derekkj

Haven't seen this posted here yet...

The Problem With Question 36

Why are so many of the answers on the U.S. citizenship test wrong?

By Dafna Linzer, ProPublicaPosted Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011, at 5:52 PM ETLast month, I became an American citizen, a tremendous honor and no easy accomplishment, even for a Canadian. After living here for 12 years, I thought I knew everything. Then I learned how we mint Americans.

After years of steep filing fees and paperwork (including one letter from Homeland Security claiming that my fingerprints had "expired"), it all came down to a test. I passed, and, my fellow Americans, you could, too—if you don't mind providing answers that you know are wrong.

Friends told me I didn't need to study, the questions weren't that hard. But I wanted to and so for months I lugged around a set of government-issued flashcards, hoping to master the test. I pestered my family and friends to quiz me. Sometimes I quizzed my sources. I learned things (there are 27 amendments to the Constitution) and they learned things (there are 27 amendments to the Constitution). But then we began noticing errors in a number of the questions and answers.

Take Question 36. It asks applicants to name two members of the president's Cabinet. Among the correct answers is "Vice President." The vice president is a cabinet-level officer but he's not a Cabinet member. Cabinet members are unelected heads of executive departments, such as the Defense Department, or the State Department.

The official naturalization test booklet even hints as much: "The president may appoint other government officials to the cabinet but no elected official may serve on the cabinet while in office." Note to Homeland Security: The vice president is elected.

Still, a wonderful press officer in the New York immigration office noted that the White House's own Web site lists the vice president as a member of the Cabinet. It's still wrong, I explained. I told her that my partner wrote an entire book about the vice president and won a Pulitzer Prize for the stories. I was pretty sure about this one. A parade of constitutional scholars backed me up.

In fact, the Constitution aligns the vice president more closely with the legislative branch as president of the Senate. Not until well into the 20^th century did the vice president even attend Cabinet meetings.

Then there is Question 12: What is the "rule of law"?

I showed it to lawyers and law professors. They were stumped.placeAd2(commercialNode,'midarticleflex',false,'')

There are four acceptable answers: "Everyone must follow the law"; "Leaders must obey the law"; "Government must obey the law"; "No one is above the law."

Judge Richard Posner, the constitutional scholar who serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals in Chicago, was unhappy. "These are all incorrect," he wrote me. "The rule of law means that judges decide cases 'without respect of persons,' that is, without considering the social status, attractiveness, etc. of the parties or their lawyers."

So, where do these questions come from?

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, a department within Homeland Security, spent six years consulting scholars, educators, and historians before the current test was introduced in 2008. The result: 100 questions and answers designed to provide an in-depth treatment of U.S. history and government.

"The goal of the naturalization test is to ensure America's newest citizens have mastered a basic knowledge of U.S. history and have a solid foundation to continue to expand their understanding as they embark on life as U.S. citizens," said Christopher Bentley, a spokesman for USCIS.

During the citizenship interview, applicants are asked a randomly selected 10 questions from the test and must answer six correctly. In addition to the questions, there is a reading and writing test for English proficiency.

My immigration lawyer accompanied me to my interview. In the security line, I told her I was bothered by Question 16: Who makes the federal laws?

Each of the three possible answers, it seemed, was incomplete. The official answers were: "Congress"; "Senate and House (of representatives)"; "(U.S. or national) legislature." I'm not a lawyer but even Canadians watched Schoolhouse Rock. Where, I wondered, was the president, whose signature is what makes a bill into a law?

My lawyer sighed, she agreed. But: "If you get asked that question, just give the official answer," she said. I didn't get that question.

I also wasn't asked Question 1: What is the supreme law of the land?

The official answer: "the Constitution." A friend and legal scholar was aghast. That answer, he said, is "no more than one-third correct." He's right.

Article VI, clause 2 in the Constitution, known as the Supremacy Clause, explicitly says that three things—the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties—together "shall be the supreme law of the land."

Question 96 asks: Why does the flag have 13 stripes? The official answer: "because there were 13 original colonies." In fact, the flag has 13 stripes for the 13 original states.

Many of the test questions, organized under topics such as "system of government," "geography," and "American history" are correct and informative. Since I'm a reporter, one tugged at my heart.

Question 55 asks: What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy? Among the correct answers: "write to a newspaper."

<A name=p2>At my interview, I was asked questions on presidential succession, the Cabinet, Senate terms, and the Supreme Court. I was asked to name a branch of government. (I went with the executive.)

I was asked Question 8: What did the Declaration of Independence do?

Heeding my lawyer's advice, I went with the official answer: "declared our independence."

I answered six consecutive questions correctly and moved on to the language section of the exam. Native English speakers are not exempt from this section and I was asked to read aloud the following sentence: "Columbus Day is in October."

I was then asked to write a sentence in English. Remarkably, it was the same sentence: "Columbus Day is in October."

Next, I reaffirmed answers I had given on my citizenship application.

Was I a member of the Communist Party? Was I member of a totalitarian party? Am I a terrorist? Although I was born in 1970, I was asked: Between March 23, 1933 and May 8, 1945, did I work for or associate in any way with the Nazi government of Germany? Had I worked at a concentration camp?

The officer who interviewed me, Sandy Saint Louis, had to ask me the questions. But she didn't even look up or wait for my responses. She checked off "No" after each one.

She did pay attention when she asked whether I was a habitual drunkard, a polygamist, a drug-smuggler, a felon, a tax-evader.

My paperwork was in order, my background check was complete. When the interview was over, Saint Louis pressed a large wooden seal into a red ink pad and stamped "approved" across my application. A wave of relief washed over me and my lawyer shot me a sweet smile. Ten days later, when I returned for the swearing-in, a brief and final questionnaire asked if I had engaged in prostitution since the interview. I checked "No."

On Friday, Jan. 28, accompanied by my family, I was among 160 citizens-in-waiting who filed into a 3^rd-floor auditorium in lower Manhattan to be sworn in as Americans. On our seats were an American flag, a copy of the Constitution, a booklet featuring the stories of prominent naturalized Americans, and a welcome letter from President Obama.

Reading the letter, I began to cry. I had spent more than one-quarter of my life hoping to become American, and I was suddenly overwhelmed by the honor and the significance of the moment. The place I have called home for 12 years was finally claiming me, as well.

I looked around the room and saw other fortunate souls with long journeys now behind them, quietly weeping with joy.

An immigration official asked us all to stand, and to remain standing, when the name of our country of origin was called out. After he read through the names of 44 countries, we were all standing, waving our flags.

Together, we took the Oath of Allegiance and were then seated as citizens of one nation.

Everyone in the room that day had scored a perfect 100 percent on the test and, for fun, an official decided to test us all once more. Who wrote "The Star Spangled Banner"? he asked. Only a few called out "Francis Scott Key," perhaps because that question is no longer on the test. It was prominently removed four years ago.

A newly sworn-in citizen led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. We sang the national anthem and then watched a video message from the president shown at every swearing-in ceremony across the country.

"It's an honor and a privilege to call you a fellow citizen of the United States of America," Obama told us. "This is now officially your country."

There were more tears. At the end of the hour, we received certificates of naturalization and were given instructions on how to obtain U.S. passports.

My family and I left soon afterward. It was 10:30 a.m. and cold outside. We took the subway uptown. Three children got off at three different stops, headed to their schools or the library. We took the youngest up to his school. He walked in clutching his American flag and announced proudly to his teachers that "Mommy is American."

At a party that evening, I displayed the letter from Obama and laid out the flashcards. Over Sam Adams beer and mini-burgers, I spoke about the ceremony and test. The host led us all in the Pledge of Allegiance, my second of the day. Looking around the room, I realized that a significant number of my friends are journalists, writers, academics, and lawyers. It's a nitpicky crowd and during three hours of celebration they noticed additional errors in the questions.

At the end of the night, one of the catering staff gathered up the flash cards and as she held them out to me, she revealed that next month she too will take her citizenship test. I was thrilled. I closed my first day as an American citizen by handing them over to her. "Which ones did you say were wrong again?" she asked. "Just give the official answer," I said, "and you'll do fine."

http://www.slate.com...pagenum/all/#p2

Not a vent but an update to a vent -

Derek finally had his rescheduled interview this morning and took the oath ceremony less than a half hour later. And I have to give a huge shout out to the employees at the USCIS office at Fairfax, VA. After years of being confused, frustrated, and generally pissed off by USCIS, these guys really bent over backward to help Derek out today. They even gave him his own private oath ceremony right after the interview. We were in and out in just about an hour! Though security did confiscate my tweezers, lol.

Now I can officially tell the rest of USCIS to kiss my ####.

Derek finally had his rescheduled interview this morning and took the oath ceremony less than a half hour later. And I have to give a huge shout out to the employees at the USCIS office at Fairfax, VA. After years of being confused, frustrated, and generally pissed off by USCIS, these guys really bent over backward to help Derek out today. They even gave him his own private oath ceremony right after the interview. We were in and out in just about an hour! Though security did confiscate my tweezers, lol.

Posted this already in the Citizenship General Forum but thought it was more appropriate to the Vent thread.

Derek applied for citizenship back in early August and it took months to get an interview. Today was supposed to be the big day. We got the the Washington, DC office in Fairfax, VA about an hour early and just as we arrived so did the fire department and police. Turned out to be some sort of threat and everybody had been told to leave the building. We waited until Homeland Security arrived to sweep the building with their dogs but a USCIS staff member said that he doubted the building would reopen anytime soon and recommended that we leave and have the interview rescheduled. So instead of standing around in the cold with no guarantee of being interviewed, we did just that. Have no idea when they can fit Derek in again but are hoping in the next month or so. Argh.

Congrats to all who are now US Citizens!

Derek and I went to the Washington, DC office in Fairfax, VA for his interview today. We got there about an hour early and just as we arrived so did the fire department and police. Turned out to be some sort of threat and everybody had been told to leave the building. We waited until Homeland Security arrived to sweep the building with their dogs but a USCIS staff member said that he doubted the building would reopen anytime soon and recommended that we leave and have the interview rescheduled. So instead of standing around in the cold with no guarantee of being interviewed, we did just that. Have no idea when they can fit Derek in again but are hoping in the next month or so. Argh.

Slowly but surely. Updating for interview date - finally!

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5. Red Font="I'm A United States Citizen"!

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N-400: August 2010 Applicants

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USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox

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UserName........Sent...ChkCashd....NOA.....Fprints...Int Ltr...Intview.....Oath....FieldOffice

bodyguard....08/02/10..08/06/10..08/18/10..09/09/10..11/08/10..12/09/10..--/--/--..Newark, NJ

derekkj......08/03/10..08/11/10..08/12/10..08/12/10..08/30/10..01/11/11..--/--/--..Washington, DC

Allie & Leo..08/12/10..08/24/10..--/--/--..09/22/10..09/28/10..11/04/10..--/--/--..Memphis,TN

TracyTN......08/20/10..08/25/10..09/07/10..09/24/10..10/18/10..11/17/10..12/09/10..Memphis, TN

sk28.........08/23/10….08/27/19….08/30/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Houston, TX

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USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox

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UserName........Sent...ChkCashd....NOA.....Fprints...Int Ltr...Intview.....Oath....FieldOffice

B&P .........08/02/10..08/06/10..08/06/10..09/03/10..09/22/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..Milwaukee, WI

Sparks.......08/03/10..08/03/10..08/09/10..09/03/10..09/28/10..11/09/10..--/--/--..San Fran, CA

kobeya.......08/06/10..--/--/--..09/07/10..09/29/10..10/05/10..11/10/10..--/--/--..San Fran, CA

saywhat(Alan)08/09/10..08/13/10..08/18/10..09/02/10..09/15/10..10/25/10..12/02/10..Yakima, WA

Bigbear......08/12/10..08/21/10..08/25/10..09/17/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Detroit, MI

SirLancelot..08/16/10..08/24/10..09/07/10..10/01/10..10/06/10..11/09/10..11/18/10..San Jose, CA

ZQT3344......08/17/10..08/25/10..08/30/10..09/21/10..10/01/10..11/23/10..--/--/--..St. Louis, MO

xxhwx........08/25/10..08/31/10..09/09/10..09/21/10..10/02/10..11/02/10..--/--/--..Indianapolis, IN

MauiBec......08/06/10..08/16/10..08/25/10..09/07/10..11/09/10..12/13/10..--/--/--..Honolulu, HI

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USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA)

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UserName........Sent...ChkCashd....NOA.....Fprints...Int Ltr...Intview.....Oath....FieldOffice

missy0090....08/14/10..--/--/--..09/08/10..Fcards....--/--/--..11/09/10...11/09/10..Fairfax, VA

Congrats, Alan!

I think the sinking feeling is completely normal. But, as at your wedding, you may not want to share that info with your "bride".

Congrats on the step ! Every step is good.

I have my ceremony in a few hours and it's like getting married - I have that sinking feeling like do I really want to do this

Right now I can contribute to wikileaks and get away with it because I am a citizen of the European Union - but by later today they can charge me with treason and give me 500 years in jail with no phone calls and no review and allow me to be jail raped and watch over me with a shotgun.

Should I run for the horizon ? Think I will have another coffee and a piece of cheese. The last time I wore a tie it was to get married. I think it's that feeling again.

I could be putting my life in Sarah Palin's hands... I will try not to think about that.

Anyway it's weird that we greet every USCIS step with glee but then comes the commitment. The judge.

They may get stuck in the snow - the judge, the USCIS, there may be a reprieve.

LOVE my nook - enjoy!

Did you get the basic one? I am starting to covet the new color Nook but my old one still has a lot of life in it. So unless it has an unfortunately Metro accident I guess I am stuck with it for a bit longer

I just bought a brand new Nook for $75!! Thanks to mastercards marketplace!! They had 1500 of them and they sold out in 14 SECONDS!!! Some good deals to be had on there, but the truly good ones sell out in seconds!!

One small step closer...

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***

The last processing action taken on your case

Receipt Number: NBC*************

Application Type: N400 , APPLICATION FOR NATURALIZATION

Your Case Status: Testing and Interview

Your case has been transferred to a local office and an interview will be

scheduled. You will be sent a notice advising you of the date and time of your

interview. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of

Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our

customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.

If your case status indicates that you are currently in this step, you have

either been scheduled for an interview or are in line to be scheduled for an

interview. The amount of time your application will remain in this step will

vary by office and is largely determined by the number of cases ahead of yours.

The interview notice will have specifics about time, location and anything you

will need to bring to your interview. If your application remains pending beyond

our normal processing times (as shown below) please contact our national

customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.

Please note that not every application/applicant will require an interview. In

some instances, an interview is required by regulation and others an interview

is requested because USCIS has determined that this is the most efficient means

to determine eligibility. For a naturalization application the interview will

include your taking the required English and/or Civics tests (unless exempt or

waived).

If you have questions or concerns about your application or the case status

results

listed above, or if you have not received a decision from USCIS within the

current

processing time listed*, please contact USCIS Customer Service at (800)

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You and me both! But have a great time, Sprailness!

I'm avoiding the mall//DC like the plague!!

Do they do same day ceremonies at your place ? If so, you could finish before me...

I believe they do if Derek can get an interview time early enough in the day. Otherwise I am not sure when they schedule.

And if wishes were horses everyone would ride. My money is still on you finishing first but with USCIS anything can happen!

Yeah, Derek got a yellow letter a few weeks ago telling him to bring a state/government issued ID, to the interview. Well, no duh.

But still waiting on the interview letter.

Sounds like you will be done far before Derek - congrats!

Interview report today at Yakima, Washington State.

Any of you cool dudes who think you can walk in there without a sweat can think again. The day of your interview you WILL feel queasy.

I arrived in Yakima an hour early. Went to Wendy’s for a burger and coffee. They asked if I wanted cream and I said yes. They said oh we don’t have any. I asked if they had a slice of apple pie or whatever like McDonald's – NO. What a dump and viva McDonald's. I saw a gas station across the road and thought I would kill time and go there. The pumps had no card slot and it said pay inside. The woman said how much gas you need and I said I wanted to fill up. She said she wanted ID and my card and she would keep my card until I filled up. At this point I thought what a dump this town is. These people are lucky to have me as a citizen. I shouldn’t be nervous, they should be nervous that I might pull out.

The weight lifted and I relaxed and I felt great. I went to the USCIS. Night club bouncer with a big gun etc and marine hairstyle and muscles. British bobby he was not. He asked me if I had a cell phone and then asked me if I had a gun.

Bang on time the lady asked me in and she was absolutely great. She put me totally at ease and chatted but she was VERY professional too and I reckon she was getting my guard down at the same time as being pleasant and chatty. We chatted about all sorts. I did the answers about me not being a communist or a terrorist etc and I then did the 6 questions and got all six.

She asked about the gun club and I told her I drank coffee with the Vietnam vets twice a week and it was a great social life. I told her one of em said to me that if it wasn’t for the French, the Americans would still be speaking English. I think she was ok with that but I should have watched my mouth as it was running away with me because things were going so well.

She asked if my wife was a citizen and I said she was from Milwaukee and she was a ‘packer fan’

She sat upright and said – “Your wife comes from Pakistan ? “

I said “no she is a Packer Fan – you know, Green Bay Packers”. I don’t think she knew about football but she relaxed again.

Then she said “Oh, you applied too soon”. My heart sank coz I thought I had nailed the 89 days prior to GC anniversary and we would have to do it all again and I would lose my money.. Then she said I wasn’t eligible for the oath until November 5 and she would keep the file until then and then write to me and give me 2 weeks notice. Phew I relaxed again. Told her I didn’t need 2 weeks as I was retired. Asked about ceremonies and they do them twice per month at Yakima. Sometimes at the courthouse with a judge and sometimes the USCIS are authorised to do it at their offices.

Anyway, I have the form here and it has 2 ticks.

1 You passed the tests of English and history and government

2 Congratulations ! Your application has been recommended for approval. (Their bolds) At this time, it appears that you have established your eligibility for Naturalization. If final approval is granted, you will be notified when and where to report for the oath ceremony’

So all in all I am a very happy bunny. No junk about more of the file to come (It was a foot thick) and twice a month ceremonies too !

I reckon I should be all done by the end of November and have the passport by xmas at the very latest.

I still can’t believe I can file my marriage divorce etc FOREVER after all the times I have been involved with this stuff for 5 years. I suppose this really is freedom.

All in all it was a pleasant experience once I was in the room but I was worried before. If I had been a shady character with something to hide, she would have gotten some dirt out of me with her reassuring manner which was very skilled. She was really good at her job.

Good luck, Alan! I am looking foward to reading all about your adventures.

Well when it comes to word processing I am not the font of all knowledge.

I have stopped studying as it is possible to be over trained and get a saturated brain

- evidence sarah palin's press interview

I shall report back in the main citizenship forum with a detailed account. That assumes they don't tazer, handcuff, and deport me. If that happens, there may be a delay of 2 weeks.

I am getting rid of my flippancy tonight as they don't like that stuff. Adding 'allegedly' to my answer concerning the reasons for the revolution would not be helpful

Derek is going through the Washington, DC office as well. He filed in early August and like Jay&Nardi got a quick response for NOA and biometrics but has heard nothing since. We are not in any huge rush either and are using that 4-6 month time frame. But please let me know if either of you hear anything in the near future - it will be nice to finally be done with USCIS!

Thanks, ELW and Jay&Nardi, for your prompt answer.

Jay&Nardi, if you filed under 319(b), I think you should make an InfoPass appointment now and explain the situation. They might be able to accommodate you, but there is very little time left until the end of October. Also, you can call the FBI at 304-625-5590 to find out when your biometrics check was forwarded to USCIS. (Have your A# ready when you call.) -- Good luck.

I guess we're in a somewhat different situation from most people because we do not want the interview to be set up too quickly. My wife has some important extended travel coming up and any interview before mid-January would likely wreak havoc with her schedule. Of course, if necessary she would have to request postponement of the interview, but we would want to avoid that if at all possible because it might create other scheduling problems for us down the road. Information we found on other boards seem to indicate that four to six months seems to be a normal time frame for the Washington office, which would suit us fine. Anything earlier or later might pose problems.

Thanks, everyone.

Meh, Derek still hasn't received his interview letter although a few days ago he did get a letter telling him to make sure and bring ID to the interview whenever it was scheduled. It was very specific that it was NOT an interview letter, lol. The DC district office says that they are currently processing from March 3, 2010 so I am figuring we won't hear anything for a bit longer. I am not going to worry about it until at least November.

In the meantime, good luck, Alan!

Huge variations - but If I was a month later at any stage than the next slowest person in our database above, I would be giving them a call. 90% chance the reception robot will say wait 6 months first; but sometimes we get a sensible one.

I can't study any more for my Monday interview - I am bored sick of it. Nice of them to slot it in before the elections on November 2 so I don't have to remember new Senator names etc.

By the way, I have been watching UK ceremonies on line and reading their new regulations.

The ceremonies are even more tongue down throat and the hurdles to get citizenship are much tougher from next year.

A year's community service first ? jeez picking up dog muck in the park ? Gimme the USCIS despite all their faults

Nope, not imagining it. Virginians are much nicer than Marylanders.

Arlington is great. Used to live in the Courthouse/Clarendon area before we moved to Alexandria. Which is also great.

I wonder if I'm imagining things. I moved to Arlington a week and a half ago from PG County, MD and people seem way nicer here. The staff in stores are nice and helpful in ways you'd never get where I used to live. Is it southern hospitality even this far north? I'm not used to this!

Lol. True, am hoping the downside to waiting for the interview is a same day oath ceremony. And fortunately he is Canadian and has that polite thing down to a science. Just as long as they don't bring up hockey...

In the words of Bob Dylan 'And the first one now Will later be last'

No predicting the USCIS - it's like being a wildebeeste and walking past a pride of lions - it's just bad luck if they fix on you.

Not sure if rurality helps or hinders - I could be months waiting for the ceremony when some city offices do the ceremony same day...

Derek could still beat me to the passport...My wife says I haven't to be a snotty Brit at the interview coz they don't like that - so I will have to practise my 'howdy pardner' home boy style.

Congrats Alan! Your interview is on my birthday so I am sure all will go well!

Derek is still waiting for his interview letter and I am starting to wish we lived in a less populated area.

Got back from the UK last night and mail delivery was to resume today. No mail arrived. Called the Post Office and they apologized for not resuming the mail but said they had letters for me.

Went down and picked it up just now. The very last letter was the INTERVIEW APPOINTMENT !!!

The fingerprints were 200 miles way at 6am and I went the night before and stayed in a hotel as it was a 9am appointment; but the interview is 100 miles away and 2.30pm - PERFECT !

Details per signature below

yippee !!!!

Gorgeous! Congrats Lisa!

Congrats on the biometrics! And figures that they don't know anything. I gave up even asking years ago.

And after having to deal with USCIS *and* DMV in the same week you deserve more than one beer!

Biometrics done today. Big sign on the counter says no BIO without an appointment - but it doesn't say an appointment at that office or that date and time.

Asked the guy about why I had drriven 200 miles each way when the local office is 90 miles. He said I should have gone to the local office and they would have done it.

Asked him where interview would be - don't know

Asked him how long twixt interview and ceremony - don't know

He said if FBI wants prints redone - go to local office. Jeez never thought about that happening !

Lost my driver's license in all the paperwork. Went and got a temp 1 hour ago with a horrible photo of a wizened worried harassed old guy on it - then came home and found the original on the scanner flatbed with a photo looking like a relaxed James Bond. She says punch a hole in it as the new one that will come in 4 to six weeks is the valid one now. I am tempted to show the lost/found one when I rent the car in UK next weeks as the temp is a scruffy bit of paper that looks like I made it.. same number etc on both but different bar code on rear she reckons but all the details and number are all correct and unchanged

I need a BEER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lol, never stopped lurking in the Canada forum but now usually in the Citizenship forum since Derek applied this month. More USCIS fun!

Look who the cat dragged in!!!!! Howdy!!!

Right now my Mom is in Vermont and may need some coaxing to come down south. She is getting older though and after years of taking care of her own Mom is realizing that it might be wise to move closer to family so that we can take care of her when the time comes. But she just loves Vermont and wants to stay there as long as possible. Both my brother and I went to school in Lexington, VA (which is in the Shenandoah) and I have been in Northern VA for almost 15 years so at least she knows the area and likes it. Beautiful, scenic and peaceful sounds like exactly what she is looking for.

Commuting in the DC metro area sucks no matter where you are, sigh. Sometimes it takes me almost 45 minutes to go about 5 miles as the crow flies, lol. And I really envy your husbands ability to telecommute. I can't really do it with my job but keep hoping that they will at least allow us to do a flex scheudule where I can work longer hours in exchange for a day off every other week.

Hope you guys are getting settled in!

Wheee! Welcome back, derekkj!

Where is your Mom living now? This area is not only beautiful and scenic, it's also very peaceful. I hear you about the commute. It's an hour on the VRE train. My husband is trying to find a bus like they have in Loudoun County (where we stayed for 4 months) so he can sleep better. LOL. He flies around the country a lot, though, so it's nice to be relatively close to the major airports. He also gets to work from home for 2 days of the week, so it's not as bad for him.

Yup, we bought a house in Alexandria and except for your typical homeowners ####### (tree branch falling on roof during last storm, replacing heat pump, broken electrical meter base etc.) we have really enjoyed it. Of course on days like those we wish we were back at Barton House so that Bobbie and Mike were there to take care of it all!

Agree too that Redfin is great. That's actually who we used to buy our house. Very addictive tho!

BTW, Krikit, I am trying to get my Mom to move down to the Haymarket/Gainesville area. I work on Capitol Hill too and would love to live out that way but figure the commute would kill me right now.

*waves at Flames*

I can recommend an apartment in Arlington---BArton house!!! Was awesome (for an apartment) Another VJ memeber lived there too at 1 time (they bought a house too) derekkj! .25 to was, .25 to dry! Staff super friendly, knew you by 1st name, awesome location! Only downfall, almost impossible to get in! Long waiting list, BUT if you knew someone that lived there, and they vouched for you, magically, you got near the top! We have 1 friend that stil resides there in a studio, and loves it!!

you can totally ignore those dates on the USCIS site

5 months means 'within 5 months' typically 3 right now...

That January 10 is probably the worst case who spent 5 years in an afghan training camp before coming here and it has just come to light and is still under investigation

I have no idea whether I will be at the office detailed on the USCIS website - Yakima- or where I am going for fingerprints on Thursday - Spokane, or even Seattle which is nearer than Spokane. The USCIS is a large fog of uncertainty and it ain't over until it's over.

What about that lady who finished the oath and then they lost her certificate !

Not over until the certificate is in hand AND it's spelled correctly etc.... then the post office can lose it the following week !!! arrgghhh ! makes me feel like hiding under a rock

just let it end....

Lol, true. There must be a whole division at USCIS who just sit around all day thinking up new ways to screw with our minds.

Keeping fingers crossed but expecting the worse. Or at least, the unexpected.

wow neck and neck ! I drive to spokane wednesday for prints thursday !

I didnt do walk in coz we flying to the UK on 9/11 (aaarrgghh)and i don't want an interview before we return 9/19

I think 3 or 4 weeks is normal for interview + 4 days min after prints to produce the letter so I should be safe

You should be good. We live in the Washington, DC metro area so Derek will probably be going to the Fairfax VA Field Office for his interview. Earlier this month they stated their processing time as 5 months, today they are saying January 10, 2010. I was hoping that Derek would get his interview by the holidays. Now, not so much.