joethepilot
New Member
Here's a little bit of my experience with USCIS Pittsburgh.
I have been a LPR for aproximatly 25 years, I was born in a country in central america, my mother is a USC by birth but because of the laws in place at the time I was born @ '75 she was unable to prove her physical precence in the US for 10 years (5 of which over the age of 14). She could not register my as a USC in the embassy of our home country.
She petitioned me as a LPR and got a green card in 1983, ever since i have been living in and out of the US and in the last 10 years continuously but without enough physical presence due to my job (see my user name).
In 2006 i got a job abroad and started commuting to and from the US and the middle east, my wife whom I married in 2005 is a USC moved abroad with me. At the begining I though I had to come back to the US and stay another 5 years to be able to naturalize. My wife the got a job with an American University with a campus in the country we reside at, that happened to be a "recognized American institution of research by the attorney general" (see the list online). We became aware of a part 319(b) of the INA, expedited naturalization of spouses of USC based or stationed abroad", and decide to apply for naturalization. I contacted an Law Group in Pittsburgh, whom I can recomend to anybody , the attorney was incredibly helpful and proficient, even with this rare case.
The reason I decided to apply in Pittsburgh was because it had on of the lowest processing times in the country aside from Honolulu, and the INA 319(b) stated that I could apply anywhere in the country, not just in the office that has jurisdiction over my place of residence.
The process was extremely fast and efficient.
my priority date was NOV 2008 and i got my fingerprinting apptmnt in DEC 2008 the naturalization interview,oath and certificate in JAN 2009 and my passport 2 days after the interview (through an expediter @ 225 dollars www.thepassportguys.com).
I am delighted at the level of service at USCIS Pittsburgh, although I have to admit we were very very well prepared, as the USCIS officer commented on my application, considering i had more than 500 trips in and out of the US since 1983 (due to my proffession).
The officer was extremely polite, helpful and corteous, without mentioning extremely professional. At the interview I was put under oath, and went through every question in the N400 form, except for the one about physical presence and continuous recidency, since INA 319(b) DOES NOT require any at the time of the interview, he asked to see my marriage certificate, taxes for the last year, proof of registration with selective service and a letter showing compliance with child support payments for my child. The english test was simple, read a couple of phrases, and write one sentence, got a hundred on the new civics test, I have to admit I did study about 5 hours alltoghether for it. The ceremony was solemn and meaningful, a bit emotional for me, since I thought it would take me much much more time.
I am proud to be an American citizen and extatic about the level of service I experienced with USCIS.
Applied N400 Nov 08
FP Dec 08
Interview notice Jan 09
Interview, Oath and Nat Certi Jan 09
Passport recieved Jan 09 (2 days after being naturalized)
Godspeed to you all and good luck becoming part of this Great Nation!
God bless the USA
I have been a LPR for aproximatly 25 years, I was born in a country in central america, my mother is a USC by birth but because of the laws in place at the time I was born @ '75 she was unable to prove her physical precence in the US for 10 years (5 of which over the age of 14). She could not register my as a USC in the embassy of our home country.
She petitioned me as a LPR and got a green card in 1983, ever since i have been living in and out of the US and in the last 10 years continuously but without enough physical presence due to my job (see my user name).
In 2006 i got a job abroad and started commuting to and from the US and the middle east, my wife whom I married in 2005 is a USC moved abroad with me. At the begining I though I had to come back to the US and stay another 5 years to be able to naturalize. My wife the got a job with an American University with a campus in the country we reside at, that happened to be a "recognized American institution of research by the attorney general" (see the list online). We became aware of a part 319(b) of the INA, expedited naturalization of spouses of USC based or stationed abroad", and decide to apply for naturalization. I contacted an Law Group in Pittsburgh, whom I can recomend to anybody , the attorney was incredibly helpful and proficient, even with this rare case.
The reason I decided to apply in Pittsburgh was because it had on of the lowest processing times in the country aside from Honolulu, and the INA 319(b) stated that I could apply anywhere in the country, not just in the office that has jurisdiction over my place of residence.
The process was extremely fast and efficient.
my priority date was NOV 2008 and i got my fingerprinting apptmnt in DEC 2008 the naturalization interview,oath and certificate in JAN 2009 and my passport 2 days after the interview (through an expediter @ 225 dollars www.thepassportguys.com).
I am delighted at the level of service at USCIS Pittsburgh, although I have to admit we were very very well prepared, as the USCIS officer commented on my application, considering i had more than 500 trips in and out of the US since 1983 (due to my proffession).
The officer was extremely polite, helpful and corteous, without mentioning extremely professional. At the interview I was put under oath, and went through every question in the N400 form, except for the one about physical presence and continuous recidency, since INA 319(b) DOES NOT require any at the time of the interview, he asked to see my marriage certificate, taxes for the last year, proof of registration with selective service and a letter showing compliance with child support payments for my child. The english test was simple, read a couple of phrases, and write one sentence, got a hundred on the new civics test, I have to admit I did study about 5 hours alltoghether for it. The ceremony was solemn and meaningful, a bit emotional for me, since I thought it would take me much much more time.
I am proud to be an American citizen and extatic about the level of service I experienced with USCIS.
Applied N400 Nov 08
FP Dec 08
Interview notice Jan 09
Interview, Oath and Nat Certi Jan 09
Passport recieved Jan 09 (2 days after being naturalized)
Godspeed to you all and good luck becoming part of this Great Nation!
God bless the USA