NycBra

Great to see December group moving along...

Just saying, you never know. But I don't believe you have boxes and boxes of that stuff. Should all fit in a large brown envelop, just in case.

Thanks for the inputs. I actually HAVE 2 of those crates for hanging folders with documents, which includes all letters from USCIS and supporting documents copies as well (I would keep a copy to match exactly what I submitted, just in case they would lose my package and I would need to send it again). And during my green card application, I didn't really know about "transcripts", so I printed our full tax return which was pretty thick. And all copies of my husbands'paychecks. For my student visa, I had copies of loan documents, registration, official translations of my Brazilian documents, etc.

Yes, I do need to go through and sort things out, but do I really need to keep every single NOA and receipt even from 8 years ago?

When you live in a place where space is limited, I would appreciate downsizing my USCIS document package.

As for tax, I keep all my business related receipts and documents. As I work as a Consultant, I can itemize so just a transcript wouldn't help me if (knock on wood) I would undergo an audit. So I was advised to keep the tax related documents for up to 5 years.

After 8 years of dealing with USCIS, I am a owner of boxes with copies of all my applications, receipts, letters, background/proof documents for my tourist visa, student visa, green card application, removal of conditionals and citizenship application.

Now comes the question. For how long should I keep (and if I should keep) all these documents? Something tells me to treat it like my tax returns, and keep it for at least 3 years. Which means that my old tourist and student visa documents should be long gone by now.

I always felt scared about having so many of these documents/paper with my whole life and important information on them. I would feel more secure if I had it all burned or shredded.

How long are you keeping (or planning to keep) all your immigration paper trail history?

I was going to post my oath recap but remember reading this one from Safroot and mine was exactly the same (we both had our oaths in Oakland, CA.

The same entertainer was back welcoming the to-be-american-citizens in 5 or 6 different languages (he spoke a couple of sentences in each language). I arrived a little late so I missed the part where he introduced himself, so I have no clue who that guy was.

We had someone from the voting registration, US passport and a keynote speaker. They were all very brief but with meaningful words.

I did hear that yesterday there were 1,114 people taking the pledge from 99 countries.

In the beginning of this process I sort of wished I had my oath right after the interview, just to be done with. But I am so glad I experienced the beautiful ceremony.

I decided not to apply for my passport right then and there because I wanted to make some copies first, and because it was a madhouse with so many people trying to deliver the application. Then I drove back to my town, took some copies of the certificate and headed to the Post Office to apply for the passport. Little I knew that in my city (as in many others), you can only apply for a passport by appointment, and the next available one is only in 3 weeks!!!! I need to apply ASAP. So I am now going to drive to another city where they accept walk-ins.

Check at your local post office to see if they require appointments and what is the timeframe. If it is too long, and if you have an iPhone, or a good phone/camera, I would suggest snapping a picture of your certificate and just apply right after the ceremony. You need to mail the original certificate with it.

I just want to take the chance and thank ALL OF YOU! This has been an incredible journey and I am glad I found the VJers to help me walk through it. Although I won't be checking in here so often anymore, feel free to send a msg directly and I will do my best to respond and help you all.

Good luck to all of you who are still in your journeys. It demands patience, but the end result is really good.

Hi all

First of all i would like to thank everyone for their information, support and help. this is really what it comes down to, the day of the OAth Ceremony, and i couldn't have asked for a better place or a better ceremony.

My appointment for the Oath was at 9:00 Am and i arrived around 8:30, i entered the theater where the ceremony was held, surprisingly i didn't have to go through security or any of that. the gentleman at the door took my letter and my green card. then i went to my designated section and seat inside the theatre.

the Ceremony started at around 9:15 with a great speaker who broke down everything very easy plus he was a great entertainer as he welcomed all of us citizens in 8 different language and he was actually good, he spoke each language for a good minute or two :-). he spoke French, Cantonese, Russian, Spanish, Hindu, Tagalog and German fluently amazing. i thought that was a unique experience and i don't think this happens at other ceremonies. there was actually 1000 of us from 95 different countries

then we watched couple of videos, guest speakers about elections and applying for the passport. then we did the Oath and Pledge of Allegiance. at the end of the ceremony we were handed out certificates of citizenship and that was it :-) great experience and this is the happiest day " I'm a Proud American Citizen" .

Tomorrow i got apply for my Passport and hopefully i will get it on the same day. i will update you on that tomorrow.

Best of Luck and thank again

An American now. The ceremony was beautiful and I will post a recap later. I need to head to work now. Just wanted to share the good news with my fellow VJ friends.

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

N-400: December 2010 Applicants

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USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox

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

=================|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|===============|

darklady109......|12/01/10.|12/06/10.|12/11/10.|02/04/11.|03/04/11.|04/05/11.|04/29/11.|HudsonValley,NY|

Benrick..........|12/02/10.|12/07/10.|12/06/10.|01/25/11.|02/08/11.|03/21/11.|--/--/--.|Baltimore,MD...|

DC Sparrow.......|12/02/10.|12/07/10.|12/13/10.|01/05/11.|01/19/11.|02/24/11.|03/02/11.|Philadelphia,PA|

Mood.............|12/07/10.|12/09/10.|12/14/10.|01/07/11.|02/08/11.|03/10/11.|03/23/11.|Houston,TX.....|

Khanshahid.......|12/07/10.|12/13/10.|12/16/10.|01/13/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Brooklyn,NY....|

Pat001...........|12/10/10.|12/15/10.|12/16/10.|01/12/11.|01/25/11.|02/24/11.|--/--/--.|Baltimore,MD...|

Gogal2020........|12/13/10.|12/20/10.|12/17/10.|01/12/11.|01/25/11.|02/24/11.|03/14/11.|Baltimore,MD...|

Togun09..........|12/13/10.|12/15/10.|12/18/10.|01/19/11.|03/17/11.|04/18/11.|--/--/--.|Newark,NJ......|

Foreignbody......|12/15/10.|12/20/10.|12/20/10.|01/28/11.|03/28/11.|05/03/11.|--/--/--.|Washington,DC..|

Ssma2007.........|12/17/10.|12/22/10.|12/22/10.|01/19/11.|03/14/11.|04/21/11.|--/--/--.|Hartford,CT....|

Batkamano60......|12/17/10.|12/27/10.|12/23/10.|01/24/11.|03/16/11.|04/20/11.|--/--/--.|Orlando,FL.....|

Lovenjstar.......|12/22/10.|01/04/11.|12/30/10.|01/20/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Atlanta,GA.....]

ED*Riza..........|12/23/10.|12/29/10.|01/03/11.|01/26/11.|03/01/11.|03/22/11.|03/22/11.|Atlanta,GA.....](was descheduled twice-3/14&3/29)

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USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox

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

=================|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|===============|

Safroot..........|12/03/10.|12/07/10.|12/11/10.|01/06/11.|01/28/11.|02/15/11.|03/23/11.|SanFrancisco,CA|

Kweli............|12/04/10.|12/17/10.|12/15/10.|02/09/11.|02/17/11.|03/18/11.|--/--/--.|St Paul,MN.....|

bradcanuck.......|12/06/10.|12/14/10.|12/17/10.|01/07/11.|01/24/11.|02/28/11.|--/--/--.|Santa Ana,CA...|

jso..............|12/06/10.|12/16/10.|12/18/10.|01/13/11.|03/08/11.|04/13/11.|--/--/--.|Portland,OR....|

Nycbra...........|12/06/10.|12/14/10.|12/15/10.|01/06/11.|01/26/11.|02/16/11.|04/13/11.|SanFrancisco,CA| REtook Fprints 01/19

Sarhan Abdelbaser|12/08/10.|12/14/10.|12/14/10.|01/26/11.|02/05/11.|03/08/11.|03/08/11.|Seattle,WA.....|

Countmein........|12/08/10.|12/15/10.|12/18/10.|01/11/11.|01/27/11.|03/02/11.|03/02/11.|Seattle,WA.....|

Vidafareed.......|12/13/10.|12/16/10.|12/20/10.|01/19/11.|03/07/11.|04/06/11.|--/--/--.|St Louis,MO....|

alex68...........|12/14/10.|12/17/10.|12/16/10.|01/11/11.|02/25/11.|04/20/11.|--/--/--.|Chicago, IL....|

Dakota9..........|12/17/10.|12/22/10.|12/23/10.|01/28/11.|03/18/11.|05/03/11.|--/--/--.|Sioux Falls,SD.|

Nessa............|12/17/10.|12/21/10.|12/22/10.|01/19/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Kansas City,MO.|

Californian......|12/17/10.|12/22/10.|12/22/10.|01/05/11.|03/30/11.|05/09/11.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles,CA.|

RobAndTania......|12/29/10.|01/10/11.|01/12/11.|01/28/11.|02/09/11.|03/14/11.|04/28/11.|Indianapolis,IN|

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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,State.....|

Example..........|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|City,State.....]

SOLD!

Just Bob - you convinced me to get a passport card.

Now, my next question, do you think the timeframe for passport expedition is really what they say? 4-6 weeks is what I need, but if it takes 8 weeks I might be in trouble as I need to travel. However, the difference in price is $60.

Yeah Robert and Tania! So happy for you, the letter finally arrived!

Here is my interview experience that was not so good

I will wait for the oath letter and ceremony and then I'm planning to file a complaint against this officer. I have a very clean record and I am a good person with strong character. To me it feels like I have been racially profiled (I'm Asian Indian muslim) and in a way not so much excited to be an American anymore.

I am so sorry you went through this. And I agree with you, right after your oath ceremony you should file a complain about the IO.

I am glad, however, to hear that your application has been approved. You never know who you will encounter during these interviews. When I lived in NY, I remember a case that was all over the paper where an IO was sexually harassing women and using that as his "condition to approve the cases".

This article seems to provide good information:

http://www.cilawgroup.com/news/2011/04/07/government-shutdown-and-immigration-how-will-it-affect-me/

I would also appreciate a response. I too have my oath scheduled for Wednesday in California. From what I have read, USCIS is mostly funded by fees, therefore a large portion of its activities would remain. But I don't know exactly which activities they consider "essential".

Still no word. I'm going nuts. Everyone who has an interview has their oath not long after. It's been 35 days for me now.

Did you contact your local US Representative/Congressman? I asked mine to check on the status of my case (they were able to get information that I could not get when I called customer service), and soon after I received my oath letter.

December group moving along. Yeah! Happy weekend everyone, remember USCIS doesn't work on Saturday or Sunday so take the time and enjoy yourselves.

Fingers crossed for all of you waiting for letters to get it soon. In the meantime, unplugging from internet.

Congratulation NycBra, You are now on your final step to become citizen.

I got one letter today regarding my last call about the RFE status. It says that was a USCIS error. Well, that was OK because we know all these things, while discussing in this forum. The other sentence on the letter says my application is currently pending and will be worked in the order it was received. Well, I already have my interview letter. What they trying to say?

Hi dakota9,

If you already have your interview letter, I would not worry about anything else until then. Just go to your interview appointment at the date, time and place stated in the letter.

USCIS is very messy and disorganized, and the status updates that you can sign-up online very often doesn't work (I already got my oath letter and it still shows as interview and testing).

Good luck in May!

That's great news. Update us once you have your date!

Got the letter, oath scheduled for April 13! It works, contact your US Representative/Congressman and ask them to look into your case if there is a delay or something that might be wrong. I am part of the December filers if you want to check my full timeframe.

OATH LETTER ON HANDS FOR APRIL 13.

It required a call to my Congressman to check on my case, which made USCIS review my case and (finally) issue my oath letter.

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**For more detailed instructions with screen-shots "CLICK HERE"**

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

N-400: December 2010 Applicants

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

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

USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox

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

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

=================|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|===============|

darklady109......|12/01/10.|12/06/10.|12/11/10.|02/04/11.|03/04/11.|04/15/11.|--/--/--.|HudsonValley,NY|

Benrick..........|12/02/10.|12/07/10.|12/06/10.|01/25/11.|02/08/11.|03/21/11.|--/--/--.|Baltimore,MD...|

DC Sparrow.......|12/02/10.|12/07/10.|12/13/10.|01/05/11.|01/19/11.|02/24/11.|03/02/11.|Philadelphia,PA|

Mood.............|12/07/10.|12/09/10.|12/14/10.|01/07/11.|02/08/11.|03/10/11.|03/23/11.|Houston,TX.....|

Khanshahid.......|12/07/10.|12/13/10.|12/16/10.|01/13/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Brooklyn,NY....|

Pat001...........|12/10/10.|12/15/10.|12/16/10.|01/12/11.|01/25/11.|02/24/11.|--/--/--.|Baltimore,MD...|

Gogal2020........|12/13/10.|12/20/10.|12/17/10.|01/12/11.|01/25/11.|02/24/11.|--/--/--.|Baltimore,MD...|

Togun09..........|12/13/10.|12/15/10.|12/18/10.|01/19/11.|03/17/11.|04/18/11.|--/--/--.|Newark,NJ......|

Foreignbody......|12/15/10.|12/20/10.|12/20/10.|01/28/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Washington,DC..|

Ssma2007.........|12/17/10.|12/22/10.|12/22/10.|01/19/11.|03/14/11.|04/21/11.|--/--/--.|Hartford,CT....|

Batkamano60......|12/17/10.|12/27/10.|12/23/10.|01/24/11.|03/16/11.|04/20/11.|--/--/--.|Orlando,FL.....|

Lovenjstar.......|12/22/10.|01/04/11.|12/30/10.|01/20/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Atlanta,GA.....]

ED*Riza..........|12/23/10.|12/29/10.|01/03/11.|01/26/11.|03/01/11.|03/22/11.|03/22/11.|Atlanta,GA.....](was descheduled twice-3/14&3/29)

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USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox

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

=================|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|=========|===============|

Safroot..........|12/03/10.|12/07/10.|12/11/10.|01/06/11.|01/28/11.|02/15/11.|03/23/11.|SanFrancisco,CA|

Kweli............|12/04/10.|12/17/10.|12/15/10.|02/09/11.|02/17/11.|03/18/11.|--/--/--.|St Paul,MN.....|

bradcanuck.......|12/06/10.|12/14/10.|12/17/10.|01/07/11.|01/24/11.|02/28/11.|--/--/--.|Santa Ana,CA...|

jso..............|12/06/10.|12/16/10.|12/18/10.|01/13/11.|03/08/11.|04/13/11.|--/--/--.|Portland,OR....|

Nycbra...........|12/06/10.|12/14/10.|12/15/10.|01/06/11.|01/26/11.|02/16/11.|04/13/11.|SanFrancisco,CA| REtook Fprints 01/19

Sarhan Abdelbaser|12/08/10.|12/14/10.|12/14/10.|01/26/11.|02/05/11.|03/08/11.|03/08/11.|Seattle,WA.....|

Countmein........|12/08/10.|12/15/10.|12/18/10.|01/11/11.|01/27/11.|03/02/11.|03/02/11.|Seattle,WA.....|

Vidafareed.......|12/13/10.|12/16/10.|12/20/10.|01/19/11.|03/07/11.|04/06/11.|--/--/--.|St Louis,MO....|

alex68...........|12/14/10.|12/17/10.|12/16/10.|01/11/11.|02/25/11.|04/20/11.|--/--/--.|Chicago, IL....|

Dakota9..........|12/17/10.|12/22/10.|12/23/10.|01/28/11.|03/18/11.|05/03/11.|--/--/--.|Sioux Falls,SD.|

Nessa............|12/17/10.|12/21/10.|12/22/10.|01/19/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Kansas City,MO.|

Californian......|12/17/10.|12/22/10.|12/22/10.|01/05/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles,CA.|

RobAndTania......|12/29/10.|01/10/11.|01/12/11.|01/28/11.|02/09/11.|03/14/11.|--/--/--.|Indianapolis,IN|

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

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,State.....|

Example..........|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|City,State.....]

Hey everyone, fingers crossed for me! I called my Congressman yesterday and his immigration staff was able contact USCIS on my behalf and access my case. I don't know what is their magic touch but the word I got back is "your file has now been reviewed and an oath ceremony scheduled. You should receive your oath letter soon, let us know if you don't receive anything within 2 weeks". I will let you all know when the letter arrives!

To Lisa and Phil: I don't know if you can bring the police records in advance, but it might be worth a try. I know I had to give to the police departments a copy of the paper I received during my interview where it states I need the police records for immigration purpose. I don't know if you can request the clearance records without first getting this paper.

Question to December group:

My wife had her interview and was told at the conclusion she passed March 14th. This was two weeks before her 3-year green card residency made her eligible for a decision. At the conclusion of the interview the examiner said she passed, but could not make a decision until last Saturday, the 26th, her 3-year anniversary + 1 day.

Of course we are eager to complete the naturalization process, so we hoped to see an on-line update by now. It is still "Testing and Interview," not "Decision" as we hoped.

My wife wants to travel early this Summer with an American passport, so we don't want to waste time.

Should we call USCIS's customer service at 800-375-5283? Or are we being too eager? If we do call the customer service number, is there a best way to get through the system to talk to a human?

Thanks

I think you can wait a couple of more weeks. I wish they were that fast but from other cases I saw where they passed interview before the 3 year rule, it usually took about 2 to 3 weeks after the 3rd anniversary for them to receive a notification.

As per the online status update, ignore that. Mine still shows RFE (biometrics) even though I have already passed the test. I also heard from other folks here that already took the oath and the status still show as interview and testing.

I had the EXACT same questions as you, even the "President Lives in the White House". Only difference is that my test was in California.

what do you mean interpreter? does she need sign language as a special need or something like that?

because she is supposed to know English and not need an interpreter. That's what the exam is for. she has to show that she can understand English, read and write in English.

If you are above a certain age (50 or 55) and have been a permanent resident for at least 20 or 15 years (I think), you are allowed to take the test in your native language and have an interpreter.

I know I can travel before I take the oath using my green card as usual.

I just want to get over with this whole process soon. I am still upset I am getting this unnecessary delay. I have never had any citation, traffic ticket, or any other violation. But they were not able to process my fingerprint twice (strange because all the other 3 times I have done biometrics I never had a problem, including last year). And I had to spend extra money to do their job and get clearance records that show no criminal records. And now I have to wait for someone to remember to look at my file...

I always had a very fast approval case (3 months to get the green card, 2 months for the removal of conditionals) and I am just upset that my final immigration journey (citizenship) I get bumped into this unnecessary delay. I could get my oath in 1, 2, 3 or whatever months from now. If I didn't had this problem, I would have had my oath ceremony on 03/23. I am just very frustrated, thanks for "listening" (reading).

Thanks everyone for sharing info and experience. Please keep them coming.

In my case, my fingerprints did not "go through", and I had to take biometrics twice, and according to them, both times it did not go through. So they requested background clearance records from all cities I have lived since becoming a resident in the US, which I already did and mailed directly to the Citizenship Branch at the San Francisco USCIS office (as stated in the letter they gave me). But no word as of now. I have to travel abroad in June for a week and I cannot change it, and I am now concerned I won't have my oath in time to get a passport and travel.

Hi Szilvia, did they ask you to submit any additional RFE or was it due to timing, or something else?

I already submitted the material they requested, but I have no clue as to in which stage is my approval.

I read through different topics that a lot of us, myself included, passed the interview but received the form where it says "a decision cannot be made at this time". I know that some cases were due to the timing of application and for not having completed the 3 year or 5 year rule just yet.

But in other instances, like me, they requested additional documentation (background clearance records).

So, who has been on this boat? And how long after passing the interview did you finally receive your oath letter? USCIS claim they have up to 120 days from your interview date to come up with a decision, but that's a heck a lot of time to wait especially if you have already passed the interview and test!

I appreciate those that can share some experience. Thanks!

Bring the original of the documents you submitted copies.

Good luck.

My request for background check was given to me during my citizenship interview. I had already done biometrics twice, and during the interview found out that the second one "didn't go through" as well.

But the IO asked my background check from all cities I have lived in US since becoming a permanent resident, which makes sense, in my case the last 3 years (I also applied for citizenship based on the 3 year marriage rule). The letter specified to mail all documents to the San Francisco office within a month. By the time I got all letters back to me (most of the places take 15 business days), it was one day before the deadline. I had to pay to mail express so it arrived on the deadline day. I am now waiting for my oath letter. I don't know low long they will take to review my case, or if I will be called in at the office again or not.