HappyNathy

I have used Josef Silny & Associates twice now in the US (once for teaching certificaton in GA & the second time for postgrad. studies). I was required to send my original South African degree and transcripts. They have been prompt and professional, and I received my documents back no problem.

http://www.jsilny.com/

Hope this helps

Thank you for the well wishes everyone! Today I am busy shredding 4+ years worth of accumulated 'evidence'. What a relief to empty out those overflowing drawers!

Ant+D: I found out that there was a process I had not taken with South Africa to retain my South African citizenship. I had to do that PRIOR to my application for USA citizenship. Anyway, long story short, I have given up my South African citizenship and am now 100% American (except for the accent and that feeling that Africa will always be in my heart). Ultimately, it is a personal decision.

Jasminelilly & Sunshine 78: Good luck with your Naturalization journey. Yes, I was very happy to complete the process in the same day, it was a long day, but only 1 day. Fingers crossed that you will have the same experience.

Hey VJers,

I just wanted to update here & provide my experience in the event that it helps someone. I naturalized today and am so happy that my journey is over!

My interview was scheduled for 9:20am in Atlanta. I arrived at 8:45. There was a small line getting through security. My interview letter & greencard was checked. Purse and documents into the x-ray tray. Shoes off, too. My metal headband set-off the security door frame thingymajig. Off with the head band and success. Went up to the second floor. As you come out the elevator, take a right to check in at the window. Very Friendly Lady there and she sent me up to the 3rd floor. Arrive at the third floor and went to the window to check in. A not very friendly lady there told me to sit near the TV and wait for my name. Honestly, I would sit in the middle of the room as there is no PA system which makes listening for your name a little stressful. My name was called at about 9:40.

My IO was polite and pleasant. When I got to his office he asked me to remain standing and raise my right hand. He swore me in and then we sat down. He pulled out my file - complete with I-751 & N400 documents. He took up my conditional Green Card and my 10 year Green Card. He asked if I wanted to change my name. He asked if I was still married, my date of birth, address, SS #, telephone number, place of work, anniversary date, confirmed my husband's name, checked the copy I sent of my husband's birth certificate. Then he went through the list of questions on the N400 application form such as: have you ever been arrested, involved in a terrorist group, are you willing to bear arms if required, etc. He did not ask to look at any of the documents I had brought with me.

After that, we moved on to the English portion of the test. I had to read: What do we pay the government?

I had to write: We pay taxes. (This sentence is provided and you are not expected to know the answer).

The 6 civics questions I was asked were:

1. When do men have to register for selective service?

2. Name 1 state that borders Canada.

3. What is freedom of religion?

4. When was the Constitution written?(be careful not to confuse this similar date to the Declaration of Independence)

5. What ocean is on the West coast of the USA?

6. How many senators are there?

He said congratulations, I had passed the tests. He asked if I would like to attend the oath ceremony that day. I said, "Yes, please!". He said that another officer would check my file and that I was to wait on the second floor. If the second officer agreed with my IO's decision, then I could attend the oath ceremony at 2pm. I waited on the second floor for almost 2 hours. Thankfully DH had brought a book to read, which I appropriated. My name was called and I collected my appointment letter for 2pm. DH & I went for lunch. It was then 12:10ish.

1:20 we return. There was a substantial line through security. Head band off this time! Went up to the 2nd floor to check in with Nice Lady. Am told DH has to wait and I am sent to an officer who checks my appointment notice. I am told to take a seat with the other people taking the oath. Waited a while, then we start filing into the oath ceremony room. We are shown our naturalization certificates, one-by-one, and told to confirm the information such as name, DOB, gender. Slow process. When I take my seat, on it is a little American flag; a book titled 'The Citizen's Almanac'; a congratulatory letter from USCIS outlining how to obtain a passport, how to notify SS administration, and how to register to vote; a booklet containing the Declaration of Independence & the Constitution of America; a paper with the Oath of Allegiance.

Not sure what time it is now but I am reading through the material and the Oath Ceremony Room is slowly filing up. We are given the opportunity for a potty break ~ accepted! Get back, wait a while longer. Finally, someone comes in and starts a video. Towards the end of this, friends & family enter the room and start taking photos. An officer comes out and starts the ceremony. She congratulates us, we sing the Star Spangled Banner, she tells us that there are 187 applicants from 50 countries present. She calls out the countries and we stand when we hear our country of origin. We take the Oath of Allegiance. We all say the Pledge of Allegiance. End of ceremony. We are told that we MAY make black & white copies of our Naturalization Certificates for our records. We start filing out and collect our Certificates of Naturalization.

3:19 I am back in my car, a United States' Citizen!

I hope I didn't leave anything out. Good luck to everyone still on their journeys!

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USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox

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UserName............Sent.....ChkCashd...NOA.....Fprints...Int Ltr...Intview...Oath......FieldOffice

Angela & Hicham...02/01/10..02/08/10..02/10/10..03/03/10..03/25/10..04/29/10..--/--/--..Oklahoma City, OK

bobo..............02/01/10..02/08/10..02/08/10..03/24/10..04/01/10..05/11/10..--/--/--..Pittsburgh, PA

chan51............02/02/10..02/10/10..02/09/10..03/08/10..03/18/10..04/20/10..04/20/10..Dallas, TX

Quantril..........02/02/10..02/09/10..02/11/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..XX, XX

cocoplum..........02/03/10..02/10/10..02/09/10..03/11/10..05/08/10..06/09/10..--/--/--..Atlanta, GA

John Travolta.....02/03/10..02/11/10..02/25/10..03/18/10..04/02/10..05/06/10..05/28/10..Philadelphia, PA

Tasha.............02/04/10..--/--/--..02/13/10..03/10/10..04/05/10..05/10/10..--/--/--..Boston, MA

junglee069........02/05/10..--/--/--..02/16/10..03/17/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Dallas, TX

honorable.........02/06/10..02/09/10..02/09/10..03/05/10..05/09/10..06/10/10..--/--/--..Atlanta, GA

goldin03..........02/08/10..02/18/10..02/16/10..03/19/10..04/26/10..05/26/10..--/--/--..Washington, DC (Fairfax, VA)

JLR...............02/09/10..02/19/10..02/17/10..03/12/10..03/26/10..04/26/10..--/--/--..San Antonio, TX

Sven..............02/10/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..04/03/10..05/05/10..--/--/--..XX, XX

Fu&Laur...........02/11/10..02/19/10..02/18/10..03/17/10..03/24/10..04/30/10..--/--/--..Dallas, TX

hp8710w...........02/11/10..02/18/10..02/17/10..03/12/10..03/22/10..04/21/10..--/--/--..San Antonio, TX

a&o...............02/15/10..02/19/10..02/19/10..03/19/10..03/24/10..04/28/10..--/--/--..Jacksonville, FL

roses.............02/16/10..02/22/10..02/25/10..03/23/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Charleston, SC

novahunter........02/16/10..02/24/10..02/26/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Arlington, VA

masterpiece.......02/16/10..../../....03/04/10..04/02/10..04/09/10..05/18/10..06/16/10..Norfolk, VA

S.vincent.........02/17/10..03/01/10..02/25/10..04/01/10..04/30/10..06/03/10..--/--/--..Boston, MA

Journey2USC.......02/24/10..03/04/10..03/03/10..03/30/10..04/12/10..05/18/10..--/--/--..Dallas, TX

Fruit_blend.......02/25/10..--/--/--..03/08/10..--/--/--..04/06/10..05/07/10..--/--/--..Houston, TX

jomw10............02/26/10..03/09/10..03/05/10..04/14/10..04/29/10..06/02/10..06/16/10..Houston, TX

HappyNathy........02/28/10..03/10/10..03/17/10..04/07/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Atlanta, GA

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USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox

================================

UserName............Sent.....ChkCashd...NOA.....Fprints...Int Ltr...Intview...Oath......FieldOffice

ejb...............02/01/10..02/05/10..02/06/10..04/02/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..San Diego, CA

mjm2950...........02/01/10..02/10/10..02/13/10..03/10/10..--/--/--..04/27/10..--/--/--..Denver, CO

chichai...........02/03/10..02/11/10..02/13/10..03/04/10..03/20/10..05/26/10..--/--/--..Los Angeles, CA

Chazzie...........02/04/10..../../....03/09/10..03/25/10..--/--/--..04/22/10..05/26/10..Oakland,CA

stgo..............02/05/10..02/15/10..02/22/10..03/18/10..04/01/10..05/04/10..05/27/10..San Jose, CA

IVaiting..........02/09/10..02/17/10..02/26/10..03/16/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Chicago, IL

CaptainPenguin....02/18/10..02/28/10..03/01/10..03/26/10..04/01/10..05/06/10..06/09/10..Salt Lake City, UT

MrsAmera..........02/19/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..St. Paul, MN

Franklocks........02/19/10..03/09/10..03/12/10..04/05/10..04/20/10..05/24/10..--/--/--..San Francisco, CA

-cK-..............02/19/10..03/04/10..03/03/10..04/05/10..04/12/10..05/25/10..--/--/--..Seattle, WA

vsmtghdy..........02/22/10..03/02/10..03/02/10..04/01/10..04/27/10..06/02/10..06/17/10..Sacramento, CA

ampi..............02/25/10..--/--/--..03/08/10..--/--/--..04/29/10..06/03/10..--/--/--..XX, XX

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

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UserName............Sent....Prio Date...NOA.....Fprints...Int Ltr...Intview...Oath......FieldOffice

doctorsrk.........02/22/10..02/25/10..03/11/10..03/09/10..04/20/10..05/17/10..05/17/10..Cleveland , OH

[/size][/font]

Unless the withdrawal adds to the VAWA claim. How many USCs post here after a fight with their non-USC spouse that they want to "send them back"? I have heard an immigration lawyer say that USCIS is aware of these types of situations where the USC uses this as a weapon / intimidation tool against the non-USC.

To the OP: As for how you should proceed, find a good immigration attorney to consult. Seriously.

Does anyone have any knowledge or experience of how to go about notifying USCIS of this?

The application fee has been paid & biometrics already scheduled but I wish to withdraw my application. I know that the fee is non-refundable, but what I want to know is how do I notify USCIS? My application is being processed in Texas.

Thank you.

Actually, I'm already there Filed on 2-28-2010 & have biometrics for N-400 on 4-08-2010. My I-751 took that long!!

Hi VJers,

I wanted to update on the final step of my I-751 - I received my 10 year green card in the mail today. So, I can now close this chapter.

I wish those who are waiting, good luck!!

Thanks

No, I don't know why it took so long. Either the service request shook it free or my N-400 submission. I had to have biometrics three times, so there well may have been some issue but I don't know what.

Thought I'd update. I received an email today that my card production has been ordered. It's taking a while to sink in, gosh I'm glad this step (saga) is over.

Good luck to those still waiting!

Congratulations!

More consistency on the part of VSC would be good.

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======================================

USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox

======================================

UserName............Sent.....ChkCashd...NOA.....Fprints...Int Ltr...Intview...Oath......FieldOffice

Angela & Hicham...02/01/10..02/08/10..02/10/10..03/03/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Oklahoma City, OK

bobo..............02/01/10..02/08/10..02/08/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Pittsburgh, PA

chan51............02/02/10..02/10/10..02/09/10..03/08/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Dallas, TX

Quantril..........02/02/10..02/09/10..02/11/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..??, ??

cocoplum..........02/03/10..02/10/10..02/09/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Atlanta, GA

Tasha.............02/04/10..--/--/--..02/13/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Boston, MA

goldin03..........02/08/10..02/18/10..02/16/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Washington, DC (Fairfax, VA)

JLR...............02/09/10..02/19/10..02/17/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..San Antonio, TX

Fu&Laur...........02/11/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Dallas, TX

hp8710w...........02/11/10..02/18/10..02/17/10..03/12/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..San Antonio, TX

a&o...............02/15/10..02/19/10..02/19/10..03/16/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Jacksonville, FL

roses.............02/16/10..02/22/10..02/25/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Charleston, SC

S.vincent.........02/17/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..??, ??

Journey2USC.......02/24/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Dallas, TX

================================

USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox

================================

UserName............Sent.....ChkCashd...NOA.....Fprints...Int Ltr...Intview...Oath......FieldOffice

ejb...............02/01/10..02/05/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..San Diego, CA

mjm2950...........02/01/10..02/10/10..02/13/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Denver, CO

chichai...........02/03/10..02/11/10..02/13/10..03/04/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Los Angeles, CA

stgo..............02/05/10..02/15/10..02/22/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..San Jose, CA

CaptainPenguin....02/18/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..Salt Lake City, UT

MrsAmera..........02/19/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..St. Paul, MN

Franklocks........02/19/10..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..San Francisco, CA

HappyNathy......02/28/10..........................................................................Atla

nta, GA

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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

Example...........--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..--/--/--..City, ST

I have never heard any of this. What I have heard is that filing the N-400 will force adjudication on the I-751. I filed my N-400 yesterday. My I-751 is still pending. The person I spoke to at USCIS said no problem to file N-400 if I-751 is still pending.

On a side note, if you filed June 2008, were you not eligible to file N-400 sooner?

For my DH: A big rare rib eye steak with loads of mashed potatoes & a hearty salad. He is also a fan of chicken wings.

I filed at VSC in March 2009 & I am still waiting.

What a relief!! Congratulations!!

Congratulations!

I would like to know why the inconsistency on the part of VSC. I am going on a year now & still waiting.

How exciting! Loved the pics, thanks for sharing!! Congratulations!!

It may say 6 months, but that is not the reality for many of us.

Congrats!

Why did you have to go three times??

I really don't know. The first time was fingerprints and photograph and the other two times they only took my photograph. The service center couldn't tell me why and when I asked the USCIS line they couldn't say either.

I am in a similar position, although I have not been waiting quite as long. I called last week and I was told that my case is still being processed. I file the N-400 February 19, 2010. Oh! ~ I also had the pleasure of having to do biometrics three times...

Good luck with your interview. Keep us posted.

Hey March filers!

Anyone left still waiting for news? I have had zero movement since September, my last touch. Called USCIS this week and was told my case is still being processed.

There are some charities that will come and collect items you wish to donate to them. Try doing a google search for your area.

I'm sorry for your pain and loneliness. There is nothing like the comfort of family. Go home, girl ~ be happy!