NycBra

January 8, 2010

My husband is and has always been very supportive. However, we both work and we both have to travel a lot for work sometimes. Sometimes it is already hard for me to coordinate all these immigration appointments with my work schedule. Having to coordinate with his would be even worse! I just wanted to know if it is REQUIRED for the spouse to attend an interview (if you are applying for N400 based on the 3 year married/3 year GC). And it seems it is not required.

I am sure he would like to be present during the oath ceremony, not because he has to, but because I think it would make him proud and relieved that the immigration journey would be finally over.

January 7, 2010

Oh yes, it drove me insane. And turned out to be the easiest part! I got all the paperwork ready too, looked through it, double checking it a thousand times. Counting down the days. Me and my husband had our interview last month, Dec 22nd. It was easy breezy. This little, young, sweet, soft spoken lady was our interviewer. It was a small room. She asked us a few questions about how we met and where we lived. The only paperwork she asked us for was our kids birth certificates. I had all these pictures ready too. We were literally in and out in about 15 minutes. And I hear a lot of people have interview's like this, so don't worry too much. If you're like me, all the worrying is for nothing! Good luck.

Does the spouse have to attend the N400 interview? I thought only the applicant was requested to go...

January 7, 2010

So happy to see VSC September filers are moving along... go VSC, go!

I will see (some of) you guys on N400 forum!

January 5, 2010

A qualified immigration attorney cannot help refreshing the I.O.'s memory from many years back. What's he supposed to do? File a motion to review questionaires given out to potential jurors way back when and thus opening a coffin that's closed tightly for so long?
I thus stand by the last paragraph of my previous post. Unless the I.O. clearly recalls having mistakenly marked "US citizen" he better stops trying to convince himself that he did.

Agreed.

January 4, 2010

If you did not serve as a juror, you are in the clear; had you served, you would be in big trouble now and -- IMHO -- should not even apply for citizenship due to the inherent dangers of misrepresentation as a US citizen.
So if they sent you home both times, you got lucky. Happy New Year!

I think JustBob is being a little too harsh here. If he had participated as a juror, he should still apply for citizenship if he is eligible. He did not have to know that he shouldn't be at a jury duty. Mistake was made by the failed system that sent him (and myself once) a jury duty notification. Mistake would be much worse if the system had called his name and allowed him to be at a jury duty.

Sand, you should not worry about it. The fact you went there does not interfere with infringing voting rights. If you happen to receive another notification for jury duty, you can send it back with a copy of your green card and tell them you are not a US citizen. It worked for me and I never got another jury duty notification again. Good luck.

January 4, 2010

Furthermore, the actual wording of the intructions for Part 3 E. on the N-400 is confusing in itsefl. In the instructions for 'country of nationality' , USCIS says list country (countries) of nationality, but then in a note (2) that follows it: IT READS: "if you are citizen or national of more than one country, write the name of the country that issued last passport". So, i should just write Cuba then?

Since the instruction say to list the country that last issued the passport, I would just follow that rule. If during interview they ask if she is also a citizen of another country, she can then say "Russia". If asked why didn't include in the application, she can say she followed instruction which says to include the country that last issued the passport.

Edit:

Has she renewed her Russian passport recently? Is indeed the Cuban passport the one that was last issued/renewed?

January 4, 2010

I just got a letter advising of my fingerprinting appointment on Monday January 19, but I'll be away on business that day.
Does anyone know if the Oakland Park, Florida office accepts walk-ins? I'm hoping to get them done on the previous Friday (Jan 15) instead.

Thanks,

Technically, I don't think any office "accepts" walk-in, meaning, there is not an option. HOWEVER, many people try and depending on the office they take it. I did a walk-in in Santa Rosa one week before the scheduled date. I brought along a receipt of my travel itinerary to prove I would be away on my scheduled date. I would suggest you try to go during off-peak hours.

I didn't mention I was there earlier, I was expecting the person to notice and ask me why I was there earlier. But they didn't say anything (maybe it wasn't so full). But just in case, I would suggest bringing a receipt of your business travels.

January 4, 2010

I didn't get mine, but I moved twice since becoming a permanent resident.

I read few cases here that the letter arrived at an older address, even though they had filed the "change of address" on time and much earlier. But even then they still mailed the reminder to an older address. I wonder if they indeed mailed a letter to me, but it went to one of the older addresses...

January 4, 2010

I also think it depends on the type of background check they have to perform. Or if there is a missing document, or if they want to further study the case and talk to another adjudicator, there are different factors that may delay one's application. Maybe someone who submitted the application after you had an easier case to be approved, therefore they got approved first. I am not saying there is something wrong with your application, but different people have different cases.

I didn't go through a K1, and my application processes have always been very fast. A friend also from Brazil who went through K1 had her ROC take much longer than mine. Who knows?

Just be patient and as long as you are within the average wait time I think you will be ok.

January 3, 2010

Thanks. Good to know I can just sit, relax and wait for September to come. Most of our bills are paid online and it is a pain to have to print all of it (and very against environment sustainability).

I will keep checking the forum for some insights. I learned, for example, that I cannot travel abroad after the oath and before acquiring a US passport, but I can after the interview and before the oath.... This place is really full of resources!

December 30, 2009

I will only apply for citizenship in September but I just finished reading the Guide (http://www.uscis.gov/files/article/M-476.pdf) in order to find out the documents I will need to submit in September (and check if I need to start saving and keeping some of them)/ If I understood correct, I do not need to submit all that paperwork to prove I am married like I did for the I-751.

My case will be fairly simple. I am happily married (and hope to continue so), I haven't been out of the US for trips longer than 6 months, my husband is a US citizen by birth, we don't have children yet, I have never been arrested, etc. It seems I have 3 options to submit proof of continuing marriage and I will most likely pick the 3rd one "An IRS tax return transcript for the last three years".

So, that's it? Am I missing something? I don't need to submit copies of bank accounts, joint leases, joint assets, etc for the last 3 years?

I just don't want to be caught off-guard when September comes and I don't have all the documents needed...

Thanks!

December 29, 2009

Congratulations to VSCers... I hope the other approvals come soon!

I was away of the site for a while and will soon be back - but mostly on the citizenship forum.

December 4, 2009

I haven't accessed the site in such a long time..... new job= 12 hrs work per day... plus some traveling..

But here I am to see how you all are doing. I think in January I will start reading the citizenship forum and discussions. Do we need to submit all that paperwork again to prove you are still married, etc? Oh well, don't want to worry with it for another few months.

So.. no VSC approval yet? What's going on there? I hope you guys get your approval email and cards soon!

We are traveling to Brazil next week so I will "inaugurate" my new 10 year green card. I hope this time they don't send me to the secondary inspection... (what they did many times when I had the temporary green card).

Happy Holidays in advance to my September filers mates!

November 15, 2009

Certainly the paperwork doesn't stay with the VSC even though I live in Colorado, which falls under CSC. I'm sure the case is transferred. This usually comes with a extended wait time.

Please correct me if I'm wrong though.

Where did you submit your I-751 to? VSC or CSC? If you lived in Colorado when you submitted it, you should have sent to CSC.

November 15, 2009

Hey mrc, I think you will be approved by then! I hope so.

In the worst case scenario (I hope not), if they haven't approved you yet, just make sure you update your new address, and keep the people who will live at your current place informed that you are expecting a document/letter from immigration.

But I think by June you will have your approval on hands!

November 12, 2009

Congratulations all. Sorry I have been away, but work has picked up a lot so I can't keep logging on as I used to.

EWL, I think the formats are fine for me. But since my case is all done, I think the other folks (especially VSC) should be the ones giving their opinion on the changes made.

October 30, 2009

No updates September filers?

How's VSC group doing? ANy more approvals from CSC?

October 28, 2009

I agree, the last column is confusing and maybe not needed since once you are approved it is obvious that the new card it's on its way...

Should we just delete the column then?

On another note.... I don't understand what USCIS is doing. I logged on the USCIS account out of curiosity and saw that they "touched" my application yesterday. But I already received my GC on Monday. What else are they doing?

October 28, 2009

Updating Chematah (that now has a new name, but I am keeping the old one)

California Service Center - CSC

VJName.................Date of I-751........NOA1 Date............Biometrics.........Approved.................... GC Received

E&K....................08/31/09.............09/02/09.............10/15/09...........10/26/09 .................... --/--/--

calitoday..............08/31/09.............09/02/09.............10/08/09...........10/16/09 .................... 10/22/09

David-and-Mae..........09/02/09.............--/--/--.............10/19/09...........10/20/09 Early bio 10/05/09.. 10/26/09

chemaatah..............09/02/09.............09/06/09.............10/07/09...........10/26/09 .................... --/--/--

CountryBoy.............09/04/09.............09/08/09.............10/19/09...........--/--/-- .................... --/--/--

CB's Daughter..........09/04/09.............09/08/09.............--/--/--...........--/--/-- .................... --/--/--

Coco&Kitten............09/05/09.............09/08/09.............10/14/09...........--/--/-- Later bio 10/24/09. .--/--/--

Tarik_1985.............09/07/09.............09/17/09.............10/23/09...........--/--/-- .................... --/--/--

Chris_n_Veronica.......09/08/09.............09/10/09.............10/09/09...........10/16/09 .................... 10/23/09

payxibka...............09/09/09.............09/14/09.............10/22/09...........--/--/-- .................... --/--/--

CanInCali..............09/10/09.............09/11/09.............10/16/09...........10/21/09 .................... 10/26/09

chelseafan.............09/11/09.............09/15/09.............10/24/09...........--/--/-- .................... --/--/--

littleg15uk............09/14/09.............09/18/09.............10/27/09...........--/--/-- .................... --/--/--

NycBra.................09/16/09.............09/18/09.............10/24/09...........10/20/09 Early bio 10/16/09.. 10/26/09

j_infy.................09/16/09.............09/18/09.............10/27/09...........--/--/-- ....................--/--/--

RomeoNan...............09/17/09.............09/21/09.............10/24/09...........--/--/-- Early bio 10/21/09. .--/--/--

Nanusia&Lukaszek.......09/19/09.............09/21/09.............10/29/09...........--/--/-- .................... --/--/--

cunnind................09/19/09.............09/21/09.............10/22/09...........--/--/-- .................... --/--/--

Dano2006...............09/21/09.............09/23/09.............10/20/09...........--/--/-- .................... --/--/--

Kabigon................09/21/09.............09/22/09.............10/22/09...........--/--/-- Early bio 10/17/09.. --/--/--

prettyfacenbody........09/23/09.............09/26/09.............10/22/09...........10/20/09 Early bio 10/16/09.. --/--/--

Vermont Service Center - VSC

VJName.................Date of I-751..........NOA1 Date...........Biometrics.........Approved...................GC Received

crysethu...............08/31/09...............09/02/09............09/18/09...........--/--/-- ...................--/--/--

JamalNTam..............09/01/09...............09/04/09............10/05/09...........--/--/-- ...................--/--/--

SM&LP..................09/04/09...............09/08/09............10/07/09...........--/--/-- ...................--/--/--

cdngirl06..............09/04/09...............09/09/09............10/15/09...........--/--/-- ...................--/--/--

GabachaYucateca........09/04/09...............09/09/09............10/02/09...........--/--/-- ...................--/--/--

MonicaMexico...........09/05/09...............09/14/09............10/07/09...........--/--/-- ...................--/--/--

Lhedyjoe...............09/08/09...............09/14/09............10/23/09...........--/--/-- Early bio 10/14/09.--/--/--

Agnar..................09/09/09...............09/11/09............10/23/09...........--/--/-- ...................--/--/--

JelloShotGirl..........09/10/09...............09/14/09............10/23/09...........--/--/-- ...................--/--/--

Dayna and Ali..........09/12/09...............--/--/--............--/--/--...........--/--/-- ...................--/--/--

Berber Mama............09/12/09...............09/15/09............10/21/09...........--/--/-- ...................--/--/--

Sandy Cheecks..........09/23/09...............--/--/--............11/09/09...........--/--/-- ...................--/--/--

chaplin................09/23/09...............09/28/09............11/03/09...........--/--/-- ...................--/--/--

Vylex..................09/24/09...............09/25/09............10/29/09...........--/--/-- ...................--/--/--

sobol3v................09/24/09...............09/25/09............11/05/09...........--/--/-- Early bio 10/26/09.--/--/--

mrc....................09/24/09...............09/28/09............--/--/--...........--/--/-- ...................--/--/--

bobby_DE...............09/24/09...............09/28/09............11/09/09...........--/--/-- ...................--/--/--

Lace...................09/26/09...............09/29/09............11/05/09...........--/--/-- ...................--/--/--

what happened to the tables? they're impossible to read now. anyways, received our approval on the 26th.
(the former chemaatah)

Someone included a new column for GC received. IT is more confusing I have to confess. I updated you.

On another note, your kid is really cute!

October 28, 2009

Oh no! Oh, well..I guess that's alright..lol The lady that did my fingeprint and stuff said she don't know what picture will be in the card..It was weird that she didn't know..Anyway, congrats to everybody!

Well, I remember seeing in another thread (either May or June I think) that the person got the new GC with the old picture. So, who knows?

VSC, hang in there. The approvals will come. I have my fingers crossed for all of you. Can't wait for the first VSC approval here!

October 27, 2009

New GC was waiting for me in my mailbox. In the mailbox there was also another envelope with the approval letter saying I would receive the card within 60 days.
For those of you waiting for the new GC, it comes in a fairly ordinary envelope. The paper is not the typical "green official USCIS government paper" that you can see through the envelope. I knew it was something from immigration because it was coming from Laguna Nigel, CA, where I mailed my application to.

Not that it really matters.... but I don't like my new GC picture. I prefer the old one

I have a question, is it the picture they took on your biometrics? I don't like my picture there if it is because I didn't put my hair down..lol

Well, VSC filers like me..Patience is a virtue..lol

Yes, on my case it is the picture I took on the biometrics for the I-751. I saw the picture wasn't really good and I said "can't I keep the original photo from the first green card? " And the nice lady said "sorry my dear, we have to use the new one. That's why you are here for". My face looks weird on the new one...

October 27, 2009

No worries --- my letter came from TX, and I filed with CSC
Congrats!

I think the letter usually comes from your local office. CSC and VSC are the service centers that process the applications.

October 26, 2009

New GC was waiting for me in my mailbox. In the mailbox there was also another envelope with the approval letter saying I would receive the card within 60 days.

For those of you waiting for the new GC, it comes in a fairly ordinary envelope. The paper is not the typical "green official USCIS government paper" that you can see through the envelope. I knew it was something from immigration because it was coming from Laguna Nigel, CA, where I mailed my application to.

Not that it really matters.... but I don't like my new GC picture. I prefer the old one

California Service Center - CSC

VJName.................Date of I-751........NOA1 Date............Biometrics.........Approved....................GC Received

E&K....................08/31/09.............09/02/09.............10/15/09...........--/--/-- ....................--/--/--

calitoday..............08/31/09.............09/02/09.............10/08/09...........10/16/09 ....................10/22/09

David-and-Mae..........09/02/09.............--/--/--.............10/19/09...........10/20/09 Early bio 10/05/09..10/26/09

chemaatah..............09/02/09.............09/06/09.............10/07/09...........--/--/-- ....................--/--/--

CountryBoy.............09/04/09.............09/08/09.............10/19/09...........--/--/-- ....................--/--/--

CB's Daughter..........09/04/09.............09/08/09.............--/--/--...........--/--/-- ....................--/--/--

Coco&Kitten............09/05/09.............09/08/09.............10/14/09...........--/--/-- Later bio 10/24/09..--/--/--

Tarik_1985.............09/07/09.............09/17/09.............10/23/09...........--/--/-- ....................--/--/--

Chris_n_Veronica.......09/08/09.............09/10/09.............10/09/09...........10/16/09 ....................10/23/09

payxibka...............09/09/09.............09/14/09.............10/22/09...........--/--/-- ....................--/--/--

CanInCali..............09/10/09.............09/11/09.............10/16/09...........10/21/09 ....................--/--/--

chelseafan.............09/11/09.............09/15/09.............10/24/09...........--/--/-- ....................--/--/--

littleg15uk............09/14/09.............09/18/09.............10/27/09...........--/--/-- ....................--/--/--

NycBra.................09/16/09.............09/18/09.............10/24/09...........10/20/09 Early bio 10/16/09..10/26/09

j_infy.................09/16/09.............09/18/09.............10/27/09...........--/--/-- ....................--/--/--

RomeoNan...............09/17/09.............09/21/09.............10/24/09...........--/--/-- Early bio 10/21/09..--/--/--

Nanusia&Lukaszek.......09/19/09.............09/21/09.............10/29/09...........--/--/-- ....................--/--/--

cunnind................09/19/09.............09/21/09.............10/22/09...........--/--/-- ....................--/--/--

Dano2006...............09/21/09.............09/23/09.............10/20/09...........--/--/-- ....................--/--/--

Kabigon................09/21/09.............09/22/09.............10/22/09...........--/--/-- Early bio 10/17/09..--/--/--

prettyfacenbody........09/23/09.............09/26/09.............10/22/09...........10/20/09 Early bio 10/16/09..--/--/--