Getting US Citizenship with illegal boyfriend (father of child)

I

inibhreaslain

New Member
I have been here for four years as a permanent resident. I want to apply for my citizenship next year when my five years is up. I have a daughter, who's father (my boyfriend) is an illegal immigrant. I know I have to put my child on my citizenship application form.

Am I likely to be asked about her father? If so, will my saying he is illegal rule me out for citizneship, and/or cause him to be deported?
 
Are you guys married? If not, I don't believe that the N400 application asks about who are you dating? I have two children and I was never married. I listed my two children on my application. I doubt that the immigration officer will ask me about my relationship status and/or who I am dating at my interview. They will however ask me about if I am current with my child support.

You do not want to mention that you're housing a illegal alien. It will bar you from your citizenship for sure. As matter of fact, it's not smart to admit that you're housing an illegal alien in a public forum. But it's too late now!
 
inibhreaslain said:
Am I likely to be asked about her father? If so, will my saying he is illegal rule me out for citizneship, and/or cause him to be deported?
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That could also cause YOU to be deported. Applying for citizenship while you are still involved with him is like applying for a one-way ticket outside the US.
 
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inibhreaslain said:
Am I likely to be asked about her father? If so, will my saying he is illegal rule me out for citizneship, and/or cause him to be deported?
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Try consulting a lawyer my dear. The application can really backfire you and your case might be a little more complicated than the question you just asked.

There are so many variables in your case that an IO can use to deny your application and if he/she determines you are harboring an illegal immigrant, you can be kicked out of the country.
 
Jackolantern said:
That could also cause YOU to be deported. Applying for citizenship while you are still involved with him is like applying for a one-way ticket outside the US.
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Unless the applicant has broken a law carrying a deportable penalty, I fail to see why this would be so. The biggest risk would be bringing the BF's name to the attention of ICE. Under such circumstances, he may well get a one way ride out of the US.

As shie0023 said, you only have to mention direct relationships on your N-400. i.e. spouses and children. You are not even required to list the other parent of your children, so in reality, I see little risk with proceeding with an N-400 for yourself.
 
This falls under the question:

Part 10 (Line 15).

Have you ever committed a crime or offense for which you were not arrested?

Harboring an illegal immigrant is a crime and you should answer Yes to this question which will lead to a denial.
 
In other word when you date someone you should ask what is his status in this country. :) :D :) What if he lied, how can anyone can check it?
What if they rent and split costs is it still harbouring?
Does employers get arrested for hiring illegals to work?

You should ask lawyer if it really bothers you, and not us, who have no clue but have good imaginations sometimes . N-400 application asks you only about marital status and your current or ex-spouses. Information about kids asks only about kid and not who's his/her father.

The other story is N-600 where you must provide information about father.
But this is after N-400 and better if you really ask lawyer if you really need cert for kid. You will be able to get passport for both of you after you take oath.
 
takshila1 said:
This falls under the question:

Part 10 (Line 15).

Have you ever committed a crime or offense for which you were not arrested?

Harboring an illegal immigrant is a crime and you should answer Yes to this question which will lead to a denial.
Click to expand...

I think that's one of the most loaded questions in N-400. How do you know you have committed a crime or offense without being arrested? Doesn't everyone deserve the benefit of being innocent until proven guilty by a jury of their peers? In some cases it might seem obvious to someone that something was a crime or offense, but in many cases it is not obvious. To be honest this fishing expedition question in the N-400 seems out of line to me. It would be good to have access to statistics from USCIS about what percentage of people answer yes to this question, my guess is that it is as close to 0 as it can be.

My 2 cents.
 
z350 said:
The other story is N-600 where you must provide information about father.
But this is after N-400 and better if you really ask lawyer if you really need cert for kid. You will be able to get passport for both of you after you take oath.
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If kids were born here(USA), there is no need to file N-600 :)
 
dandan123 said:
Why do we assume she was aiding and harboring him ?

Accordng to dictionary.com -

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/harboring
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Well in INS's eyes she is not turning him in which can be viewed as keeping it from the INS and therefore aiding his stay in the US. She has already mentioned she knows he's illegal.

Point of that question isn't really to catch the honest ones, it's basically a nerve test question that most will answer 0 on. During the interview if they get those tell tale nervous signs then the IO can pretty much determine she's lying...
 
Huracan said:
How do you know you have committed a crime or offense without being arrested?
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That question about crimes you were never arrested for is a stupid question. I wonder if they put it there just to find an excuse to deny your application if they want to deny it but can't find a solid reason.

If you answer YES, they can deny you because of that crime you committed. If you answer NO, they can deny you for lying, since every able-bodied adult human must have committed a crime at some point, however long ago it was or however obscure the law that was broken (e.g. in Montana it is illegal for a wife to open her husband's mail.).
 
Yes, I also think that catch all question is pretty absurd. I agree with your observations. I don't know what useful purpose that question serves except opening a backdoor to be able to come after someone for having lied, either during interview or afterwards. Anyway, I would still be curious to see how many people have answered yes to that question, probably nobody.
 
Huracan said:
I think that's one of the most loaded questions in N-400. How do you know you have committed a crime or offense without being arrested? Doesn't everyone deserve the benefit of being innocent until proven guilty by a jury of their peers? In some cases it might seem obvious to someone that something was a crime or offense, but in many cases it is not obvious. To be honest this fishing expedition question in the N-400 seems out of line to me. It would be good to have access to statistics from USCIS about what percentage of people answer yes to this question, my guess is that it is as close to 0 as it can be.

My 2 cents.
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I totally agree with you on the loaded nature of the question.

Now given this illegal alien boyfriend situation how should inibhreaslain answer this question fully cognizant of the offense and the consequences?

What if tomorrow the boyfriend is caught up in a immigration raid and her complicity comes to light?

Which is a more egregious offense?
Aiding/abetting/boarding an illegal alien out of love or perjuring yourself to Federal agent, under oath, in your immigration application - lying to obtain a US citizenship?
 
How does dating and having a kid with an "illegal immigrant" equate to aiding and abetting? If it did then all USC spouses that marry and petition for illegals could be charged with aiding and abetting an illegal.
 
There is a difference. An illegal alien marrying a USC is "excused". But in this instance the OP is NOT a USC and her spouse (if she had married) would not be eligible for any benefit, in fact there is a 5 year waiting period for this type of visa. "Harboring" an illegal alien is a crime on the statute. Whether she dated or had a baby is irrelevant.

AzBlk said:
How does dating and having a kid with an "illegal immigrant" equate to aiding and abetting? If it did then all USC spouses that marry and petition for illegals could be charged with aiding and abetting an illegal.
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Pardon my ignorance, but how is she supposed to determine his immigration status - for the purpose of being held legally responsible for him?
 
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