Jwong2010
The DAO was either a bigot or he was mad at his wife
I would like to think the latter was the case
Anyway, he made several innapropriate comments during the course of my interview, including insulting remarks regarding my country of origin; which is a strict Civil Rights Act "no no". He also assumed that I would be intimidated by him, but fortunately, I am educated, intelligent and articulate, and moreover I have lived in the U.S. for 28 years, so I know what my rights are as a Legal Permanent Resident.
I had been unemployed since the beginning of 2008 (due to the severe recession), and I was supported by my family (who is financially well off) and friends. I never collected unemployment benefits or Government Assistance. Even though I had filed income tax for the past seven years prior (2000-2007) and I was pursuing international business opportunities , as well as developing a business in the U.S. (evidence of all of this was presented to DAO); he insisted that I produce documentation that I have been receiving financial assistance from my family and friends. He was just being "difficult", and unfortunately, it was the luck of the draw for me.
I was clearly eligible for naturalization as I had met ALL USCIS's requirements for naturalization, and unemployment is NOT a legal or administrative reason to delay or deny a naturalization petition. USCIS will even tell you that you can be unemployed at the time of your interview, and many immigrants are unemployed when they are sworn-in. Moreover, providing proof of financial support from family/friends or proof of income, is not a valid requirement, especially as I had cleared FBI finger print, name, security and background checks and I am not from nor have I ever travelled to any country on DHS's "watch list".
To cut a long story short, I wrote a complaint letter to The President, Attorney General of the U.S., The Secretary, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), The Director, USCIS, The Director USCIS Office of Citizenship, The Director USCIS Office of Internal Audit (OIA), The Director USCIS Office of Security and Integrity (OSI), USCIS Ombudsman, my two California State U.S. Senators, my Congressman, ALL the members of the Senate Committee on The Judiciary, Subcommitte on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security, ALL the members of the House Committee on The Judiciary, Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security and my attorney. Needless to say, the problem was rectified VERY quickly, as you can see.
My case was unique, so I don't expect too many people to have a similar experience. However, if you have been unemployed for a period of time, be ready to show documented evidence of how you have been supporting yourself (unemployment benefits, savings, family/friends, e.t.c.) or the DAO might wrongly assume that you have been supporting yourself through illegal or shady activities, and may deny your petition on grounds of "bad moral character" (even though unemployment does not have any impact on a naturalization petition).
If anyone experiences this, at least, now they know that it is ILLEGAL for a DAO to do that.
" That only a few (1%), under any circumstances, protest against the injustice of long-established laws and customs, does not disprove the fact of the oppressions, while the satisfaction of the many (99%), if real, only proves their apathy and deeper degradation". – Elizabeth Cady Stanton
**DISCLAIMER**
I am neither a lawyer nor an immigration consultant. My comments should NEVER be considered as legal or professional advice as they are not meant to be such.
