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Immigration
Citizenship
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Tampa, Fl Field Office In Depth N400 Citizenship Experience
Applied: 09/02/2016
Priority Date: 09/06/2016
Biometric-Fingerprints Notification: 09/17/2016
Biometric-Fingerprints: 10/03/2016
Case In Line For Interview: 12/20/2016
Interview Was Scheduled: 05/01/2017
Received Interview Letter: 05/04/2017
Interview Date: 06/06/2017
Oath Ceremony Scheduled: 06/15/2017
Received Oath Ceremony Letter: 06/16/2017
Oath Ceremony: 06/23/2017
I applied with an Expired Green Card (six days old).
My Case was 'NBC.'
I applied at a Local Catholic Charity. (Charged an additional $100)
Paid $700 overall.
(294 days) 9 Months & 21 Days Process.
MY PERSONAL BACKGROUND STORY & ADVICE
This was an extremely long process. And I say this with GREAT EXAGGERATION! But, I Thank God that it's finally over.
My advice to anyone who is applying for their Citizenship, is that, it's going to be a long process. Especially for these four years. Because people are in fear of being deported. And are afraid of being affected negatively, for not being a Citizen. Which leads them to applying for their Citizenship. Which is backing up the Uscis System.
I definitely recommend applying for your citizenship a year in advance. Reason being is because, anything can happen. You could need to travel abroad. Also while having an expired green card, you could lose your job. And it becomes difficult getting a job with this expired documentation. Because jobs require a valid green card. Which happened in my case. I had just graduated high school and also wasn't able to start college. Because my documents were invalid. So sadly I had to sit at home for almost a year. Broke, & very depressed. All because of this one piece of paper.
On two occasions I made an InfoPass appointment in order to get an extension stamp on my green card. But didn't work out either times.
The first time I made a 2:00 p.m. appointment & they said that the people who are in charge of that, leaves at 1:00 p.m. So I missed them.
The second time I made a 7:00 a.m. appointment & the man in charge, told me I couldn't get an extension stamp. Because I was applying for my Citizenship, not green card renewal.
Above I also stated that I applied for my Citizenship at a Local Catholic Charity. For which I was charged an additional $100 along with the Citizenship application. Reason I applied their is because, it's easier to deal with. It can take weeks to get & make an InfoPass appointment. So I just decided to go with the Catholic Charity.
During this whole process I called customer service (L1 officers) about three to five times. Each time they continued telling me the same thing or anything to get you, off of their phone. And on April 10th, 2017 I finally called & asked to be transferred to a (L2 Officer) they told me the same thing, to just be patient. And about their processing times, etc.
I was stressing out about applying with an expired green card. I didn't know if it would've affected my case negatively or anything.
I also wanted to stay up to date with my case status, so I downloaded an app to stay informed.
BIOMETRIC/FINGERPRINTS EXPERIENCE
First thing is that you go through security & your searched. They ask you general questions like why are you here, etc.
Then you enter the fingerprinting room.
You wait in line for paperwork.
Your finally given paperwork. Once completed your given the Citizenship book & CD to study.
And your also given a number & your told to wait, until it's called.
Next your called up for fingerprints.
Once completed, you can leave.
INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE
Before sitting, you have to take an Oath, that you promise to tell nothing but the truth. Your then asked for your Green Card, & other Identification, such as your Driver's License, passport, & the appointment letter. Then your seated and given a small sentence, that shows your able to read in English.
Then your given another separate sentence that you must write, which shows your ability to write in English.
After those are completed you begin the civics test. I was given six questions. But your given 10 questions, if you get some wrong. The questions that I was asked were:
1)What is the supreme law of the land? *The Constitution
2)What does the Constitution do? *Sets up the government.
3)What is an Amendment?
*A change to the Constitution.
4) What is the capital of your state? *Tallahassee
5)Who vetoes bills? *The President
6)Which countries were our enemies during WW2? *Japan, Germany, & Italy.
Once I completed the questionnaire, the Immigration Officer & I reviewed my application. Once that's completed, you have to sign your signature. Then theirs two passport size photos that you have to sign. After that theirs this other documentation that just double checks & verify your information, once read you sign your initials.
Once completed your given a piece of paper that says you've passed.
But, my Birth Certificate Documentation wasn't on file, & I forgot to bring it to the interview. I still received the piece of paper listing that I passed the Interview. But, I also had to mail my Birth Certificate to my local field office. Which I mailed the same day, right after my interview was completed. They received the Birth Certificate two days later. Nine days later I received my Oath Ceremony Letter.
OATH CEREMONY EXPERIENCE
Once you're by the entrance room door for the Oath Ceremony, you have to give the officer your letter that you've received, along with your green card. Then once completed your assigned a seat, that has an envelope placed on top, with information about the *U.S. History *Passport Application Paper *Program of Ceremony, which lists:
°The Video Presentation (Faces of America).
°Then the National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner).
°Then the Assembly And Presentation Of Candidates For Naturalization (Immigration Services Officer).
°Then the Administration Of The Oath Of Allegiance (Field Office Director/Branch Chief).
°Then the Music Video Presentation (America the Beautiful).
°Then the Pledge of Allegiance.
°Then the Presentation Of Naturalization Certificates.
After all of which is completed, you have the opportunity to Register to Vote.
When everything is finished, your able to leave.
Overall the Whole Ceremony took an hour. But I arrived 40 minutes earlier, just to be safe.
And your able to take pictures, if you want.
I hope my in depth experience helped & gave you more information on the process of applying for your Citizenship.
And a little advice to anyone having a difficult time with the whole process, just know that everything will be ok, it's just a matter of time. Keep the faith & a positive mindset. ;)
Priority Date: 09/06/2016
Biometric-Fingerprints Notification: 09/17/2016
Biometric-Fingerprints: 10/03/2016
Case In Line For Interview: 12/20/2016
Interview Was Scheduled: 05/01/2017
Received Interview Letter: 05/04/2017
Interview Date: 06/06/2017
Oath Ceremony Scheduled: 06/15/2017
Received Oath Ceremony Letter: 06/16/2017
Oath Ceremony: 06/23/2017
I applied with an Expired Green Card (six days old).
My Case was 'NBC.'
I applied at a Local Catholic Charity. (Charged an additional $100)
Paid $700 overall.
(294 days) 9 Months & 21 Days Process.
MY PERSONAL BACKGROUND STORY & ADVICE
This was an extremely long process. And I say this with GREAT EXAGGERATION! But, I Thank God that it's finally over.
My advice to anyone who is applying for their Citizenship, is that, it's going to be a long process. Especially for these four years. Because people are in fear of being deported. And are afraid of being affected negatively, for not being a Citizen. Which leads them to applying for their Citizenship. Which is backing up the Uscis System.
I definitely recommend applying for your citizenship a year in advance. Reason being is because, anything can happen. You could need to travel abroad. Also while having an expired green card, you could lose your job. And it becomes difficult getting a job with this expired documentation. Because jobs require a valid green card. Which happened in my case. I had just graduated high school and also wasn't able to start college. Because my documents were invalid. So sadly I had to sit at home for almost a year. Broke, & very depressed. All because of this one piece of paper.
On two occasions I made an InfoPass appointment in order to get an extension stamp on my green card. But didn't work out either times.
The first time I made a 2:00 p.m. appointment & they said that the people who are in charge of that, leaves at 1:00 p.m. So I missed them.
The second time I made a 7:00 a.m. appointment & the man in charge, told me I couldn't get an extension stamp. Because I was applying for my Citizenship, not green card renewal.
Above I also stated that I applied for my Citizenship at a Local Catholic Charity. For which I was charged an additional $100 along with the Citizenship application. Reason I applied their is because, it's easier to deal with. It can take weeks to get & make an InfoPass appointment. So I just decided to go with the Catholic Charity.
During this whole process I called customer service (L1 officers) about three to five times. Each time they continued telling me the same thing or anything to get you, off of their phone. And on April 10th, 2017 I finally called & asked to be transferred to a (L2 Officer) they told me the same thing, to just be patient. And about their processing times, etc.
I was stressing out about applying with an expired green card. I didn't know if it would've affected my case negatively or anything.
I also wanted to stay up to date with my case status, so I downloaded an app to stay informed.
BIOMETRIC/FINGERPRINTS EXPERIENCE
First thing is that you go through security & your searched. They ask you general questions like why are you here, etc.
Then you enter the fingerprinting room.
You wait in line for paperwork.
Your finally given paperwork. Once completed your given the Citizenship book & CD to study.
And your also given a number & your told to wait, until it's called.
Next your called up for fingerprints.
Once completed, you can leave.
INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE
Before sitting, you have to take an Oath, that you promise to tell nothing but the truth. Your then asked for your Green Card, & other Identification, such as your Driver's License, passport, & the appointment letter. Then your seated and given a small sentence, that shows your able to read in English.
Then your given another separate sentence that you must write, which shows your ability to write in English.
After those are completed you begin the civics test. I was given six questions. But your given 10 questions, if you get some wrong. The questions that I was asked were:
1)What is the supreme law of the land? *The Constitution
2)What does the Constitution do? *Sets up the government.
3)What is an Amendment?
*A change to the Constitution.
4) What is the capital of your state? *Tallahassee
5)Who vetoes bills? *The President
6)Which countries were our enemies during WW2? *Japan, Germany, & Italy.
Once I completed the questionnaire, the Immigration Officer & I reviewed my application. Once that's completed, you have to sign your signature. Then theirs two passport size photos that you have to sign. After that theirs this other documentation that just double checks & verify your information, once read you sign your initials.
Once completed your given a piece of paper that says you've passed.
But, my Birth Certificate Documentation wasn't on file, & I forgot to bring it to the interview. I still received the piece of paper listing that I passed the Interview. But, I also had to mail my Birth Certificate to my local field office. Which I mailed the same day, right after my interview was completed. They received the Birth Certificate two days later. Nine days later I received my Oath Ceremony Letter.
OATH CEREMONY EXPERIENCE
Once you're by the entrance room door for the Oath Ceremony, you have to give the officer your letter that you've received, along with your green card. Then once completed your assigned a seat, that has an envelope placed on top, with information about the *U.S. History *Passport Application Paper *Program of Ceremony, which lists:
°The Video Presentation (Faces of America).
°Then the National Anthem (The Star Spangled Banner).
°Then the Assembly And Presentation Of Candidates For Naturalization (Immigration Services Officer).
°Then the Administration Of The Oath Of Allegiance (Field Office Director/Branch Chief).
°Then the Music Video Presentation (America the Beautiful).
°Then the Pledge of Allegiance.
°Then the Presentation Of Naturalization Certificates.
After all of which is completed, you have the opportunity to Register to Vote.
When everything is finished, your able to leave.
Overall the Whole Ceremony took an hour. But I arrived 40 minutes earlier, just to be safe.
And your able to take pictures, if you want.
I hope my in depth experience helped & gave you more information on the process of applying for your Citizenship.
And a little advice to anyone having a difficult time with the whole process, just know that everything will be ok, it's just a matter of time. Keep the faith & a positive mindset. ;)
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