Late for Naturalization Interview

[CanadaEx 1]

Hello, I was late for Naturalization today. I was traveling from Bellingham Wa, to Seattle WA, according to google map it should take me an hour an 45 mins. I got there late because of collision on highway, though the security guy told me to proceed, however, the interviewer told me I am free to go home. once home, I looked into my USCIS account, and there was already a letter with summary below:
      You were scheduled to appear for an interview on your application for Naturalization on at 12:00PM. Our records
       indicate you failed to appear for this interview. You have thirty (30) days from the date of this notice to explain why you did not appear. Failure to respond
        to this notice will result in your application being administratively closed without further action.

So, I quickly prepared a letter letter:
   

USCIS

12500 TUKWILA INTERNATIONAL BLVD

SECOND FLOOR

SEATTLE, WA

98168

 

re:Lateness for appointment letter

 

Dear USCIS Officer,

                        Attached below my reasons for being late for the appointment on. As noted below I left home in Bellingham on 10:00 AM.  I was able to make COSTCO gas station at 16616 Twin Lakes Ave, Marysville, WA 98271 to get gas at 10:55 AM. Please see receipt attached. Image of receipt with time stamp here.
 

According to Google Map this should get me to your office at 11:45 AM. Please see below - Google direction attached here.

 

However, there was collision on Higway-5 which I ran into after purchasing gas. Please see below:

 

Also, I actually made it to your office, after going through security I went straight to the SECOND FLOOR as was BOLDLY written in the mail sent to me. I was on the SECOND FLOOR for a while together with others waiting for interview. However, I felt concerned that my name was not called, hence I asked someone beside me, and he said I had to check-in downstairs first and obtained a number.

               I went downstairs again, and this time the officer asked took my fingerprints, and picture, and she noticed that I was late for my appointment. She suggested to wait in the interview room while she contacted the interviewing officer. She came back shortly, that the interviewing officer said, "I am free to go home because I was an hour late, and I should be expecting a letter in the mail."

  

Regards,

 

Applicant.

ASK: is the response above reasonable, or should I look to get a lawyer to respond accordingly? Notice, I applied for citizenship on WAVA because of spousal abuse. Note also, that the pictures above might not be accurate, but I DEFIENETELY saw notice on the highway traffic board that "Collision on left lane southbound I-5 and interstate 259" at Everette that explained the gridlock. If anyone knows where to get accurate traffic report. I will be grateful. Also, 

[Rocio0010 5,579]

Wait, you had the naturalization interview at 12:00, left your house at 10:00 knowing it would take an hour and fourth five minutes under normal traffic to get there?! I would have left at 8:00!!!

I usually support DIY, but since this is a VAWA case I would call an attorney.

[Mike E 11,739]

@CanadaEx I think your letter can be more succinct.  
 

“My interview was canceled because I arrived late. My late arrival was because of a traffic accident that slowed traffic on southbound I-5.”

 

 

 

 

 

[mam521 2,062]

What @Mike E said. 

 

You're clearly upset - understandable. 

 

Best case is to lay out facts and leave feelings out of it.  If you have to, walk away and revisit tomorrow when you've had a chance to cool off.  

[CanadaEx 1]

Thank you all for your inputs.

In addition, I have spent a whole day trying to get a lawyer to help request a another date in accordance with @Rocio0010's suggestion. However, I have not been able to find one yet. Most replied that they have not done vawa before. Some assure it is not big deal to be late because of collision on highway such as I-5, and to request another date directly. Given that I have 30 days to reply, and felt like I should do something soon therefore, I respectively asked for another date while adding @Mike E's phrase 'My late arrival was because of a traffic accident that slowed traffic on southbound I-5." as the conclusion. 

Also, I added the receipt of gas purchase, and the parking slip I purchased at the USCIS office. This was also addressed to the benefit center in Missouri. that was the address on the NOA letter., not Seattle where I was asked to go for interview. 

Again, thanks.

[kcoyclay1 98]

On 4/29/2022 at 9:25 PM, CanadaEx said:

Hello, I was late for Naturalization today. I was traveling from Bellingham Wa, to Seattle WA, according to google map it should take me an hour an 45 mins. I got there late because of collision on highway, though the security guy told me to proceed, however, the interviewer told me I am free to go home. once home, I looked into my USCIS account, and there was already a letter with summary below:
      You were scheduled to appear for an interview on your application for Naturalization on at 12:00PM. Our records
       indicate you failed to appear for this interview. You have thirty (30) days from the date of this notice to explain why you did not appear. Failure to respond
        to this notice will result in your application being administratively closed without further action.

So, I quickly prepared a letter letter:
   

USCIS

12500 TUKWILA INTERNATIONAL BLVD

SECOND FLOOR

SEATTLE, WA

98168

 

re:Lateness for appointment letter

 

Dear USCIS Officer,

                        Attached below my reasons for being late for the appointment on. As noted below I left home in Bellingham on 10:00 AM.  I was able to make COSTCO gas station at 16616 Twin Lakes Ave, Marysville, WA 98271 to get gas at 10:55 AM. Please see receipt attached. Image of receipt with time stamp here.
 

According to Google Map this should get me to your office at 11:45 AM. Please see below - Google direction attached here.

 

However, there was collision on Higway-5 which I ran into after purchasing gas. Please see below:

 

Also, I actually made it to your office, after going through security I went straight to the SECOND FLOOR as was BOLDLY written in the mail sent to me. I was on the SECOND FLOOR for a while together with others waiting for interview. However, I felt concerned that my name was not called, hence I asked someone beside me, and he said I had to check-in downstairs first and obtained a number.

               I went downstairs again, and this time the officer asked took my fingerprints, and picture, and she noticed that I was late for my appointment. She suggested to wait in the interview room while she contacted the interviewing officer. She came back shortly, that the interviewing officer said, "I am free to go home because I was an hour late, and I should be expecting a letter in the mail."

  

Regards,

 

Applicant.

ASK: is the response above reasonable, or should I look to get a lawyer to respond accordingly? Notice, I applied for citizenship on WAVA because of spousal abuse. Note also, that the pictures above might not be accurate, but I DEFIENETELY saw notice on the highway traffic board that "Collision on left lane southbound I-5 and interstate 259" at Everette that explained the gridlock. If anyone knows where to get accurate traffic report. I will be grateful. Also, 

Don’t spend money on a lawyer. You had a legitimate reason for being late and all they ask is that you explain the reason. Your response send should be enough and they should reschedule the appointment. They stated you did not show up-which is incorrect-  and you did. Getting a lawyer is a lot of money to pay for fear. You have a valid reason. All the best. 

Edited May 7, 2022 by kcoyclay1
Correction

[CanadaEx 1]

On 5/7/2022 at 12:00 PM, kcoyclay1 said:

kcoyclay1

Thank you @kcoyclay1 for your kind words.

-CanadaEx