Thought I would share my story with some people in here. It's been a long 13.5 years, but is finally over. 
I came from Ireland to Oklahoma 13.5 years ago under a J-1 visa. Then switched to an F-1 visa to attend college. After college I worked for 1 year, and then got married. Shortly after my marriage, my wife became abusive taking on an authoratative position in our relationship. She eventually cheated and became pregnant by another man. Unable to forgive, I filed for divorce, knowing full well it could possibly end my time here in the US.
I do not recall the forms my attorney filed, but basically it was for spousal abuse. Felt very weird being a male, and filing abuse, but I had run out of options. I stuck it out as long as I possibly could. She literally made my life hell for 2 years, and there was nothing I could do about it. She knew this, so did as she pleased with no regard for my well-being. Thankfully, through all of my documentation and evidence, my application was approved and I was granted my GC.
Several days ago I had my citizenship interview in OKC. My interviewer was a very nice woman and the interview went very well. Probably lasted about 20-25 minutes. I got all 6 of my questions right, and shortly after she told me she was recommending citizenship approval. Those were some of the most beautiful words I have ever heard.
If I may give advice to some people reading this:
1. Don't give up. I thought I was done for several times, but I didn't give up and now I am days away from becoming a US citizen.
2. Know the answers to the 100 questions for the test. I had the CD playing in my car everytime I drove, regardless of how sick of it I got. But by the time the interview came around I had 100% confidence that I knew every answer.
3. Dress appropriately for the interview. I was dressed in slacks and a button up shirt. The people around me were wearing tennis shoes and jeans. Dress respectably and you will be treated the same.
4. Be polite to your interviewer. Ma'am/sir goes a long way. I engaged in conversation with my interviewer to the point we were "chatting" in between questions. This showed my interviewer that I was just a normal person.
I have spent months reading these forums, wondering if I would ever get to post my success story. Admittedly, sometimes I became a little jealous reading about how people were getting approved, when I was selfishly worrying if I ever would...
Anyway, I don't know how much, if any of this will help anyone reading it. If I can offer any advice please feel free to post on here or PM me.
Kindest regards...
I came from Ireland to Oklahoma 13.5 years ago under a J-1 visa. Then switched to an F-1 visa to attend college. After college I worked for 1 year, and then got married. Shortly after my marriage, my wife became abusive taking on an authoratative position in our relationship. She eventually cheated and became pregnant by another man. Unable to forgive, I filed for divorce, knowing full well it could possibly end my time here in the US.
I do not recall the forms my attorney filed, but basically it was for spousal abuse. Felt very weird being a male, and filing abuse, but I had run out of options. I stuck it out as long as I possibly could. She literally made my life hell for 2 years, and there was nothing I could do about it. She knew this, so did as she pleased with no regard for my well-being. Thankfully, through all of my documentation and evidence, my application was approved and I was granted my GC.
Several days ago I had my citizenship interview in OKC. My interviewer was a very nice woman and the interview went very well. Probably lasted about 20-25 minutes. I got all 6 of my questions right, and shortly after she told me she was recommending citizenship approval. Those were some of the most beautiful words I have ever heard.
If I may give advice to some people reading this:
1. Don't give up. I thought I was done for several times, but I didn't give up and now I am days away from becoming a US citizen.
2. Know the answers to the 100 questions for the test. I had the CD playing in my car everytime I drove, regardless of how sick of it I got. But by the time the interview came around I had 100% confidence that I knew every answer.
3. Dress appropriately for the interview. I was dressed in slacks and a button up shirt. The people around me were wearing tennis shoes and jeans. Dress respectably and you will be treated the same.
4. Be polite to your interviewer. Ma'am/sir goes a long way. I engaged in conversation with my interviewer to the point we were "chatting" in between questions. This showed my interviewer that I was just a normal person.
I have spent months reading these forums, wondering if I would ever get to post my success story. Admittedly, sometimes I became a little jealous reading about how people were getting approved, when I was selfishly worrying if I ever would...
Anyway, I don't know how much, if any of this will help anyone reading it. If I can offer any advice please feel free to post on here or PM me.
Kindest regards...