steve&mary

February 7, 2012

Hello fellow November filers,

I thought I would give a brief description of my oath ceremony to help you know what to look forward to. My ceremony was held at the USCIS builiding in Metairie (New Orleans). It was scheduled for 1:30 pm, but we arrived at 1:10pm. After going through security, all the people taking the oath formed a line to give up green card and the oath ceremony letter. We were also shown the Naturalization Certificate and asked to review that all the information on it was correct. We were each given an envelope and escorted to our seats. We were seated in the same order as the certificates so it was easier when we were called up to receive them. Inside the envelope there was a small book US constitution, a book of general US history, a nice folder to put your certificate in, a little US flag, a passport application form, and a letter from the president.

My ceremony had 57 people from 26 countries. The director of the USCIS New Orleans office started the ceremony by showing a brief video of "United States", then it was the national anthem. He gave a nice speech about citizenship. After that we had a roll-call: he called out every country one by one, and when your country was called you were supposed to stand up. Once every country was standing, he asked us to raise our right hand and repeat after him the oath of allegiance. (There is a copy of the oath of allegiance and the pledge of allegiance in the folder they provide). He recognized the military members that were taking the oath that day (two of them). Then we had the Pledge of Allegiance. Then called each us one by one to come up and receive the certificate. He was very friendly and encouraged all the family members to come up around and take pictures and get closer. He stood with each person that wanted to get a picture while receiving the certificate. After everyone had received their certificate, they played a music video of "proud to be an american", and he wanted everyone to sing and wave their flags. He (the USCIS director) was jumping around signing and waving his flag (very funny). Then a lady from the Passport office gave us some information about applying for a passport. After that the USCIS director asked if anybody wanted to say something about the experience. Two people talked about the wonderful service they'd received in New Orleans USCIS (not exactly what he meant, though). And that was it!

I already sent out my passport application ($135.00), and have to wait 4-6 weeks for processing. You have send them your original certificate, so make sure to make copies of it. I have also registered to vote for the elections.

It was a very nice experience. The ceremony was about 1 hour long, but there were 57 people, so maybe it would be longer with more people. Good luck to all of you!!!! And thanks so much to VisaJourney, the support and guidance provided by this forum has been amazing, from the very beginning of my personal visa journey 7 years ago with my J1 visa and subsequent K3 visa and beyond. Thanks VJ!!!!

February 7, 2012

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6. Red Font="I'm A United States Citizen"!

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N-400: November 2011 Applicants

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USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox

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============|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=================|

D&J.........|11/01/11.|11/07/11.|11/04/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Newark, NJ.......|

Rosana......|11/04/11.|11/12/11.|11/20/11.|11/26/11.|12/23/11.|01/12/12.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX.......|

liberal.....|11/07/11.|11/15/11.|11/09/11.|12/02/11.|01/13/12.|02/13/12.|--/--/--.|Louisville, KY...| EB: 11/25/11

bibiche.....|11/07/11.|11/17/11.|11/17/11.|12/12/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX.......| EB: 12/08/11

Rgnscot.....|11/15/11.|--/--/--.|11/18/11.|12/16/11.|12/26/11.|01/31/12.|--/--/--.|Buffalo,NY.......|

konner3.....|11/16/11.|12/09/11.|12/07/11.|01/03/12.|01/13/12.|02/13/12.|--/--/--.|Philadelphia, PA.|

Exasperated.|11/18/11.|11/30/11.|11/23/11.|12/19/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Antonio, TX..|

don2008.....|11/18/11.|11/28/11.|12/02/11.|12/19/11.|01/23/12.|02/29/12.|--/--/--.|Houston, TX......|

rakosik.....|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|11/25/11.|12/16/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York City, NY|

Bodza.......|11/21/11.|11/29/11.|11/29/11.|12/16/11.|01/30/12.|03/07/12.|--/--/--.|Miami, FL........| EB: 12/06/11

drujan .....|11/21/11.|11/29/11.|11/23/11.|12/16/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York City, NY|

prashp1.....|11/28/11.|12/02/11.|11/30/11.|01/17/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Hartford, CT.....|

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USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox

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Maad........|10/31/11.|11/04/11.|11/01/11.|not req-.|01/09/12.|02/21/12.|--/--/--.|Chicago, IL......|

Fatmouse....|10/31/11.|11/08/11.|11/04/11.|Not Req..|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Jose, CA.....|

arvinb......|11/04|11.|11/08/11.|11/09/11.|12/06/11.|02/02/12.|03/07/12.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA..|

Steve&Mary..|11/05/11.|11/15/11.|11/08/11.|12/09/11.|12/23/11.|01/26/12.|02/02/12.|New Orleans, LA..| I'm A United States Citizen!

gigi673.....|11/10/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Portland, OR.....|

Jupiter07...|11/15/11.|11/16/11.|11/16/11.|--/--/--.|12/23/11.|01/27/12.|--/--/--.|Columbus, OH.....|

kstrozyk....|11/15/11.|11/24/11.|11/26/11.|12/19/11.|01/12/12.|02/09/12.|--/--/--.|Fresno, CA.......| EB: 12/07/11

AndyZap.....|11/16/11.|11/23/11.|11/22/11.|12/23/11.|01/07/12.|02/21/12.|--/--/--.|Santa Ana, CA....|

my-angel....|11/18/11.|11/26/11.|11/23/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA..|

Dolphin1....|11/22/11.|11/29/11.|11/30/11.|01/09/12.|01/20/12.|02/21/12.|--/--/--.|Phoenix, AZ......|

N4OO........|11/28/11.|12/05/11.|12/07/11.|12/23/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Phoenix, AZ......| EB: 12/16/11

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

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ingucis78...|11/12/11.|11/21/11.|11/14/11.|12/28/11.|--/--/--.|02/28/12.|--/--/--.|Fairfax, VA......| EB:12/19/11

tanyaru.....|11/14/11.|11/25/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Fairfax, VA......|

anagueen83..|10/31/11.|11/07/11.|11/02/11.|NA/NA/NA.|01/17/12.|02/21/12.|--/--/--.|San Francisco, CA|

January 31, 2012

Wow! Congrats! I didn't even know that it was possible to choose your own date. It's really neat they let you know that you will be able to swear in the same day. I've got my fingers crossed that you have a great interview.

Personally, I wouldn't call them unless I did not receive some sort of confirmation email regarding the interview date. But that's just me. If anything, it would provide you peace of mind to double check with them that your interview date is confirmed. Good luck!

got this email today.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Washington Field Office in Fairfax , Virginia is in possession of your N-400, Application for Naturalization filed pursuant to Section 319(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. We are ready to schedule your interview. Please select from the following available interview dates and advise accordingly.

January 31

February 1,2,6,7,8,9,13,14,15,16,21,22,27,28,29

March 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22

Please note that if you pass all portions of your examination which includes your ability to speak, read, write English and an understanding of the history of the United States, you will be administered the Oath of Allegiance on that date.

If you fail any portion of the test, you will be afforded another opportunity to re-take the failed portion of the exam within 60-90 days.

On the date of the interview you will be required to bring the following with you:

•I-551 Alien Resident Card, Birth Certificate with certified translation

•If you have been arrested bring all court certified court dispositions

•If you have a child under the age of 18 who does not reside with you, you must bring proof of child support payments

•If you have been outside the U.S. on your spouse's military orders during the past 5 years, you will need to bring copies of the orders, letters of authorization, or DD1278

•Current documentary evidence of a joint marital relationship that includes but is not limited to: Utility bills, bank statements, federal income taxes with W-2 for 2010, 2009, 2008 or IRS transcripts, birth certificates of children in common, phone bills, mortgage statements, deeds, rental leases, auto/life/health insurance, photos, phone bills etc. The evidence must cover a period of three years of marriage (mandatory)

•Evidence that your spouse is a United States Citizen

Please note that the burden is on the applicant to establish that he or she is eligible for the benefit sought

send email abck with the date i picked.do you think i should also call?

January 31, 2012

Thanks! NOLA is a four hour drive for us, but it is such a beautiful drive through the Atchafalya basin that it's not that bad. I haven't been able to go to Cafe du Monde yet - there is always a super busy Looooooong line. Guess that is a testament to how good it is. But, this Thursday, we might just have to swing by for a celebratory coffee and definitely beignets!

Congrats steve&mary!

I did my FP at Metaire for my AOS and ROC! I lived in AL then and that was the closest - like 2hrs away. But my field office was in Atlanta, GA. Of course there's a FP office in maybe Birmingham, AL, but AL is long for North and South - I lived in Mobile, so Metaire was the closest. I wasn't overly sad cos I got to go to my favorite place - Cafe du Monde and have some beignets!

January 30, 2012

Hoping everyone gets their interviews scheduled soon and their oath ceremonies soon after! Best of luck everyone!

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