Applying for Citizenship soon- questions

T

thechoson

Registered Users (C)
Hello everyone! I'm new to this board. I'm planning on applying for US Citizenship soon, through the 5 year residency route.

At the end of this month, I will hit 5 years.

I did have a couple of questions I wanted to ask..

1) The biggest one is that I got my GC through my father, who in turn got it through his employer. He currently doesn't work for that employer anymore, is this going to be a problem at all?

2) I do have a passport from my native country, but it has long expired. Will this be a problem?

3) Finally, I don't have traffic citations, but I do have some parking tickets, do these have to be reported?

Thanks!
 
thechoson said:
Hello everyone! I'm new to this board. I'm planning on applying for US Citizenship soon, through the 5 year residency route.

At the end of this month, I will hit 5 years.

I did have a couple of questions I wanted to ask..

1) The biggest one is that I got my GC through my father, who in turn got it through his employer. He currently doesn't work for that employer anymore, is this going to be a problem at all?

No.

2) I do have a passport from my native country, but it has long expired. Will this be a problem?

No.

3) Finally, I don't have traffic citations, but I do have some parking tickets, do these have to be reported?

No, if you paid them all.

Thanks!
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thanks for the quick response.

I guess I should have been more clear about (1). The reason I'm concerned is, though it's been so long I don't really even remember, not to mention I wasn't really talking much with my dad at that time, is I think he left the employer pretty quickly, maybe a span of couple of months after getting the GCs.

I believe I have nothing to do with the employer, I was 18 at the time so an INS minor getting a GC through I-130? (I think this is correct)

I'm probably being paranoid, but I do want to cover all basis, if it turns out there was any issue at all with this employer issue with my father, is it going to effect my GC and subsequent citizenship issue at all?

I also notice suzy, you got your cz through LA, do they usually take that long, or is it because of the name change you requested?

Thank you!
 
thechoson said:
thanks for the quick response.

I guess I should have been more clear about (1). The reason I'm concerned is, though it's been so long I don't really even remember, not to mention I wasn't really talking much with my dad at that time, is I think he left the employer pretty quickly, maybe a span of couple of months after getting the GCs.

I believe I have nothing to do with the employer, I was 18 at the time so an INS minor getting a GC through I-130? (I think this is correct)

I'm probably being paranoid, but I do want to cover all basis, if it turns out there was any issue at all with this employer issue with my father, is it going to effect my GC and subsequent citizenship issue at all?

I also notice suzy, you got your cz through LA, do they usually take that long, or is it because of the name change you requested?

Thank you!
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First, I don't think your father issue with the employer will ever come in the equation. I'm almost sure they will not ask you any question about that at your interview (the N-400 form doesn't have question about your father employment) and if he was working for 2 months and then he left the job for some reason, that's his problem not yours.

My naturalization took so long, not because the name change I've requested but because the FBI's Name Check.
LA these days is moving pretty fast...unless you have my "luck" to get stuck in the Name Clearance process.
 
Thanks for the quick replies, I really appreciate it. This is quite relieving, I was worried about my dad.

Does the general "I'm not responsible for the actions of another" concept apply for the GC itself as well? So even if it was found out he did something wrong (which I doubt, he's pretty meticulous and hired a lawyer, but still) it wouldn't affect my GC at all? I guess I'm just nervous cause my GC obviously was directly tied to him getting his GC.

However, even if my N400 is going to be ok and sail forward, is there any chance by applying I might end up hurting my father's GC status?

Also (sorry, full of questions), a friend of mine recently did his N400 in LA, and he claims it took less than 2 months from submission to interview?! Is he exaggerating or can it be this quick?

Generally, my N400 would be pretty easy, I'd think. I have no spouse/ kids, no criminal record of any kind (not even a speeding tick), registered with Selective Ser. month after turning 18... (I noticed there'd be very few supporting docs I'd have to turn in), would this affect teh speed of my app at all?

Again, thank you very much for all your answers.
 
Thanks a lot for all the answers, I feel a lot better now.

I guess I'll fish for more answers instead of starting new threads...

1. I was under INS age majority (21, right) at time of getting GC (i was 18) and am now over it (23), will this matter in any way?

2. What is the preferred method of mailing to INS (do they even call it that anymore, btw?)? I was thinking something like FEDEX, but didn't know if they were one of those agencies that don't take mail that requires signatures upon receipt

3. I guess this is the big one, while I still have another 5 years on my current GC, I'm in no hurry, but I do want to be a citizen quickly (mostly to qualify for gov't jobs and be able to vote). I'm currently a student, and may actually end up transferring schools, which might mean i'm in another city by September. With this in mind, would it prudent to wait to see where I'll be for the next 2-3 years before I file, or should I just send in the n400 ASAP and hope it gets done before I potentially have to move?


Again, I sincerely thank you for all the replies.
 
thechoson said:
Thanks a lot for all the answers, I feel a lot better now.

I guess I'll fish for more answers instead of starting new threads...

1. I was under INS age majority (21, right) at time of getting GC (i was 18) and am now over it (23), will this matter in any way?

No.

2. What is the preferred method of mailing to INS (do they even call it that anymore, btw?)? I was thinking something like FEDEX, but didn't know if they were one of those agencies that don't take mail that requires signatures upon receipt

I always said that regular, First Class mail it's OK. Since you send a check attached, the cashed check is your best way to see if your application was received.
Some guys here advocate the idea of Certified Mail. So, if US Post confirms delivery, and USCIS never operate your case, like they never received, what you going to do? Sue them? Eventually you'll have to send another set of docs, another check, etc.

3. I guess this is the big one, while I still have another 5 years on my current GC, I'm in no hurry, but I do want to be a citizen quickly (mostly to qualify for gov't jobs and be able to vote). I'm currently a student, and may actually end up transferring schools, which might mean i'm in another city by September. With this in mind, would it prudent to wait to see where I'll be for the next 2-3 years before I file, or should I just send in the n400 ASAP and hope it gets done before I potentially have to move?

It may take more than 5 months, so, if in September you'll be in a different city you may have to file AR-11 (change of address) and to have your file transferred to the new place where you live...which is a pain in the neck, it is highly advisable to avoid transfer files with CIS.

Keeping this point in mind it's you call if you want to apply now, or wait until you move.
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Again, thanks for all your help.

Also, will the question of HOW I obtained my GC come up during the process at all, or do they have that under file already?

JoeF mentioned that I got it through the I-140 as a dependant. Will they ask me about this, and is usually just an explanation, "I was a minor and got it through my dad" be enough, or will I be charged with providing additional documentation on this issue?

Also, would having an attorney help with this process be advisable, or is filing the N400 not much of a hassle to do on my own?
 
Thanks again.

I'm sorry, I know I keep asking this and it's getting redundant, but it's been a MAJOR sense of concern for me, cause of my father's confusing employment situation at the time we got our GCs...

so even IF it was fraud the way my dad procured the GC, that would not effect me (the dependant at the time) in any way?

I guess I'd like this to be true (not the fraud part but my n400 being ok part), but I guess I'm still kinda confused cause it seems like in the end my GC was totally dependant (no pun intended) on him getting his, so it seems like if there was any problem with his then it would translate into a problem with mine.

I'm sorry I keep asking this, I'd like to be 100% sure before I file, cause otherwise I don't see any reason my N400 would be even remotely a problem.

Thanks again
 
thechoson said:
Thanks again.

I'm sorry, I know I keep asking this and it's getting redundant, but it's been a MAJOR sense of concern for me, cause of my father's confusing employment situation at the time we got our GCs...

so even IF it was fraud the way my dad procured the GC, that would not effect me (the dependant at the time) in any way?

I guess I'd like this to be true (not the fraud part but my n400 being ok part), but I guess I'm still kinda confused cause it seems like in the end my GC was totally dependant (no pun intended) on him getting his, so it seems like if there was any problem with his then it would translate into a problem with mine.

I'm sorry I keep asking this, I'd like to be 100% sure before I file, cause otherwise I don't see any reason my N400 would be even remotely a problem.

Thanks again
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Thechoson,

As many people have pointed out to you, your father's leaving his job 2 months after you all got GC will not impact your naturalization application.

However, you state that you were 18 at the time. If you are male, did you register with the Selective Services (i.e., draft) Agency after getting GC. Because all male GC holders between the ages of 18 and 26 must do so. If you have not done that, your naturalization application may run into problems.
 
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gc-despo said:
Thechoson,

As many people have pointed out to you, your father's leaving his job 2 months after you all got GC will not impact your naturalization application.

However, you state that you were 18 at the time. If you are male, did you register with the Selective Services (i.e., draft) Agency after getting GC. Because all male GC holders between the ages of 18 and 26 must do so. If you have not done that, your naturalization application may run into problems.
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Yes, I actually registered a month after turning 18, which was about 6 months or so before getting my GC (I doubt the timing of this matters in this context), so I don't think Draft issues will be a problem at all. Thanks for pointing this out to me though, I guess for people my age this could be an issue.

I was actually under the impression (which doesn't make much sense to me) that even if you are residing here ILLEGALLY you still have to register for the draft? I could be wrong...

Thanks for answering the other issue as well. Yea, I'm concerned, I'm sure he did everything right, he went through an attorney and everything. But the whole process was just confusing, I should have been more proactive but my father was more of the approach of taking care of all that and leaving me to my schoolwork and such at that time. I think at MOST my dad stayed on for another 2 months, because around that time after GC he started doing other stuff. Also, I think he may have changed employment during the I-485, but I know there's a 180 day portability rule or something? And I think he'd fall into that, I don't know many details at all about how HE got his GC, but all that just confused and concerned me...
 
thechoson said:
Yes, I actually registered a month after turning 18, which was about 6 months or so before getting my GC (I doubt the timing of this matters in this context), so I don't think Draft issues will be a problem at all. Thanks for pointing this out to me though, I guess for people my age this could be an issue.

I was actually under the impression (which doesn't make much sense to me) that even if you are residing here ILLEGALLY you still have to register for the draft? I could be wrong...

Thanks for answering the other issue as well. Yea, I'm concerned, I'm sure he did everything right, he went through an attorney and everything. But the whole process was just confusing, I should have been more proactive but my father was more of the approach of taking care of all that and leaving me to my schoolwork and such at that time. I think at MOST my dad stayed on for another 2 months, because around that time after GC he started doing other stuff. Also, I think he may have changed employment during the I-485, but I know there's a 180 day portability rule or something? And I think he'd fall into that, I don't know many details at all about how HE got his GC, but all that just confused and concerned me...
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Isn't easier for you to ask your father exactly what was the situation with his GC and his employment?
 
Suzy977 said:
Isn't easier for you to ask your father exactly what was the situation with his GC and his employment?
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Yea, it would seem so, but my father and I don't talk much, so I doubt he'd give me a straight answer about anything, he'd probably say, "I took care of it, what do you want to know..", but he's like that in almost anything.

I could ask my mother, but she's probably more clueless than I am
 
Also, I guess I'll ask this question here as well.

I haven't filed an AR-11 since getting GC back in 2001. My address with the INS is my "permanent address", which is my parents' home.

I've changed very often since getting GC due to being a student.

The AR-11 info on the USCIS website seems to day as long as the permanent address where I would be able to receive mail is there it'll be fine.

Should I still change my address to whereever I happen to be while a student? Will the effect my citizenship in anyway?

Thanks
 
thechoson said:
Yea, it would seem so, but my father and I don't talk much, so I doubt he'd give me a straight answer about anything, he'd probably say, "I took care of it, what do you want to know..", but he's like that in almost anything.

I could ask my mother, but she's probably more clueless than I am
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Bottom line, my opinion is that you shouldn't have any problem regardless you father GC situation.
You could ask a lawyer for reassurance.
Try here:

http://www.immigration-information.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=18
 
Suzy977 said:
Bottom line, my opinion is that you shouldn't have any problem regardless you father GC situation.
You could ask a lawyer for reassurance.
Try here:

http://www.immigration-information.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=18
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Thanks for the link.

Anyways, I just tried calling him and asking, which seems like a good idea, and he pretty much bit my head off and asked me how the heck he'd know about stuff that happened 5 years ago and hung up on me. But that's for another forum, haha.

Thanks!
 
thechoson said:
Thanks for the link.

Anyways, I just tried calling him and asking, which seems like a good idea, and he pretty much bit my head off and asked me how the heck he'd know about stuff that happened 5 years ago and hung up on me. But that's for another forum, haha.

Thanks!
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I'm a little bit confused :confused: You called him, whom?
I assume you're talking about you father, right?
 
Suzy977 said:
I'm a little bit confused :confused: You called him, whom?
I assume you're talking about you father, right?
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haha, yea, my father, sorry if I didn't make that clear.


wow, if I called an attorney and got that kind of treatment, I'd be pretty angry, haha.
 
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