Interview at Santa Ana and Question about Photos
Had my naturalization interview yesterday at the Santa Ana, CA DO. I arrived a bit early, and I could see applicants literally flooding into the building. About 40 minutes before my interview, I joined the line at the front of the building. At security, you show them your letter and photo ID and then take the elevator to the second floor. Once there, you drop your IL in a box and sit in the waiting room. There were about 50 people in the waiting room and every 60 - 90 seconds an IO would come and call out a name.
I waited about 30 minutes before my name was called by a stern and serious looking IO. He introduced himself and we walked back to his office. On the way, he asked for my GC and DL, and took photocopies of both. He swore me in, asked me to put my bag on the chair next to me, and then we had a seat. He proceeded to arrange my application on his desk, and he was in no hurry. Before we started, he looked through my entire application, including the part where I made a statement about additional trips. I started to get worried at this point.
We then started with the civics questions, which were asked orally. I answered all 10 of them correctly. Then he asked me to write a simple sentence, and finally to read a simple sentence. After that was done, I had to sign the test papers. Then we moved through the application.
He moved through it fairly quickly, but started with how I got my GC. He asked me to confirm name, social security number, maritial status and children. He then asked me if I had ever been arrested or been in jail or prison. Asked me if I was a member of a terrorist group, confined in a mental institution etc. etc. When we came to the part about trips, I updated with the application with the one additional trip I have made since I filed. He only asked me if I had had any trips longer than 6 months, and that was it. Didn't ask to see any of my passports, and didn't even bother with my statement about additional trips. I guess when you only have 58 days outside the country, and your longest trip is 8 days, it doesn't raise any red flags. I was surprised, but relieved. Asked me about the organizations that I had belonged to (Costco and Boy Scouts, among others - nothing too terrible!), and then finally about my allegiance to the constitution and willingness to take oath etc. Finally we were done, and he had me sign the application. He also had me sign a few other documents, one of which he printed off. Finally, he handed me a N-652 with the "Congratulations, you've been reccomended for citizenship" box checked, and told me to expect the oath letter within 90 days. I almost fell out of my chair with relief, but did my best to stay composed.
Here's the one thing I don't understand: HE NEVER ASKED ME TO SIGN MY PICTURES. Shoudl I be worried about that? I didn't question him on it, because it didn't occur to me until after I got outside. The guy was very thorough and it didn't seem likely that he would overlook something like this, but you never know. Anybody with this experience also? Do you have to sign your pictures at your interview?
Overall, it was pretty painless. In an out in one hour, and it wasn't too bad - just a little nerve wracking. My IO was a very serious guy, so I mirrored him exactly: I was completely serious, with not a smile exchanged between us even once. No jokes, no kidding, just answer the questions as they are asked. After he asked me each question, he would look up at me, and I maintained eye contact with him as I answered. They are obviously trained to try and detect subversion, so make sure you look them in the eye when you answer them.
