Naturalization interviews post I-751 divorce waiver

[JustVolume 5]

My day is finally coming this Thursday!! I won't lie, I'm a little nervous, not of the English and civics test, but the re-examination of my immigration history.

 

- I'm a Lebanese citizen who entered the US on a student visa from 2013-2018
- I dated, and co-habited with my then-would-be wife in 2015. We got married in 2018 and divorced in 2021 due to adultery. She cheated on me with another man and became pregnant with his child. 

- I was granted PR status through marriage in 2019. We filed i-751 to remove conditions on my PR, and it was filed as a joint petition, but when the news of her betrayal was revealed, I filed for divorce, denied paternity and delivered a letter to USCIS requesting the joint petition to be converted to a divorce waiver, accompanied by the divorce decree, denial of paternity, and more proof that the relationship/marriage had been bona fide until our divorce.

- USCIS acknowledged my correspondence while the joint petition was pending and granted me a 10-year permanent residence without an interview.

 

I've read on more than one occasion that USCIS will go through my "entire immigration history" to make a decision on my N-400 case and given the way my USC marriage went, I'm dreading the idea of having the office ask for details of my failed relationship. It was a very, very dark time in my life that happened around the pandemic, and so much misery and depression arose because of it. I honestly hadn't realized how the scars still linger and bringing them back up will be a very, very tough thing to do.  

 

However, because I applied under the 5-year general provision rule, would details of my former marriage be relevant? I would think since I filed for a conversion to divorce waiver, and I placed myself in a rare situation most immigrants aren't in, I feel like USCIS already did all the tight research they need to constitute my case as legitimate and good, considering no RFE or interview was issued to begin with. 

 

I guess my only concern (and I may sound a bit paranoid when I say this, given how much I'm overthinking this) would be that the IO who was handling my I-751 case did not actually look at the divorce packet and issued a 10 year PR as a joint petition (even though I got a letter of USCIS receiving my correspondence, long before the case got approved) and that I do not actually qualify for permanent residence, and may revoke my status when it comes to light in the naturalization interview. 

 

I know, it sounds pathetic to think like this. It's a federal agency who takes its job very seriously, and to assume a mistake like that could happen is laughable, but human error still exists. 

 

What are my odds looking like, in your opinion?

[Boiler 47,456]

I do not know the numbers, I do not think they are published but a Divorce Waiver seems very common.

 

And yes it is their last opportunity to check everything so they will review your whole file.

[Dashinka 25,845]

Sorry about what you had to go through.  Yes, your previous marriage is relevant as it is how you obtained LPR status.  I know it can be painful, but if asked, I would calmly explain the situation you went through just like you did here in your post.  You are not required to answer questions that are not asked, so keep answers short and to the point.  Naturalization after a divorce (I751 or not) are relatively common, but you followed the rules relative to your I751.  You should be fine.

 

Good Luck!

Edited April 14 by Dashinka

[OldUser 9,880]

2 hours ago, JustVolume said:

However, because I applied under the 5-year general provision rule, would details of my former marriage be relevant? I would think since I filed for a conversion to divorce waiver, and I placed myself in a rare situation most immigrants aren't in, I feel like USCIS already did all the tight research they need to constitute my case as legitimate and good, considering no RFE or interview was issued to begin with. 

Everything is a fair game during N-400 interview. Prior decisions have some weight, but do not mean automatic approval in future cases. Multiple interviews throughout immigration process at various stages are designed to catch errors or identify things that weren't checked previously by other officers.

 

I recently naturalized under 5 year rule.

My marriage is great, my 10 year GC was approved few years ago without interview. Despite of that, officer really tried getting more info about marriage, even though I applied at 5 year rule. Would my lawyer not be there, I'm sure we would have gone back almost a decade ago with me explaining how I met my wife, how and where we married etc etc. I brought all bonafide marriage evidence, thankfully didn't need it.

 

Be ready to talk about prior marriage. Be ready to talk about your entire immigration path.

 

Here's experience from my interview under 5 year rule:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 14 by OldUser

[JustVolume 5]

Thank you all for your great answers. I've accepted that I'm more than likely going to have to dwell into deep details about what happened, but would I still need to present any further undisclosed proof of a bona fide marriage? I honestly do not have any more photos of my then wife and I that USCIS hasn't already seen, and while there are some documentations such as insurance renewals, apartment leases, etc.. that had both our names on it, would that necessary in this case, or do you think a clear discussion and explanation of what happened would suffice?

[OldUser 9,880]

1 hour ago, JustVolume said:

Thank you all for your great answers. I've accepted that I'm more than likely going to have to dwell into deep details about what happened, but would I still need to present any further undisclosed proof of a bona fide marriage? I honestly do not have any more photos of my then wife and I that USCIS hasn't already seen, and while there are some documentations such as insurance renewals, apartment leases, etc.. that had both our names on it, would that necessary in this case, or do you think a clear discussion and explanation of what happened would suffice?

Yes, solid evidence like insurance, leases etc may be required and will be more compelling than photos. Photos is the weakest evidence.

 

Essentially, there's multiple possibilities:

 

1) You're asked about marriage / divorce dates and a question or two about it

2) You're asked to explain in a lot of detail, and verbal explanation OK

3) You're asked to explain in a lot of detail PLUS you're asked for bonafide marriage evidence in form of statements, leases etc

4) You're not asked at all

 

Nobody here can predict how your interview will go. You need to be prepared for the hard interview scenario.

Edited April 16 by OldUser

[JustVolume 5]

On 4/15/2025 at 9:37 PM, OldUser said:

Yes, solid evidence like insurance, leases etc may be required and will be more compelling than photos. Photos is the weakest evidence.

 

Essentially, there's multiple possibilities:

 

1) You're asked about marriage / divorce dates and a question or two about it

2) You're asked to explain in a lot of detail, and verbal explanation OK

3) You're asked to explain in a lot of detail PLUS you're asked for bonafide marriage evidence in form of statements, leases etc

4) You're not asked at all

 

Nobody here can predict how your interview will go. You need to be prepared for the hard interview scenario.

I would like to update you and let you know that it was number 4!

 

The IO who interviewed me was spectacular. She was incredibly friendly, and very engaging. I was even thrown off by her friendly and joking demeanor as a ploy to get applicants comfortable enough to be vulnerable and say something incorrect, so I was a bit on edge and very self-conscious of my words and actions. Nevertheless, she was legitimately nice, did not ask a single question about my prior marriage (aside from routine questions like how many times I've been married and how many children I have), proceeded to the Yes/No questions and then the civics and English tests. Finalized by congratulating me and sending my application for approval. It took no longer than 7-10 minutes. 

[OldUser 9,880]

44 minutes ago, JustVolume said:

I would like to update you and let you know that it was number 4!

 

The IO who interviewed me was spectacular. She was incredibly friendly, and very engaging. I was even thrown off by her friendly and joking demeanor as a ploy to get applicants comfortable enough to be vulnerable and say something incorrect, so I was a bit on edge and very self-conscious of my words and actions. Nevertheless, she was legitimately nice, did not ask a single question about my prior marriage (aside from routine questions like how many times I've been married and how many children I have), proceeded to the Yes/No questions and then the civics and English tests. Finalized by congratulating me and sending my application for approval. It took no longer than 7-10 minutes. 

Amazing. Congratulations and thank you for sharing your experience!

[Don Godwin 228]

On 4/14/2025 at 7:52 AM, JustVolume said:

My day is finally coming this Thursday!! I won't lie, I'm a little nervous, not of the English and civics test, but the re-examination of my immigration history.

 

- I'm a Lebanese citizen who entered the US on a student visa from 2013-2018
- I dated, and co-habited with my then-would-be wife in 2015. We got married in 2018 and divorced in 2021 due to adultery. She cheated on me with another man and became pregnant with his child. 

- I was granted PR status through marriage in 2019. We filed i-751 to remove conditions on my PR, and it was filed as a joint petition, but when the news of her betrayal was revealed, I filed for divorce, denied paternity and delivered a letter to USCIS requesting the joint petition to be converted to a divorce waiver, accompanied by the divorce decree, denial of paternity, and more proof that the relationship/marriage had been bona fide until our divorce.

- USCIS acknowledged my correspondence while the joint petition was pending and granted me a 10-year permanent residence without an interview.

 

I've read on more than one occasion that USCIS will go through my "entire immigration history" to make a decision on my N-400 case and given the way my USC marriage went, I'm dreading the idea of having the office ask for details of my failed relationship. It was a very, very dark time in my life that happened around the pandemic, and so much misery and depression arose because of it. I honestly hadn't realized how the scars still linger and bringing them back up will be a very, very tough thing to do.  

 

However, because I applied under the 5-year general provision rule, would details of my former marriage be relevant? I would think since I filed for a conversion to divorce waiver, and I placed myself in a rare situation most immigrants aren't in, I feel like USCIS already did all the tight research they need to constitute my case as legitimate and good, considering no RFE or interview was issued to begin with. 

 

I guess my only concern (and I may sound a bit paranoid when I say this, given how much I'm overthinking this) would be that the IO who was handling my I-751 case did not actually look at the divorce packet and issued a 10 year PR as a joint petition (even though I got a letter of USCIS receiving my correspondence, long before the case got approved) and that I do not actually qualify for permanent residence, and may revoke my status when it comes to light in the naturalization interview. 

 

I know, it sounds pathetic to think like this. It's a federal agency who takes its job very seriously, and to assume a mistake like that could happen is laughable, but human error still exists. 

 

What are my odds looking like, in your opinion?

Your case is the same as me my USC treated me like a slave slept in the cold garage for 3 weeks in fall season she filed for a divorce after i refused to sign just a documentation that i didn't understand all throughout being married to her she threatened to call immigration if i didn't do what she wanted everyday, she even went to the aspect of seizing my passport, greencard and other documents threatening to lie to the immigration so i can get deported, she aborted our baby just to punish me, instead of my dying from those emotional abuses it only made me became even stronger