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MI.PI

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Posts posted by MI.PI

    N-400 February 2013 Filers

    in US Citizenship General Discussion

    Posted

    I am now a US citizen!

    I had a nice oath taking on July 1st. The judge gave a very inspiring message and the part that struck me most was when she said that becoming an American does not mean we should forget where we came from: our tradition, culture, language, and yes even our food...becoming an American opens doors to many opportunities but it also gives us an opportunity to share the richness of our culture to our American friends and family.

    Thank you all for sharing this journey with me.

    Happy 4th of July!

    N-400 February 2013 Filers

    in US Citizenship General Discussion

    Posted

    Thanks Calypso. I knew you updated my timeline as soon as I posted my interview date back then, someone must have used the older list when they updated their timeline that's why my entries were not in the list anymore. You didn't have to trace the mix up but thanks for the effort and sorry to hear you were not well for two weeks, hope you're feeling better now. I know your oath taking is coming up soon, congratulations! :)

    N-400 February 2013 Filers

    in US Citizenship General Discussion

    Posted

    Hello everyone!

    I had my interview/test on June 19, I don't know why it's not reflected in the list as I posted about it earlier. Anyway, I am happy to share that I passed. The IO was nice but very thorough. She had with her a thick folder containing all the documents we submitted from the time we filed AOS. She went through them and asked me several random questions, I guess just to verify that my answers are consistent with what they have on file. Then she pulled out a paper with the civic questions. I saw at least 10 questions on the paper but as soon as I was able to answer the first 6 correcly, she smiled and said I passed. She asked me to read and write a sentence and that completed the test. To my surprise, she also scheduled my oath taking right away. It will be on July 1st. I thought I needed to wait for the notice in the mail but they gave me the appointment letter right after the interview. So happy that I am finally done with the test/interview and I am looking forward to the oath taking ceremony on July 1st.

    Good luck to those who are yet to have their test and congratulations to the new citizens!

    N-400 February 2013 Filers

    in US Citizenship General Discussion

    Posted

    Thanks Calypso smile.png

    Fixing format...

    Congratulations Stephen and MI.PI!

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

    N-400: February 2013 Applicants

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

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

    USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox

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

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

    TENZY...............|02/01/13|--/--/--|02/08/13|03/05/13|03/07/13|04/19/13|05/23/13|--/--/--|Queens, NY

    FINDMELUCKY.........|02/02/13|02/05/13|02/07/13|02/15/13|03/25/13|05/09/13|06/13/13|--/--/--|Atlanta,GA

    MRS D...............|02/02/13|02/07/13|02/13/13|03/01/13|03/05/13|04/10/13|05/09/13|--/--/--|Dallas, TX

    CYCLING_GIRL........|02/02/13|02/08/13|02/11/13|02/20/13|03/29/13|04/04/13|05/03/13|--/--/--|Norfolk, VA (EB 2/15/13)

    KAYLIE..............|02/02/13|--/--/--|02/20/13|03/04/13|03/22/13|04/20/13|05/23/13|--/--/--|Newark, NJ

    AMBASEL.............|02/04/13|02/05/13|02/05/13|02/14/13|--/--/--|04/18/13|05/21/13|--/--/--|New York, NY

    CORINAN.............|02/05/13|02/14/13|02/13/13|02/26/13|04/05/13|--/--/--|05/14/13|--/--/--|San Juan, PR

    DND2009.............|02/06/13|02/12/13|02/11/13|02/26/13|04/05/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|New York, NY

    JOSHUE .............|02/06/13|02/14/13|02/13/13|02/27/13|04/08/13|04/15/13|05/21/13|--/--/--|Brooklyn, NY

    LAILUMINADA33.......|02/06/13|02/14/13|02/13/13|03/04/13|03/08/13|03/23/13|04/24/13|05/15/13|Brooklyn, NY

    QUEUEDUP............|02/06/13|02/13/13|02/13/13|02/21/13|02/26/13|04/24/13|05/31/13|--/--/--|New York, NY (EB 02/21/13)

    GHANAMADE88.........|02/07/13|--/--/--|02/08/13|02/25/13|03/02/13|--/--/--|04/18/13|06/12/13|Boston, MA

    AJ911 ..............|02/07/13|02/13/13|02/12/13|03/06/13|03/08/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Orlando, FL

    ATHENA JUNE.........|02/08/13|02/19/13|02/20/13|03/04/13|03/12/13|03/22/13|04/24/13|06/12/13|Boston, MA

    ASIFH...............|02/09/13|02/14/13|02/14/13|02/21/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Washington D.C. (EB)

    FORUMSUB............|02/11/13|02/15/13|02/21/13|02/25/13|04/08/13|04/15/13|06/03/13|--/--/--|San Antonio, TX

    VABEAR..............|02/12/13|02/15/13|02/15/13|03/15/13|03/19/13|03/24/13|04/24/13|--/--/--|Norfolk, VA

    JOAN >3 BOB.........|02/13/13|02/14/13|02/19/13|03/06/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|05/07/13|05/14/13|Charleston, SC

    FIGHTER_ALWAYS......|02/14/13|02/22/13|03/01/13|03/13/13|04/08/13|04/16/13|05/21/13|--/--/--|Houston, TX (moved from Ithaca, NY)

    CHOCOCHIBI..........|02/15/13|02/25/13|02/26/13|03/11/13|03/21/13|03/27/13|04/30/13|05/24/13|Memphis, TN

    PETUNKA.............|02/19/13|02/26/13|03/02/13|03/12/13|03/13/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|New York, NY (EB 03/05/13)

    MOON1982............|02/21/13|02/28/13|02/27/13|03/19/13|04/22/13|04/27/13|06/05/13|--/--/--|Tampa, FL

    QQQUAKER............|02/23/13|03/04/13|03/01/13|03/12/13|03/28/13|04/11/13|05/23/13|--/--/--|Tampa, FL

    ARUN+CATIE..........|02/25/13|03/01/13|03/08/13|03/21/13|03/25/13|04/18/13|05/22/13|--/--/--|Tampa, FL

    AIRFORCE............|02/26/13|02/27/13|02/26/13|03/18/13|03/20/13|04/01/13|05/09/13|--/--/--|Dallas, TX

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

    USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox

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

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

    AUTUMNAL............|02/01/13|--/--/--|02/06/13|02/27/13|--/--/--|04/01/13|05/15/13|--/--/--|Detroit, MI

    STEVIEG2123.........|02/04/13|02/08/13|02/07/13|03/07/13|--/--/--|04/05/13|05/10/13|05/24/13|Phoenix, AZ

    SCIENCENERD.........|02/04/13|02/11/13|02/08/13|03/05/13|04/04/13|05/13/13|06/18/13|--/--/--|Portland, OR

    HEDI................|02/06/13|02/13/13|02/12/13|03/11/13|03/27/13|03/30/13|05/06/13|05/15/13|San Diego, CA

    MONY88..............|02/06/13|02/11/13|02/14/13|03/07/13|04/08/13|04/20/13|05/23/13|--/--/--|Chicago, IL

    MUM2LGANDC..........|02/14/13|02/25/13|02/22/13|03/18/13|03/20/13|03/25/13|04/30/13|--/--/--|Omaha, NE

    MARKIEBOY...........|02/15/13|02/22/13|02/21/13|03/19/13|04/18/13|04/22/13|05/28/13|--/--/--|Seattle, WA

    ROSELINDA...........|02/16/13|02/20/13|02/22/13|03/15/13|03/19/13|03/22/13|04/23/13|05/16/13|Indianapolis, IN

    NIGERIAORBUST.......|02/16/13|02/25/13|02/22/13|03/13/13|04/01/13|04/25/13|05/29/13|--/--/--|San Bernardino, CA

    SPYGAME.............|02/19/13|02/26/13|02/21/13|03/06/13|04/22/13|05/08/13|06/04/13|--/--/--|Los Angeles, CA (EB)

    CHICAGOMAMMY........|02/20/13|02/27/13|02/26/13|03/25/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Chicago, IL

    SAIF9171............|02/22/13|03/01/13|02/28/13|03/27/13|03/29/13|05/06/13|06/11/13|--/--/--|Chicago, IL

    CALYPSO.............|02/25/13|02/??/13|02/28/13|03/22/13|03/15/13|05/04/13|06/03/13|--/--/--|Los Angeles, CA (EB 03/13/13)

    YEYI02..............|02/25/13|03/04/13|03/06/13|03/28/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Seattle, WA

    YULECHKA42..........|02/25/13|03/04/13|03/01/13|03/28/13|04/22/13|04/25/13|05/28/13|--/--/--|San Jose, CA

    MI.PI...............|02/25/13|03/04/13|03/18/13|04/09/13|04/12/13|05/18/13|06/19/13|--/--/--|Detroit, MI

    THAKROZ.............|02/28/13|03/07/13|03/06/13|03/27/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Denver, CO

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

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

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

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

    ECG19...............|02/02/13|02/08/13|02/15/13|03/19/13|03/21/13|--/--/--|03/27/13|03/27/13|Sacramento, CA

    INKY................|02/04/13|02/08/13|02/13/13|03/08/13|03/12/13|03/16/13|04/16/13|04/16/13|Omaha, NE

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    N-400 February 2013 Filers

    in US Citizenship General Discussion

    Posted

    I finally got my interview letter smile.png It's scheduled on June 19. I tried to update the list...hope I didn't mess it up.

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

    N-400: February 2013 Applicants

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

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

    USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox

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

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

    TENZY...............|02/01/13|--/--/--|02/08/13|03/05/13|03/07/13|04/19/13|05/23/13|--/--/--|Queens, NY

    FINDMELUCKY.........|02/02/13|02/05/13|02/07/13|02/15/13|03/25/13|05/09/13|06/13/13|--/--/--|Atlanta,GA

    MRS D...............|02/02/13|02/07/13|02/13/13|03/01/13|03/05/13|04/10/13|05/09/13|--/--/--|Dallas, TX

    CYCLING_GIRL........|02/02/13|02/08/13|02/11/13|02/20/13|03/29/13|04/04/13|05/03/13|--/--/--|Norfolk, VA (EB 2/15/13)

    KAYLIE..............|02/02/13|--/--/--|02/20/13|03/04/13|03/22/13|04/20/13|05/23/13|--/--/--|Newark, NJ

    AMBASEL.............|02/04/13|02/05/13|02/05/13|02/14/13|--/--/--|04/18/13|05/21/13|--/--/--|New York, NY

    CORINAN.............|02/05/13|02/14/13|02/13/13|02/26/13|04/05/13|--/--/--|05/14/13|--/--/--|San Juan, PR

    DND2009.............|02/06/13|02/12/13|02/11/13|02/26/13|04/05/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|New York, NY

    JOSHUE .............|02/06/13|02/14/13|02/13/13|02/27/13|04/08/13|04/15/13|05/21/13|--/--/--|Brooklyn, NY

    LAILUMINADA33.......|02/06/13|02/14/13|02/13/13|03/04/13|03/08/13|03/23/13|04/24/13|05/15/13|Brooklyn, NY[/font][/size]

    FIGHTER_ALWAYS......|02/14/13|02/22/13|03/01/13|03/13/13|04/08/13|04/16/13|05/21/13|--/--/--|Houston, TX (moved from Ithaca, NY)

    CHOCOCHIBI..........|02/15/13|02/25/13|02/26/13|03/11/13|03/21/13|03/27/13|04/30/13|05/24/13|Memphis, TN

    PETUNKA.............|02/19/13|02/26/13|03/02/13|03/12/13|03/13/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|New York, NY (EB 03/05/13)

    MOON1982............|02/21/13|02/28/13|02/27/13|03/19/13|04/22/13|04/27/13|06/05/13|--/--/--|Tampa, FL

    QQQUAKER............|02/23/13|03/04/13|03/01/13|03/12/13|03/28/13|04/11/13|05/23/13|--/--/--|Tampa, FL

    ARUN+CATIE..........|02/25/13|03/01/13|03/08/13|03/21/13|03/25/13|04/18/13|05/22/13|--/--/--|Tampa, FL

    AIRFORCE............|02/26/13|02/27/13|02/26/13|03/18/13|03/20/13|04/01/13|05/09/13|--/--/--|Dallas, TX

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

    USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox

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

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

    AUTUMNAL............|02/01/13|--/--/--|02/06/13|02/27/13|--/--/--|04/01/13|05/15/13|--/--/--|Detroit, MI

    STEVIEG2123.........|02/04/13|02/08/13|02/07/13|03/07/13|--/--/--|04/05/13|05/10/13|05/24/13|Phoenix, AZ

    SCIENCENERD.........|02/04/13|02/11/13|02/08/13|03/05/13|04/04/13|05/13/13|06/18/13|--/--/--|Portland, OR

    HEDI................|02/06/13|02/13/13|02/12/13|03/11/13|03/27/13|03/30/13|05/06/13|05/15/13|San Diego, CA

    MUM2LGANDC..........|02/14/13|02/25/13|02/22/13|03/18/13|03/20/13|03/25/13|04/30/13|--/--/--|Omaha, NE

    MARKIEBOY...........|02/15/13|02/22/13|02/21/13|03/19/13|04/18/13|04/22/13|05/28/13|--/--/--|Seattle, WA

    ROSELINDA...........|02/16/13|02/20/13|02/22/13|03/15/13|03/19/13|03/22/13|04/23/13|05/16/13|Indianapolis, IN

    NIGERIAORBUST.......|02/16/13|02/25/13|02/22/13|03/13/13|04/01/13|04/25/13|05/29/13|--/--/--|San Bernardino, CA

    SPYGAME.............|02/19/13|02/26/13|02/21/13|03/06/13|04/22/13|05/08/13|06/04/13|--/--/--|Los Angeles, CA (EB)

    CHICAGOMAMMY........|02/20/13|02/27/13|02/26/13|03/25/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Chicago, IL

    SAIF9171............|02/22/13|03/01/13|02/28/13|03/27/13|03/29/13|05/06/13|06/11/13|--/--/--|Chicago, IL

    CALYPSO.............|02/25/13|02/??/13|02/28/13|03/22/13|03/15/13|05/04/13|06/03/13|--/--/--|Los Angeles, CA (EB 03/13/13)

    YEYI02..............|02/25/13|03/04/13|03/06/13|03/28/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Seattle, WA

    YULECHKA42..........|02/25/13|03/04/13|03/01/13|03/28/13|04/22/13|04/25/13|05/28/13|--/--/--|San Jose, CA

    MI.PI...............|02/25/13|03/04/13|03/18/13|04/09/13|04/12/13|05/14/13|06/19/13|--/--/--|Detroit, MI

    THAKROZ.............|02/28/13|03/07/13|03/06/13|03/27/13|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Denver, CO

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

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

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

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

    ECG19...............|02/02/13|02/08/13|02/15/13|03/19/13|03/21/13|--/--/--|03/27/13|03/27/13|Sacramento, CA

    INKY................|02/04/13|02/08/13|02/13/13|03/08/13|03/12/13|03/16/13|04/16/13|04/16/13|Omaha, NE

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    N-400 February 2013 Filers

    in US Citizenship General Discussion

    Posted

    Congratulations to all those who are done with their immigration process :)

    I am still waiting for my interview/exam date. I had my biometrics on April 9, and on April 12 I was placed in line for scheduling (based on my case status online). I didn't check my status again after that as I was too busy with a lot of things. Then on May 13 I thought about checking my case status again and it says I was scheduled for interview and that I should just wait for the letter in the mail that will indicate the date and time of my interview. Last night (May 15) I checked again as I was not getting any letter (I usually get the letter 2 days after my online status is updated), and to my surprise my status changed! It says on May 14 I was placed in line for scheduling (again!). This morning my status changed again saying on May 16, I was scheduled for interview. This is driving me nuts! Has anybody experienced the same?

    N-400 February 2013 Filers

    in US Citizenship General Discussion

    Posted

    Hi!

    Can someone please add me to the list. I mailed my application on 02/25/2013 to USCIS Phoenix, AZ...check cashed on 03/04/2013...NOA dated 03/06/2013 for my biometrics appointment supposedly on 03/22/2013 but requested for a re-schedule because we were traveling...today i got another NOA (dated 03/18/2013) for my new biometrics appointment on 04/09/2013.

    Thanks and good luck to all of us :)

    I-751 January 2012 Filers

    in Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

    Posted

    I never received so much update (email and online case status update) from USCIS than in the last week. I received the approval notice through email twice on June 28.

    Then on July 2, I got this email:

    On July 2, 2012, we mailed the new card directly to the address we have on file. You should receive your new card within 30 days. If you do not, or if you move before you get it, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

    The following day, July 3, this is what they emailed me:

    The USPS reported that they picked up mail from USCIS containing your new card on July 2, 2012. You should receive your new card within 7 days. If you do not, or if you move before you get it, please call our customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

    Today, they sent another email:

    The USPS reported that your new card was delivered on July 5, 2012, directly to the address we had on file. If you did not receive your card, or have any questions, please call our customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

    And indeed my card arrived today! What a nice birthday present (tomorrow’s my birthday)

    Thanks everyone! See you again next year for the N-400 filing

    How Long are you Visiting Earth ?

    in Philippines

    Posted

    Funny I came across this post today because I did serve fish for breakfast this morning. I sautéed canned tuna (The Philippine brand Century Tuna) in garlic and Vidalia onions and served it with Kings Hawaiian sweet rolls with fresh fruit salad on the side. My husband (who is also a pancake and french toast kind of guy) and my brother-in-law (who is visiting us for a few days) both loved it :)

    Traveling internationally with a Green Card...

    in Philippines

    Posted · Edited by MI.PI

    Yeah, I know many countries in SEA are easy enough. While visiting the Philippines, on one trip we went to Hong Kong, and on the second trip, we wen to Singapore. It's mostly Japan and the European countries that seem the hardest.

    I'm a bit shocked that they allowed you to enter Canada on only your Green Card. Canadian customs and border crossings can be tough. That's interesting. I'd like to take her to Vancouver too, where I used to live once upon a time, but assumed we would need a visa.

    Tim

    She doesn't need a visa to go to Canada once she has her green card. Been to Canada several times with just my passport and green card and I never encountered any problem. In fact, I've been to Canada recently with an expired green card (Im in the ROC process right now), I just showed them my extension letter (along with my passport and expired green card) and I was able to go in and out of Canada without a problem. The border patrol are well aware of all these immigration processes so you wouldn't have any problem visiting Canada as long as she has all the required document (i.e. passport and green card).

    A green card holder applying for a Schengen visa to travel to Europe is no different to someone who is not a green card holder. The requirements are the same (except that she would have to submit also a copy of the green card along with the other requirements). And based on personal experience, it was actually easier for me to obtain a Schengen visa than a US tourist visa. I was denied of a US tourist visa on my first try so I tried applying for a Schengen visa to visit some European countries before trying my luck again for a US tourist visa. I was able to obtain a US tourist visa after I did some traveling in Europe. These all happened prior to my getting a green card. After I got my green card, I re-applied for a Schengen visa to travel again to Europe, and I went through the same process and submitted the same requirements as my previous visa application.

    relgious non - legal wedding in the philippines

    in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures

    Posted · Edited by MI.PI

    This was exactly our concern prior to getting married. I happened to have a US tourist visa so I was able to visit my fiancé while our K1 petition is being processed. During my visit, we met with his parish priest to tell him about our wedding plans. We thought we could do the seminar while I was visiting as a tourist, but the parish required a 6-month pre-cana seminar and the schedule was for a later date which would not fit in to our schedule or I would have to overstay my tourist visa, so our only option was to do the seminar when I get back on a K1 visa. We tried to explain to him the 90-day restriction of the fiancé visa and asked him if we can just attend the Engaged Encounter Seminar (which is only a 3-day seminar), but he said he can’t allow it. To our surprise, we got his “blessing” to have the civil wedding for immigration purposes, HOWEVER, he made it clear that while we are legally married, we cannot consummate the marriage until we have the church wedding. This was not an issue because I was also scheduled to have a major surgery at that time which required months of recovery. So, we had our civil wedding in the US and 5 months later, we had our church wedding in the Philippines.

    It is best that your fiancé talk to his parish priest and explain the situation. Some priest may be lenient about it. He might allow you to attend the Engaged Encounter Seminar in lieu of the 6-month pre-cana.

    How much do you send to your wife's family monthly ?

    in Philippines

    Posted · Edited by MI.PI

    No offense meant to the OP, but topic like this would not have been an issue if it was discussed prior to getting married. You (particularly the Filipina wife) should have made the family understand that new responsibilities and priority change come with marriage. Marriage is a commitment contracted between the groom and the bride, not with the in-laws. Once you become husband and wife, the priority is for the growth of your family, not your extended family.

    Let me address first the Filipina wives: once you get married, you are no longer a daughter or a sister but a wife or a mother thus you act and decide as such. It is not a sign of ungratefulness or disrespect if you are unable to give financial support to your family in the Philippines. You must make them understand that you have a new life now and they cannot expect you to be responsible for their well being in the Philippines, because you have your own concerns to take care of now that you are married.

    For the USC husbands: Save yourself the stress. Your wife’s family survived before you even came into their lives and they will continue to do so even without you sending them regular financial support. The most important thing you can do for them is to make sure you give your wife a good life.

    I am not saying that you should totally ignore them and never send them anything. If your lifestyle and financial status allows you to help them, then do so, but not to the extent that you will encourage them to be totally dependent on you.

    I understand that you want the family in the Philippines to have a better life by helping them financially but if it becomes a burden to your own budget then it’s about time to re-evaluate. If you continue to do what you’re doing now (i.e. sending them monthly allowance + extras) then they’re probably making a false assumption (and you're creating unrealistic expectations) that you can afford to help no matter what, regardless of the amount. Help when you can but do not give them everything because it is never going to be enough, there will always be a need for more. Set a limit as to how much you can help them with, and stick with it. If they need more then they must find ways to provide for themselves. The best way to help them improve their lives is to teach them how to be more responsible and not how to constantly ask for support.

    Second wedding in Phils

    in Philippines

    Posted

    We had our civil wedding in the US in December 2009 and our Catholic church wedding in the Philippines in May 2011. You don't need to get another marriage license for your wedding in the Philippines. You just need to give them a copy of your marriage certificate for your civil wedding in the US. Here's a link of the general requirements for a Catholic church wedding in the Philippines

    http://www.weddingsatwork.com/culture_laws_churchgeneral.html

    I-751 January 2012 Filers

    in Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

    Posted

    I had my biometrics taken last Friday (2/24). The ASC office is a 5-hour drive from our place so we decided to stay at a hotel close to ASC on Thursday evening, good thing we did because there was a snow storm in MI last Friday and road condition was really bad. The hotel where we stayed is just about 5-minute drive to ASC. My biometrics went very smooth. I had a 12:00pm appointment, we arrived at 11:20am and were out of the ASC at 11:30am. The office was not busy at all. There was one family who was about ready to leave when we came so as soon as I was done filling up the form, my biometrics was taken right away. My husband was so pleased that it went very smoothly. We had a nice meal at Red Lobster afterwards and did some shopping (he got me an iphone :) yey!). We ended up staying in the hotel for another night because my husband did not want to make a long drive back home in the middle of a snow storm, and since we had a little more time to spare, we went to the casino close to where we were staying and I ended up winning $145 on a slot machine :) It was funny, I was asked to show my ID at the door and the guard was shocked when he found out I'm 41 :rofl:

    I-751 January 2012 Filers

    in Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

    Posted

    I just checked the N-400 form and there's a part where you have to fill in dates and how many days you were actually out of the U.S. I don't think it'll be a big deal if you haven't been outside of the U.S. for more than 6 months?

    I read that too. The thing is I really never took note of our Canada trips (except when we went to Niagara Falls). We go to the casino a lot LOL, we're not big time gamblers but we have complimentary stay in the hotel so we often go there for mini vacations. Oh well, I will worry about that later. For now, I just want the ROC process to be over soon.

    I-751 January 2012 Filers

    in Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

    Posted

    It was a little stressful - the staff that was there wasn't very friendly at all - they weren't rude or mean, just not friendly. The guard was the same person (I think) from when we did my Biometrics for AOS 2 years ago but the lady who took my fingerprints before wasn't there anymore. The actual fingerprinting went fine, fingerprints all passed, I don't think he had to redo any of them. I'm a little worried about my picture because I thought the man had already taken it because the camera flashed and I moved my head / eyes just a little bit and it flashed again. Maybe he took it twice? I think it's going to turn out horrible! :( I just hope I was actually looking straight. I guess he would have taken the picture again if it wasn't up to standards, right? All he asked me to redo was my digital signature because the pen had static on it and when I tried to sign, the lines went all over the place.

    Anyway, we got there about an hour early, LOL. We stayed at my hubby's sister's place which we thought was about 45 minutes away - we left at 9:30 and got there at 10:00. We drove around for a little bit then went in 15 minutes early. The guard asked for the appointment letter and ID. I gave him my GC and he asked if I had a Michigan ID. I told him I only had my temporary State ID because the actual card hadn't come in the mail yet but he said the GC was fine. There was only one person before me so I think I got my Biometrics done a little early or right at 11. :)

    BTW, when we got home, my State ID was in the mail! It's valid until 2015 ^___^

    Thanks for the feedback Fatima. I know they are not that friendly in that place but we don't have a choice at this time but to go through them, at least that would be the last time you will have to deal with them as you will be moving to another state next year. I also plan to apply for my citizenship next year but I think I will have to do more reading about it. In the last 2 years, I have been out of the country 4 times (the shortest was 2 weeks and the longest was 6 weeks), we have been to Canada also several times. I don't know if all these trips matter in the citizenship application. I hope they won't.

    I-751 January 2012 Filers

    in Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

    Posted

    You're welcome! ^_^

    Yup! The ASC is 5 hours away from us :( I'll be sure to post about how it goes ^_^ When I did my biometrics for AOS, it was a little stressful because there was an issue with my middle name - we had written my name on the forms according to Philippine naming convention (middle name changed to father's last name after marriage) and they said they didn't do that in Michigan - at our AOS interview, the IO said the only other thing they could do was just to drop my middle name. Other than that, the actual fingerprinting went great - the lady who took my fingerprints was really nice :)

    I am not sure if you remember but we corresponded a few times before about this name change issue in that particular ASC. She said the same thing to me when I had my biometrics taken for the AOS. She even told me that if she was the CO handling my case, she would have my petition denied. We went to the SOS office to inquire about the issue and they said that I should follow whatever we have written in our marriage certificate (which was the Philippine naming convention. I have 2 first names, my middle name is my father's last name and my last name is my husband's last name). There was no issue about it when I had my interview. My name remains as it is written in our marriage certificate and that is what I have also in all of my IDs. Hopefully she won't give us a hard time when go there again for our biometrics.

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