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~krakatoa~

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Posts posted by ~krakatoa~

    Passport Application

    in US Citizenship General Discussion

    Posted

    OK - so I have made an appointment at one of the locations above for the day after my naturalization.

    Can someone please confirm that they will hand me the passport the same day? I have a flight booked for 2 days later... :wacko:

    I also went to a regional passport agency (San Francisco) and paid the expedited fee. I got my passport after a few hours of waiting, went in in the AM to submit my application and picked-up the passport in the afternoon on the same day (the passport card came in the mail 4 days later since they do not manufacture it on site I was told, in SF, YMMV). I was sworn in as a USC on 9/21. My appointment with the regional passport agency was for 9/22 and my flight was on 9/23. YMMV but it's highly possible that you will get it same day like I did.

    Good luck and have a safe trip!

    Got Passport!

    in US Citizenship General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by ~krakatoa~

    Hi Krakatoa, could u please tell me where/ how to apply for a us passport and get it the same day? How much is the fee? i also live near SF . Thanks for your time.

    I went to the regional passport agency in Hawthorne St., SF with a confirmed itinerary/plane ticket (to get an appointment in a regional passport agency, you must be traveling within the next 14 days and show proof of your travel, my flight was scheduled on 9/23 and I booked an appointment for 9/22 through their automated phone system). I paid the expedited rate and applied also for the passport card. Good luck! I got the phone number and address from the department of state's website. http://travel.state.gov/passport/

    Got Passport!

    in US Citizenship General Discussion

    Posted

    Hi Folks, I don't know if I can ever quit VJ. As hard as I try, new issues crop up, and would have to research and see if someone has gone through similar situation. lo and behold, there is nothing new under the sun here on VJ. VJers have been a great source of help to me in this whole journey with USCIS.

    Finally, my passport books has landed (Applied on August 20, 2010 and received on September 13, 2010. Approximately 25 days). I am waiting patiently for my original naturalization certificate though. But that is for later discusssion. I will admonish all those still "travelling" with USCIS to seek for clues to their problems here, and they will surely go through this bumpy (sometimes) road-trip unscathed. Hey, Masterpiece, you are right. It is good to be patient. Does anyone knows if the passport books normally comes before the naturalization certificate? Just thinking aloud again! Long live VJers! :dance:

    By this time, I 'm guessing you already have the certificate in hand. Congratulations!!!

    I actually liked the new US passport. I applied today and picked it up along with my Certification of Naturalization after a few hours of waiting. Traffic was terrible (portions toll) but I'm glad I didn't have to worry about losing my certificate in the mail...

    Form 1722

    in US Citizenship General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by ~krakatoa~

    ok so now I read the documents required for the interview

    One of them is tax form 1722 for 3 years

    So I search for it on VJ and google and everybody says different things.

    Some say it's an outdated form and that simple original tax transcripts from the IRS are what is necessary

    Some say no it's a special stamped form that needs to be obtained and you have to talk to the IRS for ages until someone knows what it is

    I actually sent my tax transcripts with my N400. I just ordered them again and they will be here in 10 days or so and they are free

    Has anybody been asked for a 1722 and were the transcripts ok ?

    I actually went to my local IRS office and spoke to the head tax adviser and their regional director and was told both times that it was an outdated (and totally phased out) form from many years ago. A stamped, official-looking letter from the IRS containing the tax payer's information showing taxes owed, penalty accrued payment plans etc I was told at another office and over the phone. The same information is included in the account transcript. To better replace 1722, I was given the account transcript, and to better represent my tax returns, I was given the tax return transcript. You can use 4506-T to request a tax return and/or account transcript, and a record of account and verification of non-filing (if applicable).

    But I still had to be stubborn and went on to ask for an official looking paper (some IO's are as outdated as these forms, just my thinking then--got a hip IO) , I had his minions print me the "account transcript" data from the computer with their logo and even the computer terminal and database at the bottom. Can't think of anything else to make it official as the director would not give me an official letter, or agree to sign something to my benefit. tongue.gif

    Interview came, IO specifically looked at my tax return transcripts and account transcript and dutifully remarked "Oh, I see you just got them recently from IRS... good, good, you come very prepared."

    So yes, in my case, the transcripts were sufficient and current enough to his liking. It all depends upon the IO's discretion I digress.

    n-445

    in US Citizenship General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by ~krakatoa~

    vijay,

    you are correct. When i check the uscis site and enter my case number it says that it is in the process of testing an interview. When you create an account using a log in and your own password, most of the time whenever there is a change or an update in your case, it says "Last updated" and a date when your case was (somehow) updated. what i was wondering is if the page gets updated once they send the n445....

    am i making sense?

    In my case (and I believe to most if not all N-400 applicants who had their interviews as well), the online case status is still stuck in "Testing and Interview" and no changes in LUD's either.

    When did your case status change to "decision"?

    in US Citizenship General Discussion

    Posted

    Hi guys - just a quicky, when the account changes to testing and interview, does it show the interview date on line ?

    No. You can, however, call the customer service hotline (I know, it's a hit or miss, depends on how you phrase your question really) and ask to speak to an immigration officer or be transferred to a tier 2 rep who can tell you when your interview appointment is, if you have in fact been scheduled. I speak from experience, YMMV. But from my experience, after the online case status changed to "testing and interview", the interview notice arrived in my mailbox within a few days. Again, YMMV when it comes to mail service. By the way, my interview notice arrived from NBC, Missouri.

    I think you'll be safe but I strongly suggest you call the misinformation line, and if you don't get transferred to an IO, try calling again at a different time or the next day. Hey, that's what I did both times, got the info ahead of the notices -- for the oath ceremony and the interview appt.

    Enjoy your trip!

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    worried about the Writing test

    in US Citizenship General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by ~krakatoa~

    I was wondering if anyone has the same problem and how strict they are going to be with the spelling. It worries me quite a bit and I feel sort of stupid not to be able to spell most stuff right.

    I think this should ease your worries, from the USCIS website:

    "U.S. NATURALIZATION TEST

    SCORING GUIDELINES FOR THE ENGLISH TEST

    WRITING: To sufficiently demonstrate the ability to write in English, the applicant must write one sentence, out of three sentences, in

    a manner that would be understandable as written to the USCIS Officer. An applicant shall not be failed because of spelling,

    capitalization, or punctuation errors unless the errors would prevent understanding the meaning of the sentence. A general description of

    how the writing portion is scored follows:

    Pass:

    • Has the same general meaning as the dictated sentence

    • May contain some grammatical, spelling, punctuation, or capitalization errors that do not interfere with meaning

    • May omit short words that do not interfere with meaning

    • Numbers may be spelled out or written as digits

    Fail:

    • Writes nothing or only one or two isolated words

    • Is completely illegible

    • Writes a different sentence or words

    • Written sentence does not communicate the meaning of the dictated sentence

    According to regulation, applicants who fail the English literacy and/or civics test during their first examination will be

    rescheduled to appear for a second opportunity to take the test (8 CFR 312.5)."

    Urgent! Can I translate for my mother??

    in US Citizenship General Discussion

    Posted

    My mom has an interview tomorrow (Chicago Office), and I am going with her to translate for her. She is over the age of 55, and has lived her for over 15 years. Can I go with her to translate the civics exam for her? Does anyone have any experience with this type of situation or know anyone that has been in a situation like this?

    Thank in advance.

    USCIS reserves the right to disqualify an interpreter to ensure the integrity of the test and they must provide another interpreter. But it is best that you bring along another person with you and your mother on the day of her interview just in case USCIS disqualifies you and finds no other person available to interpret for her at the time.

    There's also a good possibility probability that the IO or anyone from the USCIS speaks the language (for example, Spanish) but if they are pressed for time (which they usually are due to heavy workload), they might not find someone right away and can postpone the interview and re-schedule, which will cause further delay. Personally, I do not know of anyone who have experienced this but if I were in your shoes, I'd still try to find someone to go with your mother on her interview, just to be on the safe side. Good luck!

    From the USCIS Adjudicator's Field Manual:



    "(B) Selection and Use of an Interpreter .





    (1) An interpreter may be selected by the applicant or USCIS if the applicant is exempt from the English literacy requirements, but is still required to demonstrate knowledge of U.S. government and history according to 8 CFR 312.4 . To ensure the integrity of the test, USCIS reserves the right to disqualify an interpreter. If USCIS disqualifies an interpreter, it must provide another interpreter for the applicant in a timely manner. The Officer who disqualifies an interpreter must make a written record of the reason(s) for disqualification as part of the record of application."





    And for general info,





    "(A) General Provisions for Testing Requirements and Exemptions .





    Section 312(a)(1) of the INA imposes the English language requirement on naturalization applicants. This general requirement is clarified in 8 CFR 312.1 . Further, section 312(a)(2) of the INA imposes a U.S. history and civics requirement, clarified in 8 CFR 312.2 .





    (1) Certain applicants are exempt from the English requirement under Section 312(b)(2) of the INA and 8 CFR 312.1(b) based on their age and time as a lawful permanent resident in the United States. Please note that while the two classes of applicants listed below are exempt from the English requirements, they are still required to demonstrate knowledge of U.S. government and history, but are allowed to do so in the language of their choice.





    · A person who, on the date of filing of his or her application for naturalization, is over 50 years of age and has been living in the United States for periods totaling at least 20 years subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence;





    · A person who, on the date of filing his or her application for naturalization, is over 55 years of age and has been living in the United States for periods totaling at least 15 years subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence;





    (2) The following persons are required to demonstrate knowledge of the history and government of the United States, but they are allowed to do so in the language of their choice and are entitled to special consideration under Section 312(b)(3) of the INA.





    · A person who, on the date of filing his or her application for naturalization, is over 65 years of age and has been living in the United States for periods totaling at least 20 years subsequent to a lawful admission for permanent residence."

    Anyone who will live in San Francisco CA....

    in Philippines

    Posted

    Just curious who will gonna be in the same city just like me in the near future,Maybe we can maybe somehow by chance meet there and be friends....=)So excited,coz they keep on saying San Francisco is a Wonderful city. :yes:

    Hi there,

    I live in the SF bay area, east bay. We frequent San Francisco a lot, we go to Japan town mostly. Once you're settled in, maybe we can meet there.

    Part 10. B-AFFILIATIONS

    in US Citizenship General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by ~krakatoa~

    "Have you ever been a member of or associated with any organization, association, fund

    foundation, party, club, society or similar group in the United States or in any other place?"

    Questioned my attorney on this, wife was part of that Smiles organization "Operation Smile, Johnson & Johnson de Venezuela S.A", here, she did volunteer work for the American Red Cross, United Way, American Red Cross, and a couple of others. All fund raising organizations, and that is exactly what this question asks. So we listed all of those. Her IO didn't have any comments about this. We were advised to list these organizations by our attorney who also stated it's a nebulous question.

    Question 9 is a bit more detailed.

    a. The Communist Party? Yes No

    b. Any other totalitarian party? Yes No

    c. A terrorist organization? Yes No

    She answered No to all of these. You would like to assume the organizations they are referring to are all anti-American organizations, the question doesn't state that. Her volunteering while waiting for her EAD was both good and bad, good in the sense, everyone of importance in town knew how good she was, when she got her EAD was hired instantly. The bad part is that many organizations got a hold of her name, only 24 hours in a day. She also volunteered for our hospital, but we didn't list that, was private and NOT fund raising.

    That's what I'm thinking as well based on the questions following Q#8.. I'm thinking of answering "no". But I'll inform the interviewing officer of my academic/professional affiliations. The officer can simply cross out my answer and add whatever he/she thinks needs to be added or modified.

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