can i apply for citizenship???

[madyydam]

Hi
I have my green card since dec 6 1996, but because I was attending a
college in my countryand some family problems I was coming to USA just during my vacations.
First time I came to US on dec 6 1996 and I stayed here till dec 31
1996. Like a summary (first date is the date I left US, second one
is the date I returned to US):
1. dec/31/96----sept/10/97 (253days outside US which is
more than 6 months)
2. oct/09/97----apr/06/98 (169days outside US which is
less than 6 months)
3. may/07/98----jul/29/98 (83days outside US which is less
than 6 months)
4. oct/15/98----jul/19/00 (643days outside US which is
more than 6 months)
5. aug/31/00----jul/25/01 (328days outside US which is
more than 6 months)
6. sept/02/03—sept/24/03 (22 days outside US which is less
than 6 months)
Since sept/24/2003 I live in US, my family was living here since 96.
During nov/30/1998----nov/30/00 I had a reenter permit. I understand you have to have met half of the physical presence within the last 5 years (60 months) before applying. I have met 30.1 months or half that time. I guess I should start counting the last 5 years from 2000.
So I came to US on jul/19/2000 and I left on aug /31/2000 (I was here just 43 days), I came back on jul/25/2001 (after 328 days, more than 6 months but less than a year) and since then I was out just for 22 days, so for more than 30 months I was here. I never fill out any income taxes, because I never worked (I went to school most of the time), but I am in my father's income taxes for the past 5 years. How difficult it is to prove continuous residence for a trip longer than 6m but less than 1 year?Can I use my father’s income tax ?

I don't know how long I should wait to apply for
naturalization (considering the dates that I wrote above and the
fact that I had a reenter permit).
1. Can I apply now or not? If not, when should I apply?
2. Can I use my father's income taxes at the interview? Should I ask IRS for some proves that I didn't fill out any forms?
3. What else should I attach beside pecture, money, copies of my green card and passport? Should I attach my father’s taxes?

 

[kssohal]

Hi

yes you can apply for citizenship.

If you were away for over 6 months but less than 1 year , you have to show u did not abondon residence. This you can show by showing u had the same address in US before leaving and after returning. IF you live in a rented place, get a letter from the owner, if your own family house - show the ownership papers.

It is not necessay to file Income Taxes if you were not working , and it is NOT held against you during the Citizenship evaluation.

You MUST apply. Worst case - they may say u have to wait some more (unlikely).

Do post how it went once u have ur citizenship.

Cheers !
Sohal.