Transcription
Hello everyone. I'm Jackie and I'm here to help you pass your American citizenship interview. Many of you have asked me what are the most frequently asked questions during the citizenship interview. Well, first of all, every interview is different and what you will be asked depends on the interviewing officer and your application. However, I have compiled a list of the most common questions based on feedback from actual applicants. Make sure to watch until the end because the last few questions are extremely important. Let's get started.
Why do you want to become an American citizen? The simple answer is "Because I want to vote." This is the main difference between a green card holder and an American citizen. Voting is your right and your responsibility as an American citizen. This is also a civics question. Other answers could be "I believe in the U.S. government" or "Because of the rights and freedoms of American citizens." Just pick what resonates with you.
What is the relationship of your children to you? When I ask this question during live Zoom sessions, some applicants will say "Very good," and that's incorrect. This question is not asking, "How is your relationship with your children?" which, as we know, can be good or bad. This question is asking if they are your biological children, stepchildren, or adopted children. So make sure to answer accordingly.
Have you ever registered to vote in any election in the United States? This question is related to Part 12, Questions 2 and 3 on your application. The answer to both questions should be "No." You should not register to vote or vote in any federal, state, or local election in the United States before you become an American citizen. The immigration officer might follow up and ask, "Why haven't you registered to vote in any election in the United States?" You can simply say, "Because I am not a U.S. citizen yet, but I hope to be soon."
Do you always file your taxes? Now this is a question you need to pay attention to. This is the opposite of the question in Part 12 of your N-400 application, Question 7a. Have you ever failed to file a federal, state, or local tax return since you became a lawful permanent resident? Regardless of how the immigration officer asks this question, the easy way to answer is, "I have always filed my taxes since I got my green card." It's okay if you haven't filed taxes for a good reason, such as your income being below the filing threshold. You can say, "I didn't file my taxes in 2022 because my income was below the tax filing threshold." One more thing, if you are applying for citizenship through marriage, it's a good idea to file your taxes jointly with your spouse. This shows that your marriage is legitimate. So you can say, "I have always filed my taxes jointly with my wife since I got my green card."
Do you owe any taxes? Filing and paying taxes shows that you have good moral character, which is one of the requirements to become an American citizen. So it's important that you do not owe any taxes at the time of your interview. However, if you do owe taxes and don't have the ability to pay them off, make sure you have an IRS payment plan. Additionally, bring your IRS payment plan and proof of payment to your citizenship interview to show that your account is up to date.
Have you ever represented yourself as a non-U.S. resident on any of your tax returns? This relates to Part 12, Question 8 on your N-400 application. A non-U.S. resident simply means someone who does not live in the United States. If you represented yourself as a non-U.S. resident on your tax returns, you don't have to pay certain taxes. So the answer should be "No." The reason is that you are a permanent resident and you have been living in the United States.
Can you show me your tax return transcripts, please? Your interview notice is very general and does not mention bringing tax return transcripts. However, I highly recommend that you bring them. I have seen more and more officers asking for them and your approval might be delayed if you don't have them. So, bring your tax return transcripts, not your tax returns. If you don't know the difference or how to get tax return transcripts, watch this video.
Do you believe in religious freedom? Warning! This is the opposite of the question in Part 12 of your N-400 application, Question 14f. Have you ever persecuted someone, or discriminated against a person, because he or she believed in a religion different from yours, or because he or she was an atheist? Remember, religious freedom is one of the rights in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and this means you can practice any religion or no religion at all. So the easiest way to answer this is, "I believe in religious freedom and I always allow others to practice their religion." By the way, if you want to get a feel for what a real citizenship interview is like, then you should check out our live mock interviews on Zoom. The mock interview will be tailored specifically for you. You will go over your N-400 application, take the civics test, the English reading and writing test, and test your ability to speak and understand English. At the end of the interview, we will review your performance, give you some tips for improvement, and address any questions you may have. If you are interested, check it out on our website. I will have a link in the description.
Have you ever been arrested, cited, or detained by any law enforcement officer for any reason? This question confuses a lot of applicants. If you have ever gotten a traffic ticket, the answer should be "Yes." Many applicants might answer this question incorrectly while filling out the form, and that's perfectly fine. Just tell the officer during the interview and bring your supporting documents. Usually, traffic tickets will not prevent you from getting citizenship, so there's no reason to hide them. I've gone into more detail in this video if you need additional information.
Are you a habitual drunkard? This relates to Part 12, Question 30a. A habitual drunkard is the same as an alcoholic, which means a person who drinks a lot of alcohol on a regular basis. So the answer should be "No."
Have you ever been a polygamist? Polygamy means marrying more than one person at the same time, and it is illegal in the United States. This relates to Part 12, Question 30d. So the answer should also be "No."
Have you ever failed to support your dependents or pay alimony? This relates to Part 12, Question 30h. Not paying child support or alimony shows a lack of good moral character and is one of the main reasons for denial of your citizenship application. So if you have minor children who do not live with you or you have to pay child support, make sure to bring supporting documents that prove you are making regular payments.
Have you ever made any misrepresentation to obtain any public benefit in the United States? This relates to Part 12, Question 30i. It is acceptable to receive unemployment benefits and public benefits such as food stamps or housing assistance. This will not affect your U.S. citizenship application. Misrepresentation means that you provided false information. So if you provided false information to get these benefits or failed to repay the government for overpaid benefits, then your application may be denied. So the answer to this question should be "No."
Have you registered for the Selective Service? On your interview notice, under the heading "You must bring the following with you to the interview," one of the documents is "Any proof of Selective Service registration." This only applies to male applicants. If you are a female applicant, you will not need to bring this. All men between the ages of 18 and 25 who are U.S. citizens or immigrants legally or illegally living in the United States are required to register for the Selective Service. If you are unsure if you have registered, you can use this link to check your registration. If you are a male applicant and have not registered for the Selective Service, be sure to watch this video.
The next few questions are extremely important because they relate to the Oath of Allegiance. I want to make sure you understand them thoroughly.
Do you support the Constitution and form of government of the United States? This is Question 45 on your application. If you become an American citizen, you must support the Constitution and the form of government of the United States. So the answer should be "Yes," and say it with confidence.
What is the Constitution? Remember, one of the civics questions asks, "What is the supreme law of the land?" and the answer is "The Constitution." So the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. In case the immigration officer asks that, you should be prepared.
What is the form of government of the United States? Do you know? The simple answer is "A Republic." Now, don't confuse this word with "Republican." "Republic" is a form of government, and "Republican" is one of the major political parties in the United States. So, whether the current president's political party is Democrat or Republican, the answer to this question is always "A Republic."
Do you understand the full Oath of Allegiance to the United States? This is Question 46 on your application. The Oath of Allegiance to the United States is what you need to recite during the oath ceremony, which is the final step before you officially become a U.S. citizen. So you must understand it thoroughly, and the answer to this question should be "Yes." Make sure to watch this video if you want to know what happens during the oath ceremony.
And what is the Oath of Allegiance to the United States? Do you know? The oath is a promise. So the Oath of Allegiance to the United States is a promise of loyalty to the United States.
Are you willing to take the full Oath of Allegiance to the United States? This is Question 47 on your application. Remember, you are not a U.S. citizen until you take the full Oath of Allegiance to the United States. So the answer again should be "Yes, I am willing to do so."
If the law requires it, are you willing to bear arms on behalf of the United States? This is Question 48 on your application. "Bear arms" means to use or carry a weapon, usually a gun. So this question asks, if during a war, the government asked you to use a weapon to defend the United States, would you be willing to do so? Again, the answer should be "Yes, I am willing to do so."
If the law requires it, are you willing to perform noncombatant services in the U.S. armed forces? This is Question 49 on your application. Noncombatant services are services that do not involve fighting during a war. So you would not be carrying or using a weapon. This question asks if you are willing to help the U.S. armed forces during a war without using a weapon. The answer should be "Yes, I am willing to do so."
And what if they ask, can you give an example of noncombatant services you can perform? Some good examples are cooking for soldiers, nursing, or providing translation.
If the law requires it, are you willing to perform work of national importance under civilian direction? This is Question 50 on your application. Work of national importance under civilian direction is important tasks during a national crisis, such as an earthquake or a hurricane. This question asks if you are willing to help the country during a national disaster. The answer should be "Yes, I am willing to do so."
Can you give me an example of work of national importance under civilian direction? Good examples include helping the Red Cross distribute water during an earthquake.
Okay, that's all! If you need help with your studies, watch these videos. I'll see you next time. Goodbye.