Los Angeles, CA - N-400 Timeline

[immigrant7777]

sorry, I meant it as advice for other people, because I just called and...

i cant believe my OATH will be on June 26!!! my 1 year and 8 month naturalization ordeal (and 5 year of bureaucracy altogether) will be over hopefully soon!!!

btw it's another evidence for my theory that calling when case is otherwise approved and stuck in QUEUE for "event" like IL or OL - call or infopass pulls it out and makes the "event" happen




I have sent you PM e-mail, hope you will call and hear good news soon!

Big Congrats!

 

[Feliz-LA]

my oath ceremony on 06/26 at L.A.S.A at 8AM.
LASA = Los Angeles Sports Arena, anyone has experience with this ceremony location. SHould i know anything in advance ? Parking, waiting line, etc ?

in the years of reading this thread I don't remember seeing any LASA/Coliseum info and forum search doesnt bring anything either, so I join to the request - if anybody has advise - please share!

Court Oath schedule webpage doesn't list LASA/Coliseum website
http://www.cacd.uscourts.gov/CACD/GenInfo.nsf

only times:
June 26, 2009 (Fri.) LASA****6,000 9:00 a.m.
June 26, 2009 (Fri.) LASA**** 6,000 2:00 p.m.

and address
Los Angeles Sports Arena
3939 S. Figueroa
Los Angeles, CA 90037

here's a general website http://www.lacoliseumlive.com

here's Visitor info: parking, Google map directions etc
http://www.lacoliseumlive.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55&Itemid=76

here are people's experiences with parking:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sports-arena-and-coliseum-los-angeles-memorial-los-angeles

....my mom's citizenship oath. Wow, it was a sea of people everywheres! I was on the 110 South, to get off on MLK exit, NOPE. I had to bust some moves and got off on Vernon, made a right onto Figueroa and BAM, we were there.

I hear that they've got 2 more oaths scheduled for today. If you're reading this, give yourself plenty of time to get to where you're going.

i will search more

Big Congrats!

thanks

 

[Feliz-LA]

finally found a LASA oath experience

original thread: http://forums.immigration.com/showthread.php?t=286829

Sorry to open a new thread, but I hope you will understand once u read.

I became an US Citizen y'day @ LA Sports Arena. The ceremony as such went without hiccups. Had to show the 445 before enetering the arena, then check-in in any one of the 70 tables, surrendered my GC and 445(did not show my DL), office wrote OK and a table # to pickup certificate on return. Once inside the area, the court came into session around 4p (supposed to be @ 3:30p). Judge apologised for arriving late, but organisers started letting in people only around 3:30p. It took a while for 5000+ people to get in.

Jusge swore us in with Oath of allegiance, gave a speech. USCIS official did our Pledge of allegiance. We were waving flags and shouting frequently. Then a video was shown. USPS official made an announcement for Passport, then swore-in the applicants who were to apply for Passport right-after. Then we were let out, after the visitors were let out.

I was content about this experience, the one that matters most. Everything else that happened y'day made it one of the worst days in US for me. I left 12:30 (in San Fernando Valley, 30 miles from the arena) the traffic in downtown LA came to a crawl. It took almost an hour between the MLK exit (for arena) and Exposition Blvd on 110S and still couldnt get out. So, I had to walk (yes, walked on freeway-shoulder) the last mile alongwith atleast around 50 others who were stuck in the Freeway. A few just parked the car on the freeway shoulder, disregarding the consequence. (so what would've happened, if they got a ticket officially before swearing-in, but were unaware???)

I entered the compound around 3:15p, around 3500+ people were standing in line outside arena waiting to be let in and steadily pouring in. Luckily it wasnt hot yday, but my last-mile irritated me only more, but atleast I was happy, I was there. Around 3:25p line started moving. Directions weren't clear for visitors. Once inside, everything went smoothly.

Getting out to gather the certificate was another big mess. It reminded me of the Cinema Halls in India (atleast the way I remeber from 15 yrs ago), where people were herded, literally, like cattles. I perhaps am not describing the disappointment and emotional trauma very well and in detail, but it was. And that robbed most of the anticipated excitement. I am leaving few other personal-minor miseries like, I forogt my brand-new sportcoat in the car, and my wife had to drive the car, who never drove in a freeway, let alone in bumper-to-bumper traffic, which was bothering me all the time, until she was safe. She couldnt meet me before I entered the arena.

On the surface its not USCIS fault, but I am going to send in a recommendation to split the ceremony in other locations (like SFV). Its not convenient for people who dont have good commuting infrastrucutre from their home to downtown and thats a good enough number, here in LA. Like the FP facility, they have to split the 18,000 new citizens and the visitors into more than one facility for swearing-in or interview. What happened to a bunch of us yday is no way for USA to welcome new citizens. LA cant collect tax from 1.5million SFV residents and treat us this way. After yday, I am a firm believer, for SFV to break-away from LA.

Anyway, my piece of advise, if you happen to go to LA Sports Arena for Oath, please dont underestimate traffic.

And, this forum is magnificent for immigrants. Honestly, there were only a few tips I actually used in my case, since mine was quite straight-forward, but the information I gathered here gave me tremendous confidence and I have passed the knowledge on to my friends occasionally. I am sure, it would help plenty of people to avoid making silly mistakes and also help many in critical scenarios. Also, the forums empowered me to know what to expect and that many a times helped me to handle the process in a relatively calm-manner.

With the forum handling Passport, OCI and GC-4-relatives discussions, I dont think, I will be away from here for a while, though. Thank you so much, everyone. What makes it classy is, none of you really expect anything in return!!!

I had the same oath at LA Sports Arena but at 12:00PM instead, traffic was a nightmare. It took me 1 hour and 30 minutes just from 110 exit MLK Blvd to get to the parking. I left home early at 9:30 AM from Orange County Area otherwise it would have been late.
People walked on the shoulder left and right for fear of getting late. I got into the buiding around 1M eventually.
So for others to have oath scheduled at LA Sports Arena, beware of the traffic.

I485waiter, sorry to hear about your experience. I had my oath at 12pm and had to deal with the same stuff.

I-110S and the streets around the Sports Arena (MLK, Exposition, Figueroa) were incredibly congested. Fortunately, I live in West LA and am familiar with the Sports Arena area. So I never got onto I-110S and just took local roads from I-10E. Once I got to the Sports Arena, the east side of the Sports Arena was incredibly packed so I approached from the west instead on Vermont Ave (and entered the parking lot from the south side of the arena). It only took about 15 mins to get in from this route. I felt bad for everyone who was stuck on the east side (next to the freeway).

For those who have their ceremony at the Sports Arena in the future, consider these tips: (Google Map)

• Don't get on I-110S. Go local instead.
• Approach from Vermont Ave (west-side of Sports Arena)
• Enter the Sporta Arena on Hoover Street. Even if the police have left-turn on Hoover blocked from MLK Blvd, just go past Hoover and make a U-turn.
• Parking costs $15 at the Sports Arena. There're plenty of parking lots around that are also $15 or lower. So if you want to avoid the entire mess, park in one of the garages on the south side of MLK Blvd and walk a short distance instead.

I parked and got out of my car around 11:40pm. There was a mass of people waiting outside with a line wrapping around many times and it was very difficult to find the end of the line. I think it would be very useful if they had officers or volunteers outside managing the line a little better (or just telling people where to enter).

In any case, I was inside, checked-in, and sitting by 12:05pm. The ceremony did NOT start until 1:10pm or so! So bring enough reading material and be prepared to wait. If you have to go to the restroom, ask an officer how soon the ceremony would start. Do not hold it in because you never know how much longer it'll be... I'm glad I asked

The exit was better organized though once people started queueing at the tables for their certificates, it became congested again pretty fast. I did want to go and slap some of the people in the visitors section because they just would not listen to simple directions ("Do not block the aisles" - people would still stand there, "Leave now" - people would just stay seated and stare back at the stage).

After exiting the ceremony area, I found my assigned table and the officer just handed me the certificate and told me to sign it when I got home. I signed it with my normal (abbreviated) signature and not my full name. No signature on the photos (so that's the way they do it in California, I guess).

I took the Vermont route back to I-10 as I knew I-110 would be crowded (and it seemed that way). Despite my experience, I give kudos to USCIS for getting 5,000 people in and out of the Sports Arena in relative order.

Went straight to the Social Security office and had my record updated (only took 20 minutes or so there). Dropped off my passport application at the post office on Saturday. The person at the post office very harshly stapled my passport application and naturalization certificate, which hurt a little (given how carefully I had been handling the certificate up to that point).

It turned out to be more exasperating and anticlimactic than exciting, but I'm glad the process is finally over. I485waiter, I'll probably see you in the passport and GC-4 relative discussions. Sorry again for your experience and I'm glad that you and your wife got home safely.

Good luck to everyone else!

I will consider taking a bus because harbour transitway (special bus-only lane in the middle of 110 Harbor freeway) is in walking distance from coliseum, bus info: www.metro.net

 

[nocturnalbeat20]

I called the USCIS and spoke to a Level II Officer and he told me that the decision about my N-400 request was still pending. I am going to go about my life and not worry about this issue anymore. If I get a letter fine, but if I don't, then son be it. I will wait the dreaded 120 from my interview date before i call them again. I just don't want to have to deal with it anymore. The wait is really having a toll on me, and I just want to go about my life. It's not that bad. I can still work and travel. maybe i wasn't meant to be a U.S. Citizen after all.

 

[dreamwork2]

I am still waiting. have not got the IL. is there anything I can do? I wrote letter to them, and Info pass couple times, they just said : 'it is processing"




DO: Los Angeles /Live in Orange County

02/02/2009: PD
02/25/2009: FP Date
0803/2009: ID
xx/xx/xxxx: OD

 

[Feliz-LA]

I called the USCIS and spoke to a Level II Officer and he told me that the decision about my N-400 request was still pending. I am going to go about my life and not worry about this issue anymore. If I get a letter fine, but if I don't, then son be it. I will wait the dreaded 120 from my interview date before i call them again. I just don't want to have to deal with it anymore. The wait is really having a toll on me, and I just want to go about my life. It's not that bad. I can still work and travel. maybe i wasn't meant to be a U.S. Citizen after all.

I understand you so well - i abhore this bureaucracy, but you are right - dont let them to cause more damage then they already did - try to relax and to focus on better things then uscis
Set alarm to call again next Friday and forget about it till then, then Friday - right before the call - eat something you like a lot it will all work out eventually

 

[sri69]

Naturalization ceremony in LA with videos

Congrats Feliz.

We attended the naturalization ceremony (for my wife) in Pomona, CA at the Fairplex yesterday. Shot some videos too (see below for links).

The ceremony was effective in terms of getting the job done, but overall it basically felt like a herd of people squished in like sardines. The judges commentary was a basic script and didn't seem to have any personal appeal or enthusiasm. Maybe I simply had higher expectations for the ceremony, others may have thought otherwise. There was also a brief interruption due to a protester shouting after the service men/women were recognized which was uncomfortable, but they quickly shuffled them away. Rate the event about 5/10 for excitement overall.
Parking was a 3/10. It took over 40 minutes without exaggeration to leave the parking lot. Think of over 3000+ people and their families leaving a parking lot with only 2 exit lanes. Oddest fair facility setup we've seen.

Sorry to come across somewhat negative, but the venue was moderate at best.

Anyway, here are a few videos from the event:

Oath, anthem and atmosphere:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XV2YLvejZU

President's message:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmFiLVUA0Sg

God bless the USA:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DckLB29OvrE

These were shot handheld while squished in the crowd.

Congratulations to those that became citizens yesterday in LA.

 

[Bobsmyth]

Congratulations!! Thanks for sharing the videos of the ceremony. Any plans for a Bollywood movie?

 

[hello714]

Called the 800#, reached officer from second attempt, was told case is in queue for oath date, so hopefully that means interview was accepted without issues

At first attempt the Rep despite my protests had to read me the WHOLE online status "received january 2009 etc" and the lengthy explanation of what naturalization process is and thst i am not citizen yet (and wouldnt let me stop him), then he asked me if i passed fingerprints, i gave up and said yes, he told me to wait for the interview letter (agrrrrr! they cant see anything besides the website!!!!!) and when i said i had one, he got pissed and refused to transfer to the officer before it has been 90 days since interview.

Instead of wasting millions of immigrsnts' fee $$$ to pay this parrots to read the website and the whole process description for 30 min to each caller, they could have fixed the online status and have the robot read it, like it was when i was getting immigrant visa 5 years ago and every time between 2004 and 2007 when i cslled - automated voice system would read the date of actual last action taken on case and the updates were very quick. Are they regressing to 1950s in technology? Last time i checked processing dates on may 12, it was showing that on FEBRUARY 28 LA DO was processing June 2008, i guess they stopped even pretending they update anything
Futureusc, wow! that is 40-45 days between PD and IL, comparing to 50-55 before, its a nice speed up! Hopefully thats where some of our fees are going, besides paying the website readers.

To Feliz-LA:
How many times did you talk to IO ?
Did you receive OL yet ?

 

[dreamwork2]

update


DO: Los Angeles

02/02/2009: PD
02/25/2009: FP Date
08/03/2009: ID
xx/xx/xxxx: OD

 

[Feliz-LA]

To Feliz-LA:
How many times did you talk to IO ?
Did you receive OL yet ?

if you mean between interview and the last call, probably 3-4 times, mostly between May 12 and May 22 - in hope to get the May 28 date, but after May 22 I gave up hoping and called May 27th only because I saw that you got your good news.

no OL yet.

I have not got my IL yet, and I did infor pass 2 times, they said too early, Santa Ana office, what can I do now?

DO: Los Angeles
02/02/2009: PD
02/25/2009: FP Date

sorry about your long wait, since there's nobody that I remember in LA thread who filed around your PD February and waited as long, I would search other DO threads and the FBI thread for similar delays, Good Luck!

 

[dreamwork2]

I am still waiting. I went IO today ( June 1st, ) the Io said, it is too early


is there anyone in Santa Ana office ?

PD: 02/02/09
FP : 02/25/09
IL: XX?????

 

[sri69]

Oath date 6/26/09 at the LASA.

 

[hello714]

Received OL

I'm so happy when i see a OL in my mailbox.
I just have received it today. On the OL, it shows dated as May 27,09 when i called IO. The oath date is 06/26, but it asks me to promptly be there at 8AM while oath ceremony is 9am. Is there anyone have same time as mine?
I might think calling might trigger "event" that they put my case process faster.
Is

Thank you.

To Feliz-LA, have you received OL yet ? cause you called same date with me

 

[wii]

I received my interview date.

 

[wifey246]

I received my interview date.

Wow, that was fast. Good luck!

I wonder if the walk-in FP somehow pushed your case forward... Looking at your timeline, your scheduled FP is June 4th. I've never seen a case where interview letter was received before the FP schedule.

 

[wifey246]

I jsut called the 1-800 # and was told that they mailed my Interview Letter today. My schedule is on July 30th

 

[simivalley]

Oath and Interview dates

Did a walk-in for FP at the Ventura ASC. Tip - show up at 8AM!! It only took 15min.

Two questions for the community...

1) Is anyone aware of the oath day being the same day as the Interview in LA?
2) If you request the original oath date to be postponed, what is general delay?

--------------------------------
Los Angeles DO

05/09/11 - Application Mailed to PHX
05/11/09 - Priority Date
05/18/09 - Check Cashed
05/20/09 - NOA1 Recvd
05/26/09 - Finger Printing Letter rec'd For 06/06/09
05/30/09 - FD walk-in
xx/xx/09 - IL issued (rec'd xx/xx/xx)
xx/xx/09 - ID
xx/xx/09 - OD

 

[caliSun]

hi nocturnalbeat, cute nickname

I got same piece of paper - FBI pending, which I though was impossible, cuz last year (after many lawsuits) they would - as you said -schedule interview only if FBI completely cleared, but whatever it is - fret not they can't delay the decision for more then 90 days, or we can file a lawsuit, so hang in there!

try calling them, I will call today and will make sure to keep you posted

Hi Feliz-LA,

Congrats on your oath letter!!

I got the same N-652 today, passed English/Civic test, but Background Check pending. I know it's not my name check ot FP, because I got many times confirmed that my name check and FP has been cleared by different IOs. I asked the interview officer what kind of check that was, she said that's something they will run this week, I wonder what that could be.

Did you get recommand approval right away? Mine is "decision can not be made", feel a little disppointed, but after that long waiting, I didn't feel that annoyed.

 

[formerf1]

Los Angeles is moving pretty fast !...