N-400 March 2014

[kcoyclay1 98]

Sorry all, seems like my note was posted before I completed it.

Hi All, I have been a passive member since my AOS days and I browse the forum from time to time. I came across this board and after reading all 80+ pages I figured I would chime in with my progress in the N-400 process. My eligibility window opened up on September 2nd, 2013, however I gave to our little girl at the end of July and immigration was no where on my mind at the time. In March, I finally got around to getting everything together to start the process. My timeline is as follows:

03/22/14: Mailed N-400 package

03/27/14: Text and Email that package was received

04/01/14: Check Cashed

04/25/14: Biometrics Appointment completed

04/29/14: Placed in line for interview

06/30/14: Received a yellow letter dated 06/26/14. Letter basically stated that I should bring my Driver's License and all passports, including expired to my interview.

As you can tell I'm approaching the end of USCIS 90 day window and still have not received an interview notice. Holding out hope that it arrives in the next couple of weeks, but I'm aware that NYC is severly backlogged and I'm part of it. I live in Queens, NY and based on my zip code, most likely my local field office is Holtsville, NY.

New York has been moving slowly but surely. All other March filers on VJ for NY have been scheduled. Let us know when you receive yours as it helps with the timeline. All the best and congrats on the birth of your little girl

Edited July 23, 2014 by kcoyclay1

[Lzln222 10]

Even if you did apply for a German visa with your Chinese passport and made it to Germany without a US passport, you would have had big troubles on your way back here. Once you are a US citizen and you wanna travel internationally, you have no option but to get an American passport.

And congratulations by the way !

Please do more research....U.S allows dual citizenship.

Edited July 24, 2014 by yjia0319

[Myles2986 5]

Yes it does. But it does NOT allow you to enter or leave the United States on a foreign passport if you are a U.S. citizen.

So once the oath ceremony is completed you can not use your Chinese passport to reenter this country.

So yeah, please do more research.

Edited July 24, 2014 by Myles2986

[osmosesnew 17]

Yes it does. But it does NOT allow you to enter or leave the United States on a foreign passport if you are a U.S. citizen.

So once the oath ceremony is completed you can not use your Chinese passport to reenter this country.

So yeah, please do more research.

you are very correct..

[miggg 3]

Had my citizenship interview today - easy 10 minutes - we just went over all my answers and the test was smooth. The officer was not concerned about my traffic tickets and gave me a sheet saying i was recommended for approval. And now, to wait for my oath ceremony to be scheduled...

[eb1gc 0]

USCIS INCOMPETENCE AT OATH CEREMONY

I got a letter from USCIS (N445) telling me that I would need to come in to the District Courthouse in Indianapolis for my oath ceremony at 9 AM today. When I came in today the officers were unable to find my name on the list. They also did not have a naturalization certificate for me. One of my relatives had a problem 5 years ago when they lost her A file between interview and oath, took her green card, did not give her the naturalization certificate for three whole weeks leaving her status less.

I insisted on an explanation, took my green card back. As they were about the start the ceremony I went up again to the officer and insisted that he fix the situation. He stopped the ceremony (about 100 people waiting) called his office and then told me that they could not naturalize me. He did not give me an explanation.

I walked to the USCIS district office (15 blocks away) and insisted on an explanation. Finally the district director's secretary told me that since I was travelling abroad in early August (I told them that at the interview) they first scheduled me and send a letter, then de scheduled me (did not send a letter) and then will send a letter in August for a date at the end of August. I told her that I had to take a day off today and tomorrow (to travel to Chicago to apply at the passport agency) and she was unapologetic. She said this:

THE WEBSITE (USCIS STATUS) AND THE LETTERS THAT ARE RECEIVED ARE NOT CONFIRMATION BUT MERELY ADVICE. ALL OATH CEREMONY DATES NEED TO BE DOUBLE CHECKED WITH THE LOCAL OFFICE AS THEY ALONE MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT OATH CEREMONIES. I SHOULD HAVE MADE AN INFOPASS ONCE I RECEIVED THE N445 LETTER AND CONFIRMED THE OATH DATE AND NOT RELIED ON THE ONLINE SYSTEM AND NOTICE OF ACTION.

I am fed up of this crappy system.

[JimmyHou 611]

USCIS INCOMPETENCE AT OATH CEREMONY

I got a letter from USCIS (N445) telling me that I would need to come in to the District Courthouse in Indianapolis for my oath ceremony at 9 AM today. When I came in today the officers were unable to find my name on the list. They also did not have a naturalization certificate for me. One of my relatives had a problem 5 years ago when they lost her A file between interview and oath, took her green card, did not give her the naturalization certificate for three whole weeks leaving her status less.

I insisted on an explanation, took my green card back. As they were about the start the ceremony I went up again to the officer and insisted that he fix the situation. He stopped the ceremony (about 100 people waiting) called his office and then told me that they could not naturalize me. He did not give me an explanation.

I walked to the USCIS district office (15 blocks away) and insisted on an explanation. Finally the district director's secretary told me that since I was travelling abroad in early August (I told them that at the interview) they first scheduled me and send a letter, then de scheduled me (did not send a letter) and then will send a letter in August for a date at the end of August. I told her that I had to take a day off today and tomorrow (to travel to Chicago to apply at the passport agency) and she was unapologetic. She said this:

THE WEBSITE (USCIS STATUS) AND THE LETTERS THAT ARE RECEIVED ARE NOT CONFIRMATION BUT MERELY ADVICE. ALL OATH CEREMONY DATES NEED TO BE DOUBLE CHECKED WITH THE LOCAL OFFICE AS THEY ALONE MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT OATH CEREMONIES. I SHOULD HAVE MADE AN INFOPASS ONCE I RECEIVED THE N445 LETTER AND CONFIRMED THE OATH DATE AND NOT RELIED ON THE ONLINE SYSTEM AND NOTICE OF ACTION.

I am fed up of this crappy system.

So she basically told you not to trust any communication you receive from USCIS in writing and that you should go into the office in person to verify the accuracy of any letter you receive. I'd love to see her reaction if every applicant made an Infopass appointment after every NOA, Biometrics Letter, Interview Letter, and Oath Letter. Their offices would be completely flooded.

I'm very sorry for the inconvenience you're going through; their response to your problem is ridiculous.

Good for you for insisting on an answer at the ceremony. I read a recent post where the same thing happened to an applicant, but he was allowed to take the oath and then was told to go over to the local office and they printed a certificate for him there. Too bad they couldn't similarly accommodate you.

[Christi85 86]

USCIS INCOMPETENCE AT OATH CEREMONY

I got a letter from USCIS (N445) telling me that I would need to come in to the District Courthouse in Indianapolis for my oath ceremony at 9 AM today. When I came in today the officers were unable to find my name on the list. They also did not have a naturalization certificate for me. One of my relatives had a problem 5 years ago when they lost her A file between interview and oath, took her green card, did not give her the naturalization certificate for three whole weeks leaving her status less.

I insisted on an explanation, took my green card back. As they were about the start the ceremony I went up again to the officer and insisted that he fix the situation. He stopped the ceremony (about 100 people waiting) called his office and then told me that they could not naturalize me. He did not give me an explanation.

I walked to the USCIS district office (15 blocks away) and insisted on an explanation. Finally the district director's secretary told me that since I was travelling abroad in early August (I told them that at the interview) they first scheduled me and send a letter, then de scheduled me (did not send a letter) and then will send a letter in August for a date at the end of August. I told her that I had to take a day off today and tomorrow (to travel to Chicago to apply at the passport agency) and she was unapologetic. She said this:

THE WEBSITE (USCIS STATUS) AND THE LETTERS THAT ARE RECEIVED ARE NOT CONFIRMATION BUT MERELY ADVICE. ALL OATH CEREMONY DATES NEED TO BE DOUBLE CHECKED WITH THE LOCAL OFFICE AS THEY ALONE MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT OATH CEREMONIES. I SHOULD HAVE MADE AN INFOPASS ONCE I RECEIVED THE N445 LETTER AND CONFIRMED THE OATH DATE AND NOT RELIED ON THE ONLINE SYSTEM AND NOTICE OF ACTION.

I am fed up of this crappy system.

This is beyond ridiculous and the response this officer gave you holds no value. Of course USCIS letters ARE confirmation, and you should NOT have to double check with any local office, much less make an InfoPass - where do they come up with all this? An apology would have been nice, at least. If I were you, I'd complain about this officer to her supervisors. Not that anything will happen to her, but she sounds either completely ignorant or too proud to admit mistakes, and either way, she's giving out misleading information to the public and her supervisors need to know. I'm very sorry this happened to you and I hope things are sorted out for you with the August ceremony. Good thing that you got your green card back - sheesh!!

[kcoyclay1 98]

Please do more research....U.S allows dual citizenship.

Dual Nationality

Section 101(a)(22) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) states that “the term ‘national of the United States’ means (A) a citizen of the United States, or (B) a person who, though not a citizen of the United States, owes permanent allegiance to the United States.” Therefore, U.S. citizens are also U.S. nationals. Non-citizen nationality status refers only individuals who were born either in American Samoa or on Swains Island to parents who are not citizens of the United States. The concept of dual nationality means that a person is a national of two countries at the same time. Each country has its own nationality laws based on its own policy. Persons may have dual nationality by automatic operation of different laws rather than by choice. For example, a child born in a foreign country to U.S. national parents may be both a U.S. national and a national of the country of birth.

A U.S. national may acquire foreign nationality by marriage, or a person naturalized as a U.S. national may not lose the nationality of the country of birth. U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one nationality or another. Also, a person who is automatically granted another nationality does not risk losing U.S. nationality. However, a person who acquires a foreign nationality by applying for it may lose U.S. nationality. In order to lose U.S. nationality, the law requires that the person must apply for the foreign nationality voluntarily, by free choice, and with the intention to give up U.S. nationality.

Intent can be shown by the person's statements or conduct. The U.S. Government recognizes that dual nationality exists but does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause. Claims of other countries on dual national U.S. nationals may conflict with U.S. law, and dual nationality may limit U.S. Government efforts to assist nationals abroad. The country where a dual national is located generally has a stronger claim to that person's allegiance.

However, dual nationals owe allegiance to both the United States and the foreign country. They are required to obey the laws of both countries. Either country has the right to enforce its laws, particularly if the person later travels there. Most U.S. nationals, including dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States. Dual nationals may also be required by the foreign country to use its passport to enter and leave that country. Use of the foreign passport does not endanger U.S. nationality. Most countries permit a person to renounce or otherwise lose nationality.

Information on losing foreign nationality can be obtained from the foreign country's embassy and consulates in the United States. Americans can renounce U.S. nationality in the proper form at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.

[aneczka 1]

eb1gc wow that's crazy - sorry to hear they've put you through this...

well just if anyone is curious - I applied for passport on 7/10 via regular service - got email notification today that it has been shipped out

[kcoyclay1 98]

Even if you did apply for a German visa with your Chinese passport and made it to Germany without a US passport, you would have had big troubles on your way back here. Once you are a US citizen and you wanna travel internationally, you have no option but to get an American passport.

And congratulations by the way !

Correct Myles2986. Once a citizen, the only way to leave and enter the country is with a US Passport. They have to remember that they are no longer a PR and as such do not have a GC. If the person leaves the US, he or she will need to show proof of status. While it may seem okay to leave using a foreign passport, travel record is documented in the immigration system. Returning on a Chinese passport sends flags all over and complicate things; the person will be asked for proof that allows entry into the US. There are only three options for entry - visa for visitors, GC for PRs, and US passport for citizens. One of the reasons new citizens are advised to get a US passport - proof of their status when traveling.

See link from the USCIS website regarding dual nationality. http://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship

Edited July 25, 2014 by kcoyclay1

[Shikha and Howard 0]

I received my interview letter today on 7/24/2014. My interview is scheduled for 8/27/2014!

======================================
USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox
======================================
VJ.UserName......|Eligible.|Sent..|Cashd.|NOA...|BioApp|InLine|IntLtr|IntVw.|Oath.....| Field Office

Engineer21.......|04/27/13.|02/24.|03/04.|03/04.|03/28.|04/01.|04/04.|05/13.|07/30/14.| Lawrence, MA
prinambiar.......|--/--/--.|03/02.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--/--.| Baltimore, MD
PacienciayFe.....|10/13/13.|03/03.|03/13.|03/11.|04/10.|04/14.|07/03.|08/06.|--/--/--.| Queens, NY
Math Man.........|02/05/12.|03/03.|03/10.|03/07.|04/03.|04/07.|04/14.|05/21.|07/30/14.| Lawrence, MA
DanTes ..........|02/25/14.|03/03.|03/11.|03/10.|04/09.|04/28.|04/29.|06/02.|--/--/--.| New Orleans, LA
Coqueta..........|03/10/11.|03/03.|MOrdr.|03/06.|03/28.|04/01.|04/01.|05/06.|07/03/14.| Memphis, TN
HJP..............|12/17/12.|03/03.|03/11.|03/10.|04/04.|04/08.|05/05.|06/05.|07/31/14.| Jacksonville, FL
Sunshinepretty...|--/--/--.|03/03.|--/--.|03/12.|04/09.|04/11.|05/30.|07/01.|07/01/14.| Newark, NJ
Rip_curl.........|--/--/--.|03/04.|03/11.|03/12.|03/26.|05/02.|05/16.|06/21.|06/24/14.| Dallas, TX
Montblanc........|--/--/--.|03/04.|03/11.|03/10.|04/08.|04/10.|05/12.|06/17.|08/01/14.| Philadelphia, PA
*HappyInlove*....|09/20/10.|03/05.|MOrdr.|03/10.|04/07.|04/09.|04/28.|05/27.|08/08/14.| Memphis, TN
JVKn'CVO .......|01/08/11.|03/07.|03/13.|03/10.|04/02.|--/--.|04/07.|05/15.|07/31/14.| San Antonio, TX
Ontarkieboy1.....|--/--/--.|03/08.|FeeWv.|03/19.|04/15.|04/17.|04/28.|05/29.|--/--/--.| Memphis, TN
Ontarkieboy2.....|--/--/--.|03/08.|FeeWv.|03/19.|04/15.|04/17.|04/28.|05/29.|--/--/--.| Memphis, TN
fumes............|--/--/--.|03/08.|FeeWv.|03/20.|04/17.|04/22.|05/02.|06/02.|07/03/14.| Memphis, TN
Tristanz.........|03/09/14.|03/09.|03/11.|03/11.|03/23.|05/06.|07/11.|08/12.|--/--/--.| Queens, NY
chantal356.......|--/--/--.|03/10.|03/17.|03/14.|04/15.|04/17.|06/06.|--/--.|--/--/--.| Baltimore, MD
bloomfield.......|--/--/--.|03/10.|--/--.|--/--.|04/02.|05/08.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--/--.| Atlanta, GA
Wise_Hawk........|--/--/--.|03/10.|--/--.|03/20.|04/14.|04/16.|07/11.|08/12.|--/--/--.| Queens, NY
ByrdNest.........|--/--/--.|03/12.|03/20.|03/20.|04/17.|04/21.|05/27.|07/01.|--/--/--.| Fairfax, VA
Bibi&Beebti......|01/01/14.|03/15.|03/27.|03/27.|05/06.|05/08.|06/22.|07/25.|--/--/--.| Washington, DC
starbeam.........|--/--/--.|03/15.|03/20.|03/20.|03/28.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--/--.| Houston, TX
CatherineTheGreat|--/--/--.|03/17.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--/--.| Louisville, KY
Felix01..........|01/06/14.|03/18.|03/27.|03/27.|04/28.|04/30.|06/03.|08/25.|--/--/--.| Hartford, CT
anjp.............|02/17/14.|03/18.|03/25.|03/28.|04/21.|04/22.|04/28.|06/09.|--/--/--.| San Antonio, TX
DeanRShortland...|03/13/14.|03/19.|04/01.|04/01.|04/29.|05/12.|05/23.|06/30.|07/25/14.| Memphis,TN
ninasan..........|03/08/13.|03/20.|03/27.|03/31.|04/22.|04/24.|06/07.|07/15.|07/25/14.| Tampa, FL
K96..............|09/--/11.|03/21.|03/26.|03/27.|04/30.|05/02.|--/--.|07/15.|--/--/--.| New York, NY
Mr. & Mrs. S.....|09/02/13.|03/22.|04/01.|03/27.|04/25.|04/29.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--/--.| New York, NY
miggg............|03/22/14.|03/24.|04/01.|03/31.|04/24*|05/20.|06/17.|07/24.|--/--/--.| Washington, DC
rogue320.........|--/--/--.|03/24.|03/31.|--/--.|02/11.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--/--.| Memphis, TN
yomi0518.........|02/13/11.|03/25.|MOrdr.|03/28.|04/29.|05/02.|06/13.|07/15.|--/--/--.| Oakland Park, FL
rosemont.........|--/--/--.|03/25.|03/28.|03/31.|04/30.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--/--.| Baltimore, MD
bjrichus.........|--/--/--.|03/26.|03/27.|04/01.|04/21.|04/23.|07/12.|08/12.|--/--/--.| Dallas, TX
Darth Vader Kuu..|03/30/14.|03/29.|04/04.|03/31.|05/01.|05/29.|06/11.|07/16.|--/--/--.| Miami, FL


================================
USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox
================================
VJ.UserName......|Eligible.|Sent..|Cashd.|NOA...|BioApp|InLine|IntLtr|IntVw.|Oath.....| Field Office

Kristel..........|--/--/--.|02/26.|03/06.|03/05.|03/28.|04/01.|--/--.|05/23.|06/25/14.| Chula Vista, CA
ChristinePR......|--/--/--.|02/28.|03/06.|03/10.|03/20.|04/02.|04/14.|05/12.|--/--/--.| San Jose, CA
Suaya415.........|12/18/13.|03/01.|03/07.|03/10.|03/27.|04/04.|04/14.|05/14.|06/19/14.| San Jose, CA
bennobot.........|09/08/13.|03/01.|03/08.|03/03.|03/28.|04/01.|04/01.|05/09.|06/14/14.| St. Paul, MN
Need2know........|04/21/10.|03/03.|03/12.|03/12.|04/18.|04/18.|04/18.|05/19.|06/18/14.| St. Paul, MN
lilacvioletiris..|10/04/13.|03/03.|03/12.|03/11.|04/04.|04/08.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--/--.| Detroit, MI
VP19.............|02/22/14.|03/03.|03/10.|03/07.|03/31.|04/22.|04/25.|06/02.|07/18/14.| St. Louis, MO
eca31............|--/--/--.|03/04.|--/--.|03/18.|04/11.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--/--.| Cleveland, OH
Mistere..........|10/26/91.|03/05.|03/13.|03/12.|04/04.|04/25.|06/12.|07/18.|--/--/--.| San Bernardino, CA
Ju&Ja............|--/--/--.|03/05.|--/--.|03/12.|04/22.|04/24.|05/19.|06/20.|--/--/--.| Oxnard, CA
tom_g............|--/--/--.|03/06.|03/14.|03/11.|04/02.|04/04.|05/10.|06/10.|07/16/14.| Oakland, CA
viber............|--/--/--.|03/06.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--/--.|
Abby62...........|--/--/--.|03/07.|03/11.|03/14.|04/01.|04/03.|04/12.|05/12.|06/12/14.| Indianapolis, IN
b_fowler.........|05/03/12.|03/07.|03/26.|03/21.|04/14.|04/23.|04/26.|06/05.|07/10/14.| Kansas City, MO
Np19.............|--/--/--.|03/07.|03/13.|03/11.|04/03.|04/07.|05/12.|--/--.|--/--/--.| St. Louis, MO
mrs_jaz_h........|11/10/11.|03/11.|--/--.|03/14.|04/08.|04/10.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--/--.| Detroit, MI
lori7734.........|--/--/--.|03/12.|--/--.|03/19.|04/09.|--/--.|--/--.|06/03.|06/19/14.| Milwaukee, WI
KirstyVQT........|--/--/--.|03/13.|--/--.|03/20.|04/10.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--/--.| Portland, OR
aneczka..........|12/12/06.|03/14.|03/25.|03/20.|04/02.|04/07.|05/30.|07/01.|07/07/14.| Detroit, MI
BalooSL..........|09/15/13.|03/15.|03/25.|03/21.|04/11.|04/15.|05/08.|06/17.|07/30/14.| San Francisco, CA
yjia0319.........|03/12/14.|03/17.|03/21.|03/26.|04/14.|05/12.|05/12.|06/17.|07/16/14.| Columbus, OH
Chris&Angela.....|03/17/14.|03/19.|03/26.|03/24.|04/14.|05/15.|--/--.|07/02.|07/16/14.| Sacramento, CA
Christi85........|03/09/14.|03/19.|03/27.|03/24.|04/21.|05/07.|06/24.|07/28.|--/--/--.| Chatsworth, CA
Sraj49...........|08/04/13.|03/19.|03/27.|03/31.|04/09.|04/11.|05/30.|07/02.|07/16/14.| Sacramento, CA
ez2007...........|10/29/11.|03/21.|03/26.|03/27.|04/22.|04/24.|--/--.|--/--.|--/--/--.| Seattle, WA
Newoption........|04/04/09.|03/24.|04/01.|04/01.|04/28.|04/30.|07/09.|08/12.|--/--/--.| San Bernardino, CA
missicy..........|03/21/14.|03/24.|04/02.|03/31.|04/21.|05/20.|07/05.|08/04.|--/--/--.| Chatsworth, CA
shikha_and_howard|03/23/14.|03/24.|04/01.|03/28.|04/18.|05/20.|07/24.|08/27.|--/--/--.| Phoenix, AZ
KyG..............|04/27/12.|03/24.|04/02.|04/01.|04/21.|04/23.|05/13.|06/17.|07/22/14.| San Jose, CA
AKKWM............|01/03/14.|03/24.|04/02.|03/31.|04/22.|04/24.|05/02.|06/11.|--/--/--.| Las Vegas, NV
can702...........|12/18/13.|03/26.|04/02.|04/07.|04/22.|04/24.|05/08.|06/11.|--/--/--.| Las Vegas, NV
Myles2986........|03/25/14.|03/27.|04/02.|04/01.|04/18.|05/23.|06/03.|07/07.|08/04/14.| Saint Paul, MN



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[KASH2011 382]

Had my citizenship interview today - easy 10 minutes - we just went over all my answers and the test was smooth. The officer was not concerned about my traffic tickets and gave me a sheet saying i was recommended for approval. And now, to wait for my oath ceremony to be scheduled...

Congrats to you

I received my interview letter today on 7/24/2014. My interview is scheduled for 8/27/2014!

Good luck to you

[Mistere 13]

Looks like things are moving along again. Just received an email, text and case status update:

Oath Ceremony

On July 25, 2014, we placed your application in the oath scheduling que. We will send a notice when the ceremony is scheduled. If you move prior to the scheduled ceremony, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address or call our customer service center at 1-800-375-5283.

[DeanRShortland 0]

We're done here. Today i had my naturalization ceremony in Nashville. I am now an American. Best of luck to all of you in your journey and thank you for the support.