N400 Part 12 answers

[kwijibo123 5]

I am planning to apply for citizenship. I am a long term permanent resident. However, I did work without INS approval when I was still a F1 student. I disclosed this during the I-485 process and got adjusted though the 245(i) provision.

Aside from one traffic ticket (driving with expired vehicle registration) from my student days, I have a clear record.

The question is when filling out the N400, there are a couple of questions 31 and 32 (Part 12) that I want to answer "YES" and come clean on what happened. The form requests that a typed explanation of details needs to be provided for each "Yes" answer.

Any advice on how best to proceed with this?

Thanks

[Cheezees 1,514]

Exactly as stated in the instructions. Type an explanation for anything to which you answered "yes".

[kwijibo123 5]

Is this a DIY application or should I use an immigration attorney to help prepare the N400 application?

[newacct 688]

I don't see how #31 and #32 apply to you.

#31 says "Have you EVER given any U.S. Government officials any information or documentation that was false, fraudulent, or misleading?"

#32 says "Have you EVER lied to any U.S. Government officials to gain entry or admission into the United States or to gain immigration benefits while in the United States?"

When did you give false documents or lie to the US government? If you did either of those things you would have had a lifetime 6C ban.

Edited July 8, 2016 by newacct

[kwijibo123 5]

I don't see how #31 and #32 apply to you.

#31 says "Have you EVER given any U.S. Government officials any information or documentation that was false, fraudulent, or misleading?"

#32 says "Have you EVER lied to any U.S. Government officials to gain entry or admission into the United States or to gain immigration benefits while in the United States?"

When did you give false documents or lie to the US government? If you did either of those things you would have had a lifetime 6C ban.

You bring up a good point and it helps a lot. I didn't use any false document (like fake SSNs/GC) not did I ever claim to be a USC/LPR (prior to becoming an LPR). So, for both I can answer No.

I didn't know about the 6c ban - I researched this and looks like you are talking about 212(a)(6)©(i)?

Maybe I am overthinking this - I have two choices - a) consult an immigration attorney; b) self file the N400 form as noted above and answer truthfully if/when the question comes up during the interview.

[Canadiano 0]

I have a similar question on Item Numbers 31 and 32. If I gave "misleading" or "partial" information about purpose/length of stay during a border crossing from Canada to go to a non-accredited religious education program, and I provided a "coming clean" explanation, would this result in automatic denial of application? A lifetime 6C ban? If the response is gray, but I want to come clean, would I be better off answering No and explaining in the interview?

Edited November 20, 2017 by Canadiano
clarification

[candybabe 46]

43 minutes ago, Canadiano said:

I have a similar question on Item Numbers 31 and 32. If I gave "misleading" or "partial" information about purpose/length of stay during a border crossing from Canada to go to a non-accredited religious education program, and I provided a "coming clean" explanation, would this result in automatic denial of application? A lifetime 6C ban? If the response is gray, but I want to come clean, would I be better off answering No and explaining in the interview?

I would presume that if you answer that you gave misleading information with the purpose to gain entry - that could in theory disqualify you as an LPR....which could lead not only to not being eligible to naturalize but even jeopardize your GC....

[candybabe 46]

45 minutes ago, Canadiano said:

I have a similar question on Item Numbers 31 and 32. If I gave "misleading" or "partial" information about purpose/length of stay during a border crossing from Canada to go to a non-accredited religious education program, and I provided a "coming clean" explanation, would this result in automatic denial of application? A lifetime 6C ban? If the response is gray, but I want to come clean, would I be better off answering No and explaining in the interview?

as far as the interview, the truth is always best - but you have to be prepared to show proof of one way or the other - so if you say it seems gray but it should be white or black -

not sure if what I am saying makes sense - basically you need to be prepared to convince the IO and answer their questions..... one thing is - they are all trained in psychology , so as soon as they " smell" something they will latch on - so if something minor makes you nervous , and they can see that , they have no idea what it is so they will just start grilling you ....until they are satisfied that you are not hiding something major...

 

in my case, I am an anxious person to begin with and a lot of times I (my brain) confuses excitement with anxiety - so during my interview, I was really excited to finally be there and get this over with but I must have given out an anxious vibe , the IO went back in my very clean cut case all the way to 2006 ( 11 years ago !) - there was nothing there and in the end she smiled and approved me, but something as simple of being nervously excited triggered her to ask me questions for 30 mins straight ..... my husband is a really calm person - he was in and out in 5 mins....