Mody, when most of our great grand parents became citizens the test was much harder. It was so hard people took it over and over. Notice I said great grand parents, most Americans today had great grand parents and grand parents that immigrated here. Even if they didn't become citizens the children became citizens at birth. Most of this happened from the mid 1800s to the mid 1900s. My great grand parents got here from Norway on my fathers side and Germany and France on my mothers side. My wifes grand parents came over from Ireland on her mothers side and Ireland and Germany on her fathers side.
I am a history buff but for the most part it's the wars this country has been involved in. My interest stops after Viet Nam. I don't bother with current affairs. It's a never ending story and airplanes no longer have propellers!!

As long as you use one of the big four radio systems...

Just kidding, of course. No sweat. My comment was totally in jest.

CGr.

Mody,

Good on you and congratulations.

I have nothing but respect for those that come here in search of a better life, do the right way and follow through. Citizenship here, as Gene said, is far too often taken for granted and not much respected by those of us who came to it by birth. I gained a larger respect for my rights and citizenship by serving in the armed forces and an even greater thankfulness for it in going through all of the hoops and hassels in getting green cards and citizenship for my wife and two younger boys. She is from the UK and we had been married 6 years and had two of our four children before we moved back to the USA...even though the elder boys are supposed to have automatic citizenshipthey were born over seas and to a non citizen mother so it was a mountian of work and continual following up for all three of them. I know you will be happy in your new status and relieved to be done with filling out paperwork and writting big fat checks to DHS!

Congrats again and welcome!!

Congratulations, Armody. I'm really happy for you, and glad you decided to do it the right way and are so enthusiastic about it!

My great grandparents on my mom's side came over from Ireland and Germany in the 1880's & 1890's and where always proud to have gained their American citizenship (even though back in that day I believe they had to surrender their citizenship to the birth countries). They where of the era who believed that while German could be spoken in the house, it was a rule that outside of the house that when guests where over English be spoken because it's the language of the land, and only allowed the American Flag to be flown out of respect for this country (something that many today don't do).

On my dad's side I'm not as sure when my ancestors came over (or where they actually came from) other than I've been able to trace one line back to a Colonel Stewart in the American Militia who fought under General Washington in the Revolutionary War. One of these days I'm going to do the full documented search for the Sons of the Revolution.

Hogflyer

My hat's off to you but until we get the Demo's out of office there won't be a good economy.................

Congratulations and welcome. I wish you all the best. Thanks; Ernie P.

now you can go to afganistan and shoot people

very nice!! enjoy your citizenship and take nothing for granted and you will b successful.

Gray Beard (Gene)

Your Great Grand Parents story is really inspiring as how the
people from Europe migrated to USA to seek freedom and have
a better life. My wife's paternal side is German and her
maternal side is Romanian. My wife's grand mother is still
alive and she is 87 to 88 years old, lives in Florida. She
spoke to me even before I came to USA, but my wife has not
spoken to her for over 2 years as she said few things about me
which my wife held on to it and it was totally uncalled for as
all I did was to respect her and nothing else. My deceased
Father in Law and Mother in law (May GOD Rest their Souls in
Peace) Ameen/Amen, they spoke to me on phone and they loved me.

Anyway don't wanna be off the topic. My Dad and mom migrated
from India to Pakistan as we were ruled over by British for
over 200 years as India, Pakistan, Bengladesh, Sri Lanka it was
one country and called Sub-continent, ruled over by Moghul
emperors then East India company established and British came
in and they took over the whole country. In August 14, 1947
Pakistan came into being, August 15, 1947 and We got east Pakistan
which we lost in india pakistan war in 1971 and it became
bengladesh. We are not a part of middle-east, we don't speak
Arabic, our alphabets are more than arabic alphabets. Our
language is Urdu which is a mixture of arabic, turkish, persian,
and english. Indians speak hindi which is same as urdu with
different accent as well as lots of words of sanskirit.

CGRetired:

Thank you very much, you've always been like all others very
supportive and I have such a great respect for you and all.

frets24:

Fret the guitar I have is Fender Squier and it has 22 medium frets
lol, I want 24 jumbo frets guitar especially Ibanez one so
I can enjoy playing the power chords lol. The check I wrote to
DHS was $680 for this whole process. As once I got approved for
my visa, my background check took them 13 months to clear my name
my cousin's story is little different, he had his interview
on Wednesday and Monday he got visa lol, so case varies, and
waiting on so long was a part of process, my wife was very upset
as she heard my cousin got within 5 days, I said well, we
never know and once my background check came out without any
blemish, I had the visa. Thanks again frets.

hogflyer:

Wow, isn't it great to dig out more about your ancestory,
I wish I can find out more about my parents ancestory.
These are the treasures to pass on to our next generation
along with R/C modelling not PS3 and Xbox, not to mention
I just built me a new computer and a friend of mine got me
into game known as Left 4 Dead 2 lol. Our history is rich and
it should be passed on. Thanks hogflyer.

telejojo:

Thank you very much, I really appreciate it.

Ernie P:

Thanks a lot. I really appreciate your kind words.

blhollo2:

Thanks a lot. We should all think that we are free and that is
the greatest gift this country has. People go to see other
countries, I would say Explore USA, the beauty it has it's
amazing. Once I'd get enough money I'd explore USA, especially
grand canyon, hollywood, chicago, miami, NY, and many many more.

grimmy55:

Well honestly speaking, Pakistan borders afghanistan and ever
since afghanistan and russian war started back in 80's the
afghan influx of millions of refugees destroyed pakistan and
what you see now is the repurcussion of that support we did
to Afghanistan. I would not get into the details, if you
would like to read about how it all started, you need to dig
deep down into the afghan russian war and involvement of
USA and Pakistan. I'm not a shooter, I'm a flyer. I love r/c
flying, fishing which I haven't gone yet ( and playing
electric guitar, power chords and basic chords.

When I was working atChevron's Windows Vista Migration Project,
some of my American friends got stunned to find out that I'm
being a Pakistani listen to Heavy Metal Rock, I told them you
need to find some of the independent heavy metal rock bands
on youtube in Pakistan, and you'd love their music and you can
do it if you like. Thanks again


In the end, I'm over-whelmed, happy, amazed and proud of y'all
that how warmly and openly welcomed me, accepted me and you
have proved that You are truly the Great Nation and Brave people
who are hospitable, acceptable, truthful and open-hearted.
My wife enjoyed Pakistani hospitality in 2 years and 8 months
and I'm enjoying it here. I'm so proud to be a part of this
Great Nation. Land of the Brave.

THANK YOU ALL.

Mody

Corrections.

I'm flier not flyer lol. 13 months for background check it took when I was in Pakistan and waiting for my visa. I lived in Islamabad for almost 4 months, so it was convenient for me to get my passport with US Visa as US Embassy is there. Citizenship process is done within 4 months, as time span was 5 months. It's really commendable how USCIS has started processing the citizenship process so expeditiously. Kudos for USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services)

congrats on becoming a citizen

at101

Thank you very much. I really appreciate it

Thank you very much for saying so.

I truly believe the one thing that makes the United States what it is can be boiled down to this: the US will accept anyone who believes in themselves enough to stick it out and is willing to work hard and join in when asked or needed.  And we even tolerate those who say "no" to the last part.

Going to be rocky at first - we most of us worked hard to get what we have and don't just give it away - but if you try and fit in we'll make room.

And note that the government treats EVERYONE miserably: new citizens, old timers, veterans, bums, etc..  That's how they (we - I'm a municipal worker) ensure fairness.  Treat 'em all equally bad.  ;-)

Charlie P.

You are more than welcome. These are my true words from the bottom of my heart. What Your and every Americans Ancestors achieved for their up coming generation, it is very obvious, the system, the buildings, the cities, the parks, the places, restaurants, cars and top most Universities/colleges. This what they built for their generation and people who wish to come here and live, make their lives easy. I have no complaints, as far as government is concerned, so I cannot imagine in Pakistan, paying a tax and get earned income credit or any refund, I would have to reborn 100 times, it would still not be done. They know how to take it from you, but not to give back.

Once again it's not a political arena lol to debate about it. You've gone through so, we all have rights to have differences with government, and I have no complaints. I just only wish and pray that medical insurance should be affordable, as my wife is diabetic and heart patient, I'm a recent diabetic, gotta lose weight to be under 200Lbs, my diabetes would be gone. I spoke to a friend of mine just a while ago, who recently got his citizenship and he told me that it's a great event, and you would really enjoy it. They would keep your green card and hand me the certificate of citizenship. He told me all the details and I'm excited about it on coming Thursday.

Charlie, your last sentence " That's how they (we - I'm a municipal worker) ensure fairness. Treat 'em all equally bad. ;-) " it's funny lol.

He advised me to make my passport as well as the passport card.

http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2...passport-card/

Congratulations on your citizenship! We moved to the US in 1983, and become citizens after the 5 year wait period. That was a long time ago, but I have to tell you something. Two days ago we got back from Europe. We were coming from some beautiful places in the south of France, and north of Spain (our flight was Nice-NY). But even so, even after having a great time abroad as we always do, when you arrive to Kennedy, and you get in the US Passport line, you feel that you are really home. And when one of the Custom agents greets you with a "Welcome home" you have no idea how good it feels.

So, today I will tell you Welcome home! My biggest wish for our country is that it will be united again, and not segmented as it is now. Also, that more people further their education (very important) and start taking better care of themselves and their surroundings:-) While we are at it, maybe we can eliminate bigotry, and discrimination of any kind. Hey, this is the US, anything is possible!

Gerry

GerKonig

How beautifully you put it all, it's truly heart touching. I cannot forget when I was in Emirates Airlines Boeing 777 aah awesome plane and landing on George Bush Intercontinental airport, it was amazing. Unfortunately one worker sent us to the wrong line as immigrants line was other one, we got there and got to the right line, handed my packet of documents, which is sealed from the Embassy when you get your visa. Once my interview and everything was done, Immigration officer she welcomed me to US, it was a great feeling.

Now my biggest purpose is to get my siblings as they are all want to live US dream. One more thing GerKonig, the way you spoke about Europe, it reminded me that movie Eurotrip and that movie is hilarious, we always enjoy it. If you've not seen it, you must see it. It's funny.

Once again, I really feel like I'm home and I was born here. I still wish I came here the time you came, and I would do my computer engineering. I'm working hard and trying to make the grade

Mody, Congrats on your accomplishment. My wife, she's from Guatemala, has just started to study for the test. She doesn't speak English very well, she's studying that also, so I read to her your posts on this thread. She was very inspired by it. So, thank you very much and welcome to The U.S.A.

Gollywock,

Thank you very much First off, tell your wife Hola and comment estas "sorry if I wrote it wrong" secondly this test is easy as pie and USCIS officers want you to pass it, they are very easy, friendly, respectful and encourage you to pass it, if you answered 5 to 6 questions straight, you won't be asked any question, if not, he or she would ask you more questions until you answer them all.

Wish her all the best. Once again, I've read couple of years ago that citizenship process used to take couple of years, now it's gets completed within 5 months, Wow and Bravo to USCIS for their accomplishment and making this process more easy for the people, then what is the purpose for being illegal here?. I'm proudly paying taxes for the last 3 years and would continue to pay and down the road hopefully in 10 years, I'd do my business and would not outsource anything

Thanks again and Wish her best of luck, it's easy as getting icecream from the fridge

You already know what Iwould say here buddy. Ijust hope my wife can get to Moscow soon and get hers finished, I'm lonely.

Welcome

I also one day pledged allegiance to the Stars and Stripes. It was a great experience.

Que viva los Estados Unidos! Que viva Chile!

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My brother married a girl from Canada, he is in Washington State. I'm not sure if they have allowed her to come over the boarder yet or not. It's already been about two years. It's one little thing after another, sort of like the left hand not speaking to the right hand?? Doing things the legal way is like being penalized for not slipping through the fence. I had a friend that was working the boarder patrol there pull up her back ground check thinking maybe there was something there that was holding things up but she had a clean record. They pulled her pass port until all the paper work was cleared too so she can't come over at all. My brother is now on a first name basis with the patrol personal on both sides.
It took two years for one of my friends wives to get permision to come here from the UK too??

Jeffie, harry,

Thanks guys,. I wish and pray for your wife Jeffie that she gets here soon.

Yesterday June 16th, 2011 I finally become Proud US Citizen, nearly 2210 people were to become citizen, like 1,000+ showed up and they were all from 123 different countries, how amazing.

Gene, I agree on certain things but certain things I don't. Yes cases always vary and every case is different. K3 or K4 fiance/fiancee visa is fastest may be 3 to 6 months, but I read it's like visitors or non-immigrant visa, then you can start filing your immigration. Since I'm at work, I would like to put down the whole story of mine from the day I filed for my immigration until I got my citizenship. I'm sure it would be very helpful for many of the people especially Jeffie but again, the way my case went by and it was stream lined and successfully completed, not all cases are like that. My cousin he lives in sugar land, his wife is not citizen, she is Pakistani as well, he had his interview on wednesday next monday he had his visa. I got approved for immigrant visa but my background check took 13 months then I finally had my immigrant visa. I met a customer when I was working for walmart, she was from Pakistan too, her background check took 17 months since her immigrant visa approval, once the name is cleared, you are issued the visa, of course you have to go through medical examination again as it's valid for 1 year.

I'd write down my story here soon. Now about flying, it's too hot here and too windy, I put up with Karachi's 120 F temperature, can't stand 105 here lol. I'm spoiled now.

Thank y'all

Mody The New Fellow American

Correction like always BECOME=BECAME, TYPO LOL

.

Kudos to you Armody. It really is uplifting to hear about somebody doing it right and being so enthusiastic about it. Too many folks who come here only want to bad mouth our country and everything it has ever done for everyone else. Nice of you to say such nice things about us. And that goes for all the rest of you folks who have chimed in with similar stories and are glad to be here. We truly welcome anyone who strives to be one with us rather than one against us.