Houston N-400 Filers

[silvermoon 7]

23 hours ago, bonhomme said:

I naturalized on April 3rd. This was my experience.

 

The letter said the Oath Ceremony began at 7AM, and to get there at least 30 minutes early. (Same-sex couple here) So my husband and I both took the day off and woke up super early to get there around 6:30AM. USCIS officers were outside MO Educational Center to look at our letters, they'd tell us which entrance we needed to go to. I was "Section 3," so I needed to go to the other entrance.

 

We were made to wait outside for 30 minutes. Entering was kind of confusing. You were supposed to be in line, but you couldn't tell which line was what. So that was kind of blah. Inside there were small tables set up, each with a sign above them that said what section they were. You check in and give them your letter and your green card. Then they handed you a colored slip. After that, you could go in the auditorium. Then they start the announcements.

 

Well, ladies and gentleman, this is where my husband and I find out that while the letter said the ceremony begins at 7, it truly doesn't begin until 10 AM! The reason, the announcer said, is so that they can get everyone in before the ceremony starts. He also mentioned that some letters said different times, which makes me think they do that to come in staggered times so that they don't all come at once. This also is the reason they give the slips.

 

The announcer says that we could do the following (that day) once we naturalize: Register to vote, update our Social Security Card, and Apply for our Passport. I was all ready. I’d read on VisaJourney that they have reps from the SSA and the USPS so I filled my application online and brought my checkbook and photos. An hour before the ceremony starts, he tells us the reps from SSA and USPS didn't show up.

We saw all kinds of different people streaming. A young guy even came with a USA flag suit, very flashy. The letter says not to wear jeans, but I actually saw a lot of people wearing jeans... I didn't know how to feel about that. Anyways, we waited in our seats until 10 finally came around. They had food and beverage, but they only took cash. I'd only brought my card and checkbook. It finally started around 10:15. A few people gave some speeches. They recognized the people from the Army that were naturalizing. It was ceremonial and beautiful to see everyone so happy. I caught a few people crying. They sang the "Star Spangled Banner" and "My Country 'Tis of Thee."  I think the whole ceremony part took like 20 minutes. Finally, you could go pick up your certificate. This is where the slips came in. Colors corresponded to how early you arrived. Green was first, then Pink (Me), then Yellow…and I didn’t hear the rest. After this, you could go home.

 

They set up a "picture station" where people lined up to take selfies. I think this took the longest, and had the SSA and USPS people been there, I don't know if I would have done it. Most people were considerate. They took 3-5 picture pictures of each other before they went about their day, except this one lady who went back like 3 times, cutting in front of others and took like 1000 pictures. It was very rude and people from the back yelled at her to leave.

So my hopes of not having to take more time off deflated because of the no-show reps. Oh well. But, being as impatient as I am, I booked an appointment after the ceremony at the Houston Public Library near my apartment to get my passport.

That was my experience.

I naturalized the same day! I agree with this summary. The lines to get in were AWFUL. Not long, but confusing. I was section 4 (east side; same as Bonhomme) and the stadium had a ramp split by a divider so you'd think that applicants would go in one side and friends and family in the other... nope... both lines were on ONE side of the divider while the other was apparently just for the USCIS officer lol... there was no demarcation between the "friends and family" line and the applicant line so there was just one big mass and a lot of very confused people! Super weird.

 

The wait for the ceremony is no joke. We had a 5-month-old and a 2-year-old with us. Luckily I'd invited the in-laws so they helped us wrangle the kids. M.O. Campbell is a massive venue so it seemed like it was okay to invite parents as well as spouse. 

 

My group was the very last called to get our certificate, and then my husband (the sentimental type that he is) wanted to get a photo at the picture station. So we were I think the third-to-last people to exit the venue! We left around 1:30pm after getting there at 7am. Massive day, but the kiddos were good, and I'm really glad we got the photos in the end because they turned out beautifully. The wait wasn't so bad because you get to talk to everyone in line with you and hear their stories about naturalizing, which I found fascinating. 

 

The SSA and passport people not showing up was the worst part for me. I'm taking time off work tomorrow to go sit in the social security office for an estimated 3 hours. Not happy at all about that. Haven't applied for a passport since I'm doing all the updating with my naturalization certificate (updating SSA, work, etc) before I send it off for the passport.

[Ava2019 0]

Seems like there hasn't been any update this week so far:( 

PD: May 31st 2018

 

[natvyas 21]

2 hours ago, Ava2019 said:

Seems like there hasn't been any update this week so far:( 

PD: May 31st 2018

 

Looks like they issue Interview Notices in first couple of weeks and then go into a holding pattern. Last month they issued notices till 14-15th March and then there was a hold. I think the next batch would commence week of 29th April.

 

This is just a theory. There are no facts to substantiate it.

[ArchieD 16]

3 hours ago, Ava2019 said:

Seems like there hasn't been any update this week so far:( 

PD: May 31st 2018

 

Please correct me if I am. What I have observed at Houston office that they will schedule N400 then I485 and back to N400. I could imagine how backlog Houston office is because I485 waiting time now could be up to 20-21 months for interview. 

[htxfiler 6]

On 3/28/2019 at 12:57 PM, natvyas said:

Awesome. Seems like you are the first May filer who got the Interview Notice

 

Can you quickly fill this table:

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JaGrvtrBcjYZoG3WJ3Qp3QqOipnvz2lF-9x8t7xfeE8/edit#gid=0

 

Done! Also, my interview is May 2nd at 10:10 am. Excited but a bit nervous, now it feels like time is going by fast! Also, congratulations to everyone who has completed their immigration journey. Thank you for updating on here and helping all of us out. 

[Ava2019 0]

My case status just got updated to Interview scheduled! waiting on the date notice. 

PD: May 31st, 2018

 

 

[natvyas 21]

1 hour ago, Ava2019 said:

My case status just got updated to Interview scheduled! waiting on the date notice. 

PD: May 31st, 2018

 

 

Awesome ! Congrats

 

Looks like they have started issuing Interview Notices again. there was a lull since the 4 April

Edited April 17, 2019 by natvyas

[frontgear 194]

We just received a text/email about the N400 interview this afternoon as well. Waiting for the actual interview letter in the mail.

It was roughly 11 months (and 1 day) from when we sent in the N400 package.

 

Does anyone know how far out they schedule the N400 interview? 1-2 months from now or longer? Ours is a combo (i751 & N400). Thanks.

[Lemon23 400]

1 hour ago, frontgear said:

We just received a text/email about the N400 interview this afternoon as well. Waiting for the actual interview letter in the mail.

It was roughly 11 months (and 1 day) from when we sent in the N400 package.

 

Does anyone know how far out they schedule the N400 interview? 1-2 months from now or longer? Ours is a combo (i751 & N400). Thanks.

check my timeline, not sure if its the same for your filed office. How did you know its a combo?

[frontgear 194]

7 minutes ago, Lemon23 said:

check my timeline, not sure if its the same for your filed office. How did you know its a combo?

It's a combo because I created a SR not too long ago and received a reply that they would combine both and interview her/us at the same time.

 

So seems like 2 months for many people here. Thanks!

[Lemon23 400]

1 minute ago, frontgear said:

It's a combo because I created a SR not too long ago and received a reply that they would combine both and interview her/us at the same time.

 

So seems like 2 months for many people here. Thanks!

Nice, 2 months is kind a long, here in NY was 5 weeks. I guess many N-400 applicants on your state.

[frontgear 194]

12 hours ago, Lemon23 said:

Nice, 2 months is kind a long, here in NY was 5 weeks. I guess many N-400 applicants on your state.

Her interview appontment is May 22nd, roughly a month from today. Just found out by going to the USCIS website and downloading a copy of the interview letter.

Edited April 18, 2019 by frontgear

[Lemon23 400]

1 minute ago, frontgear said:

Her interview appontment is May 22nd, roughly a month from today. Just found out by going to the USCIS website and downloading a copy of the interview letter.

Yeap 2 months is kind a long, should be 5 weeks or at least a month, i believe it's pretty standard, same waiting time when we did my AOS.

[Ava2019 0]

Can you guys provide me the link you're using to view the interview letter online? I don't have the option on my account to view the letter anywhere?

 

 

[ArchieD 16]

1 hour ago, Ava2019 said:

Can you guys provide me the link you're using to view the interview letter online? I don't have the option on my account to view the letter anywhere?

 

 

Here you go. 

 

https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov/