CVB

I didn't read anything in the post saying to lie to her. Not telling her about an option to get a Columbian passport is not a lie. One thing I learned in my divorce, never give any information to your ex that you don't have to give. The less information she has, the better off you'll be. Don't open yourself up for her to make plans against you by letting her know what actions you're taking to stop her. Don't give her any ideas either.

The OP here never mentioned that his daughter was born in the US. If she was, then I don't think she can get a Columbian passport. This would mean that he only needs to put a watch on her getting a US passport by filling out the form that I mentioned. This won't stop her from getting a passport, but will allow you to be informed if she requests one. Once you are informed, then you can contest the passport. If she wasn't born in the US, I hope the previous suggestions for writing a letter will be enough to stop her from getting a Columbian passport.

It is also very important that the divorce degree states that the daughter cannot be moved more than a certain distance, 60 miles in my case, without notifying the other parent 60 days before. This gives you time to take her to court if she decides to move across the country. There should also be something in there stating she can't be taken out of the country without approval of both parents. If that is not there, the custodial parent may have the right to take the child out of the country without approval from the noncustodial parent.

-James

Whether you call it a lie or not is a moral question. When you want to include praying, than at least be honest with yourself. I don't like the idea of somebody going after the poor woman. It's her daughter too and maybe she wants to leave her husband because he beats her up or cheats on her. I find it upsetting that only so few people seems to care about the mother. A divorce is what it is, a divorce. JJ61 put it right. You first try to talk and get it straight. When that doesn't work, you look what can be done, in a as human way as possible, following the law, like Bob said. I got a divorce too. I still call my ex and help her out where possible. This was hard work to establish but it worked out fine. Why should two people that fell in love at one time, hate each others guts so much that they want to destroy everything.

Whatever you do...don't let your wife know about her being able to get a Colombian passport for your child,..maybe she doesnt know that she can actually do that. So unless she's well educated in this area,...dont entertain the thought saying in an argument with her "ahh and dont even think about taking a Colombian passport for our child"...that might be the end of everything.....be careful...stay stafe...i'll be praying for you,your wife and child

You're kidding right? You tell the guy to lie to his wife and then you pray for them? You could have put it on the internet too.

I would follow Bob's advice. The child is American if it is born here. This is a very strong argument.

Your country is the USA right now. Did you become a U.S. citizen? Do you live here right now? Then my point stands. Your home country and birth country are Belgium. If I moved to Brazil and became a citizen, then my country would be Brazil.

Also by 'Your' he implied the USA and the USA was in fact built by immigrants.

Furthermore, the whole USCIS thing is run by politics, it is a government agency and whatever the current administration finds more important (TPS, Work Visa, K-1s etc) is what gets done asap with the rest on the back burner. USCIS falls under DHS (Dept. Homeland Security), so if Napolitano wants TPS visas done asap and extended, then that is what shall take priority over anything else.

Let me very clear... I'm also a Belgian citizen and when I was forced tomorrow to give up one of the two, the choice would be very easy. I stay here because of my wife and her kids. I had more freedom and a much better and secure life in Belgium but sometimes you have to take responsibilities. She was not allowed to bring over the kids to Europe so I did the move. Not always easy but it's a part of reality. Sometimes reality sucks. I also have to thank "Mike and Minchian" for their positive contribution. The world would be better of when all would think like this.

Eh? Its not your country but you took citizenship and naturalization? thats a bit contradictory is it not?

Of course I became a citizen. Is this my country. NO.... I don't feel it that way. Never will. My mother was Dutch. Do I feel Dutch? The hell NO... not even close.

Why did I become citizen? Because I'm realistic enough to see the difference between being immigrant and being citizen. I love my freedom. This country is not a bright example of expressing this. When you can't beat them, you join them, as simple as that. Would it have been more difficult if I would have been a communist? Sure it would. Is it wrong to be a communist? No... but in this country, they clearly ask you this when you file for citizenship, between questions about your criminal record, so yes... I guess it is kind of a problem and it will slow down the process when you are a communist. That's normal. Of course you can always try to beat the system. Good luck with that though. It's almost the same as trying to convince the Saoudi's to allow alcohol in public. What's wrong with a glass of beer right? Well... tell them.

Nonsense.. no one has a problem going through immigration.. its the fact the whole system is broken and needs fixed.. As ive said before if I pay $455 I don't think its unreasonable to expect a response in a timely manner.. When we've called USCIS we have been downright lied to on many occasions.. please don't be patronising about your suggestion to "be my guest and go live there". Im sure you are aware your country is built on "immigrants". This whole thread is getting ridiculous.. For me VJ as a place for support not to start some political debate.. I hope everyone of us gets everything resolved soon..

I'm afraid I have to disappoint you... no, my country isn't and never was built on immigrants. On top of that, I'm not impressed by the USA that much. My wife had kids and I didn't, so I took my responsibility and moved here. It took me 3,5 years to become a citizen and only 4 months for the naturalization. Which is not bad. I don't see what is so political in this debate. Bob was trying to explain, in his own style, why it takes longer for some people to get through immigration. No reason to call him harsh. I know reality sucks sometimes, but it still is reality.

Absolutely agree with you 100% Carla1.. That was harsh Bob.. The guy is in pain like the rest of us and put his point across really well..

Come on guys.... cut out the BS. You know the rules when you want to marry somebody from another country. You have to go trough immigration. When you think it's so much easier somewhere else... be my guest and go live there. I'm not a big fan of the way the USCIS handles certain things either but they have a lot of work... a lot. And as always, the good people have to pay the price for the bad behavior of those trying to shortcut the system. Bob wasn't harsh, he was sarcastic. An American that goes into a relationship with a foreigner knows there will be problems. The more unfriendly the country is towards the USA the more problems you will have. You know that. Don't blame the system... or as we say it... stay out of the kitchen when you can't stand the heat.

Good day everyone!

I was just wondering if i can submit my n400 w/o my selective service #? i already have registered but haven't received the hard copy yet. will that be ok?

Thank you very much and have a wonderful day!

Of course, you always can wait but I really don't think it matters. They will tell you in that famous yellow letter to bring a copy of the registration. You registered, that is important and that is what you have to write down in your file.

Hi all!

I checked NO to change of name on my n400. Now, I really want to change it. Do you think it can be possible for me to get it changed if i ask the immigation officer during my interview?

As far as I know they do ask you. I had a second middle name that wasn't mentioned on my application. The IO asked me whether I wanted to change that or not. I choose not to do so and that was fine. He modified my application at the interview and that was it. Even when he wouldn't ask you (which I doubt), claim your right to do so.

First of all Happy New Year to all VJs people.

I would like to get some feedback from people who became USA citizens and kept also their European citizenship (where in some countries is acceptable)and went back to their country leaving USA with the USA passport, and entering their own country with the European passport. How was it? What do u suggest accordingly to your personal experience?

Tks all!!!!:-)

I don't understand the question either. By becoming American you don't lose your old citizenship or any rights that come with it, as long of course that you're allowed to keep your old citizenship. When I go to Belgium with my European passport, for the authorities, I'm a Belgian. Nothing else. They don't care about my American citizenship and I don't worry about it. Just show them your passport of origin and it's fine. You're still one of them. Nothing changed. You still have the same rights as you had before... You even can go live there. No questions will be asked.

Thanks for the reply. I was worried it would take the standard 6 weeks to get the passport. But you called the office and made an appointment for and expedited passport? E.g., method #2 on this page: http://studenttravel...ssport_rush.htm

Thanks again,

mn

Yes, but I already got it 4 hours later. I had an 8am appointment. Went out to hang around and have a coffee, came back at noon and my passport was ready.

I plan on doing exactly the same thing. Two questions:

1) How far in advance did you call in for your appointment at the passport agency?

2) Did you just book a regular (quite expensive) flight to London or some other destination or did you really set up a complete travel to Belgium? I'm asking because I want to make sure I get a flight that I can get cancel without problems.

Thanks.

The appointment you can make whenever. It's an automated system and you can chose the date. You get a conformation number that you have to take with you. It's important not to forget to take this # with you when you go because security and the passport officers ask for it. They don't ask your name when you make the appointment, so I guess when you don't show up, it really doesn't matter.

I made my appointment a couple of days before the interview. I had the oath ceremony the same day. When I came home after my oath ceremony, I booked my ticket in the evening to Belgium and went to the passport office the next day with a printed copy of my e-ticket. I booked with Continental because they have a 24 hour cancellation policy. When you cancel within 24 hours you get the full amount back of your booked ticket. No questions asked. I also think Delta Airlines has this kind of policy, and probably others. You have to check their website. Its wise to pay with credit card though. At the passport office they probably might ask you why you didn't book earlier. In my case it was easy. I told them that I didn't know whether I would be approved for citizenship till the day before, where I had my interview. Which was true. This was a smooth in between question from a cute friendly lady but I'm sure she asked me to check what I was trying to do. Have the right answer ready and be prepared for this kind of "innocent" questions. When I came home I canceled my airline ticket. A couple of days later, the whole amount was back on my credit card.

Thanks.

Oh I am talking about the Application support Area in Elizabeth, NJ that serves my area.

I already called the UCCIS...they don't really know that information. I know that that is a federal holiday for most gov agency.

From what I can see, your FP is scheduled 1/11. Why trying to go in on 12/31. Even when they would be open, there is a chance you get refused and made the trip for nothing and it wont speed up anything.

[quote name='networkwarrior' timestamp='1293578627' post='4374426'

So for me be able to expedite my passport, I have to give them some type of reason why I want it to expedite? Or just in passport agency?

As far as I know, when you want to deal with the passport offices directly, you have to make an appointment and have an airline ticket or something, showing your intention to travel within two weeks. You can ask on the form you fill out and give to the post office, to expedite your passport. From what I understand, that in general takes two weeks. I see no reason to do that though. It will cost you more money and the certificate will still be sent to you by regular mail. The reason I went directly to the passport office was exactly because I didn't like the idea of the certificate being in the regular mail and, to be honest with you, I also was sick and tired of the stress caused by this immigration journey. I wanted it over and done with. No more waiting.

I think that is a good idea.

How long does it take from sending the application for US passport to receiving it?

You have to go in person with your certificate to one of the passport agencies or the post office. I personally didn't like to leave my certificate and let them take care of it. When you want it expedited it will cost you an extra $60. You find all the necessary information here

At the passport agency you get your certificate back a couple of hours later. You need to prove that you have to travel within the next two weeks. I booked a ticket in the evening and used the 24 hour cancel policy. Didn't cost me anything.

We've filed married/jointly for the past 3 years so no worries and neither of us have any problems. Gonna get the transcripts also. Her trips overseas have totalled less than 100 days since 2005 and I mailed off the plane ticket receipts too as proof. 6 years of marriage and a 5 year old kid should convince them. Thanks for the heads up. Unless someone else here knows about Los Angeles, I'll call them and find out if same day swearing in is available.

Bob did his thing in LA. You can read his story here. They don't have a same day oath ceremony but all together it took 4 month or so for him to go through the process. He did have some holidays in the time frame. You not so many. June should be quite possible in my opinion.

The earlier responses are good enough to curb your curiosity. I did have the same information on-line but it turned out to be my biometrics when I received the hard copy via USPS. Indeed, I also freaked out but as has always been the case, Vjers gave me the needed information to calm down. So sit back, relax and get ready for your biometrics.

It's amazing that people need extra information to calm down. You would expect the USCIS to figure this out by themself. You have to pay them enough for their services so one expects to receive correct non-confusing information for that money. Non of that... they keep sending you misleading info. It's normal. Most immigrants during the process don't want to make waves. Afterwards most don't care anymore and those that do are too few to start something. So the monopoly of the USCIS can do almost anything they want.... like sending stupid misleading information. Maybe VJ should set up an official body for immigrants and filing worries and complaints from immigrants towards USCIS. Just a thought.

We've been married since 2004 and our laziness is embarrasing. My wife's Kyrgyz passport expired back in 2007. She received an extension at the time and now that expires 12/31. The Kyrgyz embassy doesn't do jack by mail nowadays even though they processed the extension w/ payment by mail back in 2007. No one is being understanding and the guy on the phone insists that we fly cross country to file for a new passport. It makes no sense to visit DC just to apply for a passport in person so we got off our butts and filed for her US citizenship. My wife is trying to visit her country for her annual trip with our kid and sad to say we got complacent building a career,raising our daughter(5 yrs old) and her attending college. We neglected the N-400 since the greencard lasts so long. I'm hoping that we can get this all knocked out by late June/early July for summer break. It's really sad and weird that she'll have to get a visa for her own country. I see alot of folks getting same day oaths and receiving the passport the next day. For the passport, is that simply through expedited service or bringing the docs with you to the Immigration office? The packet was received on 12/23 so hopefully we can pull this off! Thanks for any help or suggestions. Good to see this place is going strong since that K1 back in '04.

Assuming that your wife has filed her tax returns in the last 3 years and that she doesn't have a felony to worry about, stayed long enough in the country. etc... I don't think it will be a problem to get it done before June or July. Every case of course is different and every office works different. Some offices have same day Oath Ceremonies. Most don't. You have to check this. Because of the same day oath I had in Newark, I could pick up my passport the next day in Philadelphia. This is not a general rule though.

UPDATE: Got my letter for my interview 12/27/2010 and my interview is on the 1/28/2011 in Salt Lake City

Congratulations

Everything went well this morning; I thank you all for all the help I got.

I have one last question. About updating the SSN record, I can bring just the copy of my certificate with me, instead of the original, right? Or would they need to see the original certificate?

Happy New Year to all!

Go for your passport first. It will make your life so much easier. For everything you do official, you need your original certificate when not having a passport. I don't like taking this $400 piece of paper with me at all. I went for a passport first (took me 4 hours to get) and put the certificate in my safe, to never been taken out again, unless really, really necessary. A passport will prevent possible damage to the certificate, is way sturdier and much cheaper to replace. You also will be looked at as an American. This is not the case with your certificate. They still look at you as an immigrant with a legal paper.

Hey guys, I know I am a few years off this yet but I just came across a post that said I could apply to become a citizen after 3 years not the 5 years that I originally thought. After looking at the guides it seems to say the same.

I have a conditional perm residence that expires 2 years after issue. I know I apply to remove conditions before it expires and I get a one that has a 10 year validity.

My question is am I eligible to apply for citizenship in 3 years from the date of issue on my CONDITIONAL 2 YEAR green card?

Thanks in advance

You can file after the conditions will be removed, and still are married and live together for three years with the same person. The date on your 10 year valid green card will be the same as on the conditional one. The 3 year period starts when the USCIS issued your first GC.

Hi,

I finally got my interview date (01-25-11). Our travel is to be in February, and I was wondering how long it takes for them to make up passports for people who filed under 319(b). Anyone have any experience in this?

Thanks,

manoynmonic

Well, I got my interview 11/23. Same day oath. Got my passport the day after, the 24th, at 12 o'clock. Just make sure you make an appointment with one of the passport offices and get the stuff ready you need, like a filled out form, two pics, your certificate and prove of travel . You find the details here.

I have a big problem. I just got separated from my husband just last month and now i am trying to apply for citizenship but my prob is what will happen if they see that we're married but we are on a different addresses.. Willl this affect my application?

This is a problem, not a big problem. You have to live together for the last 3 years when applying on the 3-year rule but you can apply on the 5-year rule. Lying about your situation is not wise and might bring more trouble, later on. Only imagine your ex files a complaint when he finds out you filed under the 3-year rule. Just wait for the 5 years and everything will be just fine.

So I have a question, as I am also thinking of being dual nationality. I am an Australian citizen but born from another country. I do not have a dual citz with my brith country as they do not allow it with Australia.

I do not want to lose my Australian citz, but would like to also become a US citz. would this be possible?

JustBob what is a BBG application?

Australia allows its citizens to hold dual nationality. An Australian citizen may automatically gain citizenship of another country through marriage, while a permanent resident of Australia may become a dual citizen by becoming an Australian citizen. Prior to 4 April 2002, Australian citizens who became citizens of another country lost their Australian citizenship automatically. That's what possibly happened in your case. This was the same in Belgium prior to 2007.

So I have a question, as I am also thinking of being dual nationality. I am an Australian citizen but born from another country. I do not have a dual citz with my brith country as they do not allow it with Australia.

I do not want to lose my Australian citz, but would like to also become a US citz. would this be possible?

JustBob what is a BBG application?

German Beibehaltungsgenehmigung. This is a process to keep German citizenship while acquiring the American citizenship. Without applying for it, Germans lose their citizenship and it has to be done before becoming American citizen.

hello everyone my wife got her interview letter a month from now we are happy do they usually take a month for the interview??

I'm not sure I understand your question. You got the interview letter a month ago? Isn't there an interview date in that letter, or am I missing something.