N-400 JANUARY 2012 FILERS

[Blessed N Favored 6]

just to throw my two cents in here, my wife has already had her interview (4-19) and we are waiting for the oath ceremony letter now. Our online case status still says she is "scheduled for the interview". It is my experience that the online updates are not reliable because at least one of our previous filings took a year or so to be updated to show it was approved even though that process was already completed.

Well.. I pretty much relied on the texts and mails they send out (if signed up for it) for case status updates. I got tired "stalking" the USCIS site daily well actually refreshing the screen every half hour! Anyways, hang in there.. at least she got her interview done! Only one more step to go (not counting applying for a passport. )

Mom's status changed back to 'in line for interview'. Dad's still says Interview scheduled, he was given option to take friday 4/26 oath ceremony (the guy said they do oath every friday) but he declined and asked to schedule after June. IO said no prob on that.

Mine still says in queue, I have the feeling there wont be one before the Independence day ceremony here.

Awww... that's a bummer! Well at least your mom has been placed in line for interview and not just left in "USCIS limbo". I hope your dad gets the date that's gonna work best for him. Again... Congrats to you and your family!! Crossing my fingers for your mom! Sending prayers her way.!

I was given a link from a fellow VJer that showed Indianapolis has oath ceremonies usually twice a month at 10am (I thought that was a bit odd--makes it difficult for family to come out for it). I hope we get the letter soon, but I get this feeling even if we get the letter today, the ceremony will not be until later in the month of May.

Twice a month... ouch! Well, I'm hoping you get your letter soon and that they make an exception for an earlier oath that you can attend than having to wait until May!

I am still waiting for my IL. It has been 3+ months since I filed. Congrats to all of you who are done or almost done.

Hang in there hun... I hope someone starts working on your file soon and get your letter ASAP! You are almost there...

Is officially a US Citizen! Yesterday(4/25) I had my interview and took my oath yay! I couldn't ask for a nicer IO ! She made the interview very easy for me. I choked up when she asked me to read the Oath of Allegiance whew! It was an emotion-filled day for sure! I was sworn in with 57 people from 35 countries. Now I can finally say Adieu USCIS lol. I have an appointment on Tuesday for passport application but that's another story.

Pepperrrrrrrr~~~~ Congrats!!!!! Whoooo hoooooo!!! :dance: So happy for you!!! I was emotional too! I kept pushing my tears back (well... I didn't wanna ruin my makeup ) Yay for your passport appointment! Too bad you gotta say goodbye temporarily to your CON! Then the waiting begins!! Anywho... so proud of you and everyone else who has made it this far! Congrats y'all!! :dance:

[HuffyTheSlayer 22]

***** SCREEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMMM******** Whooooooooo hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo FINALLY A USC!!!

Updating myself and changing my font color!!! Sweet!!! Thank you Jesus!!!! :dance: (I'll post my experience later. I'm kinda exhausted right now and overwhelmed! ) I am so proud to be an American!!! Thank you all for helping me make this dream come true! Thanks to my family, for all their prayers, support and encouragement through this (difficult and challenging immigration) journey for me! Thank you all VJ'ers and all my friends out there for you help and support! Couldn't have done it without you. Xxxxx Oh... I almost forgot... thank you USCIS for working diligently on my file/case!

Aaah~~~ It surely feels so gooooood changing the font color to red! Yes, it was a strange feeling leaving my GC behind at USCIS. I kinda feel "naked" without it! I saved the jacket for it as a souvenir! Hmmm... kinda toying with the idea of framing it!

For those still waiting, hang in there!! Y'all are almost done! We are here to cheer you on and support you! ("Hwaiting!")

Blessed!!! How on EARTH did I miss that it was your Oath Ceremony today?! Congratulations! So happy for you. :dance: I have the jacket for my GC too. It's still sitting in my wallet. I think you pin-pointed exactly how it feels once you've handed over that GC, "naked"! Haha.

Congratulations again. Are you going out tonight to celebrate?

[pepper 34]

[quote name='Blessed N Favored' timestamp='1335477915' post='5334538'

Pepperrrrrrrr~~~~ Congrats!!!!! Whoooo hoooooo!!! :dance: So happy for you!!! I was emotional too! I kept pushing my tears back (well... I didn't wanna ruin my makeup ) Yay for your passport appointment! Too bad you gotta say goodbye temporarily to your CON! Then the waiting begins!! Anywho... so proud of you and everyone else who has made it this far! Congrats y'all!! :dance:

Yay Blessed N Favored congrats to you!! Happy for you too!! Finally we're done with USCIS ! January filers are on a roll!!! Hahaha exactly what I was thinking- I dont wanna look horrible on my first picture as a US Citizen so I was controlling my tears:) But I almost lost it when I saw the hubby crying:( We talked about it later and he joked that it was because he was finally off the hook from the I-864 LMAO. Seriously though he was teary eyed from the start of the ceremony. Very emotional day for sure!!!

Goodluck to those still waiting for their interviews!

Edited April 26, 2012 by pepper

[HuffyTheSlayer 22]

But I almost lost it when I saw the hubby crying:( We talked about it later and he joked that it was because he was finally off the hook from the I-864 LMAO.

:rofl: :lol:

[Blessed N Favored 6]

Blessed!!! How on EARTH did I miss that it was your Oath Ceremony today?! Congratulations! So happy for you. :dance: I have the jacket for my GC too. It's still sitting in my wallet. I think you pin-pointed exactly how it feels once you've handed over that GC, "naked"! Haha.

Congratulations again. Are you going out tonight to celebrate?

Thanks Huffy! Haha... Gotcha didn't I? Well, I was outta town for a while for business and there was no way of getting to my oath letter once mailed to me so I called USCIS as soon as I got the text and email that I was scheduled for oath and they were kind enough (after pleading my case as to why I needed to find out over the phone versus the mail) to gimme the info over the phone before getting the letter. And well... I thought I would surprise y'all with the news!! Now you know who you can trust with your "secrets"! <------------

Yeah, I thought of keeping it in my wallet but.... well I just can't afford to loose it... God forbid something happened! It's half as precious as the GC to me! It almost fills the "void" of the card!

Yeah I wish I was going out to celebrate tonight! But.. I'm exhausted! I've been literally running around all day.... I'll tell y'all what happened later. Promise y'all won't laugh at me! I'll celebrate somewhere outta town... maybe Vegas with some friends or I might just combine the celebration with my birthday coming up next week!!! Yay!!

Yay Blessed N Favored congrats to you!! Happy for you too!! Finally we're done with USCIS ! January filers are on a roll!!! Hahaha exactly what I was thinking- I dont wanna look horrible on my first picture as a US Citizen so I was controlling my tears:) But I almost lost it when I saw the hubby crying:( We talked about it later and he joked that it was because he was finally off the hook from the I-864 LMAO. Seriously though he was teary eyed from the start of the ceremony. Very emotional day for sure!!!

Goodluck to those still waiting for their interviews!

Thanks Pepper! I know right! We sure are on the roll! Your hubby's hilarious!!! Off the hook alright!!! :rofl: :rofl:

[teddy000 0]

Check cashed 04/26/2012. Please update. Thanks!

[Blessed N Favored 6]

Check cashed 04/26/2012. Please update. Thanks!

Wow, today? When did you apply? Are you a January filer?

[Blessed N Favored 6]

Oath ceremony in Irving, TX.

My oath was scheduled for April 26, 2012 at 0830hours in Irving, TX at the USCIS facility. (Just to clarify something, my interview was on 04/10/12 at 1.45pm so I couldn't do same day oath. It seems like they have 2.. the 8.30 am and the 1.30ish pm. I all depends on when your interview is scheduled. -that's my guess. For one to get the same day interview and oath everything has to be done by 11am so that you can get the oath done by the after. This is usually 'awarded' to those coming from far off places so they don't have to go there twice. But, if you're like me... a few miles from USCIS, chances are you'll get the afternoon slot for the interview leaving you with the morning slot for the oath. I hope I didn't confuse any of our Dallas Vjers/readers/lurkers. I get folks inquiring about the above so I thought I would post for the sake of those who still have questions about it.)

I was blessed enough to find out about my oath date over the phone by calling USCIS once I got a status update over email and text on 04/12/12. I was going out of town for business the next day and I wouldn't

have gotten to my oath letter info in time for me to be able make arrangements to attend the oath ceremony. So kudos for USCIS agents for helping me out there!!

I got there by 8am and walked up to the building by 8.15am. It was crowded outside and there was a long line through security. I went through security and headed to the oath ceremony area and once the officer checked my oath letter, I was let in to the hall.

Several other folks were already seated. By the time I sat down it was about 8.25am. We were instructed to turn off all cell phones. Once everyone was seated (the applicants that is) the IO started the check-in process at about 8.30am after introducing himself and going over the process of check-in in details.

During check-in we were supposed to line up with our oath letter filled out and signed and present any USCIS issued documents (including travel documents) for me that was my GC. I was in the first row so we went up first to check-in. I had answered yes to the question have you traveled outside the US after the interview so the IO asked me where I went to and for how long. He documented my answers on the form then I was asked to head over to this table on the side that had 2 other lady IO's collecting the forms and the GC's. I said goodbye to my precious GC as I wiped off virtually tears then one of the ladies gave me the Naturalization Ceremony program 'brochure' with the Oath of Allegiance, Pledge of Allegiance, Star Spangled Banner and the program outlined in it. It also had my seat assignment. Now, they had reserved seats for those taking the oath. All those seats had envelopes with numbers and other goodies in them (paperwork stuff/booklets and more info about being a USC and other stuff).

I took my assigned seat and waited for everyone else to do the same. I sat a seat away from this nice gentleman from Australia and we started chatting then a lady from India sat between us and she was nice too. This was on the 2^nd row from the front. We were done checking in by 9.30am (approx) and that's about when the ceremony started. Guests and family members were then allowed to join us in the room but sat further back from us.

The rest was not necessarily done in the order in which I am writing. After the IO introductions and welcome speech we stood up for the National Anthem "Star Spangled Banner". Reading the lyrics to the anthem made me quite teary eyed as I flashed back through my journey and everything I faced while at it! I kept taking deep sighs as we were asked to sit down… releasing all that stress and tension through this process. All I could say was thank you Jesus!

Then we watched an "Introduction of Candidates" video which for some reason got me all emotional and I was busy fighting tears. Oh before I forget we were asked to stand up once one's former country was called. Of course I stood up for Kenya and realized there were other 2 people from there as well. A lady and a guy!! That got me all excited.

Fast forward.....

We finally stood up for the Oath of Allegiance. Right before we took the oath guests and family members were asked to come forward if they wish to to take pics as we took our oath. We raised our right hand and ladies and gentlemen it was official! Once we were done the IO congratulated us on becoming USC's!!! Yay! I am proud to say that I became a USC at 9.45am CT at Irving, TX. I weighed xx lbs and xx inches in length! :dance:

It was and still is a happy moment for me and everyone else in that room today!! There were a total of 96 people sworn in from 36 different countries. We watched a message from the President and for some reason I was touched by it! I think I was just emotional. Another video of "God Bless The USA" song followed and of course I was teary-eyed!

The IO had some closing remarks and congratulatory message then we stood up and faced the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance. We were handed out our Certificates of Naturalization while we were in our seats. I liked that they gave us a neat lil' "folder" to store our CON in since we can't laminate them. I'm also glad the IO stated that the certificates are never to be laminated coz doing so makes it null and void! So one will need to get a replacement if that happened and you know that costs more $ and our precious time back into the waiting game! Yeah… I know!! So, it's good that they advised us about that.

The ceremony was concluded by around 10am and we were allowed to take pics at the podium with the flags and the statue of liberty! Since both the lady from India and I had no one attending the ceremony with us we figured we'd just take pics of each other and call it a day… and we did! I had fun… I enjoyed every second of it. Thank you guys once again for all your help!!!

FYI- I applied based on 6+ years and the whole process took me 3 months 1 week and 4 days from the time I mailed in my N400 application (including the days my packet got lost coz someone (ahem... me) put down the wrong zip code for USCIS! ) to getting sworn in today!!

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!! (Thank you Jesus!! Xx)

Edited April 27, 2012 by Blessed N Favored

[jade_arb 3]

Congratulations!!!! BLESSED AND FAVORED, and PEPPER YAY!!!! Finally the long, expensive and stressfull journey is over!!

[Blessed N Favored 6]

Congratulations!!!! BLESSED AND FAVORED, and PEPPER YAY!!!! Finally the long, expensive and stressfull journey is over!!

Thanks!!! Couldn't have said it better..... "Finally the long, expensive and stressful journey is over!!"

Edited April 27, 2012 by Blessed N Favored

[HuffyTheSlayer 22]

Thanks Huffy! Haha... Gotcha didn't I? Well, I was outta town for a while for business and there was no way of getting to my oath letter once mailed to me so I called USCIS as soon as I got the text and email that I was scheduled for oath and they were kind enough (after pleading my case as to why I needed to find out over the phone versus the mail) to gimme the info over the phone before getting the letter. And well... I thought I would surprise y'all with the news!! Now you know who you can trust with your "secrets"! <------------

Yeah, I thought of keeping it in my wallet but.... well I just can't afford to loose it... God forbid something happened! It's half as precious as the GC to me! It almost fills the "void" of the card!

Yeah I wish I was going out to celebrate tonight! But.. I'm exhausted! I've been literally running around all day.... I'll tell y'all what happened later. Promise y'all won't laugh at me! I'll celebrate somewhere outta town... maybe Vegas with some friends or I might just combine the celebration with my birthday coming up next week!!! Yay!!

Joint birthday celebration sounds like a great plan.

Oath ceremony in Irving, TX.

My oath was scheduled for April 26, 2012 at 0830hours in Irving, TX at the USCIS facility. (Just to clarify something, my interview was on 04/10/12 at 1.45pm so I couldn't do same day oath. It seems like they have 2.. the 8.30 am and the 1.30ish pm. I all depends on when your interview is scheduled. -that's my guess. For one to get the same day interview and oath everything has to be done by 11am so that you can get the oath done by the after. This is usually 'awarded' to those coming from far off places so they don't have to go there twice. But, if you're like me... a few miles from USCIS, chances are you'll get the afternoon slot for the interview leaving you with the morning slot for the oath. I hope I didn't confuse any of our Dallas Vjers/readers/lurkers. I get folks inquiring about the above so I thought I would post for the sake of those who still have questions about it.)

I was blessed enough to find out about my oath date over the phone by calling USCIS once I got a status update over email and text on 04/12/12. I was going out of town for business the next day and I wouldn't

have gotten to my oath letter info in time for me to be able make arrangements to attend the oath ceremony. So kudos for USCIS agents for helping me out there!!

I got there by 8am and walked up to the building by 8.15am. It was crowded outside and there was a long line through security. I went through security and headed to the oath ceremony area and once the officer checked my oath letter, I was let in to the hall.

Several other folks were already seated. By the time I sat down it was about 8.25am. We were instructed to turn off all cell phones. Once everyone was seated (the applicants that is) the IO started the check-in process at about 8.30am after introducing himself and going over the process of check-in in details.

During check-in we were supposed to line up with our oath letter filled out and signed and present any USCIS issued documents (including travel documents) for me that was my GC. I was in the first row so we went up first to check-in. I had answered yes to the question have you traveled outside the US after the interview so the IO asked me where I went to and for how long. He documented my answers on the form then I was asked to head over to this table on the side that had 2 other lady IO's collecting the forms and the GC's. I said goodbye to my precious GC as I wiped off virtually tears then one of the ladies gave me the Naturalization Ceremony program 'brochure' with the Oath of Allegiance, Pledge of Allegiance, Star Spangled Banner and the program outlined in it. It also had my seat assignment. Now, they had reserved seats for those taking the oath. All those seats had envelopes with numbers and other goodies in them (paperwork stuff/booklets and more info about being a USC and other stuff).

I took my assigned seat and waited for everyone else to do the same. I sat a seat away from this nice gentleman from Australia and we started chatting then a lady from India sat between us and she was nice too. This was on the 2^nd row from the front. We were done checking in by 9.30am (approx) and that's about when the ceremony started. Guests and family members were then allowed to join us in the room but sat further back from us.

The rest was not necessarily done in the order in which I am writing. After the IO introductions and welcome speech we stood up for the National Anthem "Star Spangled Banner". Reading the lyrics to the anthem made me quite teary eyed as I flashed back through my journey and everything I faced while at it! I kept taking deep sighs as we were asked to sit down… releasing all that stress and tension through this process. All I could say was thank you Jesus!

Then we watched an "Introduction of Candidates" video which for some reason got me all emotional and I was busy fighting tears. Oh before I forget we were asked to stand up once one's former country was called. Of course I stood up for Kenya and realized there were other 2 people from there as well. A lady and a guy!! That got me all excited.

Fast forward.....

We finally stood up for the Oath of Allegiance. Right before we took the oath guests and family members were asked to come forward if they wish to to take pics as we took our oath. We raised our right hand and ladies and gentlemen it was official! Once we were done the IO congratulated us on becoming USC's!!! Yay! I am proud to say that I became a USC at 9.45am CT at Irving, TX. I weighed xx lbs and xx inches in length! :dance:

It was and still is a happy moment for me and everyone else in that room today!! There were a total of 96 people sworn in from 36 different countries. We watched a message from the President and for some reason I was touched by it! I think I was just emotional. Another video of "God Bless The USA" song followed and of course I was teary-eyed!

The IO had some closing remarks and congratulatory message then we stood up and faced the flag for the Pledge of Allegiance. We were handed out our Certificates of Naturalization while we were in our seats. I liked that they gave us a neat lil' "folder" to store our CON in since we can't laminate them. I'm also glad the IO stated that the certificates are never to be laminated coz doing so makes it null and void! So one will need to get a replacement if that happened and you know that costs more $ and our precious time back into the waiting game! Yeah… I know!! So, it's good that they advised us about that.

The ceremony was concluded by around 10am and we were allowed to take pics at the podium with the flags and the statue of liberty! Since both the lady from India and I had no one attending the ceremony with us we figured we'd just take pics of each other and call it a day… and we did! I had fun… I enjoyed every second of it. Thank you guys once again for all your help!!!

FYI- I applied based on 6+ years and the whole process took me 3 months 1 week and 4 days from the time I mailed in my N400 application (including the days my packet got lost coz someone (ahem... me) put down the wrong zip code for USCIS! ) to getting sworn in today!!

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!! (Thank you Jesus!! Xx)

Yay! Glad you had a special day. It's interesting how different ceremonies can be, they have a lot of elements that are similar, but are still unique. So happy that your journey is finally over. And very happy the USCIS agent was willing to give you the information over the phone so you could make arrangements to go.

[DeathStrike 9]

congratulations Blessed

we will miss ya around here, hope you stay around

[Blessed N Favored 6]

congratulations Blessed

we will miss ya around here, hope you stay around

Thanks DeathStrike!!! Most definitely stay around especially for all our January filers!! I ain't leaving no man/woman behind! Know what, I woke up in the middle of the night and it hit me omg I'm a USC!!! I smiled real big with tears rolling down my eyes... it was such a great feeling... I can't really put words to it but it made me so happy!!! What a relief! I hope and pray for all those waiting that the rest of the journey goes smoothly and faster!!! What I'm so happy about is not having to go through finger printing and photo taking every time I enter the country! That right there saves me a whole lotta time especially when trying to make a connection!

[pepper 34]

Congratulations!!!! BLESSED AND FAVORED, and PEPPER YAY!!!! Finally the long, expensive and stressfull journey is over!!

Thanks Jade! I totally agree!! It hasn't really sunk in yet. Now time to shred all those "unnecessary" immigration paperworks! Yay!!

[pepper 34]

Thanks DeathStrike!!! Most definitely stay around especially for all our January filers!! I ain't leaving no man/woman behind! Know what, I woke up in the middle of the night and it hit me omg I'm a USC!!! I smiled real big with tears rolling down my eyes... it was such a great feeling... I can't really put words to it but it made me so happy!!! What a relief! I hope and pray for all those waiting that the rest of the journey goes smoothly and faster!!! What I'm so happy about is not having to go through finger printing and photo taking every time I enter the country! That right there saves me a whole lotta time especially when trying to make a connection!

Advance Happy Birthday Blessed! I went thru all my immigration stuff to shred them and I found myself in tears. And yes it will be great that I dont have to go thru FP and photo taking at the airport or pay a travel tax whenever I visit the Philippines.

Yay glad that you'll stay around haha...

Just sharing one of my fave quotes:

"No one understands and appreciates the American Dream of hard work leading to material rewards better than a non-American. " - Anthony Bourdain

Edited April 27, 2012 by pepper