KromiX

There's no problem with taking trips on holidays, but if you're naturalizing, you should know you run the risk of having an interview or an Oath ceremony interupt your plan. After all, USCIS does not force you to naturalize and they don't require you to do it at any given time. You're in total control of when you choose to file your application.

If you file for naturalization, then plan a trip and your N-400 interview or Oath ends up impacting your trip plans, then you are as much to blame for it as USCIS is. Go ahead and reschedule the Oath, but please don't whine about it to people who would give a lot to have that chance.

They don't force you to naturalize just as much as they don't force you to take the day the give you or restart the application, they understand people have lives and don't expect you to stop yours for 6 months - a year during the process.

In that light, to wish upon him a long process due to him not wanting the 'best day to naturalize' is ridiculous.

Sorry, but I don't think your rant is going to garner much sympathy for your plight here on VJ. Do you know how many immigrants would be proud, honored and excited to be sworn in on as a citizen on July 4th? I really can't believe how ungrateful you are about this opportunity. My wife and I were really hoping for a 4th of July Oath, but it's not going to happen.

Maybe they should send your case to the end of the line for your Oath after you reschedule, seeing as how it obviously means so much to you...

Yea lets all attack the guy and wish his naturalization take years longer cause he has plans on a long weekend/national weekend and actually made plans and continues his life instead of sitting at home with his fingers crossed in a dark room praying he gets an Oath interview on the 4th of July......

Pardon him for taking a trip on a holiday, thats not normal in the U.S..... He's such an unappreciative a-hole and deserves the full brunt of the USCIS. He should drop everything he's doing and cancel his trip to be "proud and lucky" he got a 4th of July Oath date... /sigh

Well I agree with you, that's a bad day for it, regardless of it having to do with immigration or not.......

If they are gonna do it July 4th, give people months notice or don't do it at all. People have lives and schedule vacations and outings on days like the 4th of July......

To the two other posters Don't get so "overwhelmed with the joy of being a US Citizen" that its impossible to see the 4th of july could be a bad day for this for MANY people, atleast for me, my life doesn't stop during the naturalization process........ I for one agree with the O.P, bad day to schedule it.

Shoot, I didn't even know they schedule Oaths on Saturdays either............

Hello!

Could anyone please add my name to the list.?

I just sent my application to Texas today (6/23)...my office is West Palm Beach - Florida...

Thanks! and good luck to all!!

Leo

Filed for: Removing Conditions

Vermont Service Center

Did you file the N-400? Just checkin.. This is a list of N-400 filers...

Hope things now move faster for those who have been waiting for so long.

I Think recent filers have seen benefits, April, May has gone so fast....

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090622/ap_on_...tion_fbi_checks

DALLAS – FBI name checks on people seeking to work or live in the United States or become citizens are getting completed more quickly, slicing through a backlog that had left some petitions pending for more than a year, immigration officials said Monday.

The FBI hired more workers, beefed up its training programs and upgraded its technology to handle the average of 6 million to 7 million applications that stream through the agency each year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services officials said.

The delays came during the FBI's routine checks for possible criminal backgrounds and national security questions. But now, nearly all name check requests submitted to the FBI are being answered within 30 days. The remaining 2 percent are finished within 90 days, USCIS officials said.

"The FBI has made great strides ... and shown it's capable of sustaining that service level," Michael Aytes, acting deputy director of Citizenship and Immigration Services, told The Associated Press.

Petitions that require more evaluation or interaction with other agencies are not included in the FBI name check backlog count, immigration officials said. Currently, some 6,000 cases are pending with Citizenship and Immigration Services, including some in which the application was filed several years ago, Aytes said.

"They are being looked at, they don't just sit on a shelf," said Gregory Smith, the agency's assistant director for national security and records verification directorate.

The volume of pending FBI name checks peaked in November 2007 when there were about 350,000 pending cases. At the time, more than half had been waiting for more than three months and a large number had been pending for more than a year, Aytes said.

In April 2008, the two agencies established milestones and priorities for the name checks. The goals required processing all name checks pending more than three years by May 2008, those pending more than two years by July 2008, and requests pending more than one year by November 2008.

A government audit issued in June 2008 found the FBI had been using old technology and workers without enough training to do security checks.

That same month, a group of Muslim immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship in Missouri filed a federal class-action lawsuit claiming they had been made to wait for months or years because of slow background checks.

I just returned from my Citizenship Interview at the USCIS Office in Miami, FL. And I have been approved!. My Oath Ceremony schedule on next Friday at the same office.

Congrats!!!!

So you were at the 8801 NW 7th ave office?

Yup, welcome to the lazy culture of America.

Our culture is not lazy!!!!...(neither are Americans).....and if our culture was lazy we wouldn't be a nation that is progressive compared to the rest of the world. You'll find the same type of people all over the world, who won't take the time to work a little harder or use their common sense to get things figured out. Please refrain from putting the US down!!

Funny how many people want to be part of this country

Except in Japan,they take their time to work harder and perform better. Easily the hardest working country. Hey by all means have your own opinion, but in my experience, everyone has an excuse to pass the buck. "Let me transfer you to xxx, I can't change that, if I could I would" has become standard pretty much. When do you call customer service somewhere and get helped by the first person anymore? lol

Can sme one put together most common questions aske during interview.. Thanks

If you click on the Guides button at the top of this page. There is a link to what you seek.

How about YOU read the guides n0ob! There isn't a guide for Naturalization, nor a list of interview questions. And what would someone still waiting for a K-1 visa know? Stay in your own forum!

+1

Yup, welcome to the lazy culture of America. Now we get to use computers as the scapegoat for everything. Computers were programmed to assist. I hate when I call something like AT&T and ask to change something and I have to "wait for the computer" or "we would do it but the computer won't let us". Anything you want to do you can, how easily the computer allows you is the question. If its programmed to do so, its easy, if its not, it can be done, one way or another anything can be changed. I get so aggravated with "We would but the computer won't let us.

Since when have our computer overlords taken over?

Does everyone do the biometrics again for N400 even if they have done them recently for I751?

not everyone no, but it seems random... some people do it even though they just did it 1 month ago, some skip it and they did it 2 years ago.... no way to know...

Nice Congrats!!!!!!!!

The only trip I have ever taken OUTSIDE the country is a 4-day cruise to the Bahamas. I listed it on my N-400 form, however I don't have evidence of the trip anywhere... (went on my Green Card).. Do I need to get something for proof of that trip or is my word good for the interview?

A short trip like this won't matter. If you had spent 6 months or more, then they may have issues with it. I had about 5 or 6 trips outside the country since I moved here 3 years ago. All were reasonably short (3 weeks max). I listed them on the N-400 and I'm not going to bring any proof with me.

I noticed a post from someone that got their citizenship within the past few days whereby she spent 4 months on holiday in Mexico. That warranted only a comment from the IO and nothing more. So in sort, I would not worry about a 4 day trip outside the country.

Ok cool.. especially on a cruise to the bahamas right? not like I went to North Korea for a week

The only trip I have ever taken OUTSIDE the country is a 4-day cruise to the Bahamas. I listed it on my N-400 form, however I don't have evidence of the trip anywhere... (went on my Green Card).. Do I need to get something for proof of that trip or is my word good for the interview?

2 Weeks till my Interview... Countin Down

No, you do not have to renounce your Brazilian citizenship.

When you take the oath, you supposedly renounce loyalty to any nation other than the U.S., but UNLESS YOU GO TO A BRAZILIAN AUTHORITY (a judge, officer at a consulate, etc) and FORMALLY renounce your citizenship, you will not lose it.

Prior to the constitution of 1988, Brazil did not allow dual citizenship and everyone that became a naturalized citizen of another country, lost his/her brazilian citizenship.

Since 1988, however, unless you FORMALLY RENOUNCE IT BEFORE A BRAZILIAN AUTHORITY, you get to keep your citizenship.

What are the negatives of maintaining dual citizenship with Brazil ? Do you or anyone else know?

I can tell you a negative of NOT keeping your brazilian citizenship.. You will need to get a visa in order to visit family down in Brazil, and that alone is a reason that for me is enough to keep it.

And if you ever decide to move back, that is another reason to keep your Brazilian citizenship. If you ever renounce your citizenship and later want it back, it will be nearly impossible to re-gain it.

Another reason to keep your Brazilian citizenship is for healthcare reasons. Though many people would not agree with me, in case of a major sickness/disease or even childbirth, you can always fly down to Brazil and receive free treatment through the public healthcare system. I am from Curitiba, Paraná where the public healthcare is pretty good considering the fact it is public. Curitiba has the best hospitals for treatment of leukemia. Also, the city's program for Pre-Natal care is one of the best available (my cousin was born in a public hospital in Curitiba a few years ago. My aunt received 5 star pre-natal care and at the hospital... much better than I have ever seen in private hospitals in the United States.)

I definitely consider flying down there if anything ever happens.. I have had many bad experiences with healthcare providers in the U.S, and unless it changes soon I would not seek any treatment here if it is available in Brazil. Recently I had a $6,000+ bill from a hospital here in the U.S. because of a shoulder pain I had. I left the hospital hours later without knowing what was wrong with my shoulder and $6K poorer (which I am still paying for...) a total waste of money and time! Healthcare in the U.S. is outrageously expensive and ineffective!

Brazil and the U.S. have a pretty reasonable relationship so I do not imagine any major conflicts. I can't imagine Brazil going to war against the U.S. or anything like that.

If you have not done so already, be sure to transfer your voter registration to your local consulate and vote for president every four years so that you won't have problems obtaining passports in the future.

What will happen is when you get your U.S. Passport, you will use it to leave and enter the United States. You will use your Brazilian Passport to enter and exit Brazil. The customs of each country will not care for your citizenship of any other country. All they care to see is your local citizenship/passport.

Many, many people have dual citizenship in Brazil and have no problems whatsoever.

If you have kids, the Brazilian citizenship might also be of good use for them in the future. According to a law passed in 2007, children of Brazilian citizens registered with a Brazilian consulate are now considered "natural born citizens" and no longer need to opt for the Brazilian citizenship at the age of 18. That is thanks to the efforts of the "Brasileirinhos Apátridas" foundation. Be sure to register your kids at the consulate. They will also be dual American-Brazilian citizens

Hope that helps.

Good to know, 2 questions since you seem like you know alot about it... I was born there, came when I was 2 years old, and never went back so I doubt I'd go back only family I have is my grandma, we usually fly her here..... thats why I'm asking negatives... You can't think of ONE negative at all??

I thought even if I'm going to brazil, no matter what, once a uS citizen ur supposed to use the US passport to enter the country, no matter what?

I cant think of a negative at all. Unless you really dont want it, I think you should keep it. Your brazilian passport might even be useful if you want to travel to a country that does not have good relationship with the U.S. I know things may change soon but, for example, as a Brazilian you can easily get in to Cuba, but as an American, things get a little more complicated. You also have some perks when going to Portugal. (Portugal and Brazil have some kind of deal that treats its citizens as equals...)

As to your second question re using the US passport, the Brazilian Federal police does not care if you have another passport. To enter Brazil, all you need is your Brazilian passport. They do not care about your immigration/citizenship status in other countries. Therefore, upon leaving the United States, you will show your U.S. passport. You will show your Brazilian passport to the airline as your authorization to enter the country (the airline gets fined by the federal police in Brazil if someone travels without a valid visa). Upon arriving in Brazil, you show the federal police/customs your Brazilian passport, same upon going through the federal police/customs to leave Brazil. You will then show the airline your American passport as your authorization to enter the US and also show it at the immigration at the airport upon your arrival. The US Immigration officer will not question you regarding your dual citizenship. All you need to do is make sure you travel with both passports. The truth is: your US passport will be good for leaving and entering the us, and your Brazilian passport is good for entering and leaving Brazil. No questions will be asked.

No, you do not have to renounce your Brazilian citizenship.

When you take the oath, you supposedly renounce loyalty to any nation other than the U.S., but UNLESS YOU GO TO A BRAZILIAN AUTHORITY (a judge, officer at a consulate, etc) and FORMALLY renounce your citizenship, you will not lose it.

Prior to the constitution of 1988, Brazil did not allow dual citizenship and everyone that became a naturalized citizen of another country, lost his/her brazilian citizenship.

Since 1988, however, unless you FORMALLY RENOUNCE IT BEFORE A BRAZILIAN AUTHORITY, you get to keep your citizenship.

What are the negatives of maintaining dual citizenship with Brazil ? Do you or anyone else know?

I can tell you a negative of NOT keeping your brazilian citizenship.. You will need to get a visa in order to visit family down in Brazil, and that alone is a reason that for me is enough to keep it.

And if you ever decide to move back, that is another reason to keep your Brazilian citizenship. If you ever renounce your citizenship and later want it back, it will be nearly impossible to re-gain it.

Another reason to keep your Brazilian citizenship is for healthcare reasons. Though many people would not agree with me, in case of a major sickness/disease or even childbirth, you can always fly down to Brazil and receive free treatment through the public healthcare system. I am from Curitiba, Paraná where the public healthcare is pretty good considering the fact it is public. Curitiba has the best hospitals for treatment of leukemia. Also, the city's program for Pre-Natal care is one of the best available (my cousin was born in a public hospital in Curitiba a few years ago. My aunt received 5 star pre-natal care and at the hospital... much better than I have ever seen in private hospitals in the United States.)

I definitely consider flying down there if anything ever happens.. I have had many bad experiences with healthcare providers in the U.S, and unless it changes soon I would not seek any treatment here if it is available in Brazil. Recently I had a $6,000+ bill from a hospital here in the U.S. because of a shoulder pain I had. I left the hospital hours later without knowing what was wrong with my shoulder and $6K poorer (which I am still paying for...) a total waste of money and time! Healthcare in the U.S. is outrageously expensive and ineffective!

Brazil and the U.S. have a pretty reasonable relationship so I do not imagine any major conflicts. I can't imagine Brazil going to war against the U.S. or anything like that.

If you have not done so already, be sure to transfer your voter registration to your local consulate and vote for president every four years so that you won't have problems obtaining passports in the future.

What will happen is when you get your U.S. Passport, you will use it to leave and enter the United States. You will use your Brazilian Passport to enter and exit Brazil. The customs of each country will not care for your citizenship of any other country. All they care to see is your local citizenship/passport.

Many, many people have dual citizenship in Brazil and have no problems whatsoever.

If you have kids, the Brazilian citizenship might also be of good use for them in the future. According to a law passed in 2007, children of Brazilian citizens registered with a Brazilian consulate are now considered "natural born citizens" and no longer need to opt for the Brazilian citizenship at the age of 18. That is thanks to the efforts of the "Brasileirinhos Apátridas" foundation. Be sure to register your kids at the consulate. They will also be dual American-Brazilian citizens

Hope that helps.

Good to know, 2 questions since you seem like you know alot about it... I was born there, came when I was 2 years old, and never went back so I doubt I'd go back only family I have is my grandma, we usually fly her here..... thats why I'm asking negatives... You can't think of ONE negative at all??

I thought even if I'm going to brazil, no matter what, once a uS citizen ur supposed to use the US passport to enter the country, no matter what?

No, you do not have to renounce your Brazilian citizenship.

When you take the oath, you supposedly renounce loyalty to any nation other than the U.S., but UNLESS YOU GO TO A BRAZILIAN AUTHORITY (a judge, officer at a consulate, etc) and FORMALLY renounce your citizenship, you will not lose it.

Prior to the constitution of 1988, Brazil did not allow dual citizenship and everyone that became a naturalized citizen of another country, lost his/her brazilian citizenship.

Since 1988, however, unless you FORMALLY RENOUNCE IT BEFORE A BRAZILIAN AUTHORITY, you get to keep your citizenship.

What are the negatives of maintaining dual citizenship with Brazil ? Do you or anyone else know?

Do I need to Renounce Brazilian Citizenship once I take my oath? And if so, is it easy and what is the cost? Who has done it recently?

MsAnn, don't let it upset you. There's always a chance that they will move it up

Members of this forum are so familiar with the word 'descheduled". Just for the heck of it I looked it up and found out that there's no such word in the dictionary. My interpretation of the word is that the schedule has been canceled versus re-scheduled which means the schedule has been moved.

And it's just so typical of USCIS to send a 'deschedule' letter instead of waiting until they have a new schedule to save ink, paper and postage, and most of all, spare the applicants the stress.

Let's be honest, I hope that doesn't happen to me with 2 weeks to go, cause lets just say there's a possibility if it does I wouldn't be eligible for a rescheduled date as people in prison are not eligible for naturalization.

MsAnn, Did you call to find out? Or best bet would be to INFOPASS and ask #######

why they descheduled?? what was the reason?

We can wait for her answer, but I'm sure they don't provide nor do they have to... I would assume it would be scheduling conflict OR FBI name check issue?

It says on the letter if u cant make it to mail it back for another date....

R U KIDDING? u have the worst luck #######..... DESCHEDULED!?

hey botipapa, how was your interview ? hope all went well

Hey guys,

well it actually did not go very well....

I'm with the Oakland Park office, interview was scheduled @9:15am.

Got there 30 min early, let me in. There is one large waiting room for both the INFOPASS, and

the interview people, there were about 40 of us.

INFOPASS served at windows, and called by numbers, and the interview ones were called by names,

and were led to separate offices.

9:40-ish they called my name, walked in, very nice female IO, surprisingly friendly.

Sworn in, went through the N400, names, addresses, SSNs, phone#s, etc.

Asked me for my GC, ID, Passport, and my wifes Birth Certificate.

Asked me if I was arrested, and I said yes, back in '05 I was driving under suspended license,

give her the arrest report, and court disposition.

And then she asked for a transcript of my Driving Record for the past 7 years....

I had no idea, that they will need this...

Anyways, went along, and she made me read a sentence:

"How many Senators are in the US?"

And I've had to write the answer.

The six Q's were:

-Who is in charge of the executive branch?

-We elect a President for how many years?

-Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

-When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

-Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.

-What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

She said very good, and stopped.

You passed the test, however, without that missing Driving Record I cannot proceed.

I have to schedule another appointment, where you must bring this document,

and without further questions asked I will be recommending your case for approval.

This was the better part of the story...

The bad part is, that the first available date they scheduled me is on the 24th of August!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was furious but she said there is no way around it.

There was two other guys waiting (both missing some docs...), and they scheduled them for the same day like me.

Paid for my mistake, have to wait 2 1/2 more months.

Better luck to everybody else!!!

PS: and don't forget to obtain a trascript of your Driving Record, if you had previous suspension(s)...

Cookiee, what's with your Interview Letter????!!!!

Wow, gonna bring my Driving Transcript anyways! lol

hey botipapa, how was your interview ? hope all went well

Yup curious report back! P.S what office were you in again?