biggish data

March 15 processing dates update - OATH dates instead of Interview Letter dates

QUOTE (Feliz @ Mar 31 2008, 05:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Feliz-LA;1884165)

just want to add a note here:

Jan 15 Baltimore, MD reported 05/02/2007 ,
feb 15th - 05/08/2007,
mar 15 - 05/31/2007

right now they have sent ILs to July 20s,

so probably the previous "slow" dates could have been also OATH based??

hello Feliz,
Its seems you are very well informed on this issue.I am a newbie here and a little confused.
What does the processing dates published on the USCIS site means.
1.What is processing date and what is priority date?
2.If they are different,how are they?...
3.For example,my office is Portland,OR which the date says to be June 30th 2007..what does this date means?...

can someone clarify me a bit?...
Thanks

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-03-31 20:18:00

ID -- Driver Licence

[quote name='colinlieu' date='Apr 19 2008, 11:14 PM' post='1771184']
Hi guys!

Had a question for you... My husband and I moved to Oklahoma back in May last year from Hawaii. I applied for citizenship here in September, and my interview is on May 15th. On the date-giving letter, it says that i should bring a government issued ID, so of course I was planning on bringing my Driver's licence with me. The "problem" is that I haven't changed it to an Oklahoma ID, instead I still have my Hawaii ID. I do not own a car, so I use my licence for ID only. Do you think they will give me trouble for that? I'd hate to change it now because we may be moving back to Hawaii in a few weeks/months. Would you still recommend that I get a Oklahoma Driver's Licence?

Thanks guys!
[/quote
NOTE: They said "a government issued ID" thus Hawaii driver license is a govt issued ID.I should not affect anything...US immigration is not a state entity,but a federal so they would not necessary require you to present a state based ID period.....and by the way,I have an Illinois driver license but my interview will be in Oregon since I know live here...

Goodluck!

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-04-20 16:37:00

i called the uscis for information on n400 case interview dates

QUOTE (kiwis @ Apr 18 2008, 01:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (raymaga @ Apr 18 2008, 11:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I applied in September, 2007, have had my fingerprints done, and have heard nothing since.

I heard it can take anywhere up to 18 months or 2 years for approval, so I'm not going to hold my breath.

Good luck.

I just called USCIS, I can't get any info for my receipt # online. Anyway, the IO says "I have a good news for you, ....April 18, and your interview should be within the next 30-45days" Then I asked if he meant the IL was dated 4/18/08, and he said yes. So I hope to get my IL within next week.

Hey Kiwis!.
Looks like the journey is finally over for you..Congrats!!!!...Do you mind giving me feedback on the interview since we have thesame District Office(Portland)....
Will be looking forward to hear from your experience...
Thanks

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-04-18 17:35:00

When I have my green card can I vote in elections?

QUOTE (lucyrich @ May 7 2008, 09:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just some reinforcement to what's already been said. ALL federal elections are for citizens ONLY. If you vote, that's a deportable offense. Even registering to vote makes you deportable. It's also a permanent bar to ever becoming a citizen. DO NOT VOTE UNTIL YOU'RE A CITIZEN! Don't check off the box on your driver's license application for voter registration.

However, there are a few local elections that are open to Green Card holders. It's theoretically OK to vote in a local election only, if you're in one of those few jurisdictions that allow non-citizens to vote in local elections. But unless you're REALLY sure of what you're doing and you're really interested in local politics, I'd suggest staying as far away from a ballot box as possible until gaining citizenship.

Registering or voting in a federal election before you're a citizen is one thing that carries really severe penalties, and is very hard to undo. It's an area where someone can be heavily penalized for a fairly honest, though perhaps dumb, mistake. If you HAVE registered or voted, or if you think you might have, see a good attorney ASAP, and don't file an N-400 until you thoroughly understand the issues.

Oh, and you can become a citizen around 3 years after getting the green card, assuming you're married to and living with a US Citizen and you meet the other requirements. If you're not married to a US Citizen, it's generally a five year wait.

Just to add this to my own experience....I was automatically registered locally to vote when I first got my GC and went to the DWV for my driver license.This was because back then in st.louis ,MO,you woul dbe tested by the highway patrol and they would issue you a passing grade on a paper and then,you would take the paper to a contractor which issue/print out the driver license.The person who handled my D.L assumed I was a citizen and registered me to vote,then i started getting the voter reg.card.I wrote them a letter to unregister me....

When I was filling for n-400 i checked teh box and i explained what happened....

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-05-08 20:08:00

To all the March Filers

QUOTE (Oasis @ May 10 2008, 02:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The file status still says the same.

My NOA said it would take 365 days..

it says in my letter to bring: An evidence of Selctive Service Registration..Anybody know what that is >

Thanks
Anja

Here is how the USCIS checks to verify if you register of not.
https://www.sss.gov/...rification.aspx

if you are male and not yet 26 yrs old,you have to register now ASAP online at www.sss.gov
...Goodluck with everything...

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-05-10 18:16:00

To all the March Filers

QUOTE (Oasis @ May 10 2008, 09:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Tammi and everyone else that applied in March 2008:

So, I just got back from Shopping and guess what I found in the mail...
A letter from the INS. I was worried to open it... lol..

My interview is scheduled for July 1st 10:30 am in Boston.. Wow I am in shock.
That was so so fast - I did not expect that at all.

I hope everyone elses gets processed as fast then mine.

Now its time to clean and time to study.. lol

Anja

Hi Oasis,
WOW Congrats!!! Did your file status online still remained thesame?and how many days did your NOA1 says?...that was fasts

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-05-10 14:17:00

QUOTE (Oasis @ Apr 15 2008, 04:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Guys,

I went for fingerprinting today too.... I was really nervous and ran around the block about 3 times.. lol
Went in at 2:50 pm my appoitment was at 3 pm. There was nobody really in there maybe 2 or 3 other people.
And surprise surprise one guy from my gym worked there which I thought was rather funny...
Fingerprints done.... I also picked up the guide to study and left.
Was not bad at all - stressed myself out for nothing. I must also say they were friendly at the office... which helpded alot.

Why are you guys calling the FBI ? To check if they got the fingerprints ? Just curious.. Should I call too ?

A.

oasis,
You can call if you just want to be 100% sure if FBI sent back results to USCIS....
From what I've researched,finger prints results are sent back within 24-72 hours from the FBI...
I called them myself,and they told me they sent it back to USCIS the same day I got my prints taken....
Here's their number: 304-625-5590

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-04-15 18:55:00

QUOTE (satura @ Apr 15 2008, 02:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (ChrisR @ Apr 15 2008, 12:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm going to call the FBI tomorrow to make sure they got the prints and see if they might have already sent the results back to USCIS (according to other posts, most of them go back within 5 minutes of being received).

hi,
i also want to know more about "calling FBI", can you elaborate? thanks.

Hey Guys!.
I did my FP also(walk-in),about 9 days before the actual schedule date..Most office send the result thesame day..
Mine was sent thesame day.You can just call FBI at 304-625-5590 and they would ask for either your SSN or A#...
For mine,they told me they sent the results thesame day my FP was taken which was on 4/12...
goodluck guys!

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-04-15 18:07:00

Hey Guys!
Even though my Fingerprint appt was on 4/17/08,I was still able to walk-in and do the finger print.
I think one might still be able to walk in,so long as your center is not a busy one...When I got there,those guys were not even busy..so they told me..Sure they can take my prints...I;m glad I was able to do it 5 days early.....

goodluck!

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-04-12 23:03:00

Hey Guys,
Just got my NOA1/NOA2 today.NOA1 says I should expect to be notified within 180 days,and NOA2 says my Biometric is 4/17/08

Looks like I am coming right behind Oasis...

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-04-07 20:20:00

QUOTE (Oasis @ Apr 5 2008, 12:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The letter came today.. guess I worried to much.. Biometics is on the 15th

Hi Oasis,
Your timeline seem a little bit confusing...Did you receive your NOA1 a day after they got your application?...
Good luck with the Biometrics...
I still haven't heard anything yet..not even NOA1...Though my check was cashed 3 days after yours,and sent it to the NSC/Portland,OR DO.

Keep us updated..
Cheers

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-04-05 15:26:00

QUOTE (Tammi @ Apr 2 2008, 04:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Tom needs to study!!! He hasn't in weeks, and I asked him the three branches of government yesterday, and he didn't remember (he used to know that).

Hi Tammi,
What comes after the Biometrics?...looks like you guys are alrady studying for the interview so I suppose its the interview right?....Do you happen to know the usual wait time before you get the interview after doing a biometric?...

-N-400 mailed on 3/24/08
-N-400 check cashed on 3/28/2008
-Till waiting to hear from them...
NSC/Portland,OR

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-04-04 16:26:00

Citzenship Interview decision pending - TWO A files!

QUOTE (hgg666 @ Jun 11 2008, 11:06 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I went to the interview in Baltimore office. It all went well, I got aapproval letter and sent to the afternoon's oath ceramony. But just before the ceromony, one officer came and call my name and told me that I cannot take the oath because they found two A files for me, they need to consolidate the two files.

Does anyone have the same situation? How much longer we have wait for the result? is anything we can do to help them faster the process, such as request another A files from the USCIS Record Center?

Please post your experience and suggestions, it is greatly appreciated!

Read this thread!...
http://www.immigrati...ad.php?t=280625

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-06-11 13:17:00

QUOTE (pnf0303 @ Jun 11 2008, 09:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sure - my interview was at 11am but I arrived early at 10am. I went thru security and placed my interview letter in a box outside of the room. There were quite a few people waiting and every 10 mins or so an immigration officer would appear with your interview letter and call a name. To my amazement at 10:30 I got called. The officer was sooo nice and said I could do it early if I wanted to...I said absolutely! We then walked into more of an office type environment and she swore me in. She asked me why I wanted to be a US citizen and then was very conversational and jokey! I commented on the thick file she had on me and she said oh this is nothing...went into her filing cabinet and pulled out a file 3x thicker than mine and said "this is a big file"! She said the slimer the file the better and that I was an "easy one". She went over my n400 to make sure nothing changed and had me initial the application in front of her and sign my 2 pixs I sent with the app. She then asked me my 4-5 civics q's. How many stripes on the flag? What do they represent? How long do we elect each president? Who elects the president? and how many voting members are there in the house of reps? I could see her circling "correct" on her work sheet. She only asked to see my passport (take an expired one if you have one) my green-card and driving licence and that was it! Nothing else...all in all my interview was 10mins max! She then said "how would you like to do the oath ceremony today" YIPEE! she gave me a letter I had to fill out and take back with me by 1:45pm as the oath ceremony starts at 2pm. By the way she said if you have an interview time after 11am you will not have the oath ceremony the same day...that is the cut off time they need to prepare all your docs and have the naturalization cert ready. The letter you take is to make sure there we no changes since your interview- so for me there was not too much point but I still filed it out. They then call everyone together and you go upstairs and they call your name and you give them your letter and say good bye to your green card. You then take the oath with eveyone else and then pledge allegience watch 2-3 videos and get called up to get your certificate and flag...and that's it. I would allow an hour or so for the ceremony from beginning to end. And then...it was done...I was an American.

WOw Thanks foo much for sharing this with us...Mine is in July and hope it will go smooth as yours...
I heard if you can take oath thesame day,they would ask you to ocme the next day or soo...do you know anything like this...
Thanks soo much

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-06-12 12:33:00

QUOTE (pnf0303 @ Jun 10 2008, 08:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi everyone I had my interview last Wednesday on 6/4 and had my oath ceremony the same day...I know everyone says it and it's hard to believe but it HONESTLY was soooo easy and stress free that I was amazed and it is far the best experience I have had with anyone EVER within the USCIS...so take a deep breath and relax...it will be fine. All I am waitin on now is my US Passport

Hi pnf0303,
COngrats on becoming a Citizen!!!..Could you give us a little bit of details of how it went?...what time was your interview?(because mine is at 1.30pm so not sure if it will be thesame day Oath..?)how long did the interview took?...
what was the process and questions if you remember...
We would appreciate it....
Congrats again!

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-06-11 12:32:00

QUOTE (kiwis @ May 1 2008, 07:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (pnf0303 @ Apr 19 2008, 09:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I started my N400 process back in December 07 and have my interview date in June in Portland Or. I came over on a k1 and never knew anything about selective service until the N400 application process. I did not get my green card until after I was 26 - will that justify me not needing to sign up? Also does anyone know if for tax purposes taking transcripts is ok in lieu of the 1722 form requested or are they the same thing?

I don't know anything about the selective service cuz I'm not a guy sorry~
and I think we can either take 3 years tax transcripts or our copies of the past 3 years US tax return. Have you request tax transcript copies yet? is it free?
My interview date is 6/11/08 in the afternoon, I wonder if I would be able to take oath the same day...

KIWIS!!!..
Your interview is This Wednesday(Good luck!!!)..Can you please let us know exactly how it goes...like the questions on the application they asked you,and the civic question e.t.c..I got my IL also for end of July.at 1.30pm so I was also wondering if they do oath later in the day or something....
Thanks...

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-06-07 19:46:00

Hey Guys!
I got my letter today also for July 30th.
Timeline:
PD: March 26th '08
FP: April 12th '08
IL recieved: 6/6/08
Interview date: 7/30/08

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-06-06 19:51:00

I just called USCIS and they told me I would be receiving my interview letter in about 10 days or so and that my letter was dated 30th May.She said my interview would be the next 30 days,so I guess mine would be end of June.

My time line:
PD: 3/24/08
FP: 4/12/08
IL: probably last week in June.

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-06-05 15:25:00

QUOTE (usa & pakistan @ Jun 5 2008, 12:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (Sheryll @ May 20 2008, 03:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A friend of mine posted hers in on 7 May, and has yet to receive anything back. I'll add dates as I hear from her. I'm due to file in October.

Any other Portland, OR filers out there?

My husband came over on a k1 in December, 2004, and applied for citizenship in March, 2008. He did the biometrics thing in March or April and we were surprised to receive an interview letter already for July 15th! We would really appreciate any information and experience stories from others who have recently gone thru the citizenship interview in Portland, OR.

Good luck, everyone!

:)Marnee

Hi Marness,
That was quite fast for you.I did file mine in march and still waiting on my interview letter..when did you guys get your letter?..
If you look on this thread,there is someone - 'kiwis',she is from china and her interview is this month(i think in 2 weeks),I'm sure she will share her experience after she's done with it.
You can check on this thread about previous interview experiences... http://boards.immigr...d.php?p=1198087
and also this one - http://boards.immigr...d.php?p=1845123

Let us know your exact time if possible,because I;m waiting and have not received my interview letter.

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-06-05 13:11:00

QUOTE (kiwis @ May 1 2008, 07:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (pnf0303 @ Apr 19 2008, 09:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

kiwis.
Let me know how the interview goes.Let us know the questions and stuff...

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-05-02 00:46:00

QUOTE (pnf0303 @ Apr 19 2008, 09:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As far as I know,if by the time they approved your green card you were 26 or over,you should be fine with the selective service...You are not required to register if you are 26 yrs and 1 day old....so you should be fine...

About Taxes,from what I have read,many people dont get asked about prove of filing taxes.But to be on the safe side,you should just order your history with IRS which i believe takes a few days to get and take it to the interview...I am personally not taking my prove of filing taxes to the interview...even though I file taxes

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-04-20 16:30:00

QUOTE (kiwis @ Apr 8 2008, 07:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (pdx-n-400-filler @ Apr 8 2008, 01:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Kiwis,
I got my Finger Print appt on 4/17/08 in downtown.Have you heard anything since?.looks like you should be hearing form them soon....
keep me posted and let me know how your info pass went.
Thanks

hey just wonder did your NOA says how many days you would expect to have the interview??? cuz mine says 180 days.

Hey Kiwis,
How was the info pass?..let us know how it went.....
Goodluck

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-04-11 16:50:00

QUOTE (kiwis @ Apr 8 2008, 07:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (pdx-n-400-filler @ Apr 8 2008, 01:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

hey just wonder did your NOA says how many days you would expect to have the interview??? cuz mine says 180 days.

Hey,
Yes mine said 180 days also...I am not sure how long we'd wait,because I browsed around this forum and some people got their interview letter like 2 weeks after finger prints...see here.
http://www.visajourn...howtopic=113403 and the user is ives_domain.

I even checked the person Dist.Offices's processing times which is thesame thing as ours,but I wonder why his went pretty fast...I heard the FBI name clearing sometimes goes by the country of origin because they spend more time profiling people who are from certain countries like(china,e.t.c)to profile in terms of export laws...and middle eastern.....Not completrly sure why it may take some longer and some less...FBI wont even tell us why even if you ask....

Let me know when you do the infopass interview?...

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-04-08 22:00:00

QUOTE (kiwis @ Mar 28 2008, 09:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (pdx-n-400-filler @ Mar 28 2008, 07:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (kiwis @ Mar 28 2008, 06:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (pdx-n-400-filler @ Mar 28 2008, 01:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (kiwis @ Mar 27 2008, 08:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (pdx-n-400-filler @ Mar 27 2008, 12:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (kiwis @ Mar 26 2008, 09:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi there,

Just wonder if anyone out there filed the N-400 at NSC (Nebraska Service Center) around December 2007 and received their interview letter???

OR

Anyone's district office is Portland, OR and filed N-400 at NSC recently and got some notice???

My case:

Dec 07: Mailed N400 to NSC
12/26/07: Received date (notice said expect to get interview notice within 180 days, anyone got something like that?)
01/26/08: Fingerprint date
now waiting...

Thanks! Please share your case~~

Hi Kiwis!,
from Portland,OR also,Just sent my N-400 on March 24th
Still waiting.It looks like from your case,it seem to go faster.

Hi, I don't know about faster... a lot of people got their fingerprint done very soon after they turned in their applications! Let me know when you receive a notice from USCIS, I want to see if it says how long you'll get another notice from them about your interview, cuz mine said 180days... not sure if it's right...

Hey there,
I just check my bank and they cashed the check.
Mailed N-400 3/24/08
Check cashed 3/28/08

I think as soon as they get checks, they'll deposit it right away! cuz it's non-refundable, but of cuz they have to make sure you pay the correct fee amount. I am waiting, but I'm very impatient, I'm going to infopass appt on 4/11/08... see what i can find out.

So what is the "infopass" appt?...is that the interview?..if it is the interview,I think your case went pretty fast.ANd let me know what they usually ask.
Thanksa..

infopass is not an interview!! I wish!!!! infopass is an appointment that you can set up in www.uscis.gov, you could talk to an immigration officer at the Portland Office on Broadway ask them questions that you have regarding anything...

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-04-08 15:10:00

QUOTE (kiwis @ Mar 28 2008, 06:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (pdx-n-400-filler @ Mar 28 2008, 01:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (kiwis @ Mar 27 2008, 08:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (pdx-n-400-filler @ Mar 27 2008, 12:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

QUOTE (kiwis @ Mar 26 2008, 09:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Kiwis!,
from Portland,OR also,Just sent my N-400 on March 24th
Still waiting.It looks like from your case,it seem to go faster.

Hey there,
I just check my bank and they cashed the check.
Mailed N-400 3/24/08
Check cashed 3/28/08

So what is the "infopass" appt?...is that the interview?..if it is the interview,I think your case went pretty fast.ANd let me know what they usually ask.
Thanksa..

pdx-n-400-filler

Not Telling

Nigeria

2008-03-28 21:57:00