[cross-posted to the political asylum forum]
I had my naturalization interview on the April 5. A brief note about my history: I falsely claimed US citizenship in 1997, and was arrested by the INS (as it was then called) and later granted asylum.
After thinking hard about it and some excellent advice on this forum, I decided to do my own paperwork and go to the interview without an attorney. The rationale behind it was, if this is a bar, a fast-talking attorney can not rescue me. If it is not a bar, then I will be approved. Being short on cash also played a part in this.
As part of my N-400 explanation, I provided a bullet-list of the history behind my arrest and disposition. I tried to keep it specific and matter-of-fact; something that could be read in a few minutes.
That's exactly what happened. The AO read the explanation, asked me if I had been arrested any other time, and then proceeded down the questions from the N-400. Interestingly, he did not read the questions verbatim.
For example, he asked me if I was a communist or a socialist. My first reaction was to point out that there is a senator from Vermont who is a socialist but thankfully my brain kicked in and I simply said "No"
A little later he asked me if I was a "revolutionary"--another question that I did not expect so he explained it. Again, I kept my mouth under control and said "no."
Half-way though this process, he printed a page out and asked me to verify my name and date of birth on that document. At that point, I was pretty sure I was going to be approved.
After another 10 minutes, he brought out a decision sheet and placed it in front of him, and placed his pen on the "decision can not be made" section. That was actually my expectation--that this will need supervisor review, so I did not react. Then he moved his pen up to the "Congratulations" box, and that certainly felt a lot better.
Oath is scheduled for April 16--11 days after the interview. This is much better than the 3 months my wife had to wait (Dec 29 to March 25) for the oath.
I know it isn't over until the oath, but the major hurdles are done. My heartfelt thanks to all the people on these boards, and special thanks to the people who spent time reading my questions and responding to them.
Timeline:
GC Approval: 2/2/06 (as an asylee my residency technically started 1 year before that)
N-400 received: 1/11/2010
Interview: 4/5/2010
Oath: 4/16/2010 (scheduled)
I had my naturalization interview on the April 5. A brief note about my history: I falsely claimed US citizenship in 1997, and was arrested by the INS (as it was then called) and later granted asylum.
After thinking hard about it and some excellent advice on this forum, I decided to do my own paperwork and go to the interview without an attorney. The rationale behind it was, if this is a bar, a fast-talking attorney can not rescue me. If it is not a bar, then I will be approved. Being short on cash also played a part in this.
As part of my N-400 explanation, I provided a bullet-list of the history behind my arrest and disposition. I tried to keep it specific and matter-of-fact; something that could be read in a few minutes.
That's exactly what happened. The AO read the explanation, asked me if I had been arrested any other time, and then proceeded down the questions from the N-400. Interestingly, he did not read the questions verbatim.
For example, he asked me if I was a communist or a socialist. My first reaction was to point out that there is a senator from Vermont who is a socialist but thankfully my brain kicked in and I simply said "No"
A little later he asked me if I was a "revolutionary"--another question that I did not expect so he explained it. Again, I kept my mouth under control and said "no."
Half-way though this process, he printed a page out and asked me to verify my name and date of birth on that document. At that point, I was pretty sure I was going to be approved.
After another 10 minutes, he brought out a decision sheet and placed it in front of him, and placed his pen on the "decision can not be made" section. That was actually my expectation--that this will need supervisor review, so I did not react. Then he moved his pen up to the "Congratulations" box, and that certainly felt a lot better.
Oath is scheduled for April 16--11 days after the interview. This is much better than the 3 months my wife had to wait (Dec 29 to March 25) for the oath.
I know it isn't over until the oath, but the major hurdles are done. My heartfelt thanks to all the people on these boards, and special thanks to the people who spent time reading my questions and responding to them.
Timeline:
GC Approval: 2/2/06 (as an asylee my residency technically started 1 year before that)
N-400 received: 1/11/2010
Interview: 4/5/2010
Oath: 4/16/2010 (scheduled)