JoeF - effect of re-entry permit on naturalization - Your response is different from my lawyer\'s

[crazygc]

Hi JoeF,
You had mentioned in one of your posts that if somebody applies for re-entry permit, and gets it, but never uses it - i.e. comes back to the country (USA) every 6 months or so, then there is no effect of re-entry permit on that persons application for naturalization.
However, my attorney mentioned that - once you apply for a reentry permit, you restart the 5-year clock towards citizenship. The clock restarts once you return to U.S. permanently after leaving U.S. with the reentry permit.
JoeF, how certain are you about your answer? Are you sure that the clock doesnot restart if one continues returning to the US, without using the re-entry permit?
The reason I ask is two-fold - one is to make a better decision for myself; and secondly to make sure that other users of this post get correct info

 

[sara454]

effect of re-entry permit on naturalization [use my reentry or not]

I am married to a US citizen and after getting green card I want to stay outside US for 1.5 Years on reentry permit.
my question is; if I never use my reentry and come back to the country (USA) every 6 months [for 2 times to finish my studies], Is there any effect of re-entry permit on my citizenship clock for application for naturalization.or I come back to US on reentry permit, I wait one year less then your waiting time requirement. Like for US spouse it will be 2 year once I come back from reentry permit. ??[that is just 6 months delay for my case[3 years and 6 months]? Is that Correct??
I read this post in this site;

You had mentioned in one of your posts that if somebody applies for re-entry permit, and gets it, but never uses it - i.e. comes back to the country (USA) every 6 months or so, then there is no effect of re-entry permit on that persons application for naturalization.
However, my attorney mentioned that - once you apply for a reentry permit, you restart the 5-year clock towards citizenship. The clock restarts once you return to U.S. permanently after leaving U.S. with the reentry permit.
I really need correct information now .I would be grateful if someone who know the rules or has the same experience help me to choose the best way.
sara