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Published by: The Vocal News - Nov 06, 2024
USCIS Updates Guidance on Determining Custody for Children Acquiring U.S. Citizenship
Release Date
11/19/2024
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration and Services is issuing guidance regarding the legal and physical custody requirements for purposes of acquisition of U.S. citizenship under section 320 and naturalization under section 322 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). USCIS is also expanding guidance on derivation of citizenship before the Child Citizenship Act of 2000, under former INA section 321.
Rajiv's Comments in the News - Children Born to Indian couples WILL NOT BE Eligible for Automatic USA Citizenship
Published by: India Herald - Nov 06, 2024
https://www.indiaherald.com/Breaking/Read/994761018/Children-Born-to-In…
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
The New USCIS Policy on Good Moral Character for Naturalizations
Rajiv's Article The Economic Times - US' new ‘good moral character’ rule: Flexibility or atougher barrier to citizenship?
Published by: The Economic Times - Date: August 20, 2025
Synopsis
A new USCIS policy on Good Moral Character (GMC), effective August 15, 2025, raises concerns despite its seemingly flexible approach. While it aims for a "holistic" review, applicants may now face a higher burden to prove their worthiness beyond just lacking a criminal record.
For more information on this article, please see the attachment below.
USCIS Unveils First Changes to Naturalization Test in Multi-Step Overhaul of American Citizenship Standards
Release Date
09/17/2025
Changes to naturalization civics test better assess applicants’ knowledge of U.S. history and government
Never Forget Passing the US Citizenship Interview
Email
xiaohang_wang_75@hotmail.com
On the date of my first interview in the city of Hartford, I felt i got my feet back on the ground since i been waiting for so long for the past of half year. The whole first interview took around 40 minutes and DID NOT pass, because the Adjudications Officers claims my application missed 3 pieces of evidences that I suppose to bring them with me.
1. The past 2 years tax reports, including the State and Federal tax reports.
2. The IRS document I-1722, which states my pervious tax filing status.
Citizenship and Naturalization
Got Approved Yesterday and I am waiting for the Oath Ceremony
Application Mailed: Sep. 30, 2008
Priority Date: Oct. 1, 2008
Finger Printing: Oct. 30, 2008
Interview: Jan 26, 2009.
Citizenship and Naturalization
Got Approved Today and I am Waiting for the Oath Ceremony
I'm on the west coast (California):
Application Mailed: Sep, 2008
Finger Printing: Oct, 2008
Interview: Jan, 2009
Here are a few things worth mentioning:
- Dont take your cell phone with you. One of the offices(fingerprints) didn't allow them at all. The other office wouldn't let me take my cell phone in as it had a camera on it.
Take all your old passports (as well as your current one) that include entry into the U.S since getting your green card.
Citizenship and Naturalization
Got Approved Yesterday and Waiting for the Oath Ceremony
Following are my Dates:
Application Mailed: Sep, 2008
Priority Date: Sep, 2008
Finger Printing: Oct, 2008
Interview: Jan, 2009
My Interview was scheduled at 10:00 am today. Reached the location at around 9.35 am. Submitted the forms and were asked to wait for the name to be called.
Citizenship and Naturalization
Interview Passed and Recommended for Approval
They ran out of slots for the 10/30 oath about 7 people before me, so after that all of us got the N652 with "civics test/English passed" and "congratulations; it seems you are eligible...etc etc checked off, and when they handed it to to us they said our oath letters will be in the mail soon.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Citizenship and Naturalization
Interview at downtown LA
I had my interview in downtown L.A and my experience was extremely pleasant. There was a parking structure right in front of the federal building that charged 13.20 for all day parking. My interview was on November 17th, 2008 at 2:15 pm and I left 2 hours earlier than usual. Good thing because there was a very long line into the federal building itself .It took me 30 minutes before I got to security point. So it was until 2:00 pm when I was able to get into the building.
Citizenship and Naturalization
Hartford - Interview Complete on 10/23/2008
Hello All,
Following are my Dates:
Application Mailed: Dec 18, 2007
Priority Date: Dec 27, 2007
Finger Printing: Feb 01, 2008
Interview: Oct 23, 2008
Oath: Nov 07, 2008
Total Time Around: 10 to 11 months.
My Interview was scheduled at 8.50 am today and my wife's was at 9.15 am. Reached the location at around 8.35 am. Submitted the forms and were asked to wait for the name to be called.
Citizenship and Naturalization
Naturalization Interview
Folks, Here is our experience. My wife and I passed our Naturalization interview and got our oath letter same day for Nov 19 th 2008.
Chicago DO office is on 101 Congress Parkway. There is cheap parking on intersection of Clark and Polk St. $14 for all day. Can come and go out any time. We got there at 12:40 for a 1:15 interview. Parked our car. Went through security. We had our kids with us.
Citizenship and Naturalization
Citizenship Interview Experience - New Orleans DO
First of all, I wanted to thank all the members of this forum for their insight and support. This road did not feel as lonely as we all traveled it together.
Citizenship and Naturalization
N-400 - Naturalization Experience
This week I went for my oath ceremony and I am now officially a US Citizen.
The process was very smooth overall.
My only beef is that for the interview I had to go to Holtsville and for the oath I had to go to Central Islip. I live in Queens and I don't drive so getting to those places was a major issue.
Here's my N400 timetable:
Queens/NY
5 years rule
Sent N400 to Texas: 12/19/2012
USCIS Received application: 12/24/2012
Check cashed: 12/27/2012
Received receipt: 01/05/2013
Citizenship and Naturalization
N-400 - Naturalization Experience
So I just had my interview at federal plaza in NYC. Interview was at 11 got there around 1015. Took 15 mins for security got up stairs around 1030, and waited until 1105 till they called my name. The IO wasn't mean but neither was she friendly, I guess she just wanted to get it over with. When we got into the office she asked me to raise my right hand and swear to tell the truth. Then she asked for passport and green card. We went over the application and then she asked me to read "WHO CAN VOTE" and write "CITIZENS CAN VOTE"
She then asked me 7 questions because I got one wrong.
Citizenship and Naturalization
Fiscal Year 2013 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program
USCIS is reopening the FY 2013 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program funding opportunity announcement (DHS-13-CIS-010-002). Applications may be filed through Grants.gov from June 3, 2013 through June 5, 2013 at 11:59:59 PM EDT. USCIS learned after the close of the original application period on May 22, 2013 that Grants.gov rejected a significant percentage of applications to this funding opportunity. Given those rejections, USCIS is reopening this opportunity for a brief period to allow potential applicants to resubmit an application.
USCIS Welcomes New Citizens at the Library of Congress
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas administered the Oath of Allegiance to 25 new citizens today during a special naturalization ceremony at the Library of Congress to celebrate National Library Week. In addition, Director Mayorkas and Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Director Susan H.
USCIS Announces Citizenship and Integration Grant Opportunity
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today the availability of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, a competitive grant opportunity which promotes immigrant civic integration and prepares permanent residents for citizenship. The program will provide nearly $10 million in funding for citizenship preparation programs in communities across the country. Applications are due by May 22, 2013.
Naturalization Interview Experience
I hit a major block! My interview went with no problems until the very end, when the officer said that my old A-file was missing, and no decision can be made until it's found. I'm heartbroken.
Interview:
Citizenship and Naturalization
My Oath experience in Cadman Plaza
I had my oath ceremony at Cadman Plaza on April 5th, 2007. Reached there around 7:45 AM when they had already begun seating people inside the court room. Once they seated everyone, they had people come in and sign their Naturalization certificate and verify their information (date of birth) and sign their full name. People were seated and also called in the order in which they had arrived. First come - First serve basis.
Citizenship and Naturalization
J-1 Waiver Based on Exceptional Hardship Upon a U.S. Citizen Child
We filed an application seeking a waiver of the foreign residence requirement for our client based on exceptional hardship upon the client’s U.S. citizen child. We argued that the minor child would suffer extreme hardship if he were forced to leave the U.S. with his mother to fulfill the two-year home residency requirement because of a serious medical condition, for which treatment was not readily available in the applicant’s home country. We provided ample supporting documentation in this regard.
USCIS granted the waiver.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
Citizenship and Naturalization
Citizenship interview experience
(0) arrive at USCIS building
(1) pass secuty check
(2) go to designated floor
(3) check in with the receptionist
(4) sit in the pew, waiting to be called
(5) Go to an IO's office or cubicle you can overhear other interviews
(6) If represented by a lawyer but layer is not present, sign the release form
(7) Take an oath to tell truth.
(8) IO ask some questions, verify your ID
(9) THE IO ask if any thing changes since you sent N-400
Citizenship and Naturalization
My Citizenship Interview Experience
It is my turn today to share Citizenship interview experience with you guys, which was indeed a pleasant one.
Citizenship Journey started on 8/3/09 with submission of application via Fedex Overnight. My interview was at 8:30AM, reached there around 7:30AM, submitted the interview letter at the receptionist window and name was called by a courteous immigration officer at ~ 8:15AM. He just interviewed lady from India and escorted her back to waiting room before calling in my name.