N400 October 2019 Filers!

[CTimeline 27]

9 hours ago, Cécy said:

Hello, I’m officially a citizen of the USA as of this morning.

It was so different from what I anticipated pre-COVID... 

I texted my husband when I parked at the USCIS office at 7:44, at 8:02 I was back in my car. We were being let in the building one by one to maintain social distances, one security person had me read through laminated paper to answer basic question about Covid-19 exposure, then security check before being sent in the naturalization room. Everything was very efficient! There was one man ahead of me, I was almost immediately called, showed my papers, given my certificate to verify the information, then waited in a small line where my GC and interview paper were picked up. In the corner of the room 4 people were taking their oath ahead of us. When it was our turn I picked up a flag on the table, walked to the next available mark on the floor. There were 4 of us plus one interpreter. The USCIS agent welcomed us, said congratulations, had us repeat the oath. After that he pointed to voting registration packets to pick up, told us we needed to sign our certificates and said that unless we had questions we were free to go. So it was straight off to the exit.

I’m seeing it as the students who are graduating this year. It doesn’t take away my « diploma », but there was no ceremony.

Congratulations Cecy ! Big day for you. A new chapter ! I know we all miss the grandeur of a Oath ceremony that used to occur in pre-covid day but nevertheless you are now a Citizen ! Thanks for sharing your experience. I was wondering if some one could take a picture of us without a mask with US flag. I guess it depends on service center. 

[Anggva 22]

Hey guys, I've got my citizenship on Thursday. 

The ceremony was scheduled for 8 AM, I got to the USCIS office at 7:30 and ad to wait in my car while the USCIS folks were checking my docs. They showed me my naturalization certificate through the car window to confirm that the info looks right. Then I put on my mask and proceeded to the USCIS garage building where I stood 6 feet apart from 8 other people who were also getting their citizenship. The ceremony was conducted by a federal judge who looked genuinely excited for all of us despite having to wear his robes in a muggy parking garage in 85 degree Florida heat. He started by saying "this usually takes about an hour, but we'll be in an out in 10 minutes". Then he said the oath and we all mumbled agreement through our masks.Everybody took turns for a picture 6 feet away from the judge, then we got our naturalization certificates, then we got our naturalization certificates and that was it.

This ceremony was a bit underwhelming, but I'm happy that this journey is over!

[CTimeline 27]

7 minutes ago, Anggva said:

Hey guys, I've got my citizenship on Thursday. 

The ceremony was scheduled for 8 AM, I got to the USCIS office at 7:30 and ad to wait in my car while the USCIS folks were checking my docs. They showed me my naturalization certificate through the car window to confirm that the info looks right. Then I put on my mask and proceeded to the USCIS garage building where I stood 6 feet apart from 8 other people who were also getting their citizenship. The ceremony was conducted by a federal judge who looked genuinely excited for all of us despite having to wear his robes in a muggy parking garage in 85 degree Florida heat. He started by saying "this usually takes about an hour, but we'll be in an out in 10 minutes". Then he said the oath and we all mumbled agreement through our masks.Everybody took turns for a picture 6 feet away from the judge, then we got our naturalization certificates, then we got our naturalization certificates and that was it.

This ceremony was a bit underwhelming, but I'm happy that this journey is over!

Thanks for sharing your experience. I know it is bit odd experience. Yes the journey is over, you are a US Citizen now.  Congrats.

[Cécy 44]

On 6/13/2020 at 12:03 AM, CTimeline said:

Congratulations Cecy ! Big day for you. A new chapter ! I know we all miss the grandeur of a Oath ceremony that used to occur in pre-covid day but nevertheless you are now a Citizen ! Thanks for sharing your experience. I was wondering if some one could take a picture of us without a mask with US flag. I guess it depends on service center. 

Removing the mask wasn’t an option and the agents won’t hold any personal belongings. So I’m now sure who could take the photo for you.

Your best bet is to take a photo outside of the USCIS office.

I did a super quick selfie...

[CTimeline 27]

3 minutes ago, Cécy said:

Removing the mask wasn’t an option and the agents won’t hold any personal belongings. So I’m now sure who could take the photo for you.

Your best bet is to take a photo outside of the USCIS office.

I did a super quick selfie...

Yep. I can understand why others would not hold personal belongings.

[BRgirlUS 38]

Anyone else with an expiring extension letter?

Even though it's been less than 15 days I called USCIS about the scheduling of my oath ceremony (no appointment letter in sight so far), I had to call again today because I have less than a month before my 18 month extension letter expires. They said I have to schedule an appointment to go to the office in person to get the extension and now I have to wait 5 days for them to call me to schedule that.

Did anyone have a different solution for this? 

Edited June 15, 2020 by BRgirlUS

[Thegirl 225]

7 hours ago, BRgirlUS said:

Anyone else with an expiring extension letter?

Even though it's been less than 15 days I called USCIS about the scheduling of my oath ceremony (no appointment letter in sight so far), I had to call again today because I have less than a month before my 18 month extension letter expires. They said I have to schedule an appointment to go to the office in person to get the extension and now I have to wait 5 days for them to call me to schedule that.

Did anyone have a different solution for this? 

Not really. You're fine if your extension letter expires. Your status does not expire. I got a stamp in my passport the day my letter Expired and only because I had an emergency that I needed it for. I'd say just keep waiting on your oath. Hopefully you get scheduled soon. 

[KP2019 25]

Friends, did anyone from Chicago get scheduled for the oath ceremony letter? 

[bulls2030 17]

1 minute ago, KP2019 said:

Friends, did anyone from Chicago get scheduled for the oath ceremony letter? 

my office is Chicago. Waiting for oath letter. My interview was March 13th.

[KP2019 25]

3 minutes ago, bulls2030 said:

my office is Chicago. Waiting for oath letter. My interview was March 13th.

Okay, My interview was on March 6th and also waiting for the oath ceremony to be scheduled. 

[mrmyrie 16]

1 hour ago, KP2019 said:

Friends, did anyone from Chicago get scheduled for the oath ceremony letter? 

I’m from Chicago and I don’t have my oath ceremony notice yet. I had my interview on March 5th and was scheduled for oath swearing on March 30th. I am still waiting for a new notice. I know someone I in Chicago who had his interview on March 2nd. and scheduled oath swearing on March 24th, he was sent a new notice for June 22nd oath ceremony. 
      In my situation I’m changing my name (adding a middle name) so I doubt if i will get a notice anytime soon. I really want to vote this year. 

[DesiGirlChicago 52]

Am waiting for my Oath too in Chicago (North). Earlier the invite was for 02 April. Hope it will happen soon / this month.

[vintage10 12]

1 hour ago, DesiGirlChicago said:

Am waiting for my Oath too in Chicago (North). Earlier the invite was for 02 April. Hope it will happen soon / this month.

Me, too. Oath scheduled for April 2 Chicago. Nothing yet.

Edited June 16, 2020 by vintage10

[CTimeline 27]

I am officially US Citizen now. Yay. Long journey. Below is my experience at Oath.
Attended Oath ceremony today at 10.30 at Cleveland USCIS field office. After security check, we checked at USCIS room around around 10.20am. Took our Oath form as well as Green card/EAD cards and had us sign our Naturalization certificate (we have to use our own pen). We were then asked to sit in a chair which had a citizenship packet (with Oath card, vote registration info etc). There were around 20 people in the room. After everyone got seated, the officer briefly spoke about importance of the event and covid restrictions that has modified the event. The officer then administered Oath ceremony and boom we were all American Citizens ! (It was big odd as all of us in the room were wearing masks) They called each one of us by our name and asked to pick up the Naturalization certificates that were placed on a desk. We were given directions to leave the premise. It was all over within 30 minutes. The entire event was conducted with social distancing guidelines, masks and minimal contact. The officers were really professional and courteous. I thank them for making the epic moment of my life come true...A new chapter starts now !

[DesiGirlChicago 52]

13 hours ago, vintage10 said:

Me, too. Oath scheduled for April 2 Chicago. Nothing yet.

Great. Please keep us posted whenever you get the invite and the new date. 

 

6 hours ago, CTimeline said:

I am officially US Citizen now. Yay. Long journey. Below is my experience at Oath.
Attended Oath ceremony today at 10.30 at Cleveland USCIS field office. After security check, we checked at USCIS room around around 10.20am. Took our Oath form as well as Green card/EAD cards and had us sign our Naturalization certificate (we have to use our own pen). We were then asked to sit in a chair which had a citizenship packet (with Oath card, vote registration info etc). There were around 20 people in the room. After everyone got seated, the officer briefly spoke about importance of the event and covid restrictions that has modified the event. The officer then administered Oath ceremony and boom we were all American Citizens ! (It was big odd as all of us in the room were wearing masks) They called each one of us by our name and asked to pick up the Naturalization certificates that were placed on a desk. We were given directions to leave the premise. It was all over within 30 minutes. The entire event was conducted with social distancing guidelines, masks and minimal contact. The officers were really professional and courteous. I thank them for making the epic moment of my life come true...A new chapter starts now !

When did you get the invite for this Oath? 2-3 weeks back or just few days notice to show up on Oath ceremony? It will help me plan.