Oath ceremony scheduled.

[tranpatrick 1]

Hi,

Just want post a quick update. My oath ceremony was canceled on March 19 due to Covid-19 in Los Angeles.

I passed the citizenship interview on 1/13/20 and today I received a rescheduled oath ceremony date for 6/12/20 in Laguna Niguel, CA.

Looks like the office is opening back up and rescheduling oath ceremony. Good luck everyone. 

[acrufox 6]

This will be very long, but if you want an insane amount of details about my oath ceremony I had on June 2nd, please continue to read:

 

On May 26th I got a notification to check my USCIS online account. I did and I noticed a status update which said I was scheduled for my oath ceremony. Naturally it wasn't in the documents tab, but unlike other times when it took 2 or so days, it showed up later the same day. I opened up the pdf and I was scheduled for June 2nd in Indianapolis. My original oath date was April 3rd in Elkhart, Indiana. I took it with a grain of salt with all the protesting and the USCIS location isn't that far from where protesting and property damage was taking place. I honestly expected it to be cancelled.

 

I received my confirmation of the appointment on Monday late afternoon via USPS. I kind of wonder if it was intentional or not to give such a short window of time as to catch people off guard if they don't use or have someone else managing their online USCIS account (like an interpreter, etc) Had I only relied on the letter, I would have had zero time to make plans to get my spouse or a friend to drive me there as I wanted to make 1000% sure I wouldn't somehow miss it.

 

So this Tuesday came along and I was told to come in 30 mins before my appointment. I went into the building and I got the feeling the entire building was closed for the day. Even google said USCIS was closed and by all measures they probably were to anything other than oath ceremonies. So I went to sign in at the lobby and I was turned away, I was told to come back in 15 minutes and then I could sign in and go up.  So I go up and then they had a social distancing lineup and markings on the floor. I waited maybe 10-12 minutes. I have never seen the amount of armed agents in the room, ever and I've been to this location multiple times.

 

I then went through security and set off the alarm. They took me to the side and used the wand on me, front and back and nothing happened. Then they said part of my clothing must have touched their equipment to set it off, I had to go through again and it didn't go off. I was then allowed to pick up my belongings and I was instructed to go into another line where you are supposed to bring your filled out letter. It took another 5-7 minutes to get to the front of the line (they took my green card at this point). From what I heard people saying near security as well as the woman setting up for the oath ceremony. In both cases I heard 8 people. The chairs had numbers on them up to 10,  two people per row, multiple seats between. We were given a large envelope with materials that explained everything from the oath to notifying the IRS to getting a passport, even a mini American flag was inside.

 

So I was sitting down with 3 other people. We waited awhile and I was expecting they were waiting on other people for our time slot, but no one showed up. Then a guy who identified himself as the one that would conduct the ceremony introduced himself to us and said something quite moving. He said that during these times are times we should celebrate with our friends and family but with everything that's going on in the world, we have to adapt and change to fit the situation. He then said, although you cannot see through my mask, I am smiling. It is my job to do oath ceremonies and it brings me great pleasure to do so. He then went into a quick run through of what was involved in the ceremony and told us to repeat it as best we can as his words would probably be muffled through the mask. We then were all asked to raise our right hands and repeat the oath with him. I must admit, English is my first language, the muffled words plus the him seemingly nervous, I can imagine people whose first language is not English would have struggled somewhat to repeat the entire oath.

 

After the oath, he went over and picked up our naturalization certificates and asked us to check for errors and or if we had any questions before leaving. We were also offered selfie pictures in front of the American flag area they set up in another part of the office. All 4 of us had no questions so we just left. The entire oath ceremony from the introduction to walking out the door was very fast, maybe 8-10 minutes.

 

The following are my own observations of the entire experience from the parking lot to coming back out, you can skip it unless you want to go through as fast as possible or not slow things down for others.

 

After I was told to come back in 15 minutes, I went out the door and a few other people were about to go in, I asked if they had the same time I had and they said yes, so I told them that we all had to wait outside for another 15 minutes. (The oath documentation said 30 minutes)

 

Too many people came unprepared, I wondered if anyone bothered reading the documents. It said wear a mask and bring a black pen with you. More than once people came into the lobby with an entire entourage of friends and family. I watched as the guy first explained that friends could not attend and then family could not attend, only the person taking the oath.This was stated in the pdf and the mailing.  Next, applicants really need to stop bringing everything with them. Don't bother wearing a belt, it just adds more time and you'll get no benefit to the entire process, leave it in the car or with a friend. You also do not need to have a huge purse full of stuff that slows you down going through security. Although the document does say to dress for the occasion, but don't go all out, wear normal shoes, don't wear multiple layers of clothing to look fashionable, no one can come with you and all this effort is for nothing because no pictures are being taken unless you want a selfie picture with the American flag.

 

The woman that was in front of me was asked to take her shoes off. She had such high heels on that when she took off the first shoe, and then she immediately fell on the floor. The guy at security said that so many people were falling on the floor like that today, and what was up with that (you do not need high heels, you have to take them off and put them back on).

 

Help speed things up, went the person in front of you is going through security, save some time. Take off your shoes, your belt, and everything else in hand so you can quickly put it into the tray instead of falling or dropping or fumbling to get everything off while the guy is waiting on you.

 

You should try to fill out the document beforehand, in the car or just before you come in and sign it in the car. I was one of the only people who did this, again, not doing this will waste even more time for the people that are processing your oath documents. I watched as person after person did not have any of it filled out and the woman had to take their letter and ask them each question and have them sign it.

 

Also, do not even try to fib or lie to security. One person who didn't fill out the oath documentation asked the person sitting behind them to come up. Immediately a security person came over and started asking questions. He asked the person who was coming in for the oath if this person was their interpreter.  He replied with he is my friend and speaks better english than I do. Again, he was asked, is this person your interpreter, he said no. Then unhappily he said that his friend should have not been allowed through security, that speaking better english wasn't a good reason, and they took him away, I didn't see where and I didn't see this person again as I left.

 

Don't even try to bring family or friends or think that an agent or security will let all these people you brought with you through.  It says on the oath documentation that the only people allowed are the applicant and if applicable, their interpreter. No friends, No Family, No Spouse. When they do allow it, they will say in the oath documentation they send you.

 

The USCIS office looked like a bare-bones operation except the large amounts of security. They were only processing oaths. There was only one line open, masks and social distancing is enforced. Even half the lights were off.

 

At one point there were quite a few people between security and the line and out of nowhere someone in the office asks all of us how we felt and if we thought if we were ever going to get our ceremonies. Everyone said that they didn't think they would have their ceremony any time soon, or at all due to the current situations of corona virus and the protesting & looting. Then the person reassured us we were getting our ceremonies.

 

The USCIS office was only a few blocks away from all the damage from the previous night's protesting. The county our oath ceremony was in even had a curfew. My phone went off a couple of times before and after my oath about the hours of the curfew.

 

I think that's about it. I'm overjoyed that I won't have to wait any longer or worry. I'm also happy I'll probably never have to come into a USCIS building again. I've been there enough times over the last year. I really wish I could say I was happy going through the process, but looking back, it was very depressing. I remember going in for my interview and saw so many people failing their interview and crying. Waiting so many months between each step. Then getting all excited for my oath ceremony then getting it cancelled 3 weeks before April 3rd. The oath ceremony I had on Tuesday felt more like going down for a quick visit to the department of motor vehicles. I must admit, I wish there was an option out there for those of us that don't get the full oath experience. I would have loved to have had family and friends with me celebrating my oath ceremony and having video of it to save and share with those who couldn't attend.  There isn't much you can do with several minutes of oath ceremonies, mask wearing and social distancing. It would have been nice to share my parents the official oath ceremony over the internet as they couldn't attend.

 

I hope this helps others. You should check your online  MyUSCIS account on a regular basis. I hope not too many people are waiting for their letter in the mail and end up with it being delivered the same day as the oath. It gives you way more time to make plans. Imagine if I hadn't checked my online account, I would have had less than a day to drop everything without warning to travel to the nearest office which is almost 2 hours away by highway.

 

Have everything ready before you go. The faster we can make the process for ourselves, the more confident USCIS might feel in increasing how many oaths they process in a day, especially with them running out of money at the end of this summer. Wasted time really adds up fast when the majority of people have done little to no preparation.  Please, pleaaaase, stop wearing super high heel shoes. I've seen so many women fall to the floor after the first shoe comes off. So has security, you don't need to wear high heels to a USCIS office if you're going through security.

 

Thanks to everyone on this forum that helped me since day 1. I don't think I would be where I am without visajourney's community.

 

 

[Ortolan 381]

We got an email today too, saying the ceremony had been scheduled! I'm thrilled, but....the email says "No companions," which is sad...I so wanted to be there.   But I'll have to be content waving a flag from the parking lot! Still thrilled!

[Fr8dog 312]

And than there was light at the end of the tunnel.

Unless the great common wealth of Virginia can come up with a new way to close this down, I'm expected to be at the USCIS field office on June 17th. Nobody else is allowed to join, not even interpreters (I guess they need to be on the phone).

Maybe just maybe this chapter is about to close.

 

[SusieQQQ 11,585]

From the uscis page on Facebook fyi

 

Wondering about your naturalization ceremony? You’ll receive notice from our field offices about your rescheduled ceremony. If you haven’t received notice about your ceremony within 90 days of offices reopening, contact us. 

[bikepoet 0]

My wife was also scheduled for March 18 in Plano.  She received a text last week (Jun 3 I think) stating that action had been taken.  Logged in to the myuscis website and found that a new N-445 had been issued, with naturalization ceremony scheduled June 19 at the same Irving office where the interview was held. 

 

At first, it seemed that it would be only for her, bringing her own mask, black pen, and no guests.

 

We received another letter today, with a printout with additional instructions.

 

Key points:

 

- Arrive no earlier than 15 minutes

- Face covering required for all in attendance (so does this mean family can come in the car as long as they have face coverings?)

- USCIS directs you to park, tune in to FM radio station, and a cart is rolled near your car for document transfer

- Ceremony is only Oath of Allegiance (enclosed on back of paper)

- Oath administered through FM broadcast

- Naturalization Certificate placed on cart and instructed to retrieve by USCIS, if any problems raise hand.  If certificate is good, you can leave

 

My Questions:  

 

- They don't mention anything about registering to vote, social security cards, or passports, so I'm guessing we have to do this separately.  Does anyone know? 

- Can we come as a family since this is done in the car, or does my wife have to go in the car by herself?

- What is the age limit for which children are required to wear a mask?  Can our toddler be in the car with us as long as we have masks, but our kid doesn't?

 

If anyone knows and has resources, please let me know

[BBlueB 35]

Looks like it's scheduled for those who *already* had the appointments before, but cancelled due to corona virus, right?

 

Seems there are no fresh appointments for oath and interviews?

[SusieQQQ 11,585]

3 hours ago, bikepoet said:

My wife was also scheduled for March 18 in Plano.  She received a text last week (Jun 3 I think) stating that action had been taken.  Logged in to the myuscis website and found that a new N-445 had been issued, with naturalization ceremony scheduled June 19 at the same Irving office where the interview was held. 

 

At first, it seemed that it would be only for her, bringing her own mask, black pen, and no guests.

 

We received another letter today, with a printout with additional instructions.

 

Key points:

 

- Arrive no earlier than 15 minutes

- Face covering required for all in attendance (so does this mean family can come in the car as long as they have face coverings?)

- USCIS directs you to park, tune in to FM radio station, and a cart is rolled near your car for document transfer

- Ceremony is only Oath of Allegiance (enclosed on back of paper)

- Oath administered through FM broadcast

- Naturalization Certificate placed on cart and instructed to retrieve by USCIS, if any problems raise hand.  If certificate is good, you can leave

 

My Questions:  

 

- They don't mention anything about registering to vote, social security cards, or passports, so I'm guessing we have to do this separately.  Does anyone know? 

- Can we come as a family since this is done in the car, or does my wife have to go in the car by herself?

- What is the age limit for which children are required to wear a mask?  Can our toddler be in the car with us as long as we have masks, but our kid doesn't?

 

If anyone knows and has resources, please let me know

Registering to vote and SSN are always done separately (afaik the registering to vote that happens at some sites had been by volunteers, not government officials). Passport sounds like it needs to be done separately if your office is one that usually offers it. 
 

I would try check with the office but it sounds like it should be ok for you guys all to be in the car, masked.

[Sonica 6]

3 hours ago, BBlueB said:

Looks like it's scheduled for those who *already* had the appointments before, but cancelled due to corona virus, right?

 

Seems there are no fresh appointments for oath and interviews?

No I don’t think so ,I was appproved in May

[Summan 7]

Bikepoet I have a question for you ? Ur wife requested name change also or no ? That one will b administrative oath or judical oath ? Plz answer my question I m also waiting my oath ceremony but I requested name change also 

[Summan 7]

Bike poet I have 3 yrs old son and he always refuse to wear mask if u have any updates plz share with me and plz share ur wife oath ceremony experience also here 

[Fr8dog 312]

And I'm done finally.

Had the oath this morning. Heads up for those waiting. If they all USCIS local office ceremonies are administrative only. If you need a judicial ceremony (name change) you will have to wait for the court system to start up again. (as per USCIS employee)

[Summan 7]

Congrats when thy start courts again ?

[Fr8dog 312]

5 hours ago, Summan said:

Congrats when thy start courts again ?

That will vary by region. USCIS has no say in that matter.

[bikepoet 0]

On 6/16/2020 at 11:12 PM, Summan said:

Bikepoet I have a question for you ? Ur wife requested name change also or no ? That one will b administrative oath or judical oath ? Plz answer my question I m also waiting my oath ceremony but I requested name change also 

 

Susie - thanks for the info. 

 

Update:  My wife is a citizen!  I need to go back and update our timeline.

 

Summan - since the ceremony was an "in car" ceremony, seemed like most cars had at least 2 people in them and everyone I saw in cars was wearing masks, but I only saw front-seat adult passengers.  Our 3 year old didn't have one in the backseat, and they didn't say anything.  But both my wife and I had masks.  We rolled up to the entrance at 9:57am and there was only one other car in line, and apparently we were the last one.  We turned in the N-445 (filled out and signed in the city of the location of the ceremony) and green card (we could keep the electronic protection sleeve).  They handed some general information and a US flag.   As soon as we got into our parking spot #19 (Juneteenth?), they came over the loud speaker (didn't need to use FM radio) and did the oath.  They kicked off faster than our videographer was ready (me).  So, if you're doing in car, be sure to have that ready right at the start time.  After the oath, we applauded, honked horns, cheered.. and waited for them to bring the certificate of naturalization.  If everything was correct, we could leave, and it was, and we did.

 

We didn't do any name change requests, so I don't know how that went.  We did receive the application for voter registration and passport, so we'll get those started soon.  We'll also get the social security card stuff updated sometime, too.  Looks like this was the easiest part of the whole naturalization.

 

Now, I wonder how long passports are taking now.  A long time because nobody was working, or a short time because nobody is traveling?

 

Thanks to everyone in the VJ community, whether you're new or old, or whether you ask more questions or answer more questions, anything you do here is likely to help someone else out along their journey, and that truly is what it means to be American.