N400 Timeline: Houston, TEXAS

I think am going to be in the same shoes as you, i would have become an LPR for 3 years on the 17th but i have been scheduled for interview on the 10th. I guess its going to be postponed for about a week then.

July31 said:
I kept off the forum for a while. The last update was my interview being rescheduled for a week later; to match the 5 year completion date (Oct 28, 2009).

Interview Day (Oct 28, 2009)
Getting to the USCIS was a bigger deal than the interview itself. Battling the morning rush hour reached there at 8:29 AM (Interview was at 8:30 AM). Parked on the street and rushed inside the empty USCIS building. There was just one person waiting in the Naturalization Area. Later 2 more joined me. All of us were rescheduled, as we hadn’t completed 5 years on the actual interview date. USCIS seriously needs to take this into consideration when scheduling an interview. The interview was straightforward; the IO rapidly browsed thru the thick folder of documents, saw my transcripts, degree certificates, etc. Asked 6 questions (The Bill of Rights, 4 years - Presidents Term, Mississippi River, 1787, Native Americans, Nancy Pelosi, We the People). Asked to read “When is Columbus Day?”. Write “Columbus Day is in October”. Reviewed the application form once more. That’s it. Done. Waited back in the Naturalization area and picked up the oath letter in next 10 minutes. Oath was on Nov. 18th.

Oath Day (Nov 18, 2009)
Took the forum’s advice and reached MO Campbell Educational Center (Aldine ISD’s Basketball Stadium) 1 hour late at 8:00 AM! Good decision. There was no waiting in lines in bitter cold. And no queues at the booths. The booths were sorted based on the last 3 digits of your Alien #: 000-100, 101-200, and likewise. They are manned by eager volunteers. You eyeball your Naturalization Certificate for discrepancies and give it back. Entering the seating arena the volunteers hand out booklets: Declaration of Independence & the US Constitution, Passport Application forms, Voter Registration forms, etc. The place was packed and people were dozing off on the seats, walking about. Felt bored to sit, so stepped outside to go get Cappuccino at the corner McDonalds. The actual ceremony started at 10:00 AM; Boy Scouts parading the flags, the judicial proceedings, swearing the oath, pledge of allegiance to the US flag, national anthem, speech by guest speaker. Then people were called out (as per the color sheets they were given while entering) to pick-up their Naturalization Certificates. There were people waiting in lines to take picture with the judge and the guest speaker. The order they call people is Last in Last out. So, I was one of the last to get out! Went straight from there to the US Post Office and submitted my Passport application (Passport and Card, all for 120 bucks).

That’s it guys. Thanks for all your inputs, there is a wealth of information on these forums. And selfless gurus jumping to your aid. Thanks to Rajeev Khanna for making all this happen.

Some Tips:
Do early walkins for fingerprints only if necessary. Otherwise you might be triggering early interviews. And have to make two trips for the interview.
Name change doesn’t seem to add any extra time, at least at the Houston DO. Again that might vary on a case by case basis.
Just take the bare minimum documentation for the interview, if your case is straightforward.
Seems like you can get to Oath Ceremony even as until 9:00 AM.
If you insist on getting there at 7:00 AM, you have plenty time for breakfast and coffee at McDonalds on the corner. You can walk there.
When done you can also exit thru a back road, don’t crowd to get onto Aldine-Bender in the front.

TIMELINE
5 Year based N-400
GC Date: Oct 27, 2004
DO: Houston, TX
*****************
07/31/2009 (Day 01): N-400 Mailed to Lewisville, TX (Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation)
08/03/2009 (Day 04): N-400 Delivered @ Lewisville, TX
08/05/2009 (Day 06): Check Cleared
08/10/2009 (Day 11): NOA Received (Priority Date: 08/03/2009)
08/12/2009 (Day 13): Online Case Status changes to RFE (Finger Print Notice)
08/18/2009 (Day 19): FP Notice Received
08/25/2009 (Day 26): FP Done (Original Appointment Date: 09/04/2009)
09/05/2009 (Day 37): Online Case Status changes to CASE SENT to DO
10/03/2009 (Day 65): Missing Interview Letter arrives at the Door Step!
10/20/2009 (Day 82): Original Interview Date (Was rescheduled to later date for me to complete 5 Years)
10/28/2009 (Day 90): Rescheduled Interview Date (Done, Approved, Received Oath Letter)
11/18/2009 (Day 110): Oath Done
11/18/2009 (Day 110): Applied for the US Passport
Click to expand...
 
N400 sent on Nov 23, PD 12/01/09, check still not cashed

Dear all,
Is the processing slowing down in houston? I've been checking my account every day, and wish the money would be gone. LUD is 12/03/09.
 
hi Rebeccali65 - i do not see houston slowind down - its been one of the quickest - pl share your timeline by including it in your signature. I see that you sent N400 on Nov and it looks like you already received NOA and you started tracking your case as you mentioned LUD 12/03/09. If that is the case, do not worry about check being cashed it eventually will be. In the meantime, you may already be getting FP letters - good luck
 
Hi Citizenwannabe, Thank you. I think probably it's the holiday season right now.

TIMELINE
5 Year based N-400
GC Date: Dec, 2004
DO: Houston, TX
*****************
11/23/2009 (Day 01): N-400 Mailed to Lewisville, TX (Dallas was also on the confirmation postcard sent back to me)
12/03/2009 (Day 10): NOA Received (N400 RD 11/30/09, PD:12/01/09)
 
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Rebeccali65,

It would be strange for you to recieve NOA without your check being cashed (strange indeed).

I have my interview in a little under 3 hrs from now and Houston sure is too fast, i havent even reached my third yr as an LPR yet (i will be an LPR on the 17th) so i dont know whats going to happen, either i get the interview done and wait for Januarys oath or have my interview re-scheduled, whatever the case i will keep you guys posted.

Regards
 
Something is not right, what was the reason given for the cancellation? have you bothered setting up an infopass to find out whats going on?

Regards

tsc123102 said:
I think everybody in Houston DO is on fast track, except me. Look at my timeline...waiting...
Click to expand...
 
Instead of checking my account 20 times a day, I called USCIS this morning. Was told it is under background check already and further evidence is requested (FP?). I do not see any updates on my USCIS account. Was told do not worry about the check, which may take a month to show up on my account (?). Telling me to call again at the end of this month if check's still not cashed.

TIMELINE
5 Year based N-400
GC Date: Dec, 2004
DO: Houston, TX
*****************
11/23/2009 (Day 01): N-400 Mailed to Lewisville, TX (Dallas was also on the confirmation postcard sent back to me)
12/03/2009 (Day 10): NOA Received (N400 RD 11/30/09, PD:12/01/09)
 
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Friends,

Self and Spouse attended interview today at 1:00PM. Straight case. One officer did the testing and another officer verified the application and gave the approval letter. Collected the oath letter after 15 minutes. Entire process for both of us took just 30 minutes. We felt like it was all a mere formality. We have our oath ceremony next Wednesday December 16th.

12/06/2004: GC Approved
DO - Houston, TX

09/21/2009: N-400 Mailed to Lewisville, TX
09/23/2009: N-400 Delivered
09/25/2009: Priority Date
09/28/2009: Check Cleared
09/30/2009: Receipt Notice Received
10/24/2009: FP Notice Received
11/02/2009: FP Appointment - Done at I-45South ASC
11/07/2009: Sent to DO for Testting and Interview
11/10/2009: Interview Letter Received
12/10/2009: Interview Date (1:00PM)- Passed and got Oath Letter
12/16/2009: Oath
 
Congratulations, Jagck. Would you mind sharing your 6 questions given today?
Thanks!

5 Year based N-400
GC Date: Dec, 2004
DO: Houston, TX
*****************
11/23/2009 (Day 01): N-400 Mailed to Lewisville, TX (Dallas was also on the confirmation postcard sent back to me)
12/03/2009 (Day 10): NOA Received (N400 RD 11/30/09, PD:12/01/09)
 
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Interview done today, was asked 6 questions which were;

1. What is the political party of the president.
2. Name one state that borders Mexico.
3. Who is the commander in chief of the military.
4. Who wrote the declaration of independence.
5. Name the two political parties.
6. Name 3 of the original colonies.

The reading, i was asked to read "who elects congress" and to write "the people elect congress"

I answered all six correctly and went in for the second part of the interview which requires going through my paperwork. That was done and i was asked to come back on the 21st for my oath letter because i still haven't completed the 3 year rule. I will complete the 3 yrs LPR eligibility by the 17th of this month.

All in all i spent about an hour and 15 minutes and i was out the door. Would keep you guys informed on the oath date by the 21st of this month.
 
rebeccali65 said:
Instead of checking my account 20 times a day, I called USCIS this morning. Was told it is under background check already and further evidence is requested (FP?). I do not see any updates on my USCIS account. Was told do not worry about the check, which may take a month to show up on my account (?). Telling me to call again at the end of this month if check's still not cashed.

TIMELINE
5 Year based N-400
GC Date: Dec, 2004
DO: Houston, TX
*****************
11/23/2009 (Day 01): N-400 Mailed to Lewisville, TX (Dallas was also on the confirmation postcard sent back to me)
12/03/2009 (Day 10): NOA Received (N400 RD 11/30/09, PD:12/01/09)
12/03/2009 (Day 10): LUD (did not specify what and why)
??/??/????:check cleared
Click to expand...

rebecca - I am not sure what they meant by background check, since your FPs are not done yet. However, you should be receiving your FP Notices anytime - hope for the best.
 
ojonuba said:
Interview done today, was asked 6 questions which were;

1. What is the political party of the president.
2. Name one state that borders Mexico.
3. Who is the commander in chief of the military.
4. Who wrote the declaration of independence.
5. Name the two political parties.
6. Name 3 of the original colonies.

The reading, i was asked to read "who elects congress" and to write "the people elect congress"

I answered all six correctly and went in for the second part of the interview which requires going through my paperwork. That was done and i was asked to come back on the 21st for my oath letter because i still haven't completed the 3 year rule. I will complete the 3 yrs LPR eligibility by the 17th of this month.

All in all i spent about an hour and 15 minutes and i was out the door. Would keep you guys informed on the oath date by the 21st of this month.
Click to expand...

jagck and ojonuba - congratulations. ojonuba, thanks for sharing all the details and hope your oath would also be scheduled for next Wed, as in the case of jagck.

This thread has not been very active so not much information available on interviews at Houston DO - thank you guys for sharing info.
 
I was asked exactly same questions as ojonuba:

1. What is the political party of the president.
2. Name one state that borders Mexico.
3. Who is the commander in chief of the military.
4. Who wrote the declaration of independence.
5. Name the two political parties.
6. Name 3 of the original colonies.

I was asked to read "How many states do we have?".

Then I was asked to write "We have fifty states".

12/06/2004: GC Approved
DO - Houston, TX

09/21/2009: N-400 Mailed to Lewisville, TX
09/23/2009: N-400 Delivered
09/25/2009: Priority Date
09/28/2009: Check Cleared
09/30/2009: Receipt Notice Received
10/24/2009: FP Notice Received
11/02/2009: FP Appointment - Done at I-45South ASC
11/07/2009: Sent to DO for Testting and Interview
11/10/2009: Interview Letter Received
12/10/2009: Interview Date (1:00PM)- Passed and got Oath Letter
12/16/2009: Oath
 
"Current Status: Request for Additional Evidence Sent

On December 10, 2009, we mailed a notice requesting additional evidence or information in this case N400 APPLICATION FOR NATURALIZATION. Please follow the instructions ..."


5 Year based N-400
GC Date: Dec, 2004
DO: Houston, TX
*****************
11/23/2009 (Day 01): N-400 Mailed to Lewisville, TX (Dallas was also on the confirmation postcard sent back to me)
12/03/2009 (Day 10): NOA Received (N400 RD 11/30/09, PD:12/01/09)
 
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rebeccali65 said:
"Current Status: Request for Additional Evidence Sent

On December 10, 2009, we mailed a notice requesting additional evidence or information in this case N400 APPLICATION FOR NATURALIZATION. Please follow the instructions ..."


5 Year based N-400
GC Date: Dec, 2004
DO: Houston, TX
*****************
11/23/2009 (Day 01): N-400 Mailed to Lewisville, TX (Dallas was also on the confirmation postcard sent back to me)
12/03/2009 (Day 10): NOA Received (N400 RD 11/30/09, PD:12/01/09)
12/03/2009 (Day 10): LUD (did not specify what and why)
12/10/2009 (Day 17): LUD (requesting additional evidence)
??/??/????: check cleared
Click to expand...

rebeccali65 - thats good news - your FP notices are on their way - now, regarding the reason foe your checks not being collected yet, it could be just someone's administrative error.
 
Hi Citizenwannabe,
Thank you. I think I might misunderstand what the lady at Uscis was saying. She may actually be saying that additional evidences were required for the purpose of background check. Anyway, she was able to tell me that something was going on even though, at that time, no updates couldn't be seen on my uscis account. I still don't see the check's been cleared. Hope it won't be a problem in the future.

5 Year based N-400
GC Date: Dec, 2004
DO: Houston, TX
*****************
11/23/2009 (Day 01): N-400 Mailed to Lewisville, TX (Dallas was also on the confirmation postcard sent back to me)
12/03/2009 (Day 10): NOA Received (N400 RD 11/30/09, PD:12/01/09)
 
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