Citizenship

Citizenship. It's a concept that invokes different things to different people. Becoming a citizen of the US is a long process and not one to be taken lightly. You have to fill out a lot of paperwork, sometimes hire an immigration lawyer, learn about the US, take English classes and finally take a citizenship test, which must be passed. The USCIS (link), formerly the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service), has strict guidelines to follow, and the process can be confusing. Start here to learn more about the process as well as the process for adoptions and other citizenship-related issues.

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Immigration Articles
State and National Resources
-  State Immigration Offices and Procedures
 
Articles
-  Abandonment or Renunciation of Your US Citizenship-  American Citizenship: Derivative Citizenship
-  Citizenship-  Denaturalization: Revoking Your US Citizenship
-  English and Civics Requirements for Naturalization-  Good Moral Character is Needed for Naturalization
-  Naturalization: Allegiance and Loyalty to the US-  Residency Requirements for Naturalization
-  American Apparel Targeted for Immigrant Hiring
 
Immigration FAQs
-  H-1B Visa FAQ-  J & Q Visa FAQ
-  J Visa Waiver FAQ-  Denials and Appeals FAQ
-  Employment-Based Visa FAQ-  B-1 & B-2 Visa FAQ
-  Immigrant Visa FAQ-  Fiance Visa FAQ
-  Family-Based Visa FAQ-  Immigration: Green Card FAQs
 
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Hiring an Immigration Lawyer
-  Selecting A U.S. Immigration Lawyer-  Preparing To Meet With A U.S. Immigration Lawyer
-  Meeting With An Immigration Lawyer
 
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Ask a Lawyer - Immigration Law questions answered by leading lawyers
Visa Bulletin Cut-off Dates vs. USCIS Processing Times

I am from India and my sister filed an I-130 petition on April 11,2003 for me. In the November 2009 Visa Bulletin, the cutoff date is June 15, 1999. But according to the posted USCIS processing time for the Nebraska Service Center, the current date is August 1, 2004. What is the difference between the Visa Bulletin cutoff date and USCIS processing times? Please let me know if we can file form I-485 to proceed with the application for adjustment of status, or if we need to wait to hear back from USCIS. What is the next step?

Affidavit of Support Issues For a Disabled Petitioner

I want to marry someone from another country, but I understand I need tax returns for three years to marry. I have been disabled for 15 years can I still marry this person?

FB-4 Sibling I-130 Issues

In August 2006 my brother (a US citizen living in California) submitted an I-130 petition to bring me and my wife to the US from the UK where we live. Last week, he received notification that the petition had been approved, it was now being processed and would be forwarded to the US embassy in London, and that I should be hearing something within 60 days. My question is how long will it take to complete the whole process? I see the California processing center is working on applications from October 1999. Does this mean we have roughly another 7 years to wait? My final question relates to vacations - we've been to the US for the last 8 years on vacation. Will we be able to continue doing this now the I-130 has been approved? Many thanks.

Is There a Waiting Period to File a Visa Petition?

I became a U.S permanent resident through marriage to a U.S. citizen. My marriage was broken after 3 1/2 years. My husband filed for divorce, and I did not become a citizen until 5 years after being a LPR. I met this guy who is out of status and we are making plans to get married. Someone just told me I can not file an I-130 petition for him until I have been a citizen for 2 years. Is this correct?

Can This Petitioner File For Another Spouse?

I am recently divorced. I met a man who I am interested in marrying but, I am concerned. I filed for my ex-husband to get his green card and I wanted to find out if I file for this man to get a green card who is here on an expired visa, will there be a problem? I cannot help that I have fallen in love with yet another man who is not a legal resident, but this man is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I do not want to lose him. My ex-husband's citizenship was denied because we were not living together at the time he applied. We have been married for over 5 years so he reapplied without me. I was wondering will the application be flagged because my name is in the system with my ex-husband? How long should I wait in between filing for there not to be a problem? Will they make my new fiance go back to his country and re-enter or if we are married will they allow him to stay? I do not want to do a Fiance visa. We would get married and then apply.


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