Path to Citizenship

We didn't know exactly what to expect when we arrived at the DHS building in Orlando. We were there for my husband's citizenship ceremony. Entering the building, going through the security process, is just like boarding an airplane. Empty your pockets, take your shoes off, put your belongings in the tray. We expected the security process, we had been to the building the week before for my husband's civics test. He passed with flying colors, and this day he had his letter in hand recommending him for citizenship. Once through security we sat in chairs in the open lobby and waited to find out what happens next. Before long a DHS officer called for everyone there for the ceremony to stand in line behind the stanchions. Next, the officer, in a booming voice, explained that families would be called after all of the citizenship candidates were seated. He called the candidates in groups of about 20 to leave the line and go to a set of tables where officers were signing people in. After the sign in the citizenship candidates went into a room to the far left that I couldn't see. I kept my eyes on my husband until he went into that room and was out of sight. I waited with members of other candidates' families until we were called in. 

Our road, my husband's and my road, to his citizenship was mostly smooth, but not without its challenges. Days after we married in 2007 we filed the paperwork for his adjustment of status, the set of documents for an initial green card. All told, at that time, that first set of documents which we prepared together, cost around $1900. in USCIS fees. We married in November. The most storybook wedding ever, in the courtyard of the Lightner Museum complete with a white carriage and white horse to carry us to the reception. We planned to go to England for Christmas so that I could meet his family. When we filed the initial documents we had also filed the travel authorization document, Advance Parole, the I-131. Green card applicants have to be careful about traveling while approval is pending, lest USCIS determines that you've abandoned the application and then you have to start all over again. We filed the Advance Parole along with everything else, so that traveling to England would not be a problem. But, we didn't get an answer about it, and we didn't know what to do, so we scheduled an emergency appointment at the USCIS field office to request that they expedite his travel documents. We got the authorization, but only by showing the officer that we'd already purchased plane tickets. 

 England was lovely. It was my first visit. I'll never understand why the grass stays green when its so cold. Florida grass goes brown at the slightest drop in temperature. The flight was good, long haul flights are never exactly fun. Coming back to the states through Orlando, after being on a plane for over nine hours, we got pulled aside and had to wait in a room for two hours before being processed through customs and immigration. I learned later that the reason we were pulled aside was because my husband's immigration status was pending. 

 A month or so later we received the letter to appear at the USCIS field office for our initial interview. This is the interview where newlyweds show the officer their wedding pictures and original documents so that the officer can see make sure its a bona fide marriage. Its an important first step in the process, as there are, in fact, many people who think they can game the system. Marry for a fee, etc. Our marriage is bona fide, married for all the right reasons. But, on the way to our appointment, driving the interstate, a front tire blew. Blew out of the blue. Nothing wrong with the tire, didn't run over a nail or a screw. Tire just blew out. Luckily a road ranger came to our rescue, towed us off the interstate and to the nearest tire store, where we bought a new tire. By this time there was no chance of arriving at our appointment on time. We tried to call the 800#, which we found to be an exercise in futility. That number always goes straight to a voicemail menu. There was no way to let USCIS know what had happened. Back on the road, we proceeded to the USCIS field office. The officer at the door let us in and rescheduled the appointment for later that day, only after we showed him the time stamped receipt for the new tire purchase. 

 Over the next two years, my husband had to get a medical exam, get fingerprinted several times (biometrics), and file more papers to remove the temporary conditions from his green card to change his status to a permanent resident alien. All these at a cost. Overall around another $900. Last year we decided it was time for him to apply for citizenship. We could have done so sooner, but hadn't felt the real need. Filing the forms for citizenship (N-400) plus biometrics cost another $725. It was 10 months before he received notice to take the civics test. He was ready. He had made me drill him on the 100 questions for days and days. His goal was to answer the first six questions correctly, so that the test would end there and then. He did it. The next week was ceremony day. 

 The ceremony was quite touching. I felt great that my husband was becoming a U.S. Citizen for me, for us. When the families were allowed into the ceremony room, a speaker from DHS welcomed us. She then asked for all the soon to be U.S. Citizens stand. That day there were 94. She called country by country until all citizenship candidates stood. The family members, whooped and hollered when their country was called and their candidate stood. We said the Pledge of Allegiance together. Then the National Anthem came on complete with patriotic video on the big screen at the front of the room. Next, the families were asked to take their seats, and the candidates repeated the oath, line by line. Once the candidates said the oath, they were declared United States citizens and everyone clapped and celebrated. The DHS speaker then talked about how we, as U.S. Citizens although not bound by race, religion, or ethnicity are bound together because of the freedoms that we enjoy. She went on to say that as U.S. Citizens we are to help one another, and that we are all equal. Inspirational and patriotic. Near the end of the ceremony, a lady came around and passed out little American flags to everyone who wanted one. Lee Greenwood came on the big screen and sang “God Bless the U.S.A.” It was a good and memorable day. Now we're working through the next checklist. He already updated his driver's license, and registered to vote. He still needs to visit the social security office and apply for a U.S. Passport.