Bob LittleDeer

This is hard to believe..

I filed the N400 in January, and all went so well and smooth...
My interview was on May 2nd, and it went so well.

I used an experienced immigration attorney, and was waiting for the
N-445, aka Notice of naturalization Ceremony.

Well, yesterday when I got home, as I have done every single day, I
checked my mailbox, and sure enough, there was a letter from my
attorney, and inside my loved N-445, Notice of naturalization
Ceremony.

First thing, I *immediately* checked the Ceremony date: Thursday, May
the 24th 2007.
Uhu ?
I had a double-take, checked the date and time three times on my
watch, cell phone and pager, and they all showed Thursday, May the
24th 2007.

The letter was late. The attorney's office mailed it on May the 23rd,
the day BEFORE I was supposed to be at the Ceremony ( 2 hours away by
car....)

In another envelope, I also received the "Congratulation, you have
become an American Citizen" letter from the attorney's office.
Somewhat ironic, I must say.

Has anyone had the same nightmare experience ? What happens next ?
And don't tell me to get an immigration attorney ... I already got
one, and trust me, it is more than enough.
Advice ?

Noorah101

Make an Infopass appointment at your local office. Bring the letters with you and explain what happened, in person. See if they'll line you up for the next oath ceremony.

Rene

ian-mstm

I'd contact the courthouse (or wherever) the ceremony was to be held. It's likely that a continuance of the case was entered on your behalf. If so, you can probably find out when the next oath ceremony is and attend then. I'd try this first before contacting USCIS and making an attempt to get them to schedule you for a new ceremony.

At my oath ceremony, there were 3 people absent and a continuance was automatically entered for them.

Ian

Just Jenney

Um... maybe get a DIFFERENT immigration attorney? Like one who will give you a call with a heads-up about what's going on first before sending such an important document one day before you need it?

~ Jenney

ian-mstm

I'm just gobsmacked that the person needed an attorney for the N-400. It's a pretty straight forward application!

Ian

Noorah101

That's amazing....you would have thought they'd CALL the OP and TELL him to go to the oath ceremony the next day! Fax it to him, email it to him, or all of the above, to make sure he gets there on such short notice.

Surely the lawyer's office must have received the letter a week or more before mailing it to him? USCIS doesn't just give you one day notice to appear for your oath ceremony, do they?

Rene

-K

On May 25, 8:42 am, [email protected] wrote:
> This is hard to believe..
>
> I filed the N400 in January, and all went so well and smooth...
> My interview was on May 2nd, and it went so well.
>
> I used an experienced immigration attorney, and was waiting for the
> N-445, aka Notice of naturalization Ceremony.
>
> Well, yesterday when I got home, as I have done every single day, I
> checked my mailbox, and sure enough, there was a letter from my
> attorney, and inside my loved N-445, Notice of naturalization
> Ceremony.
>
> First thing, I *immediately* checked the Ceremony date: Thursday, May
> the 24th 2007.
> Uhu ?
> I had a double-take, checked the date and time three times on my
> watch, cell phone and pager, and they all showed Thursday, May the
> 24th 2007.
>
> The letter was late. The attorney's office mailed it on May the 23rd,
> the day BEFORE I was supposed to be at the Ceremony ( 2 hours away by
> car....)
>
> In another envelope, I also received the "Congratulation, you have
> become an American Citizen" letter from the attorney's office.
> Somewhat ironic, I must say.
>
> Has anyone had the same nightmare experience ? What happens next ?
> And don't tell me to get an immigration attorney ... I already got
> one, and trust me, it is more than enough.
> Advice ?

Since you obviously really dont want our advice and are just wanting
to see if there is anyone out there with the same experience as you I
am not sure why you are even posting. You already have a new attorney
you should know what your options are.
Good luck

Bob LittleDeer

On May 25, 11:10 am, K <[email protected]> wrote:
> On May 25, 8:42 am, [email protected] wrote:
>
>
>
> > This is hard to believe..
>
> > I filed the N400 in January, and all went so well and smooth...
> > My interview was on May 2nd, and it went so well.
>
> > I used an experienced immigration attorney, and was waiting for the
> > N-445, aka Notice of naturalization Ceremony.
>
> > Well, yesterday when I got home, as I have done every single day, I
> > checked my mailbox, and sure enough, there was a letter from my
> > attorney, and inside my loved N-445, Notice of naturalization
> > Ceremony.
>
> > First thing, I *immediately* checked the Ceremony date: Thursday, May
> > the 24th 2007.
> > Uhu ?
> > I had a double-take, checked the date and time three times on my
> > watch, cell phone and pager, and they all showed Thursday, May the
> > 24th 2007.
>
> > The letter was late. The attorney's office mailed it on May the 23rd,
> > the day BEFORE I was supposed to be at the Ceremony ( 2 hours away by
> > car....)
>
> > In another envelope, I also received the "Congratulation, you have
> > become an American Citizen" letter from the attorney's office.
> > Somewhat ironic, I must say.
>
> > Has anyone had the same nightmare experience ? What happens next ?
> > And don't tell me to get an immigration attorney ... I already got
> > one, and trust me, it is more than enough.
> > Advice ?
>
> Since you obviously really dont want our advice and are just wanting
> to see if there is anyone out there with the same experience as you I
> am not sure why you are even posting. You already have a new attorney
> you should know what your options are.
> Good luck

I detect some irony and hostility from your post. why ?
I really do not understand your "you obviously really dont want our
advice" .. where did you get that impression ?
YES, I NEED advice AND (maybe) someone that has had this crap happen
to them before.
NO, I do NOT have a new lawyer, I still have the same one I got at the
beginning when I first filed the N400, and have the impression his
secretary is trying to fix this screw up herself and attempting for
him not to find out (just my feelings from a phone conversation I have
had with her, I could be wrong)
She acts as if this is not a big deal, and I have not idea if it is or
not.
I do not know how fast USCIS considers my file "abandoned" for a no-
show, the first infopass is for June the 6th, and I am at a loss for
what to do.

dakota44

you seem a bit of a rude sort.

Elvira

K should be put on Trial...

Rete

I don't understand her post either, so forget you even read it.

You don't need an attorney at this point. Rene had the proper suggestion for you. Take all the letters and envelopes to the USCIS district office (NOT THE COURTHOUSE) on the day you have made an Infopass appointment for.

They will reschedule your ceremony. Ask if you can possibly wait for the date and letter while you are there since you don't trust your attorney to send it to you in a timely manner and that you never received a copy at your home address which you should have.

While you are there be sure that they have your correct address on record.

Good luck and please let us know how you made out.

Bob LittleDeer

On May 25, 12:11 pm, Elvira <[email protected]>
wrote:
> > you seem a bit of a rude sort.
>
> K should be put on Trial...
>
> --
> Posted viahttp://britishexpats.com

Well, here are the dates:
Interview: May 2nd
Oath ceremony letter from USCIS with date May 8th, probably received
at the attorney's office around the 10th or 11th or May.
Attorney's cover letter sent to me with the "Oath ceremony letter"
dated May 15th
Post office stamp on the above: May 23
Post office stamp is CLEAR and easy to read, no mistakes there, they
have had the letter at their office for at least a week, ready to go
and they mailed it to me the day BEFORE the ceremony, and I received
it the next day, May 24th.

And yes, I AGREE that no matter if it is a short or long notice, in
the year 2007 , for something like that, an email, AND a quick phone
call are almost mandatory.

When I started the N400 deal, I didn't know it was so straightforward,
or I would not have spent ~ $1000 on attorney's fees, if I had to do
it all over again, I would dfinitely do it "solo" ;-)

As per "K" maybe he is just having a bad day ...

Rete

Go to the June 6th infopass appointment. It is only a week and 1/2 away and you have not been abandoned as of yet.

Bob LittleDeer

On May 25, 2:37 pm, Rete <[email protected]> wrote:
> > On May 25, 11:10 am, K <[email protected]> wrote:
> > > On May 25, 8:42 am, [email protected] wrote:
>
> > > > This is hard to believe..
>
> > > > I filed the N400 in January, and all went so well and smooth...
> > > > My interview was on May 2nd, and it went so well.
>
> > > > I used an experienced immigration attorney, and was waiting for
> > > > the
> > > > N-445, aka Notice of naturalization Ceremony.
>
> > > > Well, yesterday when I got home, as I have done every single day,
> > > > I
> > > > checked my mailbox, and sure enough, there was a letter from my
> > > > attorney, and inside my loved N-445, Notice of naturalization
> > > > Ceremony.
>
> > > > First thing, I *immediately* checked the Ceremony date: Thursday,
> > > > May
> > > > the 24th 2007.
> > > > Uhu ?
> > > > I had a double-take, checked the date and time three times on my
> > > > watch, cell phone and pager, and they all showed Thursday, May the
> > > > 24th 2007.
>
> > > > The letter was late. The attorney's office mailed it on May the
> > > > 23rd,
> > > > the day BEFORE I was supposed to be at the Ceremony ( 2 hours
> > > > away by
> > > > car....)
>
> > > > In another envelope, I also received the "Congratulation, you have
> > > > become an American Citizen" letter from the attorney's office.
> > > > Somewhat ironic, I must say.
>
> > > > Has anyone had the same nightmare experience ? What happens next ?
> > > > And don't tell me to get an immigration attorney ... I already got
> > > > one, and trust me, it is more than enough.
> > > > Advice ?
>
> > > Since you obviously really dont want our advice and are just wanting
> > > to see if there is anyone out there with the same experience as you
> > > I
> > > am not sure why you are even posting. You already have a new
> > > attorney
> > > you should know what your options are.
> > > Good luck
>
> > I detect some irony and hostility from your post. why ?
> > I really do not understand your "you obviously really dont want our
> > advice" .. where did you get that impression ?
> > YES, I NEED advice AND (maybe) someone that has had this crap happen
> > to them before.
> > NO, I do NOT have a new lawyer, I still have the same one I got at the
> > beginning when I first filed the N400, and have the impression his
> > secretary is trying to fix this screw up herself and attempting for
> > him not to find out (just my feelings from a phone conversation I have
> > had with her, I could be wrong)
> > She acts as if this is not a big deal, and I have not idea if it is or
> > not.
> > I do not know how fast USCIS considers my file "abandoned" for a no-
> > show, the first infopass is for June the 6th, and I am at a loss for
> > what to do.
>
> I don't understand her post either, so forget you even read it.
>
> You don't need an attorney at this point. Rene had the proper
> suggestion for you. Take all the letters and envelopes to the USCIS
> district office (NOT THE COURTHOUSE) on the day you have made an
> Infopass appointment for.
>
> They will reschedule your ceremony. Ask if you can possibly wait for
> the date and letter while you are there since you don't trust your
> attorney to send it to you in a timely manner and that you never
> received a copy at your home address which you should have.
>
> While you are there be sure that they have your correct address
> on record.
>
> Good luck and please let us know how you made out.
>
> --
> I'm not an attorney. This disclaimer is valid in NYS!
> Posted viahttp://britishexpats.com

Thanks, you guys have been most helpful.
I shall keep you posted... I just think I could have been a US citizen
today.... :-(

In the meantime, have a great US Memorial Day !

Bob LittleDeer

Well, after almost 2 months, there is a *good* update to my story.
Yes, my Naturalization Ceremony has been rescheduled, it took some
emails and phone calls from my lawyer and an Infopass appointment in
my DO , and I have my date and it is July the 26th ! :-)

I had to put a LOT of stuff on hold, since there were many things that
were 'hinged' on my citizenship to come through asap... and now, two
months after missing my first ceremony, it will all be done and over,
in a few days...

Will keep you posted on how it went and on how long it took for the
passport ! ;-)

BL

On May 25, 3:53 pm, [email protected] wrote:
> On May 25, 2:37 pm, Rete <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>
> > > On May 25, 11:10 am, K <[email protected]> wrote:
> > > > On May 25, 8:42 am, [email protected] wrote:
>
> > > > > This is hard to believe..
>
> > > > > I filed the N400 in January, and all went so well and smooth...
> > > > > My interview was on May 2nd, and it went so well.
>
> > > > > I used an experienced immigration attorney, and was waiting for
> > > > > the
> > > > > N-445, aka Notice of naturalizationCeremony.
>
> > > > > Well, yesterday when I got home, as I have done every single day,
> > > > > I
> > > > > checked my mailbox, and sure enough, there was a letter from my
> > > > > attorney, and inside my loved N-445, Notice of naturalization
> > > > >Ceremony.
>
> > > > > First thing, I *immediately* checked theCeremonydate: Thursday,
> > > > > May
> > > > > the 24th 2007.
> > > > > Uhu ?
> > > > > I had a double-take, checked the date and time three times on my
> > > > > watch, cell phone and pager, and they all showed Thursday, May the
> > > > > 24th 2007.
>
> > > > > The letter was late. The attorney's office mailed it on May the
> > > > > 23rd,
> > > > > the day BEFORE I was supposed to be at theCeremony( 2 hours
> > > > > away by
> > > > > car....)
>
> > > > > In another envelope, I also received the "Congratulation, you have
> > > > > become an American Citizen" letter from the attorney's office.
> > > > > Somewhat ironic, I must say.
>
> > > > > Has anyone had the same nightmare experience ? What happens next ?
> > > > > And don't tell me to get an immigration attorney ... I already got
> > > > > one, and trust me, it is more than enough.
> > > > > Advice ?
>
> > > > Since you obviously really dont want our advice and are just wanting
> > > > to see if there is anyone out there with the same experience as you
> > > > I
> > > > am not sure why you are even posting. You already have a new
> > > > attorney
> > > > you should know what your options are.
> > > > Good luck
>
> > > I detect some irony and hostility from your post. why ?
> > > I really do not understand your "you obviously really dont want our
> > > advice" .. where did you get that impression ?
> > > YES, I NEED advice AND (maybe) someone that has had this crap happen
> > > to them before.
> > > NO, I do NOT have a new lawyer, I still have the same one I got at the
> > > beginning when I first filed the N400, and have the impression his
> > > secretary is trying to fix this screw up herself and attempting for
> > > him not to find out (just my feelings from a phone conversation I have
> > > had with her, I could be wrong)
> > > She acts as if this is not a big deal, and I have not idea if it is or
> > > not.
> > > I do not know how fast USCIS considers my file "abandoned" for a no-
> > > show, the first infopass is for June the 6th, and I am at a loss for
> > > what to do.
>
> > I don't understand her post either, so forget you even read it.
>
> > You don't need an attorney at this point. Rene had the proper
> > suggestion for you. Take all the letters and envelopes to the USCIS
> > district office (NOT THE COURTHOUSE) on the day you have made an
> > Infopass appointment for.
>
> > They will reschedule yourceremony. Ask if you can possibly wait for
> > the date and letter while you are there since you don't trust your
> > attorney to send it to you in a timely manner and that you never
> > received a copy at your home address which you should have.
>
> > While you are there be sure that they have your correct address
> > on record.
>
> > Good luck and please let us know how you made out.
>
> > --
> > I'm not an attorney. This disclaimer is valid in NYS!
> > Posted viahttp://britishexpats.com
>
> Thanks, you guys have been most helpful.
> I shall keep you posted... I just think I could have been a US citizen
> today.... :-(
>
> In the meantime, have a great US Memorial Day !