6/8/10

Approval to become an American!

"I AM DONE WITH IMMIGRATION - HALLELUJAH!"

Yes this morning I passed the final hurdle to becoming an American at my USCIS interview, now I just have the Oath ceremony to complete. It all went very smoothly, I wasn't nervous and felt fully prepared - until she slid the first question across the desk to me!

'When is Columbus Day?'

To which my immediate internal thought was "oh sh*t, that isn't one of the questions, wtf?!" and mild panic immediately set in. She asked me to read it aloud, which I did, then she handed me a blank sheet and told me to write out "Columbus Day is in October", which I did. Then she told me I had passed the reading and writing test, at which point I laughed and said "thank goodness, because that question wasn't on the list and I didn't know the answer", which made her laugh too!

She then asked me the following questions:

  • What does the Cabinet do?

  • When do we celebrate Independence day?

  • What was Benjamin Franklin famous for?

  • What was the war between the north and the south called?

  • Name a branch or part of the government?

  • What does the Constitution do?
And I'm pleased to say I instantly knew each answer and passed, I was just pleased to avoid all the questions to do with 'rights', which are confusing.

I then spent another 20 minutes answering questions I had answered on my application, to make sure I gave the same answer I guess. Then we went right through the list of general questions: Are you a terrorist, have you ever been in jail, are you a drinker, do you owe any taxes and many more, all of which she met my eye as I answered each one. I was amused however, when she asked me if I'd ever been a prostitute and it was the only one she didn't glance up to eyeball me!

And that was it, she got out her big APPROVED stamp and punched my file. I commented on how huge my file was, and she laughed and said yes they keep everything from day one, I said I had a similar sized one at home too! She confirmed the Oath Ceremony will be in the next 2 months, that it's a big deal, I should dress up and bring family and friends with camera's!

Then as she walked me out she asked if I would like to make a speech at the Oath Ceremony! She explained they choose one person to represent each group taking the Oath and I would have to speak on what this means to me for 5-10 minutes, after the Judge introduces me and speaks a little. I said I would be happy too and she said they will let me know if I am selected.

And that was that, approval to become an American achieved, so now I just need to memorise the Oath!

Thank you for all the thoughts and good vibes.

25 comments:

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Good for you. I would have panicked at the Columbus day question also.

Bethanie said...

Well done Sarah! I can't even tell you when Columbus Day is off the top of my head and I have been a yank since day one nearly 40 years ago!

Mary (Bookfan) said...

That's wonderful, Sarah! Do you think someone could record you speaking at the Oath Ceremony? I would love to see it!

Sarah*G* said...

Congratulations! I hope to one day be able to post a similar blog entry!

You are now done with USCIS. I bet that feels great!

Anonymous said...

Well done you! Not only have you put in the time and the effort, more importantly, it is truly where your home and heart are to be found.

Anonymous said...

Wow, congrats, Sarah! I am so proud of you! Well done!

I even posted a blog entry today about you and your brave effort to become a US citizen. You inspire everybody. Way to go, girl!

As for your nic, you are still a Brit Gal in the USA, holding dual citizenship, so please don't change your nic!

Sherri said...

WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO Sarah!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you! I hope you do get picked to make the speech! You go girl!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations from a reader in Alabama!!

Gaelyn said...

Right on! So what does the cabinet do except maybe hold the dishes? ;-) Congrats you American you.

Linda Jennings said...

Congratulations from Kentucky!

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Well done, and congratulations !!

Amy said...

Congratulations. Wouldn't it be great if you got to take your oath on July 4th??!!

Expat mum said...

Wow - I hope you get to speak, but no fair on the questions.
The bastard (sorry) who interviewed me asked me the full ten questions even though I got the first 6 right, and also asked me to name the original 13 colonies. Pah!

tqe | Adam said...

Way Cool!

Congratulations on passing the test.

MikeH said...

Congratulations!!!!!! But don't you love the questions? "Are you a terrorist?" "Yes, I am. Say, you don't think that will hurt my chances of getting in, do you?"

VictorianCobweb said...

Hallelujah! Proud to be an Okie ur I guess that should be an American! Way to go!

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS! You've worked hard for this.

It would be great if you were picked to speak at the Oath ceremony. We'll be expecting lots of pictures.

Oh, Columbus Day is October 12 - the date he landed in the Americas - but is now celebrated on the 2nd Monday in October.

Lynn said...

Awesome! Congratulations my fellow American! (and fellow Okie)

LHA said...

MASSIVE CONGRATS!! This is great!! Just think — no more visa interviews/applications EVER!!

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

Fantastic news!

Victoria x

Unknown said...

Thanks everyone, I'm very chuffed!

Sandy said...

WooHoo!!

Big Happy Congratulations to you!!

Sam_I_am said...

I think Columbus day is the second Monday in October and I only know that because I work in one of the few places that actually still get that day off!

Congrats!

Jill of All Trades said...

So Congrats Sarah....YEAH!

Kay said...

Oh WONDERFUL, Sarah! I'm so happy everything went so well for you. You deserve it! I loved reading this post. Good grief! I had to stop and think when IS Columbus Day. I kept thinking 1492... pitiful! I've only been retired from teaching 6 years, for goodness sake.