Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Canada	Any other CR1ers been told at the border that they need Advance Parole to enter the States while waiting for their visa?	Thanks for the link, Krikit. I'll definitely use that. This happened at the Coutts/Sweetgrass crossing on the Alberta/Montana border. I did ask them why I'd never heard of this requirement in all of the paperwork I've filed and documentation that I've received, nor had I heard of this requirement from any of the border guards while crossing in the past year. The now 3 people involved blew this off and insinuated that I hadn't been forthcoming about my intent to immigrate whenever I'd crossed, then started blathering on about how this is a technicality, but still needs to be done any time I want to re-enter the States. Fortunately, the next time I cross the border, it will be with my visa in my hot little hands. Thanks dggal! In addition to the stamp in my passport, I also have documentation stapled in stating that I've received AP (for "compassionate" reasons) as well as the date by which I have to return to Canada. I have to give that paper to Canadian customs to show that I've returned home during that time. In all honesty, this makes NO sense to me... but I didn't really want to get into a huge argument with the folks at the border then be denied entry into the country because they were feeling pissy. That would've screwed Christmas RIGHT up!	Todd&Paije	Not Telling	Canada	2010-12-18 11:03:00
Canada	Any other CR1ers been told at the border that they need Advance Parole to enter the States while waiting for their visa?	I was detained for quite a while at the border tonight when coming down to visit my husband for 2 weeks for Christmas. We filed our I-130 last February, my interview is in January, and I've come across the border at least once a month since then. Whenever asked about immigration, I've been very up front and have explained that we've filed our paperwork and have been waiting (for the myriad of reasons that we've all had to wait to get our visas). There has NEVER been a problem - until tonight. After explaining where I'm at in relation to the visa application, I was told that I shouldn't be allowed to enter the country whenever I wanted, seeing as it would affect my status. I told the woman that I didn't understand what status she was talking about, seeing as I'm a resident of Canada and am applying for a CR1. I was then held at the border, fingerprinted, and told that I should've applied for Advance Parole simply to enter the States because I was applying for immigrant status... and that next time I'll have to apply to enter the country. My passport has now been stamped, and I have to check in with Canadian customs (and give them a piece of paper) when I re-enter the country to go back home. Anyone else experienced this?	Todd&Paije	Not Telling	Canada	2010-12-18 01:38:00
Canada	IR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview	Nice! My interview was last Monday, and my passport arrived in Calgary on Thursday. I opened the DHL envelope to get out my passport but have tucked away the big envelope with the gigantic "DO NOT OPEN" on it.	Todd&Paije	Not Telling	Canada	2011-01-15 15:04:00
Canada	IR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview	Just got my letter - January 10! Ahhhhhh!!!!!	Todd&Paije	Not Telling	Canada	2010-12-07 11:57:00
Canada	IR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview	Oh thank God. Congrats to all of you! That is SO exciting!	Todd&Paije	Not Telling	Canada	2010-11-21 00:21:00
Canada	IR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview	Yeah Phel... it's pretty sickening. I know I certainly don't understand how the consulate can just keep falling further and further behind. Anytime people ask me why I can't move to be with my husband yet, I have to try to not burst into tears. And then I get mad. And then I get disheartened. Usually I get mad again. I can't offer much in the way of an explanation, but I think that everyone here can certainly empathize with your feelings of frustration and sadness.	Todd&Paije	Not Telling	Canada	2010-10-20 21:46:00
Canada	IR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview	What a relief that things are starting to move. Grats to all who finally got their interviews after months of uncertainty!	Todd&Paije	Not Telling	Canada	2010-09-15 21:03:00
Canada	IR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview	Glad you could change the date without any fuss, mtlgato! I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much that a bunch more CR1 interviews will be opened up for October. I know I won't get an interview any time soon (my DS-230 got lost on its way to the NVC, which really threw a wrench into the works) but at least if we start getting SOME scheduled, I'll have a bit of hope! This not knowing nonsense is really starting to wear me down.	Todd&Paije	Not Telling	Canada	2010-09-14 20:14:00
Canada	Alberta immigration exams.	FYI:  They can be done in Shelby Montana now.  Much closer than Vancouver where my wife went to get hers.   Marias Healthcare 406 434-3100	Todd&Paije	Not Telling	Canada	2014-04-30 16:38:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Any Verification Letters From USCIS After Filing N-400?	I'm totally in agreement. I told my wife the other day that we would probably be millionaires were it not for us standing around twiddling our thumbs, waiting for USCIS to give us final and permanent freedom. In this case, an American passport for my wife. It is, as you say, a "guilty till proven innocent" scenario and most likely in violation of the 1st Amendment of the Constitution guaranteeing freedom to associate, and the 5th Amendment right to travel freely. Lets face it, we live in a dictatorship.	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-03-31 12:39:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Any Verification Letters From USCIS After Filing N-400?	Thanks for the replies, guys! From the timeline in the first response, we should expect some sort of letter within 2-3 months? Thats moving at lightspeed for USCIS. As far as the green card issue, we have already come to an agreement with the local office to have her passport stamped. I will bring the memo so that we get a full year, not 3 or 6 months. Thanks again guys.	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-03-31 00:26:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Any Verification Letters From USCIS After Filing N-400?	After filing the I-751 mt wife was issued a letter extending her "green card" another year. Does USCIS send any kind of letter to the applicant stating naturalization is in process? Since her current letter of extension expires in May of 2008, and we have no gotten her 10-year green card, we have not proof she is "legal". I do hope USCIS sends something, anything, that will cover the gap. Thanks in advance!	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-03-30 15:56:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Travel Overseas After N-400?	Ok, my wife has been in America for almost 3 years now. She just got her 10 year green card. I have Veterans educational benefits that extend to my family, so I would like to send my wife to university. The money the gov't offers is not enough to attend any American university, but it is enough for a Canadian university. My wife has been accepted at a school in Alberta, Canada. I plan to file for her N-400 right before we leave for the Fall semester of 2008. The Canadian school is only an hour from the border, so we will be returning each weekend to our home in America (Montana). Does anyone know the rules as far as, from what I know, the 3 out of 5 years needed? If she has already lived in America for 3 years, we should be able to take off for Canada with no fear...right? We will be coming back to check the mail each weekend, and we are fairly close to the local USCIS office in Helena. Any suggestions or rules anyone knows, thanks in advance!	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-04-30 06:02:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Updated N-400 Processing Times	I had worried about the whole Nebraska issue as well, and I do agree the illegals rushing in before the vote is a problem as well. But all things considered, it could be worse.	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-05-20 15:24:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Updated N-400 Processing Times	My point being, of all the USCIS service centers, Helena MT has to lowest reporting time. Either way you cut it, early or on time, we should have it al done with by years end. Like I said, for once, living in Montana pays off!	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-05-20 07:55:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Updated N-400 Processing Times	Well, it looks like your USCIS center reported time is 14 months, but yours took only 10 months. So if my USCIS center has a reported time of 5 months, we should have ours done in 4...or something to that effect.	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-05-19 19:37:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Updated N-400 Processing Times	http://www.uscis.gov...date_042208.pdf	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-05-18 21:30:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Updated N-400 Processing Times	Some may have seen this already, but my wife and I will be filing our N-400 in 9 days. For once, it seems living in a sparsely populated state (Montana) works in our favor. This updated .pdf says Helena MT is taking 5.0 months to process applications for naturalization. Office******************Months Agana, Guam ........................8.6 Albany, NY...........................7.2 Albuquerque, NM .................8.7 Anchorage, AK .....................8.7 Atlanta, GA...........................9.9 Baltimore, MD....................14.0 Boise, ID .............................14.2 Boston, MA...........................9.9 Buffalo, NY ..........................6.4 Charleston, SC ...................14.1 Charlotte Amalie, VI.............7.9 Charlotte, NC ......................14.4 Chicago, IL ...........................8.6 Cincinnati, OH ......................7.5 Cleveland, OH ......................7.5 Columbus, OH ......................7.4 Dallas, TX...........................13.7 Denver, CO ...........................8.2 Des Moines, IA.....................5.8 Detroit, MI ............................8.0 El Paso, TX .........................14.2 Fort Smith, AR......................8.6 Fresno, CA ..........................12.6 Harlingen, TX .......................6.5 Hartford, CT........................14.3 Helena, MT ...........................5.0 <--- YAY! Honolulu, HI .........................6.8 Houston, TX........................14.0 Indianapolis, IN ....................5.7 Jacksonville, FL ....................7.6 Kansas City, MO.................10.4 Las Vegas, NV....................14.1 Los Angeles, CA.................14.3 Louisville, KY ......................7.1 Manchester, NH ..................14.6 Memphis, TN ........................9.8 Miami, FL ...........................14.2 Milwaukee, WI .....................6.8 Mount Laurel, NJ................11.6 New Orleans, LA ................14.5 New York, NY....................10.1 Newark, NJ ......................... 10.3 Norfolk, VA........................ 14.6 Oklahoma City, OK.............. 8.6 Omaha, NE ........................... 5.8 Orlando, FL ........................ 14.4 Philadelphia, PA ................. 11.8 Phoenix, AZ........................ 14.4 Pittsburgh, PA....................... 6.0 Portland, ME......................... 7.3 Portland, OR ......................... 9.7 Providence, RI .................... 14.2 Reno, NV.............................. 7.3 Sacramento, CA.................... 7.8 Salt Lake City, UT................ 8.6 San Antonio, TX................... 9.8 San Diego, CA...................... 9.1 San Francisco, CA ................ 8.6 San Jose, CA....................... 14.2 San Juan, PR ....................... 13.0 Seattle, WA........................... 9.8 Spokane, WA........................ 6.9 St Albans, VT ....................... 8.3 St Louis, MO ...................... 10.8 St Paul, MN .......................... 8.6 Tampa, FL .......................... 11.3 Tucson, AZ ......................... 14.4 Washington, DC ................. 14.7 West Palm Beach, FL ........... 9.0 Yakima, WA....................... 14.1	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-05-18 17:14:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Go to war	The correct interpretation of the Commandment is "Thou shalt not lie in wait for innocent blood", or in other words, dont murder someone. Killing in defense is perfectly acceptable in the eyes of God. For more on this see Timothy 5:8 "If anyone does not take care of his own relatives, especially his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse then an unbeliever." Put simply, we are not second class citizens. If someone breaks into your home to do harm to your family, you are fully authorized to correct that person as to the error of his ways. This correction can range anywhere from words, a baseball bat, or a 12-gauge shotgun. As far as a draft, please see the Universal National Service Act of 2007. This "draft" will include females and males aged 18 to 42...no deferments. This bill has been cruising through congress since 2003 and is waiting for the next "attack" on America. The Selective Service System has also been fully activated, staffed, and funded and is ready to spring into action at a moments notice. If you are a citizen, register as an objector ASAP. If you are not a citizen, be prepared to return to the nation you came from. And everyone, regardless of status, should be prepared to renounce your American citizenship when America begins to recall all subjects abroad for military service.	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-05-23 12:11:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	filing n-400 while waiting for permanent green card	We just got my wifes 10 year green card a few weeks ago, but had we not gotten it, we still would be filing the N-400. You stand absolutely nothing to lose. Just check the processing times of your local USCIS office and mark the calendar.	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-05-20 15:26:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	N-400 Short Trips to Canada?	Thanks so much for all the input, everyone. You guys will LOVE this story. So, I call the US Border Patrol and explain the situation. They say "Yes, we have the records" and they ask for all our info, my passport number, license plate number, my wife's A number, her visa number, her Ukrainian passport number, etc etc. Then, they call back...and dig this. "We have all the dates, but we will not give them to you". I asked if I could come up and offer a Freedom of Information Act disclaimer, IN PERSON, and see the dates. They said "No". I cant wait to pay the $700 for our N-400 and GET THE F OUTTA THIS COUNTRY! Thanks all, Ill keep ya updated. P.S. This Veteran asks, want to support the Veterans? BRING 'EM HOME!	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-05-27 01:34:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	N-400 Short Trips to Canada?	Ok as per the N-400 they ask to state any trips outside America. We live in Montana and back in 2006 and 2007 we made regular trips into Canada to visit friends in Calgary. We didnt record all the days but now we need them. I tried calling the American border patrol, they took all our information, told us they had the dates, then told us they were not going to give them to us no matter what. We called the Canadian border patrol and they asked for our license plate number and said they would got through their computer and call us back with the dates. Does anyone know HOW important this stuff is? Out trips were a weekend at most, and only about once a month. Nothing anywhere near the 6 month limit and nothing getting on a plane or boat. We are on the verge of just putting "various shopping trips to Canada not exceeding one weekend" on the N-400 then seeing what USCIS does. The only good thing is, the border idiots said the info is all there, so USCIS can (perhaps) just access the computers.	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-05-25 13:23:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	N-400 C. If you have ever used other names, provide them below.	Ah, ok. Thanks for the feedback guys.	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-05-29 11:20:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	N-400 C. If you have ever used other names, provide them below.	Ok, other names used. I assume that for female filers, this means maiden name before marriage? Thanks in advance!	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-05-29 00:33:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	N-400 Where to Send?	Yup, verified it from a USCIS form. Thanks all!	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-06-02 15:32:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	N-400 Where to Send?	We live in Montana, but we dont know if we should file our completed N-400 to Nebraska or the local office here in Helena Montana. Any ideas?	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-06-02 14:06:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	N-400 + Nebraska Service Center?	Yes my aunt had a little white Ford Fiesta back in about 1982. She upgraded to a Cadillac and the Fiesta sat and gathered dust...until I found the keys. I think I drove that little car the whole summer before I got caught my my uncle. Cops never nailed me, and I never drove drunk, but I did learn how to drive a manual transmission! Half the stuff we did as kids would get you 30 to life in todays Fascist America	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-06-03 16:43:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	N-400 + Nebraska Service Center?	I hear ya. Im not feelin much love coming from USCIS. Under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, and our right to due process, I suggest they change the N-400 to a true "innocent till proven guilty" format. It would look something like this. Are you still married? (yes) / (no) End of form.	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-06-03 13:52:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	N-400 + Nebraska Service Center?	The science of tyranny is well established. What we see here by the agencies like TSA and USCIS is "acclimation". Or, getting the people used to the idea of being slaves, or more to the point, treated as slaves. I noticed this in the Former Soviet Union countries. The people there were totally used to being shoved around, abused, and neglected. It sounds weird to us, the baby boomer types, but to kids 10 years old and younger, they have NEVER known a world before the paranoid insanity of Bush's America. Anyhow, why do claims go to Nebraska? I think its a financial issue. You simply cant have a massive financial clearinghouse in each state. I assume the money goes to Nebraska, or California, or Texas, or Vermont and the moment the check clears it dumped on the local office and the Service Centers dont care much what happens after that. Show me the money! Everything else is petty details to the Imperial Federal Gov't. Thats my 2 cents.	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-06-03 10:09:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	N-400 + Nebraska Service Center?	Well, my wife and I sent off her N-400 today. She hit year 3 on may 27, but it took us a little bit to sort the paperwork. I have seen a few other N-400's moving from "check cashed" to "biometrics appointment" within a month or 2. But most of what I saw was California and Texas. Has anyone in the Nebraska area had any response? We have one small thing in our favor, and that is the fact that the Montana USCIS center has a relatively low declared processing time of 5 months. If anyone has any feedback I would appreciate it.	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-06-02 22:05:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	N-400 In The Works...	Ok, question for the group, or for those that have had an interview already. We just sent off my wifes N-400 (June 2nd), but our long term plan is her going to school in Canada. The processing times for our state (Montana) are fairly low (5 months) so I have a question. We previously wanted to get my wife into college September, 2008 but due to the N-400 we have considered putting it off till January 2009. We HOPE the interview will happen before September 2008 but it may not happen. So, here is my question, if we send off for my wifes Canadian Study Permit will that adversely affect her N-400? Will any questions be asked at the interview regarding this? If there is just the remotest chance, we will put it off till 2009. All I can see is some USCIS cretin stamping *DENIED* on her N-400 because she DARED to attend college outside of America. The USCIS and U.S. gov't in general are far to arbitrary, petty, and spiteful to ignore...unless anyone has any opposing opinion. Thanks in advance.	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-06-04 17:02:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Working for a US company abroad	From what Ive seen, thats true. Working for an American company, not a foreign company abroad.	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-06-08 00:13:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Personal check, money order or certified check	I always use postal money orders, and postal money orders only, due to the fact the funds are available instantly. Checks are good for verification, but maybe it takes a day or two to cash. If you need verification, send the packet USPS overnight, then check the tracking number. Thats what we do and we havnt had a problem.	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-06-12 14:14:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Notice of Action or Biometrics Appointment?	Correction, I got the biometrics letter in todays mail, its scheduled for next week. If I had not gotten my NOA letter, I would certainly call the USCIS office in my area. But, you can always ask about that when you do biometrics. Ok, I just looked at both the NOA and the biometrics letter. The biometrics letter seems to have a bit more info on it, but the LIN number is identical. So, I would not be panicked about not getting it. Basically, you have the more important letter of the two. But, again, ask about it when you go in to the office. Edited by Gulskjegg, 16 June 2008 - 05:36 PM.	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-06-16 17:36:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Notice of Action or Biometrics Appointment?	Ok, we sent in my wifes N-400 on the 3rd of June. On the 9th of June we got a NOA letter. I assume that our application was ok, otherwise the USCIS would not have sent a NOA, but I could be wrong. My question is, where is the biometrics letter? I thought you got the NOA and the appointment at the same time. Is it two letters? How far apart are the letters? Days? Weeks? Months? Years? I hope we get a letter this week giving us a biometrics date. Any input would be appreciated.	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-06-16 16:24:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	do you guys know the answer?	I think all N-400s are the responsibility of the local office, not the service centers.	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-06-16 19:10:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Naturalization Questions?	Thanks Nick, that nails it.	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-06-19 11:58:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Naturalization Questions?	What you found was most likely the "new" October 2008 test.	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-06-18 23:42:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Naturalization Questions?	Does anyone know where to find the actual questions that will be on the naturalization test? My wife also found a "new test" that will begin after October 2008, and she is looking at the questions. If anyone knows, post a link please. Thanks!	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-06-18 22:51:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Shouldn't go on vacation after send in N400?	If you are married to an American, you only have to be living in America for 1 and 1/2 years. If you are not married to an American you have to living in America for 3 years. The real problem is missing your biometrics appointment. The letters are delivered quickly.	Gulskjegg	Male	Ukraine	2008-06-20 16:11:00