You already believe that the interpretation is correct that's why you are downplaying the first and second choice. But that is just your choice. For most the interpretation is also clear that since they DO NOT KNOW that traffic tickets are citations they are not required to report it. You may call it dumb behavior but this is regular normal behavior. In this country ignorance is the way of life. Have you ever heard any colleague or friend come to you and say "oh you know what, I was cited by police yesterday for over speeding". Everybody talks of getting tickets. Most people just sign check or pay online and feel bad for a few days and then move on. Many dont even keep a copy of ticket even though it says to do so. In my case I got a ticket for speeding 10 years back for which all records were removed in DMV. Nobody has any record of it. Luckily I had copy of disposition because I went to the court and paid there and got a receipt. Most people don't do that. USCIS is aware of this practical reality and so dont make this an issue. Everybody who reads instructions reads about arrest and $500 fine and citations etc and assume that since traffic tickets are none of those they cannot and should not be reported. You may not agree but this is what overwhelming majority of people interpret. Based on this USCIS simply cannot incarcerate millions of already naturalized citizens. Besides USCIS officials clearly mention during oath to not raise traffic tickets as an issue. At least in Brooklyn Oath ceremony that is how it is. I'm not sure how other DOs interpret it but since every DO works differently there may be a different interpretation in your DO.
Please re-read what I said. I am not downplaying the first and second choices. Rather I said I am in voting
for these.
I am not 'already believing' that any interpretation is correct before trying to understand it. Everyone has some opinion. You cannot just accuse someone of being biased just because they provide an opinion after doing analysis. Likewise I could also say that you already believe that the third choice is true, and so you don't see the first two.
For those people who
do not know that tickets are citations, it's their ignorance as you claim. They base their interpretation on a wrong understanding! You seem to agree that they are wrong, don't you?
You have placed a lot of emphasis on people's ignorance. If it's true that most people are ignorant, that makes their interpretation plain wrong. Not because I said so, but because you yourself have termed most people as ignorant.
Granted, USCIS rules can be complex in many places, but
this particular item of traffic tickets is not confusing at all. We are now down to the level where we are just interpreting plain English.
People who do not mention traffic tickets seem to fall under these categories:
1. Those who don't know that a ticket is a citation, per your observation. But that's their ignorance as you point out. => No confusion, just ignorance.
2. People who don't want their N-400 to attract extra attention or to get complex. => Willful misrepresentation.
3. People who just go by what
other people said/did because they themselves are not too paperwork savvy. => Clueless/confused people.
4. People who interpret 'no supporting documentation needs to be submitted for fines under $500' to mean that tickets should not be even mentioned on the N-400. => Once again, no offense, but these people need a primer in official paperwork and English interpretation.
Usually, when you get a ticket, a trooper pulls you over and stops you. So, how should an N-400 applicant with a traffic ticket respond to the below question on N-400?
"
Have you ever been arrested, cited or detained by any law enforcement officer (including USCIS or former INS and military officers) for any reason?"
If they have been
detained(stopped) for
ANY reason, they MUST say "YES". If anyone interprets the above question to exclude traffic tickets, they need an urgent course in English. Once again, no offense to anyone. And once they answer "YES", they need to provide a brief note in the table on the N-400 form. A filled-out table does NOT count as 'supporting documentation'. Supporting documentation will be additional attachments, not to be confused with continuation sheets that one may use for lack of space. A fine in excess of $ 500 or a DUI requires
additional documents to be
submitted along with the N-400.
People are free to do what they choose too, as they have already been doing.
