Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
US Citizenship General Discussion	Im in a serious bind-Oath Ceremony-Friday/International Travel-Monday	I have never heard of being able to hold on to your green card after you are naturalized (after all it is no longer technically valid) ... We did same day passport the day after and we had to do an appt in the morning then pick up the passport after 2:30. Honestly, IMO, I would postpone the oath (I know how much that stinks) until you have time in the US (at least a full working day) to get a passport...	christeen	Female	Italy	2013-06-28 15:56:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Citizenship Interview	You just need to know the answers... Go over the application as they will go over every single question one by one...	christeen	Female	Italy	2013-12-31 17:09:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Is USC spouse needed for Naturalization interview?	They would only allow my husband for the interview, I (the USC) was not allowed not did they even ask.. So it should be fine..	christeen	Female	Italy	2013-12-23 19:14:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Is the oath ceremony required?	I have discovered that public Demonstrations of nationalism and national pride is not always viewed the same by all cultures... For many, to love where you live does not require the marching band and flag waving... They find it strange we do that here... So for many, not wanting to publicly rah-rah-rah invokes a wierd feeling... However, the USA requires this in order to be one a citizen, thus, those choosing to become a citizen must do this as a prerequisite. My husband had a few issues with the "idea" of the bearing arms clause, but figured at 40+ years old figured he would not be one called. Besides, there are loopholes to not have to be drafted and the fact he retains his Italian citizenship anyway...	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-01-03 16:57:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Ongoing marriage evidence	I751 is for removal of conditions, the N 400 is fot citizenship, hence the confusion... Just for reference....	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-01-08 12:41:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Ongoing marriage evidence	Are you removing conditions or U.S. citizenship? The topic is in citizenship... If it is for citizenship, then usually the tax transcripts, a bill or insurance showing joint address or a lease or mortgage or banks statement will usually do...	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-01-08 11:35:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Citizenship and travel limitations	No, none...	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-01-11 14:23:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	get married while filling for naturalization	It is up to the govt to prove fraud... However she entered on a student visa before knowing you, so,she obviously did not enter the USA for the sole purpose of marrying and adjusting status... It will not even raise an eyebrow. As long as you have a bonified relationship, no problems. Fraus come in when people enter with a tourist visa for the sole purpose of adjusting status. What you are doing and her staying seems very legit and should not cause any issues. I vote AOS... Good luck...	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-01-11 12:04:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	get married while filling for naturalization	I agree with the above poster... Have her enroll in classes so she can stay here... Get your citizenship, marry, then apply for her to adjust status. She can stay here in the USA with you without seperation in morocco... Any overstays are forgiven when you apply for adjustment of status. If you have proof of an ongoing relationship, no worries about fraud issues... Good luck	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-01-11 00:59:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	A Question About Naturalisation	I must have misunderstood the dates as well... Can you clarify?	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-01-17 14:59:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	A Question About Naturalisation	But the 1 year absence does break the continuous residence presumption ... Ther are no factors or exemptions (such as exists for 6-12 month absences) that I see.... The idea of US residence is to reside in the USA... The OP based upon his dates and time absent has not met these requirements. I still calculate his date for applying as 90 days prior to May 2018 unless you come up with a different calculation?	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-01-17 13:31:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	A Question About Naturalisation	Any absence over 6 months is considered a break in continuos residence and the click is reset. You are also very lucky that you still have your GC as your 1st extended absence could be viewed as GC abandonment. I would stay in the USA and keep a low profile uscis wise (not roll the dice applying for citizenship) till you have fulfilled the requirements, which I see as 90 days prior to May 2018	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-01-17 12:55:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Green Card holder for over 5 years & about to divorce	you can file under the 5 year rule...	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-02-10 22:09:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Citizenship	One word in our case... Options! My husband liked having the option of taking a job outside the USA and have the option of returning without any hassle regardless of how long he stayed out. No limits on how long he can remain outside the USA. Immigration laws change so having a second citizenship keeps all options open. He also had the option of transferring his maritime licence to the USA. For some, it opens the door to more job opportunities. And finally, not knowing what the future may bring, he liked havi g the option of staying here or go g to Europe and choosing what passport will gain him the easiest access when traveling abroad. It really had nothing to do with feeling "American" versus Italian, but since he lives here now and work here in the USA why not it if makes it easier? I got my italian citizenship not because I feel a specific kinship to Italy, but because regardless of what immigration laws might come not place in the future, I will always have the option to go ther, live over ther etc.. So for many it is not a matter of having to give up anything or be less proud of where you are from, but a matter of both g to lose from doing it and only a gain. I think you may be putting more weight on the patriotic aspect and symbolic parts of citizenship versus the practical and economic and versatility it offers. One word in our case... Options! My husband liked having the option of taking a job outside the USA and have the option of returning without any hassle regardless of how long he stayed out. No limits on how long he can remain outside the USA. Immigration laws change so having a second citizenship keeps all options open. He also had the option of transferring his maritime licence to the USA. For some, it opens the door to more job opportunities. And finally, not knowing what the future may bring, he liked havi g the option of staying here or go g to Europe and choosing what passport will gain him the easiest access when traveling abroad. It really had nothing to do with feeling "American" versus Italian, but since he lives here now and work here in the USA why not it if makes it easier? I got my italian citizenship not because I feel a specific kinship to Italy, but because regardless of what immigration laws might come not place in the future, I will always have the option to go ther, live over ther etc.. So for many it is not a matter of having to give up anything or be less proud of where you are from, but a matter of both g to lose from doing it and only a gain. I think you may be putting more weight on the patriotic aspect and symbolic parts of citizenship versus the practical and economic and versatility it offers. Plus it is REALLY easy (the easiest part of this whole immigration journey) and when your done... Your DONE with immigration! Good feeling and worth every penny!	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-02-10 23:55:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	A bizarre situation ever happened before.	My understanding of tax law is that (a) they are allowed to file in most advantaged way which applies to them (b) they can do what they did if they lived apart fro last half a year Now, they COULD live apart for 6 months and still be in real marriage, good enough to aply for naturalization on the basis of marriage: think, for example, about one spouse posted overseas in military or diplomatic job. There are legitimate situations which can force people on bona fide marriage to live apart for 6 months. But then for USCIS purposes they must have good evedence of those legitimate sircumstances. Yes, this is definitely true as my husband and I did not live together for the first 7 years of our marriage (he was a seaman) however... I believe the IO believed there was a tax fraud issue and since the applicant did not appear to have justification for the HOH filing or for a seperation , the recommendation that amended tax returns be done before processing was the result...	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-02-28 10:44:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	A bizarre situation ever happened before.	The problem is they are filing based on marriage, IF they are in fact a married couple living together, then they would not qualify for HoH ... So they can't have their cake and eat it too... Either they were apart and filing HoH (in which they would not qualify for USC based on marriage) or they were together and should have filed their taxes as such...	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-02-28 10:13:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	A bizarre situation ever happened before.	You need to amend the taxes to reflect married (filing jointly or seperatly) and if tht requires you rosy the govt, you need to arrange to do that... Then you can proceed ith naturalization... And they cannot allow someone to be come a citizen when they are knowingly violating the law by filing improper taxes to evade payment or epreceive a larger refund that they are not entitled to... Straighten it out with the IRS then continue	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-02-27 23:44:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Wants to become a US Citizen before we move back to Thailand	Thanks for all the replies.  It's apparent we need to do this (N400) quickly.   One follow up question: Suppose we go to Thailand for 5 years and she loses her green card status.  Do we have to go through the whole green card nightmare to get her back in the US (peramanently)?  Or is there some kind of easier reinstatement?   I know, hoping for an easy way out with the US Government is wishful thinking... Yes, you would have to go,through the whole IR1 process again... Get the citizenship, save yourself the hassle...	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-03-04 21:34:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Wants to become a US Citizen before we move back to Thailand	You must process n the USA ... The whole process takes from 4-6 months (depending on your local office you can research here on VJ to see how long they take)... You can start the process then go to Thailand, but she must return for the biometrics and interview... And once naturalized, she will need to get a US passport (you can get them same day expedite with proof of travel from the local office)... But living outside the USA, eventually she will lost her LPR status as she is not living in the USA it wold be considered abandoned..	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-03-04 20:21:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	How to update SSN after becoming US citizen??	You have to go, wait in their stupid line and do it... I would wait 10 days so you are updated in their system...	christeen	Female	Italy	2013-04-24 13:09:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Interview for n-400 - Spouse allowed or not ?	Interview will be separate... But they can wait in the waiting room... Good luck, study the questions and you will do just fine.	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-04-12 17:30:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	waiting 2 months no oath ceremony	That is so wired for west palm beach... We went through that office from application to oath in like 72 days total (no name changes)! I would make an infopass appointment... They do oaths 2x a week. They were super helpful at that office....	christeen	Female	Italy	2013-06-25 20:14:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	want to start citizenship process but i am about to move?	Correct... You cannot transfer the case, 3 months residency where you apply... I would wait. Once you meet the requirements, the process is fairly straight forward and compared to all the other visa stuff, the easiest step in the whole journey...	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-04-21 10:03:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	when we eligible	No.. 3 years from the issue date on the green card... Time together NOT in the USA is not counted... 3 years as a LPR	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-04-16 15:09:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	when we eligible	Citizenship is after 3 years in the USA if still married to the USA citizen,or 5 years if not.	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-04-16 14:38:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Question please :(	Sometimes they just need the actual approval,of a senior officer, or to check on some document or info... Should not be an issue as you would generally know if you did not pass. Some offices have different checks and actual approval authority... Don't stress yet..	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-05-06 00:04:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Going Alone to the Interview	It will not make a difference to the interviewer since you are alone... Although I know it would be a big moral support for,you personally...	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-05-09 23:14:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	When to submit form N-400?	She would be visiting Mexico... Not living there..her residence is still her home... Residing means claiming as home and living there... Not physical presence... And count the actual days for the 90. As I think it is 9/6 not 9/5 as sept and nov are 30 day months ?	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-05-15 16:11:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Travelling before applying for Naturalization	The 90 day thing is that he must be a resident (legal address) where he is applying for at lease 90 days prior to filing, to that he must be physically present there for 90 days. His trip to visit will not in any way impact this as his legal residence and address is the same... Example, Prior to naturalization my husband traveled every week out of country... No issues (except he had to keep updating them on the application of his trps outside the USA.	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-05-17 14:57:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	What are the real benefits of filing early N-400? Or, the real benefits of the 90-Day Early Filing Provision?	Right. And BTW we kick your Italian #### at the soccer world cup if necessary lol I assume u mean Futbol... ;-)	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-05-21 19:07:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	What are the real benefits of filing early N-400? Or, the real benefits of the 90-Day Early Filing Provision?	What problems? If everything is done early, they jut schedule your interview after the 5 year date...	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-05-21 18:38:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	What are the real benefits of filing early N-400? Or, the real benefits of the 90-Day Early Filing Provision?	Ours took 70 days... But ours was strangely fast the odds are it will take over 90 days... But i agree, just file, when done, and you reach the 5 year mark, oath and citizenship... Why the hesitation?	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-05-21 18:14:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Eligibility Which should I check?	Yes, you did correct.. The 5 year rule is much easier as far as paperwork...	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-06-05 17:41:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Maintaining LPR and apply for naturalization while working as a seafarer	Ok... So your IMO is from Romania... Do you sign on using your C1/D ? Or as an LPR? I assume the ship is not registered in USA (usually Bahamas, panama or Malta) so above exceptions do not count... My husband has been working on ships for like... Forever... So we had to go through some of this... Unfortunatly, you can have your cake and eat it too... Meaning, you can't be considered all foreign, working and earning tax free AND as a resident towards naturalization at the same time... Something's gotta give. I will detail the issues below... So regarding the taxation... As an LPR, you have to file.. You wife can file married jointly, you can file the I2555 which exempts foreign earned income... However, to do this, you would have to say you are not physically in the USA and live outside.... Problem... This effects your physical presence and LPR status ... So your choice is... You will have to either declare your income as a LpR and pay the taxes, OR not pay taxes on it but lose the ability to count physical presence towards naturalization (I am assuming that Romania works similar to Italy in that they are not taxing you on the income since you work outside Romania which is why you get paid in Netherlands) ... Now if you opt to pay taxes, where you can then have a USA account then you need to keep records of time in country... It will have an effect as when the 3 year mark comes up, you will not have the necessary time in country.. You ability to naturalize will be delayed... You have to be physically present in the USA at least 50% of the time which you will not be able to accomplish on a 4/2 contract... Now on the 3/3 contracts, you might be able to squeak by... To let you know... We kept my husband for the first 7 years of our marriage without any GC.. He worked on his c1/d on 4/2 contracts and would come visit on the VWP (used to sign off in foreign port then fly in at end of contract).. His company gave a lot of issue to hire him as LPr because of taxation. By not getting him GC, I filed married filing seperate, his income was not taxed (italian laws he worked in estero so not required there) and since he had no legal status here, not required for taxes here... Eventually, he got offered a position on land here in the USA, so we filed for the GC, then 3 years later, he got citizenship... What I am saying is that you have to make choices, you can't be present in the USA enough to qualify for LPr and citizenship at the same time as being not present enough to have to pay taxes... One or the other... Sorry...	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-06-05 11:26:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Citizenship denial?	She needs to wait for the 5 years... He can't bust in there,but he can contact them and indicate they are no longer in a valid marriage thus denial as she does not qualify under 3 year rule... She needs to wait it out	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-06-24 22:37:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	citizenship timeline	Yes... 3 years from date issued on GC (less 90 days)	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-05-19 22:28:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	citizenship timeline	Tech I ally, you can file the paperwork 90 days prior to the 3 year anniversary of bei g a LPR... So April 2015.	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-05-18 17:13:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Application Denied a day before Oath Ceremony. No notices received.	Until you get the actual reason for denial, it is all just speculation... So I would keep on them to get that no and see exactly what the issue is. Hopefully it can be easily remedied...	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-05-09 13:53:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	US Citizen out of Country when spouse files N-400	Your are living as a couple, you just have an unconventional job that requires you to travel... You are not "residing" elsewhere... And the USC need not be present during the process... You should be fine... They don't ask how much the USC spouse is out of the country, only how much the GC holder was out...	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-08-19 20:50:00
US Citizenship General Discussion	Airline Tickets - purchasing before US citizenship	Keep in mind, that waiting to get passports after naturalization without proof of travel might be an issue given the timeframe... Example, they naturalize in October then file for passports, the passports take 6-12 weeks unless an expedite is requested which can still be up to 3 weeks (which normally it is less, but your never know) this is cutting it close IMO. If you book your tickets now, once they naturalize, they have the option to make an appointment with the passport office as a walk in, show proof of international travel reservations and get same day... To can enter whatever passport info they have now, then, change the passport info either online or at the airport at check n, just tell them they recently naturalized... I personally would book the tickets...	christeen	Female	Italy	2014-08-20 13:29:00