Interview Day and Dyslexia
Nov 3rd 2009, 3:18 pm
#1
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Interview Day and Dyslexia
Some of you may remember my recently asking about your N400 interview –
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=633230 - whether or not you were able to go into the interview with your spouse.
Well – finally the day for my husband’s interview came.
It was yesterday.
1:00pm.
D Day – as far as he was concerned.
And yes, he was STILL as nervous as could be.
He didn’t sleep the night before. He clamored out of the house at 5am and started to rake leaves before the sun finished rising, JUST to try and calm his nerves. After that, he did a load of laundry, took down all the Halloween decorations, cleaned the bathroom and made breakfast. None of it served to settle him at all – this plus the lack of sleep – by the time we pulled out of the driveway to leave, he looked like death warmed over.
You may recall, we’d been struggling with the dyslexia issue.
Many, many months ago, we’d looked into getting a waiver (N648) over it.
This was another stresser because the Newark NJ office (and a few others, Philly, Detroit) he’d been interviewing at – turns out, they’re under severe scrutiny where these waivers are concerned. They’d been experiencing a great deal of fraud, particularly this year – and it wasn’t guaranteed that any waiver we submitted would even be accepted.
Anyway, we just decided to do away with any waiver, suck it up, and do the best he could.
We pull out of the driveway, and hit the road for the 1pm appt ...
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=633230 - whether or not you were able to go into the interview with your spouse.
Well – finally the day for my husband’s interview came.
It was yesterday.
1:00pm.
D Day – as far as he was concerned.
And yes, he was STILL as nervous as could be.
He didn’t sleep the night before. He clamored out of the house at 5am and started to rake leaves before the sun finished rising, JUST to try and calm his nerves. After that, he did a load of laundry, took down all the Halloween decorations, cleaned the bathroom and made breakfast. None of it served to settle him at all – this plus the lack of sleep – by the time we pulled out of the driveway to leave, he looked like death warmed over.
You may recall, we’d been struggling with the dyslexia issue.
Many, many months ago, we’d looked into getting a waiver (N648) over it.
This was another stresser because the Newark NJ office (and a few others, Philly, Detroit) he’d been interviewing at – turns out, they’re under severe scrutiny where these waivers are concerned. They’d been experiencing a great deal of fraud, particularly this year – and it wasn’t guaranteed that any waiver we submitted would even be accepted.
Anyway, we just decided to do away with any waiver, suck it up, and do the best he could.
We pull out of the driveway, and hit the road for the 1pm appt ...
Nov 3rd 2009, 3:23 pm
#2
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Re: Interview Day and Dyslexia
I should preface this by saying that the speed with which he was called for his interview was amazing.
We’ve lived in NY for quite a while until the spring of this year.
We moved from NY to NJ in March of this year.
We filed the N400 in July.
His fingerprints were taken in August.
His interview scheduled for Nov 2.
That’s wicked fast, IMHO.
I’m certain if we’d still been in NY, it would’ve taken a lot longer than 4 months.
We’ve lived in NY for quite a while until the spring of this year.
We moved from NY to NJ in March of this year.
We filed the N400 in July.
His fingerprints were taken in August.
His interview scheduled for Nov 2.
That’s wicked fast, IMHO.
I’m certain if we’d still been in NY, it would’ve taken a lot longer than 4 months.
Nov 3rd 2009, 3:36 pm
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Re: Interview Day and Dyslexia
Tho it states not to arrive more than 30mins before the appt time, we did just that.
We didn’t know the area and wanted to make sure we had enough time to search for parking, etc.
Appt at 1pm and we walked thru the door at around 5 after 12.
Very efficient check in – go thru security, ride elevator to the 15th floor, show id, go to window #1 and they take his appt letter.
The waiting room is 3/4 full, the requisite crying babies and all.
We're fully prepared paperwork wise. All the needed documentation and more – everything they’ve told us to bring.
Tax returns, mtg statements, marriage ceertificate, etc, etc.
I know I packed much more than we needed but I rather have it and NOT need it than the reverse!
We watched people get called up for various things and as expected you could tell, NO ONE was going back with their spouses for their interview.
At one point I reached over and held my husband’s for a little reassurance. I couldn’t tell if I was holding his hand or holding a slice of baloney – THAT’S how nervous and sweaty he was.
My heart broke.
I felt so badly for him. There was nothing I could do.
After about a 15 minute wait, they called his name.
We didn’t know the area and wanted to make sure we had enough time to search for parking, etc.
Appt at 1pm and we walked thru the door at around 5 after 12.
Very efficient check in – go thru security, ride elevator to the 15th floor, show id, go to window #1 and they take his appt letter.
The waiting room is 3/4 full, the requisite crying babies and all.
We're fully prepared paperwork wise. All the needed documentation and more – everything they’ve told us to bring.
Tax returns, mtg statements, marriage ceertificate, etc, etc.
I know I packed much more than we needed but I rather have it and NOT need it than the reverse!
We watched people get called up for various things and as expected you could tell, NO ONE was going back with their spouses for their interview.
At one point I reached over and held my husband’s for a little reassurance. I couldn’t tell if I was holding his hand or holding a slice of baloney – THAT’S how nervous and sweaty he was.
My heart broke.
I felt so badly for him. There was nothing I could do.
After about a 15 minute wait, they called his name.
Nov 3rd 2009, 3:40 pm
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Re: Interview Day and Dyslexia
Why so nervous by the way? What's the worst thing that can happen? He stays permanent resident?
Nov 3rd 2009, 3:56 pm
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Re: Interview Day and Dyslexia
to be continued? 
Nov 3rd 2009, 3:59 pm
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Re: Interview Day and Dyslexia
Up he went behind door #1.
The officer’s name was Mr. Chu.
He says, Mr. Chu was business like but kindly.
Asked to see his passport and:
whether he’d been out of the country since filing the N400
asked if we lived together
asked for the taxes
asked him if he wanted a drink of water because (my husband) looked THAT shaken! (he declined)
continued to flip thru the very thick file as he spoke
asked for our marriage certificate
That was all he asked for, documentation wise.
The officer then asked him to read 2 sentences.
Then asked hubby to write 2 sentences.
“Washington DC is the capitol of the United States.”
“Columbus Day is in October.”
He had calmed down a bit and was able to answer the questions with no problem at all.
Writing – which unless he’s relaxed and focused, is quite problematic for him.
When we lived in NY, we lived on “Washington” avenue so he nailed that one with no prob.
He had difficulty with “capitol”.
He had all the letters there but, as is often the case with him, they weren’t in the proper order.
So the officer asked him write the Columbus sentence.
He said he steadied himself as best as he could, and wrote it.
He got it right!
The officer then asked him what happens if the president and vp can’t serve.
He got the answer right.
That was it.
He said that it seems the officer was very understanding from the get go.
He said he was asked a few more routine questions and then Mr. Chu pulled out a big red stamp and pressed it down on the page marking it “APPROVED”.
They shook hands and the officer told him to wait outside until his name was called.
By 1:20, he was back outside and beaming!
He sat down and was just elated!
I was so happy for him.
About 1/2 hr later or so, they called his name again and we both went up to the window.
I’d gone because hubby ran to the bathroom and wouldn’t you know it, they called his name while he was in there!
I went up to explain but by the time I’d finished explaining, he was back.
They asked him to look over his naturalization certificate, make sure all the info was correct and sign it – in black ink – they supplied the black ink pen.
He signed 2 certificates – a copy and the original.
They told us he’d be sworn in that day at 4pm and that we could go to the cafeteria in the building if we wanted or outside or what have you – so long as we were back by 3:30pm.
We did just that.
Grabbed a snack then back to the waiting room for the swearing in.
The officer’s name was Mr. Chu.
He says, Mr. Chu was business like but kindly.
Asked to see his passport and:
whether he’d been out of the country since filing the N400
asked if we lived together
asked for the taxes
asked him if he wanted a drink of water because (my husband) looked THAT shaken! (he declined)
continued to flip thru the very thick file as he spoke
asked for our marriage certificate
That was all he asked for, documentation wise.
The officer then asked him to read 2 sentences.
Then asked hubby to write 2 sentences.
“Washington DC is the capitol of the United States.”
“Columbus Day is in October.”
He had calmed down a bit and was able to answer the questions with no problem at all.
Writing – which unless he’s relaxed and focused, is quite problematic for him.
When we lived in NY, we lived on “Washington” avenue so he nailed that one with no prob.
He had difficulty with “capitol”.
He had all the letters there but, as is often the case with him, they weren’t in the proper order.
So the officer asked him write the Columbus sentence.
He said he steadied himself as best as he could, and wrote it.
He got it right!
The officer then asked him what happens if the president and vp can’t serve.
He got the answer right.
That was it.
He said that it seems the officer was very understanding from the get go.
He said he was asked a few more routine questions and then Mr. Chu pulled out a big red stamp and pressed it down on the page marking it “APPROVED”.
They shook hands and the officer told him to wait outside until his name was called.
By 1:20, he was back outside and beaming!
He sat down and was just elated!
I was so happy for him.
About 1/2 hr later or so, they called his name again and we both went up to the window.
I’d gone because hubby ran to the bathroom and wouldn’t you know it, they called his name while he was in there!
I went up to explain but by the time I’d finished explaining, he was back.
They asked him to look over his naturalization certificate, make sure all the info was correct and sign it – in black ink – they supplied the black ink pen.
He signed 2 certificates – a copy and the original.
They told us he’d be sworn in that day at 4pm and that we could go to the cafeteria in the building if we wanted or outside or what have you – so long as we were back by 3:30pm.
We did just that.
Grabbed a snack then back to the waiting room for the swearing in.
Nov 3rd 2009, 4:03 pm
#8
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Re: Interview Day and Dyslexia
Congratulations
So how did the oath go?
So how did the oath go?
Nov 3rd 2009, 4:14 pm
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Re: Interview Day and Dyslexia
I forgot my camera that day.
Had my cell and my Palm from work tho.
All the applicants filed into a large room – about 100 people.
Then they let family and friends in to be seated behind them.
Myself and a few others sat on the side so we could take pictures.
An officer gave a short but genuinely moving speech.
Hubby was emotional, I cried.
He said he felt ‘powerful’ when they were all reciting the pledge of allegiance.
He was sworn in, I snapped away as he was given his certificate.
We ended up leaving around 5pm.
A wonderful ending to the day.
His only regret was that he wasn’t able to vote for governor today.
There wasn’t, of course, any way for him to get registered in time.
Many thanks for all the encouragement many of you all gave me a few months ago when I originally raised this question.
I’ve learned so much about, not just dyslexia, but learning disabilities in general over the past few years.
We’ve been able to find many resources for children with learning disabilities but for adults, it’s been more of a challenge.
My husband was diagnosed in is native country with this reading disability but all of the documentation he has, we wouldn’t have been able to use them for the waiver. We had to line up appts and screenings and testing with specialists from here in the US. Not cheap.
And here’s an article regards N648 fraud. I have another one somewhere here that’s specific to the Newark office where he was interviewed. Apparently, people were getting out of taking the test or needing to speak english big time by submitting phony waivers.
_____
3 convicted in naturalization scheme
ICE and USCIS work together to stop fraud
PHILADELPHIA - Two doctors and a business man were convicted today for their role in a naturalization fraud conspiracy after an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Dr. Habeeb Malik, 60, of Broomall, Penn., Dr. Ira Weiner, 59, of Narberth, Penn., and Dr. Thongchai Vorasingha, 73, of Wallingford, Penn., were convicted July 20 by a federal court jury on charges they conspired to make false statements in applications to become U. S. citizens and committed fraud in connection with the applications. Malik was also convicted of filing false tax returns that failed to report hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxable income.
According to court records, Malik owned The Foundation of Human Services in Broomall which purported to assist foreign individuals in becoming naturalized U. S. citizens. As part of the scheme, Malik would refer clients to Weiner and Vorasingha who would "examine" the clients and then complete a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) waiver form N-648.
The N-648 waiver is a Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. The form is intended for applicants for U.S. citizenship who seek an exception to the English and civics testing requirements for naturalization "because of physical or developmental disability or mental impairment."
The waiver forms falsely stated that the applicants suffered from various permanent maladies that impaired their ability to learn English when in fact the doctors knew that the applicants did not suffer from any of these ailments and were not eligible for the waiver. Malik charged his clients approximately $2,000 for this service and paid Weiner and Vorasingha approximately $120 for the "examinations."
"This conviction is the direct result of close coordination between ICE and USCIS," said John P. Kelleghan, special agent in charge of ICE's Office of Investigations in Philadelphia. "What we have been able to do together is expose a conspiracy to defraud the government and put a stop to individuals seeking to exploit our nation's immigration system. This case should put others on notice that ICE and USCIS will continue to work together to combat fraud and restore integrity to our nation's immigration system."
The conviction is the result of an investigation by ICE special agents assigned to the Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force and was conducted in coordination with USCIS.
Weiner and Vorasingha face up to three years in prison. They will be sentenced on October 21 and October 22 respectively. Malik faces up to four years in prison and will be sentenced on October 20. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorneys Michael Bresnick and Richard Zack.
http://www.debbieschlussel.com/5203/...ry-of-the-day/
Had my cell and my Palm from work tho.
All the applicants filed into a large room – about 100 people.
Then they let family and friends in to be seated behind them.
Myself and a few others sat on the side so we could take pictures.
An officer gave a short but genuinely moving speech.
Hubby was emotional, I cried.
He said he felt ‘powerful’ when they were all reciting the pledge of allegiance.
He was sworn in, I snapped away as he was given his certificate.
We ended up leaving around 5pm.
A wonderful ending to the day.
His only regret was that he wasn’t able to vote for governor today.
There wasn’t, of course, any way for him to get registered in time.
Many thanks for all the encouragement many of you all gave me a few months ago when I originally raised this question.
I’ve learned so much about, not just dyslexia, but learning disabilities in general over the past few years.
We’ve been able to find many resources for children with learning disabilities but for adults, it’s been more of a challenge.
My husband was diagnosed in is native country with this reading disability but all of the documentation he has, we wouldn’t have been able to use them for the waiver. We had to line up appts and screenings and testing with specialists from here in the US. Not cheap.
And here’s an article regards N648 fraud. I have another one somewhere here that’s specific to the Newark office where he was interviewed. Apparently, people were getting out of taking the test or needing to speak english big time by submitting phony waivers.
_____
3 convicted in naturalization scheme
ICE and USCIS work together to stop fraud
PHILADELPHIA - Two doctors and a business man were convicted today for their role in a naturalization fraud conspiracy after an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Dr. Habeeb Malik, 60, of Broomall, Penn., Dr. Ira Weiner, 59, of Narberth, Penn., and Dr. Thongchai Vorasingha, 73, of Wallingford, Penn., were convicted July 20 by a federal court jury on charges they conspired to make false statements in applications to become U. S. citizens and committed fraud in connection with the applications. Malik was also convicted of filing false tax returns that failed to report hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxable income.
According to court records, Malik owned The Foundation of Human Services in Broomall which purported to assist foreign individuals in becoming naturalized U. S. citizens. As part of the scheme, Malik would refer clients to Weiner and Vorasingha who would "examine" the clients and then complete a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) waiver form N-648.
The N-648 waiver is a Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. The form is intended for applicants for U.S. citizenship who seek an exception to the English and civics testing requirements for naturalization "because of physical or developmental disability or mental impairment."
The waiver forms falsely stated that the applicants suffered from various permanent maladies that impaired their ability to learn English when in fact the doctors knew that the applicants did not suffer from any of these ailments and were not eligible for the waiver. Malik charged his clients approximately $2,000 for this service and paid Weiner and Vorasingha approximately $120 for the "examinations."
"This conviction is the direct result of close coordination between ICE and USCIS," said John P. Kelleghan, special agent in charge of ICE's Office of Investigations in Philadelphia. "What we have been able to do together is expose a conspiracy to defraud the government and put a stop to individuals seeking to exploit our nation's immigration system. This case should put others on notice that ICE and USCIS will continue to work together to combat fraud and restore integrity to our nation's immigration system."
The conviction is the result of an investigation by ICE special agents assigned to the Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force and was conducted in coordination with USCIS.
Weiner and Vorasingha face up to three years in prison. They will be sentenced on October 21 and October 22 respectively. Malik faces up to four years in prison and will be sentenced on October 20. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorneys Michael Bresnick and Richard Zack.
http://www.debbieschlussel.com/5203/...ry-of-the-day/
Nov 3rd 2009, 4:20 pm
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Re: Interview Day and Dyslexia
Congratulations!
Nov 3rd 2009, 4:29 pm
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Re: Interview Day and Dyslexia
Thanks Milan!
What a relief - the actual thought of us never having to deal with the USCIS again ... priceless!
What a relief - the actual thought of us never having to deal with the USCIS again ... priceless!
Nov 3rd 2009, 4:30 pm
#12
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Posts: 46,392
Re: Interview Day and Dyslexia
Congratulations.
I know it has been a long road and I remember you and your husband first starting out on this path. Also a great joy to see a couple get to this point and finish their dealing with the USCIS. Double joy when it is someone such as your husband with a learning disability.
Once again, congratulations and may your future be as might as the smile you both wore yesterday.
I know it has been a long road and I remember you and your husband first starting out on this path. Also a great joy to see a couple get to this point and finish their dealing with the USCIS. Double joy when it is someone such as your husband with a learning disability.
Once again, congratulations and may your future be as might as the smile you both wore yesterday.
Nov 3rd 2009, 4:38 pm
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Re: Interview Day and Dyslexia
Thanks so much for the kind words Rete.
Indeed – it’s been a long road. Glad to be at the end of it.
Still, I have to say tho, we’ve been quite fortunate.
I don’t think we experienced even one little glitch thru out the process.
Most of the people we’ve come in contact with at USCIS have been really quite helpful.
Thanks again!
(he’s already filing for his US Passport today)
Indeed – it’s been a long road. Glad to be at the end of it.
Still, I have to say tho, we’ve been quite fortunate.
I don’t think we experienced even one little glitch thru out the process.
Most of the people we’ve come in contact with at USCIS have been really quite helpful.
Thanks again!
(he’s already filing for his US Passport today)
Nov 3rd 2009, 4:56 pm
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Posts: 35,082
Re: Interview Day and Dyslexia
Congratulations Mister Janadeen! You're our 'keeper' now.
It's always so fun to see more old timers back around. Thanks for the installment version of the story.. way fun to read!
It's always so fun to see more old timers back around. Thanks for the installment version of the story.. way fun to read!
Nov 3rd 2009, 5:06 pm
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Re: Interview Day and Dyslexia
Rene