VAWA, Part 8

[lyn1234 4]

39 minutes ago, believe said:

Hello everyone.

 

Hope you all are hanging in there and flourishing. Sorry to the new members of the community for having to join us, but you are SURVIVORS and VICTORS and I hope those here can be of moral support to you. I recently became a US citizen thus completing my personal Visajourney and I wanted to update you all on how the process went.

 

From my signature you'll see that I became a PR in June 2013. Citizenship timeline is as follows:

 

 

- Became eligible in March 2016.

- Filed citizenship packet in May 2016 under section INA 319(a)

- Got NOA1 email & text notification - 5/24/16

- Got Biometrics appointment - 6/7/16. Scheduled for 6/21, but did an early walk in on 6/17/16.

- Loooooooong wait.

- Got interview notice - Text notification - 11/4/16, Actual notice 11/6/16

- Interview - 12/9/16. Got email and online notification that case was approved on 12/8/16... Whaaaat?

- Oath ceremony scheduled for 1/20/2017. (They were just being petty )

- 1/20/2017 - Took oath in Nashville, TN. I became a citizen under President Obama. (No, seriously the letters were signed by B.O. I guess since it was before 12 noon, all bets were off. )

 

Now for the nitty-gritty...

 

Interview experience

I arrived 20 minutes late to my interview (location was 3 hours away from home) but luckily my interviewing officer called me to find out where I was, right after I received a speeding ticket, sigh... And I told her I would be late. She understood because I was coming from a long distance away (I don't know why Nashville interviews are held in Memphis but ok.) and told me she'd wait.

- I checked in with my binder full of women (well, envelope full of copies and the originals of the docs I submitted with my application. I did not carry my VAWA documents with me.

- Waited for my interviewer to be ready for me. (I would advise that you carry reading materials with you, in case you have to wait for a long time. You're not allowed to use electronic devices in there.) While waiting I also observed a lady who was being interviewed come out and go back in several times. The second time she came out her interviewer told her to think about it and not stress over her answers. Apparently she had failed some questions and was being given time to rethink them. More on this later.

- When it was my turn my IO called my name and I followed her to her office. She swore me in and I sat down. We exchanged pleasantries and she began the interview. She asked me if there was anything I wanted to update, and I gave my updates. She had 2 large files with my A# on them and one had VAWA written on it.

- She began the English portion of the test by asking me 2 questions (I don't remember the questions), she asked me to repeat a sentence after her, and then she asked me to read a sentence from a sheet of paper she gave me. She then typed something into her computer, and printed a sheet of paper which said something along the lines of "Congratulations, you've passed the English portion of your test."

- Civics test - She asked me the first question and I quickly gave the WRONG answer. She asked to calm down, take a deep breath, and take my time to think first and not be nervous. And if I needed more time, I could go outside to the lobby to sit for a bit. (This is what the other girl I mentioned earlier was doing apparently. She came out about 3 times before finally leaving, and I saw her at the Oath ceremony so she clearly passed.)

When she asked me first question I gave the right answer this time, and we went through the next five or six this way. I'm sure I wasn't asked 10 questions, but I don't remember if it was 6 or 7 total. She had a sheet of paper where she wrote my answers on it. She told me I passed. Yay!!! Verified more information, and she told me I'd hear from them about the Oath. Later that day I got text messages saying my case had been updated, and an email saying I was approved and recommended for the Oath ceremony.

 

Oath Ceremony

The oath was scheduled for January 20th, 2017 the Federal courthouse building in downtown Nashville.

Anyway, we got there around 7:45am. Appointment letter said to be there at 7:30. There were a lot of families waiting outside and those of us who were getting naturalized were called in to be given instructions, etc.

So we were told to turn our phones off/put them in silent mode and then they started calling people's names to come up with their completed oath forms and green cards. I completed my form when I was called up, surrendered my green card, signed my naturalization certificate (the USCIS official held onto it after I signed it), and sat down in my assigned seat. The seats had the naturalization packets in them containing

- A letter from the President. (I was curious to see if it would be the new President who would sign our letters, but it turned out to be B.O. YAAAYYYYYYYY!!!!!)

- Passport application

- Voter registration

- Hard envelope for the naturalization certificates

We then practiced the presentation to the judge, where the USCIS officer calls names and you stand up as your name is called, say your full name and your country of origin. We were also informed that any of us who had children who were permanent residents would have derivative citizenship status right after the ceremony. Kids under 14 wouldn't have an interview, and kids 14 - 16 would have an interview.

After this our guests were let in. The courtroom was also open to other people from the Daughters of the American revolution, the election council (I think it was the election council) and our Representative's office.

After this the judge entered the courtroom and all of us (the naturalization applicants) were sworn in. The motions for naturalization and name changes were presented by the USCIS officer and the judge granted both motions. After this the USCIS officer presented us to the judge with a roll call. There were about 60 or so naturalization applicants from 28 countries. 1 person was a no-show. The judge then proceeded to give a lovely speech on immigration and how the US has benefitted from immigrants and he listed several naturalized Americans including former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, and several other distinguished Americans. After this we all stood up and swore the Oath of Allegiance (led by one applicant) and then it was congratulations all around.

 

Whew... That was long. I think I remembered everything, but if anyone has any questions please ask away.

 

Congrats Believe!!!????????

[Tortmaster 75]

1 hour ago, believe said:

Hello everyone.

 

Hope you all are hanging in there and flourishing. Sorry to the new members of the community for having to join us, but you are SURVIVORS and VICTORS and I hope those here can be of moral support to you. I recently became a US citizen thus completing my personal Visajourney and I wanted to update you all on how the process went.

 

From my signature you'll see that I became a PR in June 2013. Citizenship timeline is as follows:

 

 

- Became eligible in March 2016.

- Filed citizenship packet in May 2016 under section INA 319(a)

- Got NOA1 email & text notification - 5/24/16

- Got Biometrics appointment - 6/7/16. Scheduled for 6/21, but did an early walk in on 6/17/16.

- Loooooooong wait.

- Got interview notice - Text notification - 11/4/16, Actual notice 11/6/16

- Interview - 12/9/16. Got email and online notification that case was approved on 12/8/16... Whaaaat?

- Oath ceremony scheduled for 1/20/2017. (They were just being petty )

- 1/20/2017 - Took oath in Nashville, TN. I became a citizen under President Obama. (No, seriously the letters were signed by B.O. I guess since it was before 12 noon, all bets were off. )

 

Now for the nitty-gritty...

 

Interview experience

I arrived 20 minutes late to my interview (location was 3 hours away from home) but luckily my interviewing officer called me to find out where I was, right after I received a speeding ticket, sigh... And I told her I would be late. She understood because I was coming from a long distance away (I don't know why Nashville interviews are held in Memphis but ok.) and told me she'd wait.

- I checked in with my binder full of women (well, envelope full of copies and the originals of the docs I submitted with my application. I did not carry my VAWA documents with me.

- Waited for my interviewer to be ready for me. (I would advise that you carry reading materials with you, in case you have to wait for a long time. You're not allowed to use electronic devices in there.) While waiting I also observed a lady who was being interviewed come out and go back in several times. The second time she came out her interviewer told her to think about it and not stress over her answers. Apparently she had failed some questions and was being given time to rethink them. More on this later.

- When it was my turn my IO called my name and I followed her to her office. She swore me in and I sat down. We exchanged pleasantries and she began the interview. She asked me if there was anything I wanted to update, and I gave my updates. She had 2 large files with my A# on them and one had VAWA written on it.

- She began the English portion of the test by asking me 2 questions (I don't remember the questions), she asked me to repeat a sentence after her, and then she asked me to read a sentence from a sheet of paper she gave me. She then typed something into her computer, and printed a sheet of paper which said something along the lines of "Congratulations, you've passed the English portion of your test."

- Civics test - She asked me the first question and I quickly gave the WRONG answer. She asked to calm down, take a deep breath, and take my time to think first and not be nervous. And if I needed more time, I could go outside to the lobby to sit for a bit. (This is what the other girl I mentioned earlier was doing apparently. She came out about 3 times before finally leaving, and I saw her at the Oath ceremony so she clearly passed.)

When she asked me first question I gave the right answer this time, and we went through the next five or six this way. I'm sure I wasn't asked 10 questions, but I don't remember if it was 6 or 7 total. She had a sheet of paper where she wrote my answers on it. She told me I passed. Yay!!! Verified more information, and she told me I'd hear from them about the Oath. Later that day I got text messages saying my case had been updated, and an email saying I was approved and recommended for the Oath ceremony.

 

Oath Ceremony

The oath was scheduled for January 20th, 2017 the Federal courthouse building in downtown Nashville.

Anyway, we got there around 7:45am. Appointment letter said to be there at 7:30. There were a lot of families waiting outside and those of us who were getting naturalized were called in to be given instructions, etc.

So we were told to turn our phones off/put them in silent mode and then they started calling people's names to come up with their completed oath forms and green cards. I completed my form when I was called up, surrendered my green card, signed my naturalization certificate (the USCIS official held onto it after I signed it), and sat down in my assigned seat. The seats had the naturalization packets in them containing

- A letter from the President. (I was curious to see if it would be the new President who would sign our letters, but it turned out to be B.O. YAAAYYYYYYYY!!!!!)

- Passport application

- Voter registration

- Hard envelope for the naturalization certificates

We then practiced the presentation to the judge, where the USCIS officer calls names and you stand up as your name is called, say your full name and your country of origin. We were also informed that any of us who had children who were permanent residents would have derivative citizenship status right after the ceremony. Kids under 14 wouldn't have an interview, and kids 14 - 16 would have an interview.

After this our guests were let in. The courtroom was also open to other people from the Daughters of the American revolution, the election council (I think it was the election council) and our Representative's office.

After this the judge entered the courtroom and all of us (the naturalization applicants) were sworn in. The motions for naturalization and name changes were presented by the USCIS officer and the judge granted both motions. After this the USCIS officer presented us to the judge with a roll call. There were about 60 or so naturalization applicants from 28 countries. 1 person was a no-show. The judge then proceeded to give a lovely speech on immigration and how the US has benefitted from immigrants and he listed several naturalized Americans including former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, and several other distinguished Americans. After this we all stood up and swore the Oath of Allegiance (led by one applicant) and then it was congratulations all around.

 

Whew... That was long. I think I remembered everything, but if anyone has any questions please ask away.

 

Wow this so sweet and inspiring, thank you for sharing! And congratulations!!!

[Peru1234 6]

Vawa,,, asking for police clearance record!!!  But police department doesn't do it, lawyer wants to submit my fingerprints to FBI then sends result back to Vermont so he can prove that I have no criminal record,,, is it accurate??  Please advise,,, thanks 

[Ms.Green 30]

9 minutes ago, Peru1234 said:

Vawa,,, asking for police clearance record!!!  But police department doesn't do it, lawyer wants to submit my fingerprints to FBI then sends result back to Vermont so he can prove that I have no criminal record,,, is it accurate??  Please advise,,, thanks 

I had my FBI clearance sent with my petition. It just takes a really long time to get it.. I waited about 3-4 months.

[believe 46]

1 hour ago, lyn1234 said:

Congrats Believe!!!????????

 

36 minutes ago, Tortmaster said:

Wow this so sweet and inspiring, thank you for sharing! And congratulations!!!

 

Thank you.  

[Peru1234 6]

6 minutes ago, Ms.Green said:

I had my FBI clearance sent with my petition. It just takes a really long time to get it.. I waited about 3-4 months.

Since that's all they ask,,, you think after submitting clearance record,,, would I get prima facia?  

[Ms.Green 30]

5 minutes ago, Peru1234 said:

Since that's all they ask,,, you think after submitting clearance record,,, would I get prima facia?  

If that's all they're asking and you have no criminal record you should get a prima facie unless they send you another RFE. I think the fingerprints cost not more that $20 and then the FBI record last year cost $18. Just so you have the money ready.

[Tortmaster 75]

40 minutes ago, Peru1234 said:

Vawa,,, asking for police clearance record!!!  But police department doesn't do it, lawyer wants to submit my fingerprints to FBI then sends result back to Vermont so he can prove that I have no criminal record,,, is it accurate??  Please advise,,, thanks 

Hey Peru! So glad to hear things are moving on your end. Vermont received your packet on December 31 right? Please share, when did you  your receipt notice and your RFE?

 

About your question, FBI clearance takes a long time. Did you check if your state does a police clearance? As in not the local police department but a state investigation agency ? That is quicker. If you dont mind, you can let us know what state you are in and we can help you search if you can get a state clearance. For NC and GA i was able to order the state clearance via mail by printing out some forms online and sending them in with fingerprints and a money order. Responses were within 2 weeks.

[Peru1234 6]

18 minutes ago, Tortmaster said:

Hey Peru! So glad to hear things are moving on your end. Vermont received your packet on December 31 right? Please share, when did you  your receipt notice and your RFE?

 

About your question, FBI clearance takes a long time. Did you check if your state does a police clearance? As in not the local police department but a state investigation agency ? That is quicker. If you dont mind, you can let us know what state you are in and we can help you search if you can get a state clearance. For NC and GA i was able to order the state clearance via mail by printing out some forms online and sending them in with fingerprints and a money order. Responses were within 2 weeks.

OK,,, I-797C received date January 3 , Notice date January 27 and RFE January 31,,,hope this information helps

 

[Tortmaster 75]

35 minutes ago, Peru1234 said:

OK,,, I-797C received date January 3 , Notice date January 27 and RFE January 31,,,hope this information helps

 

Awesome, thanks. They received mine Jan 9, maybe some news this week for me. Good luck to you, keep us posted!

[aquila 247]

On Sun Feb 05 2017 at 2:33 AM, aquila said:

Life is dynamic I should say, from a beautiful lovely marriage to a very sour one. My wife withdrew get 130 thus my 485 was denied on Jan 31 and all my mail that came through the mailbox she took them all and hid them from me. On February 3, I went to take out my stuff from the apartment cuz the threats and verbal abuse from her family and herself was unbearable. After packing my stuff and at the door she splashed some chemical in my face causing me not to see, my eyes were burning and watering, the cops came and filed domestic violence against her which I have a copy of the report then the cops called called up immediate medical attention and flushed my eyes which made it a bit better. At the moment I'm on medication plus I've a counseling and therapy sessions coming up. The final court proceedings from the state against her is on Feb 28.

 

We lived together so we've our names on the lease but at the moment I'm off the lease and I'm at a safe place but I've a copy of the lease agreement,

joint account with our names,

copies of text messages showing threats and abusive language,

I've a copy of her birth certificate,

copies of rent bills

copy of our marriage license

Copy of the police report of the abuse

Receipt for my eye medication.

 

Should I wait for the final court order of protection, outcome of the therapy and counseling sessions before I can file for vawa victim of abuse? 

Can I file concurrent 485 and 765?

Do I have to redo my 693 medical again attachment to 485 or probably I can go see the doctor to redo one or can I just make a photocopy of the earlier one I did in last May? 

 

Please help me anyone and everyone. 

Thanks

Please can anyone help me out. Please 

[Ms.Green 30]

18 minutes ago, aquila said:

Please can anyone help me out. Please 

Sorry to hear what you are going through. You can file VAWA along with AOS and EAD under c9. Gather up all the information and file it away. You do not need to have the final decision, but make sure to keep a record of it if they ever ask for more evidence of the abuse. In regards to the medical, you cannot submit any copies, it has to be the original in a sealed envelope. You need to go get a new medical and then file it along with your Adjustment of Status and Employment Authorization to Vermont.

[Sandra93 8]

Hey guys, 

 

So I went to my lawyer's office today and she gave me a copy of the delivery. I wasn't able to check it on-line but the lady at the post office said it was delivered on December 22nd. Now, the lawyer gave me a copy of my I-360 and she made a big mistake. Where it asks "Have you ever worked in the U.S. without permission?" She marked a box "YES". This is not true. I have never worked in the US without permission and I have no idea why she would state such a thing in my petition. I assume it was just a mistake but I cannot even fix anything because I don't have the number for my case since the Notice of Action never came...

 

This is very frustrating. Will that have a big influence on my case? ?

Edited February 6, 2017 by Sandra93

[gramercy 141]

1 hour ago, Sandra93 said:

Hey guys, 

 

So I went to my lawyer's office today and she gave me a copy of the delivery. I wasn't able to check it on-line but the lady at the post office said it was delivered on December 22nd. Now, the lawyer gave me a copy of my I-360 and she made a big mistake. Where it asks "Have you ever worked in the U.S. without permission?" She marked a box "YES". This is not true. I have never worked in the US without permission and I have no idea why she would state such a thing in my petition. I assume it was just a mistake but I cannot even fix anything because I don't have the number for my case since the Notice of Action never came...

 

This is very frustrating. Will that have a big influence on my case? ?

Sandra93 It won't make a huge difference in your case, as long as the other vital information is true and accurate.

I put "Yes" in my application also it didn't seem to have any effect on the process so far.

 

[aquila 247]

1 hour ago, Ms.Green said:

Sorry to hear what you are going through. You can file VAWA along with AOS and EAD under c9. Gather up all the information and file it away. You do not need to have the final decision, but make sure to keep a record of it if they ever ask for more evidence of the abuse. In regards to the medical, you cannot submit any copies, it has to be the original in a sealed envelope. You need to go get a new medical and then file it along with your Adjustment of Status and Employment Authorization to Vermont.

Thank you so much for your response Ms. Green, really appreciate it. I'll go get the medical redone and then proceed to filling it out. ??