Finally!!! My approval (and oath letter) has come in!!! - a couple of questions...

[GhostRider]

So, as some of you know, I've been waiting over a month to get my N400 application approved after I didn't receive my final answer at the time of interview due to my arrest from 2003.

The interview date was on 6/22, and I've just received my oath letter today (7/28).

I have a quick question with regards to two items on the Oath letter:

1. It states to bring along "Reentry Permit or Refugee Travel Document"... - are they referring to my foreign passport?

2. I was pulled over 3 days before my interview for speeding and received a ticket, which I mentioned at the time of interview, but pleaded 'Not guilty' and am currently awaiting for a court date. Now, on the back of the oath letter, question 4 reads: "Have you been arrested, cited, charged, indicted, convicted, fined or imprisoned for breaking or violating any law or ordinance, including traffic violations?"

... how do I answer to this question? As mentioned above, the traffic citation took place BEFORE the interview, yet, as of today this issue remains open and unsettled. It may very well be settled before 8/21 (which is my oath date), but just for argument's sake, in case my oath date comes before my speeding ticket court date - should I mark a 'Yes' or a 'No'?

The instructions on the back of the oath letter, clearly read: "These questions refer to actions since the date you were first interviewed on your Application for Naturlization. The questions do not refer to anything that happened before the interview."

...well.. the citation happened before the interview. During the interview, the IO asked whether I've ever been detained/arrested, I told him about my 2003 arrest. He then asked if I had any other arrests/detentions, to which I answered: "no other arrests, just simple traffic citations" (without getting into details). He didn't seem to care about any traffic violations and just proceeded with the application.

Common sense tells me that the fact this speeding ticket remains unsettled is irrelevant... the fact of the matter is that the citation took place BEFORE the interview, means I should answer 'No' to the question above.

Any opinions on this matter?

 

[NewRunner]

1. It states to bring along "Reentry Permit or Refugee Travel Document"... - are they referring to my foreign passport?

The only thing you really need to turn in before your oath is your green card or any other document you are using to prove your valid immigrant status in the U.S. I think the letter is generic and is referring broadly to the various documents some immigrants have to carry around. You don't need to turn in your foreign passport before the oath ceremony.

2. I was pulled over 3 days before my interview for speeding and received a ticket, which I mentioned at the time of interview, but pleaded 'Not guilty' and am currently awaiting for a court date. Now, on the back of the oath letter, question 4 reads: "Have you been arrested, cited, charged, indicted, convicted, fined or imprisoned for breaking or violating any law or ordinance, including traffic violations?"
... how do I answer to this question?

I would answer No. This issue was addressed and resolved during the interview. If nothing happened since the interview, then you are good to go.

Congratulations on getting the oath letter - I know you were concerned about this.

Good luck for the last step!

 

[baikal3]

Congratulations on getting your oath letter.

So, as some of you know, I've been waiting over a month to get my N400 application approved after I didn't receive my final answer at the time of interview due to my arrest from 2003.

The interview date was on 6/22, and I've just received my oath letter today (7/28).

I have a quick question with regards to two items on the Oath letter:

1. It states to bring along "Reentry Permit or Refugee Travel Document"... - are they referring to my foreign passport?

No. They are referring to special travel documents issued by USCIS to those LPRS or refugees who filed I-131, application for a travel document. An LPR can get a so-called reentry permit from USCIS which is needed if an LPR travels abroad for more than a year. For refugees the travel document is similar and serves as a substitute of a passport since they are often not able to get passports from their own governments.

Since you didn't know what a reentry permit is, I assume one was never issued to you so you don't need to worry about it. You do need to bring your green card to the oath; they'll take it away there.

You do not need to bring your foreign passport to the oath.

2. I was pulled over 3 days before my interview for speeding and received a ticket, which I mentioned at the time of interview, but pleaded 'Not guilty' and am currently awaiting for a court date. Now, on the back of the oath letter, question 4 reads: "Have you been arrested, cited, charged, indicted, convicted, fined or imprisoned for breaking or violating any law or ordinance, including traffic violations?"

... how do I answer to this question?

You unswer this question "No" (unless, that is, you get another ticket between now and the date of the oath).

 

[CRYIN4HLP]

Congratulations Man. Enjoy the relaxation of the long journey and graduation at Campus.
Good luck.

 

[dell27]

Congratulations! i envy you! am still waiting! anyway, which city you from? wonder what took my approval so long.?

 

[GhostRider]

Thanks all

I think the letter is generic and is referring broadly to the various documents some immigrants have to carry around. You don't need to turn in your foreign passport before the oath ceremony.

No. They are referring to special travel documents issued by USCIS to those LPRS or refugees who filed I-131, application for a travel document. An LPR can get a so-called reentry permit from USCIS which is needed if an LPR travels abroad for more than a year. For refugees the travel document is similar and serves as a substitute of a passport since they are often not able to get passports from their own governments.

Since you didn't know what a reentry permit is, I assume one was never issued to you so you don't need to worry about it.

Correct, the letter is generic in nature, but the checklist of documents to bring have these little boxes next to them where the IOs check-off any applicable documents that should be brought along. Mine has the following checked off:

- Oath letter
- Green Card
- Reentry Permit or Refugee Travel Document

… why would they check that thing off? I have never been a refugee nor have I ever seen what the above document even look like…

Congratulations! i envy you! am still waiting! anyway, which city you from? wonder what took my approval so long.?

Thanks,

I live in Stamford, CT and the interview took place in Hartford, CT. The regional service center is located in Vermont.

- hope this helps. Good luck with yours. I'm sure you'll get it any day now!

 

[NewRunner]

Correct, the letter is generic in nature, but the checklist of documents to bring have these little boxes next to them where the IOs check-off any applicable documents that should be brought along. Mine has the following checked off:

- Oath letter
- Green Card
- Reentry Permit or Refugee Travel Document

You can only bring what you have. If you don't have a Reentry Permit or Refugee Travel Document, then just state that when you show up.

Here is what is most likely going to happen. You will be put in a line where they will collect your oath appointment letter, your green card and then the IO will just ask you to verify the details on your Naturalization Certificate. I would be stunned if they asked you for a document you cannot possibly have.

Good Luck!

 

[GhostRider]

You can only bring what you have. If you don't have a Reentry Permit or Refugee Travel Document, then just state that when you show up.

Here is what is most likely going to happen. You will be put in a line where they will collect your oath appointment letter, your green card and then the IO will just ask you to verify the details on your Naturalization Certificate. I would be stunned if they asked you for a document you cannot possibly have.

Good Luck!

Sounds good, thanks

 

[carmen299]

My husband and I are in the same boat as Dell27

My husband had his interview in Cincinnati on 6/22 also. My husband has been fretting for over a month now and no letter yet. There were some issues during the interview about an arrest over 10 years ago (long story). So, He swears they're preparing him for deportation
Anyhow BIG congrats and I hope we get his (good) results soon

 

[art20c]

Congrats, finally you got it. I'm so glad for you. Now, it feels better, doesn't it?

 

[cafeconleche]

Congratulations! Funny, I'm visiting Stamford, CT, right now.

 

[saf]

Thanks all

… why would they check that thing off? I have never been a refugee nor have I ever seen what the above document even look like…

You are welcome! Congratulations! that letter that mentioned about Reentry Permit or Refugee Travel Document is just a standard letter. anyways, reentry permit or refugee travel document is not referring to foreign passport. If you haven't been a refugee, don't worry about it.

Also don't worry about your traffic citation because the letter asks you if you have any citation after the interview, not before or during the interview. so answer no to that question on the form.

Make sure to read the "what to do after the oath ceremony" on the website: http://www.newcitizen.us/after.html

No more worries about anything after the oath. After the oath, you can be a NASCAR driver drive-speeding your car. heh. Just kidding!

Cheers!

 

[GhostRider]

My husband had his interview in Cincinnati on 6/22 also. My husband has been fretting for over a month now and no letter yet. There were some issues during the interview about an arrest over 10 years ago (long story). So, He swears they're preparing him for deportation
Anyhow BIG congrats and I hope we get his (good) results soon

Thank you

As long as your husband's charges were dismissed, he should be ok.

Good luck, I'm sure it will be in any day now

Congrats, finally you got it. I'm so glad for you. Now, it feels better, doesn't it?

oh yeah... about 1,000,000 times better

Congratulations! Funny, I'm visiting Stamford, CT, right now.

How do you like it? Not much to do around here.... better go down to NYC for more action only 30 minutes away...

You are welcome! Congratulations! that letter that mentioned about Reentry Permit or Refugee Travel Document is just a standard letter. anyways, reentry permit or refugee travel document is not referring to foreign passport. If you haven't been a refugee, don't worry about it.

Also don't worry about your traffic citation because the letter asks you if you have any citation after the interview, not before or during the interview. so answer no to that question on the form.

Make sure to read the "what to do after the oath ceremony" on the website: http://www.newcitizen.us/after.html

No more worries about anything after the oath. After the oath, you can be a NASCAR driver drive-speeding your car. heh. Just kidding!

Cheers!

Thanks for all the tips. I will most definitely visit the site above ^^

Thanks!