US Citizenship - the interview

Our recent US citizenship applicants were interviewed within a few months of applying for citizenship. At the interview, the officer goes over the entire N400 application with an applicant and administers the English and civics examination. While the process can vary around the country and changes from time to time, usually one of three things happen at the conclusion of the interview:

If granted USCIS may tell you of the date/time of you’re swearing in ceremony. If you are not told at the interview, you will receive a notice telling you when and where your oath ceremony.

If an applicant has an old conviction or tax issue, you may not be approved for US citizenship on the date of the interview. Interviewing officers may inform you that a letter with the USCIS decision will be mailed to you.

If the application is continued, this means your case is put on hold. This will add to your naturalization process. Common reasons for continuation are failing the English or civics tests, or failing to give the USCIS the documents they need.

When continued you will be asked to do one of two things: either to come for a second interview usually within 60-90 days of the first interview, or to provide additional documents. If you do not do what USCIS asks, your application may be denied.

If denied, you will receive a notice telling you why. There is an administrative review process for applicants who received denials. If you feel that you were wrongly denied, you may request a hearing with a USCIS officer. Your denial letter will explain how to request a hearing and will include the form you need. The form for filing an appeal is the “Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings under Section 336 of the Act” (Form N-336).

It is always important for people to have the N400 and any immigration application reviewed by an immigration attorney. Last week, we had four (4) citizenship applicants from New Hampshire get free advice from attorneys at our clinic.

Marriage Immigration cases

Couples who filed paperwork having had their applications reviewed at our last clinic have already received notices to go for fingerprints.

Applicants for legal status based on marriage to US citizens are now getting called within a few months of filing for adjustment of status.

We remind couples who are thinking of this process not to delay filing for status. Being married to a US citizen in itself does not confer any status on an immigrant or any protection from removal from the USA by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

July immigration clinic

Our next free immigration clinic will be on Tuesday July 2, 2013, at The Banshee, 934 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester. Attorneys Chris Lavery and Dan Harrington will be present to answer queries on all aspects of immigration and US citizenship. All information remains confidential between our service users and probono attorneys.

If you have any questions in the meantime, readers are invited to email me.

Disclaimer: Please note that the information contained in it is provided to inform generally, and is not intended as a substitute for individual advice. Immigration law is subject to frequent changes and individual circumstances can affect the application of certain legal provisions. For individual legal advice, please contact the Irish Pastoral Centre directly regarding upcoming legal clinics or consultation with an immigration attorney.

See more at: http://irishemigrant.com/ie/go.asp?p=story&storyID=15928#sthash.rRqj0TMo.dpuf