N400 April 2011 filers

I AM NOT THAT GUY · August 2, 2011

well...sitting here with tears streaming down my face....

I got a really nice guy for my citizenship interview and was approved My son and I both got 6/6 civics and history questions correct. Great so far you think.....

My son (aged 22) got a nasty woman IO who made it really difficult for him and gave him the "will have to send you a letter later telling you whether you're approved or denied" letter. - but she basically told him he would be denied. (Although she was absolutely wrong in what she said).

We had really organized applications with everything attached as evidence (although she tried to tell him he didn't have his selective service registration - which I know was in there - so my son gave her another copy). She told my son that he would be denied because he requested to take a modified oath of allegience (happy to do civilian service but not any service in relation to the armed forces by way of religious beliefs and training) - the USCIS itself addresses this in its handbook and states that a modified oath can be taken to Q36 and 37 - no to any kind of military service. He said he was happy to do civilian service (she wouldn't allow him to give any kind of explanation as to his beliefs etc) but she told him very nastily that he HAD to say yes to at least non-combatant service in the military or it would "be a problem". Having read the USCIS handbook on this point I know she is absolutely wrong.

The USCIS handbook states:

(1) Types of Modified Oaths .

An applicant who can demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that, on the basis of religious training and belief, he/she is opposed to bearing arms or performing noncombatant services in the Armed Forces of the United States can take an oath that omits these requirements. Depending on the specific modified oath (unable to bear arms and/or perform non-combatant service in the armed forces), the relevant clauses would be deleted and the oath would be taken in modified form. See INA 337 and 8 CFR 337.1(b ). For a more complete discussion on how to determine if an applicant can take a modified oath please link to Chapter? of this handbook. Also see Chapter 74.2 regarding part 8 of the Examination Process.

I am beyond sick and so upset for him. His is absolutely devastated. It makes it worse that she apparently went and consulted a colleague before coming back and saying this to him - but I know she is wrong.

Any ideas on where to go from here if he is denied on the basis of something the USCIS actually makes an allowance for?

<SAD>

Sounds you are going to have to wait for a determination letter, then see what steps may be necessary. The letter will most likely indicate the next step. Hopefully, that will not be necessary. Good luck.

akm_ind · August 2, 2011

Congratulations!!!

Thanks V333k

akm_ind · August 2, 2011

Here is the full details of our interview and Oath

Interview Part:

Our Interview was at 8:45 in the morning and we arrived at the DO at 8:15 or so. (Just so that people know, Porland OR DO does not have a specific parking for USCIS customers, you have to park along, NW Hoyt, or Park Avenue or NW Glisan. There are a number of meters around the building and they are mostly open). After passing security, walk straight to room 106 and place the N-400 interview letters in the box on the left had side. The IO look for the letter there and then call your name.

I was called by the IO at 8:40. She was very professional and nice too. First she swore me before I sat down. As I sat down I noticed the 1-2 inch folder on her table (think that must be all the docs that I had sent to INS/BCIS/USCIS over the course of 12 years I guess ). She said that she would go through the tests first and then go through the application. She printed out the questions from the computer. 6 Civics/History Questions. Here are the questions.

1.How many amendments does the constitution have?

2. What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?

3. Why did the colonists fight the British?

4.What is the highest court in the US.

5. Who makes laws?

6. Who is the vice-president?

She then asked me to read "Who can Vote" and then to write "Citizens 18 and older can vote"

After that she said that I had passed the interview and she went through the application. I had made one additional international travel since filing my n400 and gave her an updated page for that. She just jotted down the travel dates and made a comment "you haven't traveled much". I told her about the traffic tickets as I had said No to citations in my original application ( I had 3 tickets one speeding, one parking and one obstructing an intersection - all less than $500). I told her that I did not have court certified copies but did have the original tickets so offered her copies and she took them and noted down the 3 tickets along with the fees on the application. She said it was not a problem as it was less than $500. Then asked me to sign the application in 2 places and also on the side of the Photographs. Finally she gave me the document saying that I passed the interview and was being recommended for Naturalization. She then asked the big question, do you want to do the Oath today, I said ofcourse. She then printed out the Same day oath letter and asked me to be back @ 1:50pm for a 2pm oath. She then said wished me luck and we were out @ 8:55.

Oath Part:

Arrived back at 1:40 and found a parking spot on NW Hoyt. We where in the building waiting in room 117 @ 1:45. (Couple of things to note. 1. if you have children, make sure you have someone else other than the people going for the oath ceremony there to take care of them, 2. No Jean or shorts ). @ 1:55, they took us all to the 2nd floor and asked the people taking the oath to wait outside. Then another officer arrived and she took our oath letters and Green cards (I noticed that almost everyone that I saw in the waiting in the morning where there . Once inside, we sat in the front, went through a few videos 1. Faces of America, 2. President Obama's message, 3.forgot the other 2 . Then the immigrant judge had a few words and swore us in. She then called us one by one and gave us our Naturalization certificate. The comment that the IO made was to make sure that the naturalization certificate data was correct before we left the building. She asked us to register to Vote, update the Social Security Office about the change in status and apply for a US passport (The main Post office for Portland is next door). We where then allowed to take pictures in front of the flag.

After 13 years from F1->H1B->GC we are finally done with USCIS and US Citizens.

Passport application:

We then filled up our passport applications and walked next door to the PO (Passport applications are only accepted until 3:30pm M-F), submitted the application and was told that it takes about 4-6 weeks to get the passports back. took a copy of the Naturalization certificates and then paid $135 (2 checks 1. for $110 to the State department and 2. $25 to the Post master) for the passport applications and where out of there @ 3:15. You can have your Photos taken at the PO also, but we had copies and so skipped that step. Please note that the PO does not accept Credit cards for passport applications and so you need to have your check book.

Baloo16 · August 4, 2011

here is my info ..

pretty please could you add it?

thank you!

baloo16 .........|04/07/11.|04/12/11.|05/12/11.|06/06/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|

I went back a few pages and I didn't see them. Can you provide them again in a reply and someone will update you if you don't wish to go through that!

David-and-Mae · August 4, 2011

Adding baloo16... I hope I got you on the right lockbox

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

N-400: April 2011 Applicants

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

USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox

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

Leafgal..........|03/31/11.|04/07/11.|04/01/11.|05/05/11.|06/27/11.|08/01/11.|--/--/--.|Norfolk, VA......|

Picho............|04/06/11.|04/13/11.|04/12/11.|05/04/11.|06/01/11.|06/29/11.|08/11/11.|Buffalo, NY......|

Moro_Mindanao....|04/09/11.|../../11.|../../11.|05/11/11.|05/27/11.|06/29/11.|--/--/--.|Baltimore, MD....|

kimm.............|04/26/11.|05/02/11.|04/28/11.|05/27/11.|07/08/11.|08/09/11.|--/--/--.|New York City,NY.|

vylex............|04/22/11.|04/27/11.|04/26/11.|05/27/11.|07/26/11.|09/01/11.|--/--/--.|Newark, NJ.......|

N_400............|04/22/11.|04/25/11.|04/25/11.|06/07/11.|06/16/11.|07/19/11.|--/--/--.|Charlotte, NC....|

Sarudoshi........|04/26/11.|05/02/11.|05/02/11.|06/10/11.|07/08/11.|08/10/11.|--/--/--.|Charlotte, NC....|

Curioustoknow....|04/10/11.|04/16/11.|04/16/11.|05/16/11.|06/28/11.|08/04/11.|--/--/--.|San Antonio, TX..|

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

USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox

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

Sweet10..........|04/01/11.|04/07/11.|04/06/11.|05/17/11.|05/28/11.|06/30/11.|07/07/11.|San Diego, CA....|

Lisa and Phil....|04/02/11.|04/07/11.|04/06/11.|05/23/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Detroit, MI......|

DavidandMae......|04/04/11.|04/06/11.|04/07/11.|04/21/11.|05/10/11.|06/21/11.|--/--/--.|Kansas City......|

akm_ind..........|04/04/11.|04/12/11.|04/07/11.|05/23/11.|06/29/11.|08/01/11.|08/01/11.|Portland, OR.....|

Amhayl...........|04/06/11.|04/12/11.|04/12/11.|05/17/11.|05/12/11.|06/20/11.|07/20/11.|San Diego, CA....|

baloo16 .........|04/07/11.|04/12/11.|05/12/11.|06/06/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|

Rocky_nBullwinkle|04/08/11.|04/13/11.|04/13/11.|04/29/11.|06/01/11.|07/07/11.|07/26/11.|San Francisco, CA|

Raj1007..........|04/14/11.|04/19/11.|04/18/11.|05/12/11.|05/31/11.|06/28/11.|08/25/11.|San Jose, CA.....|

Perfect..........|04/18/11.|04/21/11.|04/21/11.|06/08/11.|06/28/11.|08/01/11.|--/--/--.|Santa Ana, CA....|

jots1984.........|04/19/11.|--/--/--.|04/22/11.|05/16/11.|--/--/--.|08/04/11.|--/--/--.|Sacramento, CA...|

BlueRain77.......|04/22/11.|04/25/11.|04/28/11.|06/07/11.|06/21/11.|07/26/11.|07/26/11.|Seattle, WA......|

Jimmy & Judy.....|04/24/11.|04/27/11.|05/12/11.|06/08/11.|06/17/11.|07/25/11.|07/25/11.|Seattle, WA......|

dubliner.........|04/25/11.|05/02/11.|05/05/11.|05/23/11.|06/14/11.|07/18/11.|08/16/11.|Honolulu, HI.....|

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

USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA)

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

T&T..............|04/12/11.|04/16/11.|04/25/11.|05/23/11.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Diego, CA....|

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Edited August 4, 2011 by David-and-Mae

curioustoknow · August 4, 2011

Updating my info

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

N-400: April 2011 Applicants

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

USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox

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

Leafgal..........|03/31/11.|04/07/11.|04/01/11.|05/05/11.|06/27/11.|08/01/11.|--/--/--.|Norfolk, VA......|

Picho............|04/06/11.|04/13/11.|04/12/11.|05/04/11.|06/01/11.|06/29/11.|08/11/11.|Buffalo, NY......|

Moro_Mindanao....|04/09/11.|../../11.|../../11.|05/11/11.|05/27/11.|06/29/11.|--/--/--.|Baltimore, MD....|

kimm.............|04/26/11.|05/02/11.|04/28/11.|05/27/11.|07/08/11.|08/09/11.|--/--/--.|New York City,NY.|

vylex............|04/22/11.|04/27/11.|04/26/11.|05/27/11.|07/26/11.|09/01/11.|--/--/--.|Newark, NJ.......|

N_400............|04/22/11.|04/25/11.|04/25/11.|06/07/11.|06/16/11.|07/19/11.|--/--/--.|Charlotte, NC....|

Sarudoshi........|04/26/11.|05/02/11.|05/02/11.|06/10/11.|07/08/11.|08/10/11.|--/--/--.|Charlotte, NC....|

Curioustoknow....|04/10/11.|04/16/11.|04/16/11.|05/16/11.|06/28/11.|08/04/11.|08/20/11.|San Antonio, TX..|