Barciur

Things have gone pretty quickly so here's an update!

On the 24th, I had my interview. I arrived a little late (5 minutes) but that was no problem. I had to wait to be called up for about 10 minutes. An immigration officer came out who spoke English with a very heavy accent that was hard to understand.. But we managed through it. So as I was walking with her she started bombarding me with questions: do you work, do you study, where do you go to school, are you a communist, have you been involved with terrorists, where do you live? It all seemed like an interrogation...

Then we sat down, she started asking those exact same questions again. She asked to see my documents and proof of SS registration. She did not even go through either of my passports. I don't think we went through the entire application either, but maybe we did - it seemed pretty stressful and rushed. We then did the English test and civics test.

The civics questions that I remember:

- Who is the Chief Justice?

- What is the term of a representative in the house?

- What month do we elect the president in?

- How many representatives are there in the house?

- Who is the father of our country?

I don't remember the other one. But then she said I was approved and I could have a ceremony on Friday but I would have to wait in the lobby to get an appointment, or get it in the mail and do it later. So I figured might as well get it over with.

So I had my ceremony on Friday (yesterday). 64 other people were being naturalized. There was a ceremony scheduled before us and even though mine was scheduled for 11, we were not called from the waiting room until 10:55. At 11 everybody was settled in and the check-in process began. So the check-in took 40 minutes, thus the actual ceremony did not start until 11:45.

Overall, I know some people love them and are moved by them, but I personally found it very corny and over the top. Then again, I don't like over the top patriotism, blind recitation of the pledge of allegiance, the anthem being played at every little event you can imagine - to me, it loses that value. The oath in parts has no legal value (for example, renouncation - USSC ruled that, bearing arms - we're already required to bear arms anyway, so nothing changes), but I'm going to stop criticising the whole thing and just be satisfied that I finished the whole process and respect that to each their own and people may love it. I think it mostly just felt like going through the motions, every day there is a ceremony there, so things are going with a template of stuff being done all the time. If I had a ceremony like they showed on the video at Mt Rushmore or something unusual I think it would feel different! Haha, But all is good.

The call of countries had a hiccup as "France" was missed, so it's a good thing they go through the whole thing as a rehearsal!

Then we picked up our certificates and the thing was over.

Now just to apply for a passport

Hello

I have a question as I seem to not be able to find this information. I have my oath ceremony tomorrow. Do my guests have to accompany me or can a guest come in separately from me? Is there anything I have to do to make sure the guest is able to enter? I don't know how this works but I would really not like for someone to take time of work and come just to not be let in.

Just got my interview letter, it is scheduled for February 24!

Barciur's info in-line added!

N-400: October 2015 Applicants
======================================
USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox
======================================
UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office
Andry............|09/23/10|09/28|10/05|10/06|10/28/15|10/30/15.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Newark, NJ
Ed & Dais........|12/28/12|09/28|10/05|10/02|10/27/15|11/30/15.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Baltimore, MD
reginakrys.......|10/17/12|09/28|10/02|10/01|10/29/15|11/02/15.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York, NY
jv0814(Cousin)...|10/08/11|09/30|09/30|10/08|11/05/15|11/09/15.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX
Paula_C..........|09/26/12|10/05|10/13|10/09|11/30/15|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Newark, NJ (FP - Rescheduled from 11/17)
Kerrin...........|07/12/10|10/05|10/07|10/08|10/26/15|11/05/15.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Orlando, FL (Early FP: 10/21/15)
DebLogs..........|10/23/12|10/06|09/11|10/12|10/30/15|11/03/15.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Atlanta, GA
Mahyland.........|07/24/12|10/14|10/21|10/16|11/09/15|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX
NWD2013..........|--/--/--|10/15|10/21|10/16|11/09/15|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Houston, TX (Early FP: 11/05/15)
usaeagle.........|08/16/12|10/15|10/22|10/20|11/13/15|11/17/15.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Orlando, FL
levitude23.......|01/08/13|10/16|--/--|10/19|11/19/15|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Atlanta, GA (Early FP: 11/10/15)
M.A.C............|01/14/11|10/19|10/23|10/20|11/17/15|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Alexandria, VA (Early FP: 11/09/15)
mnrcwv16.........|01/18/13|10/22|10/28|10/26|11/12/15|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX (FP re-scheduled from 11/17)
lvriesling.......|10/06/11|10/23|11/06|--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Oakland Park, FL
Barciur..........|08/18/06|10/24|waive|11/09|11/30/15|12/02/15.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Philadelphia, PA
ar & bi..........|01/26/13|10/28|11/03|10/30|--/--/--|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Houston, TX

================================
USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox
================================
UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office
Sassiringa.......|12/10/12|09/28|--/--|10/01|10/21/15|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Chicago, IL
She_him..........|09/20/08|09/30|10/07|10/07|10/26/15|10/30/15.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Jose, CA (Early FP: 10/21/15)
Cathey & Paul....|05/06/11|10/01|10/08|10/06|10/30/15|11/05/15.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Denver, CO
Jeanycnd.........|05/02/10|10/05|10/09|10/19|11/06/15|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Chicago, IL
Audy_Rob.........|04/08/11|10/07|10/15|10/13|11/02/15|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Jose, CA
ashwnzl..........|08/13/12|10/08|10/15|10/13|11/03/15|11/05/15.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Detroit, MI
pppppp...........|03/26/09|10/12|10/19|10/15|11/12/15|11/16/15.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Sacramento, CA
MyOwnV...........|03/20/08|10/12|--/--|10/15|11/09/15|11/11/15.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA
christera22......|07/17/09|10/13|10/17|10/16|11/13/15|11/17/15.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Cincinnati, OH
inches...........|01/10/11|10/13|10/19|10/14|11/13/15|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Phoenix, AZ
VeraVimes........|08/09/11|10/14|10/21|10/20|11/09/15|11/11/15.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Chicago, IL (Early FP: 11/06/15)
Yanabel..........|06/21/11|10/14|10/20|10/15|11/10/15|11/12/15.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Francisco, CA
Wchan23..........|01/17/13|10/19|10/29|10/27|11/18/15|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Chicago, IL
khwaidee1........|01/15/13|10/20|10/26|10/23|11/18/15|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Santa Ana, CA
Paribest.........|09/25/10|10/22|10/29|10/28|11/16/15|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Jose, CA
jc79.............|08/05/10|10/23|10/28|10/27|11/20/15|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Portland, OR
Chegayl..........|02/23/03|10/26|MnOrd|10/27|11/16/15|11/18/15.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles, CA
bikerbrit........|06/29/03|10/29|11/05|11/04|11/23/15|11/30/15.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Chicago, IL

===========================================================================
USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA)
===========================================================================
UserName.........|GC-Date.|Sent.|Cashd|NOA..|Fprints.|In Line..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|Field Office
Adella...........|12/22/11|09/30|10/09|10/02|11/20/15|11/24/15.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Portland, OR
Alix_fmi.........|02/26/11|10/05|10/13|10/15|11/09/15|11/12/15.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Chicago, IL
dadajnm..........|12/09/12|10/06|10/13|10/07|11/18/15|11/06/15.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Atlanta, GA



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Legend:
GC-Date: The 'Resident Since' Date located on your first green card
Sent: Date N-400 was mailed to USCIS
Cashd: Date your check was cashed by USCIS
NOA: Receipt Notice Date Printed on your official I-797 notification
Fprints: Date assigned for fingerprinting (Bio-metrics)
In Line: Date you received e-notification about the start of your interview shceduling
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2015 US Passport Application Tracker List

Hi guys, I am trying to add myself to this list as I was a little late but I seem to have issues editing this. I'm not sure how to do the whole Rich Text Editior thing, so I'll just post this here maybe someone will be kind enough to add me!

Dallas lockbox.

Barciur....|08/18/06|10/24|waived||11/09||11/30|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Philadelphia, PA

Hello,

I sent in my N-400 and as soon as that has occured I realized that I forgot to attach my pictures and photocopy of my permanent resident card. After a few weeks, I got information from USCIS saying "Your case has been accepted and routed to the USCIS National Benefits Center for processing. Within 7-10 days by standard mail you will receive your official Receipt Notice (Form I-797) with your Receipt Number"

What's going to happen now? Am I going to get a letter asking me to send in the required documents? Should I just mail them myself or should I wait to see? It's a stupid screw up, I know, but it happened so I can only ask what would be the best thing to do now..

Thank you guys for your help.

Hello,

I am gathering documentation to apply for citizenship soon. I should be able to do it within a week or two at the most. I am planning on travelling in late May or early June abroad for 2 months. My question is, how likely is it that it will be done in time to do everything, i.e. get sworn in and get a passport? I know that things have been going fast, but there's always a chance for delays etc., so I'm a tiny bit worried.

What happens in a hypothetical situation that not everything is done and I get picked for interview when I'm abroad for 2 months?

. I have NO idea what she did with it. She took it to a back office out of my sight. I thought it was super odd because that passport was uber old. Maybe it had my China visa in there and wanted to verify? Who knows what these people do with things.

Did she return it to you?

Thanks a lot for your responses and the help

Well, that's great consistency across the board, as this is what it's staed on USCIS website which I just found linked to in another thread

• Item 7: If you did not file a tax return since you became a lawful permanent resident, even if you were not required to file based on your income, check “Yes” and provide a written explanation.

Nevertheless, your answer puts me more at ease, because if they said that, then I'd assume a simple written explanation that I did not have to file based on income will suffice.

Hello

I have a question about the question found in Part 11 q. 7a: Have you ever not filed a Federal, State, or local tax return since you became a Permanent Resident?

So I believe I read on these forums that if I failed to file, for any reason, I need to say Yes. I came here as a 13 year old and I was 19 when I graduated high school, and up until I was 20 and got my first job, I didn't file anything because I had 0 income, as I still live with parents. So in my situation - is it still a yes? And if so, what will they ask me to do? The checklist says:

"

My experience with the field office was that nobody asked any question (philadelphia). I said what I wanted (a temp stamp because I lost my GC), showed the I-90 Notice of Action and I got a stamp, no questions asked.

Hello

I filed for I-90 back in January, my fees were waived and I had a biometrics appointment on February 23rd. I am aware that it may take even 9 months for the new card to show up in the mail - but I heard sometimes it can take as little as 3 months. Anyhow, I was curious whether there is a way for me to check how far along the way is my card (like prodution etc.)? I read some things about ELIS, but I think you need to have paid something to have used that, correct? I had a fee waiver and my receipt number on USCIS only throws out the "fees were waived, we will contact you" stuff.

My Polish passport lets me travel to 137 countries according to this vs 147 of the US. Not a huge difference, but according to different sources, things are different. For example, this source is different than any of the posted

https://www.henleyglobal.com/files/download/hvri/HP%20Visa%20Restrictions%20Index%20141101.pdf

According to this, US is 174 while Poland is at 157. I will probably not see a difference, although the biggest difference is in favor of Poland regarding Brazil. US citizens need a visa while Polish don't. Strange and I'm not sure where it came from!

Of course, the biggest difference is that Polish citizens needs a tourist visa to the US while US citizens live unrestricted

. in addition, 12k is a hell of money you can live on it for 2 years.

Bottom line is that no, you can't live on it for 2 years anywhere in USA without public support/extra income.

It would be these were your supplemental savings to a then found job, like you're claiming you will get in less than a month, but of course there is no way to definitely prove that you will, so it's tough.

Thanks for your responses

I found out that the courthouse in my city does them 4 times a year. Field office is 70 miles away, but does them all the time:

"The Philadelphia Field Office has Judicial Ceremonies 2-8 times per month and Administrative Ceremonies 4-6 times per week. The Philadelphia Field Office does not conduct same-day naturalization ceremonies."

So I wonder if I want to do it quickly maybe they'll get me the Field office one.

Yes. You then make a separate piece of paper and explain why you did not file a tax return. If you were not required to, then obviously everything is fine and legal - they just have to know why.

Hello

I am planning on applying for naturalization soon and just gathering info casually here.

I am wondering if it is possible to request to have a judicial oath done in a city where I live (Lancaster, PA) instead of having to travel to Philadelphia field office for the ceremony?

Doing a google search I found this: http://web.co.lancaster.pa.us/246/NaturalizationThis website seems to be suggesting that there are naturalization ceremonies done there. Is that indeed possible? How does one request doing this? Also, would this be an inconvenience in terms of time? Would I be forced to wait a lot longer for an oath rather than doing it in Phila office?

Any info on this is much appreciated! Thanks.

Hello

So a few months ago I posted here about losing my green card somewhere.. I was convinced that I had lost it. The entire house was searched, everything, everywhere. Well, almost everywhere. My entire household did not bother to look in the darkest corner of the place where nobody ever would expect to find it... and by accident it was discovered (alongside a knife that we had been looking for for a year now but I disgress)

Anyway, my I-90 is now in the process, I had a biometrics appointment and everything, the process is going through. Can I still use this card since I sent in that it was lost and I am awaiting a new one? If so, would I need to notify anybody? Or is this card now useless? I'm mostly concerned about using it at the border. I did get a stamp for temporary evidence, so I suppose I can just forget it and keep the passport stamp.

But bottom line is - I just want to know, what should I do now, if anything?

Yeah as someone holding a EU passport, I would definitely not give it up if my home country forced me to while naturalizing. However, luckily Poland recognized dual citizenship so no problem.

Personally, I am interested in travel to countries where US citizenship would be more problematic than Polish (like North Korea), but green card is just as problematic, so that doesn't really change much in those terms.

Paradoxically, becoming a US citizen gives you more freedom to... live abroad. But live abroad and be able to return. This is probably the biggest reason for me to become a US citizen. If I ever decide to live in Europe again, I don't have to worry about obtaining a B2 to come here - a place I nonetheless grew up in (since 13 years old) and is at least to some extent my home.

That, and the fact that if you lose a passport, it costs $110 to replace, while greencard costs ~$500

But all good reasons discussed in this thread. Bottom line - if you can keep your home country's citizenship, naturalizing is a total no brainer.

What you read is not correct: you will get it back. Or at least, you should.

It definitely seems that way!

http://www.embassyofpanama.org/consular-assistance/passports/

Interesting. We're similar age but as I said, we're purely friends. I guess the only way will be to try and see.

"Proving she has reasons to return" - how do you prove that with the student stuff? Do you bring some kind of documentation or just state the situation in school etc?

Hello

A friend of mine from back home (Poland) would like to come over for ~3-4 weeks to travel cross country and see some of the country basically. She is 23, living at home and studying at a university in her hometown. She would be initially staying at my place but her trip would be funded by herself, as she is saving up for this.

My two main questions are this. Does the fact that I'm just a friend have a negative impact on this? I've heard of people from Poland had really hardly any ties to the country get a B2 granted based on the fact that they were visiting a "family member" so the CO issues a visa. Could the fact that she is visiting me - a friend - rather than a family member have a negative impact? Esp. if they could consider it to be a romantic relationship (it is not)?

Also - is somebody in her situation really unlikely to get a B2, should she wait for this trip a few years before she develops more ties, or is it worth trying?