My Path to Naturalization

I haven't discussed this very much on this forum, but I am a Canadian citizen and have been living in the US since 1990. (I'm about to be 53 years old).

I was sponsored by my Company (I have since changed jobs - but same actuarial career) for a green card and received it in 1993, making me eligible for naturalization since 1998.

Originally, I didn't pursue getting citizenship as I would have had to give up my Canadian citizenship, but those rules changed in the early 2000s and I can now be dual.

I have wanted to get US citizenship for a long time for the estate benefits and the ability to vote, so I started filling out the application once before, but put it down and didn't pick it back up.

Three weeks ago, I decided it was time. This thread is to document my journey through this process for those that are interested.

June 16, 2018

I looked for the application form online and found it easily enough. Since the last time I started the process, the application form can now be submitted electronically. I like that...

So I go through the form and came to the first stumbling block. I need to list all the times that I have been out of the US in the last five years.. including departure and return dates and countries visited. That is difficult for me because I love to travel internationally quite a bit, and of course, there are always trips to Canada to see my family.

When I originally started filling out the application form years ago, this was a bigger stumbling block because they wanted to know every time I left the country back to when I got my green card in 1993! This new form only asks for the last five years.

From my passports and my American Airlines AAdvantage account summaries I was able to get a pretty good list of dates, but when going to and from Canada, especially driving over the border at Buffalo, they often don't stamp the passport any more.

I called American Airlines and for $75 was able to get a list of all flights taken in the past 5 years, so with this information was able to compile an accurate listing.

The only other item I needed was a scan of my green card for submission.

In the application, they ask if you've ever been cited for anything. Well I had two traffic tickets back in 2007. I debated whether to even put them on the application, but decided it was better to be safe than sorry and include them. Hopefully that doesn't cause any issues. They also asked for me to submit documentation related to those tickets. Well I don't have any.. hopefully that isn't an issue either.

June 30, 2018

I've got all of the information pieced together, form reviewed and everything seems complete. I hit the button to submit and pay $725.

July 13, 2018

I go online to check on my status and see that my application was accepted and I have been scheduled for a biometrics appointment on July 26, 2018.

The website listed estimated completion date as August 2020!

They will take my picture and my fingerprints. The FBI will use that to do a background check.

Apparently, I can also pick up a booklet describing how to study for the civics test.

I have taken a few informal ones online and have passed all of them without studying, so not too concerned about this. My understanding is that you get two chances to pass a 10 question civics test (pass is 6 or more correct). If you fail twice, your application is denied and you have to start over.

As part of my interview with an immigration officer, I will also have to pass an English proficiency test. I'm obviously not worried about that.

The test is only 10 questions?I guess I could google it but what type of questions? Are they easy like what is the name of national anthem and when did columbus find us?

they are all multiple choice type questions...

Who is the current president?
Who is the current vice president?
How many senators are there?
How many members of the house of representatives?
How many votes in the electoral college?
Which is not one of the three branches of government?
Who was the first president?
Who signed the declaration of independence? (four choices, of which only one was on the declaration--- John Hancock)
What city is the US Capital

Two traffic tickets 11 years ago? I hope they send scofflaws like you packing! J/K

Quote: Johnzimbo

Two traffic tickets 11 years ago? I hope they send scofflaws like you packing! J/K

Unfortunately, with this administration, I can't rule that out!

While I hope that you become a citizen long before 2020, I don't think that is an unreasonable amount of time for the process. I'd like to see delays cut, of course, but to declare it "unreasonable" I would have to research it more to find out how long it takes to do background investigations, the number of people in the process ahead of you, and the number of folks working on those cases to get them to completion.

I do think we should work hard to process every application for citizenship for qualified legal immigrants in a timely manner.

Good Luck...I hope the bureaucratic process is kind to you!

Quote: RonC

While I hope that you become a citizen long before 2020, I don't think that is an unreasonable amount of time for the process. I'd like to see delays cut, of course, but to declare it "unreasonable" I would have to research it more to find out how long it takes to do background investigations, the number of people in the process ahead of you, and the number of folks working on those cases to get them to completion.

I do think we should work hard to process every application for citizenship for qualified legal immigrants in a timely manner.

Good Luck...I hope the bureaucratic process is kind to you!

Thank you!

My guess is that the estimated date given was a "worst case scenario". Time will tell.

Quote: rsactuary

This thread is to document my journey through this process for those that are interested.

I'm just glad you are interested in the process. There is a good deal of negativity in today's climate.

I know Canada has a good health care system but I think they penalize their citizens who spend time or who work outside of Canada on health benefits.

You were quite correct to include those traffic citations. Its similar to the view the IRS takes on improper deductions not being as bad as improper concealment of income.

Its a much tougher journey for anyone trying to leave America and become a landed immigrant in Canada.

Quote: FleaStiff

I know Canada has a good health care system but I think they penalize their citizens who spend time or who work outside of Canada on health benefits.

That's a whole other thread!

When I moved to the US back in 1990, I filled out a Revenue Canada (Canadian IRS) form that deemed me to be a non-resident of Canada. You basically affirm that you have cut ties to Canada but you still keep citizenship... no bank accounts, no property ownership allowed etc. The benefit of that is that I file US taxes and that's it. I don't have to file anything with the Canadian government. In doing that, I lost the right to Canadian healthcare and I lost the right to vote there.

Quote: rsactuary

Unfortunately, with this administration, I can't rule that out!

Going to sound hateful but if you feel this way, why bother. Keep using us for a job and stay a single citizen of a Country you are proud of.

People with your attitude toward to legally elected President of the US are the exact reason while liberals are pushing for the naturalization of illegals.

It’s not compassion, it trying to save their asses as many current Americans are seeing through their BS.

This probably isn’t the thread for it, but I will say you started it with not being able to document your journey without a Trump jab.

Quote: rsactuary

Unfortunately, with this administration, I can't rule that out!

I am not going to condemn you for having a political position, but I don't think that this was a good thing to introduce to this thread.

Quote: RonC

I am not going to condemn you for having a political position, but I don't think that this was a good thing to introduce to this thread.

Certainly, this administration's policies have increased the workload of the various departments tasked with processing and approving applications such as this. You can like the administration's policies or hate them, but you can't argue that they don't add time and frustration for people going through the process.

Quote: rdw4potus

Certainly, this administration's policies have increased the workload of the various departments tasked with processing and approving applications such as this. You can like the administration's policies or hate them, but you can't argue that they don't add time and frustration for people going through the process.

I guess you can "blame" them for it taking longer to do things legally acceptable for entry and citizenship for forcing more people to actually follow our laws; I just don't see that as a negative.

I simply hoped that this thread would not derail into the immigration mess and would stay focused on one member's journey to citizenship.

Maybe triple post.

Double post.

Come to America with political dissent if you wish. You will instantly be more educated than Boz post demonstrates.

Quote: rsactuary

Unfortunately, with this administration, I can't rule that out!

Hire the same people boymimbo used. That should speed the process.

Quote: rxwine

Come to America with political dissent if you wish. You will instantly be more educated than Boz post demonstrates.

Actually the poster is the kind of immigrant we want and need qualifications wise. But if he has a poor opinion of how the country is run, not sure why he wants to be a citizen unless he has found a financial loophole to better himself. I get disagreeing with someone politically but I stand by my statement.

Not sure what your education dig is referring to, but coming from you, I take anything and everything as a compliment.

Quote: Tanko

Hire the same people boymimbo used. That should speed the process.

Or the people Lucky Dragon used.

Quote: Boz

But if he has a poor opinion of how the country is run, not sure why he wants to be a citizen unless he has found a financial loophole to better himself.

Having a poor opinion of the person in the oval office does not mean you hate the system itself.

Anyway, complaining about big government and long waiting time becoming even more difficult and long is almost the purest description of a conservative sentiment. That's what he complained about. Surely you can understand that much.

Quote:

I take anything and everything as a compliment.

Your call.

rsactuary: Are eligible for any Canadian pension once you reach the correct age?

Trapped in a casino overnight during a blizzard. After 2 am 8 handed holdem, 5 Asian males , 2 Asian females and white boy me.
Learned 2 things that night. How much money they spend to become citizens and how mad 1 male was at his gf from crossing from Canada to Washington state illegally. Plan to fly to Denver to surprise him. He blew a gasket and insisted she go back to Canada NOW. Seems if immigration had busted her, her chances of legal immigration would have evaporated.
Also learned Electronic baccarat would be dead on arrival. Dealer said casino was going to get Baccarat soon. Both female squealed with delight, taking turns pantomiming how they like to peek at cards. Very animated until dealer said it would be electronic. Not sure what one said as she reverted to native language. Other female said " F*** That " And everybody went back to Holdem. Lots of conversations about immigration, lawyers, wait times etc. But not another mention of Baccarat.

Quote: Boz

Going to sound hateful but if you feel this way, why bother. Keep using us for a job and stay a single citizen of a Country you are proud of.

People with your attitude toward to legally elected President of the US are the exact reason while liberals are pushing for the naturalization of illegals.

It’s not compassion, it trying to save their asses as many current Americans are seeing through their BS.

This probably isn’t the thread for it, but I will say you started it with not being able to document your journey without a Trump jab.

Quote: RonC

I am not going to condemn you for having a political position, but I don't think that this was a good thing to introduce to this thread.

Sorry for the delay in responding, but I went out of town after my original posts and just now getting a chance to put my thoughts down in writing.

I started this thread to provide a view of an immigrant going through this process. I thought it might be interesting for people to see the other side of things. Yes, that means you have to leave your comfortable little bubble and see things from a different perspective.

Part of the reason I want to get citizenship is because of stories I am reading about people with green cards with minor crimes against them (yes, I realize two traffic tickets are not really considered minor crimes) being deported.

Here are links to those stories:

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/national/even-with-green-cards-immigrants-can-be-deported-under-new-guidelines-20180714

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/04/married-immigrants-seeking-green-cards-are-now-targets-for-deportation/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/01/22/ice-detains-a-polish-doctor-and-green-card-holder-who-has-lived-in-the-u-s-for-nearly-40-years/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.ccdff5ffd48b

Note that all of these stories talk about a change in position with the current administration. As I was filling out this form, I thought long and hard about the consequences that reporting two traffic tickets to an immigration official might have on my status. Yes, I really cannot be 100% sure that it won’t result in deportation. Two years ago, I wouldn't have given it any thought. Sorry if that’s uncomfortable for you, but that’s the way it is, and you need to know that that is a legitimate fear of people going through this process, and is a legitimate feeling to bring up in this thread.

I am proud to be living in the US, even when GHWB and GWB were presidents, even though I didn’t like their policies as much. This administration is different, and it will pass within a generation as all the angry old white men die off, and hopefully we’ll never see another one like it.

But one bad president doesn’t change the long term view of the way the country is set up. the democracy or the hopes and dreams that this country represents. I want to become a citizen for that, as well as the financial implications for my estate.

If understanding how people who are not like you think is uncomfortable for you, then maybe you shouldn’t come back to this thread.

Quote: rsactuary

Sorry for the delay in responding, but I went out of town after my original posts and just now getting a chance to put my thoughts down in writing.

I started this thread to provide a view of an immigrant going through this process. I thought it might be interesting for people to see the other side of things. Yes, that means you have to leave your comfortable little bubble and see things from a different perspective.

Really? You quote me in this post just for hoping this thread will be about your path to immigration and not devolve too far into politics? Whatever. The only reason for me having that view was that we have enough nasty political threads already, not because I don't think politics has long played a role in the immigration policy. Bad politics. Ones that divide us and don't get the job done. Going on for years and years. Sometimes better polices, sometimes worse...but the problem never gets fixed.

Some Democrats want more voters because they think every minority will fall to their side of the fence. As a way of potential adding to their voters, they favor lax border policies, non-citizen voting, and the like. The more people that come in, the more that will eventually become legal voters. Some Republicans have a side that wants the cheap labor for meat-cutting plants, etc. Effectively, both have enough of a faction to prevent the passage of comprehensive immigration reform. By not doing their jobs, they cede their power to the bureaucracy and to the Executive branch.

Seems simple to me.

Crossing into the US illegally is a misdemeanor.

Two traffic tickets are two misdemeanors.

One year old children are having to defend themselves in court.

Lots of stories about non-criminals being deported.

Not a stretch for rsactuary to worry how far they will take it.

Best wishes on your journey. Truly.

Quote: beachbumbabs

Two traffic tickets are two misdemeanors.

Usually they are summary offenses. Less than a misdemeanor.

Quote: beachbumbabs

Seems simple to me.

Crossing into the US illegally is a misdemeanor.

Two traffic tickets are two misdemeanors.

One year old children are having to defend themselves in court.

Lots of stories about non-criminals being deported.

Not a stretch for rsactuary to worry how far they will take it.

Best wishes on your journey. Truly.

If only...we can't act as if there was never a controversial deportation prior to the current President being elected. The problem really lies in the fact that so much of the power that the Congress should use to solve the immigration issues has been given up because, as a whole, they refuse to do anything...no matter who is in charge of Congress. President Obama stopped the family detentions, then started them again. He worked on building protections on DACA, but the most he could do was an Executive Order which was likely illegal/unconstitutional and most assuredly easily reversible.

There have been people who have served in war deported.

President Trump's policies may be more severe, which is pretty much what he said he would do. Is anyone surprised? If it is a "racist policy" then President Obama's policies must have been racist also. Elections do have consequences, as does a Congress more interested in staying in office than making America better by sorting out our immigration laws and making them better. They could do it one step at a time or all at once; instead, they do nothing...under either party.

The press plays the game--pollsters ask "Do you support a fence across the entire Mexico border?" instead of do you favor the 700 miles of enhanced border fence that Senator Clinton favored or the 1000 miles that President Trump has promised? What people want, for the most part, is an end to illegal immigration, reasonable worker permits and varieties of Visas with penalties for overstaying your welcome, and perhaps a reasonable path to citizenship along with fair ways of treating illegals as we decide to allow them to stay or deport them.

If any one of us chooses to ignore a law, we are subject to the penalties for that. The offense of crossing the border illegally may be a misdemeanor, but is still illegal. If you ignore the law and come in illegally, you are subject to arrest and deportation at any point. That is the law, right? If you or I, as citizens, commit a misdemeanor we are subject to arrest. That is the law. If we get a ticket and ignore it, missing a court date, the next time we meet a police officer he will be putting us in bracelets.

If only this were an easy problem to solve...

Perhaps it is time to protest the whole of Congress and not whoever the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania may be....Congress has abdicated their responsibility in many areas; now they just hold Friday press conferences to talk about the evil other side.

I still hope rsanctuary sails through the process. I don't care about his political leanings or how he feels about the President. From what I know about him, which is not a lot, I think that he would be a great citizen.

Truly.

**********
Obama Detentions

"“When he took office he made the decision that family detention was a bad policy. And so he ended the program, only to begin it again on a much wider scale,” Hines said."

https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/president-obama-the-legacy/obama-leaves-behind-mixed-legacy-immigration-n703656

I think the entire US Congress should be put out of office. They have completely abdicated their responsibilities for ensuring competence in confirmations, stayed silent on damaging and controversial Trump actions and outbursts, and sold themselves to the corporations and lobbyists.

I am ashamed of them all.

I've known a few people to go through, or 'try' to go through the immigration process. It's a nightmare, even before this current administration made it 100x worse. As you denoted in your earlier posts. You've been living here for how long, done everything you could, and even got Boz's seal of approval of someone we WANT in the country, and yet you still have to pay a good portion up front and your status is SUPPOSEDLY going to be pending for another couple YEARS. How ridiculous is that... With my other friends experience all I can say is they had numerous other issues 'pop up' that required more and more money and more and more forms in those 2 years you have to wait, eventually pushing them back another few years. It took well over 7 years for one of them and the other (last I heard) was on hold for 10+ years (haven't talked to them in a while no idea what happened).

Not only was our immigration system broke, but now that it's spearheaded by an administration that is blatantly racist, sexist, and has fear of non christian religions I can't imagine what people coming here LEGALLY must have to go through... and what people whom live here on green cards / sponsorships from companies have to FEAR in their every day lives about being deported.

Quote: beachbumbabs

I think the entire US Congress should be put out of office. They have completely abdicated their responsibilities for ensuring competence in confirmations, stayed silent on damaging and controversial Trump actions and outbursts, and sold themselves to the corporations and lobbyists.

I am ashamed of them all.

And that is why I really think you should consider voting for the next Great Senator from Florida, the Honorable Rick Scott.

Sorry, had to get you going today, if you are not already. Have a Great Day!

Quote: Boz

And that is why I really think you should consider voting for the next Great Senator from Florida, the Honorable Rick Scott.

Sorry, had to get you going today, if you are not already. Have a Great Day!

Oh, I'm going. Traitor Trump proved it today with his own lying lips.

Quote: beachbumbabs

I think the entire US Congress should be put out of office. They have completely abdicated their responsibilities for ensuring competence in confirmations, stayed silent on damaging and controversial Trump actions and outbursts, and sold themselves to the corporations and lobbyists.

I am ashamed of them all.

It is funny you just stop at "damaging and controversial Trump actions and outbursts"--he may be the King of outburst but it is like all those before him didn't take over powers ceded to them by the Congress. It has been going on for a long time.

This may or may not impact you but I just read it and thought it was pertinent to the conversation anyway.

https://www.thestar.com/vancouver/2018/07/05/canadian-cannabis-workers-targeted-by-us-border-guards-for-lifetime-bans.html

An excerpt:

Quote:

And it’s not just dispensary workers, cannabis growers and cannabis users who are being denied entry.

Jay Evans, CEO of agricultural equipment manufacturer Keirton Inc., was crossing into the U.S. in early April along with two employees, both engineers with Nexus passes and spotless criminal records.

They’d intended to meet with an American company to begin design work on a new machine that would streamline labour costs for cannabis producers.

“We had not yet designed the product, we had not yet marketed the product and we’d not yet sold the product,” Evans said in an interview.

During routine questioning, one of the three men mentioned their design would eventually be used in the Canadian cannabis industry, and they were immediately taken into the secondary inspection facility for further scrutiny.

Keirton is not involved with the production, distribution or sale of cannabis. But because its equipment is explicitly intended to be used by people who are, Evans and his colleagues were told after a six-hour interview they were “drug traffickers” according to U.S. federal law.

“The border guard supervisor told me he felt really bad, and felt it wasn’t right, and had a lot of empathy toward us,” Evans said.

Nevertheless, Evans and his coworkers now have lifetime bans on entering the United States, and must obtain waivers allowing them temporary entry into the country.

Quote: gamerfreak

Usually they are summary offenses. Less than a misdemeanor.

For a subsequent offense, or a reentry (or attempted reentry) after exclusion or deportation, the person can be fined or imprisoned for up to two years, or both. (See 8 U.S.C. Section 1325, 1326, I.N.A. Section 275, 276.) This is considered a low-level felony under federal law (18 U.S.C.A. § 3559).

http://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/us-immigration/crime-enter-illegally.html

First boymimbo, then rs,... before I miss out on another opportunity, a marriage license in NY is like $40. Toss me a hundo for wasting a day on paperwork and you're in.


Thanks for the thread, rsanctuary. I always find it interesting to see in practice the theories we argue endlessly. Very interesting, IMO. And kinda hilarious, in a very terrible way. I'm just old enough to remember when going to CAN was about as difficult as going to a bar. Small wait at the entrance, an ID check, add two sentences (where ya going, when ya back) and you were in. Pretty sad to let a handful of f#$%wits make us a nation of scared little children.

Good luck to ya.

Quote: Boz

And that is why I really think you should consider voting for the next Great Senator from Florida, the Honorable Rick Scott.

Sorry, had to get you going today, if you are not already. Have a Great Day!

If by honorable, you mean, overseeing one of the largest medicare frauds in history, then yeah...

Quote: Steverinos

If by honorable, you mean, overseeing one of the largest medicare frauds in history, then yeah...

If it puts a few bucks in his pocket,......

Quote: Steverinos

If by honorable, you mean, overseeing one of the largest medicare frauds in history, then yeah...

Babs, there is a rule here against having a puppet.

Before I get banned, I’m JUST kidding.

Quote: billryan

If it puts a few bucks in his pocket,......

......you’re envious?

Not of the accusation against the next Senator from Florida of course.

Of the having a few bucks in his pocket.

Quote: Boz

......you’re envious?

Not of the accusation against the next Senator from Florida of course.

Of the having a few bucks in his pocket.

Nice edit.

It’s almost as if you aren’t aware of his time as CEO of Columbia/HCA. I’d post a multitude of links that show it’s more than an accusation, but you’ll just ignore it and vote/support a guy that defrauded millions from American taxpayers.

Honorable...lmfao, yeah...it’s a joke at this point

Thursday July 26, 2018.

I had my biometrics appointment this morning, scheduled for 9:00am.

The processing office was a 20 minute drive from my house, in the opposite direction of rush hour traffic, so was easy to get to and find. I arrived at 8:30am and was greeted by a security officer who reviewed my appointment notice and my green card and gave me a clipboard with a form to fill out. It was high level stuff: name, birthdate, country of citizenship, height, weight, eye and hair color.

Once that was filled out, I had to wait in a line to get to the in-take desk. I was 15th in line and it took 45 minutes. Other than a Jamaican lady and an Asian gentleman in front of me, everybody else appeared to be Hispanic. I was the only Caucasian person in the building, including the employees. All in all, I would guess there was about 40 people there to have something processed. My guess is most were renewing their green card, because I was the only one I saw getting the information about the civics test.

After the in-take desk, I was immediately into the biometrics area to have my photo taken, fingerprints taken from my right hand, and a signature.

After that I was free to go. Whole process was 50 minutes... not too bad.

Next step is the FBI does a background check on me, and when that is done, I will be scheduled for an interview and civics/english proficiency test.

There is a website where they list the processing times, and it appears for Dallas it's 16.5 to 18.5 months.

https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

So now I guess I just wait.

Quote: rsactuary

I was the only Caucasian person in the building, including the employees.

I thought Trump implemented VIP lines for that?

Around 1999 I was helping a friend through the process. He was Guatemalan and was here legally as a refugee. He went for an interview, was missing a minor piece of paper and told he had to reschedule the meeting because he didn't have it. We then waited almost an hour on line to schedule a new appointment in six months.
Hopefully they have updated and streamlined the process a bit.

Quote: rsactuary

Thursday July 26, 2018.

I had my biometrics appointment this morning, scheduled for 9:00am.

The processing office was a 20 minute drive from my house, in the opposite direction of rush hour traffic, so was easy to get to and find. I arrived at 8:30am and was greeted by a security officer who reviewed my appointment notice and my green card and gave me a clipboard with a form to fill out. It was high level stuff: name, birthdate, country of citizenship, height, weight, eye and hair color.

Once that was filled out, I had to wait in a line to get to the in-take desk. I was 15th in line and it took 45 minutes. Other than a Jamaican lady and an Asian gentleman in front of me, everybody else appeared to be Hispanic. I was the only Caucasian person in the building, including the employees. All in all, I would guess there was about 40 people there to have something processed. My guess is most were renewing their green card, because I was the only one I saw getting the information about the civics test.

After the in-take desk, I was immediately into the biometrics area to have my photo taken, fingerprints taken from my right hand, and a signature.

After that I was free to go. Whole process was 50 minutes... not too bad.

Next step is the FBI does a background check on me, and when that is done, I will be scheduled for an interview and civics/english proficiency test.

There is a website where they list the processing times, and it appears for Dallas it's 16.5 to 18.5 months.

https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/

So now I guess I just wait.

Do you have to do it locally or could you travel somewhere else? Pittsburgh is only 8 months.

Quote: GWAE

Do you have to do it locally or could you travel somewhere else? Pittsburgh is only 8 months.

Good question. Portland OR is showing 6 -14 mo. I'm assuming N-400 naturalization? Haven't scrolled back.

Dallas seems to be one of the longer waits on that form.

They do not give you a choice. Unfortunately.

Quote: beachbumbabs

Good question. Portland OR is showing 6 -14 mo. I'm assuming N-400 naturalization? Haven't scrolled back.

Dallas seems to be one of the longer waits on that form.

Yes, N400

Quote: rsactuary

I was the only Caucasian person in the building, including the employees.

That's just sad. I thought Trump
was making this an all white
country with his bigotry and hatred.
Still a long way to go, I guess.

Snicker..