Citizenship

Citizenship in USA can be obtained through naturalization or through birth in USA.

USCIS Reminds Organizations to Send Mandatory Letter of Intent for Fiscal Year 2010 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds organizations to submit a letter of intent if applying for the FY2010 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program.  Organizations must submit the mandatory letter by March 26, 2010 to be eligible to apply for funding. 

Shoplifting and naturalization

Question details

I am permanent resident of USA for 5 years,and I was shoplift in JCPenny and caught by securities in 2008,they took me to their office,took my picture, and got copy of my driver license,and asked me to sign 2 form of documents,one was saying I can't enter store for a year,second one was a civil demand($500 fines),they did't called police,do I have criminal record? FBI will check it out? I already sent in the citizenship application,and have wait for 3 months after the fingerprint taken,still didn't receive interview notice. Will they reject my application?

From what you have described it does not appear you have a criminal conviction. Nevertheless, in my view, you should get yourself a local lawyer to assist you with the naturalization process.

Travel while citizenship/naturalization pending

Question details

I am currently a GC holder and have resided in the US for 30 month out of 5 years. I will be eligible to file my Citizenship (N400) paperwork next month. Once I have filed my application for Citizenship, can I leave the US and travel to Canada to visit my daughter? I was planning to be out of the US in Canada for 3 months. Will it be ok or me to leave the US once I have filed my application or Citizenship? or should wait to file upon return back from Canada?. Do I need to live continuously in the US while my application for Citizenship is in process?

Temporary absence of three months while your citizenship application is pending should not pose a problem as long as you remain a permanent resident of USA.

Citizenship Form

Question details

Iam a US citizen I want to fill for citizen for my mom I dont know which form I should fill out to send to immigration.

I am assuming she has been a green card holder for 5 years the form is N-400.

USCIS Citizenship and Integration Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2010

Introduction

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the availability of two different grants designed to help prepare lawful permanent residents (LPRs) for citizenship and advance integration in the United States. This year’s program will make nearly $7 million available for citizenship education in communities across the country.

Travel and citation dates on N-400

Question details

I've taken about 60 trips outside of the US since I received my green card in 1988 - while I have exit and entry dates for most of them, for some of them I no longer have the exit dates, only the US entry stamps, and it is possible that I don't have all US entry stamps... same goes for dates of various traffic citations over the decades, minor things like parking, speeding, unsafe stopping, seatbelts - how do you suggest I enter this information on the N-400 form?

The burden of proof is placed on you. USCIS can deny an application where proof is insufficient. For entry/exit, I would recommend an affidavit from you giving the best possible approximation. The tickets - go back into your driving record at the DMV and see what you can pull from there.

DHS Secretary Napolitano Announces Streamlined Citizenship Application Process for Members of the Military

Release Date: January 15, 2010

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010

Rule Formalizes Longstanding Policy to Expedite Citizenship for Service Men and Women

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced the publication of a rule formalizing DHS' longstanding policy to expedite and streamline the citizenship process for men and women bravely serving in America's armed forces.

US Citizenship, misdemeanor case

Question details

First of all I would like to thank Rajiv for this website. I am a new user but I've read some answers and felt so easy already. I had a misdemeanor charge back in 2007, shoplifting (less than 500). I did community service 24 hours and was on probation, got early termination of probation in 2008. All records got cleared in the state of Colorado. I am thinking to apply for US citizenship but very nervious about it. Please advise. I have two daughters. My husband could apply first with kids and I could try after them. Please help me. Need your advice.

Thanks for your kind comments about our web site. You can apply, but USCIS can certainly make an issue about the misdemeanor. You may want to retain a local lawyer.

My naturalization interview experience

Question details

I had my interview today.The officer asked me simple direct questions like my DOB,when I came to USA ,when I moved to this state..then on the trips section he said "what was your purpose of your visits, becuase I see trips for like 3 months "i said " i visited my husband and relatives"and thats it on this section,given that i made 6 trips out,the longest is for 5.5months after civics,he said I passed,but no decision was made because they need to review my physical residency. Is my case very bad? I am worried!total days spent out were 554(1.5yr)in my 5yr residency!how bad is that? do they take long time to respond?

I see no problem with the visits - they were all less than 6 months. I think it should be ok. It is difficult to estimate how long it will take.

How does Immigration office verify the dates of entries/exits

Question details

Could you tell me how does the Naturalization Office verify dates of US entries/exits? My wife and I have been lawful US Green Card Holders since 1990 and we're interest in applying for naturalization now. We've been traveling in and out the US for the past 19 years and I didn't save all the plane stubs. I believe we only have some of the US entries (not exit) stamps on our passports. Also we've renewed our passports once, so our passports only show the entries stamps for the past 3 years or so.

As far as I know they rely upon your passport and their own entry-exit records through Form I-94 system. This situation is common and can be corrected by supplying affidavits from applicants along with any other evidence you may have.