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panetone

Can I toss all my immigration records after getting citizenship?

By panetone in General Immigration-Related Discussion

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TBoneTX
TBoneTX

Typically, it's been recommended here to wait 2 years. That can be very satisfying.  We ought to make USCIS pay us back for all of our trauma, so how about using the papers for a weenie-roast,

Loren Y
Loren Y

I applied for a Burn permit thru the city to have a 55 gallon drum fire, but they still haven't approved it. They asked what I was burning, and I said USCIS paperwork. They said you will need a permit

TBoneTX
TBoneTX

Mrs. T-B. found the one box dedicated solely to the [censored] Guayaquil consulate, and said, "I didn't realize that you had to go through all that."   The chief of the IV Unit there is now

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milimelo Veteran

milimelo   4,475

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Bosnia-Herzegovina
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Only if you want your relatives who may be into your genealogy/heritage years later in the loop. You can also request a copy of your A-file from USCIS and they'll send you everything they have on you since you started a petition with USCIS. 

ROC 2009
Naturalization 2010

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TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   45,234

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3 minutes ago, Verrou said:

you may once you are done with ur journey

Typically, it's been recommended here to wait 2 years.

4 minutes ago, Verrou said:

shredded it all

That can be very satisfying.  We ought to make USCIS pay us back for all of our trauma, so how about using the papers for a weenie-roast, or fireplace kindling?  :P 

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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Verrou Proficient

Verrou   1,961

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Filed: AOS (apr) Timeline
Posted (edited)
5 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

That can be very satisfying.  We ought to make USCIS pay us back for all of our trauma, so how about using the papers for a weenie-roast, or fireplace kindling?  :P 

the trauma will leave scars forever ha ha !

 

i just realized one thing, i have every single piece of the documentation/artifacts in pdf and store in more than 1 e-places. i just assumed everyone are like me. that's why i think i wont need to hardcopy

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jackiegringa Collaborator

jackiegringa   419

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Timeline
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25 minutes ago, panetone said:

 

I have everything I have sent so far in paper copies and also scanned into PDFs. I intend to make a nice party throwing all the paper away the second I get my US passport but I will keep the PDFs around for a just in case situation. Congrats on being done with USCIS!

event.png

 

N-400 3 year marriage based (IOE)

Jan 22, 2024 - Submitted online 

Jan 22, 2024 - Biometrics waived

Mar 6, 2024 - Interview scheduled for Apr 11 COMBO I-751/N-400

Apr 11, 2024 - Combo interview - approved N-400

May 1, 2024 - Approved ROC, received 10 GC on May 20.

May 7, 2024 - Oath scheduled for June 14 (requested later ceremony at interview)

June 14, 2024 - Special Flag Day Oath ceremony - I'm a citizen!!!

 

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Crazy Cat Grand Master

Crazy Cat   41,774

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
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It was mentally difficult to delete all my saved documents....but I did it....and I feel great!!!

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

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TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   45,234

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
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10 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

my saved documents

Mrs. T-B. found the one box dedicated solely to the [censored] Guayaquil consulate, and said, "I didn't realize that you had to go through all that."

 

The chief of the IV Unit there is now retired from the Foreign Service and is writing anti-immigrant pieces for a think-tank.  I have this mind-movie of plastering the contents of that box all over him with use of SuperGlue, then soaking him in honey and staking him in a field full of fire-ants.  I would then stand there and mildly observe (aloud), "See what just a taste of what you put us all through is like?"  I would surely be joined by at least half a dozen other petitioners of my era.  See the first 8 pages or so of:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/110313-us-consulate-in-guayaquil-ecuador/

 

And then (a must-read):
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/180306-guayaquil-consulate-administrative-process/

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   45,234

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
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Actually, the best (and most accurate) "embassy review" of all time is in here:

https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=46019

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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OldUser Veteran

OldUser   6,590

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I wouldn't. You never know whether your descendants will ever need to trace how you became a citizen. Or if something horrible happens to your passport / naturalization certificate and you'll have to prove you are who you are.

 

These are super important documents in my opinion. I'd scan them to digital files and store safely to say the least.

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Crazy Cat Grand Master

Crazy Cat   41,774

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Taiwan
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17 minutes ago, OldUser said:

These are super important documents in my opinion. I'd scan them to digital files and store safely to say the least.

That is exactly what I did.  Wife's Naturalization Certificate is safely stored locally and in a secure cloud.

"The US immigration process requires a great deal of knowledge, planning, time, patience, and a significant amount of money.  It is quite a journey!"

- Some old child of the 50's & 60's on his laptop 

 

Senior Master Sergeant, US Air Force- Retired (after 20+ years)- Missile Systems Maintenance & Titan 2 ICBM Launch Crew Duty (200+ Alert tours)

Registered Nurse- Retired- I practiced in the areas of Labor & Delivery, Home Health, Adolescent Psych, & Adult Psych.

IT Professional- Retired- Web Site Design, Hardware Maintenance, Compound Pharmacy Software Trainer, On-site go live support, Database Manager, App Designer.

______________________________________

In summary, it took 13 months for approval of the CR-1.  It took 44 months for approval of the I-751.  It took 4 months for approval of the N-400.   It took 172 days from N-400 application to Oath Ceremony.   It took 6 weeks for Passport, then 7 additional weeks for return of wife's Naturalization Certificate.. 
 

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Mike E Grand Master

Mike E   11,739

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Myanmar
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If you will ever  petition a relative for an immigration benefit or of there is any possibility of a child or grand child deriving U.S. citizenship through you, then you will need those records.

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Caligirl1 Enthusiast

Caligirl1   211

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Germany
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5 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

Typically, it's been recommended here to wait 2 years.

That can be very satisfying.  We ought to make USCIS pay us back for all of our trauma, so how about using the papers for a weenie-roast, or fireplace kindling?  :P 

What about paying us back for all the printer ink? Spend a fortune on that🤪😉

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Redro Experienced

Redro   4,611

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: South Africa
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Posted (edited)
6 hours ago, panetone said:

I have a thick binder with all my Visa history. From L1, H1B, GC's, etc.

Any reason to keep after getting citizenship?

OH! I didn't keep the documents from my immigrant visa journey (IR1 visa) ... did I mess up? Not a citizen yet and only planning to after I get the full 10 years out of this card...  

Always thought all the relevant details I would need are in my A file.... HELP? 

 

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Chancy Grand Master

Chancy   6,241

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Philippines
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3 minutes ago, Redro said:

I didn't keep the documents from my immigrant visa journey (IR1 visa)

 

Not even digital copies?  I didn't keep my paper copies, but I have pics/PDFs of everything we ever filed/received.

 

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