Pros/cons of taking an attorney to n400 interview?

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bethpg2005 - 31 Jan 2006 02:33 GMT

I filed my own N400, and I am wondering if I should take an attorney
with me to the interview as I made a mistake on my N400 form - I put my
husband's second name down instead of his first by mistake. I think it
will put my mind at rest having an attorney with me. I am going to the
Seattle office for my interview and I have heard they are very tough.

1. If I decide to take an attorney to my interview must I let USCIS know
before hand or can he just come with me to the interview on the day?

2, Are USCIS likely to be tougher or more polite to the applicant if
they have an attorney with them? I have read that it can be a double
edged sword .... that some officers are tougher if you take an attorney
with you because they think you have something to hide. On the other
hand, some officers are less likely to bully or hassle an applicant if
they have an attorney present during the interview.

I'd be especially interested in Folinksy and any other attorney's
opinion.

Thanks!

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ian-mstm - 31 Jan 2006 02:42 GMT

> I filed my own N400, and I am wondering if I should take an attorney
> with me to the interview as I made a mistake on my N400 form - I put
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>
> Thanks!

Well then... you've pretty much answered your own question, eh? :)

Ian

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bethpg2005 - 31 Jan 2006 03:11 GMT

> Well then... you've pretty much answered your own question, eh? :)
>
> Ian

Thank you Ian.

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Rete - 31 Jan 2006 03:01 GMT

> I filed my own N400, and I am wondering if I should take an attorney
> with me to the interview as I made a mistake on my N400 form - I put
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>
> Thanks!

You answered your own question.

How would you propose to tell them in advance? Just bring him.

What makes you think you will be bullied or harassed at a naturalization
test/interview? For what purpose and about what?

Then I would suggest you retain Mr. Folinsky or any other attorney for
their opinion as it is unlikely you will get an opinion from them
tailored especially for you. Their opinions if offered will only be
generalized as they are not your attorney. This is a public forum and
not an attorney's forum or website. Because we have two attorneys in
the field of immigration who have made this forum a place to hang out
does not mean they are here to reply to questions pertaining to
personalized individual cases.

Since you have an attorney of record, may I ask why you have not asked
him these questions and gone by his advice. That is what you have
retained him for.

Signature

I'm not an attorney. This disclaimer is valid in NYS!

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bethpg2005 - 31 Jan 2006 03:14 GMT

> You answered your own question.
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> him these questions and gone by his advice. That is what you have
> retained him for.

>>>>>>>As you can see above, I wrote that I filed my N400 myself and
>>>>>>>have NOT retained an attorney yet. I came here to ask the advice
>>>>>>>of members here as to if I should hire an attorney to take with
>>>>>>>me becasue of the error I made on my N400. If I had an attorney I
>>>>>>>would have asked him already.

Reply to this Message

Rete - 31 Jan 2006 03:50 GMT

> >>>>>>>As you can see above, I wrote that I filed my N400 myself and
> >>>>>>>have NOT retained an attorney yet. I came here to ask the
> >>>>>>>advice of members here as to if I should hire an attorney to
> >>>>>>>take with me becasue of the error I made on my N400. If I had
> >>>>>>>an attorney I would have asked him already.

It is doubtful that any attorney will take your case since you have
filed on your own without their input. But you can try contacting some
to see what their take on it is.

CIS will probably think it is strange that after marriage for 3+ years
you still don't know your husband's first name. Now if he goes by that
name in daily life rather than his first name, then just bring something
that proves this and there goes your mistake out the window.

Signature

I'm not an attorney. This disclaimer is valid in NYS!

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Folinskyinla - 31 Jan 2006 03:52 GMT

> You answered your own question.
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> him these questions and gone by his advice. That is what you have
> retained him for.

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I see that OP edited her statement
to remove my bar to answering. But you are right -- it is general.

Signature

Certified Specialist
Immigration & Nat. Law
Cal. Bar Board of Legal Specialization

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Folinskyinla - 31 Jan 2006 03:50 GMT

> I filed my own N400, and I am wondering if I should take an attorney
> with me to the interview as I made a mistake on my N400 form - I put
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> Thanks!

Hi:

1. The attorney can enter his appearance [via G-28] at time of
interview.

2. I really don't know. I've heard of some DAO's being tougher. From
time to time reminders have to be put out by management that
attorney indicates nothing wrong. In my experience, I find that a
knowledgable attorney can be a help in that you have someone on your
"side" who "speaks the language". I tend to be quite pleasant with
DAO's -- after all, I often remind them that MY job is to make THEIR
job easier.

Signature

Certified Specialist
Immigration & Nat. Law
Cal. Bar Board of Legal Specialization

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Immigration Forum / USA Marriage Base / January 2006

Pros/cons of taking an attorney to n400 interview?