INS Wait

Re “Application Fee for Citizenship Hiked,” Jan. 15: I came to this country as a legal resident in 1985 and I applied for citizenship in August 1996. I never heard from the INS. I went to find out about my status in July 1997 and was told that everything was in order and I would be hearing from the organization soon. I did not.

Frustrated, I went again on June 2, 1998. Both times I woke up at 5 a.m. to reach the federal building by 6 a.m. After waiting for three hours in line, I was finally told that my fingerprints had expired and I was told to get my fingerprints retaken that day at another building in downtown. I got that done and was told to expect a call within six to eight weeks. It has already been seven months and I have not heard anything.

Calling the INS customer service line is a joke. There is no way in the world that you can get through. It is constantly busy. I will just try and make another trip I guess.

ALKA AMAR, Chatsworth