Before the Interview You have come to the USCIS office for your Citizenship interview. There is a l-o-n-g line to get into the office. What do you do? a) Cry. b) Go home. Call USCIS for another interview appointment. c) Stand in line and be late for the Citizenship interview. d) Take out your appointment letter from the USCIS. Pass the people in line. Go to the front of the line. Show the guard the letter. Follow the Guard’s instructions.

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Entering the USCIS Office USCIS Guard Do you have an appointment today?

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Do you have a cell phone or food?

Applicant Yes. I have an interview for citizenship. Here is my appointment letter. Yes. No.  Go back to your car.  Leave the food or cell phone in the car.  Go back to the Guard

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Please step through the security gate.

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Turn right. Go to Room 101.

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 The Guard will tell you to put your purse or jacket through the security x-ray machine.

Thank you. (Step through the security gate). Where do I go for the interview? Thank you.

The Interview Waiting Room USCIS Clerk Applicant Put your interview notice in the box and Thank you. (Put the letter in the box and sit down). take a seat. Someone will call you.

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Small Talk 1 USCIS Examiner “First Name, Last Name?” Follow me. Come in. How are you today?

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Did anyone come with you today?

Applicant Yes! Here I am! (Follow the examiner to his or her office).  I’m fine.  I’m excited.  I’m a little  I’m ready for the nervous. interview!  I came by myself.  My _____________________came with me. Husband, Wife, Son, Daughter, Friend, Lawyer, Case Worker.

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How did you get here today?

 I drove my car.  I took the bus / a cab / Lyft / public transit.  My _______________________ drove me. Husband, Wife, Son, Daughter, Friend, Lawyer, Case Worker.

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How was the traffic? How long did it take you to get here?

The traffic was ok / good / slow / terrible. It took about ___________________ minutes.

This work by Jennifer Gagliardi is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Before the Interview Office Commands USCIS Examiner 13 Come in. 14 Put your bag in the (left / middle / right) chair. 15 Sit in the (left / middle / right) chair. Small Talk 2 USCIS Examiner 16 Why are you here today? 17 Why do you want to become an American citizen?

Applicant (Follow the Examiner into the office). (Put your bag in the left / middle / right chair). (Sit in the left / middle / right chair).

Applicant I want to be an American citizen.  I love America.  I love freedom.  I want to vote in elections.  There are many good opportunities here.

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Do you have any questions before we begin? 19 Are you ready for your interview?

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Oath to Tell the Truth USCIS Examiner Please stand. Please raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth? You can put your hand down now. What did you just promise?

 I want a better life for my children. (If you have any questions or concerns, ask the Examiner now). Yes, I am.

Applicant (Stand up) (Raise your right hand) Yes. (Put down your hand) I promised to tell the truth.

Identification and Elgibility USCIS Examiner Please be seated. Show me your Legal Permanent Resident Card. Did you bring two more forms of (stateissued) photo ID? Good, let’s begin.

Applicant (Sit down) Here is my Green Card. (Hand the card to the officer). Yes, here are my Driver’s License and my passport. (Show the ID).  I have been a legal permanent resident for 5 years. Explain how you are eligible to become  I’ve been a legal permanent resident for 3 a U.S. Citizen. years; I’ve been married to a US citizen for 3 years; and I’ve lived in the US for 3 years. Good Luck with your interview! This work by Jennifer Gagliardi is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.