kkg325

We had our oath ceremony yesterday. What a special day! It took about 2 hours. There were 56 people from 32 countries getting naturalized. A German chorus came and led us in singing the national anthem and America the Beautiful. A friend of ours who is a photographer came along and took pictures. It was a lovely end to this 5 year journey.

Our oath ceremony notice was uploaded today (4 weeks after the interview). It will be September 17! So excited to be at the end of this journey.

We applied for I-751 in December 2017 and it got transferred to our local office in April 2018. We applied for N-400 in December 2018. We got called for N-400 interview on August 6, 2019. In advance of the interview I submitted the “longer than normal processing time” form online but didn’t hear anything back on it. My wife went in for N-400 interview last week. We prepared documents for I-751 and N-400 just in case. The officer only did one interview and never asked me (the US citizen spouse) to come in to the interview.  Her case is a bit complicated for reasons besides the pending I-751, so the IO gave us the “A decision cannot yet he made on your case” letter at the end of the interview. Three days later our online status changed to say that new green card is being produced and that we are in like for oath. This is Hartford, CT office. 

My wife had her interview on August 6. We had a pending i-751, but the interviewer did not give us 2 distinct interviews and I did not join her for any part of the interview. Her case is a bit complicated, and the interviewer was TOUGH. It lasted about 1.5 hours. We left the interview with a "We can not yet make a decision about your application" letter and we were absolutely gutted (especially since everyone else waiting in the lobby had received approval letters and were being scheduled for August 16 oaths!). Today August 9, we got updates on egov.uscis.gov that her 10 year green card is being produced and she's in line for oath! We're over the moon! I wonder if we'll still be scheduled for the August 16 oath, or if we'll be scheduled for the one after that.

I had my naturalization interview today. I got a letter stating "A decision cannot yet be made about your application." We moved recently, and our IO had a lot of questions about our physical address and mailing address. We have documentation to clarify our situation which we did not bring to the interview. We have not yet received an RFE, but I want to go ahead and mail the IO our additional documents that can answer his questions. Is this appropriate, or should I just wait for an update on the application or RFE?

46 minutes ago, peacan said:

Hi all,

 

My case status has changed to Oath will be scheduled. I am not sure what triggered USCIS but I contacted a Congressman, two senators in my states, a letter to the field office where I live, two service requests, one infopass, and I don't know at least 10 phone calls and multiple messages from my online portal. 

 

Does anyone know when it says Oath will be scheduled, how long does it take to get the actual letter and perhaps online letter?

 

Thank you,

Congrats! Finally!!!

On 6/30/2019 at 3:25 PM, peacan said:

You'll get the letter on your page tomorrow, latest Tuesday then the actual letter in your mailbox, usually you get it six weeks before the event. Once you receive the letter, call USCIS, choose "I don't have receipt number option", it's a long wait about 25-35 minutes. Here you can ask them about the combo interview. In some cases, people get called a day or two before the interview if their I-751 is still pending but 98% of the time they conduct a combo interview, so do bring your spouse. Good luck!

Hey there! I got my interview letter. August 6 in Hartford, CT. We're super excited but a little anxious since the I-751 is still pending.

I called USCIS this morning to ask about the combo interview. The agent basically gave me no useful information. This is what she said: Since I haven't received an interview notice for the I-751 it probably won't be a combo interview. It's still possible that I would have the N-400 interview on August 6 with the I-751 still pending, but they wouldn't be able to make a final decision on the N-400 until the I-751 is adjudicated. Then she said I should be prepared for both interviews on the same day just in case.

So basically it's still a big question mark. Last April I got a notification saying that my I-751 was transferred to my local office, so at least both files are in the same office. I'm wondering if I should do a case inquiry on the I-751 via USCIS website since my case is technically outside the normal processing time for it.

Anyway, our plan is just to prep for both interviews and hope for the best!!

18 hours ago, peacan said:

Hi there,

 

When you arrive at the office for your N400 interview, they might to send you home because you I-751 is still pending. It happened to me when the officer thought my I-751 was still pending, however, it had already been approved. I had to show him my new green card before he agreed to go ahead with the interview. If you are lucky, the assigned officer who conducts your interview is a supervisor of the office, if not they can't conduct a combo interview. I passed my interview on March 15 and still waiting for Oath Ceremony. Best of luck! Please keep me posted.

Wow still waiting for oath since March - that's terrible. And I truly hope they do not try to send me home since the i-751 is still pending!

I am still waiting for my letter indicating the date and location of the interview. Once I find out the location, I'm going to call USCIS and also write a letter to the field office to request the joint interview. Not sure what else I can do!

Hey everyone. We went into our field office yesterday for I-551 stamp (PR extension expires in August). This morning we woke up to a notice saying our interview was scheduled! Finally! Still waiting for the actual document to be uploaded to find out the date. We are in Hartford, CT. 

For those who who have already done interviews with a pending I-751 - what do I need to do to let them know we would like a combo interview?

Hey everyone - 

My 18 month extension from my i-751 expires in August. I made an infopass appointment to go to my local field office for the i-551 stamp. The officer told me I could get the stamp, but that he would have to take away my plastic green card since it was expired anyway. He told me if I come back in July (1 month before 18 month extension expires), he could give me the stamp and I could probably keep my expired green card as well.

Questions

1. For those who have gone in for the i-551 stamp, did they also take your expired green card?

2. Have folks had experience traveling outside the US with only the i-551 stamp (without the expired green card)?

Thanks!

Hey everyone! Just popping in to say hi and congrats to everyone who has gotten their interviews and oaths done with! We’re still waiting patiently. Online portal says November 2019 completion date, but I’m taking that with a grain of salt. I’m at Hartford, CT field office.

Quick question: Our 18 month PR extension from I-751 expires in August. I called the USCIS hotline to inquire about what we should do. They said to call them back about a month out, and they would schedule an appointment at the field office for another extension. Anybody have experience with this process? Is it as easy as it sounds? How long of an extension do they give?

11 minutes ago, Leo7777 said:

Some are still missing the point.  This is not JUST about my wife, even as I used her example.

It is about everyone and the absurd situation.

 

Perhaps another example will get through.

 

You go into a restaurant and are told that only non-USA citizens can eat there.

You say:  "You have got to be kidding me . . . a non citizen has more rights than a citizen?"

 

But then you are told . . . well this is only for a week or so, just be patient and stop whining.

 

When you post of this situation, some respondents post saying: "Stop whining, there are other ways to do this, for instance this rule is only for that city; you can simply go to another city to eat during this week."  Others say: "Can't you just wait for a week to go to a restaurant?"  Others say: "We can't afford to eat at a restaurant, and here you are whining about no being able to go to restaurants in a particular city."

I don’t think anyone’s missing your point. We all understand your frustration.

However, any US citizen must apply for and receive a US passport to be able to travel. Your wife is in the same situation as millions of US citizens who were born in the US. The situation is not unique to her, and it’s not unique to naturalized US citizens. Her naturalization certificate is equivalent to a US birth certificate. It signifies citizenship, but does not grant the right to travel.

Anyway, congratulations on (nearly) finishing the process! And good luck to those still waiting!

4 hours ago, Pickle said:

N-400: December 2018 Applicants

================================
UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int ltr..|Intrview.|Oath.....|Field Office..|NBC/IOE
.................|--/--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|?????????????.|...

================================== 
Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox 
================================== 
UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int ltr..|Intrview.|Oath.....|Field Office..|NBC/IOE
karvarall........|09/10/13|12/31|01/02|01/03|01/23/19|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX....|IOE
==================================
USCIS Chicago, Illinois Lockbox
==================================
UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int ltr..|Intrview.|Oath.....|Field Office..|NBC/IOE
.................|--/--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|?????????????.|...

==================================
USCIS Online Filing
==================================
UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int ltr..|Intrview.|Oath.....|Field Office......|NBC/IOE
Amhara...........|03/18/16|12/22|12/22|12/22|01/18/19|03/05/19 |03/06/19 |04/23/19 |--/--/--.|Tucson, AZ........|IOE
Leo7777(for wife)|10/20/15|12/06|12/08|12/08|01/09/19|--/--/-- |02/19/19 |03/26/19 |--/--/-- |Pittsburgh, PA....|IOE
Jessica Donahue..|02/18/16|12/08|12/08|12/08|01/04/19|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |San Diego, CA.....|IOE
Zeta054..........|10/14/15|12/15|12/15|12/15|01/02/19|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |San Francisco, CA.|IOE
Kath2506.........|10/25/06|12/07|12/08|12/10|01/09/19|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |Detroit, MI.......|IOE
Beatka1..........|03/28/14|12/28|12/28|12/28|01/09/19|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |Chicago,IL........|IOE
Natonstan........|03/16/15|12/13|12/13|12/?.|01/03/19|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |Dallas, TX........|IOE
TheCaptain.......|02/09/16|12/06|12/08|12/10|12/26/18|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |Chicago, IL.......|IOE
Bperes...........|03/17/16|12/18|12/18|12/19|01/11/19|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |Chicago, IL.......|IOE
hobbitspouse.....|03/03/16|12/02|12/08|12/07|12/13/19|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |Chicago, IL.......|IOE
Pickle...........|07/17/15|12/13|12/13|12/15|12/31/18|--/--/-- |02/25/19 |04/08/19 |--/--/-- |Oklahoma City, OK.|IOE

===========================================================================
USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA)
===========================================================================
UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office..|NBC/IOE
.................|--/--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|???????????...|...

Instructions for adding/updating yourself (or assisting others) to this list:
1. DO NOT DELETE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
2. Please use your VJ name to avoid confusion.
3. Click "Quote" on this new template or most recent/updated version of this template.
4. Copy the entire template or most recent update (Mac users: Select the entire template, then select Command + C)
5. Remove the "Quote Coding" located at the top of this template.
6. Paste the entire template or most recent update (Mac users: Select Command + V)
7. Now make whatever updates/changes you would like, then hit Submit Reply
8. Always use [Courier New] Font and font size.[12]
9. Red Font = "I'm A United States Citizen"

N-400: December 2018 Applicants

================================
UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int ltr..|Intrview.|Oath.....|Field Office..|NBC/IOE
.................|--/--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|?????????????.|... 

================================== 
Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox 
================================== 
UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int ltr..|Intrview.|Oath.....|Field Office..|NBC/IOE
karvarall........|09/10/13|12/31|01/02|01/03|01/23/19|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX....|IOE
==================================
USCIS Chicago, Illinois Lockbox
==================================
UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int ltr..|Intrview.|Oath.....|Field Office..|NBC/IOE
.................|--/--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|?????????????.|...

==================================
USCIS Online Filing
==================================
UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int ltr..|Intrview.|Oath.....|Field Office......|NBC/IOE
Amhara...........|03/18/16|12/22|12/22|12/22|01/18/19|03/05/19 |03/06/19 |04/23/19 |--/--/--.|Tucson, AZ........|IOE
Leo7777(for wife)|10/20/15|12/06|12/08|12/08|01/09/19|--/--/-- |02/19/19 |03/26/19 |--/--/-- |Pittsburgh, PA....|IOE
Jessica Donahue..|02/18/16|12/08|12/08|12/08|01/04/19|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |San Diego, CA.....|IOE
Zeta054..........|10/14/15|12/15|12/15|12/15|01/02/19|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |San Francisco, CA.|IOE
Kath2506.........|10/25/06|12/07|12/08|12/10|01/09/19|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |Detroit, MI.......|IOE
Beatka1..........|03/28/14|12/28|12/28|12/28|01/09/19|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |Chicago,IL........|IOE
Natonstan........|03/16/15|12/13|12/13|12/?.|01/03/19|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |Dallas, TX........|IOE
TheCaptain.......|02/09/16|12/06|12/08|12/10|12/26/18|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |Chicago, IL.......|IOE
Bperes...........|03/17/16|12/18|12/18|12/19|01/11/19|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |Chicago, IL.......|IOE
hobbitspouse.....|03/03/16|12/02|12/08|12/07|12/13/19|--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |--/--/-- |Chicago, IL.......|IOE
Pickle...........|07/17/15|12/13|12/13|12/15|12/31/18|--/--/-- |02/25/19 |04/08/19 |--/--/-- |Oklahoma City, OK.|IOE
kkg325...........|02/07/16|12/03|12/03|12/03|12/17/18|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Hartford, CT......|IOE 
===========================================================================
USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA)
===========================================================================
UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office..|NBC/IOE
.................|--/--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|???????????...|...

Instructions for adding/updating yourself (or assisting others) to this list:
1. DO NOT DELETE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
2. Please use your VJ name to avoid confusion.
3. Click "Quote" on this new template or most recent/updated version of this template.
4. Copy the entire template or most recent update (Mac users: Select the entire template, then select Command + C)
5. Remove the "Quote Coding" located at the top of this template.
6. Paste the entire template or most recent update (Mac users: Select Command + V)
7. Now make whatever updates/changes you would like, then hit Submit Reply
8. Always use [Courier New] Font and font size.[12]
9. Red Font = "I'm A United States Citizen"

Hey everyone. I moved (in the same filing district) after submitting my N-400. I also have a pending I-751.

I went online to the address change portal and submitted AR-11. When filling out the online form, it asked which applications I had pending. It gave me the option to select I-751, but it did not give me the option to select N-400.

Is there anything additional I need to do to make sure my address change applied to both applications?

Thanks!

3 minutes ago, GirlPower said:

I am going to walk in tomorrow instead of my appointment on the 2nd. Should wait for the actual appointment letter to be received or I can just print the document from my account and go there?

My letter arrived in the mail the day before we went in so we took that one. They put some stamps on the letter when we checked in. I’m not sure if it matters if it’s the mailed one or a printed version. 

3 minutes ago, bestluck said:

Hello guys

I did submit my case online N-400 on Dec 10 2018 , Bio Appointed letter show online at 1/2/2019 ,  Estimated case Feb 2020 ( 14 month) Jacksonville Florida .

 

Can I walk in to office for Bio Finger print on 20 Dec ? if they let me or anyone in same position walk in early before since i will be in town all day this day on Dec 20 Thru , 

 

Please let me know , 

 

Thanks and good luck everyone 

 

My appointment was scheduled for 12/27, but I’m going to be out of town that day. I walked in on 12/17, and there was no problem! Just make sure you bring your appointment letter and the appropriate identification. I’m in Hartford, CT. 

Quick update for everyone on Biometrics. Our appointment was scheduled for 12/27, but we will be out of town. We went today (12/17), and we were in and out in about 10 minutes. I had printed out our plane tickets in case they had questions about why we were there early, but they didn't even ask! We are at Hartford, CT field office.

3 hours ago, hobbitspouse said:

Just received my biometrics and fingerprints appointment scheduled just before the end of the year. Location is in Chicago, so trying to figure out if I can walk-in prior the scheduled date.

 

 

We also got our biometrics letter. However, it's scheduled for December 27. We will be out of town with my family for the holidays! We are going to try to walk in next Monday December 17. I am going to bring our plane tickets as evidence that we will be out of town. Hope it works. I heard it's best to go in the afternoon, so we will go around 2p.

20 hours ago, Amhara said:

You will see some confusing wording.  The thing is that your citizenship cannot be approved until your ROC is processed.  When you get the USC interview, make sure that you contact the USCIS to make sure you get the combo interview - where the adjudicating officer interviews to close the ROC and USC petition both.  They need to complete the ROC petition in the system first, then can approve your USC.  Make sure you call the USCIS to get your case transferred when you are in line for an interview, then when your interview is scheduled, mail two things:

1) A copy of your interview letter to the office that has your ROC and request the case gets transferred to the local office

2) A copy of your ROC NOA to the local office with your interview letter and request your interview is a combo

 

The last part may be overkill as the USCIS is supposed to do this automatically, but I don't trust them and this is what we will be doing!

Thanks for this post. I didn't realize that I needed to specifically request an ROC interview at the same time as the citizenship interview. 

According to the online system, my ROC was transferred to my local field office as of April 2018. So I will skip step one and contact my field office directly to let them know I need a combo interview.

11 hours ago, hobbitspouse said:

Submitted the N400 application this weekend. At first, it stated to call USCIS since there was an issue and the application could not go through. Late Yesterday, I received an email with the payment confirmation and the app changed to submitted with ETA 10 months. Now, the ETA is 15 months until March 2020. 😕

Ugh that’s frustrating!

Where do you find the ETA info?

Hey everybody! Back on VisaJourney for the last step of this long, stressful,  journey.

Just filed N-400 online today (December 3) for my wife. We are at Hartford, CT field office.

Good luck to all. Hope everything moves swiftly!

Ok, so it looks like I have 2 issues here:

1. Abandonment of my LPR. 

2. Disruption of continuous residence for naturalization. 

For issue 1, what if I got a re-entry permit before beginning my studies? Would this be sufficient evidence that I’m not abandoning my LPR? I would still come for visits every few months, but have the reentry permit as a back up until I finish my studies in 2 years.

For issue 2: Based on current naturalization timelines, if I apply as soon as I’m eligible, I can expect to have my naturalization interview next summer. If that’s the case, I will still be within the physical presence requirements (18 months in the last 3 years). Will having a reentry permit disrupt my 3 year continuous residence requirement, or will it support  it? What are the implications of having a reentry permit on naturalization application?

I can always just wait until after I finish my studies to apply for naturalization but if I can, I’d prefer to do it now!

Thanks for your help!

In November 2018, I will be eligible to apply for naturalization. When I submit my application in November, I will have met the residency and continuous presence requirements.

However, I have been accepted to a graduate program in France, which starts in September 2018. Therefore, I will be in France from September-December 2018. I will come back in December for a few weeks (to see my spouse and attend biometrics), and then go back to France from January-May 2019. I will come back for week-long visits in between and whenever my interview is scheduled.

I should also note that my spouse will be doing research overseas starting in January 2019 (while my application is pending). We will be changing our permanent address to her parents’ address in a different state (and USCIS will be moving our case to a different field office at that point).

Are the residency and continuous presence requirements only for the period before I submit my application or while the application is processing as well? After I submit the application, can I travel outside the US (for periods less than 6 months)?

Since I am studying abroad temporarily and will be gone for less than 6 month periods, will USCIS understand that I have not abandoned my US residence?

If my naturalization application is in fact denied for not meeting continuous presence and residence requirements, does this have any impact on my PR?

Is this all just way too complicated? Should I just wait until I finish my schooling to apply for citizenship?

She moved to the US after we got married and filed CR-1 petition. That’s why we’re removing conditions now. 

Thanks for yor replies!

Hi everyone-

My conditional resident spouse is a citizen of an African country, but was living in Canada as a refugee when we got married. We are working on our RoC application now.

When she left Canada to move to the USA, she was supposed to submit a "verification of departure" form at the point of exit. She was unaware of this and subsequently received a deportation order from Canada (months after she had left the country!). She only found out about the deportation order when she went back to Canada to visit her sister and was not allowed entry. We have a pending Authorization to Return to Canada application, but we probably won't hear the outcome for another 3-6 months. The deportation was purely due to a technicality and poor advice from her government-appointed lawyer. She has a strong case, with documented evidence, so we are hoping that the application is successful.

In the meantime, for the RoC question that asks, "Have you ever been arrested, detained, charged, indicted, fined, or imprisoned for breaking or violating any law or ordinance (excluding traffic regulations), or committed any crime which you were not arrested in the United States or abroad?" we should answer "yes," right? She was technically arrested and detained (though only for a couple of hours) when she was denied entry.

Our current plan is to answer "Yes" and then provide the 4-page cover letter from the Authorization to Return to Canada application. It describes in great detail the timeline and reasoning for her deportation. I'm not planning to include all of the supporting evidence because I think that would be too much (it's more than 25 pages of documentation).

What do you guys think about answering yes vs no? How do you think this will affect her ROC application?