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Santa Ana CA USCIS Office Reviews
Average Rating: 3.9
/ 5
60 Review(s)
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| Santa Ana CA |  Review #31845 on March 1, 2023: |
* Kristin *
Rating: 
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: Naturalization
SUCH a proud day! Husband had his interview at the Santa Ana office this morning.
Appointment time was 9:20 a.m. We got out of the car at 8:40 a.m. and walked over. There was a small queue outside the building. They let one party in at a time to go through the metal detector. Some features in the building are ancient -- for example -- the metal detector won't function properly if the automatic door is open (therefore, if you are queuing outside, you must stand back a little). We queued for probably 12 minutes or so. When going through the metal detectors, the guard said that I (the spouse) wouldn't be allowed in.
There are restrooms on the ground floor right when you enter. The interview rooms are on the second floor. The ceremony location is on the third floor.
When you enter the interview area, you'll check in at some windows on the far side of the room. The ask for your appointment letter and scan you into the system. Then, you sit down and wait.
We got in and situated about 9:05 a.m. There are two individual-stall restrooms within the interview room. Directly outside of the interview room, there are two cash-only vending machines -- one with beverages, one with snacks.
As I mentioned before, interview time was 9:20 a.m.Â
9:20 a.m. comes... and goes. The officers call people from the front of the room, but also the back. So bear that in mind when choosing where to sit.Â
9:56 a.m., husband gets called in.Â
Spouses cannot go into the interview, so I went to the vending machine and walked around the hallway, stretching my legs.Â
16 minutes and 43 seconds later, husband comes out! Success! Wahooooo!Â
INTERVIEW DETAILS
- The officer asked for his passport, green card and driver, then said he was going to start reviewing his case
- Asked husband to write a sentence on a digital pad (write what I say)
- Then, asked him to read what it said on the pad (he read the sentence allowed)
- After that, the officer asked him the questions. Questions that were asked were:
What is freedom of religion?
What stops the government from being too powerful?
Who is Commander in Chief of the Military?
Who did the US fight in World War II?
If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
Name two US federal holidays.Â
After the questions, he asked he was married to me (yes), asked if we had kids (no), how long he lived at our current address, if he'd been outside the US in the past 10 years, if he worked at his current employer, if he had served in the military (US? no? where -- and how long). Asked if he had any outstanding tax balances (no). Asked he had ever voted in an election (no). Asked if he belonged to any domestic or terrorist organizations (no).Â
All in all -- he said it was very straightforward. The officer was direct (e.g. no pleasantries) and efficient.Â
I think we were both expecting it to be much more complicated and complex.Â
After the interview, we (together) went upstairs to the ceremony. There were probably 15 - 18 other people in the room. Handed over your  Green Card... sat down and waited (probably 15 min). Did an oath. Got packet with certificate of naturalization. Informed how to apply for passport, etc. Congratulations!Â
Extremely proud!Â
| | | Santa Ana CA | Review #31019 on May 5, 2022: |
Nishris
Rating: 
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: Adjustment of Status
#AOS #Interview
We had our AOS interview at Santa Ana, CA.
Overall very smooth and super easy, the lady said she will approve us and it will take some time to update the status online.
We parked in the building’s paid parking with $1 for every 15 mins.
We entered the building 25 mins early and went through the security check. We kept our phones in the car itself but I guess phones were allowed inside, I saw everyone on their phones. We had to check-in and they took the interview notice and asked us to wait. There were already too many people waiting and seemed the interview office was running late. We were called 25 mins late than our scheduled time. Took 15-20 mins for the overall interview with the officer. This lady greeted us and took us to the room for the interview. Started by taking an oath and then she asked basic questions to me, the applicant first. The first thing she asked was about the I-693 and I informed her I do not have that instead I have DS-3025 based on my medicals done in Toronto and they are still valid. She disagreed and said I-693 is required and asked me to keep that item on hold. At least she checked with someone by messaging and confirmed I was right. She agreed that she does not do a K1 visa and does not know much about the requirement as she doesn't usually interview for K1. Wish I had the instructions of I-693 to show her the part that said K1 does not require any medicals. Other than that she asked about our story and how we met, which I provided with all the required details. She was already satisfied with everything we had and was busy typing information in the system and not listening that well. But anyways, I made sure I provided here all details. She asked some yes/no questions similar to 485 General Eligibility and Inadmissibility Grounds. Lastly, she just checked with me about my current address and where did I work in the past. They only asked my USC husband his name and where he worked. I had to sign a document for some questions which are part of 485. Lastly, she asked if I had any questions for her and if I would like to submit something else. I had every document possible so I asked if I can submit a newly filled 864, but she said she already has that. I still ended up giving her a joint bank account, and insurance copies. I offered to give more proof too but she was reluctant as she was then required to scan everything and maybe she did not want to go through the trouble. I double-checked if the medical thing is sorted and she reassured me and added she is going to approve us but that online might take some time to update.
Overall good experience but the center was so busy or understaffed, that there were delays in getting to the interview room.
Good luck to everyone who is waiting for their interview. It is super easy, even though the fact that I was quite stressed and nervous myself. After all this wait finally, the process is coming to the end, and no more paperwork until ROC.
I have to wait for my GC to get the married name updated on the SSN.
(updated on May 5, 2022)
| | | Santa Ana CA | Review #31002 on April 28, 2022: |
sakuchan
Rating:
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: Adjustment of Status
We didn't really have an interview, per se.
The officer asked us to submit what we think is necessary, and we sat in the office in silence for maybe 30 minutes while our documents were getting reviewed.
No questions asked. Maybe a question or two confirming about our mailing address, but literally that was it.
They didn't give me an immediate answer at the spot, since they had to go over my medical documents that I took before my K1 visa interview in my home country.
They approved me 2 days later, so my partner and I are so relieved that this process is finally over.
| | | Santa Ana CA | Review #30574 on January 7, 2022: |
Potatoes
Rating: 
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: Naturalization
Rating only
| | | Santa Ana CA | Review #30140 on September 16, 2021: |
mphoenix16
Rating:
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: Adjustment of Status
Our interview was great and the officer was great, with very few questions. He said our application was very good and complete. 5 minutes and we were approved.
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