Interview Experience in Newark

[daisy16 0]

Hi,

I want to give a run thru of my day so that anyone going thru Newark knows what to expect.

Appointment was 9:40 so I got there half hour early. Place was packed. I'll bet people got there early. No numbering system, so I'm not sure if they took first come first served, or went by time. That was annoying and made the waiting harder.

I waited for 2 hours - It was really hard because at the time I didn't know the difference why, some people were called to go through the door, and others were called to the window - some even left after the window chat. Officer told me later that they were really unusually busy and sorry about the wait.

I finally got into interview at 11:15.

Officer put me at my ease, chatting a bit, explained a few things. He knew I was nervous.

He said I had a choice - make an appointment for August to have my Oath ceremony, or have it today (there are oath ceremonies 3 times a day, every day - 11:30, 2:30, 4:30). Keep in mind that I had to give up my Green Card. If you plan to travel before getting your passport - you can get stuck outside of the country! ARGGGGH! I had to make my decision before leaving his office.

Anyway, the interview itself was nothing different than what everyone else has posted - read/write sentence, 6-10 questions, review of application, sign a bunch of things.

The questions are standard lists and don't change much.

- who is the governor

- something with George Washington as the answer

- what must a citizen do (obey the laws)

- where is the statue of liberty

- name 2 holidays

- the question about the 4 amendments about who can vote

(Sorry, I may have forgotten one - a couple of these are the ones I kept forgetting while I practiced )

He gave me a paper review of my interview that said which parts I passed.

He gave me a questionnaire - this has to be filled out prior to the Oath Ceremony - not a big deal for Newark because the ceremony is the same day. It might be harder for those who have to do it separately. I didn't really read it but it asks questions like if you've traveled since the interview, gotten married, or in trouble with the law, etc. Obviously I answered no!

It was about 20 minutes, with all the chatting.

After, I had to hang around and wait until they called my name. When they call your name to the window, they take the paper and give you the white package of information about citizenship responsibilities, etc. Also, you sign 2 copies of your certificate of naturalization, which they give you at the oath ceremony.

About 11:45, all the people who were waiting and ready for the first ceremony left.

About noon, they "closed" for lunch - everyone waiting for paperwork could leave, those who were waiting for interviews had to stay.Back at 1.

At one, everything started up again.

They called my name.

About 2:45 everyone was invited to the oath ceremony - about 60-70 of us. Oath takers up front, visitors sit in back.

Saw a video. Told us all about traveling, passport, don't lose the certificate, etc.

Did the oath - the people doing it were average workers, no one special like a judge or anything.

President Obama sent us a recorded message

(can't remember the order here, sorry).

Said the Pledge of Allegiance.

Lots of clapping - everyone was tired.

Called our names for the certificates.

And then we took pictures.

I'm glad I went through Newark - I work there so I just walked from my office over. But the oath ceremony is done so that I don't ever have to go back!

good luck to you as you go through this visa journey.

[daisy16 0]

Sorry, technical glitch - double post

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

***** Triplicate threads removed *****

Congrats!

[NickD 203]

Rather difficult to take a trip outside of the USA for over 24 hours if you are having an oath ceremony the same day. Or even rob a bank or get a divorce, LOL. God, I wish our field office had same day oaths.

Wifes' first comment when we got into the car after all those tears and joy of her oath ceremony was, I CANNOT travel. But I already had her passport application filled out with her photos. Was a panic if we would ever see her certificate again, but it eventually came back. But after reading all of JustBob's post, why worry, you should have your US passport.

First thing my wife wanted to do was to show her certificate to her employer, was always stressed by them in the event her green card would expire with our state imposed $16,300.00 fine for hiring an undocumented person. They took her off the hit list after that. Prior to that and just within two weeks of her interview, she had that crazy expired conditional green card with a one year extension that nobody really understood. Also got rid of that probationary drivers' license that made her feel like some kind of criminal.

Then social security, DMV, voters registration, and her passport to take care of. That is when we were done.

Well not quite completely done, because of that DOS place of birth on her passport, she still had to maintain a passport in the country she was born in and also citizenship in that country. Seems like a conflict to that oath she took for this country, but forced to do this by yet another government agency if she wants to visit her mom. Her country that she had no choice in being born at sure was in a perfect position to blackmail us with outrageous fees and what they call notary fees, and that they did.

If they told you that you are a US citizen just like you were born here, well, that isn't exactly true.