Naturalization Interview in Boston 8/19/20

[Sam&Nate 10]

Hi everyone,

 

I wanted to share my Naturalization Interview at the USCIS office in the JFK Federal Building in Boston.

 

My interview was originally scheduled for March 31st but was "de-scheduled" on 3/17. On 7/27 I received the "Re-scheduled" notice for the interview on 8/19 at 10:45am.

 

Here is what the notice told me to bring:

 

"You MUST BRING the following with you to the interview:

• This letter.

• Your Alien Registration Card ("green card").

• Any evidence of Selective Service Registration.

• Your passport and/or any other documents you used in connection with any entries into the United States.

• Those items noted below which are applicable to you:

If applying for NATURALIZATION AS THE SPOUSE of a United States Citizen;

• Your marriage certificate.

• Proof of death or divorce for each prior marriage of yourself or spouse.

• Your spouse's birth or naturalization certificate or certificate of citizenship."

 

Since I am applying for naturalization as the spouse of U.S. Citizen I brought all of the above (except the proof of death/divorce as this is our first marriage) to the interview.

 

If you are using Google Maps to get to the interview, it will likely direct you to the Employee Only entrance, as it did for me and another woman. The security guard had to come out and direct us to the appropriate entrance. The main entrance is off Cambridge Street NOT Sudbury Street.

 

When you enter, someone will ask you for your appointment notice, if it is 15 minutes or less before your appointment, they will let you pass through to security. I believe I saw someone turned away for not wearing a mask. Security was typical, put your bags in a tray, empty your pockets, walk through a metal detector. Once you're through security, just follow the signs for "Immigration Interviews E-160" down a long hallway.

 

Once you arrive in the USCIS lobby, there are marked spots on the floor to stand while you wait to be called to the front desk. The lady at the front desk will check your appointment notice and assign you a number, then tell you to find a seat wherever you'd like and wait until an officer calls your number.

 

There were seats that were taped off and seats with signs saying "please leave room" encouraging social distancing. There was hand sanitizer everywhere. I waited probably 10-15 minutes before my number was called.

 

I followed the officer through a door, she led me to her office with the door open. There was a big piece of plexi-glass between the two of us and she asked me to sit in a chair that was against the wall. She asked to take my picture just to prove I was there. She asked to see my interview notice, my green card and my passport. She asked me to take an oath that I would tell the truth. We did the English & Civics test first. There was an iPad mounted on her desk on my side of the plexi-glass. She asked me to read the sentence on the iPad, which was "When is Columbus Day?", then she asked me to write on the iPad using a stylus, "Columbus Day is in October". She asked me the civics questions, the ones I got were:

 

• What is an amendment?
• What are the first ten amendments to the constitution called?
• Who is the chief justice of the United States?
• Why are there thirteen stripes on the American flag?
• What age do you register for the selective service?

And I can't remember the last one!

 

We spent the rest of the interview going over my application. Everything seemed in order until she asked me if I had proof that I am still married. This was not something listed on my Interview notice, so I hadn't brought anything. I told her I had our marriage certificate and my husband's birth certificate but she did not ask to see those. She told me that I would need to submit more evidence and that she was putting in a "Request for Evidence". She said they're looking for documents that show that my husband and I still love together, like mail or bills with our names and address. I had already submitted tax returns but I guess they wanted more. She said I could submit the evidence online through the myuscis portal or via mail. She told me she would check my account later today to see if the evidence is uploaded. I told her I would submit those documents as soon as I got home.

 

That ended the interview and she printed out a letter explaining what documents I could submit as evidence. She also printed an Interview Results document saying that they needed more evidence before they could make a decision. Then she asked if I had any questions and when I didn't she walked me out to the waiting room.

 

I got home as quickly as I could and uploaded the evidence requested. This was as of about 12:30pm today all said and done. Now I am waiting to see if my application will be approved. The officer told me I should receive notice in the portal, but if I don't, it will come in the mail.

 

Feeling a bit in limbo right now so fingers crossed this all works out!

 

Word to the wise: bring proof of marriage to the interview (bills, bank statements, child's birth certificate, lease, mortgage, etc.) whether the letter tells you to or not!

[BBlueB 35]

Finally some Boston news ! Good luck.

I'm still waiting for interview here too

[Sam&Nate 10]

Just wanted to update everyone that as of 8:30pm last night, my application was approved!

 

There was a notice on the main page after I logged in to myuscis. It said to expect a notice for the oath ceremony, but there is no notice for that yet. I will update when I receive that notice.

 

What a relief! Fingers crossed I can get the oath done and register in time to vote in November!

[Sam&Nate 10]

UPDATE: Got a letter in the mail over the weekend that my Naturalization Oath Ceremony is on 8/31 at 12:45pm. Can't believe it's finally happening!!!

[millefleur 5,047]

Great news. It seems Boston is one of the few offices actually getting things done!

[ANXIOUS! 0]

Naturalization interview planned for Nov 10th in SAn Francisco!

Any guidance is most welcome! 

Great tip about taking evidence of marriage even if not asked....