N400

[Mark Anthony Ben 1]

@appleblossom @JeanneAdil @Sarah&Facundo @TBoneTX @Cw1977 @EmilyW @Boiler @carmel34 @nastra30 @midwinterrose @randomstairs @Dashinka @Crazy Cat @mniceguy16 @Lemonslice @ODAAT @EatBulaga @MMRF @Fr8dog 

 

I was married to a U.S. citizen and entered the United States approximately two years after our marriage. Unfortunately, due to significant differences, our relationship did not work out, and we filed for a mutually consented divorce about 1.5/2 months after my arrival. The divorce was finalized legally one year after I came to the U.S. I have 10 year GC which was issues unconditionally to me as I entered 2 years after marriage.

 

I have one child and have been paying court-ordered child support through wage garnishment since June 2024. I have no criminal record, no traffic violations, and have not traveled outside the United States in the past five years. I have consistently filed and paid all my taxes on time.

 

I applied for naturalization (Form N-400) in mid-August 2025 under the 5-year eligibility rule. I seek inputs from the group members on what to expect in the interview. Interview has still not been scheduled yet but I want to be prepared.

 

Documents that I have - 

1. Marriage Certificate
2. Divorce Decree
3. Marriage pics
4. Pics of me, child and ex (of trips my ex made to my home country and when I came to the US)
5. Joint Bank account closure letter
6. Child Birth Certificate
7. Child support wage garnishment proofs
8. Tax Returns

 

[OldUser 10,893]

I feel personally offended by not being tagged! 

 

The timeline of entry and marriage going south can be a problem, but you seem to have the right docs.

 

Are you going to interview with attorney?

Edited 3 hours ago by OldUser

[Mark Anthony Ben 1]

Thanks for responding and my apologies for not tagging you.

 

I'm not going with an attorney. I filled my application myself and submitted online. I'm debating whether should I get an attorney or not. What would you recommend? And how do you think an attorney would help in the interview? I have never hired one so asking a genuine question (not doubting)

[wildbug100420 372]

56 minutes ago, Mark Anthony Ben said:

@appleblossom @JeanneAdil @Sarah&Facundo @TBoneTX @Cw1977 @EmilyW @Boiler @carmel34 @nastra30 @midwinterrose @randomstairs @Dashinka @Crazy Cat @mniceguy16 @Lemonslice @ODAAT @EatBulaga @MMRF @Fr8dog 

 

I was married to a U.S. citizen and entered the United States approximately two years after our marriage. Unfortunately, due to significant differences, our relationship did not work out, and we filed for a mutually consented divorce about 1.5/2 months after my arrival. The divorce was finalized legally one year after I came to the U.S. I have 10 year GC which was issues unconditionally to me as I entered 2 years after marriage.

 

I have one child and have been paying court-ordered child support through wage garnishment since June 2024. I have no criminal record, no traffic violations, and have not traveled outside the United States in the past five years. I have consistently filed and paid all my taxes on time.

 

I applied for naturalization (Form N-400) in mid-August 2025 under the 5-year eligibility rule. I seek inputs from the group members on what to expect in the interview. Interview has still not been scheduled yet but I want to be prepared.

 

Documents that I have - 

1. Marriage Certificate
2. Divorce Decree
3. Marriage pics
4. Pics of me, child and ex (of trips my ex made to my home country and when I came to the US)
5. Joint Bank account closure letter
6. Child Birth Certificate
7. Child support wage garnishment proofs
8. Tax Returns

 

Please complete your timelines. A good attorney can help prepare for the interview. I would think you will he heavily questioned as it appears you divorced so soon after arriving. 

[Crazy Cat 45,750]

1 hour ago, Mark Anthony Ben said:

and we filed for a mutually consented divorce about 1.5/2 months after my arrival.

That could be an issue.  Your immigration history will be scrutinized.  How much time did you actually spend together before you arrived via the IR-1 visa?  Did you live together outside the US?

Edited 2 hours ago by Crazy Cat

[Mark Anthony Ben 1]

4 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

That could be an issue.  Your immigration history will be scrutinized.  How much time did you actually spend together before you arrived via the IR-1 visa?  Did you live together outside the US?

I was in my home country for almost 2 years before coming to the US. My ex visited me a couple of times in that period first when our child was 6 months and then when the child turned one. Those trips were 1 months long each. And then I stayed with my ex in the US for about a month. 

 

When I applied, I was of the opinion that since I'm applying under 5 year rule and also have a child and paying child support, my divorce shouldn't come up in the interview. But it seems my thinking was wrong? Have you seen a similar situation like mine?

[Mark Anthony Ben 1]

15 minutes ago, wildbug100420 said:

Please complete your timelines. A good attorney can help prepare for the interview. I would think you will he heavily questioned as it appears you divorced so soon after arriving. 

When I applied, I was of the opinion that since I'm applying under 5 year rule and also have a child and paying child support, my divorce shouldn't come up in the interview. But it seems my thinking was wrong? Have you seen a similar situation like mine?

 

My online portal says 2 months. Shall I consult and hire an attorney? I am just not sure how can an attorney help? Not doubting but have heard stories where attorney didn't help. I did speak to an attorney and he said there's no point going in and rather he can help me with my application (which was straightforward so I did myself) and also they can prepare for interview via zoom or in person. I didn't feel confident with that attorney to be honest.

 

Thoughts?

[wildbug100420 372]

8 minutes ago, Mark Anthony Ben said:

When I applied, I was of the opinion that since I'm applying under 5 year rule and also have a child and paying child support, my divorce shouldn't come up in the interview. But it seems my thinking was wrong? Have you seen a similar situation like mine?

 

My online portal says 2 months. Shall I consult and hire an attorney? I am just not sure how can an attorney help? Not doubting but have heard stories where attorney didn't help. I did speak to an attorney and he said there's no point going in and rather he can help me with my application (which was straightforward so I did myself) and also they can prepare for interview via zoom or in person. I didn't feel confident with that attorney to be honest.

 

Thoughts?

When you go into the N400 interview your whole immigration history is reviewed. Since I'm a native born us citizen I  can't tell you how strict the officer will be. I'm a regular listener of attorney Jim Hacking show on YouTube. He's a very straight forward person it seems and maybe you can connect and run your situation by him.

[appleblossom 5,296]

25 minutes ago, Mark Anthony Ben said:

When I applied, I was of the opinion that since I'm applying under 5 year rule and also have a child and paying child support, my divorce shouldn't come up in the interview.

As said above, your whole immigration history is up for grabs. The danger is that it may look as though you didn’t get your GC through a bona fide relationship if you divorced so quickly. 
 

You said ‘I was in my home country for 2 years before coming to the US’…..so where were you before that? 
 

I would get a lawyer personally. 
 

[Mark Anthony Ben 1]

1 minute ago, appleblossom said:

As said above, your whole immigration history is up for grabs. The danger is that it may look as though you didn’t get your GC through a bona fide relationship if you divorced so quickly. 
 

You said ‘I was in my home country for 2 years before coming to the US’…..so where were you before that? 
 

I would get a lawyer personally. 
 

Before coming to the US I was in my home country my entire life. By 2 years I meant after my marriage in my home country I was there was 2 years before coming to the US. 

 

Let me consult an attorney next week. 

 

If they say negative, shall I just not show up for the interview?

[appleblossom 5,296]

1 minute ago, Mark Anthony Ben said:

Before coming to the US I was in my home country my entire life. By 2 years I meant after my marriage in my home country I was there was 2 years before coming to the US. 

 

Let me consult an attorney next week. 

 

If they say negative, shall I just not show up for the interview?

Ah, I see. 
 

No point in not turning up to the interview, the bell can’t be unrung. 
 

You have a child together, so that helps hugely. All we’re saying is that applying under the 5 year rules doesn’t mean your marriage/divorce/original application won’t come up. Just take plenty of proof of your relationship in case it’s needed, and maybe a lawyer. 

[appleblossom 5,296]

Also, what is your home country? If it’s a high fraud one (Nigeria, Ghana, Pakistan etc) then definitely get a lawyer IMO. If you’re from a ‘safe’ country (France, Australia, Canada etc), then maybe not needed. 

Edited 2 hours ago by appleblossom

[Mark Anthony Ben 1]

Just now, appleblossom said:

Also, what is your home country? If it’s a high fraud one (Nigeria, Ghana, Pakistan etc) then definitely get a lawyer IMO. 

My home country is not a high fraud one, that shouldn't come up as a concern at all

[appleblossom 5,296]

Just now, Mark Anthony Ben said:

My home country is not a high fraud one, that shouldn't come up as a concern at all

Which country? 

[TBoneTX 48,401]

[in kindly tone]  The longer it takes to drag crucial information from any member, the longer it takes respondents to help.