I-751 and N-400 filed. Interview scheduled now. Need attorney given details ?

[Alexmat1 9]

I came to US in 2013 through marriage and went through a divorce. I filed for I-751 in 2015 but it was denied as I couldnt submit my divorce decree on time. I later filed a second I-751 years later in 2020 and also N-400 alongwith and I recently got a letter to go for an interview for N-400.

I have the following queries if someone can help me who has similar experience or knowledge on the same:

 

1) My first I-751 was denied in 2016 and I didnt reapply until 2020 October. The first time I took the help of an attorney for the paperwork , the second time I did it myself and I can explain each evidence submitted and explain my case to the officer. However given that I didnt repally for 4 years after my first I-751 was denied ( no reason other than that I was busy with my family law case and reapplying for I-751 took low priority) do you think its better to go with an attorney as this could be a potential issue ? 

2) I was not working for many years after I married and till recently. Thus I was on Food stamps and Medicaid. Would this create an issue with Green card (though these are not considered public charge),  would it be better to have an attorney present to explain this

3) The interview is for my N-400 (citizenship). Would my I-751 be also decided at the same interview ? Is this the interview where they ask you questions about US history etc and test you on that. What resources can you suggest for me to prepare for this ? 

 

Thanks

 

Edited December 29, 2021 by Alexmat1

[Rocio0010 5,579]

27 minutes ago, Alexmat1 said:

However given that I didnt repally for 4 years after my first I-751 was denied ( no reason other than that I was busy with my family law case and reapplying for I-751 took low priority) do you think its better to go with an attorney as this could be a potential issue ? 

I might be a little bit biased in here, but I don't see why you would need an attorney. In this case, there is nothing an attorney can do that you can't

 

28 minutes ago, Alexmat1 said:

Thus I was on Food stamps and Medicaid. Would this create an issue with Green card (though these are not considered public charge)

It shouldn't be an issue. Food stamps and Medicaid might be considered a public charge for initial AOS. You're well past that stage now.

 

29 minutes ago, Alexmat1 said:

Would my I-751 be also decided at the same interview ?

Not necessarily. 

[Alexmat1 9]

5 minutes ago, ra0010 said:

35 minutes ago, Alexmat1 said:

Would my I-751 be also decided at the same interview ?

Not necessarily.

So they would do my N-400 interview but not decide on my underlying green card ? Is this interview also the civics test ? 

[Rocio0010 5,579]

1 minute ago, Alexmat1 said:

So they would do my N-400 interview but not decide on my underlying green card ? Is this interview also the civics test ? 

I am not saying they will not decide. They might or might not. I think it is the civics test too.

[Ani2 24]

3 hours ago, Alexmat1 said:

I came to US in 2013 through marriage and went through a divorce. I filed for I-751 in 2015 but it was denied as I couldnt submit my divorce decree on time. I later filed a second I-751 years later in 2020 and also N-400 alongwith and I recently got a letter to go for an interview for N-400.

I have the following queries if someone can help me who has similar experience or knowledge on the same:

 

1) My first I-751 was denied in 2016 and I didnt reapply until 2020 October. The first time I took the help of an attorney for the paperwork , the second time I did it myself and I can explain each evidence submitted and explain my case to the officer. However given that I didnt repally for 4 years after my first I-751 was denied ( no reason other than that I was busy with my family law case and reapplying for I-751 took low priority) do you think its better to go with an attorney as this could be a potential issue ? 

2) I was not working for many years after I married and till recently. Thus I was on Food stamps and Medicaid. Would this create an issue with Green card (though these are not considered public charge),  would it be better to have an attorney present to explain this

3) The interview is for my N-400 (citizenship). Would my I-751 be also decided at the same interview ? Is this the interview where they ask you questions about US history etc and test you on that. What resources can you suggest for me to prepare for this ? 

 

Thanks

 

Have you been able to work after your I751 was denied? Or you just decided not to work ? Please keep us posted about your interview for the citizenship. I am in the similar situation, I filled I751 joint but in the meantime I got divorced. I already submitted my divorce decree 2 months ago and still no answer. 
 

Good luck to you

[nastra30 2,284]

17 hours ago, Alexmat1 said:

 

3) The interview is for my N-400 (citizenship). Would my I-751 be also decided at the same interview ? Is this the interview where they ask you questions about US history etc and test you on that. What resources can you suggest for me to prepare for this ? 

 

Thanks

 

It's possible you could get a combo interview where both I-751 and N-400 are decided.

However, your N400 will never be decided until the I-751 has been adjudicated.

[Mr Genuis 91]

17 hours ago, ra0010 said:

I might be a little bit biased in here, but I don't see why you would need an attorney. In this case, there is nothing an attorney can do that you can't

 

It shouldn't be an issue. Food stamps and Medicaid might be considered a public charge for initial AOS. You're well past that stage now.

 

Not necessarily. 

Your N400 can not take place without you having an approval for I751. You must be approved for i751 in order to process your N400. Most cases I have seen have Combo Interview. Meaning they will get N400 interview after I751 interview thesame day and time. 

[Alexmat1 9]

2 hours ago, Mr Genuis said:

Your N400 can not take place without you having an approval for I751. You must be approved for i751 in order to process your N400. Most cases I have seen have Combo Interview. Meaning they will get N400 interview after I751 interview thesame day and time. 

When you say interview, are these to ask details about my GC, work, why I filed I-751 and to gauge the genuiness of marriage etc  or is it the civics test (in case of N-400 interview).

If one fails the civics test, do they get another chance or does one have to reapply again ? 

[African Zealot 1,455]

32 minutes ago, Alexmat1 said:

When you say interview, are these to ask details about my GC, work, why I filed I-751 and to gauge the genuiness of marriage etc  or is it the civics test (in case of N-400 interview).

If one fails the civics test, do they get another chance or does one have to reapply again ? 

Anything and everything can happen and be asked. Be prepared.

 

If you fail the test you have a chance to retest.

 

Quote

An applicant has two opportunities to pass the English and civics tests: the initial examination and the re-examination interview.

 

Edited December 29, 2021 by African Zealot

[Mr Genuis 91]

1 hour ago, Alexmat1 said:

When you say interview, are these to ask details about my GC, work, why I filed I-751 and to gauge the genuiness of marriage etc  or is it the civics test (in case of N-400 interview).

If one fails the civics test, do they get another chance or does one have to reapply again ? 

For your N400 , it will be the civic test. U.S history and goverment. They will also test your reading and writing skills. Check this link

 

https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/learn-about-citizenship/the-naturalization-interview-and-test

 

 

As for your green card, they will asked you question about the document you submitted, your marriage and anything about you application. I don't know what they asked for divorce applicant but for those who filed jointly , they will ask basic questions like when, how,where you met, who proposed, and possibly questions about your submitted  application. Just be ready for anything but I am sure it won't be anything you can't answer.

Edited December 29, 2021 by Mr Genuis