Urgent: Can some experts shed some light??

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parth_01945

Registered Users (C)
Hi,

Recently i found out that you need to register for selective service if you are between 18-25. I came to this country on h1 visa and remained on alien legal status unitil i got my GC. I received my GC notification mail a month before i turned 26 and I got my physycal gc in mail at 6:30 on my 26th birthday. Neither I was aware nor my laywer told me. This is true have been in this country and i was supposed to know. But I didn't until i got stuck in this situation. I fill all Status request access form to Selective services and got back reply from Selective services which mentioned that I was required to register blah blah blah.
This has become to frustrating and rediculaous that this is not a crime, it is a unknowing and unwillingful mistake. I have couple of questions.

Would it effect my citizenship? What if I wait until i turn 32, since by this I will be able to demonstrate goodwill? How do people manage in this situation? Has anybody has similar problem and still got the Citizenship?? Does it mean that I will never be able to become citizen? Would marrying to US citizen will make any difference??

Please explain this to me..

Thanks
 
parth_01945 said:
What if I wait until i turn 32, since by this I will be able to demonstrate goodwill? Does it mean that I will never be able to become citizen? Would marrying to US citizen will make any difference??
Click to expand...

Failing to register can deny your application. HOWEVER:

Assuming your story is accurate it seems you have some grounds to show that you haven't acted willfuly to avoid registering. You might even be able to convince an interviewing officer.

If you wait till 31 your chances are considerably better. They usually look back for only 5 years. The fact that you got your GC so soon to the SS date makes it a much easier sell (I assume).

That answers your second last question - I am sure eventually you will get your citizenship. They won't hold a grudge against you when you are 90 and toothless (just kidding....)

Finally, marrying a US citizen at this point will help only to reduce the time of wait to filling N400. Other than that it really does not matter.

Finally, I point out that I am NOT a lawyer.

Yalag
 
Thanks a lot for paying attention on my post.

I am planning to apply for citizenship after 32 anyway. So you mean that if I apply after 32.. say 38 I won't have any problem..

I have seen people who have some major issues get the citizenship.
Also Citizenship is a right not a privelage. I also checked citzenship eligibility. It doesn't talk about Selective service at all.

has anybody being denied because of Selective services, even though this is not a part of eligibility of citizenship and there is no draft currently anyway?
 
parth_01945 said:
I also checked citzenship eligibility. It doesn't talk about Selective service at all.
has anybody being denied because of Selective services, even though this is not a part of eligibility of citizenship and there is no draft currently anyway?
Click to expand...

Your point is well taken. The Guide states that if you are under 26 and do not register then you are ineligible to apply but after 26, you just need a status letter and you are eligible (page 29 and Eligibility worksheet).

However,

Registering in the SS is required from any US resident whether an immigrant or not. Thus, if you failed to register as an immigrant, you are breaking the law and undermining your claim of being "one of good moral character". In addition, it indicates that one is not attached to the constitution (defending the US...). Nevertheless, since this is not a serious offence, I guess it is by itself not enough to deny citizenship with absolute certainty.
If one waits for five/three years then I guess it may not be anissue at all.

That's my thoughts on the matter.

Yalag
 
yalag said:
Your point is well taken. The Guide states that if you are under 26 and do not register then you are ineligible to apply but after 26, you just need a status letter and you are eligible (page 29 and Eligibility worksheet).

However,

Registering in the SS is required from any US resident whether an immigrant or not. Thus, if you failed to register as an immigrant, you are breaking the law and undermining your claim of being "one of good moral character". In addition, it indicates that one is not attached to the constitution (defending the US...). Nevertheless, since this is not a serious offence, I guess it is by itself not enough to deny citizenship with absolute certainty.
If one waits for five/three years then I guess it may not be anissue at all.

That's my thoughts on the matter.

Yalag
Click to expand...

My comments:

I do not think there is a clearcut statement that if you do not register for SS, you will be denied US citizenship. I think it is left upto the immigration officer to decide who is working your case. I know that when you apply for any federal loans/jobs, they will need SS status or registration status to qualify. Good luck.
 
That's true. I have applied for school and I am having hard time to get the stafford loan. I spoke to the financial aid office about my issue.
After that my file went on the desk to director of financial aid. I am waiting for the decision.
 
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