Farewell Passport Appointment Scams

[Timona 3,940]

I spent 2 weeks, every night at 12am and 5 am trying to get a PP appointment for Houston as I fly out 27th. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to. Why? People have bots that scoop up all appointment immediately they open, regardless of location. They would then go online and sell them to desperate citizens for $400 - 1000, depending on your urgency and how close your trip is. I was livid. Well, seems government caught up and as of 7/22, you can only get appointment by calling. Good.

 

Some sellers got money for fake appointments. Others got money and never delivered. Others sold the same appointment numerous times. 

 

If you'd like to know how serious this racketeering was, visit:

1. r/passports on Reddit,

2. Passport Appointment (FB)

3. US passport and visa services (FB)

4. US passport appointment services (FB). 

 

I'm glad this got shut down, for the moment, atleast. 

 

Please DON’T PAY for appointment. 

Edited July 23, 2021 by Timona

[HRQX 4,145]

33 minutes ago, Timona said:

as I fly out 27th.

Do you now have the US passport or an upcoming appointment for it? If not then you can depart the US with your Naturalization Certificate. For flying out no issue since there is no outbound CBP passport counter. INA § 215(b) no longer has an associated penalty: http://isaacbrocksociety.ca/2013/05/01/the-history-of-the-requirement-that-u-s-citizens-only-use-u-s-passports-to-enter-the-u-s/ "The punishment for violating the law?" Also: http://web.archive.org/web/20200929115350/https://www.uscis.gov/us-citizens-traveling-internationally "You can also use your original certificate of citizenship or certificate of naturalization."

 

You could contact an ACS outside of the US and ask for their US passport processing times. When flying back, having the US passport is the most straightforward option: https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2019-Mar/2019 Carrier Information Guide - ENGLISH.pdf

Edited July 23, 2021 by HRQX

[Timona 3,940]

8 minutes ago, HRQX said:

Do you now have the US passport or an upcoming appointment for it? If not then you can depart the US with your Naturalization Certificate. For flying out no issue since there is no outbound CBP passport counter. INA § 215(b) no longer has an associated penalty: http://isaacbrocksociety.ca/2013/05/01/the-history-of-the-requirement-that-u-s-citizens-only-use-u-s-passports-to-enter-the-u-s/ "The punishment for violating the law?" Also: http://web.archive.org/web/20200929115350/https://www.uscis.gov/us-citizens-traveling-internationally "You can also use your original certificate of citizenship or certificate of naturalization."

 

You could contact an ACS outside of the US and ask for their US passport processing times. When flying back, having the US passport is the most straightforward option: https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2019-Mar/2019 Carrier Information Guide - ENGLISH.pdf

 

Unfortunately, though I had already got my hand on Dallas PP Agency appointment, I had to let it go as I could not get oath before my travel. I had banked on oathing first half of this week then go for PP tomorrow, 7/23 before departure on 7/27. Houston's oaths are slow.

 

And yes..I had read that attached document. 

 

So I will just have to go and come back in with my 10 year GC...

[milimelo 4,194]

2 hours ago, HRQX said:

 

 

You could contact an ACS outside of the US and ask for their US passport processing times. When flying back, having the US passport is the most straightforward option: https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2019-Mar/2019 Carrier Information Guide - ENGLISH.pdf

ACS passport way is currently 4-6 weeks overseas. That’s as fast as they can do it. (My info is from mid-October 2020)

[Skyman 289]

The Philippines had the same problem until they made it so you paid for the passport before you could make an appointment and the appointments were non-transferable. 

[Adventine 3,187]

2 hours ago, Skyman said:

The Philippines had the same problem until they made it so you paid for the passport before you could make an appointment and the appointments were non-transferable. 

I agree, prepaying really cut down on the fixers.

[Timona 3,940]

11 hours ago, HRQX said:

Do you now have the US passport or an upcoming appointment for it? If not then you can depart the US with your Naturalization Certificate. For flying out no issue since there is no outbound CBP passport counter. INA § 215(b) no longer has an associated penalty: http://isaacbrocksociety.ca/2013/05/01/the-history-of-the-requirement-that-u-s-citizens-only-use-u-s-passports-to-enter-the-u-s/ "The punishment for violating the law?" Also: http://web.archive.org/web/20200929115350/https://www.uscis.gov/us-citizens-traveling-internationally "You can also use your original certificate of citizenship or certificate of naturalization."

 

You could contact an ACS outside of the US and ask for their US passport processing times. When flying back, having the US passport is the most straightforward option: https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2019-Mar/2019 Carrier Information Guide - ENGLISH.pdf

 

Oooo yap. I looked at the embassy in my country. Appointments are fully booked till September 27th. That was 3 weeks ago. I believe time frame has now shifted. Trust me, I went through all the necessary scenarios.

 

I ended up quitting all these as I could not wiggle my way into an earlier oath as I was hoping. Unfortunately, I just woke up this morning and I am scheduled for oath for Aug 14th yet my flight leaves 7/27. I do seem to have options as I got notified that the second leg of my trip was canceled so I could rebook, seek credit or ask full refund. I was livid when I got this email earlier this wee. But it may now play in my favor. My life is a rollercoaster. 

Edited July 23, 2021 by Timona

[Timona 3,940]

Well, my roller-coaster continues. So I looked at US Embassy in Kenya again. Surprisingly, they have availability as of first full week of September. So I booked one. Then since the airline that I booked canceled the second leg of my trip, I decided enough was enough. I have been trying to get them to fix it but to no avail. So I am gonna cancel that. I already got a cheaper flight that leaves immediately after my oath and then two weeks later, I will go to the embassy to get PP. I guess this worked out well for me at the end.

[Letspaintcookies 2,207]

Immigration just wanted to give you a solid farewell and threw everything in there they possibly could 😉😁