N400 Interview Experience

[Mike X Man 37]

This was held at the OKC Field Office today under the 5 year Rule. I am posting this immediately since the details are fresh. 

 

My interview was set for 8:20AM today. I walked into the USCIS building right around 7:55AM. I showed the officers at the door my Interview Notice which he noted to the other officer that my appointment was at 08:20AM. I had to remove my laptop from my bag (forgot it was in there – I use it for work,) removed my belt, jacket and shoes as instructed and walked through the screening place. I didn’t set it off.  After dressing up, I was directed to the waiting room which I was familiar with since I had just been there last month for my I-551 stamp (more on this later.)

 

My interview lasted approximately 50 minutes and a majority of it was going over the Yes/No questions correcting and updating the completed N400. Apparently, I had several questions that were missing check marks. Most, I was familiar with after downloading and reviewing my submitted N400 form.  

I placed my notice through a small window in the waiting area and I was called by IO (Immigration Officer) X. IOX directed me to what looked almost like a makeshift booth. Think of it as going to a bank teller window but you have a makeshift moveable booth around you for privacy. IOX asked me for my green card and ID. I had neither due to a theft few months prior where my wallet was lost/stolen and my GC, DL and every other ID was lost. This is the reason I had been at the field office for the I-551 in Dec. It was important so I didn’t get terminated at my new job. I later found an old, expired DL in my garage which I have been using as a photo ID. This ID was clipped on one edge to show that it had been replaced and was expired. IOX inquired about it. IOX also inquired why I had not yet replaced the DL. I stated that there had been long waiting times (Oklahoma people are aware of this Real ID act mess.)  Anyway, it takes weeks or months to get a real ID replacement here, so IOX understood and accepted my explanation.

 

We had small talk about where I was from, and IOX stated that their relative had been to Kenya. IOX inquired whether women were second class citizens in Kenya, and we had a small chat about that with IOX telling me a little about their background/upbringing. IOX is obviously an immigrant as well.

I was then sworn in, and we immediately started with the Civic questions. These are the questions that IOX asked me.

·         Name a US territory.

·         What happened on Sep 11, 2001?

·         Who was MLK?

·         Name one branch of government.

·         What was the US fighting during the cold war?

·         Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

IOX then activated the writing pad and made me read aloud a sentence that was on it. “Who can vote?” IOX answered the question verbally with “Citizens can vote” and made me write that response into the tablet.

IOX then went through the N400 verifying the following information: Name, DOB, SSN, residence, where I had worked etc.  I had started a new job since the application was completed. I provided IOX with my W2 from this job to update the N400.  

 

We then went through the Yes/No questions which seemed like a million. I updated some that had been left blank and one that I had noted an incorrect response. This is the question related to whether you have “ever been cited/detained.” I had documented “No.” I explained to IOX that I have had several tickets in the previous 5 years. 2 were speeding (1-10mph over) and 2 were parking citations. IOX updated this as we made small and was particularly amused by the ticket related to parking within 15’ of a fire hydrant. IOX stated that I was better than their daughter when it came to tickets. Now, I had already done my documentation and typed up my corrections prior, so IOX just transcribed this from my notes and was glad that I had everything documented including when the tickets were received, where they were received and their disposition (i.e., Fines were paid.)  The question related to whether I had been convicted of a crime was changed from No to Yes due to the above since paying the ticket was admission of that conviction.

 

More Yes/No questions were gone over. IOX asked about whether I was willing to pledge allegiance. I answered affirmatively and IOX asked me to explain what that meant. I did to their satisfaction. More small talk continued (talking about my profession/line of work and IOX’s intentions to retire soon)

 

I asked about clarification on the USCIS definition of stepchildren and whether girlfriend/boyfriend children from prior relationships were considered such if living in the same household. IOX stated NO.  

IOX then had me go over the changes we had made to my form. I noticed that the question related to being a member of a rebel group was marked Yes. This question was previously blank, and IOX had inadvertently marked Yes instead of No. So, please pay attention to any changes made. IOX updated the form and shortly after, had me sign 2 forms on the tablet; One acknowledging the changes and the other was whether I was willing to take the Oath. IOX then told me that they were recommending approval and would be submitting my form for quality review. IOX gave me a piece of paper (I can’t think of what was on it at this moment, I am excited) and told me Congratulations. I am Happy. My status on the USCIS website says my Oath Ceremony will be scheduled.

 Happy Journey. 😊

 

Notes: None of my documents were checked. I took the following with me.

1.       Birth certificates of all the kids in the house.

2.       Divorce Decree and Marriage Certificate.

3.       Tax transcripts.

4.       Expired passports (IOX only looked at the most recent one.)

5.       USCIS Notices (Including my pending I-90).

 

Hope this helps someone know what to expect.

Edited January 26, 2022 by MikeX

[JeanneAdil 6,505]

Congratulations

 

u should get the green card replaced as immigraiton doesn't like a lost one floating around with your ID

and it is to be turned in at the oath ceremony

[Mike X Man 37]

4 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

Congratulations

 

u should get the green card replaced as immigraiton doesn't like a lost one floating around with your ID

and it is to be turned in at the oath ceremony

I have a pending I-90. Filed at the same time I filed my N400....9/1/21. Go figure....

[Charmycole 25]

Hey congratulations!!! I’m in okc too can you please share your timeline? When did you apply?