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vanee

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  1. Like
    vanee got a reaction from Rodrilushe in Yes, you can visit!   
    Good idea to have a thread for this topic.
    I wrote about my experience entering the US while our I-129F is pending in this March 2007 thread. A summary: I almost wasn't allowed in because it was difficult to prove ties to Canada because I'm self-employed and don't have a lease or mortgage. However, I brought what I had, and the border guard let me through.
    When I was asked the purpose of my visit, I answered, "To visit my guy." The border guard looked at his computer monitor and asked: "How long have you been engaged?" Someone in the above thread suggested that maybe the border guard didn't have any information about me and was just fishing. After thinking about it, I think that's what it was. I have a vague memory of being asked the same question when I entered the US last fall. The answer then was, "We aren't engaged," so the question didn't stay with me.
    My advice to anyone travelling to the US while their K-1 is pending:

    Don't volunteer more information than you need to initially. But if questions arise about your intentions and status, that's when to show how prepared you are.
    Bring all the documentation of ties to home that you can think of, especially if you don't have a lease/mortgage or letter from your employer. I listed what I brought here.
    Bring a copy of your I-129F package, including the NOA1 and NOA2 if you have it. If you're working on the next steps of the K-1, bring whatever you have for that too. The border guard spent some time looking through what I'd brought. I think the amount of material in the package helped convince him that I was doing things legally and wasn't going to stay in the US on that trip.
    Be informed about the laws concerning your situation, how long you can stay (depending on where you're from or your visa) and demonstrate how informed you are if you get into a discussion about your status.
    And, of course, be polite, and stay cool. It's easier to do if you walk through the possibilities mentally beforehand.
  2. Like
    vanee got a reaction from MartaMMM in Yes, you can visit!   
    Good idea to have a thread for this topic.
    I wrote about my experience entering the US while our I-129F is pending in this March 2007 thread. A summary: I almost wasn't allowed in because it was difficult to prove ties to Canada because I'm self-employed and don't have a lease or mortgage. However, I brought what I had, and the border guard let me through.
    When I was asked the purpose of my visit, I answered, "To visit my guy." The border guard looked at his computer monitor and asked: "How long have you been engaged?" Someone in the above thread suggested that maybe the border guard didn't have any information about me and was just fishing. After thinking about it, I think that's what it was. I have a vague memory of being asked the same question when I entered the US last fall. The answer then was, "We aren't engaged," so the question didn't stay with me.
    My advice to anyone travelling to the US while their K-1 is pending:

    Don't volunteer more information than you need to initially. But if questions arise about your intentions and status, that's when to show how prepared you are.
    Bring all the documentation of ties to home that you can think of, especially if you don't have a lease/mortgage or letter from your employer. I listed what I brought here.
    Bring a copy of your I-129F package, including the NOA1 and NOA2 if you have it. If you're working on the next steps of the K-1, bring whatever you have for that too. The border guard spent some time looking through what I'd brought. I think the amount of material in the package helped convince him that I was doing things legally and wasn't going to stay in the US on that trip.
    Be informed about the laws concerning your situation, how long you can stay (depending on where you're from or your visa) and demonstrate how informed you are if you get into a discussion about your status.
    And, of course, be polite, and stay cool. It's easier to do if you walk through the possibilities mentally beforehand.
  3. Thanks
    vanee got a reaction from Snb3189 in Yes, you can visit!   
    Good idea to have a thread for this topic.
    I wrote about my experience entering the US while our I-129F is pending in this March 2007 thread. A summary: I almost wasn't allowed in because it was difficult to prove ties to Canada because I'm self-employed and don't have a lease or mortgage. However, I brought what I had, and the border guard let me through.
    When I was asked the purpose of my visit, I answered, "To visit my guy." The border guard looked at his computer monitor and asked: "How long have you been engaged?" Someone in the above thread suggested that maybe the border guard didn't have any information about me and was just fishing. After thinking about it, I think that's what it was. I have a vague memory of being asked the same question when I entered the US last fall. The answer then was, "We aren't engaged," so the question didn't stay with me.
    My advice to anyone travelling to the US while their K-1 is pending:

    Don't volunteer more information than you need to initially. But if questions arise about your intentions and status, that's when to show how prepared you are.
    Bring all the documentation of ties to home that you can think of, especially if you don't have a lease/mortgage or letter from your employer. I listed what I brought here.
    Bring a copy of your I-129F package, including the NOA1 and NOA2 if you have it. If you're working on the next steps of the K-1, bring whatever you have for that too. The border guard spent some time looking through what I'd brought. I think the amount of material in the package helped convince him that I was doing things legally and wasn't going to stay in the US on that trip.
    Be informed about the laws concerning your situation, how long you can stay (depending on where you're from or your visa) and demonstrate how informed you are if you get into a discussion about your status.
    And, of course, be polite, and stay cool. It's easier to do if you walk through the possibilities mentally beforehand.
  4. Like
    vanee reacted to f f in Claim to be USC by mistake and rectified immediately   
    knowingly hiding a claim of us citizenship. bad idea.
    just explain exactly what happened with proof it was corrected. explain you were rushed checked the wrong box and when you found out you immediately contacted them to change it.
    good luck
  5. Like
    vanee reacted to ptm897 in Dual Citizenship   
    To the Original Poster.. If you naturalize in the U.S. you do not jeopardize your Canadian citizenship. Canada allows dual citizenship so the act of you naturalizing in the U.S. does not jeopardize that at all. If you happen to come from a country that does not allow dual citizenship like, Japan, Philippines, then when you take the oath of allegiance and complete the naturalization process you have lost the citizenship of your former country because they will no longer consider you a citizen upon naturalization in the U.S. For a green card holder here in the U.S. from countries like Japan and the Philippines if they go to their consulate here to renew their passport the consulate will ask to see their green card and when they cannot produce that green card because USCIS took it during the naturalization process, that is how those countries that don't allow dual citizenship keep their checks and balances and are able to find out that their citizens have naturalized in another country. So when a Filipino citizens naturalizes in the U.S. the consulate will find out when they go to renew their passport and they cannot produce their green card to show the consulate because they have naturalized and have a naturalization certificate. Then the Filipino consulate will refuse to issue their passport and notify them that they are no longer a citizen of the Philippines.
    So, because Canada doesn't care if you naturalize you will not have renounced your Canadian citizenship unless you sign renunciation papers at your local Canadian consulate and tell them you don't want to be a citizen anymore and turn in your passport to them. There is an actual renunciation process that you have to go through with your own country in order to renounce if you come from a country that does not care one way or the other if you naturalize.
    So if you naturalize in the U.S you would always maintain two passports and when you go abroad outside of the U.S. to visit someplace you enter those countries on whatever passport is more advantageous to you, but when you come back into the U.S. you will always and forever present your U.S. Passport for inspection at any border or port of entry. You would never again show your Canadian passport to a U.S. Immigration official at any border or port when you are coming back in once you have naturalized.
    Technically the U.S. doesn't allow dual citizenship for their citizens under most circumstances and there is always a fine line between that. The U.S. recognizes that many people naturalize here and are allowed to retain their citizenship from their other country if that country allows them to. When you naturalize in the U.S. our office has no legal right to confiscate your Canadian passport from you as that is property of the Canadian government, the only time Immigration is allowed to confiscate a passport from someone is if they are in the process of deporting a criminal and they are securing their travel document to effect the removal.
    Many people born in the U.S. are born dual citizens and they have 2nd citizenship through direct blood/lineage from one of their parents that was still a citizen of another country at the time of their birth here in the U.S. so some people here are born citizens and then also hold another citizenship and that is allowable. Then there are many people that naturalize in the U.S. and they come from countries that allow dual citizenship so even though they take our oath of allegiance and they are telling us in that oath that they "Absolutely end entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty to whom or which they have heretofore been a subject or citizen"...etc.... you are not really renouncing that citizenship unless you would go to your countries consulate and sign renunciation papers to that country and turn in your passport to them, you have not really renounced.
    I hope this information is helpful, I am an Immigration Officer with USCIS for the past 20 years now, I spent 10 years interviewing in our Citizenship branch and the derivative U.S. citizenship is my specialty and my geek thing for the past 14 years.. I love my job and I actually just discovered this message board today through something on FB. I know that many of my fellow co-workers will refuse to admit to the people that they interview that you are able to retain your citizenship from the country you are from if that country allows you to have dual citizenship, and Canada and the U.K, and many other countries allow dual citizenship. Many USCIS officers can be really militant about that and will refuse to tell you during the interview process that you are allowed to retain your citizenship from your country if they allow you to, many have the mindset that once you naturalize here they don't want you thinking that you can still retain your previous citizenship. I've heard the way some of them talk to applicants in their office and that always got me angry because they are not telling them the truth.
    We have books at work that have a list of many of the countries and it tells us if that country allows dual citizenship or not, and it's very easy to find out, just call your countries consulate here in the U.S. and ask them.
  6. Like
    vanee got a reaction from Janelle2002 in More Immigrants Seeking Citizenship to Vote in 2016 Presidential Race   
    I'm one of those immigrants who has applied for citizenship recently. While I pay attention to politics, I don't remember hearing the Obama administration encourage immigrants to become citizens. My reason for applying for citizenship now, 7 years after becoming a permanent resident, is so that I can vote. We live in turbulent times, and I can't just sit back and watch.

    I was going to become a US citizen eventually, and there are also other reasons for wanting to become a citizen. But wanting to vote is the reason I've applied to become one now instead of in a few years.
  7. Like
    vanee got a reaction from Cheezees in N-400 May 2016 filers   
    Yeah. I thought I was helping them as well as myself by filling out the new form when I was already halfway through the old one.
    I've given up hope on being able to vote in the next federal election. That election is why I applied to become a US citizen at this time. Maybe I'll be able to vote in the 2020 election.
  8. Like
    vanee got a reaction from NikLR in More Immigrants Seeking Citizenship to Vote in 2016 Presidential Race   
    I'm one of those immigrants who has applied for citizenship recently. While I pay attention to politics, I don't remember hearing the Obama administration encourage immigrants to become citizens. My reason for applying for citizenship now, 7 years after becoming a permanent resident, is so that I can vote. We live in turbulent times, and I can't just sit back and watch.

    I was going to become a US citizen eventually, and there are also other reasons for wanting to become a citizen. But wanting to vote is the reason I've applied to become one now instead of in a few years.
  9. Like
    vanee got a reaction from elmcitymaven in More Immigrants Seeking Citizenship to Vote in 2016 Presidential Race   
    I'm one of those immigrants who has applied for citizenship recently. While I pay attention to politics, I don't remember hearing the Obama administration encourage immigrants to become citizens. My reason for applying for citizenship now, 7 years after becoming a permanent resident, is so that I can vote. We live in turbulent times, and I can't just sit back and watch.

    I was going to become a US citizen eventually, and there are also other reasons for wanting to become a citizen. But wanting to vote is the reason I've applied to become one now instead of in a few years.
  10. Like
    vanee reacted to Lights in 2 Years in America   
    I’ve been in and out of this forum for many years. First when my husband and I embarked in our K1 Journey, then our AOS and now our ROC. I come here often to read, but don’t always post. I’m feeling a bit warm and fuzzy inside because it’s July 1st (Canada Day) and I’m missing home, but also sitting in my office and thinking how incredible these last 2 years have been. I hope it’s okay to share some thoughts and if it helps you, then great and if it doesn’t, then I wish you best on your journey. After 2 years of being in the good ole US of A, there are a few things that I’ve learned. Don’t compare your journey to other people. I use to come here and read threads about how terribly hard it is to move and it would scare the heck out of me. Transition is always hard, but you don’t need the extra pressure. There is no ‘normal’, whatever is natural to you is normal. Remember that… Trust yourself and the process. Remember that things aren’t ‘in place’ right away and have patience to see it through. I was the foreign spouse and my husband is the USC. As much as it’s expected of them to support us because we are the ones doing the moving, remember they are human too. That it does hurt them to see you in pain, and sometimes they do feel helpless because they cannot provide something that you’re missing. Communication IS key. Instead of asking what is normal to everyone else, talk to your spouse. A lot of what is new to you, is new to them as well. You are a team and although you may feel like you’re in this alone, you certainly are not. ADAPT - Find a way to adapt versus reflecting on how things are “at home” and expecting something similar. I was born and raised in Canada. I LOVE my home country, even our politics and there are many things that I find gut wrenching here in the US. However, you must learn to adapt or it’ll eat you up inside. Don’t expect perfection or how it use to be. It's okay to have a different view. People here can be different. Remember the reasons you moved. You may not live in a perfect place, where you are from isn't perfect either, but the point of it all is to be with the one you love. You can change, grow, and THRIVE. Things being different can actually be a good thing. When I moved to the US, I had a long standing career (11+ years) in a field that I thought I was passionate about. I was so scared that I could not pick up from where I left off and would have to ‘settle’ for a job I didn’t care for. When I moved to the US and my life changed, lifestyle changed, etc. So did my passion. Moving has given me the opportunity to CHANGE my course and jump into a new career that I thought I’d never be in. Within 2 years, I was able to start my own business and I thought being foreign would hinder me somehow. I use to upset myself over thinking how I went from 52 weeks mat leave in Canada to 6 weeks if I were lucky. It created a lot of unwanted anxiety... but you don't have to settle. Make a decision and go for it. I never think of it as starting from scratch again. Create your own opportunities, there are so many here in the US. Lastly, be kind to yourself and to those around you. If you entered in good faith and are committed to the vows you made, there will be ups and downs, but have faith in yourself and the process. When I first moved, the first month was tough. I missed my family and my home so so much. 2 years later, and I feel at home. Yes, there are still cultural and societal things that I’m not use to, but I feel at home. Embrace your move, expect the bumps... and enjoy what we all waited so long for - to be with our loved ones. Wishing you all a happy 4th of July!
  11. Like
    vanee got a reaction from Harpa Timsah in Anyone ever have moments like these?   
    You're already going for it. Take one step at a time.
    Once you get here and get settled, find ways to get involved. Since you have young children, you'll probably want to meet other moms and arrange play dates for the kids. If you have time to volunteer, that's another way to get to know people and to understand the culture here.
    You'll probably find Craigslist useful for buying a lot of things that you need. It's very popular here, and it's a good way to save money.
    Being fluent in English will help you a lot. It may take a little time to get used to the American accent and American words for some things, but that's a small concern in the big picture.
    There will probably be times when you don't understand or agree with how things are done or how people think. That's normal. Whenever I get one of those moments, I remind myself that if my husband had come to Canada instead of me coming here, he'd be having similar moments about different things. And he doesn't like everything in this country either, just as I don't like everything in my home country.
    Overall, my experience here has been good. It's been an adventure, full of experiences I never would have had if I'd stayed in my familiar world that used to be home.
    As an immigrant, you'll always see things a little differently than native-born Americans will. Our perceptions are shaped by our life experiences. Your perceptions of life here will become part of who you are.
    If you make this place your home and get involved, you'll have adventures too.
  12. Like
    vanee reacted to dreamer15 in My Oath Experience at Chicago   
    I applied for citizenship based on 5 year rule. I had my interview on Mar. 10th at 101 Congress Pkwy. After the interview, I was given n a notice with decision yet to be made. After three weeks, I received email notification that Oath is scheduled and I had my Oath on Apr. 13th in the same building where I was interviewed. I didn't have a name change . So, it was an Administrative Oath service. My Oath was scheduled at 9 am. I reached the building by 8:30am. After clearing security checks , I went to the third floor. With me, I carried Oath ceremony letter and Green Card. I had filled the back of the oath ceremony letter the previous night. The room started to get crowded close to 9. People who were attending oath were asked to sit in the middle area and their friends and family were asked to sit on sides. IO officers were asking to fill back of the oath form and were asking whether anyone is accompanied by interpreter. I wish they said the instructions through micro-phone. Most of their instructions were unable to be heard by people who were seated at back. Then around 9:15 they allowed one row at a time to enter the auditorium. Before entering the auditorium they checked whether back of the form is filled and asked to show the Green Card. I didn't have changes since my interview. So , I moved in the line. I’m not sure whether they cross verified details for people who had changes since interview. Right before entering the auditorium an IO crossed the back of the form with red pen. Staffs at the desk collected green card and gave a token to seats. On each seat there was a package which had a letter from President, Oath of Allegiance, national Anthem, folder to keep Naturalization certificate, passport application form and voter's guide.
    After that, family and friends were asked to enter the auditorium. It was a small auditorium and I felt congested. Around 9:45 the ceremony started. I was expecting a judge but someone who introduced himself as supervisor at immigration service conducted the ceremony. A small video about US was shown. Then everyone was asked to stand up for National Anthem . Then in alphabetical order he called names of the countries and asked people who belonged to that country to stand up. After that, he asked everyone to raise their right hand and asked to follow as he read Oath Of Allegiance and Pledge Of Allegiance. Then he congratulated everyone and a small video message from Obama was played. Another small video about America was played and they asked people from each row one after the other to come and collect their certificate. Finally, he asked to apply for passport and update Social Security Administration. Photos were allowed to be taken inside the auditorium but not outside. While coming out, they were handing out voter's registration form. The ceremony was done by 10:30.
    Couple of things about the certificate. Make sure all your information are correct. They had the picture taken during bio-metrics in the certificate. For people who care about how they look, please make sure you are photo ready while going for bio-metrics.
    I am happy that I am done with USCIS and I would like to thank all VSJ fellow members whose posts have helped me through every step in this process.
  13. Like
    vanee got a reaction from Ontarkie in Was added to the voters list and I'm not a US citizen yet   
    Here's the reply I got:
    So, the problem is solved. Thanks again everyone for your help.
  14. Like
    vanee got a reaction from NM2428 in Yes, you can visit!   
    Good idea to have a thread for this topic.
    I wrote about my experience entering the US while our I-129F is pending in this March 2007 thread. A summary: I almost wasn't allowed in because it was difficult to prove ties to Canada because I'm self-employed and don't have a lease or mortgage. However, I brought what I had, and the border guard let me through.
    When I was asked the purpose of my visit, I answered, "To visit my guy." The border guard looked at his computer monitor and asked: "How long have you been engaged?" Someone in the above thread suggested that maybe the border guard didn't have any information about me and was just fishing. After thinking about it, I think that's what it was. I have a vague memory of being asked the same question when I entered the US last fall. The answer then was, "We aren't engaged," so the question didn't stay with me.
    My advice to anyone travelling to the US while their K-1 is pending:

    Don't volunteer more information than you need to initially. But if questions arise about your intentions and status, that's when to show how prepared you are.
    Bring all the documentation of ties to home that you can think of, especially if you don't have a lease/mortgage or letter from your employer. I listed what I brought here.
    Bring a copy of your I-129F package, including the NOA1 and NOA2 if you have it. If you're working on the next steps of the K-1, bring whatever you have for that too. The border guard spent some time looking through what I'd brought. I think the amount of material in the package helped convince him that I was doing things legally and wasn't going to stay in the US on that trip.
    Be informed about the laws concerning your situation, how long you can stay (depending on where you're from or your visa) and demonstrate how informed you are if you get into a discussion about your status.
    And, of course, be polite, and stay cool. It's easier to do if you walk through the possibilities mentally beforehand.
  15. Like
    vanee got a reaction from IcezMan_IcezLady in Yes, you can visit!   
    Good idea to have a thread for this topic.
    I wrote about my experience entering the US while our I-129F is pending in this March 2007 thread. A summary: I almost wasn't allowed in because it was difficult to prove ties to Canada because I'm self-employed and don't have a lease or mortgage. However, I brought what I had, and the border guard let me through.
    When I was asked the purpose of my visit, I answered, "To visit my guy." The border guard looked at his computer monitor and asked: "How long have you been engaged?" Someone in the above thread suggested that maybe the border guard didn't have any information about me and was just fishing. After thinking about it, I think that's what it was. I have a vague memory of being asked the same question when I entered the US last fall. The answer then was, "We aren't engaged," so the question didn't stay with me.
    My advice to anyone travelling to the US while their K-1 is pending:

    Don't volunteer more information than you need to initially. But if questions arise about your intentions and status, that's when to show how prepared you are.
    Bring all the documentation of ties to home that you can think of, especially if you don't have a lease/mortgage or letter from your employer. I listed what I brought here.
    Bring a copy of your I-129F package, including the NOA1 and NOA2 if you have it. If you're working on the next steps of the K-1, bring whatever you have for that too. The border guard spent some time looking through what I'd brought. I think the amount of material in the package helped convince him that I was doing things legally and wasn't going to stay in the US on that trip.
    Be informed about the laws concerning your situation, how long you can stay (depending on where you're from or your visa) and demonstrate how informed you are if you get into a discussion about your status.
    And, of course, be polite, and stay cool. It's easier to do if you walk through the possibilities mentally beforehand.
  16. Like
    vanee got a reaction from TheFantastics09 in HAPPY CANADA IN THE US   
    Here's something for all the Canadians here:

  17. Like
    vanee got a reaction from Krikit in Citizenship   
    I'll be eligible to apply for US citizenship in 2 months, but I'm not in a hurry. First, I want it to be about more than benefits for me. I like my life here, and I like the people I've gotten to know, but I don't feel American. Shouldn't new citizenship be something you feel proud to identify with? It just isn't me, at least not at this point.
    Aside from that, it's possible that in the future, people with dual citizenship will be forced to give up their non-American citizenship to stay in the US. At first I thought that was far-fetched. But it happened before, in the 1940s, and the way some presidential candidates talk concerns me. They're catering to narrow-minded extremists who want to make laws against things that don't fit their narrow world view. There are enough of that type in this country that they could implement scary changes. Like not allowing dual citizenship any more because they're scared of anything/anyone that isn't American and don't have the ability to think through the concept that dual citizenship or lack of it doesn't change people's loyalties.
    There are many wonderful people in this country. But those others are enough to keep me from becoming a US citizen.
  18. Like
    vanee reacted to Holliday in What is the thing you miss the most from your country???   
    I miss sidewalks. I miss food. I especially miss looking at a menu and not having to figure out why all the "vegetables" are battered and deep fried. I miss hearing 10 or so different languages any given day (or even just different accents) while walking down the street... on a sidewalk. I miss not having to pay thousands of dollars to NOT DIE. I miss voting. I miss walking into a building and not seeing signs that read "no weapons". I miss seasons. I also miss about a million other things... and I moved almost 2 1/2 years ago. I've given up on the idea that I may one day see things here as "normal" or even "acceptable", and I'm fine with that. Living with my husband is absolutely worth all the homesickness/frustration/confusion etc. So while I'm complaining, I'm not really complaining.
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