Need Help: Gaining American Citizenship (more info now)
Xelindrya
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Need Help: Gaining American Citizenship (more info now)
Jim has decided it's going to be easier just to become an American than to try to figure out if China or British Empire will let him get a passport through them.
He was born in Hong Kong.
Been here since he was 3.
Anyone even know where to begin??
FM or post would be great!
xjulietx
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Re: Need Help Gaining American Citizenship
I think the easiest thing would be to go to the local high school to see if they offer citizenship classes. They usually know a lot about the particulars..
Jen_n_Dale
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Re: Need Help Gaining American Citizenship
I am seeing my friend on Monday who is now a U.S. citizen from Ireland. She had been in the country for 40+ years. I know she had to take a test in the city somewhere. I will find out then if no one finds anything sooner.
dubliner
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Re: Need Help Gaining American Citizenship
I naturalized over 5 years ago. I am pretty sure I used this N-400 form N-400 It only took 9 months for my application, but that was before 9/11 and now the wait can be up to 2 years
yah..if you are married legally he should be one automatically, right?
no it used to be automatic resident...but even that has stopped...
you have to be here 5 years...no matter what to be citizen
Maribelle7777
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Re: Need Help Gaining American Citizenship
You can either petition for him for marrigage-based citizenship, or if he already has his green card, I assume there's another way to go about it.
Your best bet is to find an immigration lawyer (yes $$$ but well worth the time and aggravation, especially with new laws and regulations coming into effect post-9/11). I know a couple that is doing that and they say they would have been up a creek if they didn't have him because it's so confusing these days.
If you don't want to or need to go that route, see if there is an immigration center in your area. The Nassau County Bar association might be able to help you too in finding out the best way to go about this.
I know an immigration attorney, FM me for more information if you'd like it.
Maribelle7777
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Re: Need Help Gaining American Citizenship
Posted by endlessluv429
yah..if you are married legally he should be one automatically, right?
Noooooo...if only it was that easy.
You'd have to petition your spouse....file paperwork....go to the Federal Plaza or whatever INS federal bldg near you in 90 days and get employment ID and social security number...then wait 2 years for an interview with INS. You need to provide proof that the marriage is not a sham like joint bank accounts or both names on rental lease or car lease or car title or bills, etc. Then they are issued their green card. That's just called adjustment of status. About 5 more years after that they can apply for citizenship (I think).
Xelindrya
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Re: Need Help Gaining American Citizenship
Thanks ladies.. Let me give more information i feel I left out too much but at the time I posted I was running off to a meeting.
He came to America under his mother's Passport in 1976 because back then minors below a certain age did not need a passport to enter the country (i believe this may still be true).
He obtained his green card status around 10 years of age (hes so cute in his photo btw) which listed him as a permanant resident alien.
His parents both filed for and received American citizenship, his younger brother born here in American and his much younger sister also born here are both American citizens.
After high school he decided he want to serve the US Air Force (a dream of his) and was accept based on his green card and Social Security card.
He went on to live his life normally. No biggie.
He never though to get a passport because he assumed his mother had his.
I come along and decide to take him to Canada for a trip. Hence starts the search for the passport. The year we get engaged we find he has NEVER had a passport.
We got married and tried to look online to get his British Citizenship Passport. It's a bit of a pain cause he's not consider a British citizen anymore (go figure) unless he goes to the Hong Kong Consulate or fights the UK for it. Either way it's gonna be hard.
So he decided that American would be faster. But from what you ladies say, we may not even be able to go on our honeymoon!!
Xelindrya
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Re: Need Help: Gaining American Citizenship (more info now)
anymore thoughts?
Lisa Rose
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Re: Need Help: Gaining American Citizenship (more info now)
the only way to get an answer is to call the INS....
NYCHICK
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Re: Need Help: Gaining American Citizenship (more info now)
I am not american citizen. There is no way for him to become a citizen that quickly. Is his green card valid today. He should be able to go to his country of birth's consulate with a birth certificate and get a passport. I would go with Maribelle and suggest getting an attorney. That situation is complicated. My GM came form Geramany at 5 and could not get his citizenship until he was 25. Now that it is after 9-11, it is probably a little more time consuming dealing with the INS. I have been there and it is no fun.
Xelindrya
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Re: Need Help: Gaining American Citizenship (more info now)
Hrmm I should point out he is a LEGAL premanent alien. With a LEGAL and current Green Card.
Hence we got married. He needed a current green card for us to marry. The type he has never expires.
Re: Need Help: Gaining American Citizenship (more info now)
he should be able to go to Canada with just the green card as ID - I know I went with a friend (she was adopted from Korea) and she showed them her green card...
Lisa Rose
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Re: Need Help: Gaining American Citizenship (more info now)
Mu husband and I traveled to Canada when he just had his green card.That was enough. He too was a perement legal resident.
I do not understand what the problem is. YOur husband has been in the country for over 5 years...he is a legal perement resident, just fill out the forms from the website, pay the fee and get the process moving!!
Maribelle7777
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Re: Need Help: Gaining American Citizenship (more info now)
Re: Need Help: Gaining American Citizenship (more info now)
I agree with Lisa Rose, My husband and I are going through the same thing with the INS he was not a permanent resident though. So our process will be considerably longer than yours might be. I would Definitely call the INS customer service center and get info. The INS has consolidated their services and you may have to make a trip into the city. But before you do, call them. Good luck!
