biggish data

US Citizenship Interview ...

Yes it ends up being funny. I remember for my ROC the officer was laughing with me about my fingerprints. I said to her: I have more lines than my grandma. lol I always say "well I am an actual alien" :whistle:

sorry but that was funny.. well at least your know the one weakness you have for the long hall immigration process. You'll overcome that tho.. it's just gonna be a while

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-04-01 12:41:00

US Citizenship Interview ...

You're welcome. :star:

I'm about to apply for mine too. I know I have trouble with my fingerprints so I won't be surprised if a decision can't be made when I have interview. :bonk:

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-04-01 12:29:00

US Citizenship Interview ...

Congratulations!!! :dance:

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-04-01 12:10:00

Goverment shutdown = All inmigration services in stand by?!

Seriously? Just because I'm about to apply for mine? (sorry, just a selfish joke :rofl:

). Oh well... very bad if this is true. :wacko:

My friend who works in the goverment told me that is more likely that the goverment shutdown happens on April 8, if so inmigration offices would stop working and my citizenship that is in process right now would be in stand by! and other services including passport aplications! Does anybody else know more about this???

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-04-01 12:46:00

Name change on N-400?

I did it. I chose a new and cute first name, corrected and put my old first name in the middle (I didn't have a middle name before, I was using my maiden last name), removed my maiden last name and kept my husband's last name. Sent my applications some days ago. Good luck. :star:

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-04-09 11:16:00

Previous marriage on N400

Yep, it's 3. My husband was married before (once) so I put 2.

Good luck. :star:

Edited by Lisa and Phil, 09 April 2011 - 11:54 AM.

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-04-09 11:54:00

A decision can not be made at this time!! Ughhh!

First, congratulations for passing the test. :star:

Now, about the decision, I've seen this happening in some cases here in VJ and it just happened to my friend too. Keep the faith, I hope you get your Oath letter soon.

I'm about to apply for my Naturalization too and I know I have problems with fingerprints (they can't be processed), so I'm prepared. lol

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-04-01 12:26:00

Citizen Finally!

Congratulations!!! Posted Image

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-04-12 15:27:00

Early interview??? Possible??

I would not do it. Unless you had an emergency for example, I would just go on the day it's scheduled for. :star:

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-04-15 13:13:00

POST OATH and CITIZENSHIP

We have everything since we first met. We even have an old empty pack of gum we got in Canada first time we met lol.

I would not destroy them. For 2 reasons: they are documents that one day were very important in your life. And second is because it's history. Your history.

You could make a little room for them and sometimes go through them and bring yourself some memories. It's like a trip to the past on documents and proof. :lol:

We have a lot of pages of our conversation via MSN while waiting for K-1. I was reading them these days. Felt so good for having them. :luv:

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-04-15 13:28:00

My citizenship interview

Congratulations on passing the interview, Nessa!

I hope your oath letter gets soon (we've seen a lot of these cases lately, eh?).

About your hubby's daughter you guys added to the form, we also did that with my hubby's daughters because the instructions clearly says "include stepchildren" too. That's weird they said you should haven't put her name there.

Is today your baby Ben's birthday (I see the date above his cute picture). Happy b-day to him. :luv:

Edited by Lisa and Phil, 13 April 2011 - 07:30 PM.

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-04-13 19:30:00

Yes, that's what I have to do. I'm just so scared. When I take driving classes I do well but I've failed 2 times on the test. lol
Don't know what to do with my driving fear. :bonk:

ohhhh that stinks.. try ur best and try to get license ASAP or you can forfit your permit and get state ID

Are you scared too?

I got my state id as soon asI could back when I first moved here and then renewed it when I got my 10 yr GC. Since I do not drive, it's great to have a real piece of id with a photo.

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-04-18 14:12:00

Yes, it's that paper one with no photo. :wacko:

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-04-18 13:46:00

I think here in MI you can get state ID, not sure. I think I will check about this. I don't want to get there without a State ID, that could be a problem, right? When I've had my fingerprints (AOS, ROC) I used MY GC as ID. But for Naturalization interview I see they always want to see State ID. Just in case I don't pass (again) the driving test.

Eligibility Requirements State identification cards are issued to any Michigan resident. There is no minimum age requirement. However, you may not have a state ID card and a Michigan driver's license at the same time unless your license has been restricted, suspended or revoked. State ID cards are processed at any Secretary of State office."

So, they want to see a photo ID. If I get my permit maybe they won't accept it because there's no picture on it. Something to think about. :idea:

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-04-18 13:08:00

I think here in MI you can get state ID, not sure. I think I will check about this. I don't want to get there without a State ID, that could be a problem, right? When I've had my fingerprints (AOS, ROC) I used MY GC as ID. But for Naturalization interview I see they always want to see State ID. Just in case I don't pass (again) the driving test. :bonk:

I know in state of VA that you can get an State ID and if you have State ID and get license you have to forfit the state ID

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-04-18 13:02:00

What happens when you don't have a driver's license? I'm scared to drive (well I'm gonna try it again anyways :bonk:

). Should I request an State ID for when I have my interview? :wacko:

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-04-18 12:41:00

Naturalization Interview Experience: USCIS Indianapolis

That was nice, thanks for sharing and congratulations on passing it! :dance:

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-04-18 12:31:00

Oath Ceremony Duration

I think it's a day to enjoy. :star:

When I have mine (God help everything goes well) I will keep my thought on my father-in-law who passed way last year in December. I always wanted to celebrate with him but it won't be possible. So I want to do it on his memory and honor.

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-04-21 12:08:00

MY INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE

Congratulations. :dance:

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-04-22 15:32:00

I need Help

As my friend says: hold your wig there (something like hang in there but in Portuguese. LOL).

Just be patient for now, 2 weeks is too soon. :star:

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-05-07 14:14:00

Regarding taxes in N400 form

Just Bob, I think if you don't pay on time it's considered a "failure to file your taxes" although she/he paid it later.

That's nonsense.
If the question were "have you ever failed to file in a timely manner" you were correct. That's not being asked, however. They want to know if the foreigner owes Uncle Sam any money or if he's on good terms with the good Uncle.

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-05-07 14:07:00

Regarding taxes in N400 form

IMHO:

Part 10:

Question 4: Since becoming lawful permanent resident, have you ever failed to file a required Federal,State of local tax return ? YES (write an explanation). Even though it was a mistake you failed one time.

Question 5: Do you owe any Federal, State, or local taxes that are overdue? NO. You filed the overdue tax and don't owe anything now.

I think this makes sense. :star:

Edited by Lisa and Phil, 07 May 2011 - 02:08 PM.

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-05-07 14:04:00

URGENT HELP! I AM TOTALLY LOST!

I think it's worth it waiting 1 week for the tax transcripts. The whole think will take months anyways so I think 1 more week before you send out your application is not gonna change much in time but it could make difference in evidence. Once you send it out just relax and wait. I think the worst of all our applications is K-1 (or CR-1/K-3) because we were far from our loved ones. After we passed that tough test, our level of patience is so high you just send out an application and chillax. :star:

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-05-24 09:56:00

Reschedule Bio. Appt.?

It's been almost a month since i sent it back. So i called them 2day and they said they doesn't hv timeline for rescheduled and they didn't C any update on it yet. All i can do is wait... Don't know how long it could be...

I'm sorry for the delay.

I had the same problem with my AOS petition as I said above. Let's hope your new appointment letter comes soon. :star:

In case it takes too long, try calling them again.

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-05-24 09:41:00

Reschedule Bio. Appt.?

They won't think you gave up your application, since you have returned the letter requesting biometrics to be rescheduled.

We did the same when I was on my AOS application. It delayed my application (I also had problems with fingerprints, they are not readable) but it worked.

So I hope you get a new appointment letter soon. :star:

Thanks~ It's been more than a week & my original appt. is coming, i don't want them think i give up my application.

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-05-06 11:48:00

Totally agree. :thumbs:

Yes you can travel between the interview and oath ceremony with your valid foreign passport and your valid green card. Applying for US citizenship is strictly optional, can travel the rest of your life with that foreign passport and green card. You are a permanent resident until you receive your US citizen certificate and that is when you have to surrender your green card. If you did travel and missed your oath ceremony, should try to get another oath ceremony appointment when you come back. You do have to report that trip and if it exceeds your residency requirement, you will be denied. In case of an emergency, wise to inform the USCIS first before leaving, you are causing extra work for them if you don't. If you come back before you oath ceremony, no problem, but need a crystal ball to know when that oath letter will come in.

If just taking a vacation, should have thought about that before sending in your N-400, by sending it in, you made a commitment, and best to live and obey that commitment.

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-05-26 11:18:00

Yes, JustBob. That's what I meant since my first post here: the period after interview and before oath ceremony (what happens to be the situation she is now).
If she needs to go to the conference before her Oath Ceremony for example, she could use her current passport with no problems. After oath ceremony is a different story.

Sure,
until she's a US citizen she has to travel with her foreign passport. But once she is a US citizen, she is required to leave the US with a US passport. In real life, a US citizen who is also the citizen of another country will "get away" with leaving the country with a foreign passport. The airline personal will only ask if she has an I-94, which she will deny. They are not allowed to inquire about her immigration and citizenship status, meaning they can't and won't ask whether or not she has a Green Card, so nothing bad will happen. But it's against the law anyway.

I remember a case where we discussed this in detail. Newly coined US citizen applied for US passport but didn't receive it in time to catch his flight, asked his wife to forward it to him to . . . don't remember (Italy?). Passport didn't arrive, so he had to go to the US Consulate abroad and tell 'em that he needed something to return to the US. They had him bent over and got a 10-foot pole from the garage and then showed him a good time. So much for the law.

Wouldn't advise anybody about the practical aspects of this, just the legal ones.

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-05-26 11:06:00

JustBob, but won't a person only be considered American Citizen after the Oath Ceremony?
Let's say for example, she had her interview and passed but not yet had her Oath Ceremony. Until the Oath Ceremony happens she is still a permanent resident, right? So by being a PR can't she travel with her current passport? What I mean is after interview and before Oath Ceremony.

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-05-24 21:39:00

Lisa and Phil,

I think you are mistaken..Once the OP naturalizes (takes the oath), means he/she is an American Citizen and will be able to leave the country but will NOT be able to enter the country without a US passport.

But one only becomes American Citizen after the Oath Ceremony. Even after interview (unless same day oath ceremony) one will keep being resident until his/her Oath Ceremony.

Mama Mia I think I wasn't clear, I meant if there is not time for her oath ceremony, not for getting her passport. :star:

Edited by Lisa and Phil, 24 May 2011 - 11:00 AM.

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-05-24 10:58:00

It must be five years for the Oath Ceremony. In case there's no time you can travel with your passport, you don't need an American passport. For your fiance application yes, of course but not for the trip.

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-05-24 10:41:00

picture

I took my pictures at CVS and I asked if I should show my ears or not and the picture lady said I should show my face as it will look like when I'm traveling for example. So she took my picture and I sent them along with my application. Yesterday I went to my biometrics and she took a picture of me there. So, I don't know if there was something not right with the pictures I sent or if it was just the procedure. BTW, the picture she took at my biometrics I had my ears covered by hair (like any regular passport style photo).

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-05-24 10:03:00

International travel after interview

My opinion is: if this trip MUST be done (something very important, an emergency etc) yes, she can go using her current foreign passport but if this trip is just a vacation I would wait for the Oath Ceremony and go after it (with her American passport).
And as Saddle Bronc said about the name change (if she applied) I don't know if it could be a problem too because it would be in process.
I think this is a very good question and important question: if you applied for name change and travel AFTER interview and BEFORE oath ceremony could you face any trouble for that, since your name change is in ongoing?

So, again, my in my opinion I agree with NickD, since you apply for Citizenship you have to commit, so about international trip for vacay I would postpone it. :star:

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-06-02 11:22:00

My interview experience-- Baltimore, MD

Very very nice, congratulations and thanks for sharing. :dance:

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-04-21 11:39:00

Decision cannot be made at this time

Sonia_ Sofia I'm sure I will be in this boat because my fingerprints never work. I researched and could not find any solution for this problem Anyways, every time I have to go 2 times for biometrics (by the time I was going through AOS I had fingerprints taken 3 times!) I always end up having to go to the local Police and request a certificate of good conduct. The thing is, I've always gotten the request from Immigration so I just went to the local Police, paid a small fee and got my letter.

However in some cases that I've seen here they don't request this certificate of good conduct before the interview. So, of course they would not be able to read your fingerprints and they would request the certificate.

What I asked here once is: can you go to the local Police and request yourself the certificate of good conduct? In my opinion you can try (that's what I'm going to do if I don't receive the request before interview. You can take your Interview Appointment Letter to your local Police and explain the problem with your fingerprints and tell them you would like to have this evidence in hands. I think you need more than one certificate if you lived in different places (since it would not be the same local Police Station).

In my opinion this would not hurt and could help. The worst thing that can happen is at the local Police station they say they can't do it without a request.

Good luck. :star:

Hi NickD, I was reading NycBra posts and I'm in the same situation, biometrics twice and at the interview they can't make a decition cause her fingerprints didn't work and they requested to send a state police records and that delayed her process. So I was thinking to go ahead and get the police records done ( I haven't had any tickets or problems since a live in the US) and take it to my interview. Sorry about all you went through with your case and good luck to everybody!

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-06-18 10:28:00

Decision cannot be made at this time

NycBra, this happened to my friend too. I talked to her yesterday and they also requested a letter from the police.

And this also happened on my AOS and ROC and of course it will happen on Naturalization. I have problem with my fingerprints, they cannot be processed either. So my biometrics never worked.

So, for people who is counting on having this problem, could we send this letter(s) from the police (certificate of good conduct) before interview or bring it to the interview (in this case not sure if they would be able to make a decision on the same day). But I'm seriously thinking about bringing this certificate to the interview.

Anyways, good luck. I hope you get your Oath Ceremony letter soon.

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-03-29 20:55:00

Someone please update our time line**

We received the Interview letter this morning, and it states that we are to appear at the USCIS office/Atlanta, Georgia July 25th 2011 @ 2:00 P.M.

Moving right along....Thanks be to God.

I apologize, was suppose to post under May filers..

Congratulations! Your case is going really fast!

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-06-20 17:56:00

3yr vs. 5y time frame in regards to employment, addresses, etc.?

Best guess are imposed limits on the number of days you were out of the country since becoming a LPR. But you can only count those days backwards from the date of your application. And if applying 90 days early, actually only going back two years, and about nine months. You will be asked again how many days you were out of country between the time you sent in your application and interview, and again the time between your interview and oath ceremony. These are full 24 hour days, under 24 hours don't count.

We took the question literally and listed the days my wife was out of the country before coming here and adding that to the days she was out of the country between receiving her green card and the the date we put on the application going back a full five years, plus adding leap year days from the date we put on her application. No problems.

Others have crossed out the 5 and wrote in a 3, but that isn't accurate either if applying in two years and three months. And claimed to have no problems. The actual number they would plug in that blank would be the total number of days outside of the country as listed in the table below that. That is really the number they want to know, and can do that without crossing out that five or not.

Or just leave it blank and discuss this with your IO. Or if in no rush, just wait the five years that would also save you a ton of work compiling marriage evidence.

Its your choice.

So they ask us again on the interview and before oath ceremony? Glad to know this. I will remind myself to do the math on the day before going to the interview.

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-06-24 17:50:00

3yr vs. 5y time frame in regards to employment, addresses, etc.?

Now I am even more confused! Anymore thoughts everyone??

I answered as it was (5 years) and if they question me on interview I will just say that I was not sure if I could change the question on the form so I answered it as it was. So I don't think there's a right answer for this, just different opinions.

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-06-24 09:55:00

3yr vs. 5y time frame in regards to employment, addresses, etc.?

I answered exactly as the form asked. How many days out of the country I counted 5 years. I don't think it would be right to change the form (in my opinion). On the other hand my friend based these questions on 3 years and had no problem whatsoever. Maybe it depends on the IO how whether he accepts the change or not. So to me, answering as it is makes more sense (although at the same time it doesn't lol).

Caroline and Phil

Not Telling

Brazil

2011-06-21 09:29:00