Explain to me how you are eligible to become a U.S. citizen.
I've lived here in the United States for over five years as a legal resident.
So you're a legal resident over five years?
Show me your Green Card, your passport, and photo ID, Raider Nation's card.
(Laughter...)
(We want the Raiders football team to stay in Oakland)
What is your current legal name?
I'm Fernando Guerrero.
Spell your family name.
G - u - e - r - r - e - r - o
Is the name on your Green Card the same as your legal name?
Yes it is.
What is your date of birth?
February 18, 1958
Wow, your birthday's coming up! Happy Birthday!!!
What date did you become a legal permanent resident?
February 24, 1964
Your country of birth?
Mexico
Country of nationality?
Mexico.
Are you requesting an accommodation because of a disability?
(I start to ask him the wrong question)
Do you live in San Jose, Milpitas, or Fremont?
I live in Milpitas.
Have you lived in anywhere else no in the past 5 years?
No.
How long have you been at your current legal address?
I've been there five years.
Was your mother or father a US citizen before your 18th birthday?
No
Do you work?
Yes
Where do you work?
I work in Fremont.
What is your job?
I'm a welder.
How long have you worked for that company?
I've been working for that company for a year now.
Where did you work before?
I worked in Morgan Hill for Flextronics International.
How long did you work for there?
Ten years
Have you taken any trips outside the United States in the past five years?
Past five years? Yes. I took a trip in 2015 to Mexico for for three days for a funeral and came right back.
And then in 2013, I went there for Christmas for a couple weeks.
How long do you think you were in Mexico?
I would say....maybe, like...28 days.
So you've taken three trips and your last trip was only three days, correct?
Correct
Do you remember the date you left and the date you came back?
It was October 17th I came back on the 21st... 2016
Your current marital status?
I'm divorced.
How many times have you been married?
I've been married twice?
Twice? And you're not married now?
No.
Was either one of your spouse's American citizens?
Yes
Do you have any children?
Yes I have four children.
Are they born in the United States or Mexico?
They're born here in the United
Did your children sponsor you to become a U.S. citizen?
Yes, they did.
They did?
Did your children sponsor you (to get your Green Card)
or did your parents sponsor you to get your Green Card?
To get my Green Card or become a citizen?
To get your Green Card.
To get my Green Card it was my parents.
Have you ever claimed to be a US citizen?
No
Have you ever voted in the United States elections?
No.
Do you have any title of nobility in a foreign country?
No.
Have you ever been declared legally incompetent?
No.
Have you ever failed to file your taxes?
No.
Do you owe any taxes?
No.
Do you belong to any groups or organizations?
I belong to the Apostolic Assembly. I'm in church group.
Where is your church? San Jose? Milpitas? White Road?
Oh...(near) King Rd
(Do you belong...) Are you doing any volunteer work with them?
Ummm...occasionally we would go and feed the homeless.
Wow!
Also we do car washes to raise money.
Sounds like a great church!
Have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?
No.
Have you ever been a terrorist?
Nay.
What is a terrorist?
Somebody that holds to you against your will.
Have you ever participated in a rebel group, militia, or army?
No
Were you in the Army in Mexico or the United States?
No
Have you ever been a member of a gang?
No!
What's a gang?
A gang is a group of fellows that are killers
That's a good way to say that (definition of a gang).
Have you ever received military or weapons training?
No.
Have you ever forced a child under 15 to become a soldier?
No
Have you ever been arrested or committed a crime?
Yes. I've been arrested back in 1981 and 1982
In 1981 for a while carrying a switchblade.
And in 1982 for (driving) under the influence--a DUI.
So you went through the program?
This is my lawyer...
If this happens...if you have a problem with the law...
bring your lawyer (to the interview) and the lawyer can step in and tell you what to say or give you some advice.
Do you have to answer honestly?
Yes you have to answer honestly.
That was a long time ago and you've changed your outlook.
Yeah, a full 180 or 360--no,180... (idiom: Fernando has completely changed the direction of his life)
Have you ever sold or smuggled illegal drugs?
No.
Have you ever gambled illegally?
No.
Have you ever lied to the US government to give public benefits?
No.
Have you ever been deported?
No.
So were you in the United States on your 18th birthday?
Yes
Did you sign up for the "draft," the Selective Service during that time?
No, I didn't have to because I was born 1958.
Anybody born in 1958 and 1959 didn't have to sign up for the Selective Service.
That's true! That's true!
Do you support the Constitution and the form of government of the United States?
Yes, I do.
Do you understand the full Oath of Allegiance to the United States?
Yes, I do.
Are you willing to take the full Oath of Allegiance to the United States?
Yes.
If the law requires it, are you willing to bear arms and the US Armed Forces.
Yes.
What is the to bear arms?
To protect your country.
Are you going to perform noncombatant services for the US Armed Forces?
Yes.
What is noncombatant.
Non-combatant is just to help the government (without using a weapon)
Yes, so maybe you would be helping with medical or food service or whatever.
Are you willing to help the government during a national emergency?
Yes.
Do you promise everything that you said is true?
Yes
Are you ready for your (civics) questions?
Question 1: Name one state that borders Canada.
Washington
Have you been there?
Yes, I have.
How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
Nine
We elect a president for how many years?
4 years
What is the name of the President of the United States now?
Who was the president during World War I?
Not George. Think about W... It's the name of a basketball, too.
Wilson (Woodrow Wilson)
Who lived in the America before the Europeans arrived?
Native Americans
Can you name a Native American tribe?
Navajo
What does the president's cabinet do?
The president's cabinet? Advise the president.
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27
What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
Say the Pledge of Allegiance? Loyalty to the United States.
I think we have one more
What does the Constitution do?
The Constitution? Gives you the right...no, no, it sets up our government.
Sets up our plan of government.
Do you want to say give any advice in English or Spanish to people who are studying for Citizenship?
Yes, study hard.
Sometimes you get nervous, but it will be ok,
Thank you so much.
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