Mistake on Q23 Part 12 of N-400 Application and upcoming interview. Kindly need advice

[chewyt 4]

When I completed the application (May 2020), I might have answered the question#23 in Part 12 incorrectly (Have you EVER been arrested, cited, or detained by any law enforcement officer (including any immigration official or any official of the U.S. armed forces) for any reason?).  I answered "No" thinking that traffic tickets didn't count. At that time, I was reading the information about the traffic fine less than $500 under the Arrests/Convictions section (item G page 13-14) in the N-400 instructions. I mistakenly assumed that it also applies to Q#23 Part 12.  As I'm preparing for an upcoming interview (March 2021), I start reading more about this question on this site and it sounds like I should have answered "Yes" since I have (if I remember correctly) 2 traffic violations about 5 years ago that resulted in fine (stop sign violation and 10 miles over speeding). 

 

Would this possibly cause my application to eventually be denied?  I plan to mention this to the office upfront during the interview.  I appreciate everyone suggestions.

[retheem 568]

29 minutes ago, chewyt said:

When I completed the application (May 2020), I might have answered the question#23 in Part 12 incorrectly (Have you EVER been arrested, cited, or detained by any law enforcement officer (including any immigration official or any official of the U.S. armed forces) for any reason?).  I answered "No" thinking that traffic tickets didn't count. At that time, I was reading the information about the traffic fine less than $500 under the Arrests/Convictions section (item G page 13-14) in the N-400 instructions. I mistakenly assumed that it also applies to Q#23 Part 12.  As I'm preparing for an upcoming interview (March 2021), I start reading more about this question on this site and it sounds like I should have answered "Yes" since I have (if I remember correctly) 2 traffic violations about 5 years ago that resulted in fine (stop sign violation and 10 miles over speeding). 

 

Would this possibly cause my application to eventually be denied?  I plan to mention this to the office upfront during the interview.  I appreciate everyone suggestions.

Nah you are fine. People have gotten worse things and still got citizenship.

[MrKo 60]

During the interview, you will likely be given a chance to change any of your answers on the N400 form, you should prepare to explain why you selected "no" in the first place, reveal the situation and let the officer decide it's a "yes" or "no". I personally haven't seen anyone being denied citizenship because of a traffic ticket, but you don't want to give them an impression that you're intentionally hiding something, so don't panic but be honest and truthful.

 

I selected "yes" on my original N400, the officer explicitly asked to see my ticket during the interview (so make sure to bring yours), after that, he changed my answer to "no" (you can read my experience below). Your situation might vary, but don't think that every officer thinks the same way because still, many people DO believe a traffic ticket no matter how small, is indeed, a citation. So to avoid misunderstanding and to be on the safe side, reveal your situation and let him/her decide.

 

 

Edited February 18, 2021 by MrKo

[chewyt 4]

54 minutes ago, retheem said:

Nah you are fine. People have gotten worse things and still got citizenship.

Thank you very much. I feel quite relief now..

 

42 minutes ago, MrKo said:

During the interview, you will likely be given a chance to change any of your answers on the N400 form, you should prepare to explain why you selected "no" in the first place, reveal the situation and let the officer decide it's a "yes" or "no". I personally haven't seen anyone being denied citizenship because of a traffic ticket, but you don't want to give them an impression that you're intentionally hiding something, so don't panic but be honest and truthful.

 

I selected "yes" on my original N400, the officer explicitly asked to see my ticket during the interview (so make sure to bring yours), after that, he changed my answer to "no" (you can read my experience below). Your situation might vary, but don't think that every officer thinks the same way because still, many people DO believe a traffic ticket no matter how small, is indeed, a citation. So to avoid misunderstanding and to be on the safe side, reveal your situation and let him/her decide.

 

 

That's an excellent advice. I have records for those and will definitely bring them with me.  Thank you very much.

[chewyt 4]

Just a quick update.  I had an interview yesterday (3/12).  I mentioned about my traffic tickets to the officer. She only asked me "how many tickets and how far apart are they?"  I told her there were 3; 1 in 2011 (didn't remember this until I pulled a driving record) and 2 in 2016.  She said that's not an issue and then my case was approved.  

[sweetadams 138]

3 hours ago, chewyt said:

Just a quick update.  I had an interview yesterday (3/12).  I mentioned about my traffic tickets to the officer. She only asked me "how many tickets and how far apart are they?"  I told her there were 3; 1 in 2011 (didn't remember this until I pulled a driving record) and 2 in 2016.  She said that's not an issue and then my case was approved.  

Congratulations on your case approval. Way to go!!!!......did you have an oath ceremony same day?

[chewyt 4]

4 hours ago, sweetadams said:

Congratulations on your case approval. Way to go!!!!......did you have an oath ceremony same day?

Unfortunately no, but the officer told me that it should be within a few weeks.  On the bright side, my status has been updated as soon as I left the office (see below). So I think I could expect the schedule soon.

 

====================================================================

March 12, 2021 Oath Ceremony Notice Was Mailed

March 12, 2021 Your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, was placed in line for oath ceremony scheduling.

March 12, 2021 We recommended that your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, be approved. Your case was submitted for quality review.

====================================================================

 

 

[HNZ91 70]

47 minutes ago, chewyt said:

Unfortunately no, but the officer told me that it should be within a few weeks.  On the bright side, my status has been updated as soon as I left the office (see below). So I think I could expect the schedule soon.

 

====================================================================

March 12, 2021 Oath Ceremony Notice Was Mailed

March 12, 2021 Your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, was placed in line for oath ceremony scheduling.

March 12, 2021 We recommended that your Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, be approved. Your case was submitted for quality review.

====================================================================

 

 

Congrats!

[chewyt 4]

Another update, my Oath Ceremony is scheduled on Tue. Mar. 30th. So it is roughly 2+ weeks from the interview date. 

[Mlle_Wanderlust 3]

On 2/18/2021 at 12:08 PM, MrKo said:

During the interview, you will likely be given a chance to change any of your answers on the N400 form, you should prepare to explain why you selected "no" in the first place, reveal the situation and let the officer decide it's a "yes" or "no". I personally haven't seen anyone being denied citizenship because of a traffic ticket, but you don't want to give them an impression that you're intentionally hiding something, so don't panic but be honest and truthful.

 

I selected "yes" on my original N400, the officer explicitly asked to see my ticket during the interview (so make sure to bring yours), after that, he changed my answer to "no" (you can read my experience below). Your situation might vary, but don't think that every officer thinks the same way because still, many people DO believe a traffic ticket no matter how small, is indeed, a citation. So to avoid misunderstanding and to be on the safe side, reveal your situation and let him/her decide.

 

 

I made an error of putting the end date of my visa on the form as the date I filled out the application 

it has already been received and uploaded by the DoS and they have hard copies of my visa with the actual end date 

I’m still waiting for their decision (4 months since I sent the documents and 2.5 months since they uploaded it on their site) 

If I have to start a new case it’ll take another infinity and my J1 ends in October. 
is this a ground for denial ?

[MrKo 60]

15 hours ago, Mlle_Wanderlust said:

I made an error of putting the end date of my visa on the form as the date I filled out the application 

it has already been received and uploaded by the DoS and they have hard copies of my visa with the actual end date 

I’m still waiting for their decision (4 months since I sent the documents and 2.5 months since they uploaded it on their site) 

If I have to start a new case it’ll take another infinity and my J1 ends in October. 
is this a ground for denial ?

Is this a citizenship application or a J1 visa application? If it's a citizenship app., like I said above, you will likely be given a chance to explain during your interview. If it's J1 maybe try to ask in this forum: https://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/142-student-exchange-visitor-visas/