a&o

Hi VJers! I haven't posted for a while but I am going to break out of my shyness and ask for advice.

My Ghanaian husband and I have been married and in the US for over four years now. In general, things are good. We laugh a lot and have done a good job of dealing with the adjustments and such. We'd both like to be back in Ghana, but need to save a lot more to be able to get set up there in any kind of long-term way.

One persistent problem, though, doesn't seem to get resolved. My husband hasn't been able to get high paying jobs here, but he makes enough to take care of his share of our expenses and still have a good amount left over, usually. In the first couple of years when he would take that extra and send it back to his mother, brothers, and sisters in Ghana I understood: he was helping them get set up in apartments and doing the "been to" dance everyone expects. He also went back a couple of times, so that ate away at the wallet, too.

But at this point, after four years, I'd like him to save (as I do) for our future and not just live hand to mouth forever. I think helping to be sure his mom is ok is something that is important and I wouldn't expect him to turn his back on her, even to make her more than comfortable. The problem is that his brother always has these ridiculous ideas for "business" or buying land and my husband just can't see these things for what they are: nonsense.

Does anyone out there have spouses with expectations/financial pressures like this from their spouse's family? How do you deal? How much money does he or she send back regularly (if you feel comfortable sharing: mine sends at least $6k year, on average)?

Oath taken today! Is it really over? Now onto the race for a passport/visa before planned travel in early August...we'll see! Congrats to everyone from our group as they pass the oath ceremony, thanks to all on VJ, and best of luck!

*******

updated. Congratulations to the new citizens!

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USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox

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UserName............Sent.....ChkCashd...NOA.....Fprints...Int Ltr...Intview...Oath......FieldOffice

Angela & Hicham...02/01/10..02/08/10..02/10/10..03/03/10..03/25/10..04/29/10..07/14/10..Oklahoma City, OK

bobo..............02/01/10..02/08/10..02/08/10..03/24/10..04/01/10..05/11/10..06/18/10..Pittsburgh, PA

chan51............02/02/10..02/10/10..02/09/10..03/08/10..03/18/10..04/20/10..04/20/10..Dallas, TX

Quantril..........02/02/10..02/09/10..02/11/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..XX, XX

cocoplum..........02/03/10..02/10/10..02/09/10..03/11/10..05/08/10..06/09/10..06/09/10..Atlanta, GA

John Travolta.....02/03/10..02/11/10..02/25/10..03/18/10..04/02/10..05/06/10..05/28/10..Philadelphia, PA

Tasha.............02/04/10..--/--/--..02/13/10..03/10/10..04/05/10..05/10/10..--/--/--..Boston, MA

junglee069........02/05/10..--/--/--..02/16/10..03/17/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Dallas, TX

honorable.........02/06/10..02/09/10..02/09/10..03/05/10..05/09/10..06/10/10..06/10/10..Atlanta, GA

goldin03..........02/08/10..02/18/10..02/16/10..03/19/10..04/26/10..05/26/10..--/--/--..Washington, DC (Fairfax, VA)

JLR...............02/09/10..02/19/10..02/17/10..03/12/10..03/26/10..04/26/10..07/04/10..San Antonio, TX

Sven..............02/10/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..04/03/10..05/05/10..--/--/--..XX, XX

Fu&Laur...........02/11/10..02/19/10..02/18/10..03/17/10..03/24/10..04/30/10..--/--/--..Dallas, TX

hp8710w...........02/11/10..02/18/10..02/17/10..03/12/10..03/22/10..04/21/10..--/--/--..San Antonio, TX

a&o...............02/15/10..02/19/10..02/19/10..03/19/10..03/24/10..04/28/10..06/29/10..Jacksonville, FL

roses.............02/16/10..02/22/10..02/25/10..03/23/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Charleston, SC

novahunter........02/16/10..02/24/10..02/26/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Arlington, VA

masterpiece.......02/16/10..../../....03/04/10..04/02/10..04/09/10..05/18/10..06/16/10..Norfolk, VA

S.vincent.........02/17/10..03/01/10..02/25/10..04/01/10..04/30/10..06/03/10..--/--/--..Boston, MA

Journey2USC.......02/24/10..03/04/10..03/03/10..03/30/10..04/12/10..05/18/10..--/--/--..Dallas, TX

Fruit_blend.......02/25/10..--/--/--..03/08/10..--/--/--..04/06/10..05/07/10..--/--/--..Houston, TX

jomw10............02/26/10..03/09/10..03/05/10..04/14/10..04/29/10..06/02/10..06/16/10..Houston, TX

HappyNathy........02/28/10..03/10/10..03/17/10..04/07/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Atlanta, GA

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USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox

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UserName............Sent.....ChkCashd...NOA.....Fprints...Int Ltr...Intview...Oath......FieldOffice

ejb...............02/01/10..02/05/10..02/06/10..04/02/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..San Diego, CA

mjm2950...........02/01/10..02/10/10..02/13/10..03/10/10..--/--/--..04/27/10..--/--/--..Denver, CO

chichai...........02/03/10..02/11/10..02/13/10..03/04/10..03/20/10..05/26/10..06/23/10..Los Angeles, CA

Chazzie...........02/04/10..../../....03/09/10..03/25/10..--/--/--..04/22/10..05/26/10..Oakland,CA

stgo..............02/05/10..02/15/10..02/22/10..03/18/10..04/01/10..05/04/10..05/27/10..San Jose, CA

IVaiting..........02/09/10..02/17/10..02/26/10..03/16/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Chicago, IL

CaptainPenguin....02/18/10..02/28/10..03/01/10..03/26/10..04/01/10..05/06/10..06/09/10..Salt Lake City, UT

MrsAmera..........02/19/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..St. Paul, MN

Franklocks........02/19/10..03/09/10..03/12/10..04/05/10..04/20/10..05/24/10..06/17/10..San Francisco, CA

-cK-..............02/19/10..03/04/10..03/03/10..04/05/10..04/12/10..05/25/10..--/--/--..Seattle, WA

vsmtghdy..........02/22/10..03/02/10..03/02/10..04/01/10..04/27/10..06/02/10..06/17/10..Sacramento, CA

ampi..............02/25/10..--/--/--..03/08/10..--/--/--..04/29/10..06/03/10..06/24/10..Phoenix, AZ

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

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UserName............Sent....Prio Date...NOA.....Fprints...Int Ltr...Intview...Oath......FieldOffice

doctorsrk.........02/22/10..02/25/10..03/11/10..03/09/10..04/20/10..05/17/10..05/17/10..Cleveland, OH

True. I've heard stories about the immigration there. It's still not as bad to deal with as the U.S. If you are married to a Ghanaian, you are pretty much in like Flynn. Other than that, starting a business or an NGO is an option.

As far as I can tell, it’s much easier for an ordinary U.S. citizen to live in Ghana than it is for an ordinary Ghanaian to just visit the U.S.

Well, yes and no. You can always dash (bribe) your way out of the official paperwork routes, but as far as starting a business and working legally or getting a permanent residency status, that's not easy or quick (unless you find the right person to dash, that is). As a foreigner, you would need to invest $10k (last I checked) to start a business. That's an upfront fee. Then, it's mainly the foreign businesses that the Ghana tax collectors keep track of: very close track. So, as long as you have the money, you're all set.

One thing I found in my many trips to the Ghana Immigration Service office was that if you looked like you are enjoying the big, sunlit room with the super cold air conditioning and don't mind waiting, they will call you right up. If you seem frustrated or in a hurry, forget about it! Then, if you have to go sit in some office because something is "not correct" with your status or forms, it really helped me, at least, to talk lovingly about my Ghana man (if it was a male immigration officer).

I'm rooting for Ghana, and my Ghanaian hubbie is rooting for the USA. I guess we're attracted to one another's country and it might explain why we're together!

Looks like yet another situation that gives me reason to just move to Ghana where my family isn't unwanted.

Yes, but have you ever dealt with the Ghana Immigration Service? That's no picnic, either.

You can maintain citizenship with another country, but according to the US, if you're a US citizen, you're a US citizen (not a dual citizen), so you'll always have to file taxes with the IRS.

Congrats!

It won't be a problem unless you are away for a long time .

My husband is planning to go to Ghana for a visit before taking his oath (he is going to ask it to be postponed).

Is 60 days away too long a time? It seems the physical presence was met before the application was sent. He hasn't been out of the USA much at all before this upcoming trip.

Thanks for advice/info....

So sorry to hear this. I hope you have supportive family members and friends to help you through it all.

There were no signs or red flags? Was there pressure from his family back in Cameroon for anything?

Do you need to do anything to protect your finances or anything?

It's almost always just the biometrics.

Took 2.5 months from application to interview for my husband.

I wish I remembered the VJer who is doing their oath in Pensacola...there is one. I think it was in late May.

Yes, I've heard you can apply for the passport at the oath ceremony. Must be more info in other threads on this...probably need to take all the stuff you need for that application, and a checkbook!

I haven't heard of anyone doing same day oaths in Jacksonville. They seem to have ceremonies once per month or even less frequently. And, they fill up. So even if you're eligible to do the oath on the next oath ceremony date, it could be full already and you'd need to wait for the next one.

My husband passed his interview on 4/28, and is now scheduled for the oath ceremony in Jacksonville on 6/29.

However, I've heard that they do oath ceremonies elsewhere: for example, another VJer had the interview in Jacksonville but the oath ceremony in Tallahassee. So, that could happen for you.... There's a great IO in Jacksonville if you have any possibility of making an infopass if you happen to be in Jacksonville. Got lots of good info that way.

Adding oath date! Finally got letter... However, will probably need to request a postponed oath date.

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2. Please make sure you are using Rich Text Editor as your message setting.

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USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox

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UserName............Sent.....ChkCashd...NOA.....Fprints...Int Ltr...Intview...Oath......FieldOffice

Angela & Hicham...02/01/10..02/08/10..02/10/10..03/03/10..03/25/10..04/29/10..--/--/--..Oklahoma City, OK

bobo..............02/01/10..02/08/10..02/08/10..03/24/10..04/01/10..05/11/10..06/18/10..Pittsburgh, PA

chan51............02/02/10..02/10/10..02/09/10..03/08/10..03/18/10..04/20/10..04/20/10..Dallas, TX

Quantril..........02/02/10..02/09/10..02/11/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..XX, XX

cocoplum..........02/03/10..02/10/10..02/09/10..03/11/10..05/08/10..06/09/10..--/--/--..Atlanta, GA

John Travolta.....02/03/10..02/11/10..02/25/10..03/18/10..04/02/10..05/06/10..05/28/10..Philadelphia, PA

Tasha.............02/04/10..--/--/--..02/13/10..03/10/10..04/05/10..05/10/10..--/--/--..Boston, MA

junglee069........02/05/10..--/--/--..02/16/10..03/17/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Dallas, TX

honorable.........02/06/10..02/09/10..02/09/10..03/05/10..05/09/10..06/10/10..--/--/--..Atlanta, GA

goldin03..........02/08/10..02/18/10..02/16/10..03/19/10..04/26/10..05/26/10..--/--/--..Washington, DC (Fairfax, VA)

JLR...............02/09/10..02/19/10..02/17/10..03/12/10..03/26/10..04/26/10..--/--/--..San Antonio, TX

Sven..............02/10/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..04/03/10..05/05/10..--/--/--..XX, XX

Fu&Laur...........02/11/10..02/19/10..02/18/10..03/17/10..03/24/10..04/30/10..--/--/--..Dallas, TX

hp8710w...........02/11/10..02/18/10..02/17/10..03/12/10..03/22/10..04/21/10..--/--/--..San Antonio, TX

a&o...............02/15/10..02/19/10..02/19/10..03/19/10..03/24/10..04/28/10..06/29/10..Jacksonville, FL

roses.............02/16/10..02/22/10..02/25/10..03/23/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Charleston, SC

novahunter........02/16/10..02/24/10..02/26/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Arlington, VA

masterpiece.......02/16/10..../../....03/04/10..04/02/10..04/09/10..05/18/10..06/16/10..Norfolk, VA

S.vincent.........02/17/10..03/01/10..02/25/10..04/01/10..04/30/10..06/03/10..--/--/--..Boston, MA

Journey2USC.......02/24/10..03/04/10..03/03/10..03/30/10..04/12/10..05/18/10..--/--/--..Dallas, TX

Fruit_blend.......02/25/10..--/--/--..03/08/10..--/--/--..04/06/10..05/07/10..--/--/--..Houston, TX

jomw10............02/26/10..03/09/10..03/05/10..04/14/10..04/29/10..06/02/10..06/16/10..Houston, TX

HappyNathy........02/28/10..03/10/10..03/17/10..04/07/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Atlanta, GA

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USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox

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UserName............Sent.....ChkCashd...NOA.....Fprints...Int Ltr...Intview...Oath......FieldOffice

ejb...............02/01/10..02/05/10..02/06/10..04/02/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..San Diego, CA

mjm2950...........02/01/10..02/10/10..02/13/10..03/10/10..--/--/--..04/27/10..--/--/--..Denver, CO

chichai...........02/03/10..02/11/10..02/13/10..03/04/10..03/20/10..05/26/10..06/23/10..Los Angeles, CA

Chazzie...........02/04/10..../../....03/09/10..03/25/10..--/--/--..04/22/10..05/26/10..Oakland,CA

stgo..............02/05/10..02/15/10..02/22/10..03/18/10..04/01/10..05/04/10..05/27/10..San Jose, CA

IVaiting..........02/09/10..02/17/10..02/26/10..03/16/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Chicago, IL

CaptainPenguin....02/18/10..02/28/10..03/01/10..03/26/10..04/01/10..05/06/10..06/09/10..Salt Lake City, UT

MrsAmera..........02/19/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..St. Paul, MN

Franklocks........02/19/10..03/09/10..03/12/10..04/05/10..04/20/10..05/24/10..06/17/10 ..San Francisco, CA

-cK-..............02/19/10..03/04/10..03/03/10..04/05/10..04/12/10..05/25/10..--/--/--..Seattle, WA

vsmtghdy..........02/22/10..03/02/10..03/02/10..04/01/10..04/27/10..06/02/10..06/17/10..Sacramento, CA

ampi..............02/25/10..--/--/--..03/08/10..--/--/--..04/29/10..06/03/10..--/--/--..XX, XX

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

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UserName............Sent....Prio Date...NOA.....Fprints...Int Ltr...Intview...Oath......FieldOffice

doctorsrk.........02/22/10..02/25/10..03/11/10..03/09/10..04/20/10..05/17/10..05/17/10..Cleveland, OH

Not allowed, I would guess. I had to return my phone charger to the car: not even that was permitted inside (it was deep down in my purse).

Hi Claudio: we're in the same situation. We're in Jacksonville and wanted to get an oath date ASAP. But, they fill up, apparently. I thought they would just accommodate as many people as are eligible, but that's not the case. So you're basically in line for the next available ceremony with space. And then they don't send the letter until it's six weeks or less before that date of the ceremony you get to be part of...and it has to be in your area. You can't go to another town (we wanted to head to Gainesville for the June 24th as well).

All of this we learned at an Infopass in Jacksonville. The IO didn't hesitate to let us know the status. Unfortunately, the status is just that we're in line and waiting for a spot at a ceremony. They usually have one every month in Jacksonville, she said, but for some reason aren't having one in June. This stinks for us (have plans to travel in early August and now probably can't or have to postpone oath), but it was good to at least know we're in line....

So, I am a fan of feeling better, so if it would make you feel better to go in and do an Infopass, I would do it. I hope you get the nice IO when you do!

Congrats, Angela and Hicham!!!

Congrats! Sounds like quite the ordeal at the interview, geeeez....

Thanks for the same day passport info. I am less worried about that than about getting the tourist visa for Ghana. Sending off an application to the Ghana consulate...that is really something that won't happen quickly, I bet.

I hope it's not foolish to postpone the oath...

Nope, no "you are approved" letter after passing interview and then having 3 year anniversary date pass thereafter. When we went to the infopass appointment, we were told it was approved on 5/4 (which was the day after the 3 year anniversary date) and then put in line for an oath ceremony appointment.

But that's just our experience. Anyone else get a notice of approval?

Ha ha, masterpiece... I'll put it on the list! You know it's only fresh for like two hours, though, so are you sure you don't want a keychain or something?

Super write up! I love all the details. So valuable for other people heading through the process, so thanks for that! And, CONGRATS!!!

Thanks a&o...Hope anxiety level remains below par..what with travel plans and all..

Well, we really made a mistake in buying the tickets to travel in early August. Assumed there would be an oath ceremony every month and they don't fill up. Wrong! Wrong!

Went to an infopass (there is a super nice IO in Jax, so despite the drive we don't mind doing the infopass business) and were told that O would have been eligible for the oath ceremony on May 20th, but it's full, so he is in line for the next one. Normally they have one every month, but for some reason they won't in June. So the next one is July 16th! That won't leave enough time to get a U.S. passport and then get a tourist visa for Ghana, let alone dual citizenship.

So, looks like we're going to have to ask for a postponed oath date (for after he is back from Ghana in October) OR pay lots of moolah to change a non-refundable international ticket. This messes everything up, as we were also planning to move to Miami. Well, live and learn.... The only bright spot is that he won't have the stress and expense of getting a Ghana tourist visa. I just hope we don't end up in a USCIS multi-year oath ceremony quest.

We found out yesterday at an infopass that they don't send the oath letter until six weeks or sooner before the oath ceremony date. So if the next oath ceremony isn't until mid-July (or the next oath ceremony that isn't full isn't until then), oath letter won't come until beginning of June, even if the interview was passed in March or April.... That's what we were told, anyway.

We were told they "try" to send the oath letter six weeks before the oath ceremony to which you are assigned. There is a list of people in line to be assigned, so even though you're all set to take the oath, we learned, there might not be space available in the next oath ceremony. So it's also a matter of waiting in the queue until space opens up.