Absolutely

3 minutes ago, milimelo said:

Remove the restriction (bring your naturalization certificate with you) and they’ll update your SSA record to show you’re a citizen. 
 

Why wouldn’t you want to update it? People oftentimes use SSN plus DL for employer’s I-9 when starting a new job. 

Oh I do, it’s just not been on my mind the last couple of years. I didn’t realize you had to until Covid hit, when offices were shut. I never felt comfortable having to post my green card in, on the off chance it was lost, so delayed doing it. Then life continued and it wasn’t on my mind.. until just now :D

My main question is to verify that nothing “bad” happens seeing as I haven’t. It sounds like the main thing is employment verification, which hasn’t been an issue given I’ve been with my same company the entire time 

Hey all, I became a citizen back in 2021 and so my immigration journey is complete. With that said, one thing I never did was go to the SSA office to change out my card to remove the DHS authorization text on my social security card. It's one of those numbers I have memorized and never look at my actual card.

Since becoming a citizen, we have relocated cross country, opened new bank accounts, and got on with our lives. No entity has ever flagged anything with my social security number; so I assume it's been changed on the backend when banks etc look up details.

SSA offices are now open (they may have been for a while) and so I am looking to get an appointment to go and get it changed.

With that said, is there a downside to have not got it changed already? For example, I pay my social security each pay cheque, would I still receive the monthly social security when I reach retirement age? Thanks in advance!

I used Transferwise to send money from my US bank back to my UK account. SLC will send you an email every so often (6 months or a year, can't remember exactly) with your monthly amount so you know how much to send over.

Applied on the 26th Feb and got my passport through today. I did pay for an expedited service. Now waiting on my certificate to be sent back, hopeful it'll be here in the next week.

I had my N-400 interview with a pending I-751 a couple of weeks back. My I-751 status was "Ready for interview" but no interview date set and I also received no letter that it would be a combo interview. 

I took my wife with me on the advice of fellow VJers. To set expectations, my wife was not let in as my interview letter was for N400 only, so she waited in the car. I asked the security guard about it and he said if it is a combo interview, I would be allowed to call her and she could come through. That said, I then asked my interviewer about my I-751 and she said she had approved it on the spot so it turned out there was no combo interview, just the N400.

Every case and field office is of course different, but absolutely take your husband (let him know he likely won't be allowed in so bring a book/ coffee/iPad) and take all evidence that you would for an I-751. Also make sure to ask your interviewer before you start so you know what is going to happen and get the lay of the land.

Good luck, I hope it goes as smoothly as possible for you!

On 2/28/2021 at 6:10 PM, Claireh703 said:

Cheese is one thing I struggle with the most!  I found some really good UK cheddar in Trader Joes (and, by the way, their chocolate is the closest to UK that I've found).  They also have some in my local Shoprite but it's really expensive.  Wegmans also have some UK things (I don't have one close and didn't look at cheese but did find some Branston Pickle!!).  I find that the sharpest cheddar you can get here is still pretty mild, has a different texture and why is it yellow / orange?!

The Trader Joes cheese section is the best we've found too for Uk style cheese. And it's so cheap! Agreed about it being more mild. That said, their cheddar and onion is one of the nicest cheeses I've had

Hey everyone! I became a citizen this week and have just applied for my passport!

Regarding my social security card, it still has the “valid for work with DHS authorization” text on it. By the time I realized I had to do it, COVID was in full swing and didn’t feel comfortable sending my documents through the post as that showed my status.

That said. I’ve read a couple people mention only certain benefits are available for citizens. What are those? I do plan on getting it updated once the offices are back open for appointment or walk in.

Also main question - I contribute to social security on each pay check. The years I’ve had the restricted text on my card still will count for my overall sum when I get to retirement age?

2 hours ago, Italy-USA said:

Last question: was your wife allowed in for the oath ceremony? 

Sorry for the slow reply here for the other question!

I got asked:
What is one right from the first amendment?

Who is the Commander in Chief?

Who is the current Vice President?

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

What year was the Constitution written?

What is the highest court in the United States?

My wife was not allowed in originally but when I was told I was doing my oath the same day, I asked if she could come through and was told yes. There were very few people in the building so the officer kindly agreed. If you can do your oath, you should certainly ask but I think I got lucky with how quiet it was in there.

My journey is complete! Had my N-400 interview today and had the oath ceremony about 20 minutes after approval. I am a citizen!

I had a pending I-751 and was hoping for a combo interview. Something even better happened and it was approved before we got started so no need for my spouse to come in (she got turned around by security as only the applicant could enter). 

Ran through the civics, verbal and written test, then the yes/no questions and I was good to go!

Good luck to everyone. Overall my experience was great so here's hoping the same applies to you all.

On 2/9/2021 at 4:18 PM, Italy-USA said:

I'm in the same situation, but I haven't received any communication about it being a combo interview. I'm bringing my spouse regardless. 

In my head it wouldn't make sense for them to approve citizenship but still have you go through the i-751 later on, but with this process you never know I guess 😂

I had my interview early today, got approved and did my oath within the hour!

With a pending I-751, my wife tried to come in but was turned around. Security said if she was needed for any questions, I could call her to come through. I got into the interview room and asked about my pending I-751. The officer was awesome and she told me she had approved it before we got started so did not need to bring in my spouse or show any evidence.

She asked a couple of questions to confirm my name, date of birth, address etc. After that, we did the civics test, verbal and written test. We then went through the yes/no questions. I got a citation 10 years ago so said yes to that one, but as I declared it throughout my immigration journey, no questions were asked on it.  I was then approved on the spot with the oath happening with five other people about 30 minutes later.

Overall, a really great process. Super nice USCIS officer and gelt very safe with Covid.

Let me know if you have any more specific questions as seems our journey is fairly similar. Good luck! 

31 minutes ago, Ensamvarg said:

I applied on August 23rd at the Phoenix office. 

Received my interview notice on December 30th.

Had my interview today (February 9th) and the ceremony immediately after. 

 

Went in at 7:30 to start the testing and in to the Oath room at 9am. 

 

I was quite stunned when the interviewer told me that not only did I pass but I would also become a citizen the same day.

Congrats!! For the same day oath, do you know if they were doing multiple oath ceremonies at your office? Like, how many were in the ceremony with you? I have my interview on the 23rd at 11am and am curious if I'd have the option for same day at that time.

29 minutes ago, Italy-USA said:

I'm in the same situation, but I haven't received any communication about it being a combo interview. I'm bringing my spouse regardless. 

In my head it wouldn't make sense for them to approve citizenship but still have you go through the i-751 later on, but with this process you never know I guess 😂

I too have received no communication about it being a combo. Having scouted VJ, it appears they do run combo interviews without specific notice so hoping you and I get that too!

7 hours ago, Lindsey Nguyen said:

I just had my interview today - filing under the 3-year rule! I filed in September 2020. The officer was extremely nice, and the interview lasted about 15-20 minutes. He asked me to swear to speak the truth, confirmed personal information on my application, civic test, reading test, then writing test - it was really easy. I bought a bunch of documents with me but he didn’t ask for anything of it. They do offer same-day oath in the Omaha office due to COVID so everything can be done just within a few hours!

Congrats! I have mine two weeks today after it being rearranged. I too am applying via the three year rule. Was your I-751 approved before the interview or was it a combo interview? I have my I-751 ready for interview so dream situation is both approved and oath the same day. Fingers crossed that is possible.

1 hour ago, Italy-USA said:

How did your interview go? Would you mind sharing your experience? 

Thank you! 

(still no news for me) 

Ongoing still! My interview was scheduled for Jan 20th but USCIS offices closed around the country that day due to safety concerns so my interview was de-scheduled. New date set for Feb 23rd. Hopefully that can go ahead that day and will have news to report!

My interview on the 20th Jan was rescheduled due to USCIS offices closing for safety reasons related to the inauguration. Checked today and they have rescheduled it already for end of Feb!! Hats off to them, they got that set up quickly.

1 hour ago, HNZ91 said:

Are they shutting down the office due to COVID?

Sorry should have given context. As Sasha said above, shutting Tuesday and Wednesday over inauguration due to safety measures.

8 minutes ago, Fahad86 said:

Mine was on 19th. Just recieved an email that interview was canceled. Being so close but fell short is the worst feeling. At the moment just trying to stay positive.

Same, it was an email that I understand why they have done it but still gut wrenching to read given how close we are. Here's hoping they very quickly get the rescheduled dates out to us that have been affected. Please keep me in the loop on if and when you hear anything.

On 1/9/2021 at 10:20 AM, anjans said:

Update on my rescheduling interview case in Miami. My original dste was on January 7th. I called on New years eve to reschedule since i didn't read my interview letter properly 🙄 there's a travel restriction, you can't travel within 2 weeks of your interview. New date on the 7th, New interview date is 22nd of February!!! Super fast , i'm surprised 😲🤩 

Hey! My interview just got canceled as it was scheduled for the 20th and they are shutting their office down. So reading your post your rescheduled was about 6 weeks out from the original date?

Hi all. My interview was set for Wednesday the 20th but have just had an email stating all interviews on the 19th and 20th are cancelled due to safety issues and will be automatically rescheduled.
 

Has anybody got experience with rescheduling interviews and if so how far out was your new date?

After being so close to the interview I really hope the wait isn’t too long.

7 hours ago, Italy-USA said:

Hi again! Quick question. When did you get your interview notice? 

Good luck on your interview! You're almost done! 

Hey! I got my interview scheduled letter on December 11th. Took 44 days from biometric reuse to interview scheduled. Then interview on the 20th so a week on Wednesday!

Are you waiting on interview to be scheduled? 

I have my interview next month - I thought they were doing same day oath ceremonies but it appears not with the link above.

Filed August 2020, had biometric reuse in November and interview set for late Jan. Estimated completion April 2021.

1 hour ago, dee21 said:

Hi all! After a 4-month wait, I finally received the biometric reuse letter. Based on some posts here, an interview letter is expected to be received a week after, right? I am being hopeful to finally get this process done! 🙏🏻

Excellent you've had some movement! It is field office dependent - mine took 1.5 months from biometric reuse to interview scheduled.

Good luck, I hope you hear soon. 

2 hours ago, anjans said:

You can actually retrieve the letter from your online account, that is if you applied online through this account. I'm glad because i have not recieved my physical letter although i changed my adress twice now, nothibg in the mail so i don't know why but i will print out the one online. 🤷‍♀️

Have not moved address but still not received it through the post. Thank goodness for the online portal! No mention of it being a combo interview but from googling and searching VJ, it appears the letter is the same, irrespective of it being just N400 or a combo. Jan 20th, we shall find out I guess!

Hi all, searched but could not find anything specific to my question. I have my N400 interview in January and on the letter it asks for "Any evidence of Selective Service Registration". I was 27 years of age when I entered with my K1 visa and therefore outside of the age limits of being between 18-26 years old.

What evidence do I take as I have none?

To those who were also above 26 when you immigrated, do I call Selective Service and ask them for a letter or do I take none due to being above the age limit and the USCIS officer will not ask for anything?

Thank you in advance,

Mike

Just had notification that my N400 interview has been scheduled! Guessing the letter will be in the mail with an interview date on there?

Secondly, I am still pending ROC. My I-751 still says "Case is Ready to be Scheduled for an Interview". I assume they know this and it will be a combo interview or I have t do something in addition?

Thanks as always!