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Recording for July 25, 2024 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Citizenship and Naturalization
Nonimmigrant Visas
FAQs: Naturalization eligibility for recent extended absences over six months and less than one year from the U.S. || H-1B Grace Period Related Issues
Naturalization eligibility for recently extended absences over six months and less than one year from the U.S.
My father is a green card holder (five years, three months now). He has spent 33 months in the US in the last five years and for 6 months every calendar year. The issue is that on two of his most recent trips, he was out of the US for nine months, six weeks, and 11 days.
He has always been retired and has not held a job in the US or abroad. His daughter and family continued to stay in the US during these trips. He does not own a house in the US but stays with his daughter and her family and continues to have access to that residence during these trips. He does own property in India and has continued to hold that same property over the last five years. His trips abroad were to visit his other children.
What are the rough chances of "rebutting the presumption of break of continuous presence", if he applies for naturalization, despite these two trips of 9 months and 6 months two weeks ? Would you recommend going through a lawyer ?
Regarding the 9-month absence that is being questioned, if he doesn't own a house but still has access to the residence, it should be acceptable as long as there's a valid explanation for his absence of more than six months. This situation has occurred before. For example, if he couldn't return due to reasons like COVID-19, health issues, or similar circumstances, as long as these reasons are clearly explained, it should be acceptable.
Regarding the 9-month absence being questioned, if he doesn't own a house but still has access to the residence, it should be acceptable if there's a valid explanation for his absence of more than six months. This situation has occurred before. For example, if he couldn't return due to reasons like COVID-19, health issues, or similar circumstances, it should be acceptable if these reasons are clearly explained.
The United States to Welcome More than 7,800 New Citizens during Independence Day Celebrations
WASHINGTON—Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Treasury Jacob J. Lew, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas will help USCIS celebrate our nation’s 237th birthday as the agency welcomes more than 7,800 new citizens during more than 100 naturalization ceremonies across the country and overseas from July 1 to July 5.
USCIS Redesigns Special Certificate of Naturalization and Certificates of Citizenship
On Aug. 5, USCIS will start issuing redesigned certificates including:
- Form N-578, Special Certificate of Naturalization;
- Form N-645, Certificate of Citizenship (Posthumous);
- Form N-645A, Certificate of Citizenship (Posthumous).
The redesigned certificates feature state-of-the-art technology to deter counterfeiting, prevent tampering, and allow for quick and accurate authentication.
USCIS Redesigns Replacement Citizenship and Naturalization Certificates
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today began issuing redesigned certificates for citizenship and naturalization for individuals who request replacement certificates (Form N-561, Replacement Certificate of Citizenship, and Form N-570, Replacement Certificate of Naturalization).
The replacement certificates incorporate state-of-the-art technology to help deter counterfeiting, prevent tampering, and facilitate quick and accurate authentication. Additionally, USCIS employs a new and more secure printing process for the certificates to further prevent tampering.