Traffic tickets and naturalization (threads merged)

You're going to get very contrary opinons from this board (just knowing the debate traffic tickets cause) :)

But, I did exactly what Suriyan said -- yes to 16, no to everything else.
 
But the question is: what kind of traffic tickets - speeding or parking or minor citations like didnt yield on left turn etc?

If it is speeding 20 or above posted limit, I would definitely mention in the application and I would tell the IO, otherwise not needed......[just my personal opinion]
 
Need advice on next move after having mailed proof of traffic tickets paid

Interview date 06/26/2006
Interview place Arlington, VA

My wife and myself went for the interview. The interviewer asked me if I have proof of having paid all the traffic tickets that I had mentioned in my application (there were 3 tickets). I said I didn't and he finished my test and then gave me form which said I need to mail them the proof within 30 days.

Proof mailed by certified post on 07/10/2006. I called USICS around 08/15 and they said wait for 120 days and then call.
BTW, my wife was never asked that question and took oath the same day.
Will appreciate any advice. Is there anyone else out there who went through this situation and how long did it take. Thanks,
Raghu
 
rchary said:
Interview date 06/26/2006
Interview place Arlington, VA

My wife and myself went for the interview. The interviewer asked me if I have proof of having paid all the traffic tickets that I had mentioned in my application (there were 3 tickets). I said I didn't and he finished my test and then gave me form which said I need to mail them the proof within 30 days.

Proof mailed by certified post on 07/10/2006. I called USICS around 08/15 and they said wait for 120 days and then call.
BTW, my wife was never asked that question and took oath the same day.
Will appreciate any advice. Is there anyone else out there who went through this situation and how long did it take. Thanks,
Raghu
Click to expand...

Typical delay caused by submitting unnecessary information. You can be sure that it takes at least that time (120 days).
 
Good luck!

As far as I can tell, the USCIS is goaled on reducing the backlog of applications that have no glitches at all. Yours has hit a glitch and is now off the fast track. Hopefully once the fiscal year is over and they've spent their backlog reduction bonuses they'll begin looking at us "glitched" folks.

My application hit a USCIS-caused glitch last spring when they mis-routed my file and the Dallas district office "descheduled" my interview. It's been sitting there (no FP, FBI, name or other problems) in the DO since that time.

My advice, wait 60 days, then start to take regular InfoPass appts. After 90 days, involve your congressman and/or senators.

Good luck, this may get resolved in a month, or you may be in an indefinite waiting state.
 
Plainly wrong

When they ask for proof of traffic tickets - why can't you tell them that it is written CLEARLY on the N400 form instructions that for traffic violations less than $500 there is NO documentation that needs to be provided.
How can the IO ask for proof of traffic tickets?
This seems to be plainly wrong.
 
sunesh369 said:
When they ask for proof of traffic tickets - why can't you tell them that it is written CLEARLY on the N400 form instructions that for traffic violations less than $500 there is NO documentation that needs to be provided.
How can the IO ask for proof of traffic tickets?
This seems to be plainly wrong.
Click to expand...

well first of all, there is no need to mention it in the first place. Only DUI and criminal offense are related here. By doing this, you open a can of worm for yourself.

Since you have mentioned it, of course the officer will like to see receipt, because he needs to know if it is $500 or over or not.

So you need to provide a receipt and that dump your file into nowhere for another 6 months, all for things not asked in the first place.
 
Actually, they ask for all "citations" you've *ever* had on the N-400 form. In the instructions, they tell you that you need to submit paperwork for all DWIs and fines over $500 with the form.

My understanding is that they did ask for the information, they just did not demand that the paperwork accompany the form. They can ask just about anything they want during the interview.

And I really doubt that I'd ever tell the agent that he's "plainly wrong". I find variations of "Yes sir, but..." work better - but that's just me. :)
 
Flydog said:
Actually, they ask for all "citations" you've *ever* had on the N-400 form. In the instructions, they tell you that you need to submit paperwork for all DWIs and fines over $500 with the form.

My understanding is that they did ask for the information, they just did not demand that the paperwork accompany the form. They can ask just about anything they want during the interview.

And I really doubt that I'd ever tell the agent that he's "plainly wrong". I find variations of "Yes sir, but..." work better - but that's just me. :)
Click to expand...

Right, all citation that are related to naturalization decision, which does not include traffic ticket and parking ticket. It is called "N400" for a reason. it is not an insurance application. So there is no need to present any of those records.
 
Opinions are split on the subject. Some people feel they should include them. Some people feel they needn't. The debate is endless.

The unquestionable FACT is that the N-400 says "Have you ever been cited". Up to each person to determine if a traffic ticket is a citation.

Good luck!
 
Shribuy said:
Opinions are split on the subject. Some people feel they should include them. Some people feel they needn't. The debate is endless.

The unquestionable FACT is that the N-400 says "Have you ever been cited". Up to each person to determine if a traffic ticket is a citation.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

You can be cited for multiple reasons, unquestionably traffic violation (unless DUI is involved) is not one that is required for N400. Similar things are parking ticket, jaywalking, movie ticket, toll citation...none will have any effect whatsoever in your N400 application.
 
Movie ticket? ;)

Look, all I am saying is that I, for one, am unwilling to state unequivocally that something is or is not required without proof. Where does it say it is "unquestionably" not required. Reading the forum, you can see tons of posters who listed their traffic tickets and were questioned by the IOs about it. So, that does not back up that statement. If they were not required, why do some IOs ask about it, ask for further proof etc.? Why don't they just strike it off the form and move on?

However, I am also not comfortable telling someone "you must list it" since I am not a lawyer and I have not seen any links that 100% prove it one way or the other.

So, my point is, let each person decide for his or herself.

But, I do agree with you that traffic tickets in and of themselves **will not affect** your N-400 application. That still doesn't prove whether you should list them or not.
 
Shribuy said:
Movie ticket? ;)

Look, all I am saying is that I, for one, am unwilling to state unequivocally that something is or is not required without proof. Where does it say it is "unquestionably" not required. Reading the forum, you can see tons of posters who listed their traffic tickets and were questioned by the IOs about it. So, that does not back up that statement. If they were not required, why do some IOs ask about it, ask for further proof etc.? Why don't they just strike it off the form and move on?

However, I am also not comfortable telling someone "you must list it" since I am not a lawyer and I have not seen any links that 100% prove it one way or the other.

So, my point is, let each person decide for his or herself.

But, I do agree with you that traffic tickets in and of themselves **will not affect** your N-400 application. That still doesn't prove whether you should list them or not.
Click to expand...


Exactly as what you said,

you said: you can see tons of posters who listed their traffic tickets and were questioned by the IOs about it. now do you know why were they questioned? because even if the ticket is under $500, now they have to prove it by producing document.
 
Er... there are also tons of people who list tickets and the IO ignores it.

Your quote "now do you know why were they questioned? because even if the ticket is under $500, now they have to prove it by producing document." is inaccurate. There is some missing logic here since many IOs don't even ask for proof. The only thing it proves is that the rule is unclear as all heck.

But anyway, silly to keep arguing. You believe you don't have to list it.

I believe there is no proof either way. My earlier post of "the debate is endless" proves itself once again. My own fault for indulging in it. I stop with this post.

Feel free to keep posting though :)
 
Shribuy said:
Er... there are also tons of people who list tickets and the IO ignores it.

Your quote "now do you know why were they questioned? because even if the ticket is under $500, now they have to prove it by producing document." is inaccurate. There is some missing logic here since many IOs don't even ask for proof. The only thing it proves is that the rule is unclear as all heck.
Click to expand...

This is completely logical. An interview officer can ask for proof of ticket payment and/or court disposition document at his own discretion. People on this forum have been warned many times: don't list your minor non-DUI traffic tickets on N-400 and don't mention them during interview if you don't have receipts to show.
 
Shribuy said:
Er... there are also tons of people who list tickets and the IO ignores it.

Your quote "now do you know why were they questioned? because even if the ticket is under $500, now they have to prove it by producing document." is inaccurate. There is some missing logic here since many IOs don't even ask for proof. The only thing it proves is that the rule is unclear as all heck.

But anyway, silly to keep arguing. You believe you don't have to list it.

I believe there is no proof either way. My earlier post of "the debate is endless" proves itself once again. My own fault for indulging in it. I stop with this post.

Feel free to keep posting though :)
Click to expand...

I don't see anything unlogic here or missing any logic. Why provide anything that are not asked?it is bad for you, for others, for IO, for everyone, and the end result? prove nothing.
 
NJGoose said:
This is completely logical. An interview officer can ask for proof of ticket payment and/or court disposition document at his own discretion. People on this forum have been warned many times: don't list your minor non-DUI traffic tickets on N-400 and don't mention them during interview if you don't have receipts to show.
Click to expand...

Compeletly agreed. One more thing though, even you have receipts, you do not need to mention it if not DUI or $500 over. So the bottom line is, receipt is also useless. I don't know why people running smuck to find some 10 year old receipt in stead of doing something better.
 
rchary said:
Interview date 06/26/2006
Interview place Arlington, VA

My wife and myself went for the interview. The interviewer asked me if I have proof of having paid all the traffic tickets that I had mentioned in my application (there were 3 tickets). I said I didn't and he finished my test and then gave me form which said I need to mail them the proof within 30 days.

Proof mailed by certified post on 07/10/2006. I called USICS around 08/15 and they said wait for 120 days and then call.
BTW, my wife was never asked that question and took oath the same day.
Will appreciate any advice. Is there anyone else out there who went through this situation and how long did it take. Thanks,
Raghu
Click to expand...

have you received anything yet?
 
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