Waiting4GC

Congratulations. Journey is almost over.

Nick:

I am at work now so I am not 100% sure but I believe it came from the Local office where I had my interview. I will check when I get home.

According to the Minnesota Department of Justice, the next oath ceremony is scheduled 12Nov08, if that's the case, wife won't get a chance to vote for this election. Apparently it's not the same USCIS from local field office to field office. St. Paul has a history of long oath ceremony delays. God, not this same ####### again like getting the ten year card as the last second.

Called my senator today, had to leave a voice message, guess all these guys are in Denver listening to boring speeches. If we just lived a few miles further south, would be at the Milwaukee Field Office, but they always send us there for biometrics. This is getting frustrating again.

Nick:

I guess I didn't make copies of the oath ceremony letter and I never kept any of the envolopes notices were sent in so I have no way to cofirm if the letter was sent by the cleveland office or USCIS. I still think it came directly from the Cleveland office.

Nick:

I am at work now so I am not 100% sure but I believe it came from the Local office where I had my interview. I will check when I get home.

You are free to recite it if you want but we were told that all we needed to say was "I Do". I noticed some people reciting it but just to themselves not outloud.

Maybe you are right about not having an oficial procedure in place. I feel that even if was asked to say the oath, how would they know if I am saying the oath or just mumbling something? Nobody is right next to you making sure you are saying the oath word by word. IMO, there is no need to memorize it just make sure you understand the content.

Ah, one more thing when I read the oath to myself during the interview, all the officer asked was if I understood the implications of what I just read. I said yes, what would happen if you answer that question with a "No, I don't know what it means" Will you be denied your citizenship?

Hmm, not sure what you said in the post but I was told to read the oath in front of the officer (I speed read so I just read the beginning, middle and end) but not out loud and then sign it. Then during the ceremony, the judge read the oath and all we said was "I DO" and signed the Certificate of Citizenship.

Online Bank Statement should be fine. I never, in the last 5 - 6 years I've been dealing with USCIS, provided paper statements that are sent in the mail. For my N400 Interview, I just printed the latest bank statement, one from the end of the year 2007 and one from almost 6 years ago when my husband and I joined our accounts. The officer had not problems with it. All she did was look at them and then she returned them to me. My interview was in Cleveland, OH.

Got the ceremony date today in the mail. It's about six weeks from the interview date. That was really fast, I wasn't expecting that and it's like one of the worst days possible. We'll make do though. I have an out of town guest that day, but maybe she can come and it will work out (I was supposed to drop her off somewhere though). It's for 8 am, how long do they usually last?

Tammi:

Mine was at 8 am as well or maybe 8:30. I can't remember. Anyway, there were 73 people getting their citizenship that day and it took approximately 2 or 2 1/2 hours to go through all of us.

Nick

I didn't notice that you had other comments. Here is a continuation of my prior post

At the interview they told me that depending on the "SPEED OF PROCESSING" the paperwork after the interview, it should take no longer than 90 days for the Oath ceremony. I then asked when the next one was scheduled for and she said May. I then asked what were the chances that I could be at that ceremony and she said that based on the workload they had at the time the chaces of that happening were high. She told me that I would receive a letter in 3 or 4 weeks. The 2 month wait was probably due to the Oath ceremony schedules. Ah, she alson told me that there were 5 or 6 Oath Ceremonies / year.

Nick:

The timeline is nice for the N400. The GC thing was just a long wait. I actually came on this board to seek suggestions about what to do with my GC application. I never considered applying for the Citizenship as I was going to be happy with the 10 year GC. People on this board suggested that I just go for the N400 and after getting tired of waiting doing nothing I decided to go for it. My fear was that it was going to as bad as the GC so I was the first one to be surprised when everything moved along so quickly.

I am not sure how the timeline thing works. I completed it at the beginnning but I didn't keep updated. I just continued updating the timeline in the signature section.

You do have a nice timeline Waiting4GC, does that mean waiting for green card, LOL, that wait should be long over.

Do you save your timeline somehow so you can copy and paste it, or is that part of this board function? I did try to post a photo of my wife and self, but really haven't dug into the goodies in this board. Peter and others were updating the timelines in the conditional resident section, lazy me did add myself to that long table of other members.

"Permanent Residence Card Timeline

09.14.04: Conditional PR granted

06.14.06: I-751 sent

07.07.06: NOA extending GC for a year

07.24.07: Biometrics Appt

09.10.07: Called 1-800 to inquire about Status

09.14.07: Conditional GC expired

09.24.07: Received Letter dated 09.19.07 -->Case pending Officer review

10.15.07: Another useless call to 1-800 line

11.13.07: Infopass Appt to inquire about I-751 status - Letter to Ombudsman sent.

12.08.07: Letter from Ombudsman received. Formal inquiry initiated. I should hear back from USCIS within 45 days.

01.05.08: Response from USCIS received: Required Review still in process. Contacted Congresswoman office.

Approved per Congresswoman's office response given in March 08.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Citizenship Timeline

11.05.07: N-400 Submitted

11.08.07: N-400 Application Received

11.14.07: N-400 Application Check Cashed!!

12.03.07: NOA Receipt Received - Priority Date:11/08/07

12.08.07: NOA 2 --> Fingerprint Notification Received. Scheduled date is 12.31.07

01.12.08: NOA 3 --> Interview Appt Letter. Interview date is 03.04 at 9:40AM

03.04.08: Interview done. I should hear from them soon.

04.07.08: Oath Ceremony Letter Received!!!

05.02.08: Oath Ceremony completed. I am now an American Citizen"

Wife received the NOA on 3/31/2008, did the biometrics on 4/7/2008, and her interview is scheduled this coming Thursday on 7/17/2008. I see you had practically a two month wait between your interview and the day you became a USC. That seems kind of long, but if we hold that timeline, wife should be able to vote. Nebraska said we shouldn't hear anything for nine months on our NOA, but they are moving much faster than that.

Do you feel if Flava posted her timeline, it will move faster for her? Already suggested she buy an airline ticket, seems those that do, get called in right at the same time they have planned to make a trip.

This is pretty entertaining. Some people just don't know better so we should ignore her comments I guess. I think that the way you speak, write and communicate in general says volumes about a person. Since we can't see each other, we can only go by what each of us writes to create an impression and let me tell you that this person needs some serious improvement in her manners and communications skills. If she has this "ignorant attitude" during her interview, the officer will not be a happy person. My suggestion is that instead of coming to the board to bitc# about everything every single day, you should spend some time polishing your manners and communication skills because you have a lot of work to do. Now, follow you own advise and just post things that will help everybody in the process.

wow we have an edict here. no need for ur lame diction this is an immigration forum so keep all the insults to urself. just cus ur still illegal doesnt mean u have the right to be rude.

Flava:

No insults were sent to you but the attitude you have. "Lame diction" is something I don't use because I consider myself a well educated woman with many personal and professional accomplishments. "Lame Diction" and being "Illegal" would not have allowed me to get where I am today. Just as an FYI: I am actually a US Citizen now and have never being illegal in the 8 years I've been in this country.

It is OK to vent but I don't think it is OK to make fun of topics that are valid. Speaking of being rude: Have you gone back and read your previous comments? You should and then you will see what being rude really means.

This is pretty entertaining. Some people just don't know better so we should ignore her comments I guess. I think that the way you speak, write and communicate in general says volumes about a person. Since we can't see each other, we can only go by what each of us writes to create an impression and let me tell you that this person needs some serious improvement in her manners and communications skills. If she has this "ignorant attitude" during her interview, the officer will not be a happy person. My suggestion is that instead of coming to the board to bitc# about everything every single day, you should spend some time polishing your manners and communication skills because you have a lot of work to do. Now, follow you own advise and just post things that will help everybody in the process.

Curious...

Yes, they are allowed and encouraged! The judge that did the ceremony in Cleveland allowed pictures to be taken with him and the new citizen and sometimes with the entire family. He called people individually and let family members take pictures. It is one of the reasons the ceremony last over 2 hours. I thought it was a nice gesture and he didn't rush anybody who wanted to take the pic.

That is nice, thanks! Where did you park for the Courthouse?

I parked at one of those $5 parking lots. I cant remember the street but the lot is between Superior and St Clair I think. It is only 2 blocks away. There is a parking lot next to the courthouse but that day parking was 10 dollars. It is more convenient is that is what you want.

Thanks, that sounds good. Anything other than parking at Tower City. We may want to go to lunch or dinner afterwards near West Sixth, so this location might be good.

If the ceremony is at the same time mine was (8:30) you might have some down time for about 2 hours or so because mine ended around 10 or 1030. Congrats on the getting the citizenship almost done.

Curious...

Yes, they are allowed and encouraged! The judge that did the ceremony in Cleveland allowed pictures to be taken with him and the new citizen and sometimes with the entire family. He called people individually and let family members take pictures. It is one of the reasons the ceremony last over 2 hours. I thought it was a nice gesture and he didn't rush anybody who wanted to take the pic.

That is nice, thanks! Where did you park for the Courthouse?

I parked at one of those $5 parking lots. I cant remember the street but the lot is between Superior and St Clair I think. It is only 2 blocks away. There is a parking lot next to the courthouse but that day parking was 10 dollars. It is more convenient is that is what you want.

Curious...

Yes, they are allowed and encouraged! The judge that did the ceremony in Cleveland allowed pictures to be taken with him and the new citizen and sometimes with the entire family. He called people individually and let family members take pictures. It is one of the reasons the ceremony last over 2 hours. I thought it was a nice gesture and he didn't rush anybody who wanted to take the pic.

Tammi:

They actually asked me for this information when I went to my interview at the Cleveland office. I took documents similar to the ones to are mentioning so you should be OK.

At my interview the Officer only looked at the first page of the passport (where my Pic and info was located). She didn't look through the book and gave it back to me. She then proceeded to ask if I traveled between the application and the interview. I agree with you Nick that by logic, it would not be possible to go abroad. Well he could go to Canada as you only needed a Driver's License until recently to cross the border. I don't think it will be an issue.

My husband also had to be with me because my I751 was still pending at the time of my N400 interview. You may want to call and ask. I knew I had to take him because they sent me a letter requiring his presence.

So looking at you time line, did you ever get your GC before the end of the whole process?

No, I never got my 10 year GC. The day of the Oath Ceremony I had turn it my expired 2 year GC.

Hello All,

I have citizenship interview tomorrow at Chicago office. My I-751 is still pending. I am going by myself since during the Info pass they told me that my husband can not be present with me during the interview. Wish me good luck.

Please share if anyone had similar experience......

My timeline

I-751 filed Jan.31, 2007 Nebraska

Biometrics done March 11, 2007

Nothing since then.........................

N-400 filed March 4th 2008

Biometrics few weeks later

Interview- June 26

Thanks

Danutuke

My husband also had to be with me because my I751 was still pending at the time of my N400 interview. You may want to call and ask. I knew I had to take him because they sent me a letter requiring his presence.

im guessing no ones gona answer this one cuz no one knows huh.

That means that if you don't hear back from them or get your IL within 45 days to call back and ask again. I think this is a little game they like to play so that it shows that every 45 days when you call, a request is put through for your case. I contacted the Ombusdman and Congress office to help me with the I751 and from the Ombudsman (spelling?) office I received a letter stating that I should contact them if I don't hear from USCIS within 45 days. A week later I got a letter from USCIS stating that my case was under review and to contact them if I don't hear from them within 45 days from the date on this letter. This is "the 45 day game" we played for awhile until I got tired of asking and decided to get my Citizenship. I guess that meant that USCIS won part of the game but not the battle.

That I have had one too many "bacardi and cokes" tonight. It has been a long day and I can't wait to be over. I am just waiting for Hell's Kitchen to end. Guilty pleasure of mine.

Yes, we buy organic food most of the time and I don't believe those are part of this scare. Just in case they are contaminated, I wash they really good. I can't wait until mine start producing. I love tomatoes and I don't think I could live without them.

I think one of them went to a monday night football game and had box seats and then he took her to costa rica

I am sorry but my body is not wired to cheat on anybody....

I think everyone thinks about it if they admit it or not. Not all act on those thoughts though. That's the difference.

umm no, I don't event think about cheating..

you've never seen a really sexy man and just wondered what it might be like? or how he would be in bed?

nope.... I think my hubby is the sexiest man alive...

I guess I'm the only person in here with a mind like a #######. Oh well!

Add me to the list because I don't believe for even 1 second that a person has never fantasized about another man/woman. I am guilty of it. Will I ever act on it? I am not sure but I want to say that I won't do it. So far temptation has not been as strong as to act on it but "never say never".

Sorry for the long title.... I have a I-751 case still waiting to be approved and at the same time I have a N-400 case... When I spoke to an immigration officer, I was told that they would not touch my N-400 case until the I-751 had been approved...

Obviously they cannot approve the N-400 without the I-751 being completed... but is it correct that they wouldn't even touch the application (by the way, I still haven't received a biometrics appointment for my N-400)...

Thanks to anyone who can provide information...

Not necessarily. Your N400 application will force the adjudication of the I751. Mine was approved with my N400. See my timeline for details. You can PM if you want.

I feel your frustration... I applied for citizenship in December 2007 and I am still waiting for a biometrics appointment... Although, I am presently more worried about my I-751 application which still "being processed"...

The last officer I talked to setup an inquiry for the I-751 (which is now 6 months out of their projected times) but said that they wouldn't touch my N-400 until they had processed the I-751 (including the biometrics)... Something definitely smells fishy so I am in the process of writing a letter to setup a congressional inquiry...

I know how you feel about the pending I751. Look at my timeline and you will see that you are not alone. My I751 was approved with my N400. The officer told me during the N400 interview that I would not get my 10 year green card since she was approving my Naturalization Appl. Good luck and don't believe everything they tell you during infopass. I contacted my congresswoman about the pending I751 and when her office called sometime in March 08 they said that it was approved at the same time my N400 was approved so maybe by involving your congresswoman/man you may get a better answer than they give you at infopass. I sent the removal of condition form in 07/06. I believe that the only reason it got approved is because I got the N400 approved, which forced the adjudication of the I751.

Yeah, Lisa needs to go. I don't think she is a good chef at all. There were other ones that were more qualified that her. Oh well. She must know that she is not up to par with Stephanie and Richard and that is why she was bitching about nobody congratulating her for getting the "bronze medal"

I am kinda getting tired of Hell's Kitchen. It has been the same thing since the beginning and the quality of competitors has been declining. I was into it last year but not so much this year. Good thing the show has going at least in my opinion is that there isn't much to watch at that time. Even Ramsey's insults are not as potent as they used to be.