Dallas Citizenship Interview today - my experience

[Collie 122]

First of all don't trust craptastic mapquest for directions . We hit heavy traffic coming through the mid cities in Haltom city and North Richland hills this morning and could not find the office at all. It was a nightmare. We were still driving around 5 mins before my appointment, then eventually found a road near it by accident. It was in an industrial estate. Once inside the industrial area, there were signs with the address of the USCIS office on it, so we arrived 2 mins before my appt time at 9.40am. We got insie and I gave my letter to the security guy who was really nice. They told me to go upstairs, so we did and waited for 2 and a half hours past my appt time... the waiting room was jam packed full and they didn't even have enough buzzers (like you get at a restaurant) so I had to listen hard to my name being called (no PA or loudspeaker system). It was ridiculous cramming everyone in like fricking sardines. My husband and 3 mth old daughter were with me. I met and got talking to a girl from Uruguay (not sure if thats spelt right!!) and a lady from Canada and we quizzed each other using my home-made flash cards. That was fun. I spent the rest of the time feeding and entertaining my baby and talking to my husband, in addition to complaining about the wait. Hey, you have to spend the time somehow!

Ok so fast forward and 2 and a half hours later, I get called . Hubby and daughter were not allowed to go with me. The IO introduced herself as Officer Brown (Lorraine Brown). She was really nice actually. We went back to the interview room and she made me raise my right hand and swear to tell the truth etc. Did that, sat down and she asked for passports and Greencards. Then she asked for our tax returns including w2's, daughters birth cert and mortgage statement. She asked me to print my name on the photos I had submitted with the application. My file was in front of her and had everything dating back to the original green card i applied for in 2006. She asked me facts like where i worked, what as and how long for. Also to verify address and name including any aliases I'm known by. Got asked the usual terrorist questions and if I would serve in the military to defend the country if asked. Said yes to that and no to terrorist qus

Then she said we will now start the test. I had to read a sentence "the president lives in the white house" then write the capital of the united states is washington D.C.. then we did the qus:

Whats the capital of your state?

who did us fight against in ww2?

who vetoes bills?

eisenhower was a general in what war?

who was first president?

..and another that I can't remember now, sorry!

After that, she said congratulations you have passed your test and i am recommending you for citizenship. Told me I would receive a letter in about a weeks time and my oath would be within a mth.

Told me congrats again, i extended my hand and we shook hands and she escorted me back to the waiting room and told me to have a great day. The oath is in the same place and i wish I had done it today but they were way behind and all places had already been filled. Interview took about 15 mins.

Total time spent in USCIS today? just over 3 hours!!

The journey is nearly over for me and I am so grateful for having you guys here on VJ to guide me and answer my queries. Its been a trip thats for sure, but I will be proud to take my oath and become a citizen of the United States of America.

P an P; i know your interview is tomorrow. Goodluck!!! From 114 east, go right on Beltline rd and then take Shorthorn (you will start seeing signs for the address of the USCIS building) to Premier to campus drive to campus circle east. DONT go on the service rd as mapquest suggests. It will take you onto the President George Bush turnpike and you have to turn around to 114 again, which is what we did originally as we naively followed mapquest directions.

[MoroccanInTexas 24]

Congrats

[satyam 0]

Congratulations what a cliffhanger in getting there on Time!

[antda 13]

Hi Collie,

Congratulations on passing your citizenship interview and thanks for sharing about that detailed experience here on VJ....

Funny, how you got there on time, despite the heavy traffic, yet you had to wait such a long time for them to actually call you in for an interview.

3 hours seems awfully long to wait in a crowded room, especially with a baby! Did you have any problems with the baby there? And when you say feeding..do you mean formula or nursing? What are some of the things that you kept your baby entertained with? Did you bring a stroller and/or carseat for the baby too? Glad though, that you did pass the time during the wait with your family, and met some others going for interviews like you on the same day.

Glad that the interview itself went well for you as well. Seems pretty easy and straight-forward of what they expected of you with the questions and what to show. Interesting to know too, that they had all your paperwork from all those years. Did you bring any other documents with you, besides the ones that you showed them? Too bad though, they couldn't give you the same day oath, like you wanted. But at least the next time you go back there for the oath, you'll know how to get there, and sort of know what to expect when you're in the building (lol..hopefully less crowds and less waiting for you and your family the next time around).

Good luck with the rest of her immigration journey too, especially with the oath coming up soon for you. Hope you get that letter an an oath date soon!

And yes, do post about your oath ceremony experience too..looking forward to reading about that....

Ant

First of all don't trust craptastic mapquest for directions . We hit heavy traffic coming through the mid cities in Haltom city and North Richland hills this morning and could not find the office at all. It was a nightmare. We were still driving around 5 mins before my appointment, then eventually found a road near it by accident. It was in an industrial estate. Once inside the industrial area, there were signs with the address of the USCIS office on it, so we arrived 2 mins before my appt time at 9.40am. We got insie and I gave my letter to the security guy who was really nice. They told me to go upstairs, so we did and waited for 2 and a half hours past my appt time... the waiting room was jam packed full and they didn't even have enough buzzers (like you get at a restaurant) so I had to listen hard to my name being called (no PA or loudspeaker system). It was ridiculous cramming everyone in like fricking sardines. My husband and 3 mth old daughter were with me. I met and got talking to a girl from Uruguay (not sure if thats spelt right!!) and a lady from Canada and we quizzed each other using my home-made flash cards. That was fun. I spent the rest of the time feeding and entertaining my baby and talking to my husband, in addition to complaining about the wait. Hey, you have to spend the time somehow!

Ok so fast forward and 2 and a half hours later, I get called . Hubby and daughter were not allowed to go with me. The IO introduced herself as Officer Brown (Lorraine Brown). She was really nice actually. We went back to the interview room and she made me raise my right hand and swear to tell the truth etc. Did that, sat down and she asked for passports and Greencards. Then she asked for our tax returns including w2's, daughters birth cert and mortgage statement. She asked me to print my name on the photos I had submitted with the application. My file was in front of her and had everything dating back to the original green card i applied for in 2006. She asked me facts like where i worked, what as and how long for. Also to verify address and name including any aliases I'm known by. Got asked the usual terrorist questions and if I would serve in the military to defend the country if asked. Said yes to that and no to terrorist qus

Then she said we will now start the test. I had to read a sentence "the president lives in the white house" then write the capital of the united states is washington D.C.. then we did the qus:

Whats the capital of your state?

who did us fight against in ww2?

who vetoes bills?

eisenhower was a general in what war?

who was first president?

..and another that I can't remember now, sorry!

After that, she said congratulations you have passed your test and i am recommending you for citizenship. Told me I would receive a letter in about a weeks time and my oath would be within a mth.

Told me congrats again, i extended my hand and we shook hands and she escorted me back to the waiting room and told me to have a great day. The oath is in the same place and i wish I had done it today but they were way behind and all places had already been filled. Interview took about 15 mins.

Total time spent in USCIS today? just over 3 hours!!

The journey is nearly over for me and I am so grateful for having you guys here on VJ to guide me and answer my queries. Its been a trip thats for sure, but I will be proud to take my oath and become a citizen of the United States of America.

P an P; i know your interview is tomorrow. Goodluck!!! From 114 east, go right on Beltline rd and then take Shorthorn (you will start seeing signs for the address of the USCIS building) to Premier to campus drive to campus circle east. DONT go on the service rd as mapquest suggests. It will take you onto the President George Bush turnpike and you have to turn around to 114 again, which is what we did originally as we naively followed mapquest directions.

[~krakatoa~ 27]

That was nice of the IO to escort you back to the waiting room.

Congratulations!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Congratulations! The fun part happens next - no more worrying and wondering - you're almost finished . Enjoy your oath ceremony.

[FormerBrit 0]

Congratulations - almost done!

[~*Dorothy*~ 2]

Congrats!!!!!! :dance:

[Jamaican JNR 2]

First of all don't trust craptastic mapquest for directions . We hit heavy traffic coming through the mid cities in Haltom city and North Richland hills this morning and could not find the office at all. It was a nightmare. We were still driving around 5 mins before my appointment, then eventually found a road near it by accident. It was in an industrial estate. Once inside the industrial area, there were signs with the address of the USCIS office on it, so we arrived 2 mins before my appt time at 9.40am. We got insie and I gave my letter to the security guy who was really nice. They told me to go upstairs, so we did and waited for 2 and a half hours past my appt time... the waiting room was jam packed full and they didn't even have enough buzzers (like you get at a restaurant) so I had to listen hard to my name being called (no PA or loudspeaker system). It was ridiculous cramming everyone in like fricking sardines. My husband and 3 mth old daughter were with me. I met and got talking to a girl from Uruguay (not sure if thats spelt right!!) and a lady from Canada and we quizzed each other using my home-made flash cards. That was fun. I spent the rest of the time feeding and entertaining my baby and talking to my husband, in addition to complaining about the wait. Hey, you have to spend the time somehow!

Ok so fast forward and 2 and a half hours later, I get called . Hubby and daughter were not allowed to go with me. The IO introduced herself as Officer Brown (Lorraine Brown). She was really nice actually. We went back to the interview room and she made me raise my right hand and swear to tell the truth etc. Did that, sat down and she asked for passports and Greencards. Then she asked for our tax returns including w2's, daughters birth cert and mortgage statement. She asked me to print my name on the photos I had submitted with the application. My file was in front of her and had everything dating back to the original green card i applied for in 2006. She asked me facts like where i worked, what as and how long for. Also to verify address and name including any aliases I'm known by. Got asked the usual terrorist questions and if I would serve in the military to defend the country if asked. Said yes to that and no to terrorist qus

Then she said we will now start the test. I had to read a sentence "the president lives in the white house" then write the capital of the united states is washington D.C.. then we did the qus:

Whats the capital of your state?

who did us fight against in ww2?

who vetoes bills?

eisenhower was a general in what war?

who was first president?

..and another that I can't remember now, sorry!

After that, she said congratulations you have passed your test and i am recommending you for citizenship. Told me I would receive a letter in about a weeks time and my oath would be within a mth.

Told me congrats again, i extended my hand and we shook hands and she escorted me back to the waiting room and told me to have a great day. The oath is in the same place and i wish I had done it today but they were way behind and all places had already been filled. Interview took about 15 mins.

Total time spent in USCIS today? just over 3 hours!!

The journey is nearly over for me and I am so grateful for having you guys here on VJ to guide me and answer my queries. Its been a trip thats for sure, but I will be proud to take my oath and become a citizen of the United States of America.

P an P; i know your interview is tomorrow. Goodluck!!! From 114 east, go right on Beltline rd and then take Shorthorn (you will start seeing signs for the address of the USCIS building) to Premier to campus drive to campus circle east. DONT go on the service rd as mapquest suggests. It will take you onto the President George Bush turnpike and you have to turn around to 114 again, which is what we did originally as we naively followed mapquest directions.

Congrats

[Collie 122]

Thanks everyone!

Ant: I brought my daughter's travel system in with us and we had her napping in that until she woke up then we played with her and held her on our knee/shoulder etc. I have just stopped breastfeeding as she weaned herself off, so she was bottle fed. With all the people in the waiting room around us, she was kept entertained by people watching and giving anyone and everyone a big smile. She isn't shy at all! She was a good girl for those 3 hours and didn't get fussy at all.

There were a lot of people who had kiddos with them:)

[antda 13]

Hi Collie,

Thanks too, with your reply regarding bringing your daughter to the interview. It's definitely helpful for my situation, as I know more what to expect when I similarly have to attend the interview and oath with my son too. Good to know that I can bring a travel system there, with no problems. Lol..note to self: be sure to pack the stroller and carseat...Glad to hear, that your daughter was napping and well behaved there and that there were other kids there too in the same situation waiting for interviews. Good girl, indeed, for her not being fussy there! Lol...amazing too, that babies are entertained by the smallest things...I guess other people being there did the trick for her. And yes, babies entertain others in the same way too, so it's entertainment for all in the room (lol..you wouldn't believe how friendly complete strangers can be when there is a baby in the room). Makes the wait at the USCIS (and anywhere else) more interesting indeed! And now that your daughter is weaned off, it sure makes feeding her a lot easier now, so you don't have to worry about that anymore as well. Oh and all that extra time waiting sure did help you pass the test since you got to study more there. As for the officer comming out with you...wonder if she needed some entertainment in seeing your baby too...lol..I'm sure being an officer gets pretty boring at times..and if there is a baby in the room to see...makes them feel better about their job....baby=human evidence=happy officer...

Hope you don't have any problems the next time around when you go for your oath either, and that your daughter is not fussy next time too, and hope you get your oath letter and oath date soon too.

Good luck with the rest of the journey..It's almost over for you!

Ant

Thanks everyone!

Ant: I brought my daughter's travel system in with us and we had her napping in that until she woke up then we played with her and held her on our knee/shoulder etc. I have just stopped breastfeeding as she weaned herself off, so she was bottle fed. With all the people in the waiting room around us, she was kept entertained by people watching and giving anyone and everyone a big smile. She isn't shy at all! She was a good girl for those 3 hours and didn't get fussy at all.

There were a lot of people who had kiddos with them:)

Edited September 29, 2009 by Ant+D+A

[walls1010 3]

Congratulations

[PrinceandPrincess 0]

First of all don't trust craptastic mapquest for directions . We hit heavy traffic coming through the mid cities in Haltom city and North Richland hills this morning and could not find the office at all. It was a nightmare. We were still driving around 5 mins before my appointment, then eventually found a road near it by accident. It was in an industrial estate. Once inside the industrial area, there were signs with the address of the USCIS office on it, so we arrived 2 mins before my appt time at 9.40am. We got insie and I gave my letter to the security guy who was really nice. They told me to go upstairs, so we did and waited for 2 and a half hours past my appt time... the waiting room was jam packed full and they didn't even have enough buzzers (like you get at a restaurant) so I had to listen hard to my name being called (no PA or loudspeaker system). It was ridiculous cramming everyone in like fricking sardines. My husband and 3 mth old daughter were with me. I met and got talking to a girl from Uruguay (not sure if thats spelt right!!) and a lady from Canada and we quizzed each other using my home-made flash cards. That was fun. I spent the rest of the time feeding and entertaining my baby and talking to my husband, in addition to complaining about the wait. Hey, you have to spend the time somehow!

Ok so fast forward and 2 and a half hours later, I get called . Hubby and daughter were not allowed to go with me. The IO introduced herself as Officer Brown (Lorraine Brown). She was really nice actually. We went back to the interview room and she made me raise my right hand and swear to tell the truth etc. Did that, sat down and she asked for passports and Greencards. Then she asked for our tax returns including w2's, daughters birth cert and mortgage statement. She asked me to print my name on the photos I had submitted with the application. My file was in front of her and had everything dating back to the original green card i applied for in 2006. She asked me facts like where i worked, what as and how long for. Also to verify address and name including any aliases I'm known by. Got asked the usual terrorist questions and if I would serve in the military to defend the country if asked. Said yes to that and no to terrorist qus

Then she said we will now start the test. I had to read a sentence "the president lives in the white house" then write the capital of the united states is washington D.C.. then we did the qus:

Whats the capital of your state?

who did us fight against in ww2?

who vetoes bills?

eisenhower was a general in what war?

who was first president?

..and another that I can't remember now, sorry!

After that, she said congratulations you have passed your test and i am recommending you for citizenship. Told me I would receive a letter in about a weeks time and my oath would be within a mth.

Told me congrats again, i extended my hand and we shook hands and she escorted me back to the waiting room and told me to have a great day. The oath is in the same place and i wish I had done it today but they were way behind and all places had already been filled. Interview took about 15 mins.

Total time spent in USCIS today? just over 3 hours!!

The journey is nearly over for me and I am so grateful for having you guys here on VJ to guide me and answer my queries. Its been a trip thats for sure, but I will be proud to take my oath and become a citizen of the United States of America.

P an P; i know your interview is tomorrow. Goodluck!!! From 114 east, go right on Beltline rd and then take Shorthorn (you will start seeing signs for the address of the USCIS building) to Premier to campus drive to campus circle east. DONT go on the service rd as mapquest suggests. It will take you onto the President George Bush turnpike and you have to turn around to 114 again, which is what we did originally as we naively followed mapquest directions.

Hi Collie,

Congratulations! I'm so happy you made it to your interview despite of the heavy traffic jam.

I had my interview this morning at 6:30 AM. I passed the interview it's just very easy (only took about 15 minutes). Then I had my oath at 1:30 PM. I was wonderding if you were there. There's only two people from United Kingdom. A woman sat next to me and a gentleman seating behind me.

I hope you'll get your oath letter soon!

My hubby and I are so happy that our immigration journey is over!

[MoroccanInTexas 24]

Quote "First of all don't trust craptastic mapquest for directions huh.gif . We hit heavy traffic coming through the mid cities in Haltom city and North Richland hills this morning and could not find the office at all. It was a nightmare. We were still driving around 5 mins before my appointment, then eventually found a road near it by accident. It was in an industrial estate. Once inside the industrial area, there were signs with the address of the USCIS office on it, so we arrived 2 mins before my appt time at 9.40am "

Guess what I used Google maps, and my GPS. The google directions sucked big time, and my GPS decided not to work today....

I had to seek the help of a nice UPS driver. I got there 45 minutes late, since my original direction were telling me to look for Campus drive Exut on 166 south Grrrrrrr.

I had an Asian lady as my officer, she was nice. HOwever she could not approve me, since I am 24 hours short of my anniversary !!

How long did it take before you got your oath letter ? when did you attend the ceremony ?

Thanks

[vsmtghdy 2]

Congratulations! And thanks for sharing your interview experience.