Here is my story; I had an interview on May 6th, 2010. I appeared for an interview and everything went smooth, at the time of interview I was explained there will be two parts of interview; the first part was of American civic, History, and English test which was done in 5 minutes.
Second phase was going through Form verifying information and presenting any original documents as asked. In the end I was told that on file they have a proof that the voter registration was cancelled from county office clerk and on the form I mentioned I never registered to vote. Which I explained in my honest word that "after when I got married back in 2003 I went for address change and I was accidently put on voter registration list which I may have signed the form but was never explained well enough what it was about". The IO than said I am going to take sworn statement asking some questions and will document this for reference. I nodded in affirmation and gave my consent as I thought this is not a big deal. I was than asked if I have ever voted in any election. I replied NO. After sworn statement I was told that the decision is not going to be made today as they need further information from Board of Election office if the statement I provided was correct. I asked what the time frame is. The answer was in mixed tone of flat rudeness that "you will receive a letter and follow the directions" I than asked if you have seen the similar situation. The IO than said YES and person voted, IO mentioned people get deported.
I explained to IO that this not part of my fault and I have already rectified it by going to DMV office which they directed me to county clerk office and I have been taken off from the list in 2004. Also I have never voted in any election. IO didn’t gave me any assurance as to my case will be approved but mentioned since my 3 kids and wife is U.S Citizen and this is 7 years old, chances are rare that case will be denied but this is beyond IO level and has to go to level above.
May 10, 2010, I am at work and received a call from wife that letter has arrived and as mentioned I am being directed to follow the procedure and contact board of election for a written copy of if I have ever voted in any election. My wife called the board of election and was confirmed immediately that a relevant person never voted but should arrive in person to get a certified copy of letter. Also board of election confirmed that they have a copy of that I voter registration was cancelled in 2004 and signed copy of application.
Now this is so dubious that IO will deny my case based on the fact that I lied on the application (since its up to their discretion) besides I also think as I explained in my sworn statement that I was never well explained and it was DMV mistake and I never willingly declare myself to be a U.S Citizen anywhere and that I have never voted in any election (in my whole life) my case might get approved.
I don’t know what do to do? Should I contact a lawyer, I was reading on forum that a person did voted and was approved.
Seriously, this is such a flaw, you can’t get a departmental credit card approved but anybody can walk in the DMV and claim to be U.S Citizen.
Feice:
Sorry to hear that...
From my personal experience, ignorance of something is not good excuse with any US government. Your level
of English command makes it even harder for someone to believe that you signed a form without uderstanding
its content and ramification....having said that...
You have to issues going on at the same time...First, you registered to vote, and cancelled. If you had declared
this in your Form N-400 by answering yes to the question have you ever registered to vote, and provided
documentation that would have been one thing....
In my understanding, you registered to vote and cancelled, and on the N-400 you answered the question have
you ever registered to vote (no). The USCIS did some basic research and found out your registeration and
cancellation. At the end of the interview, the IO officer brought it up without you prompting.
Now I am not concerned about the registration and cancellation, my concern is your NO answer on the N-400
to the question have you ever registered to vote...Some members on this forum were trivilizing this issue and
were claiming that if you registered, not voted and cancelled, not a big deal.
In each case, now you are at the mercy of the USCIS. If they are nice, they can approve your case. If they
want to deny your case they have the amunition to do so....
Hopefully you will be approved...
Wish you good luck