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USCIS Announces Award Recipients of Nearly $10 Million in Funding to Support Citizenship Preparation Programs
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has awarded nearly $10 million in grants to 45 public and private non-profit organizations across the country to help lawful permanent residents prepare for naturalization. The grants also help these organizations promote prospective citizens’ assimilation into American civic life by funding educational programs designed to increase their knowledge of English, U.S. history and civics.
USCIS to Welcome More Than 34,000 New Citizens in Celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
WASHINGTON—USCIS announced that it will celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day by welcoming nearly 34,300 new U.S. citizens during 316 naturalization ceremonies across the nation between Sept. 13 and 23.
USCIS Announces New Locations for Onsite Overseas Military Naturalization Services
WASHINGTON—Today U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it will provide military naturalization services at four overseas military bases, due to the agency’s shifting international footprint and office closures overseas.
USCIS Civics Test Study Tools Mobile App
“USCIS: Civics Test Study Tools,” is now available on the iTunes and Google Play app stores. The app helps you prepare for the civics test during the naturalization interview.
USCIS Announces New Citizenship Ambassador Initiative
Release Date
07/12/2022
Eight Citizenship Ambassadors to promote importance and opportunities of citizenship in communities nationwide
Recording of July 21, 2022 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Citizenship and Naturalization
Discussion Topics, Thursday, July 21, 2022:
USCIS Updates Interpretation of “Under Honorable Conditions” for Military Naturalization
Release Date
08/02/2022
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is publishing an update to its Policy Manual to clarify that a current or former service member who received an uncharacterized discharge may be eligible for naturalization under sections 328 and 329 of the Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA).
USCIS to Welcome 21,000 New Citizens in Celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day this year by welcoming 21,000 new citizens in 335 naturalization ceremonies across the country between Sept. 17 and 23.
USCIS Commemorates Veterans Day with Special Naturalization Ceremonies
Release Date
11/08/2021
WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will honor Veterans Day this year by holding more than 90 ceremonies naturalizing more than 4,440 current and former members of the military and their families. Each year, on Nov. 11, the nation honors members of the U.S. armed forces who have served the country and defended freedom.
Updated Guidance on Naturalization for Veterans Living Overseas
Release Date
05/28/2021
USCIS is updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to provide clarification regarding certain naturalization applications filed by veterans of the U.S. armed forces under section 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
27 May 2021: Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Citizenship and Naturalization
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
Green Card
Discussion Topics, Thursday, May 27, 2021
FAQ: Not reporting change of address to the USCIS - Naturalization || Chances of getting an F-1 Visa when B-1 Visa was rejected earlier 214(b) denial
Oath Completed US passport Applied !!! Long Immigrtion Journey Ended !!!
Finally my long immigration journey has ended this moning. Oath ceremony took only couple of hours & at the end was given that precious naturalization certificate. Feeling bad to give up that GC but guess in order to get something bigger you have to gve up something !!!!!! Just kidding !!! Man I'm excited. I'm a proud US citizen now. I didn't wait any longer. My US pssport form that I alreay completed last night was turned in right after the oath ceremony at a US post office. Now just have to wait for that passport to arrive at my mail box.
Citizenship and Naturalization
Feb 3, 2022 Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Citizenship and Naturalization
Green Card
Discussion topics:
USCIS Announces Open Application Period for Citizenship and Integration Grant Program
Release Date
05/17/2021
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is accepting applications for two funding opportunities under the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program. The grant opportunities will provide up to $10 million in grants for citizenship preparation programs in communities across the country.
Recording of Community Conference (Every Other Thursday), 2015, July 23
Immigration.com
Citizenship and Naturalization
Green Card
Discussed: FAQ - H-1B Employee, telecommuting/working from home, Applying for H-4 EAD while H-4 is pending.
Also: TN working as independent contractor, unlawful presence proof of legal entry I-94, H-1B quota, physicians’ H-1, converting EB-3 to EB-2, I-130, H-1 extension, MSA and area of intended employment, changing consulate location for visa interview, naturalization, OPT and F-2, etc.
Boston MA - Naturalization Interview Experience
Had my Naturalization Interview this morning and all went well, I was issued an N-652 indicating that my application has been recommended for approval. After weeks of stressing over this it took about 20 minutes from start to finish, the I/O was a very nice Gentleman, I probably thanked him a little too much at the end but I was very happy and proud.
Citizenship and Naturalization
Naturalization interview without the Country of Citizenship passport
So I had my interview on Sept 3rd and I went in without the Original Country of Citizenship Passport however as my previous posts state that I had made color copies of each page in my Passport book. Furthermore, I got each page notarized by a Notary Public and obtained a letter from Swiss Embassy that my original Passport (number xxxxx) is with them with effect from data xxxx for Schengen visa processing etc. So I was ready but still I was hoping that the I/O wont ask for my Passport and I don't have to bring all of this up.
Citizenship and Naturalization
USCIS Guidance on Payment of N-400 Application Fee with a Credit Card
You may pay for your N-400, Application for Naturalization, using a credit card. There is no additional fee to pay with your credit card. The N-400 is the only form that can be paid for by credit card using the G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transaction.
Acceptable Credit Cards
You may use Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. You may also use gift cards with Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover logos.
Boston MA - N-400 Interview Experience
I had my interview at the JFK Building, Boston. My appointment time was around 8am. I got there at 7:30. I was called in at around 9 am. It was a standard interview. I took oath to tell the truth. He asked for my GC, Passport and proof that I had registered for selective service. That is all he asked for.
We went through the N-400 first. He was very detailed. Chatted about my work in between. I had already prepared my travel log since the time of my application and he added that as an addendum to my application. After that we did the civics exams.
Citizenship and Naturalization
Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday), 28 July 2016
Immigration.com
Agency
Citizenship and Naturalization
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 28 July 2016:
FAQ: Criminal record, affect on naturalization, other risks; Criteria for EB-1C, international managers and executives, impact of receiving benefits; Tourist/Visitors/B-2 visa denial 214(b); How long is an I-140 approval valid; Legalizing status; Change of work location after filing for naturalization N-400 - 90-day rule for domicile; Gap required on a B visa revisit.
Other: Student (M-1) Visa stamping, changing to F-1; N-600; Conflicting I-94 on H-1 extension and amendment; 221(g) on H-1 visa; Priority date transfer after I-140; J-2 EAD processing; Protecting H-1 holder's share in company, green card processing; H-1B transfer salary and reporting company; H-1B changing employers, etc.; spouse of green card holder issues; When to file I-140/AOS after PERM approval; Correcting records with CBP; Overstay on B visa alleged; etc.
N-400 RFE asked at the day of the Interview
My friend had a naturalization interview on June 28. He passed the tests, but they asked for tax transcripts for the past 3 years and proof that he is current with all of his income state tax obligations.
On July 11 he went in person in Chicago USCIS office and gave the required evidence. On the same they, he received email that a recent action was taken on his case. The online status was saying that request for evidence was asked and he has deadline until June 28 to do so. Once again, he gave them the required documents on July 11.
Citizenship and Naturalization
Interview was moved to a different district, although I didn't move out of district
Here is my short story. Me and my wife applied in March, 2016. We were scheduled for interview in SF district for August, 4. Few weeks before the interview we submitted address change request and later got our confirmation letters. The new physical address is the same city and the mailing address is the different district. Everything remain same for my wife but something wrong happened to my case. It was cancelled and in few days scheduled again for August 30 but in the _different district_ - the Santa Clara district where my mailing address is in.
Citizenship and Naturalization
Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday), 25 August 2016
Citizenship and Naturalization
Nonimmigrant Visas
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 25 August 2016:
FAQ: Quota H-1 pending, status after 1 October; Documentation needed to prove future job offer for EB-2; Green card holder staying outside the USA for less than 12 months.
Other: Applying for H-4 EAD; Priority date transfer for old I-140; Can one stay in USA after EB-1C filing, if priority dates are not current; Confirming whether or not an I-140 case is selected for consular processing; Proving parent child relationship for green card; Filing an EB-2 case; I-140 priority date transfer; H-4 visa stamping and completing education in the USA; Changing employers after I-140 approval; H-1 extensions; Can I find out how many I-140 cases my company has filed and revoked; Incorrect category status issued to child; Naturalization and past (erroneous) visa denials; Married military personnel filing taxes as single, etc.
Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday), 2016, September 8
Immigration.com
Citizenship and Naturalization
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
Green Card
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 8 September 2016:
FAQ: Am I exempt from H-1 quota if visa was not stamped? Does AC21 permit promotions and higher salary for same or similar job? N-400 naturalization/citizenship delays; Applying for parents green card, I-130, I-485, birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc; Continuing work outside USA despite approval of L-1A;
Other: Quota impact of revocation of H-1; Green card filing and impact of Trivalley university; Travel on H-1 with just a few days left; Change jobs after green card approval; Transferring H-1B quota jobs; Surrendering reentry permit; Filing FOIA request to get H-1 and I-140/PERM papers; Cross chargeability - how to prove country of birth; Applying for H-1B and traveling on visa in an old passport; H-1B extension more than 6 months before expiration; H-1B visa stamping; etc.