Citizenship Interview and Ceremony

Female Speaker: The hard work is paid off for Maria Leticia Armenta. Finally, the Citizen and Immigration Services has sent her, her final interview date, her citizenship exam. An Adjudications Officer will test her in-person. She shows up early for her appointment just to be safe. Female Speaker: Maria Leticia Armenta Medina Sarah. Female Speaker: She is a bit nervous but confident. She knows how hard she studied. Female Speaker: Can you stand and raise your right-hand for me. Can you tell me, "I swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth." Female Speaker: I swear to tell the truth. Female Speaker: Would you promise to tell the truth? Female Speaker: Yes. Female Speaker: Okay. Come, have a seat. I just want to see your Green Card and your California Drivers License or ID. Female Speaker: The interview is surprisingly informal. Female Speaker: Is this the only name that you go by the one that's on your Green Card? Female Speaker: Yes. Female Speaker: Okay, did you want to do a name change today? Female Speaker: Yes. Female Speaker: Okay. What do you want to change your name to? Female Speaker: Only Leticia. Female Speaker: Leticia, okay. You have Leticia Armenta. Female Speaker: Armenta. Female Speaker: Is that what you want to do today? Okay, great. And you have been a lawful permanent resident for over five years, I see. That's great. Female Speaker: Maria Leticia was careful not to omit anything on her application. So she is not worried about any surprises. Female Speaker: Okay, we are going to start with your civics test right now, okay? And I just want to remind you just to relax and not to be nervous, okay? The first question is what do the stripes on the flag represent? Female Speaker: The first 13 states. Female Speaker: Correct, very good! Female Speaker: She finds out right away how she did. Female Speaker: Congratulations. You did a great job, you have passed. Female Speaker: Thank you! Female Speaker: Next step is the Citizenship Ceremony and we will send you a letter and the mail to go to the ceremony and then you'll be sworn in to become a citizen. Female Speaker: Thank you very much! Female Speaker: Okay, take care! Female Speaker: Bye, bye! Female Speaker: Bye, bye! Female Speaker: Julie Rosenthal is Maria Leticia's Adjudications Officer. She says that for those who are prepared, it's a piece of cake. Julie Rosenthal: They should just relax and try not to be nervous. Make sure they study real hard those test questions, that's very important. Also it's important for them to be comfortable with their English to make sure they have all the correct documents that we might need depending on their situation, birth certificate, child support. I mean, if anything has happened in their past then any other important document or anything like that are good to have, so that the process doesn't become delayed. Female Speaker: Another tip is just to be honest and not like to offend. They remember that they are under oath. I truly need to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, that's the first thing that they have to swear then they let go with the interview. Maria Leticia Armenta: I am very happy because I passed my interview for Citizenship. I have a chance for my vote, when I vote I have a chance to elect the President, I think it's very important. Female Speaker: The reward, United States Citizenship. Rico Cabrera: But this moment is captured one particular day in the lives of these individuals. This is the moment they will remember. They will come in with the Green Card and at the exit, they go out with a certificate of naturalization. That's a great difference, a huge difference. Maria Leticia Armenta: I'm so happy. Very happy! Very happy! Thank God I got it!