23/09...12/16/09...Sacramento, CA
pmkroger............08/20/09...08/25/09...09/18/09....10/07/09...11/02/09...12/03/09...San Bernardino, CA
lansbury............08/21/09...08/28/09...09/22/09....10/13/09...12/01/09...12/02/09...Portland, OR
runaway73...........08/24/09...09/03/09...09/30/09....10/09/09...11/12/09...12/11/09...San Jose, CA
Uday................08/26/09...--/--/--...--/--/--....--/--/--...10/26/09...11/04/09...Saint Paul, MN

USCIS Lockbox Texas
UserName.............Sent........NOA.....Biometrics..Int Letter..Interview....Oath......Office
Fasi99..............07/06/09...07/10/09...08/04/09....08/17/09...09/30/09...--/--/--...Detroit, MI
ahastop.............07/06/09...07/09/09...08/01/09....10/28/09...11/30/09...--/--/--...Garden City, NY
java100us...........07/08/09...08/12/09...09/04/09....09/22/09...10/20/09...10/20/09...Baltimore, MD
Tsup2...............07/10/09...07/17/09...07/30/09....10/01/09...11/02/09...11/02/09...Denver, CO
Anya-D..............07/14/09...07/22/09...08/10/09....08/18/09...09/28/09...10/16/09...Raleigh, NC
MisterWorry.........07/15/09...07/22/09...08/11/09....08/20/09...09/28/09...10/29/09...Dallas, TX
Collie..............07/15/09...07/22/09...08/11/09....09/--/09...09/28/09...10/22/09...Dallas, TX
PrinceandPrincess...07/17/09...07/24/09...08/15/09....08/24/09...09/29/09...09/29/09...Dallas, TX
CanAmCharlotte......07/17/09...07/22/09...08/11/09....08/19/09...10/05/09...--/--/--...Charlotte, NC
Satyam..............07/17/09...07/23/09...08/12/09....09/04/09...10/13/09...10/15/09...New Orleans, LA
*Robert*............07/20/09...07/23/09...08/14/09....09/03/09...10/07/09...10/30/09...Orlando, FL
SSharma.............07/20/09...08/04/09...08/20/09....09/04/09...10/13/09...10/29/09...Dallas, TX
zombie2006..........07/21/09...07/30/09...08/13/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Charlotte, NC
amana1..............07/22/09...09/27/09...08/18/09....09/05/09...10/14/09...--/--/--...Dover, DE
vtguy...............07/22/09...07/31/09...08/18/09....08/31/09...10/06/09...10/26/09...St Albans, VT
display name........07/22/09...08/03/09...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Puerto Rico
Italian_in_NYC......07/27/09...08/01/09...08/20/09....09/22/09...11/10/09...11/13/09...New York, NY
Redneck-NOVA........07/28/09...07/29/09...08/21/09....09/14/09...10/15/09...12/10/09...Fairfax, VA
Koo.................07/28/09...08/01/09...08/18/09....10/01/09...11/12/09...--/--/--...Atlanta, GA
hrushka.............08/05/09...08/11/09...09/02/09....10/01/09...11/16/09...11/16/09...Atlanta, GA
Vj..................08/06/09...08/10/09...09/03/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Raleigh, NC
Bj..................08/06/09...08/11/09...09/09/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Raleigh, NC
Jesti...............08/10/09...08/13/09...09/04/09....09/21/09...11/06/09...12/17/09...San Antonio, TX
dasarp..............08/14/09...08/17/09...08/27/09....09/10/09...10/20/09...--/--/--...Dallas, Texas
Chris W.............08/17/09...--/--/--...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Portland,OR
Rebelheart..........08/20/09...08/24/09...10/09/09....11/03/09...12/07/09...02/--/10...Atlanta, GA ( waiting for requested Judicial Oath )
TheGMan.............08/20/09...08/25/09...09/17/09....10/03/09...11/10/09...01/11/10...Saint Albans, VT
Bilson4real.........08/21/09...08/26/09...10/01/09....11/05/09...12/07/09...12/18/09...Raleigh, NC
Raleigh2009.........08/26/09...09/03/09...09/22/09....11/06/09...12/07/09...12/18/09...Raleigh, NC
nayalamb............08/24/09...08/27/09...09/25/09....10/21/09...12/08/09...--/--/--...Philadelphia,PA
michaillah07........08/25/09...08/27/09...09/21/09....10/08/09...11/18/09...--/--/--...Jacksonville, FL
legolas.............08/28/09...09/03/09...09/24/09....10/08/09...11/17/09...12/11/09...Baltimore, MD
Mom2LilNoah.........08/28/09...09/02/09...10/06/09....11/02/09...12/08/09...--/--/--...Atlanta, GA
4keerthi............02/18/09...02/23/09...10/21/09....11/02/09...12/01/09...12/01/09...Atlanta,GA

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Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-12-15 12:40:00

Finally got my freaking Oath letter yesterday. Oath date is December 10th - almost 2 months after the interview (!!!) and that's in the office that offers same day Oaths!!! Freaking ridiculous. Lets see if anyone can beat my record here on July and August filers thread. Don't think so though...

UserName.............Sent........NOA.....Biometrics..Int Letter..Interview....Oath......Office
Alyssa84............07/02/09...07/06/09...07/29/09....08/13/09...09/18/09...09/28/09...Saint Paul, MN
abyss ..............07/21/09...07/30/09...08/17/09....08/24/09...10/27/09...11/04/09...Seattle, WA
big al .............07/21/09...07/28/09...08/19/09....09/17/09...10/27/09...11/18/09...Sacramento CA
Leviathan23.........07/22/09...07/31/09...08/17/09....09/02/09...11/09/09...--/--/--...Milwaukee, WI
Mooonika............07/23/09...07/28/09...08/29/09....09/06/09.. 11/10/09...--/--/--...Honolulu, HI
Philipsen...........07/24/09...07/28/09...08/19/09....09/05/09...10/21/09...--/--/--...Phoenix, AZ
Ohiobuck............07/31/09...08/03/09...08/26/09....09/03/09...10/15/09...--/--/--...Columbus, Ohio
ilto................08/04/09...08/17/09...09/01/09....09/12/09...10/29/09...--/--/--...Salt Lake City, UT
walls1010...........08/05/09...08/17/09...09/01/09....09/12/09...10/19/09...11/18/09...San Bernardino, CA
Giss................08/08/09...08/17/09...09/08/09....09/18/09...11/12/09...--/--/--...Los Angeles,CA
hussamk.............08/12/09...08/18/09...09/09/09....10/08/09...11/20/09...--/--/--...Sacramento, CA
Leah................08/17/09...08/21/09...09/24/09....11/05/09...12/10/09...--/--/--...Detroit, MI
fine&jadwin.........08/17/09...08/25/09...09/11/09....10/09/09...11/17/09...--/--/--...Sacramento, CA
elishav.............08/20/09...08/28/09...09/22/09....10/05/09...11/23/09...--/--/--...Sacramento, CA
pmkroger............08/20/09...08/25/09...09/18/09....10/07/09...11/02/09...--/--/--...San Bernardino, CA
lansbury............08/21/09...08/28/09...09/22/09....10/13/09...12/01/09...--/--/--...Portland, OR
runaway73...........08/24/09...09/03/09...09/30/09....10/09/09...11/12/09...--/--/--...San Jose, CA
Uday................08/26/09...--/--/--...--/--/--....--/--/--...10/26/09...11/04/09...Saint Paul, MN

Complete: 3 / 18

USCIS Lockbox Texas
UserName.............Sent........NOA.....Biometrics..Int Letter..Interview....Oath......Office
Fasi99..............07/06/09...07/10/09...08/04/09....08/17/09...09/30/09...--/--/--...Detroit, MI
ahastop.............07/06/09...07/09/09...08/01/09....10/28/09...11/30/09...--/--/--...Garden City, NY
java100us...........07/08/09...08/12/09...09/04/09....09/22/09...10/20/09...10/20/09...Baltimore, MD
Tsup2...............07/10/09...07/17/09...07/30/09....10/01/09...11/02/09...11/02/09...Denver, CO
Anya-D..............07/14/09...07/22/09...08/10/09....08/18/09...09/28/09...10/16/09...Raleigh, NC
MisterWorry.........07/15/09...07/22/09...08/11/09....08/20/09...09/28/09...10/29/09...Dallas, TX
Collie..............07/15/09...07/22/09...08/11/09....09/--/09...09/28/09...10/22/09...Dallas, TX
PrinceandPrincess...07/17/09...07/24/09...08/15/09....08/24/09...09/29/09...09/29/09...Dallas, TX
CanAmCharlotte......07/17/09...07/22/09...08/11/09....08/19/09...10/05/09...--/--/--...Charlotte, NC
Satyam..............07/17/09...07/23/09...08/12/09....09/04/09...10/13/09...10/15/09...New Orleans, LA
*Robert*............07/20/09...07/23/09...08/14/09....09/03/09...10/07/09...10/30/09...Orlando, FL
SSharma.............07/20/09...08/04/09...08/20/09....09/04/09...10/13/09...10/29/09...Dallas, TX
zombie2006..........07/21/09...07/30/09...08/13/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Charlotte, NC
amana1..............07/22/09...09/27/09...08/18/09....09/05/09...10/14/09...--/--/--...Dover, DE
vtguy...............07/22/09...07/31/09...08/18/09....08/31/09...10/06/09...10/26/09...St Albans, VT
display name........07/22/09...08/03/09...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Puerto Rico
Italian_in_NYC......07/27/09...08/01/09...08/20/09....09/22/09...11/10/09...11/13/09...New York, NY
Redneck-NOVA........07/28/09...07/29/09...08/21/09....09/14/09...10/15/09...12/10/09...Fairfax, VA
Koo.................07/28/09...08/01/09...08/18/09....10/01/09...11/12/09...--/--/--...Atlanta, GA
hrushka.............08/05/09...08/11/09...09/02/09....10/01/09...11/16/09...--/--/--...Atlanta, GA
Vj..................08/06/09...08/10/09...09/03/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Raleigh, NC
Bj..................08/06/09...08/11/09...09/09/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Raleigh, NC
Jesti...............08/10/09...08/13/09...09/04/09....09/21/09...11/06/09...--/--/--...San Antonio, TX
dasarp..............08/14/09...08/17/09...08/27/09....09/10/09...10/20/09...--/--/--...Dallas, Texas
Chris W.............08/17/09...--/--/--...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Portland,OR
Rebelheart..........08/20/09...08/24/09...10/09/09....11/03/09...12/07/09...--/--/--...Atlanta, GA
TheGMan.............08/20/09...08/25/09...09/17/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Saint Albans, VT
Bilson4real.........08/21/09...08/26/09...10/01/09....11/05/09...12/07/09...--/--/--...Raleigh, NC
Raleigh2009.........08/26/09...09/03/09...09/22/09....11/06/09...12/07/09...--/--/--...Raleigh, NC
nayalamb............08/24/09...08/27/09...09/25/09....10/21/09...12/08/09...--/--/--...Philadelphia,PA
michaillah07........08/25/09...08/27/09...09/21/09....10/08/09...11/18/09...--/--/--...Jacksonville, FL
legolas.............08/28/09...09/03/09...09/24/09....10/08/09...11/17/09...--/--/--...Baltimore, MD
Mom2LilNoah.........08/28/09...09/02/09...10/06/09....11/02/09...12/08/09...--/--/--...Atlanta, GA
4keerthi............02/18/09...02/23/09...10/21/09....11/02/09...12/01/09...--/--/--...Atlanta,GA

Complete: 11 / 34

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Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-11-17 15:22:00

QUOTE (rebelheart @ Nov 1 2009, 10:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yup, "IL is coming!!!" I keep checking on timeline dates of everyone here from ATL. hopefully we could have the IL in our mailbox this coming week.

Well, about the name-change case, as a filipino we "always" don't use mother's maiden name when we got married, always the father it is. I really don't know what happen with bislig2, when they talked about basing the name of the citizenship certificate by her birth certificate.

I put copies of my driver's license, green-card and phils. passport in married name already to them... i didn't include my BC. so I don't know if they give them a BC copy over the N400 when they file it or the officer based it in the USCIS system name when she started the whole process of residency. Really complicated ...

My husband said when the officer just incase says that afternoon oath, need to ask first, whats gonna be my name outcome on the certificate first and decide from there. Or go for the oath taking, if they make my middle name to my mother's name be it... he said I could do change name in court house after I came back and change my certificate and do change name of US passport instead. I checked online and there's no fee to change-name on US passport if there's a court order of change-name. But there's a buck of $380 fee to apply for a new naturalization cert. copy due to change-name by court order.

Really best of luck to the two of us! i hope for same date of interview and oath for us then.

I wonder if there's other filipina out there had experienced like bislig2 does?? so we could prepare from it... my husband guessing it's 1/100 mistake like that using mother's name as your middle name rather than whatever name your using to your all identification cards.

QUOTE (Mom2LilNoah @ Nov 1 2009, 09:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, it would be more exciting to have a same-day interview and oath with "kababayans" at the same local office. That's why I am now counting the days of my IL receipt to check our respective dates.

I've read that post about bislig's ordeal and I dread going through the same experience. Is that an isolated case or a lot of Filipinos experienced the same? It's making me curious too.

Good luck to your homecoming. I went home last April with my son and had a blast. So hope u do too.

IL is coming, IL is comingggggg...

Guys, there is no mystery in how they correct your middle name (and the rest of your legal name for that matter), even though it doesn't necessarily correspond with common sense. Basically, they will check your name on N-400 application against the name on your birth certificate (or birth certificate translation/transliteration if the original uses different alphabet like it was in my case). They have your whole file there, starting with your K-1/K-3/IR visa application and thats where they check the copy of your birth certificate. Then if you changed anything in the spelling of your name since then, they will correct it to the spelling in your birth certificate and disregard the spelling on all current documents (DL, SS card, GC, etc.). They only exception is if you legally changed your name (e.g. after marriage), then they will recognize your new name. If it's just spelling difference or a mistake, it WILL be changed to your birth cerfiticate version. Here is what happened to me: http://www.visajourn...howtopic=223485

Now, what you might be able to do to avoid this headache is to use the "do you want to legally change your name" line on N-400 application and basically change it back to what you have on all your current documents. I should have done that, but I didn't realize this in time during the interview and IO wasn't very helpful in this regard either.

Hope this helps.

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-11-02 09:22:00

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-10-29 09:53:00

Passed my interview today in the Fairfax, VA (aka Washington DC) office.

It was very quick and easy. Got there about 30 minutes in advance, was called in exactly at the time indicated on interview letter, on the dot. The interviewing officer was a very nice lady, very professional and polite.

First swore me in, then went over my whole application, had to change couple of things. She had to correct the spelling of my patronymic (Russian version of the middle name) from what I've been using for the past 3+ years to what I had originally transliterated from my birth certificate for the K-1 interview! Since in Russian we use a different alphabet, there is no 'right' spelling in English - depends on transliteration, so it's kind of pointless. Now that will be a pain though - means that I have to get a new DL again, which I just renewed a month ago. Oh well...

Second thing was adding my last week's Carribbean vacation to the list of trips outside the country.

Then she made me write some really simple sentence in English and read another equally simple one. Asked 6 questions from the test, I got all of them right. Don't remember the questions since I didn't really study for the test - just looked over the list quickly last night and had my wife quiz me. Knew about 90% of the answers already, the remaining 10% was pretty easy to memorize.

She didn't look at any of the massive evidence I brought, just at my DL and GC. Asked for passport too, but didn't even open it. Then she said that I was recommended for approval, but I can't get the Oath today since my GC 3rd anniversary is not until Ocotober 24th.

I knew that when I recieved the IL and was kind of bummed since I think Fairfax office often conducts same day Oath. Does anyone know how long does it normally take for the Oath letter to arrive? She seemed to think that they will only send it after the GC anniversary and then the Oath date will be another 2 weeks from then. Kinda hope it will be faster than that, since I'm holding off with my holiday travel plans until the process is finalized and tickets are getting more and more expensive...

Anyway, that was my experience - good luck to everyone else with their interviews and will post again when I get the Oath letter!

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-10-15 16:55:00

Got my interview letter on Monday!

USCIS Lockbox Arizona
UserName.............Sent........NOA.....Biometrics..Int Letter..Interview....Oath......Office
Alyssa84............07/02/09...07/06/09...07/29/09....08/13/09...09/18/09...--/--/--...Saint Paul, MN
abyss ..............07/21/09...07/30/09...08/17/09....08/24/09...10/27/09...--/--/--...Seattle, WA
big al .............07/21/09...07/28/09...08/19/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Sacramento CA
Leviathan23.........07/22/09...07/31/09...08/17/09....09/02/09...11/09/09...--/--/--...Milwaukee, WI
Mooonika............07/23/09...07/28/09...08/29/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Honolulu, HI
Philipsen...........07/24/09...07/28/09...08/19/09....09/05/09...10/21/09...--/--/--...Phoenix, AZ
Ohiobuck............07/31/09...08/03/09...08/26/09....09/03/09...10/15/09...--/--/--...Columbus, Ohio
ilto................08/04/09...08/17/09...09/01/09....09/12/09...10/29/09...--/--/--...Salt Lake City, UT
walls1010...........08/05/09...08/17/09...09/01/09....09/12/09...10/19/09...--/--/--...San Bernardino, CA
Giss................08/08/09...08/17/09...09/08/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Alhambra ,CA
hussamk.............08/12/09...08/18/09...09/09/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Sacramento, CA
elishav.............08/20/09...08/28/09...09/22/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Sacramento, CA
pmkroger............08/20/09...08/25/09...09/18/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...San Bernardino, CA
lansbury............08/21/09...08/28/09...09/22/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Portland, OR
runaway73...........08/24/09...09/03/09...09/30/09....--/--/--...../../--...--/--/--...San Jose, CA

USCIS Lockbox Texas
UserName.............Sent........NOA.....Biometrics..Int Letter..Interview....Oath......Office
Fasi99..............07/06/09...07/10/09...08/04/09....08/17/09...09/30/09...--/--/--...Detroit, MI
ahastop.............07/06/09...07/09/09...08/01/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Long Island,NY
java100us...........07/08/09...08/12/09...09/04/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Baltimore, MD
Tsup2...............07/10/09...07/17/09...07/30/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Fairfax, VA
Anya-D..............07/14/09...07/22/09...08/10/09....08/18/09...09/28/09...--/--/--...Raleigh, NC
MisterWorry.........07/15/09...07/22/09...08/11/09....08/20/09...09/28/09...--/--/--...Dallas, TX
Collie..............07/15/09...07/22/09...08/11/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Dallas, TX
PrinceandPrincess...07/17/09...07/24/09...08/15/09....08/24/09...09/29/09...--/--/--...Dallas, TX
CanAmCharlotte......07/17/09...07/22/09...08/11/09....08/19/09...10/05/09...--/--/--...Charlotte, NC
Satyam..............07/17/09...07/23/09...08/12/09....09/04/09...10/13/09...--/--/--...New Orleans, LA
roi_aggie...........07/20/09...07/23/09...08/14/09....09/03/09...10/07/09...--/--/--...Orlando, FL
SSharma.............07/20/09...08/04/09...08/20/09....09/04/09...10/13/09...--/--/--...Dallas, TX
zombie2006..........07/21/09...07/30/09...08/13/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Charlotte, NC
amana1..............07/22/09...--/--/--...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Dover, DE
vtguy...............07/22/09...07/31/09...08/18/09....08/31/09...10/06/09...--/--/--...St Albans, VT
display name........07/22/09...08/03/09...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Puerto Rico
Italian_in_NYC......07/27/09...08/01/09...08/20/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...New York, NY
Redneck-NOVA........07/28/09...07/29/09...08/21/09....09/14/09...10/15/09...--/--/--...Fairfax, VA
hrushka.............08/05/09...08/11/09...09/02/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Jacksonville, FL
Vj..................08/06/09...08/10/09...09/03/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Raleigh, NC
Bj..................08/06/09...08/11/09...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Raleigh, NC
Jesti...............08/10/09...08/13/09...09/04/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...San Antonio, TX
dasarp..............08/14/09...08/17/09...08/27/09....09/10/09...10/20/09...--/--/--...Dallas, Texas
Chris W.............08/17/09...--/--/--...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Portland, ME
Rebelheart..........08/20/09...08/24/09...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Atlanta, GA
TheGMan.............08/20/09...08/25/09...09/17/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Saint Albans, VT
Bilson4real.........08/21/09...08/26/09...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Raleigh, NC
nayalamb............08/24/09...08/27/09...09/25/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Philadelphia,PA
michaillah07........08/25/09...08/27/09...09/21/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Jacksonville, FL
legolas.............08/28/09...09/03/09...09/24/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Baltimore, MD

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Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-09-16 06:38:00

My online status changed from the famous "Request for additional evidence sent" to this:

Application Type: N400, APPLICATION FOR NATURALIZATION

Current Status: This case has been sent for a standard interview.

Your case has been transferred to a local office and an interview will be scheduled. As part of our standard processing you will be sent a notice when the interview is scheduled, or if the office needs something from you. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address. We process each kind of case in the order we receive them. You can use our processing dates to estimate when this case will be done. Follow the link below for current processing dates. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. To receive e-mail updates, follow the link below to register.

I guess I gonna be checking my mailbox for an interview letter now.

P.S. Those who already got their IL - how long did it take from this online/email notice until the reciept of the actual IL in mail?

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-09-09 12:29:00

Just adding myself

USCIS Lockbox Arizona
UserName.............Sent........NOA.....Biometrics..Int Letter..Interview....Oath......Office
Alyssa84............07/02/09...07/06/09...07/29/09....08/13/09...09/18/09...--/--/--...Saint Paul, MN
abyss ..............07/21/09...07/30/09...08/17/09....08/24/09...10/27/09...--/--/--...Seattle, WA
big al .............07/21/09...07/28/09...08/19/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Sacramento CA
Leviathan23.........07/22/09...07/31/09...08/17/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Milwaukee, WI
Mooonika............07/23/09...07/28/09...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Honolulu, HI
ilto................08/04/09...08/17/09...09/01/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Salt Lake City, UT
walls1010...........08/05/09...08/17/09...09/01/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...San Bernardino, CA
Giss................08/08/09...08/17/09...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Alhambra ,CA
elishav.............08/20/09...--/--/--...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Sacramento, CA

USCIS Lockbox Texas
UserName.............Sent........NOA.....Biometrics..Int Letter..Interview....Oath......Office
Fasi99..............07/06/09...07/10/09...08/04/09....08/17/09...09/30/09...--/--/--...Detroit, MI
ahastop.............07/06/09...07/09/09...08/01/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Garden City, IL
java100us...........07/08/09...08/12/09...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Baltimore, MD
Tsup2...............07/10/09...07/17/09...07/30/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Fairfax, VA
Anya-D..............07/14/09...07/22/09...08/10/09....08/18/09...09/28/09...--/--/--...Raleigh, NC
MisterWorry.........07/15/09...07/22/09...08/11/09....08/20/09...09/28/09...--/--/--...Dallas, TX
Collie..............07/15/09...07/22/09...08/11/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Dallas, TX
PrinceandPrincess...07/17/09...07/24/09...08/15/09....08/24/09...09/29/09...--/--/--...Dallas, TX
CanAmCharlotte......07/17/09...07/22/09...08/11/09....08/19/09...10/05/09...--/--/--...Charlotte, NC
Satyam..............07/17/09...07/23/09...08/12/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Jackson, MS
roi_aggie...........07/20/09...07/23/09...08/14/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Orlando, FL
SSharma.............07/20/09...08/04/09...08/20/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Dallas, TX
zombie2006..........07/21/09...07/30/09...08/13/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Charlotte, NC
amana1..............07/22/09...--/--/--...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Dover, DE
vtguy...............07/22/09...07/31/09...08/18/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Albany, NY
display name........07/22/09...08/03/09...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Puerto Rico
Italian_in_NYC......07/27/09...08/01/09...08/20/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...New York, NY
Redneck-NOVA........07/28/09...07/29/09...08/21/09....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Fairfax, VA
hrushka.............08/05/09...08/11/09...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Dallas, Texas
Vj..................08/06/09...08/10/09...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Raleigh, NC
Bj..................08/06/09...08/11/09...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Raleigh, NC
Jesti...............08/10/09...08/13/09...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...San Antonio, TX
Chris W.............08/17/09...--/--/--...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Portland, ME
AntandD.............08/18/09...--/--/--...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Buffalo, NY
Rebelheart..........08/20/09...--/--/--...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Atlanta, GA
Bilson4real.........08/21/09...--/--/--...--/--/--....--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...Raleigh, NC

Instructions for adding/updating yourself (or assisting others) to this list:
1. Please make sure you are using Rich Text Editor as your message setting.
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Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2009-08-25 11:00:00

To offer a clarification of the differences between countries recognizing dual citizenship and the US. I have citizenship in my birth country Canada and as a Naturalized American. Canada recognizes and allows their citizens to have citizenship in other countries at the same time as they have Canadian citizenship. The US does not - they view everyone as a US citizen regardless of whether they are also citizens in another country or not. The US is not able to take away or revoke another country's citizenship, and while they could force everyone taking out US citizenship to take the steps to renounce citizenship in the countries where they are also citizens, they do not. They just don't recognize it. The most obvious way this manifests for me is that if I travel outside of the US I can use either my Canadian or American passport for travel but I MUST use my American passport for re-entry to the US. I can use either my American or Canadian passport to travel to Canada and it does not affect my status as a Canadian. Canada recognizes me as both a Canadian and an American citizen.

Each country sets the laws that govern the citizenship requirements for themselves. Other countries do not have the authority to change those citizenship laws. They can, however, refuse to recognize them in certain circumstances, which is basically what the US does for 'dual' citizens living within the US. As far as the US is concerned - they are all only Americans.

As for the Ukraine - I would definitely accept Gary and Alla's advice on the Ukraine's stance on Ukraine citizens taking out US citizenship.

Thank you, very good explanation.

+100

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2010-06-18 18:20:00

Why would they detain a U.S citizen in Germany? Makes no sense. He can travel to Germany at any time as a visitor. I don't get this thread. Who cares if the U.S. recognizes other citizenships or not. You do not lose U.S citizenship. Period. To make it simple: Your wife would travel to the Ukraine using her Ukranian citizenship and when she travels back, she uses her American passport.

If you don't get this thread then you should read it agin. They detained this particular US Citizen in Germany because he commited a crime under German law. Using fraudulent documents to enter Germany is a crime, very simple. And a person who is no longer a German citizen trying to use German passport is commiting fraud. That's why he got arrested. Makes perfect sense. If you rob someone in Germany, you will be arrested if caught. US citizen or not - doesn't matter. Well, using fraudulent documents is a serious crime, just like robbery. Makes sense now?

And you CAN loose your US citizenship. It's very hard and unlikely but you can.

And once again, DON'T give people wrong advices if you don't know what you are talking about. His wife WILL NOT have Ukrainian citizenship any longer, as soon as she becomes a US citizen. Not under US law (US law doesn't govern Ukrainian citizenship), but under Ukrainian law. And if she attempts to use her Ukrainian passport to enter Ukraine, she can be in some serious trouble. Please read the thread again - all information is already here.

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2010-06-18 18:17:00

You can renew your Russian passport here because Russia does no tprohibit dual citizenship with the United States. Ukraine does. Ukrainians wishing to keep both passports in violation of UKRAINIAN law, need to renew their Ukrainian passports in Ukraine and keep their mouths shut.

I know that and you are absolutely right and that is exactly what I said. Not arguing with you - as I said you got it 100% right - I'm arguing with some less knowledgeble people here who are trying to misinform others.

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2010-06-18 17:37:00

Im not exactly sure what the OP is looking for, but Im not sure hes getting his answers.

Im not dual, but Ill give you what I know.

I know a person who is dual Canadian/Polish. He carries both passports. From Poland, he is required by law to do x amount of years in the military. He must do this as he is a citizen. When he travels to Poland, he uses his Polish passport. When he travels anywhere else, he uses his Canadian Passport. He can give up his polish citizenship and he wont be required to put in his years into their military.

I also know alot of British/Canadian duals, and US/Canadian duals. When they go to the USA they use there American passport, when they come back to Canada, they enter back in on there Canadian.

Now, to my understanding, border guards dont like this, and I believe it is illigal to carry 2 passports. But when entering your own country ... ie: going to canada with canadian passport, they cannot deny you entry into your own county, and when going to the USA using the USA passport, again they cannot deny you entry into your own country.

When carrying dual citizenship, it is up to the citizen to reconise both countries laws. This is why USA doesnt like dual. It can be very confusing.

Are you reading what others posted above? Then why are you posting obviously incorrect things?

1) There is NO dual citizenship with the US. NONE. Just becasue you have another passport and another citizenship and US State Department doesn't care, does't make it dual citizenship

2) No, it is generally NOT illegal to carry multiple passports as long as they are legally issued to you.

3) It is however illegal in most countries (not in all, but for sure it is illegal in the US) for a citizen to enter on any other passport than the one issued by this country. They let you in the US on your US passport, even if you have the canadian one in the other hand, not because "they have no choice, it's your country", but because that is exactly how you are supposed to do it.

To sum it all up. US ALWAYS views any US citizen as ONLY a US citizen and doesn't recognize any other citizenships s/he may have. US also requires you to renounce your previous citizenships when becming a US citizen - read the text of Naturalization Oath. Hence, there is no dual citizenship.

However, since other countries' laws and procedures in regard to renouncing one's citizenship vary vastly, placing undue hardships on the person, up to sheer impossibility of doing that, State Department doesn't seek and punish those who didn't take any further steps to renounce their original citizenship. However, people who ACTIVELY SEEK retention or restoration of their original citizenship are already entering a grey zone. If wind changes and US State Dept decides to strictly enforce laws that are already on the books, these people might have their US citizenship revoked.

This is how US views it. How your other country (ies) of citizenship look at it, is a whole different question. Answers to this question vary from "don't give a sh!t, have as many citizenship as you want" to "just say a word of allegiance to another country and your birth citizenship is gone". As we just saw, Ukraine and Russia whos laws and heritage are largely similar and who used to be the same country 20 years ago, have a very different approach to this issue. Know the laws of the country if you hold it's passport - that's the best advice.

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2010-06-18 17:34:00

You have some misconceptions. You can ignore my reply as I am not a dual citizen or you can learn. Your choice.

The US does not recognze dual citizenship, nor dooes it forbid "dual" (or triple or quadruple) citizenship. Yes, you can keep your foreign citizenship as far as the US is concerned, they simply do not care.

Ukraine specifically DOES NOT allow dual citizenship. It is illegal. Ukraine requires that you surrender your Ukrainian citizenship to become a US citizen. Ukraine also has no way to enforce this and the US doesn't tell them. Although Alla is not a dual citizen yet, we know several people that "are". Or at least have two passports. When entering countries like Ukraine which do not require visas for US citizens, they typically use their US passport. When entering a country like Russia, they use the Ukrainian passport. They re-new their Ukrainian passporst IN UKRAINE while visiting Ukraine. They make no mention that they are US citizens also. They present their UNexpired Ukraine passport and Ukraine birth certificate. DO NOT allow your Ukraine passport to expire for ease of renewal. You can renew it UP TO two years before it expires, so you do no thave to specifically "time" a visit to renew the passport.

The main advantage of keeping both (and we intend to) is for ease of travel in Russia and former Soviet states it is a good idea and also because if anything ever happens to me, Alla can have a choice, stay here or return to Ukraine with no hassles whatsoever.

Ok, I'm a current "dual" citizen (or I should better say a citizen of 2 countries simultaneously) and I must say that "Gary and Alla" is right on all counts.

This is exactly the way US views your citizenship. US certianly DOES NOT recognize dual citizenship and only views a US citizen as a US citizen. In fact, technically, you are required to renouce your previous citzenships when becoming a US citizen, and you do so when you say your Naturalization Oath. The only reason that you are able to keep other citizenships is due to the fact that your other country of citizenship doesn't recognize your Oath as a renounciation of their citizenship (i.e. they have a different official procedure for that) and US State Department doesn't hold this inconsistancy against you.

It didn't always used to be like that. Back in 80s, people were threatened by US CBP agents that their US citizenship will be revoked if they keep using their other passport for travel and don't take proactive steps to renounce their previous citizenship. Evidently, it still happens every now and then, but becoming rare. So don't get all cocky about your "dual" citizenship - it's not really dual and the only reason you can keep both is because the law on the books is simply not enforced.

I cannot attest to Ukrainian law, but judging by "Gary and Alla" competency in everything else, I have no reason to doubt what they said. As for the Russian law, it treats "dual" citizenship in the same exact fashion as the US. It doesn't officialy recognize dual citizenship, but unlike Ukraine doesn't prohibit it either. They do however, much like the US, recognize the possibity of having more than one citizenship, hence the related question on Russian passport application and certain laws that prevent people from taking certain elected positions if they have more than one citizenship.

Russia, just like the US, views you ONLY as a Russian citizen, and therefore, will not issue you a Russian visa into your American passport and recognize your American citizenship in any way. However, since while both countries require you to use their respective passports to travel in and out of the country, while not prohibiting such practice, I do travel to and from Russia with both passports.

The process is the following:
- Leaving the US - present both passports at check in and Russian passport at boarding
- Entering Russia - present Russian passport at the border
- Leaving Russia - present both passports at check in, Russian passport at the border and US passport at boarding
- Entering US - present US passport at the border

Did it once and haven't had any issues, even though it's slightly confusing.

Another thing is that since having 2 citizenships isn't prohibited, I can also legally renew my Russian passport in the US, through Russian embassy. The process is long (6 months+, compared to 1 month in Russia) and painful (you have to be physically present at the Embassy/Consulate - not a big deal for me, living 25 miles from Washington DC - but if you are in rural Montana, it might cost you time and money) , but it's possible. I even submit a copy of my US passport as a proof of my legal presence in the US to Russian embassy.

Redneck-NOVA

Male

Russia

2010-06-18 14:26:00