Interview Experience - Lawrence, MA

[B&T 0]

Hi all,

Just want to share my citizenship interviewed experience. I passed my interview this morning. The interview was scheduled for 10:00am, and I got there at around 9:45am. There were several people waiting in the information room, but not that many. Well, I was waiting and waiting, and finally, I was called in at around 11:00am. The IO officer was nice, he asked me to take the oath to tell the truth and yes I did. He then asked me whether I am married or not, and asked how did I meet my wife? What jod do I have now? and a few other questions. After that, he asked me to read a question and he told me to write the answer:

Q: What was the first capital of the United States?

A: New York City

He asked me whether I know the answer and I said Washington DC and he said it is wrong, the correct answer is New York city. I knew that Washinton DC was not right but no choice. I told him I honestly don't know that. I should have known the answer although it is not in the 100 questions book.

Now here are the real questions:

1-What is the name of the national anthem?

2-What ocean is on the west coast?

3-What happened on September 11, 2001?

4-Why there are 13 stripes on the flag?

5-At what age that US citizens can vote?

6-Can't remember, sorry

Then, he went over my application and make sure everything was right. After that, "Congratulations! You are recommended for approval," he said. He told me to wait outside again for a few minutes so that I can take my oath invitation letter. After about 10 minutes, another came to me and gave the oath letter scheduled for September 14, 2010. That was it. The interview took about 30 minutes. Overall, it was a good experience with a nice officer.

Good luck to you all, hope this helps ease those who are going to interviews in the future.

B&T

[Silke 1]

Congratulations!

[redglasses 1]

Congrats!

[engineer21 51]

congrats!!!

Thank you for sharing!!

[v333k 59]

congratulations!

thanks for sharing

[tweety 1]

Great news! Congrats!

[sasaqlain 24]

Congratulations!

[Finally12 0]

This is the first time I'm posting on any of these forums but I've been reading about experiences, many thanks to all the people who shared.I want to share my story as today my journey that started over 11 years ago came to an end, and a happy one for that matter.

I came into this country a little over 11 years ago, sick, hungry and a broken man. I came here to escape persecution from my native country.

The process to citizenship has been long, treacherous, at times frustrating. I have filed countless applications ( EAD's, RTD's, etc). My asylum was approved in 2008 and I became a LPR the same year.

I filed form I-400 in April this year, did the biometrics and was scheduled for the naturalization interview today ( 7/31/2013).

Now I'm going to go through the steps of the interview;. My interview was scheduled for 1pm, I arrived at around 12.45pm. Parking was not a problem as there is a parking space right opposite the immigration office for $6 ( I'm sure you can find cheaper ones but I didn't have much time).

I went through the normal security checks at the door ( been through so many in the last 11 years) and finally arrived at the main lobby. I gave my appointment letter to the guy who was at the front desk, he stamped it and told me to go through another door to a waiting area. The waiting area was like quarter full. I waited for about 45 minutes and finally my name was called. The officer was a lady, very nice, she greeted me and told me to go to an office number( can't remember the number) and she followed me. I think she wanted to see if I could understand or be able to read office numbers..lol. Finally I was in the office, she asked me to remain standing, told me to raise my right hand and swear to tell the truth. Then I sat down. The first thing she asked for was my green card. I gave it to her, she compared with the files in front of her and then she gave it back to me,told me we will start with the civics and English testing.

1) name three original colonies?

2) One state that borders Mexico?

3) The the two main political parties?

4) Who is the commander in chief?

5) What party does the current president belong to?

6) Who wrote the Declaration of Independence.?

She then told me to write a simple sentence on a piece of paper. After that she told me that I passed the civics and English test. After that she started asking me questions on my I-400 form, simple questions that unless you lied on the form, no one should have a problem answering.

She then gave me a form and my pictures to sign. After that she told me that I passed the entire interview and she was recommending approval. She asked me to go back to the waiting area and wait for the swearing in form but before exiting she gave me a package that included a welcome note from the US president.

I waited for about 20 minutes then my name was called. They handed me the form and I was scheduled for October 13 swearing in. That sounds far away but I have waited for 11 years, two months will fly by very quickly.

About the interviewing officer, all I can say is that she was very friendly and professional. If I was told to rate her performance I'd rate her at 10 out of 10. The entire interview lasted about 15 minutes.

To everyone waiting for the interview, I know this will not make much difference but don't punish yourself preparing for it. Based on past experiences on this board and my own experience, anybody with basic understanding of English can pass the civics and English test even after going through the questions only once. As for the details on 1-400, I know that is personal and different for everyone but if you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't have any problems.

To summarize, let me start by saying thanks to everyone who ever posted their experiences here or elsewhere in the WWB,you have directly or indirectly helped me when I needed some encouragement. This journey has been rough and I can only say that it took much more than my strength to soldier on. I will forever be indebted. To those whose's cases are still pending in various stages, don't loose hope as eventually you will get to the end...it will be worth it in the end...to be a citizen of this great country.

[Feastofroses 1]

Thank you for sharing your experience and Congratulations!