My N-400 Interview Today was Rough

[Aimless_wanderer 15]

Hello everyone,

 

I just want to share with you all my N400 interview based on my 3-year role experience (I-751 was approved two months ago). My appointment was scheduled for this morning at 8:30 A.M. at Indianapolis. I arrived with my wife at 8:15 am. The security was nice and told us to have a seat, so we did. I was called in at 9:37am for the interview. There was a guy who was making a fuss, saying he had been waiting since 7:30 AM, though his appointment was scheduled for 9:00 AM. He kept talking to every officer when they called someone, and they kept telling him that his case was with another officer and they were behind, advising him to wait for his turn.

 

When I was called, it turned out that he was after me in line, and the officer told him he would be called after I'm done. The officer walked me to her office, which was at the end of the hall, allowing me to see that all offices had ongoing interviews. The officer was really nice to me at first and was cracking jokes. She asked me to switch my phone off, put it on the table, and hand her my Green Card before she swore me in. After swearing me in, she started talking about the guy who was making a fuss, going on about him for at least five minutes. She said, "He better speaks perfect English when he gets here," hinting that he was in trouble with her. I was extremely uncomfortable with her talking about this gentleman, as I just wanted to complete the interview and go home.

 

When she tried to engage me in the conversation, I tried my best to stay professional, saying, "I'm sorry officer that you have to deal with this," to which she responded aggressively, asserting that she can take care of herself and I shouldn't be worried. Then, she suddenly became very aggressive and confrontational, saying, "Ok, we will start with the test," and flipped 180 degrees. At this point, I hadn't done anything wrong or answered incorrectly. I was just waiting patiently in the waiting area with my wife, and we didn't complain.

 

After I passed the civics test, she moved on to English. I almost failed the English test because she was getting in my face. She asked me to read an English sentence, then asked me to write "The people elect Congress." I forgot how to write it due to my nerves from her nonstop confrontation. As soon as I touched the pen to write on the screen, she screamed, "NOT LIKE THIS! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING!" and got up from her seat to show me how to do it. I was so confused and tried my best to keep my composure, she micromanaging every move I make and every word I say.

 

Then she became sweet and nice again, talking about the gentleman in the queue after me, saying, "He better be fluent when he gets here, he thinks because he is here at 7:30 AM he should be first." She moved to the Yes/No questions, and it felt like eternity at that point; it was pure hell. She asked if I had ever been arrested, cited, detained, etc. I mentioned my 3 speeding tickets, and she became confrontational and aggressive again. When I told her the last one was in March 2018, she demanded details about the other tickets, but then said she only cared about the 2018 one only talk ask about the 2015 ticket again. I explained it was a minor speed ticket for which I took a safety course then she said she doesn't care about it, she only cares about the ticket from 2018.

 

Next, she asked about false citizenship claims. When I said I never claimed to be a U.S. citizen, she aggressively asked, "How would someone claim to be a U.S. citizen?" I answered, "Verbally or in writing," but she pushed for more, leading me to mention registering to vote or voting in a federal election. She asked if I was tricked into registering to vote in college she can see it in her screen I better tell the truth, to which I replied loudly, "NO!" She stared at me silently for a few seconds, then smiled, said "Good!", and moved on to the next question.

 

She asked if I was willing to take the oath and understand it. I explained it as giving up any loyalty to other countries and obeying U.S. laws. She confronted me for missing a point, aggressively insisting I mention defending the United States and bearing arms if required by law and I was suppose to list it as the first point. She said, " You are willing to take the oath and you don't even know what it means, you don't EVEN KNOW WHAT THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE MEANS !!!' She also violently questioned my response about the Selective Service and confronted me about it though I became a permanent resident after 26 years but I registered anyway but I answered no to being younger than 26 when I was admitted as a lawful permanent resident; after showing my registration, she said she would correct it and moved on. She asked if I wanted to provide more evidence I said, " I have bank.." she interrupted me saying, " DID I ASK WHAT YOU HAVE?" and snatched our joint account bank statements, I don't believe she even looked at them as she didn't ask about our relationship during the interview at all. 

 

Finally, she asked for my travel document, which I didn't have with me, and instructed me to mail it back. She said, "If you don't have it now, mail it to us, DO YOU UNDERSTAND? WE NEED IT BACK!!!!! THE TRAVEL DOCUMENT TO APPLIED TO WHEN YOU WERE WAITING ON YOUR GREEN CARD, WE NEED IT BACK!!!' She had a thick file with all my immigration forms including my I-485 and my I-751. She was complaining the officer who approved my I-485 didn't sign something, but it wasn't a big deal. She then typed on her computer, still complaining about the man waiting outside. It was 10:10 AM at this point. She informed me that my ceremony was at 11 AM and that I needed to be back by then. She said, "Wherever you go, I NEED YOU BACK BY 11 FOR YOUR OATH!!" handing me a paper with "Congratulations, you are recommended for approval."

 

On the way out, she asked how I felt now that my immigration journey had ended, becoming sweet again. She mentioned that I was lucky because they only have same-day oaths on Tuesdays and Thursdays. When we reached the waiting area door, she called the man's name and he went in. I left with my wife and returned at 11. The security read the officer's name on my paper and shook his head in disappointment. We entered the room, they took my green cards (2yr and 10yr), and 40 minutes later, an immigration supervisor walked in, apologized for being late saying the supervisor who was supposed to conduct the ceremony got busy, and conducted a brief and informal swearing-in ceremony. It was so causal, the officer wasn't sure if we were supposed to stand up for the oath or remain seated lol. After reciting the Oath of Allegiance by himself, we replied " I do!" when he finished, and congratulated us for becoming citizens and passed on our naturalization certificates. 

 

Overall, I'm happy that I'm finally a U.S. citizen and won't have to deal with USCIS anymore. I just wish my interview experience had been better because it was totally unprofessional. Everyone else in that office seemed nice, including the supervisors. I just wanted to share my experience with you all. For all of you who are waiting, your time will come soon; be patient, the journey is totally worth it.

[OldUser 6,583]

@Aimless_wanderer thank you very much for the detailed experience of what you went through.

 

Did you have a lawyer with you present? I suppose no? In my opinion, none of this rudeness would have happened in presence of your lawyer. That's why I'm bringing one despite a straightforward case.

 

She seemed to be right about few points, for example you're required to being all EADs, reentry permits, travel documents and other stuff as the interview letter probably mentioned. But it doesn't excuse her for being agressive. Sorry you had to go through this.

 

On the other hand, congratulations on becoming a US citizen!

 

 

[Chancy 6,241]

*** Moved from US Citizenship General Discussion to Progress Reports ***

 

15 hours ago, Aimless_wanderer said:

Overall, I'm happy that I'm finally a U.S. citizen and won't have to deal with USCIS anymore.

 

Thank you for sharing your experience, despite having to recall the awful parts.  Congratulations on completing your journey and being rid of USCIS!

 

[JeanneAdil 6,484]

it is not professional in any way for this officer to discuss another person's information and case with u

As a USC i would report her actions /even as an LPR u have the rights to say something when an officer is stupid and breaks the rules 

she has signed a confidentiality agreement with USCIS which is suppose to keep her from what u heard

[JacHill 3]

Congratulations for finally getting this over with and thanks so much for sharing your experience!!

 

Could anyone please help me understand which travel documents the officer was referring to? All I have with me is my green card and EAD card that says Serves as I-512 Advanced Parole on the bottom

[Lil bear 4,181]

51 minutes ago, JacHill said:

Congratulations for finally getting this over with and thanks so much for sharing your experience!!

 

Could anyone please help me understand which travel documents the officer was referring to? All I have with me is my green card and EAD card that says Serves as I-512 Advanced Parole on the bottom

The OP had separate AP and EAD cards rather than a combined one. Also, some people have applied for a reentry permit during their time as LPR, so that is also needed to surrendered at naturalization 

[Olga&Jared 267]

That sound like one very unprofessional officer. I'm very sorry you had to deal with it! My guess is that the other person in line set her off but I'm sure they deal with it on a regular basis, and it shouldn't be used as an excuse to use someone as a punch bag. Especially in such unequal power dynamics. 

 

Regardless of the <deleted> experience, congratulations for making it through! 

Edited December 15, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[Crazy Cat 41,770]

**One comment edited to removed foul language***

-VJ Moderation

[Aimless_wanderer 15]

19 hours ago, OldUser said:

@Aimless_wanderer thank you very much for the detailed experience of what you went through.

 

Did you have a lawyer with you present? I suppose no? In my opinion, none of this rudeness would have happened in presence of your lawyer. That's why I'm bringing one despite a straightforward case.

 

She seemed to be right about few points, for example you're required to being all EADs, reentry permits, travel documents and other stuff as the interview letter probably mentioned. But it doesn't excuse her for being agressive. Sorry you had to go through this.

 

On the other hand, congratulations on becoming a US citizen!

 

 

Thank you! No, I didn't have a lawyer; I had a DIY case. Lawyers wanted to charge me at least $4000 to file the N-400. Since inflation is high and my case is straightforward, I decided to take the risk and file it myself. I have a squeaky-clean past, have never been out of status, and possess strong marital evidence. I also filed the I-485 and I-751 on my own, and those processes went smoothly.

 

She is right, but I didn't know that the Indy USCIS office conducts same-day oath ceremonies, as every case timeline I read indicated a 1-2 month oath wait. I know I should have brought it with me, but it wasn't listed on the interview notice. She specifically asked for the I-512, describing it as the document USCIS issues to allow travel while awaiting a green card; she didn't mention the EAD at all.

 

What funny is during the Oath, USCIS was only collecting green cards and didn't ask for other documents, except for one girl. She kept telling the officer to take her I-512 (Advance parole) form, but the officer kept saying she doesn't need it. The girl insisted that her N-400 told her that she must turn it back until the officer gave up and took it lol.

[Aimless_wanderer 15]

4 hours ago, Chancy said:

*** Moved from US Citizenship General Discussion to Progress Reports ***

 

 

Thank you for sharing your experience, despite having to recall the awful parts.  Congratulations on completing your journey and being rid of USCIS!

 

Thank you so much!!!

[Aimless_wanderer 15]

4 hours ago, Old_Glory said:

Interviewing officer was a former USMC Drill Sergeant? 
 

congratulations on your approval and same day oath. Now you’re done! 

she might have been lol. She drilled me for sure but I don't she was a former miliary.   

[Aimless_wanderer 15]

2 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

it is not professional in any way for this officer to discuss another person's information and case with u

As a USC i would report her actions /even as an LPR u have the rights to say something when an officer is stupid and breaks the rules 

she has signed a confidentiality agreement with USCIS which is suppose to keep her from what u heard

I agree 100%. My wife wanted me to report her; will look it up and see if it's still possible to file a complain. She talked about the one she interviewed before me too. She said, when she was complaining about the agitated dude, that it's not her fault she had to spend an hour and an half with the one before me because he had quite many mistakes to correct, I felt from her statement that she was aggressive with the first applicant, too. 

[Aimless_wanderer 15]

2 hours ago, JacHill said:

Congratulations for finally getting this over with and thanks so much for sharing your experience!!

 

Could anyone please help me understand which travel documents the officer was referring to? All I have with me is my green card and EAD card that says Serves as I-512 Advanced Parole on the bottom

Thank you!
She was referring to the advance parole document (Form I-512). You have a combo card which is an EAD card with I-512 endorsement. If you apply for advance parole separately, you receive I-512 as a paper document with your picture on it. I have no idea why the officer asked about it the way she did. 

[OldUser 6,583]

15 minutes ago, Aimless_wanderer said:

Thank you! No, I didn't have a lawyer; I had a DIY case. Lawyers wanted to charge me at least $4000 to file the N-400. Since inflation is high and my case is straightforward, I decided to take the risk and file it myself. I have a squeaky-clean past, have never been out of status, and possess strong marital evidence. I also filed the I-485 and I-751 on my own, and those processes went smoothly.

 

She is right, but I didn't know that the Indy USCIS office conducts same-day oath ceremonies, as every case timeline I read indicated a 1-2 month oath wait. I know I should have brought it with me, but it wasn't listed on the interview notice. She specifically asked for the I-512, describing it as the document USCIS issues to allow travel while awaiting a green card; she didn't mention the EAD at all.

 

What funny is during the Oath, USCIS was only collecting green cards and didn't ask for other documents, except for one girl. She kept telling the officer to take her I-512 (Advance parole) form, but the officer kept saying she doesn't need it. The girl insisted that her N-400 told her that she must turn it back until the officer gave up and took it lol.

Same here, never out of status, always followed the rules. Not even traffic / speeding tickets. But will bring the lawyer and pay them $4000 for the piece of mind and not to be humiliated at the interview. After all, there's a lot at stake and it's the very last interview in immigration journey.

 

Once again, congrats!

 

 

Edited December 15, 2023 by OldUser

[bakphx1 789]

Glad it ended well in the end.  The N400 for my husband was pretty upbeat and friendly.  When we went for the interview to remove conditions, he seemed very gruff at first.  We settled in for a lot of grilling.  But he just said, “you’re good.  You’re approved.”  Then he complimented us on the the good documentation.  It is funny how they can shift personality so quickly