Oath ceremony experience

[Italian_in_NYC 259]

I was scheduled to attend a special naturalization ceremony this morning at 9:30 at the USS Intrepid Museum to celebrate Veterans' Day.

I got there at 9:20 and I thought I was going to be early. There was no line at security and I breezed through.

I was directed to a counter where USCIS employees checked my N-445 form (all No answers, as my interview was just 3 days ago). She asked me for my green card, which I handed to her and I told here I have the expired 2-yr card as well. She wanted that too. She asked me if I had any travel permit, I said no and then she asked me if anything changed since the interview.

That's it, I gave up my green card(s).

I then actually entered the USS Intrepid, which is a huge aircraft carrier active from 1943 to 1974 and now a museum.

We were directed in a cinema-like room with a huge movie screen and many seats.

I found out I was one of the last ones and I got to seat in row 5. I handed my N-445 to an employee and sat. They gave me an envelope with instructions about the certificate, the declaration of independence and the US constitution. And of course, the flag.

We waited for about half hour and the ceremony started at 10.

There were 17 military personnel naturalizing and of course (and rightfully so) they were honored and praised.

Then a few speeches, message from Obama and the usual stuff (usual because we read it all the time on the forum).

There were 157 people from 45 countries naturalizing at this ceremony.

The speaker called each country (in alphabetical order) and people from that country had to stand up and remain standing.

By far, the largest group of new citizens was from Dominica Republic, pretty much half of the room standed up with very loud cheers from the guests, it was awesome. I think I was probably the only italian. There were pretty much countries from all over....Central and South America, Western and Eastern Europe, Australia, China, Canada and Mexico of course.

A USCIS deputy director administered the oath and had a brief speech. Then a newly naturalized military member administered the pledge of allegiance to the flag and we were pretty much done.

They handed the certificates to the military people first, calling them out by name. And then row by row they handed us the certificate om our way out.

Got mine and came back home, where I actually signed it in a 1st grade like hand writing

It took me 3 months and 17 days to complete the naturalization process in the busy NYC district office, amazing!

It took me back then 4 months and 3 days to get my green card, always in NYC.

The only long wait was for the I-751, but who cares about that!

I already scheduled an appointment at the Regional passport agency for Monday morning as we leave for a vacation abroad on Friday.

I'll go to the SSA office and I'll register to vote once we're back, no rush for that.

[thongd4me 69]

I was scheduled to attend a special naturalization ceremony this morning at 9:30 at the USS Intrepid Museum to celebrate Veterans' Day.

I got there at 9:20 and I thought I was going to be early. There was no line at security and I breezed through.

I was directed to a counter where USCIS employees checked my N-445 form (all No answers, as my interview was just 3 days ago). She asked me for my green card, which I handed to her and I told here I have the expired 2-yr card as well. She wanted that too. She asked me if I had any travel permit, I said no and then she asked me if anything changed since the interview.

That's it, I gave up my green card(s).

I then actually entered the USS Intrepid, which is a huge aircraft carrier active from 1943 to 1974 and now a museum.

We were directed in a cinema-like room with a huge movie screen and many seats.

I found out I was one of the last ones and I got to seat in row 5. I handed my N-445 to an employee and sat. They gave me an envelope with instructions about the certificate, the declaration of independence and the US constitution. And of course, the flag.

We waited for about half hour and the ceremony started at 10.

There were 17 military personnel naturalizing and of course (and rightfully so) they were honored and praised.

Then a few speeches, message from Obama and the usual stuff (usual because we read it all the time on the forum).

There were 157 people from 45 countries naturalizing at this ceremony.

The speaker called each country (in alphabetical order) and people from that country had to stand up and remain standing.

By far, the largest group of new citizens was from Dominica Republic, pretty much half of the room standed up with very loud cheers from the guests, it was awesome. I think I was probably the only italian. There were pretty much countries from all over....Central and South America, Western and Eastern Europe, Australia, China, Canada and Mexico of course.

A USCIS deputy director administered the oath and had a brief speech. Then a newly naturalized military member administered the pledge of allegiance to the flag and we were pretty much done.

They handed the certificates to the military people first, calling them out by name. And then row by row they handed us the certificate om our way out.

Got mine and came back home, where I actually signed it in a 1st grade like hand writing

It took me 3 months and 17 days to complete the naturalization process in the busy NYC district office, amazing!

It took me back then 4 months and 3 days to get my green card, always in NYC.

The only long wait was for the I-751, but who cares about that!

I already scheduled an appointment at the Regional passport agency for Monday morning as we leave for a vacation abroad on Friday.

I'll go to the SSA office and I'll register to vote once we're back, no rush for that.

Molto Bene - from another NYC'er

[antda 13]

Hi Italian_in_NYC,

Congratulations on your oath ceremony experience and thanks for sharing about that experience on the Intrepid Museum here on VJ.

It's nice too, that you had a special ceremony, with military there. Great to be part of that honour, indeed!

Good luck with the rest of your immigration journey too as a US Citizen and in getting your passport too.

Ant

P.S. By the way, how long was your oath cremony? Was it about 1-2 hours or longer since it was special?

I was scheduled to attend a special naturalization ceremony this morning at 9:30 at the USS Intrepid Museum to celebrate Veterans' Day.

I got there at 9:20 and I thought I was going to be early. There was no line at security and I breezed through.

I was directed to a counter where USCIS employees checked my N-445 form (all No answers, as my interview was just 3 days ago). She asked me for my green card, which I handed to her and I told here I have the expired 2-yr card as well. She wanted that too. She asked me if I had any travel permit, I said no and then she asked me if anything changed since the interview.

That's it, I gave up my green card(s).

I then actually entered the USS Intrepid, which is a huge aircraft carrier active from 1943 to 1974 and now a museum.

We were directed in a cinema-like room with a huge movie screen and many seats.

I found out I was one of the last ones and I got to seat in row 5. I handed my N-445 to an employee and sat. They gave me an envelope with instructions about the certificate, the declaration of independence and the US constitution. And of course, the flag.

We waited for about half hour and the ceremony started at 10.

There were 17 military personnel naturalizing and of course (and rightfully so) they were honored and praised.

Then a few speeches, message from Obama and the usual stuff (usual because we read it all the time on the forum).

There were 157 people from 45 countries naturalizing at this ceremony.

The speaker called each country (in alphabetical order) and people from that country had to stand up and remain standing.

By far, the largest group of new citizens was from Dominica Republic, pretty much half of the room standed up with very loud cheers from the guests, it was awesome. I think I was probably the only italian. There were pretty much countries from all over....Central and South America, Western and Eastern Europe, Australia, China, Canada and Mexico of course.

A USCIS deputy director administered the oath and had a brief speech. Then a newly naturalized military member administered the pledge of allegiance to the flag and we were pretty much done.

They handed the certificates to the military people first, calling them out by name. And then row by row they handed us the certificate om our way out.

Got mine and came back home, where I actually signed it in a 1st grade like hand writing

It took me 3 months and 17 days to complete the naturalization process in the busy NYC district office, amazing!

It took me back then 4 months and 3 days to get my green card, always in NYC.

The only long wait was for the I-751, but who cares about that!

I already scheduled an appointment at the Regional passport agency for Monday morning as we leave for a vacation abroad on Friday.

I'll go to the SSA office and I'll register to vote once we're back, no rush for that.

Edited November 13, 2009 by Ant+D+A

[Italian_in_NYC 259]

Hi Italian_in_NYC,

Congratulations on your oath ceremony experience and thanks for sharing about that experience on the Intrepid Museum here on VJ.

It's nice too, that you had a special ceremony, with military there. Great to be part of that honour, indeed!

Good luck with the rest of your immigration journey too as a US Citizen and in getting your passport too.

Ant

P.S. By the way, how long was your oath cremony? Was it about 1-2 hours or longer since it was special?

Thanks.

My journey will be probably over on Tuesday when I pick up my US passport at the agency.

But I'll stick around.

The ceremony itself was around 45 minutes.

However the time spent there was about 1.5 hours (including checking in, being in line and waiting for the actual ceremony to start).

I think 157 is a relatively small number for a NYC oath and maybe the special ceremony had that extra-care that made it more efficient and faster. Every employee was actually really nice.

A pleasant experience I would say, even though I slept for 3 hours the night before and I was extremely tired (almost falling asleep in the waiting time - seats were veeery comfortable LOL).

[internetkafe 0]

Congratulations on your new citizenship, Italian_in_NYC

[~krakatoa~ 27]

I think I've read your oath experience in another immigration forum. Just surprised to see it here too. Congratulations!