Exasperated

Let me put it this way. I got my greencard early 2009 and currently have naturalization pending. My I-130 still says initial review on the website.

i am worried and wondering if i will be getting my FB letter.i was able to find couple more people that got the same NOA as me and as far i understood skipped FB.

I'm a bit skeptical as to if anyone actually skips it, since I read some people actually had it done the same day as the interview, as the USCIS had forgotten about it apparently.

Be that as it may, I'm sure it's just one of those random USCIS delays and nothing to worry about.

Can someone please update us in the list? Italo's Citizenship was approved today 12/06/2011. Now we will await the letter with his Oath date as they do not do same day oath at the Oakland Park, Fl site.

This journey is almost over! I took everything we have ever sent in to immigration. The IO asked me why we brought all of the paperwork. I said you never know if immigration might lose something. He laughed and said Do you see this file? I said yes. He said That's Italo's...HAHA it was huge...even my photo album was in that stack of folders. I said well better prepared than not....It took less than 20 minutes, our IO was nice and comical and made us feel at ease...He said that i as the spouse didnt even have to come, it's not required. We didn't know that...I think each IO has his own way to do things. Anyways....we did it!!

Great news! Congratulations.

I was wondering if you were allowed to enter with your spouse to the actual interview. I thought that wasn't allowed, but it would probably make me feel less nervous, haha.

The I-864 also gets terminated upon deportation.

However, even if you succeed in stopping her from getting citizenship, that doesn't mean that she'll necessarily be deported. And then you would be in the awkward situation of still being bound by the I-864. You'd need to prove that she obtained the green card fraudulently. You say you have proof, but is this proof of a deportable offense or proof that she's not very nice? Even if you can prove that she stated that she married you only for the green card (time stamped recordings? emails?), that doesn't necessarily constitute proof that she actually did so - a lot of things can be said in the heat of an argument, and she could claim she simply said this to hurt you.

Being malicious and an unpleasant and selfish person in general is not necessarily an immigration crime, nor a sign that the marriage was not originally in good faith. Neither is being a financially irresponsible leech. Plenty of American women (and men) share the same traits, and in those instances, one doesn't have the option of getting them "shipped out" of the US.

Now I understand why there's a huge percentage of marriages with Thais that fail. So far I have not known anyone to last with one.

Bottom line is: you have to make sure to really know the person - Thai or not - before you sign a document as important as the I-864 and, even moreso, have a child with them.

Hi October filers.

I filed NOA, October 14th and since November 1st my status has not changed. I checked on line and it states Testing and Interviewing, but there are no changes. Apparently I dont have to do the fingerprints, since i did them September 2010, but i am a bit concerned. I thought my case would move much faster coz i skipped a step, but i do not think so...

Good luck to all.

This puzzles me somewhat. I had my fingerprints done for ROC March 2011, but I still got a fingerprinting notice. So it can't all be about the dates when you last had biometrics done. Either you'll have them done at a later time, or you (and people in a similar situation) were exempted for some combination of reasons.

Either way, it's hard to find much consistency in the case management of the USCIS (what else is new?)

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**For more detailed instructions with screen-shots "CLICK HERE"**

=================================

N-400: November 2011 Applicants

=================================

======================================

USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox

======================================

UserName............|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office....|

====================|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|================|

D&J.................|11/01/11.|11/07/11.|11/04/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Newark, NJ......|

liberal.............|11/07/11.|11/15/11.|11/09/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Louisville, KY..| EB: 11/25/11

Exasperated.........|11/18/11.|11/30/11.|11/23/11.|12/19/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Antonio, TX.|

don2008.............|11/18/11.|11/28/11.|12/02/11.|12/19/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Houston, TX.....|

konner3.............|11/16/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Philadelphia, PA|

rakosik.............|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|11/25/11.|12/16/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York City, NY|

================================

USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox

================================

UserName............|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office....|

====================|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|================|

Maad................|10/31/11.|11/04/11.|11/01/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Chicago, IL.....|

arvinb..............|11/04|11.|11/08/11.|11/09/11.|12/06/11.|../../...|../../...|../../...|Los Angeles, CA.|

Steve&Mary..........|11/05/11.|11/15/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New Orleans, LA.|

gigi673.............|11/10/11.|../../...|../../...|../../...|../../...|../../...|../../...|Portland, OR....|

Jupiter07...........|11/15/11.|11/18/11.|11/18/11.|../../...|../../...|../../...|../../...|Columbus, OH....|

kstrozyk............|11/15/11.|11/24/11.|11/26/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Fresno, CA......|

AndyZap.............|11/16/11.|11/23/11.|11/22/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Santa Ana, CA...|

my-angel............|11/18/11.|11/26/11.|11/23/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA.|

Dolphin1............|11/22/11.|11/29/11.|11/30/11.|../../...|../../...|../../...|../../...|Phoenix, AZ.....|

===========================================================================

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

===========================================================================

UserName............|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office....|

====================|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|================|

ingucis78...........|11/12/11.|11/21/11.|11/14/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Fairfax, VA.....|

tanyaru.............|11/14/11.|11/25/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Fairfax, VA.....|

If anyone still cares about this thread, I got my card today, so feel free to update me.

And thanks coloso for your congratulations. Long journey indeed.

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**For more detailed instructions with screen-shots "CLICK HERE"**

=================================

N-400: November 2011 Applicants

=================================

======================================

USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox

======================================

UserName............|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office....|

====================|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|================|

D&J.................|11/01/11.|11/07/11.|11/04/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Newark, NJ......|

liberal.............|11/07/11.|11/15/11.|11/09/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Louisville, KY..| EB: 11/25/11

Exasperated.........|11/18/11.|11/30/11.|11/23/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Antonio, TX.|

don2008.............|11/18/11.|11/28/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Houston, TX.....|

konner3.............|11/16/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Philadelphia, PA|

================================

USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox

================================

UserName............|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office....|

====================|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|================|

Maad................|10/31/11.|11/04/11.|11/01/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Chicago, IL.....|

arvinb..............|11/04|11.|11/08/11.|11/09/11.|12/06/11.|../../...|../../...|../../...|Los Angeles, CA.|

Steve&Mary..........|11/05/11.|11/15/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New Orleans, LA.|

gigi673.............|11/10/11.|../../...|../../...|../../...|../../...|../../...|../../...|Portland, OR....|

Jupiter07...........|11/15/11.|11/18/11.|11/18/11.|../../...|../../...|../../...|../../...|Columbus, OH....|

kstrozyk............|11/15/11.|11/24/11.|11/26/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Fresno, CA......|

AndyZap.............|11/16/11.|11/23/11.|11/22/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Santa Ana, CA...|

my-angel............|11/18/11.|11/26/11.|11/23/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA.|

Dolphin1............|11/22/11.|11/29/11.|11/30/11.|../../...|../../...|../../...|../../...|Phoenix, AZ.....|

===========================================================================

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

===========================================================================

UserName............|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office....|

====================|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|================|

ingucis78...........|11/12/11.|11/21/11.|11/14/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Fairfax, VA.....|

tanyaru.............|11/14/11.|11/25/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Fairfax, VA.....|

Well I just got an alert that the fingerprint notice was sent out. So I guess I won't get to skip fingeprinting, even though I had them done back in March, whereas some people are not called in to be fingerprinted when theirs are one or two months older than mine. Once again, the ways of the USCIS are mysterious.

And here is following what I send:

1) Money Order

2) 2 Pictures ( I dont know what's size yet )

3) N-400

4) Copy of my Green Card

5) Copy of Marriage Certificate

6) My birth certificate ( Copy )

7) My husband birth certificate ( Copy )

8) My driver license ( Copy )

9) IRS ( last 3 years )

10)Copy of my social sercurity

11) Driver license of my husband ( Copy)

Incidentally, all these items are not required. I tend to lean towards following their requirements as to what to send pretty much to the letter (and in the case of the N400 we actually have a clear checklist of what they want to receive). I used to think too much information could never be a bad thing, but after we were explicitly told by a USCIS officer that we slowed our I485 down by giving them too much information (and yes, it was all pretty relevant, not random fluff), I lean more towards a "send what they ask for, be ready to provide the rest at an interview" approach. Just my 2 cents, each to their own of course.

Hey everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone here is from San Antonio and going through the immigration process like we are. It would be nice to meet some local people for a beer, immigration talk or just general chatting.

I'm the "alien" in our marriage (Swedish), and my husband is a native San Antonio guy who's lived here practically his whole life. We're both in our early 30s.

We're pretty social and have become really well-integrated here, but we would still love to meet some other people who share our experiences with the USCIS. Most people we run into over here, as well as most of our friends, know absolutely zero about the immigration process - they seem to think that you become a citizen (not even just a resident!) automatically upon getting married to an American. Don't we all wish that were true.

In any case, just post back here or send me a private message if you live in San Antonio and want to get in touch.

Thanks!

Hey friends,

My check was cashed today, if anyone could do me a favour and add it into the chart.

what i mean is could it already be approved but not updated in the system yet or once it is approved it is updated online right away and then you receive a letter is that how it works ?

Well I already got the letter and it still says initial review, so yes it could already be approved even if the status doesn't say.

Thanks everyone Huge relief tonight..... Had a celebratory Waffle House lunch (how southern is that ) and a celebratory drink this evening.

We're actually considering waiting a while before going into the citizenship process. There's no compelling rush as I see things and honestly, I think neither of us really want to be back into all this USCIS stuff for a while... Maybe we'll wait until summer, I dunno...

Congratulations Jeremy! I understand your feelings about waiting and not having to deal with the USCIS for a while. On the other hand, it could be worth it to get things taken care of as soon as possible if you (like me) would otherwise constantly have the nagging "I should get around to citizenship" thoughts in the back of your mind. If you can tune it out for a while, I'd advise you to wait. If your personality is more similar to my own (i.e. i'm tired of feeling like an ALIEN [scary cue music], alternatively, "I'm sick to death of the USCIS and wish I didn't even know what the acronym stands for"), I'd advise you to go ahead and apply, or you may regret the delay later on (and also, if I understand things correctly it may also exempt you from biometrics for the citizenship application, if you apply soon enough following the removal of conditions).

Whatever you decide, at least it's in your hands now (which is a welcome change from the strict deadlines you've been subjected to so far). Congratulations once again!

(And no they don't refund your biometrics fee either).

Color me "not surprised". But in any case, it's obviously better to not have to do biometrics and have them keep the money. I did my fingerprinting this March so logically I shouldn't have to do biometrics either (though with the USCIS who ever knows).

also i cant stop thinking about my NOA letter.this is what it said:

*you will be notified of the date and place of your interview when you have been scheduled by the local USCIS office.you should expect to be notified withing 90 days of this notice*

I was thinking that the fingerprinting is the next step.or will i be getting another letter.

thank you

It seems it is skipped for some applicants if they already had fingerprints taken for the removal of conditions recently. Is that your case?

Also, I finally got the receipt from the USCIS by email, and it says my case has been transferred to the "National Benefits Center". Is that what happens to all of you?

Ours was updated when it was approved.

And mine hasn't changed since I was approved a week ago. I suppose it varies.

What if I cannot come back to the states for the biometrics? We are planning to have babies overseas and it would be inconvenient for me to travel.

Unfortunately I don't think you'd have much choice. You pretty much have to play by their rules. Also, keep in mind that staying out of the country for so long will "reset" the count for your naturalization eligibility date (which may or may not be an issue to you).

Congrats Exasperated !! Finally! Why don't you join the list officially(?)? Let us know NOA date and approved date

Sure I can do that. I just joined the forum so late that most February filers on the forum seemed to be approved before I even posted anything - so I wasn't sure about the interest value. But maybe it's interesting for posterity:

NOA date: February 4th, 2011

Biometrics letter: February 18th, 2011

Biometrics: March 11th, 2011

Approval: November 22nd, 2011.

this is what i got when i tryd to sign up for the email notice on there webside.

Registration Add Failed

Email Address already exists

Actually isn't that because you need to use the same portfolio you had previously (under the same email address) and just add the new case number to it? Or maybe I'm just confused.

Oh, yes, they're in there somewhere too. Last three years or is that four. One with just my wife and married-filing-jointly thereafter. I've had them on-hand since just after I sent the I-751 in case of RFE (for sending returns initially which doesn't seem to cause most people any problems but a few seem to be RFE'd for).

But yeah, they're in the folder (and specifically mentioned on their list of things to bring, which is essentially a CC of the initial I-751 evidence list)

I'm sure you'll be fine then. It's more than likely just a random "quality control" (heaven knows there are many more effective things they could do to improve the quality of the immigration services).

I am in the October filers thread, but I am in the same exact predicament. Been waiting for about a month for bio letter, and just received an update email stating that Im in line for interview scheduling. Lets see what happens.

I did my fingerprints for the removal of conditions in March, so it will be interesting to see if I'm also exempted.

Also, does the email update thingy work for any of you? I filled out the extra form and attached it to the front, but it's been a week so far since the documents were received and I have yet to receive any kind of electronic announcement to that effect. I was expecting to receive it by now (even taking into account Thanksgiving holidays).

That's great news! Congratulations!

Good luck with naturalization!

Thanks rocks (and Drogs). Hopefully every single person on the long overdue February list will finally escape this state of perpetual limbo (and hopefully never have to deal with Vermont ever again - I can't even bring myself to buy Vermont maple syrup anymore).

We're about ready. Here's a list of what we've gathered.

Not sure if I just missed it in that very extensive list, but I'd make sure to bring official tax transcripts (you can have them faxed over in 15 minutes - we did that last minute when we put our I-751 together to send). I wouldn't trust the USCIS to still have them even if you sent them in with the actual application. I sometimes wonder what the USCIS does with all the extra photos and documents that they never give back, but also never seem to use for anything and often seem totally unaware about receiving.

Still no news from your sentator?

Actually yes, my case was miraculously found again and approved, all within the span of a week. Sorry I haven't posted any updates about it yet. No interview, no RFE, no real reason for the delay. Still haven't received the new green card and it's possible I'll need to go and get an extension stamp to tide myself over until it gets here.