lax75

Sorry to hear about this. Could it be that someone maybe intercepted your letter? Call me paranoid, but don't rule out the possibility of someone trying to block your blessings. Just my thoughts. But what is yours, is yours and when God says yes, no being can so no.

Congratulations. I'm sure it feels so good being at the end of your journey.

I guess you guys are right they wanted me to sweat a bit.Today i checked the website and I got this message.

I thank all of you for your encouragement.

Acceptance

Acceptance

During the acceptance step USCIS reviews newly received applications and petitions to ensure that they are properly filed (i.e. signed by the applicant, appropriate fees, etc.) USCIS issues a receipt number for the application or petition, and sends a receipt notice to the applicant or petitioner.

Applications and petitions that are not properly filed are rejected with an explanation of why the application is rejected and the corrective action needed. Rejected applications or petitions do not retain their filing date.

The acceptance step is typically completed within 2 business days of when the application is received. With mail time it may take several weeks for you to get the receipt or rejection notice in the mail. If you do not receive your notice within 30 days of mailing your application, please contact our national customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.

Initial Review

Initial Review

During this step, USCIS initiates the background checks of the applicant/petitioner and identifies issues that may need to be addressed either during an interview or by asking the applicant/petitioner to submit additional information or documentation. USCIS reviews the applicant's/petitioner's criminal history, determines if there are national security concerns that need to be addressed, and reviews the application/petition for fraud indicators.

If you have filed an I-485, I-589, I-751, N-400, I-90, I-821, I-131 or I-765, you can expect to receive an appointment notice to appear at an Application Support Center to have your fingerprints and/or photographs taken. The timing of your appointment is determined by the number of applicants ahead of you that also need a biometric appointment. We try to schedule biometric appointments as quickly as possible and in most cases you will receive your appointment notice within 30 days of submitting your application. We will send your appointment notice approximately 14 days ahead of your scheduled appointment. It is important that you keep this appointment. If absolutely necessary, you can request that your appointment be rescheduled however, please be aware that rescheduling may delay the processing of your application. Please follow the instructions on your appointment notice if you need to reschedule. Occasionally, you may receive an appointment notice to appear at an Application Support Center to have your fingerprints taken when you have filed a form other than those listed above. In these situations, you may receive your appointment notice more than 30 days after submitting your application or petition.

Testing and Interview

Testing and Interview

If your case status indicates that you are currently in this step, you have either been scheduled for an interview or are in line to be scheduled for an interview. The amount of time your application will remain in this step will vary by office and is largely determined by the number of cases ahead of yours. The interview notice will have specifics about time, location and anything you will need to bring to your interview. If your application remains pending beyond our normal processing times (as shown below) please contact our national customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.

Please note that not every application/applicant will require an interview. In some instances, an interview is required by regulation and others an interview is requested because USCIS has determined that this is the most efficient means to determine eligibility. For a naturalization application the interview will include your taking the required English and/or Civics tests (unless exempt or waived).

Decision

Decision

During this step the formal decision (approved/denied) is written and the decision notice is mailed and/or emailed to the applicant/petitioner. You can use our current processing time to gauge when you can expect to receive a final decision.

Post Decision Activity

Post Decision Activity

For approved applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include USCIS sending notification of the approved application/petition to the National Visa Center or the Department of State. For denied applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include the processing of an appeal and/or motions to reopen or reconsider and revocations.

Oath Ceremony

Oath Ceremony

Naturalization Applicants: you will receive your certificate at your oath ceremony. You can expect to be scheduled for an oath ceremony within 45 days of receiving your recommended approval. Many offices schedule approved applicants for the oath ceremony on the same day as the day of the interview. Please check the local office profile page on our website to determine if the office where you will be interviewed schedules same day oath ceremonies.

Oath Ceremony

On June 30, 2011, we scheduled you for your oath ceremony and sent a notice providing the date, time, and location. If you move prior to the scheduled ceremony, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.

Naturalization Applicants: you will receive your certificate at your oath ceremony. You can expect to be scheduled for an oath ceremony within 45 days of receiving your recommended approval. Many offices schedule approved applicants for the oath ceremony on the same day as the day of the interview. Please check the local office profile page on our website to determine if the office where you will be interviewed schedules same day oath ceremonies.

Way to go Charlie!!! I told you that you were jumping to conclusions. Congrats! Really happy for you.

Hey Charlie, I agree with Just Bob and do feel like you are jumping to conclusions. If you have satisfied your residency requirements, committed no crimes and paid your taxes, there is no reason for them to deny. IO is just flexing. Unless he/she is trying to say that divorce is a crime then this would mean a good number of people in this country are criminals.

Hey Charlie! Congrats! Looking forward to filing mine in the new few months.

Hey,

First of all, congratulations on your last step in the "visa journey." I will be filing based on 5 year eligibilty also in the next few months. What I did, was go through every page of my passport and calculate my trips based on my departure and arrival stamps. I believe this is what is on record and this is why they ask to see your passport at the naturalization interview.

Here's what my excel spreadsheet looked like

Trip #/ Destination / Arrival (destination) /Departure (destination) / Days out / Reason

1 / United Kingdom / 20-Sep-03 / 25-Sep-03 / 5 / Vacation

2 / Canada / 9-Feb-05 / 12-Feb-05 / 3 / Vacation

Hope this helps. All the best

Hey there, my situation is similar to yours and I also did a waiver upon removing the conditions of my greencard. I am eligible to file this coming november though. I hope things work out for you.

I would definately suggest going here. This is the best place to gather information about traffic tickets and what you need to do (if anything). There is a lot of mis-information out there about the traffic tickets and this thread being ongoing for a few years now, would be your best bet for answers rather then on here...

http://forums.immigration.com/showthread.php?81187-Traffic-tickets-and-naturalization-(threads-merged)

Thanks, seems like the safest thing to do is to answer yes on questions on arrests, citations etc then provide whatever information one has. It's just that the Georgia DMV records only go back 7 years. I'm wondering if the USCIS uses some other database that goes beyond 7 years history

I recently received my 10 yr GC. I am reading through the threads here in preparation for citizenship. I am wondering if I can go ahead and file for a name change through the courts (not to married name as I already use my husband's surname, rather first name change) or should I wait for naturalization and have them change it for me without cost to me?

2ndly, with the photos to be sent in with the applications, do I write the name I want my name to be after citizenship or my current name now?

Any info would be appreciated. Thank you.

Hi,

I am in the same situation, except for changing my last name. When I talked to an attorney, I was told that it is best to do your name change in the courts PRIOR to your naturalization. This way, you will have your court decree with you and include it with your N400 (a smoother transition/process). The attorney mentioned that it's best to do it this way in order to avoid any delays in your process.

Hope this helps.

-Check with your local county and be sure to begin the name change process at least 3 months before you plan on sending in your N400 package. This way, your decree will be ready for you to include in your N400 package.

Hi guys,

Will be filing for Citizenship this year (God's grace). Have a question about the infamous citations/traffic violation records. I checked with my state's department of driver services, and the only options for driving historical data they have to provide is either 3 years back, or 7 years back. My question how far back does the USCIS want us to pull records? Since I can only go back 7 years, will it be a problem? I obtained an MVR (motorvehicle driving record) and I only have one traffic violation, which I plan on going to the court and getting a certified disposition. However, I just want to clarify that a 7 year driving history will be ok for USCIS.

Thanks guys.

(note: I posted some of this before on VJ, but I thought it would help you here too...)

Hi (lax75),

Sorry to hear about your (your friend's) medical situation. And yes, by all means possible, get the healthcare that you (your friend and their unborn child) need, no matter what the cost, as it's not worth the risk not getting treatment there. I know it would be hard to get affordable medical insurance, given the circumstaces so that's understandable too. Regardless, if you (your friend and their baby) are sick (or are in labour) and it is an emergency, just go to any hospital emergency room, and they will be able to treat you there, regardless of lack of immigration status and/or financial situation. Just because you are waiting for immigration, doesn't mean you have to wait for your health!

As for medicaid, it varies from to state to state, as to what they define as "means tested benefits". It's kind of contradictory in ways, where the federally-run USCIS says that medicaid is a benefit, while some states may say that it isn't. So do inquire with the specific state that you live in, as to what they say about such. As well, many states offer other low-cost healthcare options, which are not listed as means-tested benefits at all. For example, here in New York State, they have a program called family health plus, which is for low income families and is not a means tested benefit too. And yes, the sliding scale option is a good idea too, as you can at least pay for and get your healthcare at a reasonable rate that is best for you and your family financially.

Sigh, why can't healthcare be affordable (and free perhaps) to all, regardless of immigration status, income, health condition, or anything else? Everyone deserves good quality and affordable healthcare treatment, right?....

Hope this helps. Good luck with your friend and their baby and in their healthcare options and good luck with your immigration journey too.

Ant

P.S. If the child is born here in the USA, they are automatically US Citizens......and the means-tested benefit rules and other immigration rules won't apply to them...Just a thought.......

Hey Ant, thanks for the advice. Spoke to her today and she said she talked to a lawyer who told her that it shouldnt affect her filing for citizenship. We will see how it goes then.

This really sucks. I'm sorry to hear this. But surely you should try and talk to your senator/representative.

Hi guys, I have a friend who lost her job while she was on maternity leave so she basically used medicaid to pay for her childbirth expenses and now wants to apply for food stamps because she is unemployed. Her concern is whether this could negatively affect her naturalization process. She talked to a few people who say it could. Is this true?

Hey Charlie! Congrats! Can't wait till my turn (next year God's grace)

I'm sorry to hear this. It is sad that when people are hurt, they turn to desperate and vindictive means. I went through a divorce after receiving my conditional green card (about 1.5 years after I got the conditional green card). During the divorce, my ex wife actually brought up the whole conditional green card as a threat and to intimidate me. Well, it so happens that after the divorce was finalized, I went ahead and filed for a removal of conditions through a waiver using a lawyer. I sent in my application December 8th, 2008 and my case was approved June 13th, 2009.

Get you an attorney. But make sure you retain copies of documents that prove the validity of your marriage.

Hello. After filing for my Removal of Conditions, I got laid off too. I filed late 2008 and got my 10 year green card middle of last year. So no its not an issue.

When I filed, all I had my witnesses provide was their names, addresses, phone numbers and I had them sign the affidavits. This is all you need, no SSNs

When I filed for removal of conditions on my green card I used a lawyer and he sat in on the interview with me. This is here at the Atlanta DO so I'm not sure if it differs from place to place, but from what I hear lawyers are allowed in the Atlanta Office.

Congratulations!

Hey guys, thanks for all your support.

Hi guys, well just updating you all. I filed for a I751 waiver through VSC back in Dec. 08. Was called in for an interview June 10th 2009 and approved the same day. An update online that my approval letter was sent on July 1st 2009. So I went to check my mailbox today looking for an approval letter and instead I see............MY CARD!!!!

God is good baby!!!! Thank you all for your support and encouragement. It has been such a difficult year for me with the divorce and all, but I believe God is on his throne always.

I know you all will be getting your cards soon, so don't sweat it.

You guys are the best!

Hey Cocoplum.

Congrats! My local office is Atlanta as well and I was approved through the petition waiver on 6/10. Like you, my status was updated online saying that my approval letter was sent July 1st. I will still check my mailbox today so I'm praying about it.

Hello People:

I had my interview this morning. Here is a quick summary of my situation. We were married back in April of 2006, got my temporary resident approval (temporary greencard) approved February of 2007. We got divorced October of 2008 and I then filed through a lawyer, removal of conditions based on "marriage in good faith" and got my NOA in December 06, 2008. All was sent to VSC.

I recieved my letter asking me to come in for an interview May 22nd 2009 for 8am June 10th (today).

I got there around 7:20am and waited for my lawyer who met up with me around 7:45am on the third floor of the Atlanta DO.

Then at 8:10am the immigration officer calls out my name, looks at my lawyer and was like "Oh lord its you again" (Jokingly)

We sat in her office, she confirmed my name, date of birth, address, when we were married, my ex-wife's full name, and her date of birth. She also asked for my phone number which I had given her the old one and then told her I had a new number.

She looked at me and was like "how you goin' give me your old number what if I wanted to call you" and we all laughed.

She then goes "ok, now tell me what happened that lead to y'alls divorce because to be honest I havent even read your 3 page sworn summary.....and in a nutshell please, no details!"

So I tried to narrate as much as possible. Then she looks at me and goes..."Alright what the heck, I'll believe you." Then she stamps my documents and gives me a letter stating my conditions had been lifted.

For the next 10-15 minutes the conversation in her office was about her delayed retirement and how she cant wait to get the "heck outta this place!" (lol) She then told my lawyer "tell your dad I said hello." And I was asking my lawyer about the delay in the production of the cards, which he attested to because of the upgrade in equipment. He now turns to the immigration officer and asked her about this delay issue and her response....."Oh there is a delay? They didnt inform us." We laughed at her.

And that was it. My "actual" interview took less than 10 minutes, the rest was spent on side talk.

To God be the glory because it has been a very rough year in my life.

I say just go in with faith and when your marriage is genuine, there is nothing to fear and always remember....you dont have to memorize the truth.

Hope this helps

Hello Darlene,

I had my interview this morning. Here is a quick summary of my situation. We were married back in April of 2006, got my temporary resident approval (temporary greencard) approved February of 2007. We got divorced October of 2008 and I then filed through a lawyer, removal of conditions based on "marriage in good faith" and got my NOA in December 06, 2008. All was sent to VSC.

I recieved my letter asking me to come in for an interview May 22nd 2009 for 8am June 10th (today).

I got there around 7:20am and waited for my lawyer who met up with me around 7:45am on the third floor of the Atlanta DO.

Then at 8:10am the immigration officer calls out my name, looks at my lawyer and was like "Oh lord its you again" (Jokingly)

We sat in her office, she confirmed my name, date of birth, address, when we were married, my ex-wife's full name, and her date of birth. She also asked for my phone number which I had given her the old one and then told her I had a new number.

She looked at me and was like "how you goin' give me your old number what if I wanted to call you" and we all laughed.

She then goes "ok, now tell me what happened that lead to y'alls divorce because to be honest I havent even read your 3 page sworn summary.....and in a nutshell please, no details!"

So I tried to narrate as much as possible. Then she looks at me and goes..."Alright what the heck, I'll believe you." Then she stamps my documents and gives me a letter stating my conditions had been lifted.

For the next 10-15 minutes the conversation in her office was about her delayed retirement and how she cant wait to get the "heck outta this place!" (lol) She then told my lawyer "tell your dad I said hello." And I was asking my lawyer about the delay in the production of the cards, which he attested to because of the upgrade in equipment. He now turns to the immigration officer and asked her about this delay issue and her response....."Oh there is a delay? They didnt inform us." We laughed at her.

And that was it. My "actual" interview took less than 10 minutes, the rest was spent on side talk.

To God be the glory because it has been a very rough year in my life.

I say just go in with faith and when your marriage is genuine, there is nothing to fear and always remember....you dont have to memorize the truth.

Hope this helps.

Hi guys,

I just joined this forum and I am glad to see we waiver filers have a thread. Well, I got divorced back in October of 2008 and then filed for a waiver based on "bonafide marriage" through a lawyer around the end of November 2008. USCIS sent me my extension letter and my case Receipt date or NOA date was December 6th of 2008.

Following other people's experiences and all, I anticipated that I would definitely be called in for an interview but that it would probably take about a year before I heard back from USCIS.

However, and to God's glory, I got a letter from USCIS around May 25th, stating that I should come in for an interview for the removal of my conditional status on June 10th (3 days from now!!!).

So guys, I am going in on wednesday with nothing but prayer and faith and I ask that you all remember me in your prayers. Last year was an extremely tough year and things have been really tough since the divorce ( I am sure you can all relate). They say a divorce is like a death, and I have come to experience that but I'm doing much better than I used to thanks be to God.

I will keep you all posted, my appointment time is 8am in the morning here in the Atlanta office. Even my lawyer was extremely shocked at how fast VSC responded to my case bcos he said the waiver situations usually take longer.