I almost became US Citizen today

[Speedy]

GuyGene wrote:
Hang in, space! Where ye from originally? Welcome to becoming a LEGAL USA citizen.

Yes, as opposed to an ILLEGAL USA citizen.

[mrbigstuff]

In Russia, citizen bec-- oh, never mind.

[bazookaman]

space-time wrote:
BTW: I came to the US about 18 years ago

5 years on F1 VISA (Student)
1 year on F1 extension (Optional Practical Training)
5 years on H1B (work visa)
7 years since I have green card, I could have applied 2 years ago for US Citizenship

Way back when my wife started the process I always wondered why you had to wait X amount of years for each step. Then I realized it apparently takes them that long to complete the paperwork.

I recall getting a letter back after we had submitted a form. I cannot remember if it was for her green card or citizenship. But the letter basically said, we have received your application. You can expect a response in 780 days.

Also, according to the INS, your fingerprints can "expire". Who knew?

[Bill in NC]

20 years here for a Canadian couple we know.

They just got rejected because they don't make enough money, though their business employs a dozen natural-born U.S. citizens.

[decay]

it's no fun ... being an illegal alien

[space-time]

Bill in NC wrote:
20 years here for a Canadian couple we know.

They just got rejected because they don't make enough money, though their business employs a dozen natural-born U.S. citizens.

Do they have greencard? After 5 years on greencard they can apply for citizenship and there are no questions about income.

[cbelt3]

space- congratulations on your persistence on dealing with the Bureaucratic Beast With No Brain. I don't think I've ever come up against a bureaucracy that functions with any sort efficiency anywhere in the world. The only ones where you can get decent service are the ones where bribes are demanded.