N-400 DECEMBER 2018 filers

[Inesmlm 13]

I understand both sides of the situation and opinions, as I will most likely be going through the same situation of having my GC taken away right before my trip to my home country. It should be legal to, for example, being able to travel with the naturalization certificate.. sometimes it’s not a matter of just going on vacation, there are several important reasons for us to travel.. however there are options. They might be expensive but they exist.. you can get a US passport in 1 day at a Passport agency ($500), 2-3 days ($350) and so on.. 

Yes, we should be grateful our process is going fast and that we are / will be US citizens but maybe that gap between not having a GC and traveling could be filled with the certificate or even a stamp on our original passport. 

 

It’s always important do discuss ideas! We are all in the same boat and who knows who will be in this same situation. 

[Kath2506 13]

 

 

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11 hours ago, Leo7777 said:

I cannot delete this .. I tried to fill in the date I got my notice sigh can this be deleted please.

 

 

10 hours ago, Leo7777 said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 26, 2019 by Kath2506

[Leo7777 243]

Some are still missing the point.  This is not JUST about my wife, even as I used her example.

It is about everyone and the absurd situation.

 

Perhaps another example will get through.

 

You go into a restaurant and are told that only non-USA citizens can eat there.

You say:  "You have got to be kidding me . . . a non citizen has more rights than a citizen?"

 

But then you are told . . . well this is only for a week or so, just be patient and stop whining.

 

When you post of this situation, some respondents post saying: "Stop whining, there are other ways to do this, for instance this rule is only for that city; you can simply go to another city to eat during this week."  Others say: "Can't you just wait for a week to go to a restaurant?"  Others say: "We can't afford to eat at a restaurant, and here you are whining about no being able to go to restaurants in a particular city."

[kkg325 6]

11 minutes ago, Leo7777 said:

Some are still missing the point.  This is not JUST about my wife, even as I used her example.

It is about everyone and the absurd situation.

 

Perhaps another example will get through.

 

You go into a restaurant and are told that only non-USA citizens can eat there.

You say:  "You have got to be kidding me . . . a non citizen has more rights than a citizen?"

 

But then you are told . . . well this is only for a week or so, just be patient and stop whining.

 

When you post of this situation, some respondents post saying: "Stop whining, there are other ways to do this, for instance this rule is only for that city; you can simply go to another city to eat during this week."  Others say: "Can't you just wait for a week to go to a restaurant?"  Others say: "We can't afford to eat at a restaurant, and here you are whining about no being able to go to restaurants in a particular city."

I don’t think anyone’s missing your point. We all understand your frustration.

However, any US citizen must apply for and receive a US passport to be able to travel. Your wife is in the same situation as millions of US citizens who were born in the US. The situation is not unique to her, and it’s not unique to naturalized US citizens. Her naturalization certificate is equivalent to a US birth certificate. It signifies citizenship, but does not grant the right to travel.

Anyway, congratulations on (nearly) finishing the process! And good luck to those still waiting!

[Leo7777 243]

20 minutes ago, kkg325 said:

I don’t think anyone’s missing your point. We all understand your frustration.

However, any US citizen must apply for and receive a US passport to be able to travel. Your wife is in the same situation as millions of US citizens who were born in the US. The situation is not unique to her, and it’s not unique to naturalized US citizens. Her naturalization certificate is equivalent to a US birth certificate. It signifies citizenship, but does not grant the right to travel.

Anyway, congratulations on (nearly) finishing the process! And good luck to those still waiting!

Nope, you definitely are still missing the point.

 

It is not about my wife.

 

I fully understand that all US citizens must have a passport to travel.

I fully understand that naturalization certificate is equivalent to birth certificate.

 

Native born US citizens can apply for passport any time, thus can apply several months ahead of any planned travel.

 

Those waiting for naturalization cannot apply several months ahead of any planned travel, so their situation is not the same as 'millions of US Citizens who were born in USA.' 

 

The situation IS 'unique to naturalized US citizens.'

 

On the moment after citizenship attained, new citizens cannot travel out and back into the USA.

Foreign citizens with USA Greencards or even visitors visas can travel out and back into the USA for some days on which new citizens cannot.

For however brief the time period, some USA citizens have fewer rights than non-USA citizens or even those here on tourist visas.

 

No amount of talking around in circles can overcome the absurdity of this truth.

[Amhara 460]

@Leo7777  I think where we are missing the point is that you are suggesting that new US citizens should travel on an ineligible status.  We are disagreeing with you that new citizens should be able to use their GCs because their GCs are no longer valid.  I am disagreeing with your position that new citizens don't have rights to travel outside of the US.  They do have the right, but not the document.  I agree that it's the same situation as any other born citizen that does not have a US passport.  If the new citizen didn't have the right to travel outside of the US, they would be denied (or wouldn't be allowed to apply for) their US passport.  Applying for the US passport is just a rite of passage, so to speak.  Yes, you did pay a lot to get the passport expedited!  

 

I would say that you overpaid for the postage to the State Department.  It sounds like you overnighted it, but in reality, the Priority Mail gets it there just as fast at times, which can be anywhere from $7 to $11 or so.  It's something I have learned with the USPS.  But that's water under the bridge.  The thing is that there are no provisions for those that are traveling outside of the US before their passport is produced, and that goes for new citizens and long-time citizens.  Of course, places like crossing back in from Mexico is an exception.  Maybe Canada, too, but I don't know.  I don't think we helped your situation, but I don't believe anyone felt you should 'stop whining' either.  This is a forum where we vent our frustrations - and we can definitely relate to yours!

[Leo7777 243]

2 hours ago, Amhara said:

@Leo7777  I think where we are missing the point is that you are suggesting that new US citizens should travel on an ineligible status.  We are disagreeing with you that new citizens should be able to use their GCs because their GCs are no longer valid. 

No, you are missing my point, and even misrepresenting my position. 

I didn't here suggest that new US citizens should travel on  an ineligible status.

Nor did I suggest that they should use their Green cards to travel.

 

I have to keep repeating the basic absurdity.

 

For a period of time, no matter how short or long, new US citizens do not have a right that non-US citizens with Green cards or even Visitor's Visas have.

 

And, to repeat again also . . . NO this same does not apply to natural born US citizens because they could have gotten passport at any time they wanted.

[Amhara 460]

On 4/25/2019 at 10:55 AM, Leo7777 said:

Or better yet . . . don't take 10 year Green Card away from people until USA Passport is in hand!!!!!

 

Then we could safely buy ticket in advance to get cheapest prices . . . plus avoiding the anxiety of not knowing when you might be able to visit with family, etc.

 

On 4/25/2019 at 12:46 PM, Leo7777 said:

THERE IS A CONTINUING NEED FOR THE CARD . . . UNTIL PASSPORT RECEIVED.

 

SHE CAN'T TRAVEL NOW . . . SHE COULD BEFORE. 

 

18 minutes ago, Leo7777 said:

No, you are missing my point, and even misrepresenting my position. 

I didn't here suggest that new US citizens should travel on  an ineligible status.

Nor did I suggest that they should use their Green cards to travel.

So if you are saying that naturalized citizens should not be able to travel internationally on their retired green card, why should they keep their retired/useless green card?  I truly am confused.

[Leo7777 243]

39 minutes ago, Amhara said:

 

 

So if you are saying that naturalized citizens should not be able to travel internationally on their retired green card, why should they keep their retired/useless green card?  I truly am confused.

Yes, I see your confusion.

 

And I accept some responsibility for that.

 

There are two parts to this:  

1) What is legal now

2) What a solution could be

 

Under number 1, I realize what the rules are now and am not suggesting that we do something illegal.

 

Under number 2, some of my comments were directed there.  i.e. what some solutions might be.

Change the rules so that Green cards are not invalidated immediately upon receipt of citizenship.

 

Inesmlm  also posted above some suggested rule changes that would be solutions.

" It should be legal to, for example, being able to travel with the naturalization certificate . . . that gap between not having a GC and traveling could be filled with the certificate or even a stamp on our original passport. "

[Journey_Man 2]

I got my oath ceremony on May 22 

[Kath2506 13]

12 hours ago, Journey_Man said:

I got my oath ceremony on May 22 

Congrats, hope it is a lovely day for you. Don't forget to update he timeline.

[Kath2506 13]

 

 

1

14 hours ago, Leo7777 said:

"Under number 2, some of my comments were directed there.  i.e. what some solutions might be.

Change the rules so that Green cards are not invalidated immediately upon receipt of citizenship.

 

Inesmlm  also posted above some suggested rule changes that would be solutions.

" It should be legal to, for example, being able to travel with the naturalization certificate . . . that gap between not having a GC and traveling could be filled with the certificate or even a stamp on our original passport. "

I normally just sit back read and try to focus on positive things which have been hard for me to be through this whole Naturalisation process. So here goes.

 

I have been sitting back reading your posts and I didn't realise the very thing you are discussing. So thank you for letting us know, @Leo7777 I was surprised and saddened.  

 

When you come over here you get comfortable with day to day life, go to work, be with your husband/wife and be a part of the American way of life.  That what is what your spouse wants, you to be happy with being over here. Then the day comes and you make the choice of becoming an American Citizen.  For me, this has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

 

When I applied and read that you hand in your Greencard I thought but WHY?  You paid for that card why can't you keep it as apart of your journey it is useless when it expires, but what if you have 5 years on that card why can't you use this as a way of traveling outside the country and take a certified copy with you of your Naturalisation Certificate, as a backup.  Then on your return show the Immigration Officer and he would know to not give it back because there is a flag on your name to keep your card.  (The genealogist in me is screaming I don't want you to keep my card I want my GGGG Grandchildren to see it to hold it and know what my story was lol)  

 

There is a gap that needs to be looked at I agree.    ...  The journey is stressful and maddening for me to say the least...  Then to take the joy away as you get photos of you holding your certificate and realise you can't go back to your homeland straight away.  To me it is unfathomable.     

 

So in closing thank you again Leo for bringing this to the forefront because you have saved me from making a spectacle of myself on MY "Special Day."   I just wanted to say my piece on this because I know what Leo and his wife are going through. 

 

 

 

[Pickle 65]

I had my oath ceremony on Friday!  It was not as formal as I expected and everyone was very friendly and accommodating (we had to take our one year old with us...).  It was a great experience.  So glad this journey is over now, time to apply for my passport!  Good luck to everyone still waiting!

[Kath2506 13]

Congratulation.

[Kath2506 13]

 

 

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On 4/25/2019 at 10:54 AM, Kath2506 said:

Hi all, 

 This morning got on my computer, and the first thing I do before the coffee is checking USCIS. 

 

There was the notification I have been waiting for right in front of me. Waited 3 months (after Bio) now I have to wait for what date my interview is.. There was NO email from USCIS either. Has that been the case with anyone else?  

 

 

Can someone please update the timeline for me please I have received my interview date today and it is 4th Jun 2019 in Cleveland Ohio NOT Detroit MI (where I applied and had my Biometrics taken.)