Alcione
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Alcione reacted to Vikingoutwest in N400 APRIL 2019 FILERS
First of all Congrats to all of you that just had your interviews! Second, I will outline my experience at the interview yesterday below - it will be a long one - you can skip to the end:-)
My husband and I arrived at the Portland field office at 12.10 yesterday (a half hour before my appointment at 12.40), and get checked through security. I had to give the guard my appointment letter and ID and then put all my stuff (bags, overcoat, random things from my pockets, and my shoes) in bins and go through a metal detector. Pick up all the stuff again, then go check in at the front desk. The front desk took my appointment letter and my green card, checked it against a list on their computer, and then they took my picture, and scan my left and right index fingers. Then they gave me the letter back, with a numbered ticket attached to it, and we were told to go upstairs to the second floor and wait to be called.
The waiting room is apparently shared for both people waiting to be interviewed, and people waiting for infopass...the only sign posted anywhere there said "for infopass, wait here for your name to be called" - so I was worried I went to the wrong place somehow, but figured out after a bit that officers were coming out from a different hallway and calling people by name to go with them for interviews.
I waited until about 1.10, and was finally called by a friendly female officer. She showed me back to her office, asked me to remain standing and had me swear to tell the truth. After I sat down, she goes "before we even start this, I have to ask you to outline how you obtained this green card". See, I have had a total of two cards. My first one was conditional, and from 2006. In 2007, my husband and I moved back to Denmark for a while. We thought (as it says in the rules) that if you do not apply to remove conditions, and retain your card while living overseas, you automatically lose your residency and will have to reapply if you want to return to the US. In 2009, we returned to the US and reapplied. At first, it got denied - on the grounds that I had residency already! We had to appeal and tell them their own rules about us having abandoned residency in 2007, the appeal was granted and I got my permanent green card in 2010. Now, the officer was telling me this might be a problem, and that they had to make sure my status was adjusted correctly in 2010. I have her the whole timeline and showed proof, and she said we will get back to this, let's do the test. The questions were:
1. What is one promise you make when you become a US citizen?
I said: to defend the Constitution and follow the laws of the US. She looked puzzled, so I added: and to serve in the military if needed. Then she was happy.
2. How many amendments does the Constitution have?
3. If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
4. What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
5. What is the name of the Vice President of the US now?
6. There were 13 original states, name three?
I then had to read: Where is the White House located?
And write: The White House is in Washington, D.C.
Then she asked some questions from the N400. I can't remember them all, but some were full legal name, prior marriages for both my husband and I (none), if my parents were citizens, current address, any kids, any travels in the last 5 years, if I had been a prostitute, involved with torture, in the military, or if I was in the communist party. Then if I was willing to take the oath and support the Constitution (of course). Then my name and original country and birth date etc popped up on the tablet and I had to sign it was correct. Then I had to sign that I was willing to take the oath. After that she hands me the N652 (interview results), and two boxes are checked.
1. You passed the English test and the U.S. history and government test
2. A decision cannot be made yet about your application.
In my head I was freaking out, but I tried to not show that and calmly just asked her what this meant? She told me that she had to confirm with a senior officer that my status was adjusted correctly in the past, but that she would fight for me (her words 0.o) and push for my approval. She took some copies of my IDs and said that they would contact me by mail.
So, I left the interview pretty deflated and kinda sad.
5 hours later I got a notification from the case tracker app that I had been put in line to be scheduled for the Oath Ceremony. I was not sure at that point if that meant I was approved for sure now, so I kept checking the uscis account - and finally this morning that account read:
"We approved your application. Your final step to becoming a citizen is to attend your naturalization ceremony. We will mail you a letter when we schedule your naturalization ceremony."
APPROVED!!!!!! 😄
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Alcione reacted to butalas in N400 APRIL 2019 FILERS
Had the interview yesterday and everything went well. Officer did a I-751/N-400 combined interview, so there were technically two separate parts to the interview. I would say it is important to make sure your spouse comes with you if your case is similar (3yr through marriage to US citizen). Officer was nice and polite but intense, and asked a number of personal questions. The combined interviews in total took about an hour. He asked the following questions for citizenship:
-Who is the Vice President now?
-Who becomes President if the President can no longer serve?
-Name one war fought by the US in the 1900s.
-Name one right only for US citizens.
-What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
+1 more I can't remember.
He said he had a lot of paperwork to do because of the combined cases, and that instead of making us wait an hour+ in the lobby he would just mail the oath notice. He said the ceremony should either be next week or the following week. Thanks to everyone in this (and other) groups on here for the support and advice throughout the years.
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Alcione got a reaction from Znzn2 in I-751 April 2018 Filers (Part 2)
Finally a citizen!!!
We were 748 people. 4 of us were from this forum.
I'm very happy to be done with my immigration papers!
Now I'm getting ready to send a i-130 to petition for my mom. 😃
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Alcione got a reaction from Zombie69 in N-400 and I-751 combo pending
Had my combo interview October/8th. Ceremony was on Tuesday Nov/19th!!!
Wish you all good luck on your journeys!
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Alcione got a reaction from Vikingoutwest in N400 APRIL 2019 FILERS
100% agree with the delay getting people in! Lol line was soo long!
758 people for so many countries.
4 people from this forum! Yeahhhh
Had a friend who got her first greencard at the same day as mine and we had our ceremony at the same day.
I'm so happy to be done with my immigration papers. Now is time to file for my mom!
Good luck to all you guys!!
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Alcione got a reaction from blessedbeyond in I-751 April 2018 Filers (Part 2)
Finally a citizen!!!
We were 748 people. 4 of us were from this forum.
I'm very happy to be done with my immigration papers!
Now I'm getting ready to send a i-130 to petition for my mom. 😃
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Alcione reacted to Annkay in N400 APRIL 2019 FILERS
Actually I will be having my oath ceremony there as well :). My interview was on 10/9 in Lawrence,MA
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Alcione reacted to chars in N400 APRIL 2019 FILERS
Finally, the journey that started since January 2012, came to an end today. I give credit to the Creator of the universe. The One who sees and knows all things. Thanks to my family and friends. How can I forget to thank this group for the joint support thru this N400 process. You are all wonderful people. You all helped and encouraged me during my difficult times. Good luck to all still waiting and with God above; it shall be well with thee.
Now I can go to bed stress- free without worrying of being deported. The rest is now history. WHAT a journey to remember!!!
God is good all the times and all of the times God is great!!! To HIM alone I give praise.
🙏🙌🙏🙌🙏🙌🙏🙌🙏🙌🙏🙌🙏🙌🙏
#Naturalized USCITIZEN#
10/25/19
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Alcione reacted to emerlee85 in N400 APRIL 2019 FILERS
Yes!!!
i just got the notice I will be there on Nov 19th in Lowell as well! 🙂
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Alcione got a reaction from Catalan-American in N400 APRIL 2019 FILERS
Is your interview scheduled to Lawrence? I had a combo interview. I just got information for my N400 but went ready fo i751 if needed and guess what. The officer called my husband's name and said to me to wait bc he needed to do i751 first.
There were another person who had to reschedule interview bc his wife wasn't there. So my thoughts to you is do the same as I did. Be ready for combo interview!
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Alcione reacted to JohnBCol in N400 APRIL 2019 FILERS
I can't believe it! it has finally happened. 😭
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Alcione got a reaction from Nayda in N-400 and I-751 combo pending
Oath ceremony is scheduled!!! 🎉🎉
11/19th
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Alcione got a reaction from MadeForEachOther_ in N-400 and I-751 combo pending
Oath ceremony is scheduled!!! 🎉🎉
11/19th
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Alcione got a reaction from monicat71 in N-400 and I-751 combo pending
Passed my combo interview!
Original office is Boston but my interview was in Lawrence-MA.
My husband was called first.
The guy asked how we met, when my husband proposed; how long after did we got married; what are the plans for the next 5 years. Asked about my relationship with father-in-law and about my husband's relationship with my mother.
The officer got back with my husband and called me in. He asked me the exactly same questions and said that i751 was good and that he would go ahead to the N400 questions.
1) What is an amendment?
2) What did the declaration of independence do?
3) Who Veto bills?
4) Name one branch or part of the government.
5) What did the Declaration of Independence do?
6) There were 13 original colonies. Name 3.
Good luck to everyone!
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Alcione reacted to _Blossom_ in N400 APRIL 2019 FILERS
Hey everyone, so just a little update on my case - I became a US citizen this afternoon!
The ceremony took place at a community college's auditorium downtown where I live. It wasn't as long as I had expected, it probably lasted about an hour and a half, but before it began we waited for about an hour, just to get everyone settled and seated. I was surprised to see I was the only one from Brazil, but there were so many other nationalities present! We got sworn in by a really nice female judge, who went over what it'd be like to be a US citizen, what responsibilities vs. rights we'd have after taking the oath, etc etc. It was a very interesting and pretty emotional ceremony. Everyone was very cordial and professional. I got my certificate, registered to vote, and went to the post office to apply for a passport right away! Next step is to wait about 10 days or so until going to the SS building to update my status on their database.
Good luck to all of us, from now on forward! Good luck to those who are still waiting as well. And many thanks to everyone. We've become a community who have held each other up through the ups and downs. I'm just honestly so glad I'm done with USCIS (for now at least). Thanks again & best of luck to all! 😁
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Alcione reacted to Anna&Jim in N400 APRIL 2019 FILERS
Happy to report my interview has been scheduled for November 5th in Nashville, TN!! 😁
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Alcione reacted to chars in N400 APRIL 2019 FILERS
N400 Interview Experience at Philadelphia USCIS' Field Office October 9, 2019 @ 10am
So my situation is not strange to every original filer on this group. I had earlier on intended to withdraw my N400 application at the interview due to bitter marriage confusion that I thought would've led to an immediate divorce. Well, two (2) days before my interview, I made the decision not to withdraw based on advise from people like you, immediate relatives, and two (2) lawyers.
had my interview in Philadelphia today (filed late March, 3 years rule).
I arrived 3 hours early before my interview to avoid any unforeseen circumstances. I played it rather safe than sorry because of traffic, mechanical breakdown, traffic stop, etc. I didn't check in until it was time. Check in was super easy and then the wait started. There are three doors out of which the officers will come and call your number. Mine was number 1. The receptionist will let you know which door or/section is yours when you checked in. Please be informed that even though you arrived early, they will not call you in until it's your time.
I waited for about 20 minutes after I checked in before my number was called. The officer, an African American woman in her 50s came out, called my name and walked me through the door that leads to her office.
NOTE: I took every single document related to my immigration history. Always play it safe.
She placed me under oath, and then requested my diver's license, green card, and passport. She took my picture and my fingerprints.
First up was the test.
My six questions were:
1. Who is the father of our country?
2. If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
3. Name one branch of the government?
4. There are how many justices on the supreme Court?
5. Who veto bills?
6. We vote US senator for how many years?
The 'read' sentence was ' Who was the first president of the United States?'
The 'write' sentence was ' Washington was our first president.
Then we went through the application, asked me to state my full name, date of birth, whether I'm working, my wife's name, and she made some corrections for me (for example I put in that my wife was married '1' time, which obviously she was married before. It should've been 2 times and not 1. (This was honest misunderstanding of that question) She also asked me for the full name of wife's prior spouse, if we have any kids. She asked me whether my traffic citation was paid. She asked if I'm still married and living with my spouse. She didn't ask me when I became permanent resident, what date I got married, what date I started work or how long I been there. She didn't ask me for any dates on my application with the exception of my date of birth.
NOTE: I memorized all the dates on my application.
She then went to the 'YES' and 'NO' questions and asked every single question. As others have said, they go through all questions again.
At the end I had to sign for the changes she made and then sign for the oath.
For some reason, she couldn't find my tax returns' documents, marriage certificate, divorce decree, and our son's birth certificate on her system. I told her I did upload all of them, but she insisted she can't find it. I kindly ask her to check to (Upload additional evidence tab)... and yes behold it was right there. I took deep breath of relieve. She looked at the supporting documents I had uploaded. She didn't ask for any of the originals that I brought (wife's's passport or naturalization cert or anything).
Then she took the piece of paper with the boxes and marked 'passed civic and history and recommending my application for approval'.
My officer was super really really nice, friendly, professional, and interactive. She made me feel at ease; even though I was 10% nervous and 90% anxious which is normal for this process. We talked about the weather, how she was feeling hungry and planned on going for lunch right after her next interview.
FUN FACT:
The officer who interviewed me for my N400 is the best friend to the lady who interviewed us during our Adjustment of Status interview but has since retired.
What were my tips.
1. I maintained eye contact and smile throughout the interview
2. I was truthful
3. I only answered questions that were asked (I didn't volunteer answers or talk too much)
4. I prepared very well ( studied the civics and history and memorized all the answers.
5. I reviewed my N400 application and knew my responses
Each case is unique and different. Don't read too much into people's negative interview experiences and conclude that yours will be the same as theirs. Be yourself, be positive, keep the 'WHY IF' out of your mind. Be respectful, professional, truthful and honest. Sometimes the little things that we intend to hide doesn't matter or wouldn't affect USCIS' decision about your case.
However, this journey is not over yet but my anxiety has dropped to 10%. Good luck to everyone and be blessed.
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Alcione got a reaction from Vikingoutwest in N400 APRIL 2019 FILERS
Passed my combo interview!
1) What is an amendment?
2) What did the declaration of independence do?
3) Who Veto bills?
4) Name one branch or part of the government.
5) What did the Declaration of Independence do?
6) There were 13 original colonies. Name 3.
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Alcione reacted to mjtollef in N400 APRIL 2019 FILERS
Hi all! Just updating - husband filed N-400 in April in Minnesota. They estimate an almost 2-year processing time initially, but it eventually went down to 1 year. We moved to Massachusetts at the end of August. His case was immediately transferred to the Boston field office, and about a week later he got notice of his interview. He had the interview on 10/4 and passed! Now we're just waiting for the oath ceremony.
Good luck to everyone! We're all so close to the end ❤️ And thanks to all those that have shared their experiences and lent support to one another during this long and difficult journey.