N-400 Questions

S

sumodi

New Member
Hi Folks,

I have completed my 5 years on GC and am getting ready to apply for my citizenship. I have a few questions and will really appreciate your informative answers.

- I had received 2 speeding tickets in 1996-97 timeframe when I had a NE license. I had paid the tickets ( < $500) and taken a defensive driving class, but I don't have any record of that. I called Nebraska DMV and they could not find any records as they keep records only for the past 5 years. Please advise how I should be answering the citation related questions in N-400

- I was laid off from the GC sponsoring company after I completed six months after applying for I-485. I joined another company in similar title using my EAD card and then received my GC without any RFE. Would this cause any issues? I was laid of from that company due to downsizing after I received my GC and then it took me about 4 months to find my current job.

- I don't remember if I had sent AR-11 form for my current address. Is there a way I can find out if they have my current address? Can I send the AR-11 now just to make sure that they have my correct address or the address on the N-400 will suffice?

Thanks much,
Sumo
 
I can help with your first and third questions; not the second.

Speeding tickets. I would definitely list them on the N-400. Even tho' you might not be able to track the documentation, the USCIS might and you do not want to be caught out at interview. Very few applicants seem to have problems with non-excessive speeding tickets.

Address. If your current address (= N-400 address ?) is not the one on the existing USCIS file on you, I would for sure file the AR-11 BEFORE you submit the N-400. Wait at least a few weeks before filing the N-400. Send all documents by certified mail/receipt requested. In a few extreme cases, non-filing of an AR-11 have been used as an excuse for draconian action on the part of the USCIS.

All advice is from a layman/fellow applicant; not an authorised legal opinion.
 
sumodi said:
- I had received 2 speeding tickets in 1996-97 timeframe when I had a NE license. I had paid the tickets ( < $500) and taken a defensive driving class, but I don't have any record of that. I called Nebraska DMV and they could not find any records as they keep records only for the past 5 years. Please advise how I should be answering the citation related questions in N-400
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If you call the court that settled the ticket, they will probably have a document called a "court disposition". I just got one for a ticket that was 9 years old.

sumodi said:
- I was laid off from the GC sponsoring company after I completed six months after applying for I-485. I joined another company in similar title using my EAD card and then received my GC without any RFE. Would this cause any issues? I was laid of from that company due to downsizing after I received my GC and then it took me about 4 months to find my current job.
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Do you have documentation of exact dates when you were laid off from the first company and hired by the second? The switch from the second to the third seems irrelevant to me (since you already had the GC by then). There was another person who has done the same thing on this board.
 
sumodi said:
- I was laid off from the GC sponsoring company after I completed six months after applying for I-485. I joined another company in similar title using my EAD card and then received my GC without any RFE. Would this cause any issues? I was laid of from that company due to downsizing after I received my GC and then it took me about 4 months to find my current job.
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The second layoff is a non-issue since it happened after you obtained your GC. Not sure about the first, however there has been some discussion of AC21 recently. Check some recent posts by obongo.

My personal view is you shouldn't have too many issues, especially if the first layoff occurred more than 5yrs back, since you won't have to list that employer on your N-400. Be aware USCIS does have records of your GC application and the IO will be examining them, so they will know what happened if they care to look closely, but assuming everything was legal and above board, there shouldn't be a problem.
 
Thanks for your input! One question about submitting the AR-11 now is that I have been at my current place for more than 3 years. Will that be an issue since we have to submit AR-11 within 10 days of change of address?

Thanks,
Sumo
 
It never occurred to me to file a change of address until I had already been in my new residence for three years !!!!! The company had previously always done that for me. I filed as soon as I realized that I had to (in 2003) and, as far as I know, I have suffered no negative repercussions. However, I am still in name-check, so we will see !!!!!.
 
sumodi said:
Thanks for your input! One question about submitting the AR-11 now is that I have been at my current place for more than 3 years. Will that be an issue since we have to submit AR-11 within 10 days of change of address?

Thanks,
Sumo
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Over the last 14 years, I moved several times, I never file an AR-11. It wasn't an issue during my interview. I am not saying it's not a problem, but I think it depends on the interviewing officer.

As for your question regarding the GC from your job. If you have it, bring the letter from the employer informing you that you've been laid off. What the officer will be looking for is if you obtained the GC through fraud. If the you were laid off, then there is nothing you can do about it. Bringing some sort of document with you stating that you didn't voluntarily left the company will bolster your case.
 
Yeah, the whole AR-11 thing is messed up since so few people seem to know of the legal requirement to file address changes. Until 9/11 it wasn't an issue, then the Dept of Homeland Security figured it was the perfect law to arrest people for "immigration violations".

Frankly I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just send the AR-11 now and get everything straight.
 
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