Raleigh Office: Interview experience

[GrappleApple 10]

Sticking this here so people can find it. I hope its helpful!

 

Office: Raleigh

Application: 3 year

 

My appointment was at 10:30am, I arrived at 10:00am with my Husband and two year old. We went through security (couldn't take snacks for the toddler, so no food or drink). One really friendly security guard, who was happy to fist bump my kid and learn his name, the other not so friendly I lined up with the other applicants to receive our order number, I was J35. Then we all took an elevator to the next floor.

 

Into a smaller waiting area facing a wall with two doors and with TV screens up, one showing TV shows and one showing the next number to be called. Sometimes an officer would open a door and just call the number. There were roughly 7 of us waiting, and people were called randomly, so don't count on order number. I waited around 30 mins, and in that time some people came out after 5 mins, some were a lot longer.

 

I got called in, and through the door was a series of small interview offices. My officer was nice enough, professional and compassionate but still going through the motions he must do so many times a day. He was quick to tell me not to sit down and to take the oath. I then sat down and said I had additional paperwork and amendments to my form, he said to hold off as we'll get to that.

 

He handed me a printed paper with 3 questions and asked me to read question 1: Who elects Congress? Then he handed me a second piece of paper showing me where to put the answer he dictates: The people elect Congress. After each stage, he enters it into his computer and files the paper. I could see his list of Civics questions which put me at ease as I could mentally prepare for it. My questions were:

 

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence

What state borders Mexico

What is the political party of the President

What are the two main political parties

Who is Commander in Chief of the Military

There were 13 original States, name 3

 

He asked them verbally, and wrote down my reply in the box next to it. Again, he entered it all into his computer.

 

He had all of my previous forms in a giant folder with post it notes at various points. He had also already made notes on my application, like 1,2,3 circled in red at various points, which I'm guessing are just the regular points they have to discuss. So here's where it got a little weird. On page 1 we addressed my name, and as I never had a middle name at birth, I had elected to use my maiden name as my middle name after my US marriage. Which is what I thought were the "rules" you do it via Social Security, so its on passports, Social Security even my Green Card (which is odd.. ) etc. News to me today was the Government only recognizes the last official document, so as it doesn't feature on my marriage certificate, its not legal. So, before he's even done my application, he is telling me the only way I can change my name for it to be official is at the Judicial Oath Ceremony, which is not the regular ceremony. This is where he brings up needing the passport photos. For name changes you need to sign photos in front of him, he says they can't use the biometrics photos any more. He gave me the choice of which Oath ceremony I wanted, name change or without. He then logged it into the system and said once we are done here, to go to the nearest FedEx, get photos and bring them back.

We then returned back to my application, confirmed my parents weren't citizens, asked about my husband and if that was the man sitting outside. Asked if I still worked where I did, asked that my biological children lived with us, all the while he would check back to my submitted documents, (birth certs etc). Then he moved on to the questions which he had condensed, and he knew without reading so he flew through them. I had to ask his advice on "have you ever received weapons training) as I have a Conceal and Carry Permit so in turn have received handgun training. He wasn't concerned at all with it and said he will just log it because I raised it, but definitely not what it meant.

At this point he hadn't even told me I'd passed but I had to just assume, since he had me sign the oath part of the form.

 

I then left to get my photos, and ten minutes later I was back in the waiting area ready to be seen again. He came out to get me, had me sign both photos, had me sign 3 acknowledgments of what took place and that I'm recommended for approval (Yes, scary wording that makes you feel like its not as secure as you'd like...)

and that I will get a letter regarding my oath ceremony.

 

**Observations**

Every step has a printed piece of paper that he acknowledges a pass or a fail with his red pen. He then logs it in before moving on.

He did not ask for anything other than my letter and Green Card.

I was in there for a while mainly due to the paperwork and logging. My contribution was minimal and fast.

I would almost say the decision is made before you even have your interview, and they are just looking for red flags in person.

 

Thank you to VisaJourney and everyone on here, My six year journey would have been far more stressful without you guys. I wish you all the same luck and fortune!

[Starkilla09 366]

Congratulations!

 

[CentralPark1992 20]

17 hours ago, GrappleApple said:

My appointment was at 10:30am, I arrived at 10:00am

 

17 hours ago, GrappleApple said:

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence

What state borders Mexico

What is the political party of the President

What are the two main political parties

Who is Commander in Chief of the Military

There were 13 original States, name 3

 

My appointment was at exact same time and exactly the same questions in same order (I think) were asked of me! Really cool  

[TBoneTX 43,043]

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