N400 interview experience in Des Moines, IA

[alien2006 2]

Interview was scheduled on 7/29 at 12:55pm at Des Moines, IA  field office.

You can park on Walnut street for Max 4hrs. there are parking ramps in the block but they have bad reviews. I have paid for 4hrs in case it takes lot of time but my interview took 20min

Went through security check took my wife and two children along with me.
Police officer at security asked for ID. I told them the baby and toddler don't have an ID yet

I was called in by USCIS office Turk S after waiting for 5min in the USCIS waiting area. He was nice and professional.

he asked for my GC and passport. Officer said my GC is expired (it is not).
Thought quickly about it and gave him the remove condition notice and he looked at it and happy about it

He sworn me in and said can you answer the questions.
I was surprised that he did not say this is your civic test etc.

Here are the questions I was asked and my answers below.

88. Name one of the two longest rivers in the United
States.
• Missouri (River)
• Mississippi (River)
My Answer: Mississippi river and Missouri river

29. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?
My Answer: Mike Pence

34. Who vetoes bills?
• the president
My Answer:  The president of united states

75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?
• freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
• saved (or preserved) the Union
• led the United States during the Civil War
My Answer: freed slaves

72. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
•  War of 1812
• Mexican-American War
• Civil War
• Spanish-American War
My Answer:  civil war

sorry I don't recall the 6th question
I think the answer has to be correct and complete but it doesn't has be be word to word as given in study guide.

Reading test
Who is George Washington ?

Writing test
George Washington is the first president.
I was given stylus to write on the touch notepad.
You should not touch the notepad with you hand while writing otherwise your hand will scribble. I have asked the office to clear the touch screen once because of scribbles from my hand.

Officer asked me yes/no question.
One question I did not answer while submitting n400 " If I'm a member of Nazi ?"
I said I don't know how the system allowed me to submit without answering the question the officer said it happens and he has seen this before.
Updated number of children.

he showed me the corrections on the notepad and asked me to sign if I agree to it.

He checked my passport for travel stamps thrice. I took my passport thinking it may be useful , I'm glad I took. On this forum people said passport is not required but my experience has been it is very important to show that you had continuous stay and not traveled outside US.

At the end I was given the summary of the visit and the office said he is recommending for approval and oath will be scheduled.

5min after my interview I have received three text msg stating there is an update on my case so checked online status on my phone and see that I got approved.

at 3:15 I received another text message and online status says I'm scheduled for oath ceremony.

The oath ceremony document was still not available the next day so called customer service and waited 30min to find out my oat ceremony is on Aug 14th.
The third day after the interview the oath ceremony document is available in my uscis account.













 

[manuh 1]

Thank you for sharing your experience, @alien2006!

 

How was your Oath Ceremony? Was it held at the Neal Smith Federal Building as well or somewhere else?

[alien2006 2]

5 hours ago, manuh said:

Thank you for sharing your experience, @alien2006!

 

How was your Oath Ceremony? Was it held at the Neal Smith Federal Building as well or somewhere else?

yes it was in Neal Smith Federal Building. At USCIS office on 2nd floor ; Adjacent to the waiting area in front of window counters there is a 30 person capacity room. Oath ceremony will take place there.The entrance to that room is next to the chairs marked "reserved for USCIS"

My oath ceremony took 2hrs to start because they had five people who needed interview/verification. Rest of us were waiting for these people. Hope you don't have people who need special verification on that day.

[Giovanna024 442]

Woow that is the first time i read/heard that someone took the passport to Interview. 

[manuh 1]

On 10/16/2019 at 9:46 PM, alien2006 said:

yes it was in Neal Smith Federal Building. At USCIS office on 2nd floor ; Adjacent to the waiting area in front of window counters there is a 30 person capacity room. Oath ceremony will take place there.The entrance to that room is next to the chairs marked "reserved for USCIS"

My oath ceremony took 2hrs to start because they had five people who needed interview/verification. Rest of us were waiting for these people. Hope you don't have people who need special verification on that day.

Thank you again, @alien2006 !

 

I'm looking forward to mine 😁

[manuh 1]

On 10/17/2019 at 10:23 AM, Giovanna024 said:

Woow that is the first time i read/heard that someone took the passport to Interview. 

Oh yeah, you're definitely supposed to bring any passports you have. 

 

USCIS instructions for the naturalization interview include the following:

     

  o       Appear at the USCIS office at the scheduled date and time on your interview notice

  o       Bring the following documentation to your naturalization interview:

         ·    Your interview appointment notice;

         ·    Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card;

         ·    A state-issued identification such as a driver’s license; and

         ·    All valid and expired passports and travel documents issued to you that document your absences from the United States since becoming a permanent resident.

         ·    For a list of other documents that you may need to bring with you, read Form M-477, Document Checklist.

  o       Take the English and civics tests

  o       We will inform you of the results

  o       If requested, submit additional information to USCIS

 

source: https://my.uscis.gov/citizenship/what_to_expect

[alien2006 2]

14 minutes ago, manuh said:

Thank you again, @alien2006 !

 

I'm looking forward to mine 😁

All the best

[manuh 1]

On 10/24/2019 at 4:07 PM, alien2006 said:

All the best

Thanks! They finally scheduled my Oath Ceremony for two weeks from now.

Did you bring any guests with you for yours? If not, do you know if that's allowed?

[alien2006 2]

On 12/4/2019 at 10:31 AM, manuh said:

Thanks! They finally scheduled my Oath Ceremony for two weeks from now.

Did you bring any guests with you for yours? If not, do you know if that's allowed?

Congratulation!! yes I took one guest and it seems there is no limit on how many guest you can take and they did not limit anyone.

 

After checking your documents the officer will direct you to go and take a seat at predesignated numbered seat. After all oath ceremony candidates are seated they will allow guest to take seats on first come first server basis and those guest who have no seats will stand at the back of the room.  To get a good seat for my guest he slowly migrated to front of the crowd, closer to door and  also I have put in my backpack on one of the front row guest seats. Remember the space is limited in oath ceremony room for guest.

I have seen some candidates have translators who are also guest were allowed with the candidate in to the oath ceremony room. if you have guests who has special needs or does not understand English you can politely ask if your guest can follow you rather than with everyone at the end.

 

BTW you can sponsor eligible family member as soon as you have the naturalization certificate in hand. The post office and FedEx kiosk is right across in the plaza. I has my i130 packet ready and sent my I130 right away after getting naturalization certificate to capture priority dates for family members.

 

Edited December 5, 2019 by alien2006

[alien2006 2]

12 minutes ago, alien2006 said:

Congratulation!! yes I took one guest and it seems there is no limit on how many guest you can take and they did not limit anyone.

 

After checking your documents the officer will direct you to go and take a seat at predesignated numbered seat. After all oath ceremony candidates are seated they will allow guest to take seats on first come first server basis and those guest who have no seats will stand at the back of the room.  To get a good seat for my guest he slowly migrated to front of the crowd, closer to door and  also I have put in my backpack on one of the front row guest seats. Remember the space is limited in oath ceremony room for guest.

I have seen some candidates have translators who are also guest were allowed with the candidate in to the oath ceremony room. if you have guests who has special needs or does not understand English you can politely ask if your guest can follow you rather than with everyone at the end.

 

BTW you can sponsor eligible family member as soon as you have the naturalization certificate in hand. The post office and FedEx kiosk is right across in the plaza. I has my i130 packet ready and sent my I130 right away after getting naturalization certificate to capture priority dates for family members.

 

Adding on to my previous reply...... There are volunteers to take your voter registration form. There is no one from DHS to take your passport application. I did my social security update and passport on my own later.  Sending family I130 applications was very important so I did that right away.

Edited December 5, 2019 by alien2006