US_VJ

Hi Everyone, Became a citizen today in 26 Federal Plaza (NYC, Queens county applicant). We reached there 30 minutes prior to the oath ceremony. Those private contractors who do the security were quite chaotic. Once we were in (10 ish minutes), went upstairs and checked in. They took my green card and then asked me if anything had changed since the interview (which was a few weeks ago). Then they seated us all, around 20-30 people, and they made us take the oath. Once that was done, they called each one of us individually and gave our certificates. No videos, no frills; just plain and simple. Just a very straightforward process--I guess one could call it very NYC-ish! . Once the oath started, we were out in 10 minutes. Saw another group of people waiting outside for their oath. So it seems like they churn multiple sessions a day. Total time in Federal plaza was around an hour. They tell you to check your certificate for any errors before you leave. If you identify any errors, you can fix it on the same day for free; otherwise it's $600 for another certificate after you leave the building. Also they allow visitors; although they are seated in a different part of the room. They tell you not to take pictures but people were doing it anyway. My timeline: Applied 30th December (Queens county) Notication of Interview: 1 May for a mid-June date Got the approved notice at the interview, and a few hours later in my USCIS account I-751 status was changed to approved and "a new green card was produced" (which I ended up receiving two weeks before Oath). Also the oath notice came in the USCIS account a few hours after the interview. It was like a 3 weeks gap between the interview and the oath. All the best to folks who are still waiting, and I hope it goes fast! So so so glad to be done with USCIS!!

Hi All, I had recently had my interview, after which my N-400/I-751 was approved, and my oath was scheduled and it'll happen in a couple of weeks. My I-751 status changed to card being produced and based on the tracking number it was supposed to be delivered yesterday. However, for some reason the postal service sent it back to USCIS. I know I could go to USCIS' website and file a "didn't receive card" service request. But since my oath is in a few weeks, and I already have my expired GC, I didn't want to go through the hassle. I was thinking of printing the status page of I-751 that says the card has been returned, just in case if they ask me where my new GC is. Do you think this would be okay?

Hi all, just wanted to share my experience of traveling to Mexico with my expired green card and extension letter. There is some ambiguity about this in the forums and I found it hard to search for information, so creating a separate thread. [FYI: this is not about entering the US with the extension letter; I know that fine and I’ve done it plenty of times] Sharing my experience just in case anyone is looking for this info: I had zero problems. United Airlines checked me in without any problems, and when I landed in Mexico, they asked for my extension letter after realizing my GC had expired. And that was it, and they stamped my passport. Different Mexican consulate generals in different US cities had very conflicting information on their website—including the one in NYC saying that the extension letter is not accepted. This is clearly incorrect. I followed the Mexican Embassy in Washington DC’s link, which redirects to the the actual Mexican governments regulation. It states that anyone with valid proof of permanent residency in the US needs no visa. Nothing more than that. It’s as straightforward as it can get. Link below for folks who are checking: http://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5437383&fecha=17/05/2016 https://www.inm.gob.mx/gobmx/word/index.php/paises-requieren-visa-para-mexico/ Just to reiterate, Mexican immigration officials knew exactly what it was—didn’t even bat an eye— and I had zero problems getting inside MX (I went to Mexico City Airport