Interview Experience

[sundeep 0]

So I completed my interview last week and wanted to share my experience with the wonderful folks here.

Me and wife went there about 10 minutes prior to the interview time. Usual screening and check-in process and got to the waiting room after dropping off the appointment letter in the bin. The IO was probably running a little behind so when he came out grabbed 2 of the applicants together which made me waiting in yet another smaller room while he was interviewing the person ahead of me.

Soon after it was my turn, I asked him if my wife could join us in the interview process, he said "Nope you are on your own from here". The officer checked my PR card and driver's license and I took the oath with my hand raised and took a seat. The IO was very polite and soft spoken, no extra friendliness nor anything unpleasant. I think he took my English/Civic test at the beginning. Asked me 6 questions:

1. What is the rule of law?

2. Which ocean borders the west coast?

3. What is the name of our national anthem?

4. What major event happened on September 11, 2001?

5. What do 13 stripes mean in the flag?

6. How many senators do we have?

After answering the questions successfully, he then move onto my application form and went over beginning to end verifying the provided information. He wrote down comments/made changes as we went. He noted down how many changes/remarks he made on the form. Made me sign/put my name in 3 different boxes in the N-400 form. Made me sign the attached photograph.

Then he moved on asking me what documents I have with me to prove that we are still together. At that point he asked me if the person came with me was my wife. This is a marriage based application based on 3 years of PR. I gave him our joint bank account statements,last 5 years joint tax file return transcripts, health insurance and auto insurance documents/bills, Lease agreement for our housing, phone bill and asked if anything else is needed. He was looking for our marriage certificate and couldn't locate it in the huge pile so I gave him a photocopy.

At the end of the interview, he said that he will need more time to review the file before he can make any decision. He also mentioned that this is the busy time so not to be worried if I don't hear anything from him before 120 days. "It will probably be 3 months before I can start reviewing your file" he stated looking at my face. I assured that I was not in any hurry so he can take his sweet time. He then mentioned, if he need any further documents he will send a request by mail otherwise the oath letter will be sent in 90 to 120 days. Gave me a piece of paper stating that I passed the required tests and also checked the option where it says: No decision could be made at this time(something like that).

I hope this helps. Not a writing person so forgive me if something is not making sense but do ask away and I will try to elaborate. I will update the thread when/if I have more info. In the mean time, good luck to all of us.

[v333k 59]

thanks for sharing!!!

[hala_amira 1]

At the end of the interview, he said that he will need more time to review the file before he can make any decision. He also mentioned that this is the busy time so not to be worried if I don't hear anything from him before 120 days. "It will probably be 3 months before I can start reviewing your file" he stated looking at my face. I assured that I was not in any hurry so he can take his sweet time. He then mentioned, if he need any further documents he will send a request by mail otherwise the oath letter will be sent in 90 to 120 days. Gave me a piece of paper stating that I passed the required tests and also checked the option where it says: No decision could be made at this time(something like that).

My husband's N-400 interview was almost exactly like yours in st.paul-minneapolis! The only thing I I noticed different was your offier mentioned that this is a busy time of year and not to expect to hear from them before 120 days!!! I like how it was said notthing BEFORE 120 DAYS..but I bet they take their sweet time up until 120 days and then they will send some sort of letter, or else you can start to sue! Again, I think its how St. Paul DO operates or maybe newbies for officers?? lol.

Hope you hear something soon..I let you know if my husband hears anything.

FYI: cHeck out Mn state website for naturalization ceremony dates..some were cancelled for August...I don't think thats good=Less Oath letters sent out for July!~!!

[sundeep 0]

Yeah I wouldn't be surprised to find out the same officer conducted our interviews

Have not heard anything in 1+ month.

Patiently awaiting.

My husband's N-400 interview was almost exactly like yours in st.paul-minneapolis! The only thing I I noticed different was your offier mentioned that this is a busy time of year and not to expect to hear from them before 120 days!!! I like how it was said notthing BEFORE 120 DAYS..but I bet they take their sweet time up until 120 days and then they will send some sort of letter, or else you can start to sue! Again, I think its how St. Paul DO operates or maybe newbies for officers?? lol.

Hope you hear something soon..I let you know if my husband hears anything.

FYI: cHeck out Mn state website for naturalization ceremony dates..some were cancelled for August...I don't think thats good=Less Oath letters sent out for July!~!!

[hala_amira 1]

[quote name='sundeep' date='06 July 2010 - 10:13 AM' timestamp='1278432790' post='404730

Have not heard anything in 1+ month.

Patiently awaiting.

Are you going to call or write to the IO at 90 days?

The man that interviewed my husband was either HMong or Vietnamese and around 45 years old.

I have found a few people on VJ who had their interview in Minneapolis-St. Paul within the last couple of months who are still waiting for oath letter and or a decesion.

Again, looking at the Oath date schedule there were only a few dates for the whole summer. I think many of the judges go on vacation for summer. Than come september multiple dates are added.

Edited July 6, 2010 by hala_amira

[sundeep 0]

Yes deffinetly the same guy who took my interview as well. He put his last name on the sheet that was provided to me. He did sound totally professional though during the interview.

I am planing to give the customer service a call after 90 days and go from there.

Looking at the Oath dates for the Twin Cites, they do not have one around here in next couple of months. On top of that, the Website mentions they only accommodate around 70 people in each oath day. So I am anticipating a long wait for the actual oath date when I do finally receive it, the cue is building up rather fast.

Are you going to call or write to the IO at 90 days?

The man that interviewed my husband was either HMong or Vietnamese and around 45 years old.

I have found a few people on VJ who had their interview in Minneapolis-St. Paul within the last couple of months who are still waiting for oath letter and or a decesion.

Again, looking at the Oath date schedule there were only a few dates for the whole summer. I think many of the judges go on vacation for summer. Than come september multiple dates are added.

[hala_amira 1]

I think the oath dates for august are the big group ones. I don't think it only refers to those in other areas of MN, other than the twin cities.I think the chart says Fergus falls/duluth, but some of the places listed for the oath are places for the 200+ groups. The dates are the 4th of aug. in st. paul at bethel University and one for aug. 26th at landmark center in st. paul. I wish my husband would be able to do landmark center in st. paul. Beautiful historic building would be nice.

Oh, and The IO was nice he greeted me and my daughter after my husbands interview. I think his name on the top of the paper was like "Xiong" something like that. Lets see who gets Oath letter first....

[Fruit_blend 0]

Guys, where are you looking for the Oath dates???Is it published somewhere?

[jasminelily 1]

Thank you for sharing your experience! I wish the rest of your journey will go smooth! Best of luck!

[newbie_00 0]

So I completed my interview last week and wanted to share my experience with the wonderful folks here.

Me and wife went there about 10 minutes prior to the interview time. Usual screening and check-in process and got to the waiting room after dropping off the appointment letter in the bin. The IO was probably running a little behind so when he came out grabbed 2 of the applicants together which made me waiting in yet another smaller room while he was interviewing the person ahead of me.

Soon after it was my turn, I asked him if my wife could join us in the interview process, he said "Nope you are on your own from here". The officer checked my PR card and driver's license and I took the oath with my hand raised and took a seat. The IO was very polite and soft spoken, no extra friendliness nor anything unpleasant. I think he took my English/Civic test at the beginning. Asked me 6 questions:

1. What is the rule of law?

2. Which ocean borders the west coast?

3. What is the name of our national anthem?

4. What major event happened on September 11, 2001?

5. What do 13 stripes mean in the flag?

6. How many senators do we have?

After answering the questions successfully, he then move onto my application form and went over beginning to end verifying the provided information. He wrote down comments/made changes as we went. He noted down how many changes/remarks he made on the form. Made me sign/put my name in 3 different boxes in the N-400 form. Made me sign the attached photograph.

Then he moved on asking me what documents I have with me to prove that we are still together. At that point he asked me if the person came with me was my wife. This is a marriage based application based on 3 years of PR. I gave him our joint bank account statements,last 5 years joint tax file return transcripts, health insurance and auto insurance documents/bills, Lease agreement for our housing, phone bill and asked if anything else is needed. He was looking for our marriage certificate and couldn't locate it in the huge pile so I gave him a photocopy.

At the end of the interview, he said that he will need more time to review the file before he can make any decision. He also mentioned that this is the busy time so not to be worried if I don't hear anything from him before 120 days. "It will probably be 3 months before I can start reviewing your file" he stated looking at my face. I assured that I was not in any hurry so he can take his sweet time. He then mentioned, if he need any further documents he will send a request by mail otherwise the oath letter will be sent in 90 to 120 days. Gave me a piece of paper stating that I passed the required tests and also checked the option where it says: No decision could be made at this time(something like that).

I hope this helps. Not a writing person so forgive me if something is not making sense but do ask away and I will try to elaborate. I will update the thread when/if I have more info. In the mean time, good luck to all of us.

Very useful information, Thanks for sharing..

My mom had a Citizenship interview 2 months back and they denied her saying she failed to understand/agree with the initial oath to verify the validity of documents and was too nervous. She speaks and understands enough to get around and passed the civics test. They have granted her a second interview this month and i want to make sure she is well prepared. Anything you can explain on how the initial interview process starts and types of questions asked besides the test would be helpful. Also does she need to repeat the oath at the beginning of the interview? or just raise her hand and agree that the documents are valid? Any information is appreciated!

Thanks n regards!

[newbie_00 0]

Very useful information, Thanks for sharing..

My mom had a Citizenship interview 2 months back and they denied her saying she failed to understand/agree with the initial oath to verify the validity of documents and was too nervous. She speaks and understands enough to get around and passed the civics test. They have granted her a second interview this month and i want to make sure she is well prepared. Anything you can explain on how the initial interview process starts and types of questions asked besides the test would be helpful. Also does she need to repeat the oath at the beginning of the interview? or just raise her hand and agree that the documents are valid? Any information is appreciated!

Thanks n regards!

Also did u have to repeat the oath?

[sundeep 0]

Guys, where are you looking for the Oath dates???Is it published somewhere?

We have the calendar published in the state web site: http://www.mnd.uscourts.gov/2010_naturalization.shtml

I am sure your state has a similar calendar published, search for it and you might be able to find it.

[sundeep 0]

I think the oath is the last step of all after passing the interview and getting the aprroval.

Every time she goes for an interview, they will make her swear by raising her right hand.

I hope this helps. Thanks.

Also did u have to repeat the oath?

[sundeep 0]

Finally got my oath letter 131 days past the interview day....

[NickD 202]

Only fix I can think of his replacing the office manager at St. Paul with one that believes in same day oath.

But surprised to learn they decreased the count to 70 for the oath ceremony, a couple of years ago that count was 3,500 so had to wait months for an oath ceremony. Then it would be postponed because either the Vikings were playing or couldn't find a judge with a few hours to spare.

Then I am wondering if a judge does preside, does he hand sign each certificate or do they also use a rubber stamp for that signature.

We could all chip in and buy the St. Paul a plastic laminate machine to seal your photo to the certificate like other offices have. That tiny piece of double sided tape tends to dry out and your photo can fall off. And they wouldn't have to stamp half of your face with that USCIS seal.

Could also move to a location where the field offices have same day oath. But may be our luck to have same St. Paul office manager transfer there.