LPY Law Group
Navigating the Path to Citizenship: A Firsthand Account of the N-400 Interview Process
By Benedicte T. Nielsen, Legal Assistant at LPY Law Group
The U.S. citizenship process can be both an exciting and nerve-wracking journey. After submitting your N-400 application, you need to study for the English and Civics tests and prepare for the naturalization interview. For applicants preparing for their N-400 interview, understanding what the process entails is just as important as gathering the necessary documents. While tips and advice can help you prepare, hearing about the experience from someone who has gone through it can offer helpful insights into what to expect. This article aims to provide that perspective—a detailed account of what it’s like to sit across from an immigration officer (IO) during your citizenship interview, coupled with practical tips to ensure you’re fully prepared.
The questions swirling in my mind before my citizenship interview in June 2024 are likely similar to those faced by many applicants: What exactly happens during a citizenship interview? How should I prepare for it? What does it feel like to sit across from an IO who bombards you with questions? I hope my experience, marked by moments of anxiety, diligent preparation, and persistence, can offer some clarity to these questions.
Preparing for the Naturalization Interview
Benjamin Franklin’s adage, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail,” resonates strongly when it comes to the N-400 interview. Success at the interview is all about knowing and retaining facts, and the only way to achieve that is through thorough preparation.
- Mastering the Civics Test
The civics test is a crucial part of the naturalization process. Understanding this, I studied all 100 civics test questions until I was confident, I could answer each one quickly and without hesitation. The USCIS website offers a wealth of study materials; there are also several free study apps available to help you practice for the civics test. Even after mastering all the study materials, I continued to practice answering each question until the day of my interview.
- Reviewing My N-400 Application
I reviewed my application multiple times until I felt assured that I knew all the details inside and out. I also gathered a complete printout of my submitted N-400 application along with any additional evidence that might be useful. This included the past five years of my tax return transcripts, my passports, and original birth and marriage certificates. I organized everything in a binder with tabs for easy access.
- Time Management
Overall, I began about three weeks before my appointment, but I would recommend starting even earlier. Don’t wait until the last minute to review your evidence—it may take longer than expected to collect all the necessary documents.
What to Expect During the USCIS Naturalization Interview
On the day of the interview, I waited in the USCIS office until a young, determined man came to get me. He walked quickly, almost as if he were in a hurry, and reminded me of one of my son’s young enthusiastic soccer coaches. At first, I assumed he was the IO's assistant or a clerk, but it turned out he was the IO who would be conducting my interview. He moved so quickly through the corridors—left, right, left, right—that I actually lost sight of him for a moment. His office was all the way at the back of the building, but luckily, he had left the door open, so I was able to find him as I searched. It was a nerve-wracking way to start the interview.
He sat behind his desk, and I sat in front of it. So far, so good.
- Answering Personal and Immigration History Questions
The first step was taking an oath to tell the truth, which, at least, was the easy part.
I then expected him to check my ID documents, but he didn’t.
Instead, he immediately began asking questions, starting with when I first came to the U.S. I wasn’t entirely sure how to answer, as I had visited the U.S. a few times on vacation before moving here with my family. I decided to give the year I moved here with my family but made sure to explain this clearly to the IO to avoid any confusion.
The IO then turned to his computer and began asking me random questions from my application, such as details about my family, my marital status, where I worked, and how many children I had. I knew he was checking for consistency, ensuring my answers matched what I had submitted. I also understood that any discrepancies in my responses and my application could raise red flags, so I made sure to answer carefully.
- Communication Challenges – Dealing with Fast-Paced Questions
Throughout the interview, the IO spoke so rapidly that it was hard to keep up. Even though I’m fluent in English and accustomed to different accents, his quick pace made it challenging to follow. Adding to the difficulty, he mumbled while reading his questions from the computer screen. Despite having perfect hearing, I found it quite challenging to catch everything he said, and I couldn’t help but wonder how those with hearing difficulties or less fluent in English would manage. In fact, he mentioned that he had failed the woman he interviewed before me because she didn’t understand a question on the application about whether she owed any taxes. As a result, she couldn’t answer it, even though it was one of the many questions she should have already addressed in the application. I had hoped the interview would feel more like a conversation between the two of us, but instead, it felt distinctly like an interrogation. Staying hyper-focused became absolutely necessary.
At one point, he claimed I had left a yes-or-no question on my application unanswered. However, I knew with certainty that I had answered it because I had a scanned copy of my entire application and supporting documents right in front of me. Although I wanted to argue my case and point out that the question had been addressed on the form, I decided against it. Instead, I calmly answered the question directly as it was asked. I realized that challenging the IO at that moment could potentially escalate the situation or invite unnecessary scrutiny—a risk I wasn’t willing to take. There was little to gain from debating the matter during the interview itself.
- Taking the English and Civics Tests
He eventually switched topics and we started the civics test. While he didn’t specifically tell me we were moving on to the civics test, it became clear as the questions progressed. For example, he first asked me to read some simple questions aloud that appeared on a pin pad next to me, testing my ability to read in English. He then read five sentences aloud and asked me to write them on the same pin pad, testing my writing skills. After that, he asked me questions from the study materials, including one about the governor of my state and one about what happened on September 11, 2001. Because I had prepared, I found this part of the interview to be the easiest.
After I answered all the quiz questions correctly, he told me I had passed the interview. I then received a document called Form N-652, Naturalization Interview Results which showed the outcome of my interview, indicating I passed.
The entire interview process took about 10 minutes.
Reflections and Tips for Future Applicants
Overall, maintaining a calm, respectful and cooperative demeanor throughout the interview proved to be the best approach. My confidence stemmed from the thorough preparation I had done beforehand. Having studied the civics test questions, reviewed my application in detail, and meticulously organized my documents, I felt reasonably prepared to handle the challenges that might arise. From the moment I stepped into the office, I reminded myself to stay composed and focused, even when faced with rapid or unexpected questioning from the IO. With the limited time available, I focused on providing relevant answers and avoided unnecessary details that might complicate the process. This approach allowed me to navigate the experience successfully.
Key Takeaways: How to Pass the N-400 Interview
- Understand the Immigration Officer’s Role: Officers’ personalities and approaches vary, so be prepared for anything from conversational to clinical interactions. The power dynamic is real, but staying respectful and composed is vital.
- Organize Your Documents: Having your materials well-organized saves time and reduces stress. Use a binder with tabs for easy navigation.
- Answer Questions Clearly and Concisely: Keep responses concise and truthful. Avoid volunteering unnecessary information. However, if you don’t understand what the IO is asking, don’t hesitate to politely ask for clarification. It’s better to ensure you fully understand the question than to provide an incorrect or incomplete answer.
Final Tips for Naturalization Interview Success:
- Start preparing early and thoroughly.
- Know your application inside and out.
- Practice the civics test questions until your answers come naturally.
- Bring all required documents, organized for quick access.
- Stay calm, confident, and respectful.
The USCIS Citizenship Resource Center has a wealth of information to help applicants prepare for this process. Our law firm also handles naturalization applications, and our attorneys are available to evaluate whether you qualify to apply for U.S. citizenship. Please contact us for a free evaluation: evaluation@niwus.com.
Good luck on your path to citizenship!
