The end of the line, WE ARE FINALLY DONE

[hotairguy 0]

Well today was Marilyn’s oath ceremony, it was held in an outdoor soccer stadium in Commerce City, Colorado. We were informed that it was the second largest ceremony ever held in Denver, 1254 folks from 112 countries. Also in attendance was the head of the Denver USCIS, the mayor of Commerce City, CO and staffers from Senator Allard’s and Senator Salazar’s office who made a short speech.

The lines to enter the “Dick’s Sporting Goods†stadium seem to last forever, applicants went in one gate while all others used alternate gates. I waited in line with Marilyn until she got all the way to the front. An USCIS employee was walking up and down the line, shouting out that if your questionnaire wasn’t filled out by the time you reached the gate, you would be sent to the rear of the line. All I could think of was that when this day was over, I will never worry about what the USCIS was shouting.

Once people were seated, the ceremony was completed within 1 ½ hours and the certificates was issued as people were leaving the rows of seats. This process was pretty organized and seemed to go well. At this point, they also mentioned that the new citizens could submit the updated social security application, passport applications and voter registration on the other side of the stadium. We filled out the social security form but when we saw the size of the line to submit, we decided to just visit the Colorado Springs office.

So this is the end of the line for us. We now no longer need to submit redundant piles of paperwork, pay through the nose for application after application and deal with perhaps the most disorganized of any federal agency I have ever had the misfortune of dealing with. All the while, placing my and my family’s life on hold while we wait, much to long for each petition to find its way through the USCIS bureaucracy.

NOW I CAN TRULY SAY, WE ARE DONE! I have been here since February of 2004 and really owe quite a bit to the guides and advise I received along the way. I will become a VJ retiree’, an alumni, a graduate. So long and good luck to all those just starting out, in the middle of the process or can see that light at the end of the tunnel.

Take care and happy trails, Marilyn and Peter.

Edited August 21, 2008 by hotairguy

[Muh and me 18]

Congrats to the both of you!!!!

[sara..... 371]

Well today was Marilyn’s oath ceremony, it was held in an outdoor soccer stadium in Commerce City, Colorado. We were informed that it was the second largest ceremony ever held in Denver, 1254 folks from 112 countries. Also in attendance was the head of the Denver USCIS, the mayor of Commerce City, CO and staffers from Senator Allard’s and Senator Salazar’s office who made a short speech.

The lines to enter the “Dick’s Sporting Goods†stadium seem to last forever, applicants went in one gate while all others used alternate gates. I waited in line with Marilyn until she got all the way to the front. An USCIS employee was walking up and down the line, shouting out that if your questionnaire wasn’t filled out by the time you reached the gate, you would be sent to the rear of the line. All I could think of was that when this day was over, I will never worry about what the USCIS was shouting.

Once people were seated, the ceremony was completed within 1 ½ hours and the certificates was issued as people were leaving the rows of seats. This process was pretty organized and seemed to go well. At this point, they also mentioned that the new citizens could submit the updated social security application, passport applications and voter registration on the other side of the stadium. We filled out the social security form but when we saw the size of the line to submit, we decided to just visit the Colorado Springs office.

So this is the end of the line for us. We now no longer need to submit redundant piles of paperwork, pay through the nose for application after application and deal with perhaps the most disorganized of any federal agency I have ever had the misfortune of dealing with. All the while, placing my and my family’s life on hold while we wait, much to long for each petition to find its way through the USCIS bureaucracy.

NOW I CAN TRULY SAY, WE ARE DONE! I have been here since February of 2004 and really owe quite a bit to the guides and advise I received along the way. I will become a VJ retiree’, an alumni, a graduate. So long and good luck to all those just starting out, in the middle of the process or can see that light at the end of the tunnel.

Take care and happy trails, Marilyn and Peter.

many many congratulations :dance: :dance:

mmm just one question now what will u do with all ur extra time that u dont have to spend filling forms and paying this and that lol just joken enjoy life now ........... and look forward to a normal life now lol

[envy_me 18]

congrats!

[KC♥MP 0]

Congratulations!!!

[GiGi27 0]

CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES TO YOU BOTH

[Gulskjegg 0]

CONGRATS!

[Nikita2Charles 32]

Congrats!!!

[happyinlove012408 0]

Congrats.

[kiwiana 2]

That's fantastic!! Congratulations and all the best to the both of you!

[Tsup2 0]

Congratulations!

[Angel7422 0]

Congratulations !!

[coloradogirl 0]

Congratulations!!!

We were supposed to be there too, but hubby bought his plane ticket way early in July to leave for Morocco soon after his Aug. 5th interview, thinking it would still be a while before we got the letter for the oath ceremony. So he was/is out of the country. I'm furious with him of course but there was nothing I could do to make him turn around and come back. So I had to send the letter back with a letter of explanation. So I don't know if they'll invite him to the next one or what will happen. All this work and all this time just to have him screw it up like this!!

[mRs StOcKwElL 1]

BIG BIG BIG CONGRATS to Marilyn!!!

[ilovecookies 0]

congratulations! i remember when we were exchanging emails about the process, and now you guys are all done!!! so happy for you!