November 2008 Filers

[phl_nov08 0]

One week to go before my interview. Is it normal to be pantwettingly excited?

I think so......

My interview is today and it's intense. I will be posting details later.

[vital2006 0]

Good luck to phl for interview today.

Good luck to the following members for their upcoming interview next week:

haiti 3/26

manty 3/27

We pray for their success.

[phl_nov08 0]

PART 1

Wake up, a feeling of intense excitement.... can't wait to get started on the day.

Today is a nice spring day here in Philadelphia, 30's overnight, 46 forecast. There was a dusting of snow last night, the sky is blue and the sun will quickly melt the white stuff.

Fire up the computer, the countdown on my iGoogle home page is now 0, yeah! It had started at something like 45 days back when I got my interview letter. I don't know if it's a good idea to setup a countdown showing the days to go, might be better to just circle the day on the calendar and forget about it. Search Google gadgets for countdown and pick on you like, you can go for days, or hours/minutes/seconds if you want to!

While I was feverishly searching the forums for insights into the interview process I would devour any detailed interview reports, the more detail the better I liked them. So, I thought I would do a diary of the key events of this day, my interview day. I would have loved to have read something like this, so I hope you do as well.

Alright, the wife is off to work, and one of the cats is outside. It is quiet. Time to review the plan for the day.... with a nice fresh cup of tea.

I recommend constructing a check list for your self. List everything you plan to take, so that today, on the big day, you can just go down the list and check your bag contents to the list and not forget anything.

I am a 5 years as an LPR applicant, married to a citizen for just over a year now. I have traveled for no more than 17 days a year since I became an LPR so no residency issues.

1. First the items on my interview letter and the yellow case file review letter

The letters from CIS, Green card and passport

I am too old to have to worry about selective service - I wasn't in the US between 18 and 26.

On the yellow letter - state driver's license/photo id.

2. I am also taking my previous passport because my current passport covers only the last 3 years and I want to cover the last 5 years.

3. Copy of my N-400 form.

4. When I filled in the form I only included travel for the last 5 years, I later noticed that the form asks for all travel since becoming an LPR. I have an extra page listing a couple of trips from 6 and 7 years ago that I will give to the IO if needed.

5. 2 x Passport photos

6. Original Soc Sec Card and copy. I have it so might as well take it just in case.

7. Marriage certificate and copy, it's not relevant to application, but I have seen reports that they might ask for it.

8. Tax Transcripts - 2007, 2006, and 2005. Couldn't get 2004 and haven't filed 2008 yet. Again, probably do not need this but as they are free from IRS might as well request them and bring them along.

9. Mortgage statements for 3 months before I sent the N-400 and my car registration. Why these you may ask... Well, when I changed address to current address a year ago, I sent in the address change to DMV. In PA they didn't issue a new photo license with the new address, they just sent a small paper insert with the new info on - to be kept with the photo license. I wanted to bring along some documentation showing my current address so I am taking the mortgage statements (bonus here is that they include my wife's name as well). The vehicle registration is to show that I did send an address change to the DMV. Probably don't need all this, but ......

10. 2 x pens and 2 x pencils

11. Magazines to read

12. Citizenship test booklet and flash cards in case I feel like a last minute memory refresh.

See PART 2....

[phl_nov08 0]

PART 2

Dress code for the day: going with business casual look.

One last run through the 100 questions. I can recommend this web-site

http://www.passcitizenshipexam.com/newCivicsTest/index.html

It has all the questions, in voice and on flash cards - with background information.

One last check of the bag contents..... and another, ... and another.

I decided not to take my cell phone. I am not sure if I can take it into the CIS offices, and I am catching the train so no car to take it back to if they refuse to allow it in. {NOTE - as it turned out I don't think it would have been a problem, there are no signs saying "no cell phones" like there were at the ASC in Drummond Rd.}

It's time to hit the road. My plan is to walk down to the local SEPTA station (10 mins walk) and catch the train down into the city and walk to 1600 Callowhill (at 16th). It's a lovely day for a walk.

The train is on time, an R1. I have plenty of time, so I am hoping off at Market East and heading down to Borders Books at Broad St at Chestnut to hang out for while and relax.

According to Google maps it's 0.6 miles and 15 minutes to walk from Borders to USCIS, I give it 25 mins just in case. It's even shorter from Suburban station, just walk up 16th.

Arrived at USCIS building 40 mins before my interview time, queue was back to the corner of Callowhill and 16th but moved quickly. There were a bunch of folks and family coming in for an oath ceremony. Security check is heavy, watches, wallets and belts and everything else through the x-ray. I was in the waiting room 20 minutes after arriving.

Head up to the 3rd floor, hand in letter and wait.. and wait.

Waiting room was almost empty, about 5 groups came through while I was there. Much lighter than I was expecting.

Called after 30 minutes after appointment time.

See PART 3

[phl_nov08 0]

PART 3

Interview went as follows

Swearing in

I only needed my passport, drivers license and green card. No other documents were asked for.

IO checked all the personal data sections by asking me.

Checked trips against passport stamps.

Went through all the yes/no questions.

Asked 7 questions, 7 correct answers

Who is the President

Longest river

How long is President elected for

When was declaration of independence adopted

Who is speaker of the house

What are the first 10 amendments called

Who were in America before the Europeans

Asked me to verify oath related info sheet,

Then I signed N400 in two places, and signed the two original photos (I have the two extras I brought with me for passport).

I asked about how to sign and IO said to sign same as on the N400, for which I used my standard check writing signature - i.e. not full name.

That was it, about 10 to 15 minutes. Got the Recommended for Approval check on the result sheet.

Oath 6 to 8 weeks at the moment (but 3 weeks is not impossible, no promises).

One more step completed on the long road..........

:yes: :yes: :yes:

[merindah13 0]

CONGRATS!!!

Excellent news, thanks for the run down.

[vital2006 0]

Congrats on the success. All the best for the oath letter.

Good luck to the members having interviews next week.

[Popo's Lady 2]

Good Luck!!

Received letter today stating that our petition was approved and will be sent within the next week to the consulate. This really came as a surprise today, I had just called the USCIS last week to see if our case was being worked and I was told to give it 45 more days. GOD IS GREAT! Thanks to all for the support, this web site has been great help and support also.

Sherri and Popo

[haiti 0]

Congratulations to all of you who passed their interview! Mine is next week! Unfortunately I do not believe in luck but rather success! Thanks for thinking about us my friend! You are truly a good asset to this forum! I will post what happens as soon as I can. My interview is Thursday March 26 at 10.

May God bless all of you!

www.samhaiti.blogspot.com

[broma25 2]

PART 3

Interview went as follows

Swearing in

I only needed my passport, drivers license and green card. No other documents were asked for.

IO checked all the personal data sections by asking me.

Checked trips against passport stamps.

Went through all the yes/no questions.

Asked 7 questions, 7 correct answers

Who is the President

Longest river

How long is President elected for

When was declaration of independence adopted

Who is speaker of the house

What are the first 10 amendments called

Who were in America before the Europeans

Asked me to verify oath related info sheet,

Then I signed N400 in two places, and signed the two original photos (I have the two extras I brought with me for passport).

I asked about how to sign and IO said to sign same as on the N400, for which I used my standard check writing signature - i.e. not full name.

That was it, about 10 to 15 minutes. Got the Recommended for Approval check on the result sheet.

Oath 6 to 8 weeks at the moment (but 3 weeks is not impossible, no promises).

One more step completed on the long road..........

:yes: :yes: :yes:

Thanks for the indepth report.....very useful for me going through Philly very soon....

[lomeshp 0]

Congrats phl_nov08.... So far haven't heard any bad news from this thread far as the interviews go.... Keep it up!!!

[rwj 0]

...updating! Interview was very quick and friendly in Reno (in and out in 8 mins!) - got my oath letter today. Dang it, i'll be out of the country that week! So just sent a letter requesting a later oath date. Anyone know how often they schedule ceremonies?

Name.............Date sent....NOA1.....Biodate...Interview....Oath.....Center..Local Office..Check Cashed

rwj..............11/05/08...11/13/08...12/04/08...03/18/09...04/10/09...CSC....Reno, NV........11/13/08

[lomeshp 0]

congrats rwj....

Name.............Date sent....NOA1.....Biodate...Interview....Oath.....Center..Local Office..Check Cashed

MaryR............10/18/08...11/01/08...11/19/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...NSC....San Juan, PR....10/24/08

myfellah.........11/03/08...11/15/08...11/29/08...02/03/09...03/10/09...NSC....Columns,OH......11/10/08

ziia.............11/03/08...11/08/08...12/03/08...03/17/09...--/--/--...NSC....Chicago, IL.....--/--/--

RightD...........11/04/08...11/12/08...12/12/08...02/23/09...02/23/09...VSC....Baltimore, MD...11/10/08

rwj..............11/05/08...11/13/08...12/04/08...03/18/09...04/10/09...CSC....Reno, NV........11/13/08

phl_nov08........11/05/08...11/10/08...12/10/08...03/20/09...--/--/--...VSC....Philadelphia,PA.11/10/08

k1spain..........11/10/08...11/14/08...12/13/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...NSC....Detroit, MI.....11/12/08

hassan_debbie....11/06/08...11/15/08...12/04/08...02/24/09...02/24/09...TSC....Atlanta, GA.....11/10/08

asid.............11/07/08...11/20/08...12/06/08...04/07/09...--/--/--...VSC....Hartford, CT....11/14/08

duomi............11/07/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...03/03/09...--/--/--...VSC....Fairfax, VA.....11/19/08

JennySala........11/07/08...11/22/08...12/11/08...02/09/09...03/04/09...TSC....Houston, TX.....11/13/08

lomeshp..........11/10/08...11/21/08...12/04/08...03/03/09...03/03/09...TSC....Dallas, TX......11/17/08

Moe_Lisa.........11/10/08...11/18/08...12/10/08...02/23/09...--/--/--...NSC....St. Louis, MO...11/17/08

martingopher.....11/13/08...11/22/08...--/--/--...03/03/09...03/03/09...TSC....Dallas, TX......11/18/08

manty............11/14/08...11/24/08...12/18/08...03/27/09...--/--/--...VSC....Norfolk, VA.....11/17/08

bryand1..........11/15/08...11/22/08...12/10/08...03/05/09...--/--/--...CSC....L.A., CA........--/--/--

TridentMoss......11/15/08...11/19/08...--/--/--...02/17/09...--/--/--...VSC....Washington DC...11/19/08

mavsfans.........11/15/08...11/25/08...12/12/08...03/03/09...03/03/09...TSC....Dallas,TX.......11/25/08

chefdino.........--/--/--...11/20/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...???....????............--/--/-

vital2006........11/18/08...11/28/08...12/11/08...03/31/09...--/--/--...VSC....NYC, NY.........11/21/08

Brian-Charisma...11/20/08...12/12/08...12/24/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...VSC....Charlotte, NC...12/05/08

gennyangel.......11/20/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...CSC....Honolulu, HI....--/--/--

nzu..............11/20/08...12/01/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...CSC....Phoneix, AZ.....11/25/08

doodle...........11/24/08...12/10/08...01/06/09...04/08/09...--/--/--...TSC....Charlotte, NC...12/04/08

haiti............11/24/08...12/08/08...01/06/09...03/26/09...--/--/--...TSC....Charleston, SC..12/04/08

karotte..........11/28/08...12/12/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...--/--/--...CSC....S.F., CA........12/14/08

cloud9villa......11/26/08...12/08/08...12/23/08...02/04/09...03/05/09...VSC....Boston, MA......12/04/08

Merindah13.......11/28/08...12/04/08...12/26/08...--/--/--...--/--/--...VSC....GardenCity, NY..12/04/08

[haiti 0]

Today was my interview and here is how it went:

My appointment was at 10:00 so we got there at 9:30. My wife and my two kids came with me since my application was based on my marriage. It was a very small office and therefore there were may be 8 to 10 people there but half of them came for something else I guess they had an infopass. There was only one IO (Interviwing Officer) doing the interview at the time I got there till the time I got call so at 10: she called the 9 o'clock appointment this last for about 30 minutes than the 9:40 appt was called and 15 minutes or less I was called around 10:30. My 3 year old went to use the bathroom so when I got call, my wife and her were not around so I told the IO my wife is taking care of my little daughter and that she will be right back should we wait for her she just told me that's ok you can come when they come out the security officer can just escort to the interview room. So, As soon as I got in, the IO told me not to sit down yet but raise my right hand and swear to tell the truth. After that, she went through the usual questions: Have you supported any terrorists organizations etc... which of course to all of them I said no and then she asks would I be willing to bear arm for the US if required, work for the US government ect... to which I said yes!

She basically went through my file with me and then said now we going to start with the test to which I added that: This is the fun part and she laughed. Herr a re the questions I was asked:

1-What is one responsibility of a us Citizen?

2- How do you call the ocean on the West coast?

3- HOw old do you have to be to vote?

4- What happened on sep 11 to the United States?

after that she told me to read: How many senators are there? and then I had to write: There are one hundred senators. Everything was going well 'till she said I have some biographic info to fill out since you have been in the military according to what she sees on the computer. I told her that I have never been enlisted in the military and that I did not even put that in my application! She said they might have been confused since I was registered for the selective service. She said she can not make a decision now but they will contact me in uo to 3 months for the result. She gave a paper saying I passed the english and US History and government and checked B) A decision cannot be made about your application. Since she has to investigate a little bit more on that.

Needless to says I had at least 100 pictures one album filled with our wedding pictures and one envelop from Walmart filled with different pictures of me and my wife and other family members and also I had a big suitcase full of documents she did not ask me for nothing but my passport, driver's license. She asked for my Selective Service card but she found out I had sent a copy of it. The whole thing lasted about 15 minutes and no the security guard did not escort my wife to the interview room, so her and the kids were waiting on the lobby. thanks for each and everyone's support! I will give you guys and update as soon as it become available.

I am pretty confident that everything is and will be alright but it is just very funny though, how do you prove you were not in the US military? I guess there is nothing I can do with that but wait for them. What do you guys think?

[chefdino 0]

how do you prove you were not in the US military?

No worries man, I was in the U.S. military and all they have to do is make 2 phone calls and they will know decidedly that you were or were not enlisted.

I guess there is nothing I can do with that but wait for them. What do you guys think? I think you are just fine. lol