N-400 Questions

[Southern_Canadian 0]

Hello everyone!

I am getting everything ready to mail my application in and have a few questions that hopefully I can get some answers to.

1. Part 11 question #33. Have you ever been removed, excluded or deported from the US?

In 2007, I was refused admission to the US due to a misunderstanding. It was resolved and I was allowed entry the next day. I provided information about that incident when I applied for my K-1 Visa. Would refused admission be considered excluded as asked in the question in this application?

2. I am applying on the fact that I have been a resident of the US for at least 5 years, do I need to send in tax forms or need them for the interview part at all?

3. I see two addresses to mail the packet to. I read comments saying to mail it standard priority. Would it be the first one?

USCIS

P.O. Box 660060

Dallas, TX 75266

For Express Mail or courier deliveries, use the following address:

USCIS

Attn: N-400

2501 S State Hwy 121 Business

Suite 400

Lewisville, TX 75067

Thanks everyone in advance for any help that you can give!

[jkb11 26]

Hello everyone!

I am getting everything ready to mail my application in and have a few questions that hopefully I can get some answers to.

1. Part 11 question #33. Have you ever been removed, excluded or deported from the US?

In 2007, I was refused admission to the US due to a misunderstanding. It was resolved and I was allowed entry the next day. I provided information about that incident when I applied for my K-1 Visa. Would refused admission be considered excluded as asked in the question in this application?

I would put it down in the form and briefly explain what happened. Explain in detail if asked at the interview.

2. I am applying on the fact that I have been a resident of the US for at least 5 years, do I need to send in tax forms or need them for the interview part at all?

Yes, the N-400 instructions explicitly call for the proof that you have been filing your taxes. I recommend getting tax transcripts from IRS, they are free.

3. I see two addresses to mail the packet to. I read comments saying to mail it standard priority. Would it be the first one?

USPS priority goes to the P.O. Box address.

[newacct 688]

If they allowed you to withdraw your application for admission (which is very likely if you are coming from Canada), then it wasn't a removal/exclusion proceeding.

Edited May 7, 2016 by newacct

[Southern_Canadian 0]

I would put it down in the form and briefly explain what happened. Explain in detail if asked at the interview.

Yes, the N-400 instructions explicitly call for the proof that you have been filing your taxes. I recommend getting tax transcripts from IRS, they are free.

USPS priority goes to the P.O. Box address.

Thanks for the reply!

Do I add the tax transcripts to the packet or bring to interview? I don't see it listed as what to include in packet but wanted to double check. I guess it can't hurt to include them.

[Southern_Canadian 0]

If they allowed you to withdraw your application for admission (which is very likely if you are coming from Canada), then it wasn't a removal/exclusion proceeding.

Sorry, I don't exactly understand your answer. What do you mean withdraw my application for admission?

I tried to fly to the US in 2007 to visit with my boyfriend at the time (whom I later married on the K-1 Visa) but they searched my bags and thought that I was trying to flee my Country which was definitely not true. They made me fly back home and said not to come back until I had proof that I wasn't fleeing. I immediately got bank statements and a letter from work stating that I would be back on such date. I flew back the next day, showed all of my proof and was allowed to visit.

I'm wondering if that would be considered excluded as I wasn't allowed that one day.

[jkb11 26]

Sorry, I don't exactly understand your answer. What do you mean withdraw my application for admission?

I tried to fly to the US in 2007 to visit with my boyfriend at the time (whom I later married on the K-1 Visa) but they searched my bags and thought that I was trying to flee my Country which was definitely not true. They made me fly back home and said not to come back until I had proof that I wasn't fleeing. I immediately got bank statements and a letter from work stating that I would be back on such date. I flew back the next day, showed all of my proof and was allowed to visit.

I'm wondering if that would be considered excluded as I wasn't allowed that one day.

Canadians are treated somewhat differently at the border. Don't worry about it, put it down in the application, mention what happened and move on. It's very unlikely this will cause any issues with your application.

Regarding the tax transcripts - i included them with the package sent to USCIS, and I will also bring a copy to my interview.

Edited May 7, 2016 by jkb11

[newacct 688]

Sorry, I don't exactly understand your answer. What do you mean withdraw my application for admission?

I tried to fly to the US in 2007 to visit with my boyfriend at the time (whom I later married on the K-1 Visa) but they searched my bags and thought that I was trying to flee my Country which was definitely not true. They made me fly back home and said not to come back until I had proof that I wasn't fleeing. I immediately got bank statements and a letter from work stating that I would be back on such date. I flew back the next day, showed all of my proof and was allowed to visit.

I'm wondering if that would be considered excluded as I wasn't allowed that one day.

Deportation and Exclusion are the old names used before 1996. After 1996 they are both called Removal.

When you fly from Canada to the US, don't you usually go through US pre-clearance in Canada? Or did you fly from a small airport that didn't have that? Or you weren't flying from Canada?

Anyway, if you flew to the US and were denied entry, one of two things happened: either 1) they let you voluntarily depart on your own, or 2) they "removed" you. Did they give you any papers or stamps from that incident that would indicate which of those happened?

[Southern_Canadian 0]

Canadians are treated somewhat differently at the border. Don't worry about it, put it down in the application, mention what happened and move on. It's very unlikely this will cause any issues with your application.

Regarding the tax transcripts - i included them with the package sent to USCIS, and I will also bring a copy to my interview.

Thanks, I'll just include the same explanation that I put with my K -1 application.

[Southern_Canadian 0]

Deportation and Exclusion are the old names used before 1996. After 1996 they are both called Removal.

When you fly from Canada to the US, don't you usually go through US pre-clearance in Canada? Or did you fly from a small airport that didn't have that? Or you weren't flying from Canada?

Anyway, if you flew to the US and were denied entry, one of two things happened: either 1) they let you voluntarily depart on your own, or 2) they "removed" you. Did they give you any papers or stamps from that incident that would indicate which of those happened?

I flew from Ottawa to Toronto. While going through customs in Toronto is when they searched my bags and told me to go back home and get proof that I wasn't fleeing Canada. Nothing was stamped in my passport at that time. I got a bunch of proof and drove to the closest border (my boyfriend got in his car and drove 20 hours when I told him they wanted proof) and met my boyfriend there. I went in and gave all of my paperwork to customs and they allowed me to enter on a visitor visa.

I'll just include the same explanation that I submitted for my K-1 Visa. Better to give more info than not enough, right? Lol I hope

[Southern_Canadian 0]

Canadians are treated somewhat differently at the border. Don't worry about it, put it down in the application, mention what happened and move on. It's very unlikely this will cause any issues with your application.

Regarding the tax transcripts - i included them with the package sent to USCIS, and I will also bring a copy to my interview.

Sorry to bother you with so many questions but I'm not finding how to get my tax transcripts. Did you call the IRS or go to their website for it?

[newacct 688]

I flew from Ottawa to Toronto. While going through customs in Toronto is when they searched my bags and told me to go back home and get proof that I wasn't fleeing Canada. Nothing was stamped in my passport at that time. I got a bunch of proof and drove to the closest border (my boyfriend got in his car and drove 20 hours when I told him they wanted proof) and met my boyfriend there. I went in and gave all of my paperwork to customs and they allowed me to enter on a visitor visa.

I'll just include the same explanation that I submitted for my K-1 Visa. Better to give more info than not enough, right? Lol I hope

Since you were physically in Canada, they wouldn't have removed you. You can include it if you really want.

Sorry to bother you with so many questions but I'm not finding how to get my tax transcripts. Did you call the IRS or go to their website for it?

You can get it online: https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript

[jkb11 26]

You can get it online: https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript

This tool only allows for 3 years back. And they would be shipped to you via snail mail.

I recommend setting up an appointment with your nearest IRS office and requesting transcripts 5 years back in duplicate. This takes only a few minutes, as they print these right there and then.

[Southern_Canadian 0]

Thank you everyone for your help! All I need to finish up the application is my tax transcripts then I can mail everything in!

[Southern_Canadian 0]

Ok having a problem with calling for tax transcripts. I entered all of my information and it says that it can't process it for the years that I entered. I'm guessing it is because my husband filed them jointly as the head of household. If I enter his social security number and get his tax transcripts, would anyone happen to know if it will have my tax information on there as well?

I keep calling and entering different options and can't get anyone on the line to talk to.

[frostiana 12]

Ok having a problem with calling for tax transcripts. I entered all of my information and it says that it can't process it for the years that I entered. I'm guessing it is because my husband filed them jointly as the head of household. If I enter his social security number and get his tax transcripts, would anyone happen to know if it will have my tax information on there as well?

I keep calling and entering different options and can't get anyone on the line to talk to.

While you're trying to get them some other way, why not fill out the form and order them by mail? We did and it didn't take very long... a week and a half? We were getting nowhere trying to reach an office or phone number that would allow us to order them any other way. We concluded the office here does not offer that service, and there was something going on that we weren't able to order them online. I would get it in the mail while you pursue other means. It's free.