G&A

added G&A

N-400: April 2014 Applicants

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USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox
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UserName............|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|FieldOffice
KCoyclay............|03/28/14.|04/--/14.|04/03/14.|05/08/14.|08/25/14.|09/24/14.|--/--/--.|New York, NY
pinoyme.............|--/--/--.|04/02/14.|04/07/14.|05/30/14.|06/04/14.|09/03/14.|--/--/--.|San Jose, CA
zafroggie...........|04/01/14.|04/07/14.|04/08/14.|05/01/14.|05/23/14.|06/24/14.|06/26/14.|Charlotte, NC
GJen................|04/02/14.|04/08/14.|04/07/14.|05/09/14.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Atlanta, GA
Martyshk............|04/03/14.|04/14/14.|04/08/14.|05/15/14.|07/07/14.|08/14/14.|08/14/14.|Newark, NJ
furiousng...........|04/07/14.|04/16/14.|04/15/14.|05/02/14.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Oklahoma City, OK
Madelyne............|04/08/14.|04/15/14.|04/14/14.|05/12/14.|07/07/14.|08/06/14.|--/--/--.|Philadelphia, PA
leith@Ievgeniia.....|04/08/14.|04/15/14.|04/14/14.|05/14/14.|05/27/14.|06/30/14.|08/18/14.|Charleston, SC
edu88...............|04/09/14.|04/15/14.|04/14/14.|05/12/14.|07/11/14.|08/11/14.|08/25/14.|Tampa, FL
Milka...............|04/10/14.|04/17/14.|04/14/14.|05/20/14.|07/12/14.|08/11/14.|09/17/14.|Norfolk, VA
rajandsukhi.........|04/11/14.|04/17/14.|04/16/14.|05/20/14.|07/24/14.|08/25/14.|--/--/--.|Newark, NJ
Luis25..............|04/12/14.|04/--/14.|04/17/14.|05/21/14.|--/--/--.|07/24/14.|07/25/14.|Miami, FL
Lovely Boy..........|04/14/14.|04/--/14.|04/17/14.|05/16/14.|09/02/14.|10/03/14.|--/--/--.|Long Island, NY
Moe1985.............|04/15/14.|04/21/14.|04/21/14.|05/13/14.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Atlanta, GA
M and F Forever.....|04/16/14.|04/21/14.|04/18/14.|05/12/14.|07/21/14.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Houston, TX
harryhita...........|04/17/14.|04/29/14.|04/18/14.|06/04/14.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Atlanta, GA
krishna12...........|04/19/14.|04/28/14.|04/23/14.|05/23/14.|07/03/14.|08/07/14.|--/--/--.|Jacksonville, FL
shakira08...........|04/24/14.|05/01/14.|05/01/14.|05/30/14.|07/18/14.|08/27/14.|09/05/14.|Tampa, FL
Subaru4Me...........|04/28/14.|05/03/14.|05/03/14.|05/27/14.|--/--/14.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Long Island City, NY
Raluca805...........|04/28/14.|05/04/14.|05/09/14.|05/23/14.|07/24/14.|09/02/14.|--/--/--.|Tampa,FL
Kabul...............|04/28/14.|05/04/14.|05/06/14.|05/30/14.|--/--/14.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Houston, TX
greatk..............|05/03/14.|05/12/14.|05/12/14.|06/06/14.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York, NY

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USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox
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UserName............|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|FieldOffice
G&A.................|03/03/14.|03/06/14.|03/15/14.|03/27/14.|04/03/14.|07/08/14.|09/17/14.|Los Angeles, CA

Edp333..............|03/24/14.|04/04/14.|04/03/14.|04/30/14.|05/28/14.|07/01/14.|--/--/--.|Chicago, IL
AllesKlar...........|03/28/14.|04/04/14.|04/03/14.|04/29/14.|07/23/14.|08/26/14.|--/--/--.|Chicago, IL
Mehdi.M.............|04/01/14.|04/06/14.|04/06/14.|05/15/14.|05/21/14.|06/25/14.|07/24/14.|Milwaukee, WI
MichaelOlesea.......|04/02/14.|04/10/14.|04/09/14.|05/05/14.|05/29/14.|07/08/14.|08/29/14.|Cleveland,OH
Mohammad............|04/02/14.|04/10/14.|04/18/14.|05/19/14.|05/28/14.|06/23/14.|07/25/14.|Reno, NV
wlmh65..............|04/09/14.|04/16/14.|04/15/14.|05/12/14.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Seattle, WA
Maritoni............|04/10/14.|04/17/14.|04/14/14.|05/06/14.|05/12/14.|06/17/14.|08/12/14.|Boise,ID
nin.................|04/10/14.|04/16/14.|04/16/14.|05/16/14.|06/09/14.|07/15/14.|08/29/14.|Cleveland, OH
Rocky30007..........|04/11/14.|04/17/14.|04/15/14.|05/02/14.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Seattle, WA (Early Bio)
Ermeglio............|04/15/14.|.........|04/17/14.|05/12/14.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Chicago, IL
jodymae09...........|04/16/14.|04/22/14.|04/21/14.|05/16/14.|05/21/14.|06/24/14.|07/24/14.|Indianapolis, IN
JD63................|04/18/14.|04/23/24.|--/--/--.|05/15/14.|--/--/--.|07/15/14.|--/--/--.|Omaha, NE
phardream...........|04/21/14.|04/26/14.|04/28/14.|05/22/14.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Bernardino, CA
TamTamtheLion.......|04/22/14.|04/29/14.|04/29/14.|05/07/14.|05/22/14.|07/02/14.|09/19/14.|Wichita, KS
friscoflip..........|04/24/14.|--/--/--.|04/29/14.|05/09/14.|07/14/14.|08/14/14.|09/10/14.|San Francisco, CA
Lisa011.............|04/25/14.|05/02/14.|05/05/14.|05/23/14.|05/28/14.|08/26/14.|09/16/14.|Chicago, IL

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USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA)
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UserName............|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|FieldOffice
Banka0809...........|03/26/14.|04/09/14.|04/02/14.|05/06/14.|06/02/14.|07/07/14.|08/15/14.|Pittsburgh, PA
Messybrownhair......|04/02/14.|04/09/14.|04/03/14.|04/23/14.|05/22/14.|06/30/14.|08/01/14.|Philadelphia, PA
Elahalo.............|04/02/14.|04/16/14.|04/16/14.|05/08/14.|05/19/14.|06/18/14.|07/22/14.|Agana, Guam
Techguru365.........|04/26/14.|--/--/14.|04/29/14.|05/20/14.|06/10/14.|06/25/14.|08/20/14.|Norfolk,VA

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Legend:
Sent: Date N-400 was mailed to USCIS
Delvd: Date N-400 was delivered to USCIS
CkCsd: Date your check was cashed by USCIS
Notif: Date you received email / text notification from USCIS that your case has been accepted
I-797: Date you received the official I-797 notification in the mail about case acceptance
FPNot: Date you received e-notification about fingerprints date
FPLtr: Date you received the official letter in the mail
FPDat: Date assigned for fingerprinting
FPCmp: Date you actually completed your fingerprints. Many people walk-in early and do it sooner.
IntNt: Date you received e-notification about your interview date
IntLt: Date you received the official letter in the mail regarding interview
Intrv: Date of your interview
Oath: Date Oath taken
Field Office: Your local USCIS office where you would be doing the interview

Updated to include G&A

Please add me, running with the April/May filers due to RFE @ interview.

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USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox
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UserName............|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Inline...|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|FieldOffice
G&A.................|03/03/14.|03/06/14.|03/15/14.|03/27/14.|04/03/14.|06/04/14.|07/08/14.|09/17/14.|Los Angeles, CA

Yes Im planning to take one. But while studying, I would like to work too. Nice to know there is someone from PI who tooked and passed the US CPA exams.

How long did you study and review for the board? Do I need to take additional accounting courses for me to take the exam?

I did it. It is not that difficult. It worth the time/money.

Hi Everyone,

My wife received a letter from DMV in California to show proof of residence to renew her drivers license. She was given a 1 yr "temporary" license last May.

We provided a copy of her green card, and still have not heard back from DMV with the "ok" to renew.

Has this happened to anyone else, and can we go to our local DMV office to renew without their reply?

her license expires in 3 weeks..

Thanks in advance

Scott

Hi Scott, what did you end up doing? We are in Cali and my wife's DL expires in a week. We mailed Sacramento the info needed a few weeks ago and heard nothing. I think we will go the DMV office now. Any help would be appreciated.

If you had an AMEX in Canada, AMex in the USA will issue a card based on your Canadian account standing with Canada AMEX. I was issued a $6000 cc one week after I moved to the USA. I did not have a job or a SSN.

My husband put the phone bill in my name and added me onto hi credit cards. Now I have a credit score of 850. A few months ago I was issued a cc from wamu for $30K. Amex really helped me out because it comes up on my credit report that they have been reporting on me since 2000 (when i got my card in Canada).

I hate zellers. Most of their employees in Edmonton dont know how to speak english and it is always dirty and messy.

And Macy;s used to give you the card for 30days, now they changed it to 6 days. I only take my ID. They always ask for a passport but i always tell them i left my passport in canada. They dont know that you need it to cross the border LOL

Oh....too bad. I was there end of March so maybe the rules changed after that, or the guy didn't know!! He never asked for passports, just drivers license. I was hoping to take advantage when I got to SC as it was good until April 24th. Macy's was having a terrific sale, and I haven't got a going away outfit yet. I am hoping that after the reception..I'll be going away....

You can still get the same card except that it is only valid for 6 days and not 30 days. Also, i noticed that macy's sale items are usually scanned incorrectly (the new prices are not updated). When this happens they have to give you $10 off. If the item is less than $10 its free. I know this works in California...i am not sure about other states. Let me tell you...when i first moved here I couldnt drive, work and i didnt know anyone. I spent ALOT of time at the mall. And with only one income coming in...i had to be creative LOL and now i am working...but still a cheapskate LOL AND PROUD OF IT

My husband hates home goods. I think you ladies can figure out why LOL I put Home goods' kids through college ahahahah

I'm not moving for awhile as I am still waiting on my NOA2 which keeps getting pushed back time-wise. But I already have my plan for employment once I am down there. I plan on starting my own business. It doesn't have a huge start up cost, just a couple thousand dollars and I am already doing all the research, business plan and looking into taxes, registration, incorp in the U.S. while here in Canada.

I was looking at the job posting in Florida where I will be living and unless things get better by x-mas when I'm expecting to move if all goes well, starting my own business is the only way to go for me. The jobs that are even close to my administrative work here in Canada are paying something like 9$ an hour. I make more than that at my present job and can't see myself doing the same work for way less. And I'd be making 20-25$ an hour with my own business so it seems like the right way to go.

If that doesn't pan out I'll take what I can get in the job market because I refuse to be without work but I think going out on my own and trying my own thing will work out well. I have the will and motivation to succeed and its now or never. I don't want to regret not trying at least. Hopefully it'll work out well for me.

That's what I've been noticing... I'll accept a small pay decline from what I was making in Canada, but I won't accept $20,000 less than what I was making that's for sure.

You shouldnt. Do not sell yourself short. I didnt. Even though MANY told me I would have to take a 10K-15K pay cut...i refused. Now i am making almost 40K more than i did in Canada. You should get paid what you are worth. Employers are taking advantage of the situation. They do not realize that if they underpay you, the second the economy picks up you will leave. Turnover costs companies alot.

You have to go to a Ross in a nicer area or its all #######. The one by my house has BCBG, Guess, Ninewest, kensie etc. Last week i bought a BCBG gown for $40 (which in canada i NEVER paid less that $400 for one). I also got ninewest pumps for $14.

I like tj maxx and marshalls also...but i have found that ross often has the same stuff for cheaper (again the one by my house). I buy all my designer jeans from marshalls and lohmans. I also buy purses from lohmans (like saks off the rack). I got a LAMB purse for $100 on clearance there once. It was second most happiest day of my life lol

And Macy;s used to give you the card for 30days, now they changed it to 6 days. I only take my ID. They always ask for a passport but i always tell them i left my passport in canada. They dont know that you need it to cross the border LOL

Let me give you guys a heads up before you leave. Aldo and Lululemon are cheaper in canada. Do not buy alot of clothes before you leave. Things are wayyyyyyyy cheaper here. Also, if you like macys you can bring your Canadian ID and they give you this card (valid for 6 days) that gives you11% off for being a visitor. Dont worry, they wont remember who you are lol i get a card once a month ahahahah.

Also, Ross will become your new best friend. Its like winners but with garage sale prices.

Let me give you guys a heads up before you leave. Aldo and Lululemon are cheaper in canada. Do not buy alot of clothes before you leave. Things are wayyyyyyyy cheaper here. Also, if you like macys you can bring your Canadian ID and they give you this card (valid for 6 days) that gives you11% off for being a visitor. Dont worry, they wont remember who you are lol i get a card once a month ahahahah.

Also, Ross will become your new best friend. I like winners but with garage sale prices.

Let me give you guys a heads up before you leave. Aldo and Lululemon are cheaper in canada. Do not buy alot of clothes before you leave. Things are wayyyyyyyy cheaper here. Also, if you like macys you can bring your Canadian ID and they give you this card (valid for 6 days) that gives you11% off for being a visitor. Dont worry, they wont remember who you are lol i get a card once a month ahahahah.

Also, Ross will become your new best friend. Its like winners but with garage sale prices.

Coming from the U.S. and moving to Canada, I've found that getting work is incredibly difficult. No one wants to hire you if you lack Canadian references, for instance. How am I supposed to have references in Canada if I just immigrated here?

I've been volunteering and through that, I've picked up some references. Basically, you need to start from scratch.

Sorry to hear you are having a hard time. I think it is a sign of the times. Back when oil was $80/b, Canadian companies where hiring workers from all over. Try working with a staffing agency. Alot of my Canadian friends use me as a reference. I do ref checks all the time for Canadians (from the US).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ekqsHP9Sck

remember this! ahahahah

why are you all getting disgusted. At birthday parties as a kid, we always used to have hamburgers with chips on the side. Its all gonna mix in your stomach anyways!

I am in CA and I had to do the written and the driving test. I almost failed the driving test so becareful lol.

it sounds good to me! Never tried it but now i will!

I too have worries about finding a job equal to or better to what I presently do in BC. I have worked as a Special Education Assistant for the past 18 years. I realized early on that I would need an AA to do the job here in the USA as outlined in the "No Child Let Behind Act", so I went back to school and not only got my AA but completed my B/A. With cut backs in education scheduled in the Los Angeles area, I am concerned. I have done all I can to prepare for my upcoming move to the USA. I have taken additional training in the medical aspect of my job: cauterization, suctioning, tube feeding, seizure management, and Non-violent Crisis Intervention Prevention training and upgrading. I will have letters of recommendation from Administration, Classroom teachers covering many grade levels, Support Teachers and parents. Plus from my volunteer work with Girl Guides since 1988. I am putting together my CV/portfolio and can only hope that I can get an interview. I am confident that if I can get an interview, I will be hired - they would be the losers for not hiring me. I have also send my information off to have it evaluated to the American standards, a B/A in General Studies with a Minor in History should likely equal a Liberal Arts degree here or perhaps a Hisotry degree depending. I have mostly history courses. I have found that in Canada I was required to have more academic courses to get my degree than what I have seen my stepchildren taking. Perhaps that is just a reflection on the institution that they are attending.

I truly want to work with special needs students in a school setting - partly for the love of the job and the other reasons is I can't imagine going back to a job with 1 or 2 weeks vacation a year after all the time we get in the education field. I also worry as I am not longer a "spring chicken" at 52 I am not old but well experienced.

Good luck,

Janet

If you are moving to LA....there are a TON of school districts here. Basically every city in LA county has its own school district. So do not worry in that regard. Educations is prob one of the best fields right now...

^^ That's really great advice G&A, thanks!

I'm not really that nervous to find a job. I mean, I definitely need to get one when the EAD makes it's appearence, but I figure there is no point in worrying about it too much right now.

I have a pretty specialized degree and certificate in Public Relations. Lucky for me, NYC is the PR capital of the world and there are more agencies and companies there in my field than anywhere else so I do feel that will be a huge advantage. PR is all about networking and so I've already tried to network in NYC, through the help of my network in Toronto. Waiting to immigrate and working where I do was a huge strategic decision on my part to ensure that I was going to employable when I moved.

That being said, the economy is really affecting the PR industry - so I do need to take that into consideration.

I plan to join a local organization for PR woman, take a few seminars or courses if I have to and attend as many interesting networking events that I can find.

My best friend does similar to what you do for a large consulting company, so you might want to apply to large firms like that in Seattle. Her department is not really hurting and they have been hiring people so who knows...

A good resource is finding facebook groups. If the group isnt active...take initiative and plan a meeting. If is VERY tough out there...especially for HR, PR, marketing, advertising...well everything for that matter ahahah. BUT there are still jobs out there. You just have to be sharp and portray yourself as a go getter.

Additional info I missed in previous post:

Also, I forgot to mention that you should try and network as much as possible. I know networking is difficult when you dont really know anyone. I found a Canadians in SoCal yahoo group. MOst of them have been in the US for years and are very well established. I would blast out my resume (without my address) to the whole group. Also, if you join a professional association they often have networking events.

I also started called every single accounting firm within a 20 mile radius from my house (about 60 firms) and asked them if they were hiring. If they said no, I asked if i could fax my resume to them in case they were hiring in the future. Most of them were really kind and said yes. I got one interview out of this method.

Meet with as many recruiters if you can. Most of them will BS you and tell you that they have a job for you when they dont. BUT it only takes one recruiter to get you an interview. Therefore, I would suggest emailing them everyweek asking if they have any updates. It does not cost you anything and their comission is based on your salary. Therefore it is in your best interests because they will negotiate a higher salary for you. ASK THEM FOR ADVICE ON YOUR RESUME. The know what companies are looking for. Its free advise!

I also started accepting side bookkeeping jobs off of craigslist. I was employed full time and didnt really need to extra cash (but it was nice heheh). I was hoping that I would meet someone who could help me find a job.

These are the websites I would use to look for work:

www.careerbuilder.com

www.monster.com

www.directemployers.com

www.indeed.com

Craigslist (be careful with this one)

Yahoo hot jobs

Hope this helps everyone who is looking. I know it was very very very difficult for me. BUT all of my hard work finally paid off.

Here is my story:

My background was a Canadian Tax Professional (Income tax & GST). Prior to moving to the USA, I took a couple online courses from UCLA extension in hopes of Americanizing my skills. I took a few American tax courses. As soon as I entered the USA, I began the process to become a CPA. When my EAD arrived, I immediately starting apply for jobs like crazy and calling recruiters. I was lucky enough to get in with a company in a management position 2 weeks after receiving my EAD (through a recruiter). This was in June 2008, when things were bad but not as bad as they are now. The company who I worked for started going downhill (because of the economy). As I was the accountant who reviewed the financial statements, I knew either layoffs or bankruptcy where coming. My husband and I had just bought a house and had a huge southern California mortgage. We would not be able to make it on one income. So, i started applying for jobs. I went to a ton of interviews with nothing ever materializing. I felt like a loser. I felt like there was something wrong with me. Coming from Alberta, where jobs were falling from the sky, this job scene had left me with no confidence. BUT I did not give up. I kept applying for about 8 months. As the months went by, I became closer and closer to being a CPA. I started getting creative with my cover letter writing skills. I felt it necessary to state on the cover letter that "I am a permanent resident of the United States and therefore do not require sponsorship". Also, on my resume in the education section, I noted that my degree was reviewed by the California board of accountancy and found to be equivalent to an American B.S. I probably applied for about 300 jobs and interviewed with about 10 different companies. Most recruiters told me that I needed to take a pay cut. However, I refused because I was already underpaid to begin with. I felt that taking a pay cut now would set me back a couple years (As it would take me 2-3 yrs to get up to a pay level that I would be happy with). I didnt give up. I kept applying and kept interviewing and did not sell myself short. I did a good job of highlighting my achivements in my previous positions (both on the resume, coverletter AND in the interview). A couple weeks ago, I interiewed for an excellent management position with a manufacturing company. I was offered a job on the spot AND a big raise.

My advice for Canadian Job seekers:

1) Take American courses/certifications if needed. They will give you credibility

2) State on your cover letter that you do not need sponsorship and that you can legally work for any employer in the USA

3) Never give up. There are alot of people looking and your time will come. I was passed up for alot of jobs but it worked out for me in the end because I now have been offered a more senior position (compared to what I was interviewing for)

4) Do not sell yourself short. If you are currently working do not take a pay cut unless you really have to. Try and get what you...or you will be constantly looking for a new job

5) Highlight your achievements. You really need to stand out.

Good luck to all.

A

also you have to remember that there are 2 sides to every story....it takes two to tango.

Haven't heard hers yet.

I agree with you. Personally I would not live a lie for 3 yrs just for a greencard....but thats just me. I cant speak for anyone else.

Captain Craig sorry to hear this happened to you. I remember you from you from out K3 thread. All the best. Nex time stick to Canadian women....you cant go wrong with us Eh.