HORITSU.COM :: The US Immigration Laws

As part of the Immigration and Naturalization's ongoing efforts to provide better customer service and improve naturalization processing, naturalization applicants throughout the country can now report a change-of-address by calling a single toll-free number (1-800-375-5283) instead of submitting the new address by writing to the local INS office.

Naturalization applicants who move while their application is still pending must report their new address to the INS so the agency can notify them of their fingerprinting, interview and oath ceremony appointments - three vital steps in the naturalization process.

INS urges all naturalization applicants who have moved to use this new call-in system. Applicants who have already submitted an address change in writing should also call the toll-free number to confirm that INS has their correct address.

To report a change-of-address, naturalization applicants should call 1-800-375-5283 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (caller's local time), Monday through Friday. An automated menu of options will direct callers to an INS customer service representative who will take the new address information and ensure that the change-of-address is processed. Callers will need to provide their name, alien number, date of birth and country of birth, as well as their old and new mailing addresses. This service is available in English and Spanish.

PROCESSING TIME UPDATE: Los Angeles

Naturalization
1. Interviews: As of April 2000, the INS was setting up naturalization interviews for some of my clients who filed their applications in July 1999.

2. Oath Ceremony: For information on when naturalization ceremonies will be held, visit the web page for the US District Court at www.cacd.uscourts.gov. Then go to the "General Information" section. Then select "Naturalization."

Adjustment of Status
As of February 2000, the INS was setting up interviews for people who filed their applications in November 1997.