ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Citizenship General DiscussionN400 sent to Nebraska forwarded to Phoenix?
QUOTE (Exodus04 @ Dec 16 2008, 02:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I sent my N400 application to Nebraska Service Center via USPS certified mail about a week ago. I just tracked the package online and somehow my package was forwarded from Lincoln to Phoenix, AZ. It just delivered in Phoenix (85034) today. Is that normal? I live in Portland, OR, though. Why did it go to Phoenix? I'm very nervous now. Hopefully I didn't do something wrong... sad.gif


Yes, it is normal.
Finally USCIS is migrating to National Benefit Center for central processing.
As a part of migration plan executed as of Dec 1st, they are forwarding the cases from all 4 service center lock boxes to new NBC facilities, one in Texas, and another in Arizona.
So if it is working out without problems, they will officially change the N400 lock boxes to those two locations.


moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2008-12-18 20:26:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCivics Test

As far as I know, if you fail the civic/English test, you have one more chance to re-test.
If you fail second attempt, your case will be denied.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2008-12-24 23:04:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCitizenship and SSA
QUOTE (Karin und Otto @ Dec 22 2008, 05:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I believe you would complete a(nother) SS-5. good.gif


Yes, just check "US Citizen" for legal status.
Social Security Number will stay same, and they need US passport or the certificate of naturalization for proof.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2008-12-26 00:32:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionAvailing medicaid
QUOTE (Old Dominion @ Dec 25 2008, 08:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Someone sponsored you for your green card, made a ten-year commitment, and may be called upon to reimburse the government for your Medicaid benefits. To obtain Medicaid, as you probably already know, your family income needs to be quite low...low enough that you are eligible for food stamps and other forms of public assistance. Even if you do qualify, your sponsor can be billed. Do you want that to happen?


It's not just ten-year.
It is ten-year of working history, which means you have to accumulate 40 credits for social security tax payment.
So if you don't work, it will go forever unless you become US citizenship, die, or abandon legal permanent residency and go back to home country.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2008-12-26 18:13:00
US Citizenship General Discussioncan a naturalized USC be deported?
QUOTE (luv2uallday @ Dec 28 2008, 02:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If you renounce your citizenship later down the line can you apply for a visitor's visa? or come into the usa as a resident alien? that would be nice to know


It is really up to Consular Officer's mind.
If he/she decide that you have intention to come US and stay illegally, he/she may deny the application.
So the one who renouced US citizenship needs to show strong tie to their "new" country for non-immigraiton VISA application.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2008-12-28 16:35:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWill I be naturalized by March 15, 2009?

You can check "k & j" from September filers.
They did file from Norfolk, VA.
They have interview scheduled for 1/21/2009 or something like that and they had filed on 09/09/2008.
You case may be differ from theirs since every cases are unique.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2008-12-29 16:18:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWill I be naturalized by March 15, 2009?
QUOTE (manty @ Dec 29 2008, 02:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
What kinds of names are delayed in a FBI name check? Common names (e.g. Joe Smith) that might have lots of hits, or unusual names (e.g. Assad Hussein Chong, IV) that might be difficult to check? Or is it something else that slows the process?


I believe they use name, DOB, and nationality for any match in FBI record for not only suspect, but witness and reference, too.
They use similar spelling, and first/last name mixing.

If you have any hit, it will delay a little bit.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2008-12-29 15:56:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWill I be naturalized by March 15, 2009?
I guess you have to see it. But it may take more time than you think.
Real holding point will be FBI namecheck process.
More than 80% will be fine with that, but if you are belong to 20% or less, it may hold up your case for your background check and other things.

Besides, you are one of whom are in the middle of NBC transition.
Since it is new process kicked in, it may delay from one week to a couple of weeks for initial process than other people who filed before that transition.

Also USCIS is trying to stop doing weekend N400 application processing.
That's another delay point.

Plus we have a couple of Federal holidays such as Christmas, New Year's day, president day, MLK's day.
So it may delay a little bit.

So I think the chance will be slim, but you never know with Federal Government workflow.
moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2008-12-29 14:16:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionApplication question
QUOTE (sxdx79 @ Dec 29 2008, 03:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I was looking over the n400 and have two questions. Is visiting the US Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico considered leaving the country? I know they are territories but not states, should I list these trips anyway?

Also husband has a child from a former marriage but does not have custody. Do I list her as my stepchild? I have not adopted her or have any legal rights regarding my husbands daughter so I don't know if this would apply. We don't have children together at this time.

Thanks and have a great new year



It depends whether you get stamped on your passport for that trip or not.
If you don't need to submit I-94 and/or stamped for immigration stamp, I think you don't.

But for your safety, you can consider it as out-of-country trip, put it there, and count the days to show you are not breaking residency requirement even though they include those.

Or you can make two versions of N400 application based on two different assumptions - including those, and excluding those -.

Submit one, and bring other to the Interview, so if adjudicator says differently, you can pass him correct N400 application form.


For children, since this is your case, and children is not yours, I don't think you should list them under dependent.

But some people with more knowledge on this matter may correct my answers. innocent.gif

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2008-12-29 16:36:00
US Citizenship General Discussiontiming the N-400 application
It will be o.k.
In most cases, it will take more than 90 days to have interviewed.
In my case, it was very closed to 5 years anniversary.
I think my 5 year anniversary date was Sep 23 or 24 something like that.
I didn't have any problem.

But then if that's the case, they will delay oath ceremony on or after 5 year anniversary date any way.
My oath ceremony was scheduled without delay since available oath ceremony date was after 5 year anniversary date.

Edited by moonhunt, 29 December 2008 - 04:43 PM.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2008-12-29 16:41:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionHow did you study the 100 questions?
If somebody needs audio file for old civic history question, please let me know.
It is 13.6 MB after zipped.
If your email server can receive this size, I can send it via email or something like that.

This is extracted from USCIS distributed CD as mp3 format for question/answer only.
moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2008-12-02 13:14:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionHow did you study the 100 questions?
QUOTE (mattr @ Sep 30 2008, 04:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (moonhunt @ Sep 30 2008, 11:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If you are taking old test, it will be 10 questions out of 96 questions.

In my case, I got booklet and audio CD from fingerprint.
So I extracted second audio track from audio CD, and keep listening when I drive back and forth from work to home.
It was about 20 min audio track with questions and answers only.
First track includes some explanations for questions, but you don't need that for interview questions.
So when you hear question, you can answer it then compare what real answer are from following answers from audio track.
So I didn't have to spend the time for study. ^^


I didn't know about this CD do you know if every fingerprint place has it? Is it free?

Mattr


Yes, it is free as usual as other USCIS publications are.
But some DO is running out of stock, and since there is new test coming, they stopped doing that.

But if you search for it from Internet, you can find it.

Otherwise, you can check this posting when I wrote during the study.

http://www.visajourn...ful information

Edited by moonhunt, 30 September 2008 - 09:31 PM.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2008-09-30 21:30:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionHow did you study the 100 questions?
QUOTE (mattr @ Sep 30 2008, 01:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi,

I will start studying the famous 100 questions, and I was wondering how people studied them. Did you use an online test? Did you print the cards and studied by yourself? Did you ask friends to ask you the questions as if it was the interview?

I took some online test yesterday without studying first and got around 80% right, so it's not bad. I blushed when I couldn't remember the color of the stars on the flag and had to check it online!!!! blush.gif

And by the way, are there 100 or 96 questions???? I'm taking the old test, not the revised one.

mattr


If you are taking old test, it will be 10 questions out of 96 questions.

In my case, I got booklet and audio CD from fingerprint.
So I extracted second audio track from audio CD, and keep listening when I drive back and forth from work to home.
It was about 20 min audio track with questions and answers only.
First track includes some explanations for questions, but you don't need that for interview questions.
So when you hear question, you can answer it then compare what real answer are from following answers from audio track.
So I didn't have to spend the time for study. ^^
moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2008-09-30 13:45:00
US Citizenship General Discussiondecision will me mailed to you on my paper
It depends on the case.
FBI namecheck is done before interview schedule.
So most of holding point after interview is administrative process.
Some cases, they just forget something from your file.
Such as signature or something like that.
Or waiting queue for oath ceremony.

Wait for 120 days, then contact your congress man to see what's holding your case.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-02 13:39:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionRed light Tickets
QUOTE (MoroccanInTexas @ Jan 1 2009, 01:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thank you for your replies. I think I will just pick NO, since the tickets are less than $500. Second they are considered civil in Texas. Third, it was my wife who did it.
If I need to explain, then so be it...


Probably you will be fine.
But for clarification, $500 is mentioned from N400 instructions that it will not be subjective to major criteria for ticket/citation for moral character issue. But it doesn't say you have to exclude the info by your own discretion,
According to the wording, you still have to declare even if it is less than $500 for "your" citation/ticket.
N400 instructions said USCIS will not consider any citation/ticket less than $500 for major problem unless it is DUI case or something like that.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-03 00:57:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionHow long does take to take oath ceremony?
QUOTE (tayoff @ Jan 2 2009, 08:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I have oath date appointment at 9am and Im leaving out of state at noon. Anyone know how long does it take to take an oath for small city ? Thank u


Out of U.S. at same day ?
No way.
For Oath Ceremony, you have to assume 2~4 hours since it is mostly waiting in line and waiting time.
Actual Oath ceremony itself will take about 10 ~ 20 min.
But you have to wait in line for your oath letter questions answered and submission.
And you have to sit down until everybody is ready.

Plus as soon as you take oath becoming US citizen, you have to use US passport by the law when you deal with US customs and immigration.
So if you mean "out of state" as "out of U.S", you can not.
If you use your foreign passport, you are breaking the law.
Therefore you have to expect the trouble with governement by not following the law.

I think best bet for you at this time is to reschedule your oath date to later date after your travel.

Edited by moonhunt, 03 January 2009 - 12:44 AM.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-03 00:42:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionIs it better to file TAXES before or after the interview??
In my personal opinion, you better file it as "married jointly".

Since you are applying for N400, it doesn't matter that much.

But showing tax return record has two meanings.

1) show your duty as responsible, law-abiding good moral character.

- apply to both Green Card(immigration visa) and naturalization interview


2) show your wife and you have financial obiligation together.

- This will affect more for immigration visa or green card interview since it shows both of you managing bona-fide marriage relationship.
But some of naturalization interview officer may be interested in this to doulble-check your marriage relationship sometimes.

You know how interview officer is trying to do. They will try to find any suspicious thing for your immigration history.
If you change Tax file status from married jointly to married separated, it may tag yellow alarm for your interview depending on interview officer's character.


For tax return for 2008, it will depend when you will get interviewed.
If Interview officer decided to push hard to get Federal Tax Return 2008, you may get RFE, and have to submit Federal Tax Return 2008 any way.

If I were you, I will include last 3 or 6 month pay stub copies, which will show year-to-date income and tax payment.
Then write cover-letter to explain that because you don't have all W2(s) and Form 1099(s), you can not file tax return until you have all those in handy.

If they ask for RFE to submit Federal Tax Return 2008 later, you can deal with it.

But at least, you can do your due-dillegence.

Edited by moonhunt, 05 January 2009 - 01:29 PM.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-05 13:24:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionPhotograph required???
QUOTE (hassan_debbie @ Jan 4 2009, 03:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks for the replys. Fingerprinting was done in early December. They scheduled that pretty fast after we filed. We didn't realize we had forgotten them until much later than that. I was going over the paperwork and asked him why we still had the photos and thats when we knew what we had done or should I say NOT done. So I guess we will just wait for that yellow envelope.

Debra


ASC will take fingerprint only for N400 application.
ASC personal will ask for ID such as passport and/or green card plus fingerprint notice.

Sometimes they send the notice to bring missing documents such as photos.
But sometimes, they don't check that until interview date.

So check your all documents, and bring those with you at your scheduled interview.
Probably interview officer will search for photos while he/she is conducting interivew. whistling.gif
Bring two different sets of photos just in case if he/she doesn't like one.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-05 13:34:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionPhotograph required???
Also, check following M-476 package.

www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf

M-476 have all the information you need for N400.
Probably 95% of your questions can be answered from M-476.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-04 13:25:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWhat's the difference after getting the 10 yr GC
QUOTE (AusCal @ Jan 5 2009, 01:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (KyngSilva @ Jan 4 2009, 08:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
They still ask for the docs even after the 5 years. I did it after 7 years and was asked to bring in a a certified copy of my marriage certificate.


They did? I have my interview on Tuesday - my GC was marriage based, but, that was over 6 years ago. I see nowhere in the instructions that my marriage certificate is required.

In fact, the list is very minimal:
All I am required to take is:
*interview notice letter
*greencard
*passport
That's it - I hope LOL

They do suggest taking two additional passport photos - but, it is stated it is not necessary. I'm not taking them, if photo's are needed I know that are places just outside the office I can have them done at.
I do also plan to take pay stubs for two absences from the US for 5 months each - where I was working for US companies overseas. But, if they don't ask about those absences, I see no reason to bring it up. Based on your experience I'll add in my marriage certificate - can't hurt.


If you got green card through marriage, they usually ask for marriage certifcate and others.
But it really depends on USCIS adjudicator - also known as Interview officer -.
If they feel everything looks good, they may not ask any further info/documents.
But if they feel they need more info, they can ask for anything.
If you don't have that at the moment, they can hold your case by asking request for evidence (RFE).

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-05 03:58:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWhat's the difference after getting the 10 yr GC
QUOTE (daphne2109 @ Jan 3 2009, 10:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm curios to know what the difference is in trying to get the USA citizenship within 3 months before the 3rd anniversary of the 2 yr GC...& trying to become USA citizen any time after receiving the 10 yr GC, what's the difference in it? Can anynone to decide to become USA citizen whenever she/he wants within the 10 yr GC validity?

Does anyone know about it?

And by the way, usually how long it takes to get an answer or whatever, in order to become US a citizen from the time you have filled out the
form N-400? (Sorry if especially this question sounds silly but it is just curioisity of mine.......I'm not sure if I will try to get the US citizenship & if I decide when (first of all I'm still in the process to get my 10 yr GC.......so my question is just a curios question).

Tks for any reply I might get!!!! Good luck for you Journey star_smile.gif


For most of cases, there is not much difference.

But there are some minor difference.

- Oversea travel : As Lawful Permanent Resident(LPR), you should keep your residence in U.S. And when you travel more than 6 months for single travel, and/or when you stay out of U.S. for more than 183 days per year, you may get into trouble to prove your domicile - intention to live in U.S.-
But US Citizen doesn't have limitation like that.

- Immigration Petition : As LPR, you can only invite your spouse, and children using I-130 immigration petition based on family, and it is subjective to annual immigraiton visa quota. But as US Citizen, you can invite your parents, brothers/sisters. Your immidiate family such as parents, spouse, and childeren under 21 years old is not subjective to immigration visa quota at all.

- Voting and social welfare qualification : As a LPR, you can NOT vote for any election, which is entitled to US Citizen. For some cases, if it is allowed to any legal resident, it may be. But you should be very careful. And for some cases, social welfare is limited to US Citizen, too.

Besides, given the situation after 9/11, even for LPR, rules are applied very strictly.
For an example, if you get caught with DUI, you "may" be kicked out from this country because you are LPR, not US Citizen.
For this kind of insecured environment, a lot of people just take the US Citizen course.
At least, US citizenship gives more secured position for that matter.
LPR is still considered as foreign nationality, versus US Citizen is considered as US citizen. whistling.gif
moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-04 13:36:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionQuestion on N400
QUOTE (Lappa @ Jan 6 2009, 01:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My wife had married before and I put 2 on the N-400 form. My wife does not have many details about her former husband including when did they marry. She has only a copy of the divoice degree's first page. I don't know what will happen to my application.



She can write the info as much as she can remember.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-06 16:14:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionQuestion on N400
QUOTE (PAULUK @ Jan 5 2009, 05:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
All
I am just about to file my N400 but need a quick clarification on Part 8 Question G. I take it that as my wife has been married before I should put in 2 and the name in question G1 should be that of my wife's former husband is that correct?


Thanks............................Paul


Yes. You should include current marriage. So if your wife was married/divorced once, and remarried with you, it will be 2.
And yes, you have to fill out your wife's ex-husband info.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-06 05:40:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionForm N-400 questions
QUOTE (WenRI @ Jan 6 2009, 03:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
have a question here,
Will it matter if answer the question wrong?
Since it's an ex, not everyone will keep in track about what happened to the ex.


At least you should answer whatever you know at the moment.
It may be different from reality, but you should do your due dilligence to record most accurate information.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-06 17:59:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionTexas Service Center for N-400
QUOTE (poppinslp @ Dec 11 2008, 05:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi Everyone,

I am not sure if this has happened to anyone else but I sent my N-400 application to the Texas center yesterday and it is being forwarded to another location, I am not sure where it is being sent to and I am wondering if this is anything to worry about.


Since Dec, 2008, USCIS is executing migration plan for National Benefit Center(NBC), which will process N400 application.
NBC has two locations - one in Phoenix, AZ, and another in Texas somewhere.-

Right now it is interim period, so if you write N400 in the envelope, they will forward it to new location automatically.

After successful migration, they will change official N400 lockbox address from N400 application form instructions.
I believe they are planning to do that sometime this month or next month.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-06 16:18:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionFBI was unable to process your fingerprints
QUOTE (broma25 @ Jan 7 2009, 05:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Are you saying that the fingerprint check only takes 24 hours?



Yes... That's normal.
Usually the result will be returned to USCIS same day.
They have phone number to check whether it is returned to USCIS or not.

Fingerpint check is done within 24 hours by FBI.
But FBI namecheck is different story.

It is FBI internal rule, so it can be changed at any time.

$80 for biometric processing fee is flat fee.
So it doesn't matter whether you had fingerprint with them 2 months ago.

If the case is delayed by any reason, you may receive another fingerprint notice since old one is expired.
USCIS won't charge $80 again when this happens.
It doesn't matter how many times you have to take fingerprint for whole case processing time.

That's the way I read for $80, NickD.
It is flat charge.
When you use USPS flat fee for priority mail or something like that, it doesn't matter whether it is delivered to next door of your house, or somewhere, somebody - maybe S*** P*** - in Alaska, right ?

Edited by moonhunt, 07 January 2009 - 02:08 PM.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-07 14:07:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionFBI was unable to process your fingerprints
QUOTE (moonhunt @ Jan 6 2009, 04:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (PaolaLew @ Jan 6 2009, 04:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
This is ridiculus. I had my fingerprint taken last year for my removal of condition on my greencard with no proble. How can fingerprints change in one year? Is it too much for them to just open my file and use those prints??
oh well too much burocracy wacko.gif


I believe that according to FBI rule, all fingerprint result is valid for 15 months or so.
USCIS doesn't store all fingerprint they took, I believe.
They only store the result received by FBI, and the result may be changed over the time.


I forgot to mention that fingerprint inquiry to FBI is done electronically, and USCIS will recieve the result from FBI within 24 hours.
So it is not major delay point.

USCIS ASC people use vaselin or something like that to have fine reading from each fingerprint.
So as long as you follow their direction, you should not have much of problem.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-07 01:40:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionFBI was unable to process your fingerprints
QUOTE (PaolaLew @ Jan 6 2009, 04:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
This is ridiculus. I had my fingerprint taken last year for my removal of condition on my greencard with no proble. How can fingerprints change in one year? Is it too much for them to just open my file and use those prints??
oh well too much burocracy wacko.gif


I believe that according to FBI rule, all fingerprint result is valid for 15 months or so.
USCIS doesn't store all fingerprint they took, I believe.
They only store the result received by FBI, and the result may be changed over the time.


moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-06 17:32:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionFBI was unable to process your fingerprints
QUOTE (PaolaLew @ Jan 5 2009, 04:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Does anyone had to retake their fingerprints? Why does this happen? Doesnt the immigration office has a machine that tells them if the fingerprint is valid or not on the spot?
The guy at the immigration office that took my prints took forever and retake my fingerprint like 10 times each finger.... wacko.gif wacko.gif
Is this going to delay my application a lot?

Thanks

Paola star_smile.gif


Computer Scanning program will try to check whether it is good or not.
But sometimes when FBI receive it over online, it may not suitable to use it.
In that case, you may receive second finger print request.
But it will be very rare cases.

In some cases, if the person is working on chemical industry, or something like that, fingerprint may be worn out because of various reasons such as chemical materials or something like that.
In that case, after second trial failure, they may ask you to go though police report or something like that.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-05 20:21:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionQuestion about Crime or Offense
QUOTE (mbmw @ Jan 5 2009, 01:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello

I'm just wondering about a question in the application, the one about ever being charges with a Crime or offense? Do I have to include a speeding ticket? I only have one speeding tickets from 4yrs ago,

Thanks


In the context itself, you should since speed ticket is considered as citation.
N400 instructions said citation under $500 may not cause the problem for N400 adjudication.
But it doesn't say you don't have to report.

For N400, you should tell the truth, and the truth, nothing but the truth..

But in reality, nobody cares about speed ticket because most of people driving have one or two or more.
So depending on Interview officer, they recommend NOT to report minor one such as speed ticket.

But it's up to you.

The recommendation by some of Interview Officer will break your statement to tell the truth for speed ticket, and it may be the issue.

If I were you, I would mark as "Yes", and add additional explanation saying that "I marked Yes because of one speed ticket 4 years old."

Then when you go to interview, you may bring the copy of DMV driving record and the confirmation of payment.
Probably Interview officer will ask if it was just speed ticket, then proceed to next question without a problem.

I think this question should be fixed to avoid the confusion and contradictory between reality and the question itself.


moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-05 15:34:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionContinuous Residence Requirement
QUOTE (RichardPeng @ Jan 7 2009, 12:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
thanks for the reply.. I know the wait for a LPR petitioning a spouse... but im planning to file citizenship next year anyway so it will be upgraded to IR1.. I just want to make sure that i can file my citizenship next year since ill be staying overseas for a little while and i dont want it to be some kind of a problem when i file my n400.. Will do! i will try to call USCIS and get some infos.. Thanks again!


I would say that it is risky.
Some USCIS checks the pattern of your trip.
Even if you come to US for a week or two, there is a chance that some USCIS employee may consider both trips as extended trip, and you may get your green card canceled and/or deported.

It is USCIS employee authority to inteprete those info.
You can challenge their decision, but it will cost you money/time/efforts.

From tax law, I believe if you don't live in U.S. for more than 183 days, you may be considered as non-resident or something like that.

I heard that some people using that kind of tactics had some trouble because of this kind of intepretation.

*P.S. Remember that USCIS employee have different opinions for same topic sometimes. If you get confirmation from USCIS phone call, it doesn't mean that it will be honored from POE. USCIS employee - more likely CBP employee - have sole discretion at POE to decide whether you will be allowed or deported.
Then USCIS adjudicator during N400 process have another discretion during his/her process.
They may honor each other's decision, but it is not guaranteed.

Edited by moonhunt, 07 January 2009 - 01:41 PM.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-07 13:37:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionResidency Question
QUOTE (swapdude @ Dec 17 2008, 08:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I don't have any utility/rent bills etc as they would have made no sense at that point.

I think I will have to go to the interview and they will ask me to reapply in may .. sad.gif


In worst case, they can cancel your green card, and start deportation process since you didn't follow US immigration law.
Don't think everything for your convenience.
Immigration logic is different from common sense sometimes.
Immigration VISA was given to you since you express the intent of immigration, and living in U.S. for your lifetime.
If USCIS doubt your intention to live here as primary residence, you can be kicked out at any time.

Actually I was surprised that you were admited to come to U.S. with that long 9 month absense...

I'm curious how you did receive your plastic I-551 green card in mail.
Usually they mailed the plastic card in 2 ~ 3 weeks later to permanent residence where you did report at POE with immigration visa.

If I were you, I will look for good lawyer right away. You don't have much time.
Or you can send interview reschedule request via certified mail with valid reason such as... "I need more time to collect the evidence what USCIS is requested for."
Then find the good lawyer with reasonable evidence.

It really depends on whom you are dealing with.

You may ask lawyer to come with you for interview for better defense.

Edited by moonhunt, 28 December 2008 - 10:32 PM.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2008-12-28 22:30:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionGreen card holder apllying for N400 also has illegal girlfriend and wants to help her????
QUOTE (grozis @ Jan 8 2009, 11:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
but it will take like a year to get it and she says she doesnt want to wait so long! so i was wondering if there is possible to do anything before i ll get USC???


I don't think so.
If you marry her and file for I-130 as spouse of LPR, she have to wait for a couple of years to be eligible for immigration visa number, and her immigration status will not be changed until she is eligible for immigration visa and adjust her status to green card holder upon completion of I-485.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-09 02:15:00
US Citizenship General Discussionfrequency of oath ceremonies
QUOTE (karkalec @ Jan 5 2009, 04:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Can anyone tell me approximately how often oath ceremonies are held? My wife just got her Interview letter today kicking.gif , and I'm wondering about how long after that interview she will actually be sworn in. We're in Charlotte, NC. I've seen a month or so in some signatures but wondered what your experience was.

Thanks,

Justin


You can call Federal Court House to find out.
It is varied from district office to district office.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-05 20:17:00
US Citizenship General Discussionwill the USCIS see if you have a MORTGAGE??
QUOTE (gigant @ Jan 7 2009, 08:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I think you are going way too far my man,

If CIS asks for mortgage documentation, I will just show it to them; it will just
not show my wife's name on the mortgage application and deed.

The issue here is if CIS will :
-see that there is a mortgage recorded in the last few months
-check the details of the mortgage: if its an investment or a "live in" loan application
- compare the address that we currently live at with the address of this apartment
- question of we live in the new place, if we filed for AR11

fROM The answers given here say that CIS wil NOT KNOW that we are buying this place
as they dont run a credit report UNLESS:

- they ask for most recent rent statements or most recent bills do they ASK FOR the most recent
bills


It is really up to Interview Officer.
In another words, your mileage may varies.

USCIS interview officer may ask for rent agreement or home mortgage document sometimes if it is based on marriage-to-US-citizen case.
Not all of them, but some of them is still trying to see whether the marriage is bona-fide marriage or not.
One of criteria they are using is financial responsibility sharing.
That's what I'm talking about.

For married couple, they usually list both name under mortgage document.
If your wife - US Citizen - is only person in the mortgage, it may be because of credit history or something like that.

I'm just looking at the viewpoint of very conservative USCIS interview officer.

If you have nice Interview Officer, he/she doesn't raise any flag on your case, and doesn't ask for joint account and things like that.

If you want to hear only good side of story, that will be fine.
But you never know what kind of person will be your interview officer.
Some nasty officer may be trying to find any execuse to make you hard without any reason.

Remember that you are under oath to tell the truth during the Interview, and if he/she ask for info, you have to tell the truth.
If they hear something unusual case, you don't know what they are thinking with those clues.
I heard that a lot of people had the trouble because of simple mistake.

Edited by moonhunt, 09 January 2009 - 04:02 AM.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-09 03:58:00
US Citizenship General Discussionwill the USCIS see if you have a MORTGAGE??
QUOTE (Craneman @ Jan 7 2009, 07:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Having 2 does not make it esier to get a loan.
If one of the borrowers has no credit, recent immigrant, it makes it harder or a higher interest rate.
Or if one of the borrowers has bad credit it does the same thing. No credit = bad credit.



From OP's question, it is under OP's name, and OP is benefitionary of I-130 sponsored by US Citizen wife.
So I don't think your assumption can be used for defense.

From USCIS adjudicator's viewpoint, it can be seen as "STRANGE" behavior.
If state law asked for joint ownership of the property during martial period,
not doing joint account for mortgage and home deed may be seen as not following the law, which may be bad for Good moral character requirement.


moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-07 13:58:00
US Citizenship General Discussionwill the USCIS see if you have a MORTGAGE??
QUOTE (gigant @ Jan 6 2009, 07:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hi,

while waiting for the N400 interview, me and my wife (USC) are purchasing
an apartment;

The mortgage application and the title will be both under my name only;

will the immigration check my credit report? ( and see that there is a
recorded mortgage with my name only on it)

The reason im asking is because when i filed for n400 i put our current renting
address;
as we close on this purchase do i need to file for AR11 change of address?
we still dont have a closing date and dont have a interview date;

thank you
pls advice


Who's N400 application ? Yours?
If it is marrige-based N400, USCIS will ask for joint documents for financial responsibility sharing, which is done by most of couples.
USCIS is not interested in your credit report, but they may ask for home rent agreement and/or house deed along with insurace documents, mortgage documents...
If they ask for it, you have to submit it unless you have valid reason for unavailability, or you wants your case denied based on no response for Request for Evidence.

If they see it and ask for reason, you should have answer to satisfy USCIS adjudicator.
IF not, your case may be denided, and if he/she is in doubt for your sincere marriage life, your green card may be in danger to be canceled for marriage fraud.

Sometimes USCIS adjudicator may understand the reality, but in most case, they ARE trained to doubt everything from immigration fraud viewpoint, and/or different viewpoint from yours.

Edited by moonhunt, 07 January 2009 - 01:52 PM.

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-07 13:51:00
US Citizenship General Discussionhow long are biometrics good for?
QUOTE (Haole @ Jan 10 2009, 09:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
From what I've seen 15 months.
Google it!


For lazy man like me, here it is.

http://adoptiondashb...fingerprinting/

moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-11 10:02:00
US Citizenship General Discussionhow long are biometrics good for?
As far as I know, it is valid for 15 months.
But since this is enforced by FBI, it can be changed at any time wiithout notice. whistling.gif
Also, depending on Interview officer and/or USCIS employee, they can ask you to take fingerprint around 10 months after your previous fingerprint if he/she doesn't want to have delay for missing fingerprint result upon interview.

Fingerprint itself is very simple.
When you take fingerprint from ASC, usually USCIS get the result from FBI within 24 hours.
Not like FBI namecheck, which may takes sometimes a couple of years. mad.gif
moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-11 09:58:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionTransgendered Person.....U S Citizenship
Hi, yellowbrickroad

Congratulation on becoming US Citizen!
No matter how you look, you are one of blessing soul from God! star_smile.gif
People can have prejudice, but that prejudice is not coming from the God any way.
We don't have a right to judge somebody else by discriminating them.
I'm sure you went through all tough time, but at least, some people understand your choice, and respect you as equal human.
It is irony how we abuse the name of God for our own prejudice. mad.gif
moonhuntMaleSouth Korea2009-01-11 15:56:00