Are cellphones permitted at the Interview?

[LauraDP 10]

I received my written notice of my N400 interview being scheduled.  When I got my notice about the Biometrics, it included a list of prohibitions, including not being permitted to have a phone on me.  The interview letter does not include a list of rules.  Therefore, I thought I would ask here.  Am I allowed to have a cellphone on me (albeit switched off) when I attend the interview?  I will be travelling by public transport so leaving it in my car won't be an option as it was for my Biometrics appointment at a different location.  I ask because I have four kids who will be at school and then home many miles away while I am at the interview and I would very much prefer to be reachable in an emergency and to be able to check in with them at least immediately before and after my interview.  Googling seems to suggest I will be allowed to have it on me since I am being interviewed at a USCIS office but I would prefer to hear from people who have actually been through the process.

 

Thank you!

 

Laura

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

26 minutes ago, LauraDP said:

I received my written notice of my N400 interview being scheduled.  When I got my notice about the Biometrics, it included a list of prohibitions, including not being permitted to have a phone on me.  The interview letter does not include a list of rules.  Therefore, I thought I would ask here.  Am I allowed to have a cellphone on me (albeit switched off) when I attend the interview?  I will be travelling by public transport so leaving it in my car won't be an option as it was for my Biometrics appointment at a different location.  I ask because I have four kids who will be at school and then home many miles away while I am at the interview and I would very much prefer to be reachable in an emergency and to be able to check in with them at least immediately before and after my interview.  Googling seems to suggest I will be allowed to have it on me since I am being interviewed at a USCIS office but I would prefer to hear from people who have actually been through the process.

Thank you!

Laura

No, they are not permitted in the interview. I tried to argue this fact when waiting for my wife's interview because I am a federal worker myself and they still denied me.

[LauraDP 10]

Thank you for replying, Cyberfx1024.

I wonder how I would find out if they provided lockers or such like for non-permitted items?  I am really not comfortable being away from home base for several hours without being able to contact my kids or have them or their schools contact me.

[GreatDane 366]

I've brought my phone to USCIS with no issues multiple times. It isn't the same as visiting the Embassy abroad where they don't allow them. They are permitted at USCIS and not to be used during the interview, etc. 

https://www.uscis.gov/policymanual/HTML/PolicyManual-Volume1-PartA-Chapter13.html 

Edited June 22, 2018 by GreatDane

[wilkings0224 28]

1 hour ago, LauraDP said:

I received my written notice of my N400 interview being scheduled.  When I got my notice about the Biometrics, it included a list of prohibitions, including not being permitted to have a phone on me.  The interview letter does not include a list of rules.  Therefore, I thought I would ask here.  Am I allowed to have a cellphone on me (albeit switched off) when I attend the interview?  I will be travelling by public transport so leaving it in my car won't be an option as it was for my Biometrics appointment at a different location.  I ask because I have four kids who will be at school and then home many miles away while I am at the interview and I would very much prefer to be reachable in an emergency and to be able to check in with them at least immediately before and after my interview.  Googling seems to suggest I will be allowed to have it on me since I am being interviewed at a USCIS office but I would prefer to hear from people who have actually been through the process.

 

Thank you!

 

Laura

When I went to my interview, I had my phone with me, and was ON, just put it in "do not disturb" mode and you will be fine, you don't want your phone to be ringing during the interview! But I'm pretty sure you can have it with you! Also I was using it while waiting to be called! 😉

[LauraDP 10]

3 minutes ago, GreatDane said:

I've brought my phone to USCIS with no issues multiple times. It isn't the same as visiting the Embassy abroad where they don't allow them. They are permitted at USCIS and not to be used during the interview, etc. 

https://www.uscis.gov/policymanual/HTML/PolicyManual-Volume1-PartA-Chapter13.html 

Thanks, Great Dane.  

I saw that guidance but was not sure how universally it was applied.  The field office where I did my Biometrics had a strict no phone policy.  That was fine as I drove there and was able to leave my phone in my car.  The office I am going to for my interview, however, is in the city so I won't be driving and won't have that option if phones are prohibited.  I obviously have no problem having it switched off for the entire time I am in the building but I don't know how to problem solve if I am not allowed it at all. I guess I have to hope they have some sort of locker situation.

I cannot find a number to call for the specific office and suspect if I call the general USCIS line I will just be giving a generic answer.

 

Thanks for your reply.

 

Laura

[LauraDP 10]

Just now, wilkings0224 said:

When I went to my interview, I had my phone with me, and was ON, just put it in "do not disturb" mode and you will be fine, you don't want your phone to be ringing during the interview! But I'm pretty sure you can have it with you! Also I was using it while waiting to be called! 😉

Thank you for sharing your experience.  I have no problem having it switched entirely off while I am inside the building.  I would just like to have access to it for before and after because of my childcare logistics for that day.

 

Thanks

 

Laura

[GreatDane 366]

3 minutes ago, LauraDP said:

Thanks, Great Dane.  

I saw that guidance but was not sure how universally it was applied.  The field office where I did my Biometrics had a strict no phone policy.  That was fine as I drove there and was able to leave my phone in my car.  The office I am going to for my interview, however, is in the city so I won't be driving and won't have that option if phones are prohibited.  I obviously have no problem having it switched off for the entire time I am in the building but I don't know how to problem solve if I am not allowed it at all. I guess I have to hope they have some sort of locker situation.

I cannot find a number to call for the specific office and suspect if I call the general USCIS line I will just be giving a generic answer.

 

Thanks for your reply.

 

Laura

Maybe ask users who share your office for a similar experience? What office will you be going to?

[wilkings0224 28]

1 minute ago, LauraDP said:

Thank you for sharing your experience.  I have no problem having it switched entirely off while I am inside the building.  I would just like to have access to it for before and after because of my childcare logistics for that day.

 

Thanks

 

Laura

You can do that! I don't see a problem....by the way I passed my interview and I'm having my oath on July 3rd 😊, good luck to you!

[LauraDP 10]

1 hour ago, GreatDane said:

Maybe ask users who share your office for a similar experience? What office will you be going to?

Philadelphia.

 

I will figure out how to search for VJers going through the same office.  Thanks for that suggestion.

1 hour ago, wilkings0224 said:

You can do that! I don't see a problem....by the way I passed my interview and I'm having my oath on July 3rd 😊, good luck to you!

Congratulations!