Successfull Interview experience @ Los Angeles, CA
Hello,
Today 8/27/8, I passed the test and completed the interview for Citizenship @ Los Angeles. Officer gave me the N-652 with a mark for recommended for approval checked. I am excited but I am going to retain some of my anxiety till I get the oath letter, since apparently the decision is pending "final" approval.
LA office was extremely crowded. Entry into 300 N Los Angeles Federal building (?) was unrestricted, you have to make it thru the metal detector thats all. But on the 6th floor, guard let me in only at 1:30p for my 1:45p interview. Till then I had to stand (literally) in the lobby [1st floor]. Around 200 people were waiting inside the room, waiting to be called. The guy next to me had 12:30, but was still not called till 3:45. At 3:45, around 25 apps were brought out in a cart and names called. Mine was one. We were instructed to go to 8th floor. They did this process twice before the same day, I guess to reduce the congestion in 6th floor.
At 4:00p, Officer R S called my name. He was extremely courteous. Apologised for the delay. Asked for my Green Card and DL, ,thats all. He seemed to have carefully reviewed the file, even before calling me in. Asked me if it would be easy for me to get the questions part of out of the way first. I obliged. Interestingly, he said, he is required to ask 10 Q, no matter how much I got correct. He kind of encouraged me to say skip, once I get 6-correct. But, I didnt want to take chance, since he didnt say that explicitly. I answered all and he wrote down 100%. Had a few corrections in N-400, he obliged. I told him I am a member of AAA (which I didnt mention in the N-400), he smiled and said something to the effect, thats not the kind they are looking for. Went thru all the items, I wouldnt say in great detail, but kind of extremely carefully rushing thru. We made few small-talk here and there. Spent probably 30 secs to go thru employment history, without making me nervous. I made only one visit to India in 2002 and asked me again if I didnt make any other trips. I would say, those are the only two areas where he seemed to have added extra focus in ensuring the detail.
At the end he said, he is recommending for Approval (N-652) and quickly explained next steps (none of that registered in my mind though
) - told me to not to register to vote yet - told me to update SSS after Oath and gave me a flyer indicating the same. He also gave me a couple of booklets (Citizen's Almanac and "Declaration of Independence and Constitution of US", what he called "Parting Gifts". Apart from the SSS flyer he also gave me a flyer about Oath Ceremony usual locations, directions and instructions.
N-652 doesnt have my name, but only my Alien #. He explained its the "proof" of my meeting with him. As part of my name change, he made me sign three copies of a form. He said, one is for me, but he didnt give it back today. Probably I will get it later. (Can someone clarify that, please?)
Well, thats that. Hope it helps LA applicants. If you are going to LA office, this is what I will tell you, its a crowded place - expect delays and the process is way too easier than you would think it is going to be. Just be nice. Just be patient.
I have to immensely thank this forum. I started visitng here during my GC process (hence my login-id) and now it helped me thru the Citzenship process. Thanks a lot. I hope to provide updates atleast until my US Passport.
