Interview in Fairfax, VA

[lissa04 3]

So I went to my interview in Fairfax, VA yesterday. I found out if your not from that area you can't have same day oath. Passed my interview but they couldn't approve me just yet because I was arrested when I was younger. No convictions, but the officer said that he had to consult the lawyers. The officer did say that it was good that the arrest was more than ten years ago. He said my name check came back clear along with my FBI so he said that was a positive thing. He photo copied my records and he thought that everything should be fine and that they will send me my letter to attend an oath in my area. At this point I don't know what to think....is he full of BS and just trying to calm my nerves down or is he just saying that? Has anyone been arrested and gone through the naturalization process. Do they review your case before they call you in for the interview? Anyone know how long the wait will be to receive a letter?

Any thoughts please. Thanks

[antda 13]

Hi Lissa04,

Congrats on passing your inteview and thanks for sharing that experience on VJ...

Sorry that you couldn't have same day oath and that you had problems because of your prior records. If it makes you feel any better, I had a prior record to (ok, so I was very young and stupid back in those days...but that's another story..best not to be discssed here on vj..lol..)., but with no convictions, like your situation too. So for the N-400 I sent in the original court papers, explained the situation, and they had no problems about that for the interview and/or oath ceremony, and I was approved regardless.

In fact, this is what happened when I was confronted about this during my citizenship interview:

IO: (going over the ‘good moral character’ portion of the form…)

Ant: (explains a bit further about that…and yup, you guessed it…another attachment and other court-related documents…and out with the ‘pokey stick’…). Umm…that happened such a long time ago; I was very young and stupid back then (the case resulted in being settled in court, but with no jail and/or convictions for that, and I’ve had no other problems since then either…)

IO: (check over the attachment and the court documents, making sure too that the court documents were genuine, with the raised seal on them…). Ok, no problem there. I see that you also submitted and disclosed about this for your previous immigration cases too. (then moves on to more “yes” and “no” questions)

Anyways, I think the officer that spoke to you in your case is full of BS....There is no need to cross-reference this when it is already stated on original court records that they have right in front of them. Also, you already cleared the name check process, as stated, so why are they checking again?

However, the only reason that I can think of (though I'm just taking a guess at this), is that they might want to re-check your case is because of your "crime" being of "moral torpitude" and serious in nature. But other than that, there shouldn't be any other problems, especially if it is not a conviction.

And what good does a lawyer do in this point....huh?..... Did they mean supervisor instead of lawyer?

By the way, after the interview, did you get any letters/notices about the results of your interview? And what did it say on it?

And yes, if you don't hear from them in awhile, by all means, make an infopass appointment, and get to the bottom of this.

Hope this helps too. Good luck with the rest of your journey.

Ant

So I went to my interview in Fairfax, VA yesterday. I found out if your not from that area you can't have same day oath. Passed my interview but they couldn't approve me just yet because I was arrested when I was younger. No convictions, but the officer said that he had to consult the lawyers. The officer did say that it was good that the arrest was more than ten years ago. He said my name check came back clear along with my FBI so he said that was a positive thing. He photo copied my records and he thought that everything should be fine and that they will send me my letter to attend an oath in my area. At this point I don't know what to think....is he full of BS and just trying to calm my nerves down or is he just saying that? Has anyone been arrested and gone through the naturalization process. Do they review your case before they call you in for the interview? Anyone know how long the wait will be to receive a letter?

Any thoughts please. Thanks

Edited January 17, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[lissa04 3]

Hi Ant,

They gave me a form that said they couldn't approve me right now and that I will get a decision in the mail. The officer kept telling me not to worry, but I don't see any touches since last Monday. Do you think that I will have to wait 120 days before going for an infopass? Also my D.O. is 4 hours away which really sucks. Every time I sent a form in that required you to answer that question " Have you ever been arrested?" I have always sent in my court records with that. What do you think the worst can happen? Deportation.

[antda 13]

Hi Lissa04,

Lol..Don't count on any touches from the online system, as they aren't updated anyways. For example, my online status still says "scheduled for interview" even though I've been a US Citizen for about 2 months now..lol....

Understandable, too, that they gave you something, but said that because of your situation they can't approve you. Hope you hear from them soon, and who knows, maybe what you get next is the oath letter. In the meantime, you can ask for an infopass appointment, but I would wait awhile (maybe a few weeks or so, I personally would give it up to 30 days max. as that's probably reasonable enough) until you confront them with this again, as they might have made a decision on your case already. Also, it's a long drive for you anyways, so you don't really want to waste a trip there unless you really do need to go right away.

Yes, you did the right thing there by answering the "have you been arrested" and other such similar questions with "yes", so no problems on your end about that as you told the truth there, and gave them the court records too. So that's not the issue....

Though as for the real issue behind this, I honestly don't know. Maybe they are checking into things, maybe not. Either way, all you can do is wait awhile, and see what happens next.

Worse case scenario...In my opinion...They deny your citizenship. And then you apply again...You're already a permanent resident, and I don't think they can take that away from you (unless you didn't fulfill residency requirements, or was convicted of a serious crime, or lied to an officer, or something like that).

But to be honest with you, I don't think this will happen...And yes, I think you will get your citizenship soon..

Just have to wait a bit...That's all....Infopass...Then Senator/Congressman/Ombudsman if need be...

Hope this helps too. Good luck in getting an oath date soon.

Ant

Hi Ant,

They gave me a form that said they couldn't approve me right now and that I will get a decision in the mail. The officer kept telling me not to worry, but I don't see any touches since last Monday. Do you think that I will have to wait 120 days before going for an infopass? Also my D.O. is 4 hours away which really sucks. Every time I sent a form in that required you to answer that question " Have you ever been arrested?" I have always sent in my court records with that. What do you think the worst can happen? Deportation.

Edited January 18, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA