ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Citizenship General DiscussionExpedited Citizenship through the Military?
You probably have all the information you need by now but let me add some information for you and others. I don't know who you have been taking to but you have gotten bad information. My two step sons joined the Military after getting their conditional green card in July, 2006. One joined the Marines in January, 2007 and the other joined the Navy in November, 2006. So you can join the Military with a conditional green card.

The Navy son applied for his citizenship in May, 2007 and took his oath and received naturalization in Septenber, 2007. The Marine son applied for citizenship in July, 2007 and has his interview in June, 2008.

The Military branch will help you file the N-400 and the N-426 applications. Under Presidental Executive order, anyone serving at least one day of active duty during periods of conflict (which we are now in) can apply for citizenship. This is an outstanding benefit for our Military members and well deserved. In fact, when you join the military with a conditional green card, they will ask you to sign a document that states you will apply for citizenship. You need citizenship to hold many security required jobs..

Good luck..
NatHugMaleUkraine2008-05-20 13:31:00
US Citizenship General Discussionfiling n-400 while waiting for permanent green card
Great.. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply and for your great advice..
NatHugMaleUkraine2008-05-20 20:26:00
US Citizenship General Discussionfiling n-400 while waiting for permanent green card
Does anyone know the rules reagarding filing the N-400 application before receiving the permanent green card?

My wife's three year waiting period is complete, however we are still waiting for the permanent green card. We filed the I-751 in May and have the one year extension letter.

I beleive we can go ahead and fille the N-400 application and include the extension letter with the documentation.

Does anyone have any experience with this?



Thanks...
NatHugMaleUkraine2008-05-20 13:43:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDestroyed Passport
Thanks for all the replies..

To answer the question about the stamp.. Memphis Office did not offer a stamp when she was approved for the green card.. just told us that the card would be mailed within 30 days and since she did not have a passport we were not in a hurry. We received the card about 5 days after the interview.

Also, we did get some hope today, Our stepson had his Citizenship interview today and they ask him for this drivers license, passport or some other ID. It was only to check ID not to check anything else. I have to say that we have been to Memphis four times now for my wife and step sons for Green Cards and Citizenship and they have always been very nice and professional. Her citizenship is the last step.. I feel like they will understand the situation..

Also just for information in response to getting a passport without traveling to Ukraine.. When you get a green card you are suppose to get an "exit visa" from Ukraine which is for citizens living abroad. If you do this, then the embassy here can issue a new passport for lost or expired passports. Otherwise you can request a reentry document to get into Ukraine but then you are at the mercy of the Ukraine system to get another International Passport and this is not a easy or certain task. Thats why we decided not to take the chance..

Oh, here's funny.. I was so upset with the embassy that I e-mailed the President of Ukraine and described the situation and that my wife wanted to visit her country but could not get a passport.. About a month later I got a call from the Embassy in Washington and they ask if I sent a letter to President Yushcenko and how could they help. They helped us recover her birth certificate from Russia and explained the law situation. I was impressed that the Presidents office would contact them...

Edited by NatHug, 09 June 2008 - 09:42 PM.

NatHugMaleUkraine2008-06-09 21:41:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDestroyed Passport
Hello Everyone..

I have a question that maybe someone has experience with.. My wife has filled the N-400 Application and we expect an interview date in the near future. Our situation is this.. In May of 2005 after my wife arriving from Ukraine in August 2004, we had a fire that destroyed our home and all our belongings which included her passport and other documents. She did receive her green card in August 2005 and at the interview they did not ask for her passport. We did send copies of the passport when we filed and of course the I-94. We had the fire report and other proof at the interview but were not asked for it.

We tried to get a new passport throught the Ukraine embasy in Washington DC a couple of years ago but were told that she would have to travel to Ukaine to apply. We did not want to travel back to Ukraine with no assurance that she could get a new International Passport and return to the USA so we decided to just wait for US Citizenship before traveling out the the country. I did file for and receive a I-131 Travel Document (passport looking) that we used to take a cruise with.

Anyway, now I see where you are to bring your passport with you to the Citizenship interview. We have copies of the destroyed passport, the I-94 card, and the fire report showing we lost our home and possessions in a fire.

Has anyone had this problem or have an opinion?

Thanks

Edited by NatHug, 08 June 2008 - 03:54 PM.

NatHugMaleUkraine2008-06-08 15:53:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionBacklog Proclamation
We were in the Memphis Office today and on the wall was a big sign titled "Backlog Proclamation" upon reading it it said that this office is commited to processing all documents within 6 months.. this was their stated goal.. it was signed by all employees in the office.. I don't know if it was a local thing or for all offices..

We arrived at 7:20 for a 7:30 citizenship interview.. He was called back at 7:30 and finished at 7:50

Good job Memphis!!!
NatHugMaleUkraine2008-06-09 22:13:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionFYI Processing Change
USCIS Centralizes Initial Naturalization Application Processing
Change to Increase Efficiency and Improve Customer Service




WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today it has centralized initial processing of all applications for naturalization (Form-400) at its National Benefits Center in Missouri. This change is part of the USCIS initiative to increase the efficiency of case management and improve customer service.

This internal administrative change will not change where applicants file their naturalization applications. Applicants will continue to file their naturalization applications (N-400), including all supporting documents and fees with the USCIS Service Center having jurisdiction over their place of residence (see list below). Applicants will also continue to report to a local field office for the interview and naturalization test.

USCIS will send applicants a notice when the Service Center transfers their application to the National Benefits Center for initial processing. USCIS will also inform the applicant how to contact the National Benefits Center and how to check their local USCIS field office processing times. USCIS will return to the sender any application mailed directly from the applicant to the National Benefits Center.

Applicants should continue to send their N-400 application and supporting documents to the Service Center having jurisdiction over their place of residence, as follows:




All military naturalization applicants filing under the provisions of Section 328 or 329, regardless of geographic location or jurisdiction, should continue to file at the following address:

Nebraska Service Center
P.O. Box 87426
Lincoln, NE 68501-7426



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NatHugMaleUkraine2008-06-13 00:08:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionSTILL No Oath Letter!
I don't know about your area but you if you know the city where you are going for the oath ceremony you can call the US District Court and ask them when the next scheduled oath ceremony is. This will give you a date and normally you will get a letter about two weeks before..
NatHugMaleUkraine2008-09-07 00:39:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionCheck refused by VSC for wrong fee - but it's right!
Probably to late if you have refiled but I suggest sending three seperate checks.. I had a question on my son because he got green card after my wife. They returned his check but kept hers and processed the documents..

Good Luck
NatHugMaleUkraine2007-06-17 23:03:00