So_Special
Registered Users (C)
If any of you remember I had this thread here a while back looking for opinions on ppl experience on n-400 interviews. Here I'll share my experience and hope it helps someone. I brought an attorney with me to the interview based on the criminal issues in my background. He charged me a lot and send a colleague to accompany at the interview.
The interview went extremely smooth given I had a 5 prior arrests and a child support issue. We were called in about 25mns after arriving and my attorney and I walked into the IO's office. We sat, he introduced himself and so did we then I took the "truth serum" and we sat. He went over my paper and asked me nothing. He had a red pen and started crossing a bunch of things out and taking notes. His first question to me:
i/o: Is there anything else he needs to know about my application or has anything change since I applied?
Very broad question to say the least- I responded nothing I can think of in regards to the application. Then I said I had some int'l travels that werent listed on the application bec I didnt remember. I said I brought a separate sheet with the travel dates, he then said ok, save it for later when we go over the application. He continued making notes, checks here and there, crossed out this and that for almost a full 3 minutes and said almost nothing. The he started:
I/O: How many trips outside the country in the last 5 years?
me: 5, however, forgot to add 2 more to CAN
I/O: When did you go?
me: first time in the late 90's for a week and also for a week after I file the n-400
I/O: Ok, thats not relevant you can keep the sheet, I'll note them here
me: Ok
I/O: how many times you've been arrested?
me: 5
I/O: Do you have dispositions for all 5 cases
me: yes, I have the certified ones with me
I/O: I need them, take them out
I/O: you were charged with possession of a weapon, what kind of weapon?
me: a metal chain
i/o: and you were arrested for a suspended license, you have proof you paid the fine?
me: yes, it's listed as paid and the amount on the disposition
I/O: please take out all the dispositions
me: here they are
At this point, he verified authenticity of the disposition, confirming their seals and placed them in my folder.
i/o: you have a child, not with your wife and you dont know where he is?
me: thats correct, sir
i/o: did you ever have any orders to pay child support from any city/state or authorized agencies?
me: no
i/o: do you support the child?
me: yes, sir
i/o: do you evidence of support?
me: i have western union transfer receipts for the last year, a 529 college savings with $ contributions
i/o let's see them -ok thats fine
i/o: is there anything else I need to know?
me: in regards to the app? nothing I can think of
i/o: are you ready to take the civics and written tests?
We then moved on the civics written and history and that that was it.
No questions asked about taxes, nothing asked to describe what happened in any of the incidents where I was arrested. The interview lasted all but 25mins. In the end, I got to "You have been recommended for approval".
My attorney said almost nothing during the interview as there was nothing for her to intervene in. I have no idea if there was a cause and effect factor there.
Yesterday, I received my oath letter in the mail for later this month.
I'll be happy to help you guys with any questions in regards to my exp.
The interview went extremely smooth given I had a 5 prior arrests and a child support issue. We were called in about 25mns after arriving and my attorney and I walked into the IO's office. We sat, he introduced himself and so did we then I took the "truth serum" and we sat. He went over my paper and asked me nothing. He had a red pen and started crossing a bunch of things out and taking notes. His first question to me:
i/o: Is there anything else he needs to know about my application or has anything change since I applied?
Very broad question to say the least- I responded nothing I can think of in regards to the application. Then I said I had some int'l travels that werent listed on the application bec I didnt remember. I said I brought a separate sheet with the travel dates, he then said ok, save it for later when we go over the application. He continued making notes, checks here and there, crossed out this and that for almost a full 3 minutes and said almost nothing. The he started:
I/O: How many trips outside the country in the last 5 years?
me: 5, however, forgot to add 2 more to CAN
I/O: When did you go?
me: first time in the late 90's for a week and also for a week after I file the n-400
I/O: Ok, thats not relevant you can keep the sheet, I'll note them here
me: Ok
I/O: how many times you've been arrested?
me: 5
I/O: Do you have dispositions for all 5 cases
me: yes, I have the certified ones with me
I/O: I need them, take them out
I/O: you were charged with possession of a weapon, what kind of weapon?
me: a metal chain
i/o: and you were arrested for a suspended license, you have proof you paid the fine?
me: yes, it's listed as paid and the amount on the disposition
I/O: please take out all the dispositions
me: here they are
At this point, he verified authenticity of the disposition, confirming their seals and placed them in my folder.
i/o: you have a child, not with your wife and you dont know where he is?
me: thats correct, sir
i/o: did you ever have any orders to pay child support from any city/state or authorized agencies?
me: no
i/o: do you support the child?
me: yes, sir
i/o: do you evidence of support?
me: i have western union transfer receipts for the last year, a 529 college savings with $ contributions
i/o let's see them -ok thats fine
i/o: is there anything else I need to know?
me: in regards to the app? nothing I can think of
i/o: are you ready to take the civics and written tests?
We then moved on the civics written and history and that that was it.
No questions asked about taxes, nothing asked to describe what happened in any of the incidents where I was arrested. The interview lasted all but 25mins. In the end, I got to "You have been recommended for approval".
My attorney said almost nothing during the interview as there was nothing for her to intervene in. I have no idea if there was a cause and effect factor there.
Yesterday, I received my oath letter in the mail for later this month.
I'll be happy to help you guys with any questions in regards to my exp.