My Naturalization Interview Experience-And some Questions for you!

[LYN1990 0]

OK. So I finally had my Naturalization interview. Yay! So I thought I would share my experience, as everone here does. So people will have an idea of what their big day might be like. Afterwards, I will also post some questions! I have come this far, and can share, but am also worried and confised! lol

INTRO:

OK. So, I am married to a USC. Entered as CR-1. DFC. Did ROC. Been in the USA for 3 years and 5 days as of the day of interview! But left the USA for 10 months. We have 3 kids. We got the family together, our last 3years of saving, and all the credit cards that would approve us, and made our trip! Since we live in the middle of nowhere provincial Idaho, it is a THREE DAY journey to USCIS! Ugh! With little kids mind you. So, OK, a 2 hour walk with stroller and bags. A 2 hour taxi ride to catch the bus. A 5 hour ride to Boise, the nearest "city", and a 2 hour walk to our hotel. FINALLY! We eat, shower, and sleep!

SECURITY:

We are up early to get to USCIS. It turns out it is oath day for a group of people. USCIS is so busy you can barely get in the door. Then, the hardest part of the interview: SECURITY! Security told us to "leave our baggage in our car". We explained we have no car. We walked and rode the bus. So then they questioned why we have umbrullas. We explained they were for the rain. They did not seem to believe us. (What else would umbrullas be for?). Then they asked why we have a spare cell phone battery. We explained that we always keep one for emergencies. Especially on 3 day trips of 700 miles! They seemed not to belive that either. So then they found that we had Google Maps on how to get from home to Boise, to USCIS and we got in trouble!!! We were DENIED security clearance! Our bads were confiscated. We had to take the kids out of the strollers. And we were put into a holding room. We had to wait like a half hour for a security supervisor to come and he was very mean, and asking us quations like we were Al-Qaeda! We were so scared! Even my husband was ready to cry. I was crying and told them I don't want to be American anymore. I just want to go home! Then we had to wait another half hour and another security supervisor came in to ask us lots of weird questions. They didn't seem to belive anything we said. And they would not tell us why we were detained. We were already over an hour late for our interview. After another half hour the first security guards came in and told us that Boise USCIS suffers regular terrorst attacks by their immigrants!(Holy #######! Really???) and said we were cleared through security and told to get our things in the next room. All our luggage was poured all over the table and floor. So we had to re-pack it all! OMG! I was crying. It was so scarry! So we were told to sit down in a row of chairs.

INTERVIEW:

So we waited for a short time. Maybe 20 min. We had to go to the window for check in. I had changed my name since entering the USA. The guy behind the window did NOT like that. He wanted a good REASON why my name was different. I did not know he needed one. As far as I know the US Law, you can change your name for any reason whenever you want. My husband, frustrated at this point, and a US Marine Veteran and biker, yelled at him, and I was so scared. But then instead of being in trouble, the guy behind the counter stopped asking me questions and told us to sit down. We only waited for maybe another 20 minutes, and my interviewer came out. She was not friendly like in videos. She never smile or look at me. I gave her the yellow sheet that said I was required to bring to the interview, with our Joint Taxes and proof of not abandoning US Abode. She didn't take it. She said she doesn't want it. I brought also a 6 inch stack, well organized pile of paper work, including copies and originals, folders, sub-folders, all labeled, etc. Didn't need any of that. This is the interview:

1. You are married to an American?

Yes.

2. When you went abroad, did you leave any property or anything in the US?

Yes, we have TV, couch, baby foods.

3. Have you ever claimed to be a US Citizen?

No.

4. Have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?

No.

7. Do you support the Constitution?

Yes.

8. Is this your normal signature? Do you always write out your whole name without abbreviateing it?

No.

9. Then why did you sign your name like this then?

Because the instructions on the USCIS website said to do it that way.

Then she made me sign my name the "normal way" and said never to sign anything with my full name. Only "normal signature". So I had to sign above it.

ENGLISH, WRITING, AND CIVICS TESTS:

"Write out "How many Senators are there?""

So I write it out. Then I was asked to read it. I read it. It is easy. I am Filipino and we all grow up speaking English. It is our national language! Then I was asked to aswer the question:

"100"

That was it!!!! I was preparing hours a day for three years. But the test was SO EASY! I am actually sad it was not harder. The interview was about 15 minutes long maximum. And they do not want any taxes, no evidence, no pictures, nothing! All that work of getting all our papers together! They do not want it!

So she said in a depressed voice: "I already approved you to be a US Citizen before the interview."

Yay! After 3 years of waiting, 1.5 days of bus-riding and walking, with bags and kids, almost getting arrested and interrogation, 40 minutes of waiting, and a 15 min interview, I am finally going to be American! But we have to make the trip AGAIN! In two months. I was given an N-445 appointment letter for Oath Ceremony and escorted out. Phew!

ADVICE:

1. The interview is easy. It is a joke, really. Do not worry. In fact, do not prepare so hard like me. I wasted a lot of time, energy, and stress for nothing. Me and my husband have pretty much wasted 90% of our evenings together(and many full days) getting ready for this. For nothing.

2. When you go to USCIS, throw out your umbrellas, google maps, and batteries, before entering the property! Food and cologne ae OK though!

3. Good luck!

Hope any of this helps!

[LYN1990 0]

MY QUESTIONS:

1. The name on my N-445 is mis-spelled. Is this OK? Or do I have to fix it? Will that be on my Naturalization Certificate?

2. When do I take my Civil Surgeon Medical?

3. How was I approved for my Naturalization BEFORE the Interview?

4. When will my status online update? It has been almost a month and it still says "Testing and Interview". I am Natralizing in another month.

5. When do I receive permission to work legally? (I work under the table right now).

6. What if we cannot make it to the Oath Ceremony? We pretty much have spent about 4-5 years worth of money(including credit) to get to the Naturalization Interview and I don't think we can make it in another month :/ We can't even afford the taxi to the bus right now, let alone the bus/hotel/food/etc.

Thank you!

[BigDaddy28 228]

1) no that is not okay you have to tell them your name is mispelled. Otherwise you will have to wait for a new certificate after the oath.

2) You don't need to. You done that for the green card you are way passed that stage. You don't need one for naturalization.

3)I have no clue about that one.

4)The online thing is not always reliable, but it will change when you are in que and then when they send you the oath letter. They put me in que 3 days after my interview, they sent me my oath letter 2 months after my interview. I'm not saying it will take that long for you but it depends on how busy your office is.

5) You did already when you had your green card to legally work and live in America. Working under table is illegal. Stop that.

6) You have to make it. thats your last step please don't miss it. If you ask for rescheduling that could delay your file by a long time.

Congratulations on your naturalization interview.

[LYN1990 0]

1) no that is not okay you have to tell them your name is mispelled. Otherwise you will have to wait for a new certificate after the oath.

2) You don't need to. You done that for the green card you are way passed that stage. You don't need one for naturalization.

3)I have no clue about that one.

4)The online thing is not always reliable, but it will change when you are in que and then when they send you the oath letter. They put me in que 3 days after my interview, they sent me my oath letter 2 months after my interview. I'm not saying it will take that long for you but it depends on how busy your office is.

5) You did already when you had your green card to legally work and live in America. Working under table is illegal. Stop that.

6) You have to make it. thats your last step please don't miss it. If you ask for rescheduling that could delay your file by a long time.

Congratulations on your naturalization interview.

1. How do I tell them? I called the 800 number and they told me I need to go online to make an appointment to go to the local office. This is impossible.

2. Why did USCIS tell me I need a Civil Surgeon Medical? I even have a packet I am supposed to give them or I will be deported.

3. OK

4. What is the Oath Letter?

5. The green card does not let me work. I have no Social Security Number Card. I know USCIS webpage says you can work with an I-551, but employers want a SSN Card.

6. I may have to delay. Most likely have to delay. Unless we can make the trip with magic How long will it delay?

Thank you!

[khenzee 5]

You were allowed to work legally when you got a green card 3 years ago. I know it might be a hassle for you but go get our social security card and get on it.

P.S. I spent some time in Idaho and I don't know how you survive there without a car but hats off to you for doing it!

[Leatherneck 693]

"I already approved you to be a US Citizen before the interview."

Your file was reviewed long before you arrived -- they knew you were coming, you had an appointment.

Your are a LPR with a valid GC, you are legally allowed to work. Just go to the nearest Social Security Office and submit an application for the SSN.

Wow -- what an amazing journey just to get to that N-400 interview! You endured a very long trip with three kids, limited finances, and got interrogated.

Edited May 16, 2014 by Leatherneck

[Vishnya 4]

U had your Green Card for three years and did not know u r eligible to work?? wow??? You just have to go to SS office and show them your GC, or better move from Idaho to the normal world))))

[furiousng 2]

Wow! That's a journey to remember for a lifetime. Maybe next time you might want to look into a car rental from the nearest urban location. About the misspelt name, the only option I can think of is the infopass which requires you to go back to the USCIS office.

Not sure why you were given a Civil Surgeon packet since you did that for AOS. Probably an error but clarify that with them as it's better to be safe than sorry.

Working under the table at this stage for you is equal to exploiting yourself. You have alright to live and work in the US so PLEASE get your SSN and make some good money. Uncle Sam and the rest of us will heartily thank you for it!

[Eric-Pris 1,607]

ADVICE:

1. The interview is easy. It is a joke, really. Do not worry. In fact, do not prepare so hard like me. I wasted a lot of time, energy, and stress for nothing. Me and my husband have pretty much wasted 90% of our evenings together(and many full days) getting ready for this. For nothing.

Thanks for sharing your experience, but I'm not sure it's a good idea to advise people not to prepare well for the interview.

Just because YOURS was short and simple, does NOT mean that everybody's is/will be. Everybody that I have talked to had to answer 6 civics questions correctly and were asked many more questions than you. You got lucky, and like they said, it was really just a formality since in their minds, they had approved you already.

Edited May 16, 2014 by Eric-Pris

[BigDaddy28 228]

1. How do I tell them? I called the 800 number and they told me I need to go online to make an appointment to go to the local office. This is impossible.

2. Why did USCIS tell me I need a Civil Surgeon Medical? I even have a packet I am supposed to give them or I will be deported.

3. OK

4. What is the Oath Letter?

5. The green card does not let me work. I have no Social Security Number Card. I know USCIS webpage says you can work with an I-551, but employers want a SSN Card.

6. I may have to delay. Most likely have to delay. Unless we can make the trip with magic How long will it delay?

Thank you!

1) your only option is to go back to the office. Make an infopass appointment and tell them. Please do soooooooon, not soon it's sooooooon (for faster reaction), because they will misspell your name wrong. Then it could be a hassle for you.

2) You don't need one. When you get back there inquire about that. It could be a mistake.

3)Ok

4) the oath letter is an invitation that tells you come to this place in this time to take your oath to become a citizen.

5) The green card foes let you work and live in the US. You can get your social security card from the social security place. You have to do it soon as well.

6)It is your decision to delay but I've seen cases where the delay was 1 month to 6 months or more.

[miss805 2]

So this new person comes to VJ and creates an account to tell us her interview experience and how USCIS thought they were terrorists (???) because they had a couple of "umbrullas", Google Maps and an extra cell phone battery. Supposedly she was asked only one and not 10 (or at least 6) civic questions. Then she asks a few very strange questions, including when can she start working legally and explain that she might not be able to make it to her oath ceremony in a couple of months because they need 4-5 years (?!) worth of savings to make the trip to Boise. Am I the only one who doesn't believe this crazy story (seriously, how do you not know what the Oath Letter is after you have been given one)?

If the story is true - lady, you must go to your oath ceremony or you won't become a citizen.

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

I'm sorry but I can't believe you got to the naturalization stage and still thinking that your green card did not allowed you to work. Where have you been in the last three years? Seriously? I guess America needs people who have absolutely no clue of what is going around their world....sorry to be so insulting but this is ridiculous.....you gotta do better than that! How about you start reading USCIS website of what are the rights/responsiblities/priviledges of a US citizen (since you say you're at that stage)? Just to be sure before you think you can only start working once they mail you your US passport...LOL

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

Oh and civil surgeon medical exam? Seriously???!!! Did you just photo copied someone's green card at the time and skipped that? I strongly suggest you to read....A LOT!

[LYN1990 0]

Wow! That's a journey to remember for a lifetime. Maybe next time you might want to look into a car rental from the nearest urban location. About the misspelt name, the only option I can think of is the infopass which requires you to go back to the USCIS office.

Not sure why you were given a Civil Surgeon packet since you did that for AOS. Probably an error but clarify that with them as it's better to be safe than sorry.

Working under the table at this stage for you is equal to exploiting yourself. You have alright to live and work in the US so PLEASE get your SSN and make some good money. Uncle Sam and the rest of us will heartily thank you for it!

As I understand it, renting a car in the USA is nearly impossible. Besides, I do not know if they even have that where we live. Yeah. Since I may not make my Oath, Infopass is not possible. What is "AOS"? I can't get an SSN. I am not a citizen yet! Almost. Thank you for the replies!

[LYN1990 0]

You were allowed to work legally when you got a green card 3 years ago. I know it might be a hassle for you but go get our social security card and get on it.

P.S. I spent some time in Idaho and I don't know how you survive there without a car but hats off to you for doing it!

How can I get a Social Security Card? I am not a citizen yet. Living in Idaho without a care is just like any place else really.