**updating with interview experience**
went to the new USCIS office on Jackson Ave, LIC (they split the Garden City into Holtsville and LIC). got there about an hour before my scheduled time and waited for about an hour so i had my interview at, pretty much, the actual time on the letter.
So here are the details:
walked in, went through security. be smart and don't carry anything that they will confiscate. they took away a lady's dolphin charm because it had a 'sharp' edge. they also reprimanded a guy for bringing in lollipops but didn't say anything to me about my protein bar.
went to the lady straight ahead, letter stamped then turned right, went to elevator and took it to second floor. a guy also walked into elevator with me and we both handed our letters to the security guard that stood right by the elevator.
i think she put his letter on top of mine because he got called before me (by same officer)
anyways, i waited and waited. i went to the restroom early on because i did not want to miss my name. they are very soft-spoken when they call you. There's a huge waiting room and two doors: Door A (Naturalization) and Door B (AOS).
finally got called and followed my officer to his office through Door A.
Raised right hand, swore (said "i do") and then he MUMBLED his way through the application. it was done is one minute! thank God i read my application last night because all i said was no, no, no....yes...yes...for like 30s. he looked at the passports, GC, drivers license (i didn't change it since i moved but he didn't question it, so i guess just updating it with DMV seems fine).
i just got divorced (even though my AOS was through marriage to an American Citizen) and he asked for divorce papers. i gave him both, original and copy and he kept copy but looked at the original and read it (he had a strange personality).
most of the time he kept going through my files (he had everything from F-1 to now-- in two HUGE files).
Asked me to sign here, print name there...and sign my photographs. i repeated what he said every time just to clarify (something i learned from my doctorate seminars)
Made me read "Who elects the Congress" and asked me to write "the people elect the congress" which he said incorrectly so i asked him if it was elect and not elects (the way he said it).
Then the civics exam, which was very easy.
1. Who wrote the declaration of independence?
2. There were 13 original colonies. Name 3
3. Name one state that borders Mexico
4. Who is the commander and chief of the army?
5. What is the political party of the president?
6. what are the two major political parties in the United States?
He asked me questions about how i entered (F-1) and questions about my ex-husband (what was he working as, which school did he go to)
nothing serious....i think it came up because he was reviewing my old file. he seemed a little OCD though as he kept touching weird parts of the file, like the cover and he kept touching his arm. i have no idea.
He stamped approved: BIG RED LETTERS. and gave me a certificate letter that had my info on it.
i checked it and noticed that he did not change the M to D for marital status so i asked him to change it and he said "sh*t...sh*t...i forgot...sh*t...how could i have not seen it". Again, i thought he had a weird personality but didn't think too much of it.
For most of the interview i was looking around and he was shuffling through papers.
then he jumped up and said "ok your done. Bye." i laughed because most people would think he's very weird...almost rude really but whatever...to each their own. i was there to pass a citizenship interview not to make friends with the officer.
Couldn't get Oath letter today as it was after 3pm and the guy who went before me (and was in the elevator with me) took 1.15hours! so now i have to wait for it in the mail
did not ask for taxes or any of the documents in the huge file i brought. But it felt good to be prepared.
its almost over. can't wait.
