CocoG

I arrived at the Atlanta USCIS field office today at 11:45 am for 12:00 noon oath ceremony appointment and after clearing security proceeded to the  2nd floor and stood in line for check in.  An officer greeted me and requested the oath ceremony notification letter, ID and green card.    N-400 applicants were seated on the second floor, while immigration officers confirmed  the information declared on the back of the oath ceremony letter. Note the back of the form is supposed to be completed and signed on the day of the oath ceremony and the city below the signature is the city where the ceremony is taking place and not the applicant's city. Many of us were asked to change the city to Atlanta. Family members  and friends of N-400 applicants were instructed to wait on the 3rd floor and were assured  they would be permitted to  return to observe the citizenship ceremony.

Applicants were called into  the ceremony room row by row beginning at the front of the room. Once inside the ceremony room, applicants stood in a line and 2 immigration offers reviewed the oath letter, took the green cards and assigned each applicant a number which coincided with a seat number. Applicants were instructed to sit in their assigned seat. There was a package on each chair containing, a  congratulations on becoming a U.S. Citizen letter, voting information, a copy of "The Citizen's Almanac", copy of the  Declaration of Independence, a U.S.flag, passport application,  etc.   Once all 149 applicants were seated, the officiator discussed rights and responsibilities of citizenship and a volunteer group discussed voter registration and said they would be available following the ceremony to assist with registration. Applicants were then permitted to ask questions, then guests were permitted into   the ceremony room and the  ceremony began. At the end of the ceremony , guests were asked to wait outside the ceremony room  while officers issued citizenship certificates to each applicant . Guests were told they could return after all  certificates were issued could take photos around the room if they wished.   The entire process took a little over 2 hours. There were 149 new Americans in today's ceremony representing 49 countries.

My Visa Journey has finally ended.    Again... I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who took  time to complete timelines, post and share their experience, and offer advise, support  and encouragement.  My journey to citizenship would not have been so easy without all of you.

Warm Regards and Best Wishes

CocoG

Don't worry. I had my interview in Atlanta on August 12th and was informed that my  oath ceremony  notice would be issued within 3 to 4 weeks. My oath ceremony is today, 9/1/2017. Be patient,  as long as you were approved you have nothing to worry about. Congratulations!

I submitted my citizenship application at the end of January 2017 with  my 10 year green card about to expire at the end of June 2017.  My citizenship interview  was scheduled for 12:30 pm today. I was surprised  that my appointment was scheduled for a Saturday.  I arrived at the Atlanta USCIS office 12 noon and cleared security. I was  then directed to the 3rd floor where I was given a ticket with a number and instructed on where to sit. My number was called by the immigration officer at approximately 1:05 pm. My officer  was a middle age lady Black female with a serious,  but professional demeanor.  She asked for my interview letter and ticket number. Upon entering the room I remained standing from reading other posts. The officer  instructed me to remain standing and  to but my belongings on a chair.  She then asked me to raise my right hand and swore me in. The officer had my  immigration file opened on the table in front of her and asked me for my green card and driver's license. I told her that my green card was about to expire so I went to USCIS  and received a stamp in my passport and my green card was taken from me by USCIS. The officer had me sign a "Record of Sworn Statement (Missing PRC)". The officer later said I would need to bring this form to the Oath Ceremony since I would not have a green card to turn in.

After completing the form , I was photographed and my index fingers were finger printed. The officer then reviewed each question on the application form. I was divorced twice and apparently omitted to add a separate piece of paper with my first husband's information. The officer had me complete a form with my first husband's information.  I for the life of me could not recall his year of birth, but it did not seem to matter. The officer  then handed me a piece of paper with a list of written  statements and asked me to read the statement on  line 1. which was "what month is Columbus Day in?".   She then handed the paper to me and asked me to write "Columbus Day is in October". I was then given the Civic Test and was asked the following questions:

1. Name one branch or part of the government?
2. What did the Declaration of Independence do?
3. We elect a US senator for how many years?
4. If both the President and Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
5. What does the President's Cabinet's Cabinet do?
6. How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

The officer then had me sign some paperwork and handed me a piece of paper entitled "Naturalization Interview Results" with "You passed the English and US History and government tests checked and Congratulation! Your application is recommended for approval. The officer then said you should be notified of your oath ceremony date in 4 to 6 weeks.  The officer gave me the Record of Sworn Statement (PRC) form to submit at the oath ceremony. I left the office at 1:45 pm.

Today I am one step closer to the end of my Visa Journey and I could not have done so without the invaluable information obtained from this site. Thank you to all of you who take time to share and answer questions and offer assistance. You Rock!!!

CONGRATULATIONS and Best Wishes to both of you !!!!!

We had our AOS interview on 5/30/2007 in Atlanta and were told that there is a new requirement by the Center of Disease Control that TB skin test be completed even if there is a clear chest X-ray. We rec'd a RFE for the TB skin test. We were given an appointment to return following the TB skin test. We returned to the same civil surgeon, and paid $50 each for the TB skin tests, we returned 3 days later and picked up results in the sealed envelope, the doctor added the skin test results to the original medical that was completed in March 2006.

Good Luck at your interview, if you decide to request a skin test could prevent a delay of your approval or can just wait until the interview to see if one is requested, doesn't take long to take the test and submit results.

CocoG

Our 10 year Green Cards are here!!!

It feels great to be done with USCIS for awhile. Good Luck to everyone else still waiting. Many thanks to everyone for over 3 years of support , advise and interesting reading material to pass the time. The girls are anxious to get their SSN, so they can get their learner's permit and driver's licence so it's off to Social Security Administration tomorrow, hopefully we will be in the SAVE system, the effective date on the Green Cards in 6/20/2007.

CocoG

Congratulations !!! No more USCIS for awhile.

Woot I passed my interview on June 19th and was approved for PR. My card just came in the mail 2 days ago. I feel so elated to be through the tough stuff and being able to breathe now! Interview in Chula Vista was a piece of cake. I wasn't nervous in the slightest and the officer that interviewed us was totally nice! We were well prepared (which is the key) and handed in everything she asked for. I'm having a party tomorrow with some friends/family to celebrate! ...and on Canada Day too! Woot.

Sarah

Congratulations Sarah!!! I got my 10 year Green Card today also, hope my girls will get their's on Monday. I was a little disappointed when only mine was in the mailbox.

Congratulations, enjoy the party and Happy Canada Day!

CocoG

We received green card production e-mails today. I am so happy and relieved to be done with USCIS for 10 years, unless we decide to apply for citizenship. My case proves that it is possible to adjust status as a K3/K4 if divorce is pending and USC spouse refuses to attend the interview.

Thank-you all for the useful information and much needed support. Good Luck and Best wishes on your journeys.

I just checked my e-mail and rec'd two e-mails advising that the I-130's submitted for my daughters along with AOS were approved and that approval notices were sent and another 3 e-mails welcoming new permanent residents and advising that green card production has been initiated and that we should receive card within 60 days.

I am so happy that we are done with immigration now for 10 years, unless we decide to apply for US citizenship. I joined Visa Journey in March 2004 and could not of made it to this point without the tremendous amount of information on this site and the advise and words of encouragement from Visa Journey family members.

My case is a testament that it is possible to adjust status as a K3/K4 if spouse does not attend the interview.

A heartfelt thank you to you all!

CocoG

Congrats!!!

Thank-you for all in advance for your responses. I appreciate each and every one of them.

Shona,

I got all the e-mails you sent, will call you later this afternoon. I appreciate all the advise and support. To answer your question about why the initial AOS interview took so long, I'm not sure, but my guess is because the Atlanta office is very slow and because the I-130 for the girls was submitted along with the AOS and had to be approved prior to the AOS. My I-130 was approved since 11/2005. In hindsight I should have submitted the I-130 for my daughters when I submitted mine.

CocoG

APPROVED !!!

My daughters and I had our AOS interviews on 5/30/2007. My husband and I have been separated for a year and he refused to attend the interview. The girls and I attended interview with a duffle bad full of evidence of our 10 year relationship and 4 year marriage. Besides our passports the officer did not look at any of the items we brought. I told the officer that my husband refused to come to interview and that I planned on applying for AOS under VAWA, the officer asked how long we were married and I told him it would be 4 years in June and over 10 years in a committed relationship. The officer told me to hold off on the VAWA application.

The officer reviewed our files and said that we needed to get TB skin tests as the ones completed in March 2006 only included chest X-rays. The officer said that TB skin tests are a new requirement of the Center of Disease Control. The officer swore us in all together and asked us our date of birth and address and the routine questions, have you been convicted of a crime etc. The officer took our Canadian passports and removed the expired I-94 cards and attached them to our files. The officer said that he could not approve us because the original I-130 we submitted was missing from the file. The officer said that he would submit a request for the document from another service center. He rescheduled an appointment for 6/15/2007 and gave me a letter indicating that TB skin tests were required in a sealed envelope. The officer said that it sometimes takes awhile to receive missing documents. He asked me if I had a copy. I did not since that was submitted over 5 years ago and I had mailed the completed form to my husband for him to sign and submit, so my copy would not be signed by USC. The officer gave me his direct line and told me to call a few days before the appt. to let him know that we had completed the medicals and to remind him to follow up on the I-130.

I called the officer on 6/13/2007 and he stated that he received e-mail from other service center that original I-130 was located and would be sent over, the officer said it was doubtful would arrive by 6/15/2007. I returned to USCIS in Atlanta with the updated medicals in a sealed envelope and met with the same immigration officer. He stated still waiting on the I-130 and advised that since we were married 4 years, he was going to approve our AOS. We were not given a stamp, said wanted to wait until I-130 was received. The officer said that we are approved and would receive greencards in the mail. The officer told me to call in a week to check if I-130 was received.

I feel so releaved, this stressful journey is almost over. I am very happy, but will still be hold my breath until we get the welcome to the USA letter or 10 year green cards.

I would like to thank everyone for their advise and support over the years. I could not have done it without you all or without this forum. . Everything that I read and so many people said that it was impossible to adjust as a K3/K4 if the USC spouse does not attend the interview. To those of you still waiting, be patient and have faith in God or whatever power you believe in.

Thank-you again and Best of Luck on your Visa Journeys.

CocoG

Shona,

I am so happy for you. I am glad things worked out. I would have been surprised if it hadn't. You deserve some peace now. I will call you on Friday and let you know how things turn with me.

Hugs,

CocoG

No need to worry. Our medicals were done in March 2006 and had AOS interview in May 2007, medicals were fine with the exception that the Center of Disease Control now requires that TB skin tests are completed along with chest X-ray, our medicals indicated clear chest x-rays, so interview was continued pending completion of TB skin tests.

CocoG

My daughters and I completed our I-693 medical examinations in 03/2006 at which time chest x-ray TB tests were completed , results were clear. At our K3/K4 AOS interview on 5/30/07, we were informed that the Center of Disease Control now requires that a TB skin test is completed along with chest x-rays. Our adjudication was suspended pending completion of the TB skin test. We were asked to bring results back to adjudicator in a sealed envelope. I would recommend getting the TB skin test so AOS approval is not delayed.

CocoG

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to update you. My daughters and I went to AOS interview on 5/30/2007. Spouse did not attend. The officer interviewed the girls and I and said would approve AOS but was unable to find the original I-130 submitted, listing the children in my file. The file only contained the approval. The officer also informed us that the requirement for the I-693 had changed and the CDC now requires a TB skin test along with the chest X-ray. He made appt for two weeks time for me to return with results of TB test in sealed envelope and if he is able to obtain the original I-130 we will be granted our greencards. The officer allowed me to select my appointment time and said that the girls didn't have to come back for next appt, I can just bring their passports. The girls and I had our TB tests today at a cost of $50.00 each, the civil surgeon said health insurance would not cover it.

I'm praying that officer is able to locate the original I-130, that I submitted listing the girls on it. The officer asked me if I kept a copy, I think I did, will definetly be searching for it this weekend. It would be great if our I-485 is approved so I can focus my attention on getting divorced and preparing my girls for college.

Hello Everyone. I need your help!

My USC husband and I have been married for over 3 1/2 years, we have been separted for a year and about to begin divorce proceedings. Yesterday I rec'd appointment notice for AOS interview for me and one of my girls AOS appt. scheduled for 5/30/2007 in Atlanta. I am hoping that I will receive notice for my youngest daughters interview date in the next few days and that it will be for the same date. My husband and I have not spoken much in the past 6 months. I plan on asking him to accompany us to the interview so he an explain that our marriage was bonafide. I am wondering what will hapen if he refuses to attend the interview. Will we be automatically denied because the K3/K4 is a marrige based visa? Or will they consider evidence to prove that marriage was genuine? Do anyone know of anyone who was in a similar situation?

I plan on still attending without my husband if he refuses to attend and trying to demonstrate that your marriage was genuine. I have a lot of evidence to support a genuine maariage, we dated for over 7 years before getting married. I have plane ticket stubs from vacations we took together, trips he took to visit me and trips I took to visit him in Atlanta and his family in Maryland. The children have also visited his family in Maryland. I have some e-mails he sent to me, cards etc. Pictures of our destination wedding in Jamaica and from reception in Canada, from vacations, pictures of him in Canada with my children when they were very little. We also have two years of joint tax returns, my vehicle was covered on his insurance, and he is still listed as a beneficiary one on my life insurance policy from Canada. I have tons of mail addressed to me at our old address. My husband purchased the home after we got married, I have e-mails he sent me asking me about home preferences.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank-you in advance for your replies.

Successful adjustment will depend on whether USCIS considers the marriage still viable. You really need to consult an immigration attorney now before the divorce is underway to discuss any and all options. Frankly, if you are the one that is precipitating this divorce, I'd cool your jets for a while.

Thanks to everyone for your responses.

I asked USC spouse if he would attend and he said no. I plan on visiting Catholic Charites office next week for advice and to obtain legal counsel to attend interview with me if possible.

The reason for the marital breakdown is because I discovered that he is gay or at least bi-sexual and was leading a double life, he was on the phone to gay chat sites and looking up gay porn on the internet. I found drug parafanailia in his car, receipt for motels, phone bill showing excessive hours talking to male sex lines. Furthermore he kept forcing me to get a job when I was really sick. The second day on the job , I fainted and had to have 4 units of blood transfusion, doctor said my iron was so low due to fibroid problems that i could have easily had a heart attack. I needed to have surgery to remove my fibroids and he would not pay the $1500.00 deposit, so I had to postpone it until I could afford to pay myself.

He is doing all of this because he wants me to return home out of fear the truth about him will be exposed. I have a letter he wrote me trying to explain the phone calls to gay sex lis, the internet gay sites and drug use etc. Furthermore I only found out after moving in with him that he suffered from depression and was on antidepressants. My spouse had agreed to attend interview and tell adjudicator the truth about our relationship, but now he has had a change of heart , partly because I refused to sign a separation agreement he drew up where he made false claims like there was no marital property and that we agree to not rely on State Divorce laws, but this agreement instead and that the agreement could not be modified by me , but must be accepted in its entirety. As an educated woman there is no way I was about to sign such an agreement. I have suffered enough emotional abuse trying to deal with this situation, I am not going to allow him to further blackmail and victimize me.

Just wanted to say I hope all is well at the interview. I don't have anything to offer, but a bump on this thread..

Emancipation,

Thank-you for the well wishes.

CocoG

Hello Everyone. I need your help!

My USC husband and I have been married for over 3 1/2 years, we have been separted for a year and about to begin divorce proceedings. Yesterday I rec'd appointment notice for AOS interview for me and one of my girls AOS appt. scheduled for 5/30/2007 in Atlanta. I am hoping that I will receive notice for my youngest daughters interview date in the next few days and that it will be for the same date. My husband and I have not spoken much in the past 6 months. I plan on asking him to accompany us to the interview so he an explain that our marriage was bonafide. I am wondering what will hapen if he refuses to attend the interview. Will we be automatically denied because the K3/K4 is a marrige based visa? Or will they consider evidence to prove that marriage was genuine? Do anyone know of anyone who was in a similar situation?

I plan on still attending without my husband if he refuses to attend and trying to demonstrate that your marriage was genuine. I have a lot of evidence to support a genuine maariage, we dated for over 7 years before getting married. I have plane ticket stubs from vacations we took together, trips he took to visit me and trips I took to visit him in Atlanta and his family in Maryland. The children have also visited his family in Maryland. I have some e-mails he sent to me, cards etc. Pictures of our destination wedding in Jamaica and from reception in Canada, from vacations, pictures of him in Canada with my children when they were very little. We also have two years of joint tax returns, my vehicle was covered on his insurance, and he is still listed as a beneficiary one on my life insurance policy from Canada. I have tons of mail addressed to me at our old address. My husband purchased the home after we got married, I have e-mails he sent me asking me about home preferences.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank-you in advance for your replies.

Wow! Sounds great!

Thanks Rebecca

And they completed everything else, I can't believe how detailed they are with references and everything else. Everything was fine, they gave me an offer and I accepted. So I will be working for the government!!! I am very happy that I got this job.

Senka

Senka,

Don't worry, I work for the State of Georgia as , upon hire you complete the 1-9 and list your A# and expiry date of your work permit and they make a copy along with driver's licence and SSN for your records. They are just concerned that you have a valid one at the time of hire. I have been employed with the State for over a year and a half , my original card expired and they never requested a new one. I also changed from one county to another and they did not request any additional employment documentation.

Congratulations on the job!

CocoG

Coco let me know if you get my PM

Thanks

Shona

Shona ,

I got your PM and gave your e-mail address to Hugh.

i just remembered that the police responded to a call at Hugh's house and did not write a report. He remembered the officers name and contacted her and she wrote a letter detailing her recollection of the visit to the home. Maybe you can request a similar letter. I really hope things work out for you.

CocoG

Hi Shona,

Sorry to hear about your denial. A close male friend of mine who was abused by his American citizen spouse received a similar notice, giving him 60 days to provide additional information to prove that he was a victim of domestic violence. His letter listed a number of items that could be used for evidence and he had to submit one of the items. My friend initially though that he did not have a lot of the items listed but with the help of friends we were able to put our heads together and come up with evidence for most of the items listed.

My friend pondered on whether or not to use a lawyer and decided to use on only if he was rejected to file an appeal ,because he was the one who had to do all the work to collect the outstanding documents. My received an approval notice two weeks ago and had his biometrics, he is now awaiting his interview appointment.

I am not familiar with your situation,but my friend was only married to his wife for about 6 months, his wife had not even filed the papers for him yet. The home they purchased was in her name, they had a joint account that was opened prior to their marriage and he had a police report from the night he and his two adopted nieces moved out of the matrimonial home. I think that you have more evidence than you may think. You just have to find creative ways to provide the evidence.

If you would like you can send me a personal e-mail and I'm sure my friend would be happy to talk to you. He was living in Atlanta, Geogia with his wife, but moved back to Balitimore when they split up.

Good Luck !

Cocog