Interview 10 · The End of the Interview
Fail one part, lose it all?
Transcript
Rafa: Mom, the interview is all or nothing. Fail one part… and it's goodbye forever.
Lupe: Did I pass?
Rafa: You did not pass the English test today…
Lupe: What?! It's all over! Back to zero!
Rafa: … Mom, the card keeps going: You will have a second chance.
Grandpa: Rewind.
Grandpa: If you fail one part, you don't lose everything. You get a new appointment, usually in about sixty to ninety days, and you only retake the part you failed.
Grandpa: And if you pass, the officer may say: I am recommending your case for approval. Then a letter comes in the mail with the date of your ceremony.
Grandpa: At the ceremony you give back your green card, raise your right hand, and take the Oath of Allegiance: a promise to be loyal to the United States.
Grandpa: And you get your Certificate of Naturalization. Guard that paper like gold.
Grandpa: After that: get your passport, register to vote, and update your Social Security.
Grandpa: And if an application is ever denied, there is a form, the N-336, to ask for a hearing. That's just information: for your own case, an immigration attorney or an accredited representative.
Grandpa: Okay, like at the interview. Congratulations, you passed the tests.
Rafa: Thanks! And my passport? Can I get it right now?
Grandpa: Rafa! The passport comes later. And you were born here. … Lupe?
Lupe: Thank you very much!
Grandpa: Good. Another one: I am recommending your case for approval.
Lupe: Thank you. When is the ceremony?
Rafa: A ceremony? Is there cake?
Grandpa: There's an oath, kiddo. Your mom brings the cake.
Lupe: Your turn, mijo: if I fail the English test, what happens?
Rafa: Second chance, Mom. A new appointment, and you only retake the part you failed.
Grandpa: That's it, kiddo. One part is not everything.
Lupe: My nineteenth stamp in the passport!
Grandpa: Nineteen out of twenty, Lupe. I raised this hand in nineteen ninety-one… and it still shakes.
Grandpa: Now, your ear. Listen to the officer, answer out loud… then repeat after me.
Officer: Congratulations, you passed the tests.
Grandpa: Thank you very much! THANK yoo VAIR-ee MUCH.
Officer: I am recommending your case for approval.
Grandpa: Thank you. When is the ceremony? WEN iz thuh SAIR-uh-moh-nee.
Officer: You will get a letter in the mail with the date of your oath ceremony.
Grandpa: OK. Thank you. oh-KAY. THANK yoo.
Officer: Do you understand the Oath of Allegiance?
Grandpa: Yes. It is a promise to be loyal to the United States. PROM-is… LOY-ul.
Officer: You did not pass the English test today. You will have a second chance. We will send you a new appointment.
Grandpa: OK. Thank you. Which part did I fail? WICH PART did eye FAYL.
Officer: Can you stay for the ceremony this afternoon?
Grandpa: Yes, I can! YES, eye KAN.
Lupe: Nineteen stamps… and one hand ready to raise.
Grandpa: Only the full interview is left, Lupe. And we're all right here with you.
Rafa: Okay, okay… I'll bring the cake. And I'm not crying, it's allergies.