My Path to Naturalization
Meanwhile the processing times for the Dallas office have increased to be 17 to 20 months.
Quote: rsactuaryYesterday marked the 6 month mark since submitting my paperwork. Nothing has happened since my biometrics screening back in July. Each month, I get an email saying they are still processing my application and that there are no "to do" items for me at this point.
Meanwhile the processing times for the Dallas office have increased to be 17 to 20 months.
If you guys keep being mean to our Prez, you might find yourself annexed long before that.
I was alerted today that my naturalization interview has been set for July 26, 2019.
Time to start studying! I've taken some on line civics tests and passed all of them easily, however each of those tests provided multiple choice answers. I won't have that luxury in the interview which will make those questions slightly more difficult. Not overly concerned about my ability to pass, but will do some studying anyways.
In my USCIS account, it originally listed an anticipated completion date of August 2020, but at some point in time over the last six months it was moved to February 2020.
Quote: JohnzimboYour interview is exactly one year after your biometric screening. Wonder if that is coincidence or typical
Wow! I didn't even think about that.. interesting!
Quote: Gabes22Bumped up 6 months. That is awesome news! We need more people like you in this country who have skills that are in demand. I believe, most everybody in the country, regardless of political beliefs are all in favor of legal immigration. The fact you were here for a quarter century before going through this process might create some uneasiness with some but regardless of what I or others feel about it, I am personally rooting for you in this process.
Thank you!
Quote: rsactuaryJune 5, 2019 (Day 341 since application submission)
I was alerted today that my naturalization interview has been set for July 26, 2019.
Time to start studying! I've taken some on line civics tests and passed all of them easily, however each of those tests provided multiple choice answers. I won't have that luxury in the interview which will make those questions slightly more difficult. Not overly concerned about my ability to pass, but will do some studying anyways.
In my USCIS account, it originally listed an anticipated completion date of August 2020, but at some point in time over the last six months it was moved to February 2020.
The federal governmentioned wheels grind slowly but exceedingly fine. Cheering for your successful interview! My mom went through this 60 or so years ago. Came here in 1951, became naturalized a few years later. It has to be with mixed emotions for nearly everyone.
Quote: beachbumbabsThe federal governmentioned wheels grind slowly but exceedingly fine. Cheering for your successful interview! My mom went through this 60 or so years ago. Came here in 1951, became naturalized a few years later. It has to be with mixed emotions for nearly everyone.
God bless America.
Best of luck.
Quote: billryanI've had many friends have dealings with the INS. Unfortunately, it really seems to come down to a crap shoot who your case agent is. I've known people whose application get delayed six month for lack of an apostrophe, and others where the agent helps correct minor mistakes.
Best of luck.
Thank you. Yes, they have the control and they know it. If they get picky on something with me, the hard part will be biting my tongue.
Quote: JohnzimboYour interview is exactly one year after your biometric screening. Wonder if that is coincidence or typical
Whoa.... I'm glad I went online and looked again... I clicked the wrong document and was looking at my biometrics appt. My interview is July 10, 2019. That could have been a disaster!
Quote: rsactuaryWhoa.... I'm glad I went online and looked again... I clicked the wrong document and was looking at my biometrics appt. My interview is July 10, 2019. That could have been a disaster!
Well glad I could help!
That's part of the test.Quote: rsactuaryThank you. Yes, they have the control and they know it. If they get picky on something with me, the hard part will be biting my tongue.
Today I had my citizenship interview at the Dallas USCIS office in Irving. My appointment was for 8:30, but I arrived slightly before 8:00. I had to show my appointment document, then go through security screening (metal detector) and then line up at the appointment check-in window.
I proceeded to a waiting room upstairs where I waited a full hour, watching people who arrived after me get called before me. I was starting to wonder if somehow I had been missed, but tried to keep in mind that others could be there for different purposes that don't take as long to handle.
I finally got called about 9:15am. The immigration officer was very nice and friendly. She took fingerprints and a picture to match up to what was taken in the biometrics a year ago, and then she swore me in. We started with the civics test which was a breeze to pass. I was exempt from the English test because of my age and length of time in the US.
She went through my application and asked me a couple questions that had apparently left blank.... not sure how that happened. Other than that, some general questions about whether I'm willing to abide by laws of the US, am I willing to go to war for the US and then it was over.
Took about 20 minutes of time and then she asked me to go back and wait in the waiting room and she would get me scheduled for an oath ceremony! She came out to the waiting room about 20 minutes later and I will be a US citizen a week from today, on July 17!
Quote: rsactuaryYesterday marked the 6 month mark since submitting my paperwork. Nothing has happened since my biometrics screening back in July. Each month, I get an email saying they are still processing my application and that there are no "to do" items for me at this point.
Meanwhile the processing times for the Dallas office have increased to be 17 to 20 months.
You got unlucky you application got sent to the Dallas service center has always been 12-20 months average process time, the California service center is like 4-8 months service time. I got lucky when I was importing my wife, ours got sent to the CSC. Why the Government does not just grab a stack of applications and mail them to the other service center is beyond me.
Anyhoo congrats on the journey!
stupid question, what is the difference between now and 2 weeks from now? Do you currently have to renew the ability to stay here?
Quote: GWAEcongrats!!
stupid question, what is the difference between now and 2 weeks from now? Do you currently have to renew the ability to stay here?
To apply for citizenship you must be a green card holder for a minimum of 5 years. So there's really no difference between now and two weeks from now as I'm able to be here as a permanent resident.
https://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/us-immigration/permanent-resident-vs-citizen-difference.html
Although I thought nowadays, you needed a passport to re-enter. You have to have some way of identifying yourself and your status.
Quote: BozCongratulations, and remember in America Republicans vote on Tuesday and Democrats on Wednesday.
That is funny
does it bother you that some people just walk across the border and set up shop here in the USA?Quote: rsactuary
Quote: AxelWolfdoes it bother you that some people just walk across the border and set up shop here in the USA?
And get free health insurance now.
does it bother you that some people just walk across the border and set up shop here in the USA?Quote: rsactuary
Quote: AxelWolfdoes it bother you that some people just walk across the border and set up shop here in the USA?
I"m a rules-follower kind of guy. So yes, it does.
Quote: MaxPenAnd get free health insurance now.
Sigh. Nobody said "free". No further push into politics, please.
Quote: beachbumbabsSigh. Nobody said "free". No further push into politics, please.
For sure, people on MedicAid pay for their care....lol
https://www.npr.org/2019/07/10/740147546/california-first-state-to-offer-health-benefits-to-adult-undocumented-immigrants
Come on now
#FactsRnotPolitics
Quote: Gabes22Congrats on becoming a US citizen. This is truly a legacy defining move in your life. I don't know your position in life, but this decision could improve the lives for many generations to come of your family.
I'm single, no kids, lol. But thanks... much appreciated.
As for the healthcare debate above, even if someone is in jail, they (and everyone) deserves a basic level of humanity while under our watch.
I'd rather they get their Ebola taken care of, instead of spreading it around.
Quote: rsactuaryI'm single, no kids, lol. But thanks... much appreciated.
As for the healthcare debate above, even if someone is in jail, they (and everyone) deserves a basic level of humanity while under our watch.
I'd rather they get their Ebola taken care of, instead of spreading it around.
Congratulations! You did it the way you are supposed to, and that will make it all the sweeter! I can assure you, as someone who works at a municipal hospital, I have taken care of celebrities you likely have heard of, a billionaire or two, and those incarcerated as well. They all get the same propofol.....
Quote: rsactuaryI'm single, no kids, lol. But thanks... much appreciated.
As for the healthcare debate above, even if someone is in jail, they (and everyone) deserves a basic level of humanity while under our watch.
I'd rather they get their Ebola taken care of, instead of spreading it around.
Now that you hit the lottery, a whole new class of people will suddenly find you attractive.
How do you calculate how much to administer to a celebrity who probably lies about their drug and alcohol usage. I assume that will affect their tolerance levels to the drug? Or is that not much of a factor when giving that drug?Quote: SOOPOOCongratulations! You did it the way you are supposed to, and that will make it all the sweeter! I can assure you, as someone who works at a municipal hospital, I have taken care of celebrities you likely have heard of, a billionaire or two, and those incarcerated as well. They all get the same propofol.....
Quote: AxelWolfHow do you calculate how much to administer to a celebrity who probably lies about their drug and alcohol usage. I assume that will affect their tolerance levels to the drug? Or is that not much of a factor when giving that drug?
Actually a great question... cocaine/alcohol:narcotic addicts tend to need around the ‘normal’ amount of propofol to be out to sleep, anecdotally just a tad more. The problem is post op when the mg of dilaudid I order doesn’t touch them.
Having had a few drinks with you, where you easily outdrank me 5-1, you may have built up a small tolerance as well..,,,
More important is lying about weight. I once wanted to say to a woman.... is that weight you just said your left half or your right half?
follow up question: the way it was explained to me, there is three levels of anesthesia... local, twilight and general. What is the different between twilight and general? Because, as I said, I was out cold.
Quote: rsactuaryI had Propofol when I had my colonoscopy last year. I literally could feel the affects of it within seconds of it being administered, and I was out cold in less than a minute. Didn't feel too bad afterwards either.
follow up question: the way it was explained to me, there is three levels of anesthesia... local, twilight and general. What is the different between twilight and general? Because, as I said, I was out cold.
The great likelihood is that you were in what is referred to as 'twilight'. It is hard to explain without seeing it, but they may have asked you to roll over, take a deep breath, or other such things and you likely complied. You may have even been talking. In your case, you obviously remember none of it. Propofol, and sometimes an adjunct, versed, will cloud or eliminate your memory. The line between general anesthesia and 'twilight' is not an exact one.
My favorite anecdotal story is this.... Had a patient who I had just given Versed. Still awake and chatty. Talked about our Buffalo Bills. He was bemoaning our head coach, Dick Jauron. Incessantly. Post op I spoke with him. He thanked me for putting him to sleep in the pre op area I told him he was awake into the OR, just he couldn't remember. He didn't believe me. I then quoted his anti Dick Jauron diatribe and his face turned pale.
The drugs I administer are amazing. The inventors of propofol drive Porsches. Good!
By the way, if you got a bill, it should state either "general anesthesia" or "monitored anesthesia care" to differentiate the type you officially had.
Quote: SOOPOOThe great likelihood is that you were in what is referred to as 'twilight'. It is hard to explain without seeing it, but they may have asked you to roll over, take a deep breath, or other such things and you likely complied. You may have even been talking. In your case, you obviously remember none of it. Propofol, and sometimes an adjunct, versed, will cloud or eliminate your memory. The line between general anesthesia and 'twilight' is not an exact one.
My favorite anecdotal story is this.... Had a patient who I had just given Versed. Still awake and chatty. Talked about our Buffalo Bills. He was bemoaning our head coach, Dick Jauron. Incessantly. Post op I spoke with him. He thanked me for putting him to sleep in the pre op area I told him he was awake into the OR, just he couldn't remember. He didn't believe me. I then quoted his anti Dick Jauron diatribe and his face turned pale.
The drugs I administer are amazing. The inventors of propofol drive Porsches. Good!
By the way, if you got a bill, it should state either "general anesthesia" or "monitored anesthesia care" to differentiate the type you officially had.
he told me specifically it would be twilight. thanks!
Quit being so damn stingy. Or is that just in your nature, if you know what I mean.Quote: SOOPOOThe problem is post op when the mg of dilaudid I order doesn’t touch them.
Mine was a set of steps. They said they were gonna "get me settled down" so they could do the nerve block. Popped something in the IV and instantly that ball of anxiety and doom dead in the center of the chest completely vanished. No euphoria, no change in mental state, but a complete and utter absence of apprehension.
WTF WAS THAT? I vaguely recall him saying it was an "-ium", I assume in the anti anxiety family. Lithium? Valium? I...uhh… asking for a friend...
Next was the mask. "Just breath normally". One deep breath, exhale, out.
Next was just a fog of people apologizing because nothing was going to plan because all the normal post op time was spent fighting. I vaguely remember a fever dream of being restrained; not a panic dream, just that I wanted to turn and couldn't. I suspect after two hours of being planked I just needed to lay on my side. They said it took 5 guys to hold me down and "it was unknown what if any damage I did". I got no report or instruction or info at all other than that; one nurse said everyone involved was already headed to the next scheduled surgery as that's how long it took. After that, it wasn't 15-30 min and I was already dressed and being wheeled out the door. An hour later I was moping down the street at home in a haze of wonder. A very strange experience.
Quote: FaceNext was just a fog of people apologizing because nothing was going to plan because all the normal post op time was spent fighting. I vaguely remember a fever dream of being restrained; not a panic dream, just that I wanted to turn and couldn't. I suspect after two hours of being planked I just needed to lay on my side. They said it took 5 guys to hold me down and "it was unknown what if any damage I did".
I had a similar encounter about 40 years ago. I can't sleep on my back, so turn I did and restrain me they did. And as I recall it took quite a few people holding me down before they got there.
I also recall pulling the IV out and calling for the nurse who told me "yes, you've already pulled it out 2 times before".
And my final proud moment regarded one of the nurses. Of course I was out of it, and I have no idea what the nurse REALLY looked like, but I do remember looking at her and I'm pretty sure I said "wow you're ugly" and went back into la la land. I felt horrible about that when I woke up, but there wasn't much I could do about it. (Except stay away from that hospital 'cause who knows what that nurse might do to me!)
I am a US citizen! My ceremony started at 8:30 this morning in Irving, TX and lasted about two hours. The first hour was purely administrative... filling out forms, making sure they are signed and turning in my green card.
Second hour consisted of a welcome statement, the national anthem, a welcome statement from the Secretary for the office, followed by the oath ceremony, a video message from the President, a video of Americans taking the oath with America the Beautiful playing in the background, and then presentation of the naturalization certificates.
Now excuse me, but I'm off to register to vote!
Quote: rsactuaryDay 383
I am a US citizen! My ceremony started at 8:30 this morning in Irving, TX and lasted about two hours. The first hour was purely administrative... filling out forms, making sure they are signed and turning in my green card.
Second hour consisted of a welcome statement, the national anthem, a welcome statement from the Secretary for the office, followed by the oath ceremony, a video message from the President, a video of Americans taking the oath with America the Beautiful playing in the background, and then presentation of the naturalization certificates.
Now excuse me, but I'm off to register to vote!
Cake. There needs to be cake.
Woohoo! Congrats again! Sincerely.
