My 1447b update: NATURALIZED.
OK, after slightly more than a year, it's finally over. I passed the interview in April 2005, like many others was waiting (hoping, thinking, reading, hesitating, analysing, preparing) for some time (probably way too long), filed 1447b in February 2006, very recently agreed to dismiss in exchange for USCIS approval within a month, and finally got naturalized.
Aside from several specific nuances (unclasiifiable subsequent fingerprints, N-14 from USCIS, and some others), my case turned out to be what I think is a kind of standard now, with the following essential steps: (1) filing, (2) serving, (3) waiting 50 to 60 days, (4) stipulation to extend dates (30 days), (5) stipulation to dismiss, (6) oath letter (N-445), and (7) naturalization.
This is approximately how many members of this great forum got naturalized and this is exactly how (with even identical texts of stipulations) member olgat was relatively recently naturalized.
This forum (particularly, this thread) is a unique place where a lot of help can be found and overwhelming majority of members are very friendly and ready to share their information and thoughts. As a non-member, I've been looking at several other forums, and I should say that while they may at times have some helpful informational elements, overall they are not even close to our forum. And of course, I'm very grateful to many our members for their help and advice.
At this point it is difficult to continue without mentioning this name: PUBLICUS. Many helped, but Publicus did a lot more than one, or several, or even many particular pieces of advice (actually I and Publicus didn't have a lot of communication). I already had a chance to say few words about Publicus when he got naturalized, but I feel I need to say more.
There is no question that without having Publicus on this forum, I wouldn't be US Citizen, for sure not now, and not in the near future (may be in years), and I beleive this stands true for most of those who got their citizenship by using 1447b or WOM (or both). Not only Publicus was one of firsts who understood and practically implemented a perfectly legal way of successful fighting a huge and horrible Government inefficiency called "name check". He did a lot more.
Over and over again, Publicus was trying to convince us, hesitating applicants, that (1) filing with court is the only legal and effective way to get through, and (2) we, applicants are perefectly capable to do this ourselves, "pro se", without any lawyers. And he obviuosly succeeded. Everybody who reads this thread knows how many our members, who filed Pro Se, got their Citizenship after Publicus got his. And the number of lawsuits is growing (looks like faster than linearly). Publicus, whether you reading this or not, I can't thank you enough.
My wife is the other person I can't thank enough. Not only was she extremely understanding and patient during this journey, she did really huge help by running and filtering through endless thread/posts, articles, legal issues, etc. She has been very optimistic about our future victory, always encouraged me not to give up and press ahead, and we finally won! And now I should take care of her... (She is F1 student, and things are not simple because she needs to travel soon to her home country and stay there a few months.)
I'd also like to mention members horiba and olgat and thank them for their helpful informative replies, as well as many others who replied to my posts or shared their opinions.
I suggest that those who are still passively waiting, please wake up and consider taking matter in court very seriously. Every month brings more and more (actually, many more) lawsuits, and from various unofficial sources I read and hear that Government will not tolerate current situation for long. There are various rumors of planned changes (no interview without completed NC, 240 or 360 days instead of 120, and others).
So, I believe, until it's too late, those suffering from NC better sit down, focus, and file Pro Se. In worst case, all you've got to lose is $350 + copying & postal expenses. And while many old-timers on this thread are not active participants anymore (which isn't unnatural), there are still many active participants including new very active members who are willing and ready to help (like mohamedmohamed, and others). This means that you, those who file, are not alone - like it was previously (in Publicus' times).
Thank you all and good luck.
