Filing the N400 - Please advise

[ZooKeeper232 0]

I have been a permanent resident for the last 4 years and 10 months, and I am initiating the naturalization process. However, I have a few questions, and I hope someone who has experienced the same journey will have input that will inform my next steps.

I came to the country on a student visa a little bit over 10 years ago. I got married in 2008 and in 2009, before I adjusted my status, I was arrested by ICE and put under removal proceedings. After 2 days in their detention center, I was released under my own recognizance and allowed to pursue the issue in the immigration court system. My spouse and I filed the requisite documents to adjust my status and the application was approved in May 2011. At my last court hearing in August 2011, the immigration judge presiding over the removal proceedings case granted me relief. Thankfully, I was issued a 10 year green card since I had been married for over 2 years.

My marriage ended amicably in 2011, after 7 years of marriage, without any children.

It has now been 4 years and 10 months, and I am considering the naturalization process. I must add that I graduated from university, I work for the state government, and I have not had any issues with the law enforcement. I have travelled to Canada, back home to England and Asia. I have been out of the country for a record 73 days over the last 5 years. I dutifully pay my taxes every year, and I am have never been a beneficiary of any government social program.

Naturally, I am concerned by the issue I had back in 2009, the removal proceedings, but I have ruling from the court in hand.

Please let me know if my application will be problematic, If I require a battery of lawyers and legal scholars to steer my appeal or if I can pursue this issue on my own without forking out thousands of dollars for legal representation. Your experiences are invaluable, and I am honored by your consideration.

Z

[Caryh 5,206]

there is nothing problematic with your application based on the history you've given. You're not the first to have failed to adjust status after marriage and been picked up. You maneuvered through that danger just fine and it shouldn't affect you now. One thing though, did you apply for the draft if you were of the appropriate age and you're a man?

Edited June 3, 2016 by Caryh

[arken 4,197]

I think you'll not run into any problem. Make sure you declare your removal proceedingd in N400 form, provide a description of what happened and support that with documentation you have.

[ZooKeeper232 0]

there is nothing problematic with your application based on the history you've given. You're not the first to have failed to adjust status after marriage and been picked up. You maneuvered through that danger just fine and it shouldn't affect you now. One thing though, did you apply for the draft if you were of the appropriate age and you're a man?

Yes I did. I just printed out the information from the selective service website. Thanks for the response.

I think you'll not run into any problem. Make sure you declare your removal proceedingd in N400 form, provide a description of what happened and support that with documentation you have.

Should I draft a letter explaining the details? The form only has a section for a brief overview of the disposition.

Thank you.

[ZooKeeper232 0]

I had my interview on Tuesday. I thought everything went smoothly. I passed both the civics test and the English test and answered all the questions regarding my n400. There wasn't a single sticking issue and the IO was very casual. After signing all the documents, she handed me the N652 stating that I passed the tests, but "a decision cannot be made yet about your application." She added that everything was "ok", but she needed to go through my file because I was once in removal proceedings, that even if she were to approve the application, I would still have to wait between 30 and 60 days for and oath ceremony, and that they will contact me if they need anything else from me.

 

Suffice it to say that I am in a world of confusion and anxiety. 

 

What steps should I take?

[TBoneTX 45,849]

13 minutes ago, ZooKeeper232 said:

She added that everything was "ok"

I would rely on these words.  If everything were not OK, she would have told you so.  Have faith.

[TBoneTX 45,849]

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