Jaco Meba
Apr 4, 2024
N-400. Interview experience. Miami Field Office
I had my N-400 interview today at the Miami, FL, field office.
I applied on the grounds of marriage with a U.S. citizen.
I passed my US naturalization interview. The civics test came first, very easy, but afterward, the interview turned “intense.”
The immigration officer was always nice and respectful. However, he meticulously scrutinized my immigration history, as well as my husband’s. Then he dived deep into our relationship, seemingly searching for any hint of past fraud. Interestingly, our previous interviews – for the marriage (I-485) and the removal of conditions – were smooth; the latter even had the interview waived, and I received the green card in the mail.
The officer focused on a period when we had to live apart for 11 months – me in Boston and him in Miami – during our third year of marriage while I was pursuing a research postdoc at Harvard. I had to demonstrate that our marital union remained intact throughout that period to be eligible based on marriage to a US citizen. I provided photos of his many trips to Boston, my visits to Miami, hundreds of minutes of phone call records, as well as joint financial and insurance documents with my Mass address and both our names on them to prove our continued commitment. Despite the officer’s scrutiny, I was well-prepared; I had studied the USCIS policy manual to anticipate questions about our marriage and this time apart.
He then said he would recommend approval and put me in line for Judicial Oath Ceremony schedule. (At a courthouse, given a name change request).
Lesson learned: It is not wise to assume that just because something was approved in the past, it will be approved “easily” now. The N-400 is the opportunity the government has to scrutinize your immigration history and take action retrospectively. Naturalization is the most significant immigration benefit that USCIS can give and will not be able to be revoked easily. Treat your N-400 interview as if you started from scratch.
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Michael SamuelApr 4, 2024
congratulations and thanks for the whole update. it’s a great lesson.
K IApr 4, 2024
Congratulations
maxx trilokaniApr 5, 2024
hey jaco are you still married
Sabina KunderaApr 9, 2024
did you request name change in your n 400 form?
Joe NdiayeApr 11, 2024
Congratulations and thank you for sharing this enlightening thread. I find myself in a similar situation: my wife, a realtor, purchased a house where she resides while I work in the city, staying at our original residence and managing all bills with both names and banking. There's a one-year gap where she wasn't on the lease, and I visit on weekends while she spends most weekdays in our original place . Should I be concerned about legal implications or should I focus on gathering evidence? Also, did you both undergo interviews ? I’m due about a month and she’s in Africa taking care of her sick MoM .
Jaco MebaApr 30, 2024
hello! @Joe Ndiaye I think you’re good to go, after all there is evidence that ties her to your original place. Just explain to the officer. And no, she doesn’t have to be there, unless you have a pending I-751.
Jaco MebaApr 30, 2024
@Sabina Kundera Yes, I did; I placed my middle name as the first name now. My Oath Ceremony was scheduled the day after my interview and took place 2 weeks later.
Jaco MebaApr 30, 2024
@maxx trilokani yes, I am :)
Joe NdiayeApr 30, 2024
@Jaco Meba - thank
you indeed I do have a pending 751 and wife is abroad taking care of her sick mother
