As the last step in my application for US citizenship, I am requesting a letter from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (http://uscis.gov), requesting my presence for an interview at 1pm at their offices in the Rodin Federal Building located in downtown Newark (NJ) .
I showed up promptly at 1pm, took the elevators up to the 15th floor, and entered a huge waiting room with other applicants and their family members who had come for moral support. As instructed, I deposited the interview notice in the box through Window 1 and waited for my name to be called. . Every few minutes or so, one of the Immigration Officers behind stained glass windows glass United States if the President dies?
Answer: Vice-President
2. How many changes or amendments are there to the Constitution?
Answer: 27
3. Who is the present governor of Nova Caesarea?
Answer: Jon Corzine
4. What were the first 13 states called United States before they became states?
Answer: colonies
5. What are the two major political parties in the United States?
The answer is the Republic and the Republicans
6. What is the national anthem of the United States?
Answer: Star Spangled exaltation
Fortunately, I timed my review well enough and was able to answer all six questions correctly. The second part was the exam. He dictated the sentence in English slowly and clearly, and indicated the spot on the examination sheet where he was supposed to write it. “Today at the grocery store,” Officer Cruz intoned. My hand shook a little because it was written, although I tried to read it as best I could – he checked the handwriting and declared that I had passed the exam.
Governor Cruz congratulated me on my nature, and installed me again in the chamber, where I waited to take the oath of office. Given the number of people still waiting to be called, that would be at least two hours away (the current time was 2pm). I took a good thing to the CNBC party, at the same time cursing that I didn’t pull the book. Too excited to eat and too nervous to leave and miss my name being called, I contented myself with watching the daily rounds of Wall Street and unfolding stories around the world.
At last, about five o’clock, when all the citizens had been interviewed, they were all asked to take the right oath in the court. Another officer gave a few words about the benefits of the state, about the diploma and its benefits, and about other matters of the same opinion. Then he recited the oath of allegiance, which we all duly repeated, and when he had finished, he was followed by great shouts and applause. And just like that, I was now officially an American.
To this day, that exhilarating moment is deeply imprinted on my mind, and I still hesitate to put the words fully into words with an incredible feeling. The wait had been endless (8 1/2 years), and suddenly the moment had come. I swear I’ll never forget that line, “I’m going to the grocery store today.”
