Naturalization

The process through which a person becomes a US Citizen.

USCIS Publishes Revised Form N-470

On February 11, 2013, USCIS published a revised Form N-470, Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes, with an edition date of 1/03/2013. USCIS will accept older editions for 60 days. Beginning April 12, 2013, USCIS will only accept the 1/03/2013 edition.   

There is now a single filing address for this form. Customers filing Form N-470 must now mail them to the Dallas Lockbox facility. The new centralized filing location will streamline intake functions, enhancing customer service and improving operational efficiency.

Citizenship and Naturalization Summary of New and Updated Policies

USCIS is issuing updated and comprehensive citizenship and naturalization policy guidance in the new USCIS Policy Manual. This guidance, contained in Volume 12 of the Policy Manual, replaces the naturalization and citizenship policy guidance found in Chapters 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 and 76 of the Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM), the AFM’s related appendices, and policy memoranda.

Naturalization time line and interview experience - New York

Hi Everyone,

It's been a while, but I felt the need to share my naturalization time line and interview experience. My recipet notice was received and/or dated approximately May 16th 2012 and I received a preliminary interview notice letter advising that I should bring to my interview my state issued ID card and certified copies of my arrest. I am not sure when I received the actual interview letter, but maybe three weeks before my interview date which was sceduled for June 21st, 2012 at 3pm at Federal Plaza.

Citizenship and Naturalization

Naturalization Procedures at Atlanta Office

Question details

Will the USCIS Atlanta Office go back to swearing in applicants on the same day as the interview?

It is unlikely that the Atlanta District Office will resume swearing-in applicants on the same day as the N-400 interview, aside from customers who come from Alabama or at least four hours away, who CIS makes every effort to swear in the same day due to the distance traveled for the interview.

Naturalization Policy Regarding Adjustment of Status

Question details

Has USCIS discussed the new Naturalization policy regarding the review of the underlying adjustment case? Should clients come prepared to discuss their marriages, for example?

Review of the underlying adjustment of status is not a new policy. Officers have always had the authority to look back at the underlying adjustment, at any time, and doing so is not a new process.

Recanting of Misrepresentation in Naturalization Application

Question details

With regard to any removal risk, how would USCIS view a voluntary recanting of an intentional misrepresentation in a naturalization application? For example, what if the beneficiary brings the issue to USCIS’s attention and formally withdraws the misrepresentation, thereby subjecting him/herself to denaturalization?

USCIS would submit the case to Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) counsel for determination.

Misrepresentation in Naturalization Application

Question details

If there is a knowing misrepresentation in a naturalization application, as opposed to a simple failure to disclose, would this lead to removal proceedings in addition to denaturalization?

It might.  If Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) counsel proceeds with denaturalization and is successful, removal proceedings may be instituted.

Denaturalization

Question details

How does USICS handle a situation when, during a marriage-based adjustment application, it transpires that there might have been an eligibility issue with the Naturalization application of the U.S. Citizen (USC) spouse petitioner? For example, it is discovered that divorce proceedings had been initiated after the naturalization application was filed,but prior to the interview and the divorce was finalized soon after the oath, and eligibility being based on three years of residence in marital union with USC. What factual issues arise and what is the standard for proceeding with an action for denaturalization?

If USCIS determines that an applicant for naturalization was not eligible to naturalize, the evidence is obtained and submitted to Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) counsel for determination of denaturalization.