Re-applying for citizenship with 2-plus-year trip abroad

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abdiqani

New Member
I applied for citizenship after I satisfied the residency requirements; that was back in 2010. However, I made longer trips while my application was pending. Once I was back, I checked with the USCIS, I was told that my case was closed and I had to re-apply it.

Now the problem arises when I am going to re-do the process. The question here is: what would I do with the 24-month trip abroad? Because I am doing it again, do I have to assume this longer trip as not affecting me? Or they will not bother since I am re-applying?

Your experiences and advice are appreciated.
 
Thanks Jackolantern. How could it affect me though? My argument is that because I had completed that five years before I made this later trip, the USCIS having me re-submit another application is just wasting time. More so because they waited longer (I made the initial application process in 2010 and was given the news of its cancellation on Friday). Could you put more insight forward, Jackolantern?
 
If you're reapplying, you have to calculate 5 years from the time you re-apply. So, yes, the 2 year absence means you can apply 4 years + 1 day after you returned from that long trip. Hopefully you had a re-entry permit. If not, don't apply for citizenship.
 
Cafeconleche, regarding your quote: "Hopefully you had a re-entry permit. If not, don't apply for citizenship", can you elaborate more on this idea? I got no re-entry permit; instead I got a documentation waiver at port of entry. Thank you and I appreciate your help.
 
abdiqani said:
Thanks Jackolantern. How could it affect me though? My argument is that because I had completed that five years before I made this later trip, the USCIS having me re-submit another application is just wasting time.
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You have to maintain continuous residence throughout the entire naturalization process until oath day. Your 24-month trip broke continuous residence, making your original application deniable. When you reapply, they look back 5 years from the date of the new application, and don't care that you had 5 years before the old application.
 
abdiqani said:
Cafeconleche, regarding your quote: "Hopefully you had a re-entry permit. If not, don't apply for citizenship", can you elaborate more on this idea? I got no re-entry permit; instead I got a documentation waiver at port of entry. Thank you and I appreciate your help.
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Normally an absence of over 12 months would invalidate your green card. During the scrutiny of the naturalization process they will probably want to know how you returned to the US after your 2-year absence. Normally that is satisfied with a reentry permit or SB-1 visa, but in your case you have other documentation from the port of entry so you'll be OK.
 
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