The importance of one's passport for naturalization

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

Filing one's application for US naturalization involved a lot of time and money. Many applicants hire lawyers to file their application and the lawyers charge their fee in dollars of course at roughly US $500.

But my papers starting from the fiancée visa application was filed by my husband Ronnie Dennis which is allowed under U.S. law. But this should be cleared with the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, formerly the INS).

The papers filed in my behalf consists of the affidavit of support, certified medical examination and other documentation as outlined in the attached instruction sheet.

There are more documents asked for by agencies and filed by the applicant. Today I am going to talk about the necessity of having a U.S. passport which facilitates the naturalization process.

My application was filed when I was already a permanent green cardholder. In many cases green card holders would wait for their card to expire in 10 years before applying for naturalization.

But in my case, Dennis and I decided that I don’t have to wait for the expiration since I travel a lot. It is a given fact that U.S. citizens are spared the inconvenience of waiting in line and being interrogated. It was different when II applied for a French visa prior to my visit to France.

When asked whether or not there is a consulate of France in the Philippines and since I held a Philippine passport, I merely answered that there is a diplomatic relationship between France and the Philippines.

But I told the guy that my French visa was issued by their consulate in Georgia, U.S. I didn't want to remember the rest of the inquiry and the interviewer whose command of English leave much to be desired.

I don't know if the woman interviewer was connected to an airline. To sum it up, a passport's value is immeasurable when it comes to applying for naturalization or travel.

Tomorrow we would discuss about the documents needed for applying for US naturalization. Thank you for your suppport. 

The crucial interview

A certain sense of pride and jubilation wells up in me along with other naturalized Americans on this important ceremony. 

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

I REMEMBER the time and date—Oct. 8, 2013 at 1:30 p.m.--that I was scheduled for an interview at the Homeland Security's Charlotte, North Carolina office for my naturalization.

When we arrived at the Tyvola center I underwent the same security searches and was led to a waiting room where the notice of the interview was presented to window 1.

After checking out my records, I was instructed to report to another window in the same room where finger printing was done. It took sometime as the lady in the window gave me something to wipe clean whatever residue was on my prints.

It seems it is my second finger that is always a problem, the finger I use in cleaning or even in typing- the prints must have been erased since it was a long process.

But finally I secured finger prints matches that were on file and I was given a number. I remember it was N-96. Then I was seated as instructed. There were I think 15 people there each looking different and all anxious.

Gracious

I didn't read the quick review anymore but instead watched TV while my ears listened to the conversation between my husband Ron who was with me and a nice lady whose mother is having an interview too.

I overheard the story that there are others who also failed the examination or passed the exam. I was also anxious, thinking what if I failed. But still I didn't review or read.

At a glance I saw this young Chinese girl reading the same book I had on my purse. She was memorizing I think. As the numbers were called, there were interviewees who wore long faces. I don't know what happened to them.

I waited for one hour and my number was called by the woman who first interviewed me a month ago and asked me to write a letter asking for the postponement of my interview.

I stood up when my name was called and the lady ushered me to a room.

From that room I was transferred to the next room and I brought important things with me. The lady was quite gracious talking to me.

Middle name

The room, spacious and comfortable, was decorated with American flags and many books. I did not sit immediately. The lady remained standing and told me to raise my right hand.

She administered the oath in which you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth and I answered “yes I do.” She then told me to be seated and she introduced herself to me.

She then brought out the documents, which I assumed were my records including the N-659, an application for naturalization via marriage to a U.S. citizen.

She asked me about my trip to Paris and I said it is a beautiful place in a beautiful country that gave me a trip down memory lane. She listened to me while I talked and asked me about my maiden name Palmes.

She asked me why I was using Palmes when Naelga is my father's name. I explained that since I was married to my first husband until his death I've been using Palmes in my native Tagoloan town in Misamis Oriental, Philippines where we use our mother's name as a middle name not like the US.

Satellite school

She then asked which name I preferred to use now and also asked if my husband has any problem with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or I was involved in any crime.

We talked about the organization I listed in my application under N- 652which in my case is the VFW-Ladies Auxiliary here in Charlotte.

We talked also about my studies at Duke University. She inquired if there is a Duke University in Charlotte and I answered that there is a satellite school for the paralegals.

She did ask me about Pat McCrory and I answered that he is the governor of North Carolina. We talked about the Statue of Liberty and where it is situated.

Then she asked who lives at the White House and I answered that it is the president. She inquired if I know George Washington and I answered that he's the first president of the US.

Recommended

She showed a piece of paper to me which I recognized as containing my own hand-writing, the paper that I gave when I requested postponement for my first interview.

She asked me to read and sign the oath of allegiance in the Form 400 application and then the lady officer said I passed the test.

She gave me a form N-652 which showed that I passed the English, US history and government tests and ended with those glowing words “Congratulations! Your application has been recommended for approval.”

She asked me to sign the back of the passport size picture earlier submitted. She said “it appears that you have established your eligibility for naturalization. I am recommending for its approval. Please be seated outside and wait for the notice of the ceremony.” I felt good.

Then finally, she said “I think you are ready to take the oath. Congratulations you passed the tests of English and U.S. history and government. “You must have learned much from your husband” to which I smiled.

Pointers

That was it; she stood up and I followed and we shook hands and she showed me the way out. So, I finally passed the exam while the others are anxious to take or dreaded to take the exams.

This is my take on the naturalization process: When you talk to the officer assigned to you be courteous, confident and be ready.

Study the quick guide of U.S. History which to Filipinos isn't that hard considering that we have studied this in our civics and culture subjects for the new generation and social studies during my time.

There are 100 possible questions but only 10 are asked and you are required to answer six correct questions. Most often there are frequently asked questions (links to these questions would be provided here).

If you file your application under N-652 two days before the review take time to review your answers to the questions to familiarize and refresh your memory.

Many questions are personal questions taken from your own answer to prevent conflict of answers in written and oral form.

Also it pays to know your local officials from the Governor of the State and senators and congress people in your state. But the best advice I can give you is to be confident and be at your best.

It was a long journey towards being a US citizen and all these events crossed my mind as I was seated waiting for my notice of the naturalization ceremony.

Re-scheduling the interview

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

It was on Oct. 8 that I took the interview and examination for the naturalization process at the Homeland Security Office at Charlotte, North Carolina.

But you just couldn't apply for an interview, you have to wait for a notice from the Homeland Security office for the schedule after filing an application for U.S citizenship.

My application was based on my marriage to an American citizen and was filed under N-400.

A month after I received a notice to proceed to Homeland Security's NC office for my biometrics and was instructed to bring the notice, State ID and the green card.

During the biometrics, fingerprinting is done and a quick guide study for civics was given to me. I was instructed to study and wait for the notice for the interview.

I read the quick civic lessons contained in the package during this period. The lessons actually consist of a review of U.S History and government structure.

It was during this time that we received the notice of my interview scheduled on Sept. 3 at 7:15 am.

Unknown to Homeland Security, I was booked for an Aug. 31 trip to Paris so there is really no way I can be available for the interview. The notice specified that failure to appear during the interview would greatly affect one's application in the future.

So Ronnie called up Homeland Security and secured an info-pass to be used to cancel the scheduled interview. The info-pass was scheduled on Sept. 1. Still, Ronnie told me to study and review because while we intended to postpone the Sept. 3 interview, I might still be interviewed, so I had to be prepared.

When we arrive at the Homeland security I was asked to present the info-pass and the purpose of the pass and I was told to report to the room where I waited for my number to be called.

When my turn came, I explained to the officer that I wasn't available on Sept. 3 because I am headed to Paris and the trip was scheduled ahead of the notice. I was asked to present the ticket for my trip.

So one should always be ready with evidence to explain one's reason for canceling the scheduled interview. Then I was asked to surrender the original notice and told to submit a letter-explanation which I wrote in the presence of the interviewer.

She saw me writing and she said this is good (more on my writing in the next post and why it was important).

The interviewer told us that because of my trip and my explanation for canceling the interview, I would receive a new schedule.

I'll post the results of my interview and explain what an N-400 application is.


(For questions, comments, suggestions you can post them this article or send it 

to spdennis54@gmail.com. I invite you to follow me at my Facebook page 

and read my columns at www.sunstar.com.ph)

That big day

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

I sang the Star-Spangled Banner as I embraced my U.S citizenship last Oct. 8 

in  a ceremony held at the Department of Homeland Security's Charlotte office 

at North Carolina.

It was exactly 1:45 p.m. when I sang the US national anthem with 87 people '

from 44 countries who underwent the ceremony. When the name of the 

countries were called there were those I haven't heard before.

The ceremony was held in a big room decorated with US flags and a big TV 

screen, a center-stage and chairs with three personnel from Homeland 

Security.

Before we were seated on that room, we were “pre-seated” in another room in 

front where we received instructions from a female employee on what to do in 

the next room.

Since I was seated at the front I was one of the first five that stood up and led 

to the next room. When it was my turn I was asked by the officer if I traveled 

after I passed the English and US history and government tests and I answered 

no.

Then I was asked to surrender my first and second green card (temporary and 

permanent) and I was given a brown envelope. I was led to sit at the front. The 

line was long because I learned later there were 88 of us.

I saw by the way some applicants with interpreters. Inside the envelope were 

one small American flag, the citizens almanac, a copy of the oath of allegiance, 

the pledge of allegiance,  a flyer outlining instructions for acquiring a US 


passport, one North Carolina Voter Registration application, a letter from US 


President Barack Obama and the certificate of naturalization.

Then the formal ceremony started with a video production detailing the 

greatness of the US and testimonies of naturalized citizens who dreamt big and 

realized their dreams in the U.S.

The video spoke about the freedoms and corresponding responsibilities of a US 

citizen. I did sing the Star Spangled Banner which made my eyes teary and 

recited the pledge of allegiance---“ I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United 

States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under 

God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Each of the 88 applicants was called to receive the certificate and congratulated 

by the officer. Picture taking was allowed during the ceremony and after. 

Ronnie was with me on that big day with a family friend named Peggy Reid. 


At the next post, I'll talk about how I passed the naturalization exam.


(For questions, comments, suggestions you can post them this article or send it 

to spdennis54@gmail.com. I invite you to follow me at my Facebook page 

and read my columns at www.sunstar.com.ph)

On securing US citizenship

by Susan Palmes-Dennis-

First of a series~

As a Filipino who came to the US under a fiancee visa, it took me two years 

and nine months to become an American citizen.

Based on my experience, I would explain the steps on how I acquired US  

citizenship with the hope that anyone wishing to do so can do the same.

I start off with the time I received a passport instead of my arrival in the US 

under the K-1 visa (Fiancée visa).

At first, I considered accepting a new citizenship as a journey in itself since I 

loved the country of my birth. But there comes a time in one’s life when one 

has to leave home and live in another place.

It was not easy for every step involved time, money and perseverance. Plus 

there's the longing to go back and instead ask my American husband to go with 

me to the Philippines.

But it is not meant to be. Also I would like to state that this wouldn't be 

possible without  the support and prodding of my husband---the man who made 

this possible Ronnie Dennis of Charlotte, N.C.

Last week, Oct. 25, 2013 I received a US passport colored blue that's good for 

10 years  after I filed an application on Oct. 18. The application DS-11 12-2010 

can be obtained at the post office or can be downloaded. 

But there is also a form on the application for passport inside the envelope 

given after the  naturalization ceremony. Passport application fee is charged to 

all first time applicants who must apply in person at a passport agency, 

acceptance facility, U.S. Embassy or Consulate. One is required to submit a 

state ID which can be the driver’s license.

In the absence of a driver's license, an applicant can present bank documents,  

medical records. A learners permit issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles 

(DMV) here at NC is not accepted.

A certificate of naturalization is the best evidence. One is required to present 

the original and it would be returned to you together with the issued passport.

In my case, Ronnie prepared a reproduction of my diploma from Duke 

University after I  passed the paralegal course and the NC State Board exam 

certificate and became a Notary Public.

It was fast since—after filing at the downtown office here in Charlotte I was 

told by the  postal employee that the waiting period is between four to six 

weeks.

An application for passport can only be secured after one receives the 

certificate of  naturalization. For information,questions, and inquiries please 

visit the website at travel.state.gov.

In addition, one can contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) 

toll-free at 1-877-487-2778 ( 1-888-874-7793) or by email at  

NPIC@state.gov. Customer representatives are available Monday-Friday from 8 

am to 10 pm. Eastern time (excluding federal holidays.).

Automated information is available 24.7 I'll continue my story on how to  

secure US citizenship in two years and nine months. It is said that with your 

U.S. passport, the world is yours.

The passport is issued by the State Department. The U.S passport book is the 

ticket to international travel by air, sea, and land. Many Filipinos especially 

those who came via a fiancé visa have expired passports.

This is due to accessibility to the Department of Foreign Affairs in the U.S 

which are clustered by states. Hence overstaying Filipinos usually experience 

the hassle of dealing with immigration authorities unlike naturalized US 

citizens who are spared that inconvenience.