Taking Oath..
- Thread starter ProudPal
- Start date
janabhiman
Registered Users (C)
I completed the interview in Chicago on July 14th. At the end of the interview, the officer had told me to expect oath letter within 2 months (they have no same day oaths in Chicago).
However I was in for a pleasant surprise when I received the oath letter on the fifth day! The letter is dated July 18th and wanted me to attend oath ceremony on July 24th.
To sum up things, today's oath ceremony was a breeze except for the half an hour delay by the judge. I noticed that many people found it very hard to complete the brief questionnaire on the back page of the oath letter and wondered how they had passed language and civics tests. IIOs spent a considerable amount of time helping them thus increasing our total time at the ceremony.
N-400 applied: 07/29/07
Interviewed on: 07/14/08
Oath: 07/24/08
Considering my move from VA to IL, I think this time line is quite reasonable.
However I was in for a pleasant surprise when I received the oath letter on the fifth day! The letter is dated July 18th and wanted me to attend oath ceremony on July 24th.
To sum up things, today's oath ceremony was a breeze except for the half an hour delay by the judge. I noticed that many people found it very hard to complete the brief questionnaire on the back page of the oath letter and wondered how they had passed language and civics tests. IIOs spent a considerable amount of time helping them thus increasing our total time at the ceremony.
N-400 applied: 07/29/07
Interviewed on: 07/14/08
Oath: 07/24/08
Considering my move from VA to IL, I think this time line is quite reasonable.
What a day...what a day...
Woke up 5:30...made some breakfast...got the kids ready...and we drove to Topeka around 6:40 am.
I was there 7:30 and I took a right turn on a one way street (the opposite way)...THANK GOD NO POLICE lol..
I noticed my mistake and then turned around..
I was shocked by how many people were there...i thought thousands...but turns out it was only 621 new citizens and their families..
Parked the car (2 hours limit) and then got in line for the creremony. They opened doors about 8 am and took one hour to get inside.
SO they checked my paper work, took my green card (permenant resident card) and asked me to take the Oath letter to table 4.
They had my citizenship certificate on table 4. I signed it and then was given a small flag and was told to go and sit inside. They said we will pick up the certificates after the ceremony.
So we get inside and we had to wait till 10 am till they started.
Judge came in with the governor and some other person.
SO here is how it happened..
Opening of the Court : Court Deputy Clerk welcomed us all.
Advance of the Colors : United States Coast Guard and Color Guard entered the cetner and stood behind the governor and the judge with many flags. However, the current flags were on right and left (I think) of the Gov and Judge.
Musical Selections took place..
Posting of The Colors took place..
Motion was requested by the DHS Adjudicator to grant us citizenship.
Ruling on Motion by the Hon. Julie Robinson (U.S District Judge).
Administration of Oath by the Deputy Clerk.
Address of Welcome by the Governor...
Presentation of Mementos..
Pledge of the Flag..
Retirement of the Colors
Adjournament of Court..
That is the short version..hehe
Then we went outside and picked up our certificates and that was it..
I then decided to do my first american act...I ATE AT MCDONALDS..wohoooooooooo..
There were people from 81 countries. THey introduced all countries and they even said Palestine. It was only me. So i stood and screamed and raised my hands.
Every time they called a country, its citizens stood.
It was nice..
Governor gave a great speech as well as the judge who said you are not NEW CITIZENS. YOU ARE AMERICAN CITIZENS. It does not matter how long, we are all one.
BTW, one thing i did not like was that no beverages or food were served hehe..I was hungry and thirsty..
IT was so cool...
Woke up 5:30...made some breakfast...got the kids ready...and we drove to Topeka around 6:40 am.
I was there 7:30 and I took a right turn on a one way street (the opposite way)...THANK GOD NO POLICE lol..
I noticed my mistake and then turned around..
I was shocked by how many people were there...i thought thousands...but turns out it was only 621 new citizens and their families..
Parked the car (2 hours limit) and then got in line for the creremony. They opened doors about 8 am and took one hour to get inside.
SO they checked my paper work, took my green card (permenant resident card) and asked me to take the Oath letter to table 4.
They had my citizenship certificate on table 4. I signed it and then was given a small flag and was told to go and sit inside. They said we will pick up the certificates after the ceremony.
So we get inside and we had to wait till 10 am till they started.
Judge came in with the governor and some other person.
SO here is how it happened..
Opening of the Court : Court Deputy Clerk welcomed us all.
Advance of the Colors : United States Coast Guard and Color Guard entered the cetner and stood behind the governor and the judge with many flags. However, the current flags were on right and left (I think) of the Gov and Judge.
Musical Selections took place..
Posting of The Colors took place..
Motion was requested by the DHS Adjudicator to grant us citizenship.
Ruling on Motion by the Hon. Julie Robinson (U.S District Judge).
Administration of Oath by the Deputy Clerk.
Address of Welcome by the Governor...
Presentation of Mementos..
Pledge of the Flag..
Retirement of the Colors
Adjournament of Court..
That is the short version..hehe
Then we went outside and picked up our certificates and that was it..
I then decided to do my first american act...I ATE AT MCDONALDS..wohoooooooooo..
There were people from 81 countries. THey introduced all countries and they even said Palestine. It was only me. So i stood and screamed and raised my hands.
Every time they called a country, its citizens stood.
It was nice..
Governor gave a great speech as well as the judge who said you are not NEW CITIZENS. YOU ARE AMERICAN CITIZENS. It does not matter how long, we are all one.
BTW, one thing i did not like was that no beverages or food were served hehe..I was hungry and thirsty..
IT was so cool...
You are looser bro, I didn't know you were from Palastine. Now you are American and my Bro 
Make that two, I had the same experience in San DIego two days ago.
Sucks that I have to still deal with this morons for my wife's case. I don't even want to talk about it.
Cool man, congrats. Happy for you, and kids are citizen as well. Such a good time.
Enjoy
Make that two, I had the same experience in San DIego two days ago.
Sucks that I have to still deal with this morons for my wife's case. I don't even want to talk about it.
Cool man, congrats. Happy for you, and kids are citizen as well. Such a good time.
Enjoy
Congratulations! I wonder what happened to your car under 2 hours limit? got first citation after you took an oath? ha ha.. just kidding?
, it should be about $40 but I doubt if he got one, Now question for you that if you have recieved your passport card yet?@ProudPal, I am assuming that your wife is in the State? Did you file I-130 before based on your GC?
@ProudPal, I am assuming that your wife is in the State? Did you file I-130 before based on your GC?
I haven't received my passport card yet. waiting waiting........ I will call them next week to see what is going on.
My wife is here and she has a one year work permit (post graduation OPT that just started this month).
I will apply for her in few weeks (since we will be moving to a new house).
I asked the USCIS lady who was leading the ceremonies and she said once I apply for my wife, her current work permit would be void and it is best that she awaits the new work permit based on adjustment of status..
I will apply for her in few weeks (since we will be moving to a new house).
I asked the USCIS lady who was leading the ceremonies and she said once I apply for my wife, her current work permit would be void and it is best that she awaits the new work permit based on adjustment of status..