N400 interview experience, Milwaukee WI

[blndrchf 0]

I really enjoyed reading the N-400 interview experiences posted in this forum. Here's my story:

A little history - Grew up in UK, came to the US as an exchange student on a 1 yr visa in 1997. Met my soon to be wife. Got married, applied for adjustment of status. Greencard issued June 2001.

Fast forward to 2010... greencard is about to expire so I decide to apply for Naturalization based on 5 yr residency rule. Went for interview at the Milwaukee field office this morning.

Interview was scheduled for 9am, I arrived at 8:30. There were only about 10 people in the waiting area, most for biometrics. Officer called me for interview at 9:20. She was professional but friendly. Took me back to her office and had me promise to tell the truth. She asked to see my greencard, drivers license and current passport. These were the only items she asked for during the entire interview. (I had a folder full of bank statements, birth/marriage certificates etc etc. but didn't need any of them)

She said "Let's get the test out of the way." Started with the civics qu's:

• "What is the name of the national anthem"
  
• "How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?*"
  
• "What is the “rule of law”?" My mind went blank on this one. I answered "Says that citizens must obey the law." She said "Citizens?" I said "Oh, I mean all Americans." (Seemed like she was helping me get it correct)
  
• "What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?"
  
• "What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States?"
  
• "Why does the flag have 13 stripes?"
  

Then she smiled and said "OK, now you need to show me that you can read and write English" - I think she found it amusing that I was required to prove this despite the fact I grew up in England. She handed me a sheet of paper with 3 sentences written on it and made me read the middle one "What is the largest state?" She asked "Do you know?" I said "Alaska". She handed me another piece of paper and said "OK, write 'The largest state is Alaska.'"

Then she went through my application asking me questions along the way: Address, phone number, last trip outside the US, am I married, any kids, do I work, does my wife work. Then she went through ALL the "Yes/No" questions: "Have you ever voted or registered to vote in a federal election, would you be willing to bear arms for the US" etc.... Breezed through this then she signed the application and had me sign it in two places. Then she said "Congratulations, I'm recommending that your application be approved, you'll get a letter in the mail shortly with a date for your oath ceremony." Then she shook my hand and asked "Do you have to go back to work today?" This was really nice, wasn't expecting the small talk, I guess immigration officers are normal people after all. All told, I was out of her office within 10 mins.

I'm sure I was an easy case for them. Still happily married to my wife of 13 yrs, only left the country for two weeks at a time annually for a trip back to the UK, never had so much as a parking ticket. However, I took the whole thing very seriously and never assumed for one minute that I would sail through the interview.

[Harsh_77 718]

Congrat...!!! sounds like it was a breeze and more of it amusing rather then been quizzed.

[OBX 51]

Congratulations and thanks for sharing your experience.

[N400-2011 24]

Congratulations

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Congrats!

Please report back after the Oath Ceremony.

[raymaga 25]

Congrats!!! Enjoy your oath ceremony!!!

[Sand 5]

Congratulations

[NickD 203]

We were always sent down to Milwaukee for biometrics with everything else at St. Paul. Good idea not to wear a Packets jacket in St. Paul. Even people living in Fond du Lac have to go to St. Paul when only about an hour away from Milwaukee. So really curious about your oath ceremony and wait.

Wish my stepdaughter didn't have any traffic violations then her record would have been spotless like my wifes' was, were you even asked about that? But she was just a new driver and a kid, now she knows are thousands of new 9/11 police are out to get you.

I sailed through security yesterday, already had my belt removed and took off my watch. That was good, that female guard wasn't there to pat me down, really don't like being patted down by a guy.

[blndrchf 0]

We were always sent down to Milwaukee for biometrics with everything else at St. Paul. Good idea not to wear a Packets jacket in St. Paul. Even people living in Fond du Lac have to go to St. Paul when only about an hour away from Milwaukee. So really curious about your oath ceremony and wait.

Wish my stepdaughter didn't have any traffic violations then her record would have been spotless like my wifes' was, were you even asked about that? But she was just a new driver and a kid, now she knows are thousands of new 9/11 police are out to get you.

I sailed through security yesterday, already had my belt removed and took off my watch. That was good, that female guard wasn't there to pat me down, really don't like being patted down by a guy.

Thanks all!

The immigration officer said it would be 1-2 months for the oath ceremony. I just don't think the Milwaukee office is busy enough to have them more often. Nothing like Chicago where I went for my green card. That place was always packed!

I was just asked a very generic question about my criminal record. Something like "Have you ever been arrested or charged with any crime in the US or any other country?" to which I replied "No". I'm sure if something had appeared on the background check, I would have gotten more questioning. She had a pretty thick file on me - looked like about 50 pages.