Interview Place: 26 Federal Plaza, NY
Interview Time: 10:20 AM
Took J line subway at 9:20 AM (from Queens) and got off at Chambers St. station around 10:00 AM. Federal Plaza entrance is switched to Broadway (in past one used to be in front of City hall and another on Worth street). Now, you can only enter from Broadway entrance. Got into security line for screening (like we usually have in the airport). They were not checking any paper or interview letter (or info-pass) at security gates. Anyone can enter the building after going through security. It took close to 20 minutes to clear the security.
After clearing security, I took the elevator and went to the 7th floor. One cannot miss Naturalization hall as there is only one door/entrance after coming out of elevator, and that goes straight in the Naturalization hall. There was a security personnel at the door and he asked to me to switch off the cell phone and also for the interview letter. After making sure that my phone is off, he instructed me to go to the window-52. I submitted the interview letter (around 10:30 AM) at window 52, and was instructed to wait in the Hall. Hall is quite big (easily 150+ people can sit), and has a excellent City hall view. There were two doors and people were asked to approach one of the door by officers. I grabbed a seat near window (to get street view) and starting reading newspaper.
I was called by an officer around 11:00 AM to reach at door-1. Officer looked like individual from Caribbean, and in late 30’s. He instructed me to follow him, and we walked for approx 30 seconds before entering a room (I think it was room 756-V). I was given an opportunity to put my stuff down and he asked me to raise my hand, and swear to tell the truth. After initial introduction, he asked me for passport and green card. Then he started going through the application and asked me if any of item(s) changed since I submitted the application. After hearing my –ve response, he started going through line by line with me. On reaching travel section, he started checking dates I had outlined with the entry in the passport. We also had some out of line topic (from naturalization) question/answer like history behind my name, weather, and my thoughts on his plan to change the line of profession etc. While going through application, he also asked me for tax papers (I gave for last 5 years) and name of my current employer (no papers asked). He then started going through my A-File. After checking my A-file and computer screen for few more minutes, he asked me to sign the application form (two places).
Once we were done with application, he asked me to read 1st sentence from a sheet of paper (paper had three sentence). Sentence was “Which state has most people”. Then, asked me to write “California has most people”. After that he asked me to sign and date the sheet of paper. Next came the following six question from another sheet (actually sheet had 10 questions and he stopped after first six)
What is the name of the National anthem?
What is the rule of law?
What happened on September 11?
How old citizens have to be to vote for a the President?
What ocean is on West coast?
Why there are 13 stripes in the flag?
Again I was asked to sign and date the form (having above six question). He then made some entries on a sheet of paper, N400, and also in the A-file. And, told me that I have passed the interview, and he is going recommended for approval. He gave me N-652, and told me that Oath letter will be ready in approx. 45 minutes as quality control check needs to happen before actual approval. Interview lasted approx. 20 minutes, Officer was very professional in conduct during interview. I thanked him for his excellent service.
He escorted me to the another room (much smaller then first one), and instructed me to wait for Oath letter. There were at least 20 individuals waiting in that hall. After approx 30 minute, a lady called my name and handed me the N445 Oath letter (for Jan 08, 2010) after checking my green card. In another 5 minutes (approx 12:00 PM), I was out of building.
Interview Time: 10:20 AM
Took J line subway at 9:20 AM (from Queens) and got off at Chambers St. station around 10:00 AM. Federal Plaza entrance is switched to Broadway (in past one used to be in front of City hall and another on Worth street). Now, you can only enter from Broadway entrance. Got into security line for screening (like we usually have in the airport). They were not checking any paper or interview letter (or info-pass) at security gates. Anyone can enter the building after going through security. It took close to 20 minutes to clear the security.
After clearing security, I took the elevator and went to the 7th floor. One cannot miss Naturalization hall as there is only one door/entrance after coming out of elevator, and that goes straight in the Naturalization hall. There was a security personnel at the door and he asked to me to switch off the cell phone and also for the interview letter. After making sure that my phone is off, he instructed me to go to the window-52. I submitted the interview letter (around 10:30 AM) at window 52, and was instructed to wait in the Hall. Hall is quite big (easily 150+ people can sit), and has a excellent City hall view. There were two doors and people were asked to approach one of the door by officers. I grabbed a seat near window (to get street view) and starting reading newspaper.
I was called by an officer around 11:00 AM to reach at door-1. Officer looked like individual from Caribbean, and in late 30’s. He instructed me to follow him, and we walked for approx 30 seconds before entering a room (I think it was room 756-V). I was given an opportunity to put my stuff down and he asked me to raise my hand, and swear to tell the truth. After initial introduction, he asked me for passport and green card. Then he started going through the application and asked me if any of item(s) changed since I submitted the application. After hearing my –ve response, he started going through line by line with me. On reaching travel section, he started checking dates I had outlined with the entry in the passport. We also had some out of line topic (from naturalization) question/answer like history behind my name, weather, and my thoughts on his plan to change the line of profession etc. While going through application, he also asked me for tax papers (I gave for last 5 years) and name of my current employer (no papers asked). He then started going through my A-File. After checking my A-file and computer screen for few more minutes, he asked me to sign the application form (two places).
Once we were done with application, he asked me to read 1st sentence from a sheet of paper (paper had three sentence). Sentence was “Which state has most people”. Then, asked me to write “California has most people”. After that he asked me to sign and date the sheet of paper. Next came the following six question from another sheet (actually sheet had 10 questions and he stopped after first six)
What is the name of the National anthem?
What is the rule of law?
What happened on September 11?
How old citizens have to be to vote for a the President?
What ocean is on West coast?
Why there are 13 stripes in the flag?
Again I was asked to sign and date the form (having above six question). He then made some entries on a sheet of paper, N400, and also in the A-file. And, told me that I have passed the interview, and he is going recommended for approval. He gave me N-652, and told me that Oath letter will be ready in approx. 45 minutes as quality control check needs to happen before actual approval. Interview lasted approx. 20 minutes, Officer was very professional in conduct during interview. I thanked him for his excellent service.
He escorted me to the another room (much smaller then first one), and instructed me to wait for Oath letter. There were at least 20 individuals waiting in that hall. After approx 30 minute, a lady called my name and handed me the N445 Oath letter (for Jan 08, 2010) after checking my green card. In another 5 minutes (approx 12:00 PM), I was out of building.
