Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has signed one of the toughest immigration laws in the country, requiring police to stop anyone suspected of being an illegal immigrant.

“Today with my unwavering signature on this legislation, Arizona strengthens our security within our borders,” Brewer said at a press conference in Arizona. She said her signature represents “fast support for enforcing the law both against illegal immigration and against racial profiling.”

The law requires police to stop anyone on “reasonable suspicion” of being an undocumented immigrant. People could be arrested for failing to produce a valid driver’s license or papers proving they are a legal resident.

The bill has reignited a national conversation about comprehensive immigration reform. President Barack Obama called the measure “misguided” on Friday and said his administration will “closely monitor the situation and examine the civil rights and other implications of this legislation.”

Arizona Sen. John McCain has praised the measure, calling it a “step forward”—a dramatic switch from the 2008 presidential primary, when he risked his political career to support comprehensive immigration reform.

Roger Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles, blasted Arizona’s proposed crackdown on illegal immigration, calling it “the country’s most retrogressive, mean-spirited and useless anti-immigrant law.”

“American people are fair-minded and respectful. I can’t imagine Arizonans now reverting to German Nazi and Russian Communist techniques whereby people are required to turn one another in to the authorities on any suspicion of documentation.”

Today I received my confirmation of voter registration.

Today was the big day, as it were. I arrived at the designated location for the oath ceremony about 30 minutes early, around 8:30. Found the auditorium and checked in. The check-in process consisted of answering a set of questions (e.g. have you been arrested since your interview) on the letter previously received and then signing and dating the letter at one table; then moving to another table and signing the naturalization certificate. At this point we were assigned seat numbers and told to take a seat in the auditorium. Eventually, we were given programs which showed that the actual ceremony was to start at 11:00. So we waited and waited. Fortunately the gentlemen seated next to me was a very interesting and pleasant character, so chatting with him helped to pass the time.
At last, the proceedings started. The court was opened and the judge said a few words, someone sang “God Bless America” (why?) and then someone else gave a speech. Finally, we all said the citizenship oath; at which point we officially became U.S. citizens. Then, the pledge of allegiance. We all sang the national anthem and things ended as the new citizens received our certificates.

Once I got home, I changed and went to the license office and registered to vote.

This concludes my immigration blog. All in all, in retrospect, it has been a fairly quick and painless process.

Yesterday I received in the mail Form 445, Notice of Naturalization Oath Ceremony. My ceremony is scheduled for August 1st at 9:00 AM. “Proper attire should be worn”.

The last step in my journey is very close. After this the first thing I will do is register to vote.

Today I went to the USCIS office for my naturalization interview. Met T. in the lounge and chatted for a while, then proceeded to the waiting room. The interview was all over in about 30 minutes. Fortunately I was well prepared for everything and there weren’t any unexpected questions or requests for information I didn’t have.

First I swore to tell the truth, so help me God. Basically they asked me several questions related to information on my application, asked me to read aloud the oath of allegiance and then explain what it means to me. I also had to provide a writing sample and autograph my photos.

Finally the interviewer handed me a piece of paper which reads “Congratulations! Your application has been recommended for approval.”

The next step will be the Oath Ceremony…

Today I received an e-mail from T, informing me that they have received me interview notice. It will be on Friday, May 30th at 9:30 am. Expect more details to follow.

Today I went to the local USCIS office to have my fingerprints taken. All in all it was a pretty smooth process. I found a parking place, one of those unattended lots where you have to pay a machine and display your ticket. Of course, it wouldn’t take my money. No new bills. I tried five ones and a dollar coin, no luck. Finally had to use a credit card.

Passed through the security checkpoint with some trouble, seems I had some metal in my jacket that I couldn’t find. Anyway, they issued me a visitor pass and I looked around for room 1.208. Of course there’s no directory anywhere so you just sort of wander around until you find the right door.

Once inside 1.208 I went to the counter and received a form to complete. Submitted the form, my appointment notice and green card. After about ten minutes they called my name and ushered me into the fingerprint area. They take a flat print of both thumbs, then all four fingers of each had together, and then a rolling print of each finger. A total of 14 fingerprints.

I was done in 25 minutes. I was impressed by the efficiency and speed of the process.

They told me that my interview would be “in a few months”…

Today I received in the mail a notice to have my fingerprints taken at the USCIS office in downtown St. Louis for December 18th at 10:00 AM. T.’s assistant actually e-mailed me in the morning with this information before I got the mail. I guess they are getting copies of all the notices as well.

Added the appointment to my calendar. I will need to take the notice and my green card as identification. We’re on a roll here!

Today I received a letter I-797C, Notice of Action, acknowledging receipt of my application.

It said that I was “missing evidence(s)”. I e-mailed T. asking her is I should be concerned and she said “I believe all the receipts note missing evidence — pretty boilerplate. If they need additional information, they will send a formal request.” So, we don’t know what they are missing and they won’t tell us what it is but if they really are missing something they’ll let us know.

I guess we are moving along now. But the 08 election seems to be looming.

Today I signed 2 copies of a form G-28 which has something to do with telling USCIS that my attorney is my attorney. Also signed the N400 (Part 11 only). I went to Kinkos and got 2 photographs made.

Made copies of my current passport. All of the pages! Even the blank ones! A copy of my permanent resident card (also known as a “green card”) and a copy of my birth certificate. Sent all that along with a check for $1,675 for the filing and legal fees.