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Can I toss all my immigration records after getting citizenship?

By panetone in General Immigration-Related Discussion

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Mexis2020 Apprentice

Mexis2020   20

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Mexico
 Timeline
Posted
12 hours ago, Cathi said:

Best I've seen, yet!!  🤣

While funny it is also really sad and I liken it to the medical community as I have gone through long processes with both - advocating for yourself and being a study on all things related to your case is the best solution, but so many people get confused or fed up or do not have the resources (time, money, etc) or take answers at their word instead of knowing they can and should fight.

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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

WaterLeaf Rising Star

WaterLeaf   201

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Uruguay
 Timeline
Posted

I'll keep my hard copy safe for a long time. In case of event that we lost some kind of ID, having a back up is nice to help settle it even many years later in case some crazy people decide to call ICE on US and we have to show proof... Where I live is questionable but I know how it all goes because I've seen enough crazy in my family that will do things like this so I rather be prepared and ready than sorry. I know it's sad but the paperwork don't take too much room.

I remember I was searching for my Great Grandfather, came to the US from Italy, through the family tree search. Found out that he came in through Ellis Island and through NY or PA port (idr), and stayed in Chicago having a farm and several kids. Some of those cousin of mine are alive Today. But what I also found out that he Naturalized very soon, this revoke the process of the ability to get an Italian Passport - that's ok, I tried learning the process and it's great to see how the system is set up.

K-1 Visa process (I'm the USC [F]) [2018-2019]

Spoiler

Sent packet: August 10, 2018 (Lines Compressed to fit signature restriction guideline)

USCIS Received package: August 14 - Notification in text/email: August 17 - Mail received from USCIS: January 22, 2019
USCIS Approved I-129F Petition: January 17 - NVC Received Case: February 14 - NVC Case # Assigned: February 14

US Embassy Received: Not sure but got email reply - March 11 - Instructions Received via e-mail: March 19

Interview: May 7 - Approved! - Arriving to US/POE: June 12 - Married July 15, 2019

AOS Process [2019-2020]

Spoiler

Sent packet: July 27, 2019 - USCIS Received Package: July 29 - [Hiccup] Package was sent back due to incorrect fee and sent on August 5.
Notification in text/email: August 12 @ 12:30AM - Check cashed: August 12 - NOA 1 Mail: August 16 - Biometric: September 5 @ Atlanta, GA

AOS RFIE: Sept. 28 - got in mail by Oct 3. [They lost my Husband's Birth Certificate] - Sent back AOS RFIE: Oct 16 2019, at office by Oct 17.
AOS Case update notice on April 9th, 2020, waiting for mail. - Interview date: Scheduled as of July 15, date is August 19. Passed the interview!

My Husband got his GC! 2 Year Conditional Green Card expires 08/19/2022, Residence since 08/19/2020

ROC Process [2022-2024]

Spoiler

Sent packet: June 16, 2022 via USPS, USCIS Received Package: June 21
Notice in text (didn't get email nor text on other phone): June 24
Notice date: June 23, package is at SRC (Texas Service Center), Paid with Credit Card, payment taken on June 25
NOA 1 Mail: June 30, Biometric: Reused
Got letter in mail for extension: April 12th, Received date June 21, 2022, Notice date: April 5, 2023 = 48 Months Extension. No physical card yet.
Approved without interview as of Feb 15th, 2024. Was not a combo interview with N-400.

Naturalization N-400 [2023-2024]

Spoiler

Filed Online: July 28, 2023, NOA: July 29, 2023
Service Center: NBC, application # starts with IOE#.
Biometrics waived. Got NOA mail Jan 5, 2024 says Interview in Nashville, TN on Feb 6, 2024.
Queue for review and approval. Already in line for Oath Ceremony as of Feb 13th, 2024.
NOA as of 4/29/24 - Oath Ceremony scheduled for May 30th in Chattanooga, TN. Rescheduled as of May 2nd, 2024 by USCIS - new date is May 29th.
May 29th - Naturalized! Ta-da!

TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   45,649

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted
18 minutes ago, WaterLeaf said:

in case some crazy people decide to call ICE on US

Calmly ask them to name even one illegal Uruguayo.  :lol: 

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(!).

Scandi Mentor

Scandi   4,173

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Sweden
 Timeline
Posted

Personally I kept every form I have ever sent to USCIS, just in case I want to petition for a family member in the future and might need the info on those forms (it can be hard to remember every date and info), those are only 2-8 pages each, so not a big deal to keep at all. 

I also kept every single document I have received from USCIS (NOA1, NOA2, Interview notices etc), NVC and the embassy. Same as above, not many pages at all. 

Everything else I got rid of, like 95% of my immigration pile was "evidence of a bonafide marriage", so all that went into the shredder. Hardly anything left in my immigration binder now. 

K-1: 12-22-2015 - 09-07-2016

AP: 12-20-2016 - 04-07-2017

EAD: 01-18-2017 - 05-30-2017

AOS: 12-20-2016 - 07-26-2017

ROC: 04-22-2019 - 04-22-2020
Naturalization: 05-01-2020 - 03-16-2021

U.S. passport: 03-30-2021 - 05-08-2021

En livstid i krig. Göteborg killed it. Epic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBs3G1PvyfM&ab_channel=Sabaton

 

OldUser Veteran

OldUser   6,996

Posted
Timeline
Posted
46 minutes ago, Scandi said:

Personally I kept every form I have ever sent to USCIS, just in case I want to petition for a family member in the future and might need the info on those forms (it can be hard to remember every date and info), those are only 2-8 pages each, so not a big deal to keep at all. 

I also kept every single document I have received from USCIS (NOA1, NOA2, Interview notices etc), NVC and the embassy. Same as above, not many pages at all. 

Everything else I got rid of, like 95% of my immigration pile was "evidence of a bonafide marriage", so all that went into the shredder. Hardly anything left in my immigration binder now. 

That's probably the approach I'm going to take too. I receive both physical copies and digital PDFs of bank statements for example. The reason why I keep physical copies is that for N-400 I won't have to print it myself. But once I'm done, I'll shred them and keep files only.

Positive_Vibes Contributor

Positive_Vibes   63

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Timeline
Posted

Shredded everything after my oath ceremony. But I do have PDF copies of some files.

I-751 timeline:

  • 12/04/2018: Mailed I-751 with divorce waiver
  • 12/19/2018: Received by USCIS
  • 5/02/2019: Biometrics appointment
  • 5/03/2019: Case updated to show Fingerprints were taken and applied to my case 
  • 1/28/2020: Received an RFE
  • 2/05/2020: Response To Request For Evidence Was Received by USCIS
  • 8/12/2020: Case received at my local office
  • 9/16/2020: Case is Ready to Be Scheduled for An Interview
  • 2/24/2021: Case scheduled for an interview
  • 4/06/2021: Interview done
  • 4/13/2022: Surprise Interview done at  my house
  • 12/08/2022: I-751 with divorce waiver APPROVED!
  • 12/21/2022: 10 yr Green Card Received.

 

N-400 timeline:

  • 01/26/2022: Applied online and received by USCIS, Informed of Biometrics reuse
  • 06/17/2022: Interview scheduled
  • 08/04/2022: Interview done. Passed English and Civics test but no decision could be made due to my pending I-751
  • 06/08/2023: Oath Ceremony Notice Was Mailed
  • 06/22/2023: Oath Ceremony - FINALLY A US CITIZEN!

 

mam521 Proficient

mam521   2,113

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

We're not quite done yet because I need to get passports and certificates for Kid1 and Kid2.  I have digital copies of everything, but my dedicated immi flexifolder can just keep it's documents.  I'm a bit gun shy about shredding the contents of that puppy...

Montreal IR-1/CR-1 FAQ

 

Montreal IR-1/CR-1 Visa spreadsheet: follow directions at top of page for data to be added

WaterLeaf Rising Star

WaterLeaf   201

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Uruguay
 Timeline
Posted
22 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

Calmly ask them to name even one illegal Uruguayo.  :lol: 

They'd blindly call my Husband out as one. They don't understand how the process work as they blame us. lol
It get weird, making small talk with vague info and they straight up end up saying "OMG Hurry up or he'll be deported!". Over a Social Security Card renewal. 🤦‍♀️

K-1 Visa process (I'm the USC [F]) [2018-2019]

Spoiler

Sent packet: August 10, 2018 (Lines Compressed to fit signature restriction guideline)

USCIS Received package: August 14 - Notification in text/email: August 17 - Mail received from USCIS: January 22, 2019
USCIS Approved I-129F Petition: January 17 - NVC Received Case: February 14 - NVC Case # Assigned: February 14

US Embassy Received: Not sure but got email reply - March 11 - Instructions Received via e-mail: March 19

Interview: May 7 - Approved! - Arriving to US/POE: June 12 - Married July 15, 2019

AOS Process [2019-2020]

Spoiler

Sent packet: July 27, 2019 - USCIS Received Package: July 29 - [Hiccup] Package was sent back due to incorrect fee and sent on August 5.
Notification in text/email: August 12 @ 12:30AM - Check cashed: August 12 - NOA 1 Mail: August 16 - Biometric: September 5 @ Atlanta, GA

AOS RFIE: Sept. 28 - got in mail by Oct 3. [They lost my Husband's Birth Certificate] - Sent back AOS RFIE: Oct 16 2019, at office by Oct 17.
AOS Case update notice on April 9th, 2020, waiting for mail. - Interview date: Scheduled as of July 15, date is August 19. Passed the interview!

My Husband got his GC! 2 Year Conditional Green Card expires 08/19/2022, Residence since 08/19/2020

ROC Process [2022-2024]

Spoiler

Sent packet: June 16, 2022 via USPS, USCIS Received Package: June 21
Notice in text (didn't get email nor text on other phone): June 24
Notice date: June 23, package is at SRC (Texas Service Center), Paid with Credit Card, payment taken on June 25
NOA 1 Mail: June 30, Biometric: Reused
Got letter in mail for extension: April 12th, Received date June 21, 2022, Notice date: April 5, 2023 = 48 Months Extension. No physical card yet.
Approved without interview as of Feb 15th, 2024. Was not a combo interview with N-400.

Naturalization N-400 [2023-2024]

Spoiler

Filed Online: July 28, 2023, NOA: July 29, 2023
Service Center: NBC, application # starts with IOE#.
Biometrics waived. Got NOA mail Jan 5, 2024 says Interview in Nashville, TN on Feb 6, 2024.
Queue for review and approval. Already in line for Oath Ceremony as of Feb 13th, 2024.
NOA as of 4/29/24 - Oath Ceremony scheduled for May 30th in Chattanooga, TN. Rescheduled as of May 2nd, 2024 by USCIS - new date is May 29th.
May 29th - Naturalized! Ta-da!

TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   45,649

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted
14 hours ago, WaterLeaf said:

They don't understand how the process work

To be fair, probably less than 3% of the general U.S. public knows the slightest thing about legal immigration.

If we feel like it and they seem receptive, we can pleasantly educate them.

If we don't and they aren't, just smile and keep walking.

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(!).

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

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