ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionAffidavit of Support confuses me!
QUOTE (BowieChick @ Apr 24 2009, 06:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I always read people asking about this sort of thing but I read so much on here and I end up getting confused.
Ok.
It's about the 1-134 affidavit of support.

I know right now that I am not even close to meeting the minimum requirements so I am having my parents co-sponsor. What I'm confused about is should I just fill out one but not really bother with providing evidence for myself since I would just be proving that I can't support us on my own? And then have my parents fill out another and THEY include evidence. Like do I need to even bother with getting bank statements, etc for myself?

I don't know why this part confuses me so much, blah!


The way I look at it... it takes at most a few hours to get your stuff (and really a whole lot less than that) and if they ask for it your have it and if they don't you get to shred it. So I would just go ahead and do it, I know I got my life insurance and bank statement even though I have a co sponsor.
freetvMaleChina2009-04-24 20:48:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionBIG day April 27 (interview Kiev)
QUOTE (B&Y @ Apr 27 2009, 04:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
It's over we got a PINK slip after 2 hours waiting. In our case they not let me be present at the interview. It took only 5 - 7 minutes, and Yuliya came to me with all our documents and a PINK slip, can't wait when we get her passport. Still worrying, I want to see it in my hand.


B&Y, we had the same noa1 and interview dates, hope we both get our visa the same day too. smile.gif
freetvMaleChina2009-04-28 19:17:00
US Embassy and Consulate DiscussionVisa in Hand... A problem?
We got the visa in the mail today, at first I thought there was a problem but after some research I found out its perfect. smile.gif

Edited by freetv, 30 April 2009 - 02:00 AM.

freetvMaleChina2009-04-30 01:56:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionIs your foreign passport taken away at oath ceremony?
QUOTE (lucyrich @ Oct 12 2009, 08:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (freetv @ Oct 12 2009, 04:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well I know it would make sense that you can't enter american on say a British passport when your a USC. But I know for a fact that people with u.s. passports and a e.u. passport can enter the e.u. on a u.s. passport. So I think it is possible to enter the u.s. with another passport, but whether or not it would be easy would depend on how lazy they are at the poe. But the worst that could happen is "why are you using this passport to enter America?"


It's illegal for a US Citizen to enter or leave the US without a US passport. You could be charged with a violation of INA 215(cool.gif. At the moment, I don't believe there's a specific penalty, but in the past it has carried a monetary fine, which could be reinstated any time the regulators wanted (it wouldn't require a change in law). Not a huge crime in the grand scheme of things, but if an inspector wanted to give you a bad day, at least he/she would be able to point to the law which you violated.

Except as otherwise provided by the President and subject to such limitations and exceptions as the President may authorize and prescribe, it shall be unlawful for any citizen of the United States to depart from or enter, or attempt to depart from or enter, the United States unless he bears a valid United States passport.


Yes, but that law was made for national security more so than the "common man". During the cold war it was common for people to have their passports taken away so they couldn't go to the USSR or Europe and leak state secrets. But I do agree that at anytime they could enforce the law on you so why risk it?
freetvMaleChina2009-10-13 07:16:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionIs your foreign passport taken away at oath ceremony?
Well I know it would make sense that you can't enter american on say a British passport when your a USC. But I know for a fact that people with u.s. passports and a e.u. passport can enter the e.u. on a u.s. passport. So I think it is possible to enter the u.s. with another passport, but whether or not it would be easy would depend on how lazy they are at the poe. But the worst that could happen is "why are you using this passport to enter America?"
freetvMaleChina2009-10-12 18:52:00
US Citizenship General Discussiondual citizenship
QUOTE (Just Bob @ Oct 21 2009, 10:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Freetv,

by my own admission, I don't know Chinese laws, customs, and bribery. Thus, I can't comment on what people get away with in China. You do, which is why you stated previously, "there's the law, and then there's reality."

I do know that several people from countries that don't allow dual citizenship pull this off. I might work perfectly . . . until it doesn't anymore. In our modern times, where computers take over virtually all aspects of life, my guess is that sooner or later some people will find themselves in handcuffs right after entering their former country of citizenship.

I guess it's a very personal decision on how much risk to take.

Nothing to add, really.


I agree, in the future it will be very hard to pull that kind of thing off and I think anyone that doesn't need to live in China for a long period of time should simply pay the $130 for the visa and use their American passport. For most people in the world they can simply sign a paper (like germany, phil) or even do nothing at all and be 100% legal. Sadly China isn't one of those places and so in many ways it is good that there are loop holes in their system.
freetvMaleChina2009-10-21 21:49:00
US Citizenship General Discussiondual citizenship
QUOTE (Just Bob @ Oct 21 2009, 09:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Freetv,

I'm not sure if I misunderstood the whole thing or what? If so, let me find out where I messed up.

You stated China does NOT allow dual citizenship. Correct?

If so, somebody who took the Pledge of Allegiance and became a US citizen would have lost his Chinese citizenship, Correct?

A US citizen would need a visa in order to enter China. Correct?

If so, a USC entering China without a visa, but with an invalid Chinese passport claiming to be a Chinese citizen when he's NOT is a crime. Correct?

So where's the misunderstanding exactly, I wonder?

Use the exact example the other way around. Imagine the US would not allow dual citizenship. A Chinese citizen enters the US without a visa but with an invalid passport, claiming to be a USC. Any idea what legal consequences that would have?


1. They would lose it in theory but not pratice upon becoming an American citizen, so allthough they are in fact no longer a Chinese citizen going by the law on the books, the Chinese government still treats them as a citizen. This is proven by the many accounts of economy crimes commited by Chinese Americans while on their Chinese passport in China. The governmment doesn't say "Oh you broke the law when you used your Chinese passport" or say "Oh your no longer a Chinese because you have an American passport" they say "You are only a Chinese and you will face our laws just as if you would have never left the country." Now of course this could change at any moment, but as of now they simply ignore the fact that your American Citizen if you use a chinese passport to enter the country.

2. Yes an american needs a visa to go to China but the question of an invalid passport was answered above sense they seem to honor those passports at poe.

3. The only exception to this rule is with Children, if a child is born to a Chinese american in America he is only an American with no rights to Chinese citizen by birth.

4. I am not saying that in 1o years, let alone 6 months that it will still be this way. Communist countries could change the way they do business in the blink of an eye and you could very well end up in jail.
freetvMaleChina2009-10-21 21:11:00
US Citizenship General Discussiondual citizenship
QUOTE (visacheck @ Oct 21 2009, 01:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (freetv @ Oct 21 2009, 06:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Just Bob @ Oct 21 2009, 12:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (freetv @ Oct 19 2009, 09:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I just wanted to ask a question. Take China... a country that doesn't allow you to have dual citizenship... If you become an American the u.s. government isn't go to call the chinese embassy and inform them nor would you use an american passport to enter China..... nor would you even have the same name as that on your american passport (if your a girl). So if my wife leaves amerca on her american passport and uses her Chinese passport to enter China how would they know she is an american unless we say something? The chinese border police don't care about exit stamps and even if they do America doesn't have them so again how would they know? Now if I (the american) were to try and become chinese they would take my passport away (but couldn't I just say I lost it and need a new one at the american embassy... assuming that the chinese government doesn't say anything to them?). Now I know most countries in the world deal with each other a lot as far as people go, some share databases and others even hold coop war games together with the u.s. but china isn't one of them. There is no way the government in america could know if I did anything illegal in china because even the chinese government in beijing can't know if I did something illegal in say far west or south china (I know this for a fact after talking to chiefs of police and former miltary). So maybe in some rare situation you could get around dual citizenship.


I can't tell you if you get away with it and how long. You may be able to commit crimes for a long time until they put a rope around your neck. What I do know, however, is that claiming to be a US citizen is a serious offense and I can't imagine that claiming to be a Chinese citizen is seen as a harmless joke by the Chinese government. I wouldn't want to spend a decade in a wet dark prison cell for that. But that's just me; you may feel differently about that.


Wait a min, how is it a crime to enter China as a chinese citizen if you are indeed a chinese citizen? Who said I would claim to be a us citizen illegally when I am indeed an american citizen and nothing else? I was just putting out some possiblities within the confines of the system. I do not believe leaving on an american passport and entering on an american passport while using your own countries passport to enter the other country is illegal in any way. The only thing I think that would create problems is when you try to enter America on a non u.s. passport when you are in fact an American. If you avoid that, everything else SHOULD be outside the realm of u.s. government domain. Dual citizenship borders everything that is legal and illegal on international law. This is from the American embassy in Beijing, "We encourage all Chinese Americans to enter China on their American passport because the Chinese government doesn't allow embassy staff to help Americans that have entered China on a Chinese passport because they view them solely as Chinese citizens." So I think that settles the whole idea of dual citizenship of countries that don't allow it, at least from the American point of view. But lets say you are held by North Korea and you entered on a German passport.... you will be viewed as a German and only as a German. So in reality, what ever you enter the country as that is your ONLY nationality. Just like a German American that enters America on an American passport, in the eyes of the American government you are an American and it doesn't matter if the German government expects you to go to basic training in Berlin because you better show up at your local court house for jury duty or your going to jail.



Your wife is a US citizen and China does not allow dual citizenship correct? In that case your wife is no longer a Chinese citizen.

Leaving on an american passport and entering on an american passport while using your own countries passport to enter the other country is not illegal if your country allows dual citizenship. It could and might be illegal if the country does not allow dual citizenship.


So your saying, China does not allow dual citizenship but chinese who are already US CITIZENS are allowed to use their Chinese passports to enter China? Doesn't that contradict their own rule on dual citizenship?!

I guess if you can post a link from China's side saying that former chinese citizens can use their un-expired passport to enter China then we would all know that it is not illegal.


Well she will be a citizen when the time comes, but as of now she is not. I know many Americans enter China on a Chinese passport and nothing is ever said, however if something ever comes up like say drugs and you go to jail the American Embassy can't help you. China's point of view is a lot like America, don't ask and don't tell. It does contradict their own rules but that is China. There are laws and then there is reality, and that involves every area of life there. For example if you marry a Chinese you should be able to apply for a Res Permit after you get there that allows you to work, but most can't, even though its the law. Countries like Iran or other hard line middle eastern states would never allow anyone to do that and it is even a crime to even carry another passport, but those countries are more the exception than the rule.


As far as America and the past, before the 1980's America took a very hard line stance to dual citizenship. During WW2 some American pilots fought for the RAF and in doing so lost their American citizenship and gained British citizenship. Before the 1980's becoming a citizen of another country caused them to lose their American citizenship. After the 1990's the reality changed and today America basically allows dual citizenship, not by law but by simply not enforcing the laws that are already in place. Today taking an oath, even in a country like China that will take your passport, will not cause you to lose your American citizenship. The only way you could lose it would be to go to an Embassy and swear in front of an consular offical. I personally like the new system because their were cases where someone got "tricked" into losing their American citizenship.

Anyway, it seems most people know how to either formally or informally keep their citizenship so everything is good for now kicking.gif

Edited by freetv, 21 October 2009 - 06:37 PM.

freetvMaleChina2009-10-21 18:33:00
US Citizenship General Discussiondual citizenship
QUOTE (Just Bob @ Oct 21 2009, 12:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (freetv @ Oct 19 2009, 09:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I just wanted to ask a question. Take China... a country that doesn't allow you to have dual citizenship... If you become an American the u.s. government isn't go to call the chinese embassy and inform them nor would you use an american passport to enter China..... nor would you even have the same name as that on your american passport (if your a girl). So if my wife leaves amerca on her american passport and uses her Chinese passport to enter China how would they know she is an american unless we say something? The chinese border police don't care about exit stamps and even if they do America doesn't have them so again how would they know? Now if I (the american) were to try and become chinese they would take my passport away (but couldn't I just say I lost it and need a new one at the american embassy... assuming that the chinese government doesn't say anything to them?). Now I know most countries in the world deal with each other a lot as far as people go, some share databases and others even hold coop war games together with the u.s. but china isn't one of them. There is no way the government in america could know if I did anything illegal in china because even the chinese government in beijing can't know if I did something illegal in say far west or south china (I know this for a fact after talking to chiefs of police and former miltary). So maybe in some rare situation you could get around dual citizenship.


I can't tell you if you get away with it and how long. You may be able to commit crimes for a long time until they put a rope around your neck. What I do know, however, is that claiming to be a US citizen is a serious offense and I can't imagine that claiming to be a Chinese citizen is seen as a harmless joke by the Chinese government. I wouldn't want to spend a decade in a wet dark prison cell for that. But that's just me; you may feel differently about that.


Wait a min, how is it a crime to enter China as a chinese citizen if you are indeed a chinese citizen? Who said I would claim to be a us citizen illegally when I am indeed an american citizen and nothing else? I was just putting out some possiblities within the confines of the system. I do not believe leaving on an american passport and entering on an american passport while using your own countries passport to enter the other country is illegal in any way. The only thing I think that would create problems is when you try to enter America on a non u.s. passport when you are in fact an American. If you avoid that, everything else SHOULD be outside the realm of u.s. government domain. Dual citizenship borders everything that is legal and illegal on international law. This is from the American embassy in Beijing, "We encourage all Chinese Americans to enter China on their American passport because the Chinese government doesn't allow embassy staff to help Americans that have entered China on a Chinese passport because they view them solely as Chinese citizens." So I think that settles the whole idea of dual citizenship of countries that don't allow it, at least from the American point of view. But lets say you are held by North Korea and you entered on a German passport.... you will be viewed as a German and only as a German. So in reality, what ever you enter the country as that is your ONLY nationality. Just like a German American that enters America on an American passport, in the eyes of the American government you are an American and it doesn't matter if the German government expects you to go to basic training in Berlin because you better show up at your local court house for jury duty or your going to jail.
freetvMaleChina2009-10-21 08:37:00
US Citizenship General Discussiondual citizenship
QUOTE (visacheck @ Oct 20 2009, 01:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (freetv @ Oct 19 2009, 09:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I just wanted to ask a question. Take China... a country that doesn't allow you to have dual citizenship... If you become an American the u.s. government isn't go to call the chinese embassy and inform them nor would you use an american passport to enter China..... nor would you even have the same name as that on your american passport (if your a girl). So if my wife leaves amerca on her american passport and uses her Chinese passport to enter China how would they know she is an american unless we say something? The chinese border police don't care about exit stamps and even if they do America doesn't have them so again how would they know? Now if I (the american) were to try and become chinese they would take my passport away (but couldn't I just say I lost it and need a new one at the american embassy... assuming that the chinese government doesn't say anything to them?). Now I know most countries in the world deal with each other a lot as far as people go, some share databases and others even hold coop war games together with the u.s. but china isn't one of them. There is no way the government in america could know if I did anything illegal in china because even the chinese government in beijing can't know if I did something illegal in say far west or south china (I know this for a fact after talking to chiefs of police and former miltary). So maybe in some rare situation you could get around dual citizenship.


Yes you could get around dual citizenship when you use chinese passport on chinese immigration. Coming back to US means your wife would have to use her US passport with no entry or exit stamp from China. You better hope that US does not care about passport stamps like China... You better hope that US does not care if China allows dual citizenship or not.


I have had border guards that were in a hurry and others that asked me where I was overseas and even skimmed through my passport, but they have never looked at it close enough to see the stamps or dates for that matter. I entered Europe in Amsterdam and got my entry stamp there but later went from Spain to Switzerland and then to Hong Kong and never received an exit stamp for the e.u. (which I did when I left through amsterdam on another trip). So exit stamps are hit and miss.

Edited by freetv, 20 October 2009 - 05:29 AM.

freetvMaleChina2009-10-20 05:27:00
US Citizenship General Discussiondual citizenship
I just wanted to ask a question. Take China... a country that doesn't allow you to have dual citizenship... If you become an American the u.s. government isn't go to call the chinese embassy and inform them nor would you use an american passport to enter China..... nor would you even have the same name as that on your american passport (if your a girl). So if my wife leaves amerca on her american passport and uses her Chinese passport to enter China how would they know she is an american unless we say something? The chinese border police don't care about exit stamps and even if they do America doesn't have them so again how would they know? Now if I (the american) were to try and become chinese they would take my passport away (but couldn't I just say I lost it and need a new one at the american embassy... assuming that the chinese government doesn't say anything to them?). Now I know most countries in the world deal with each other a lot as far as people go, some share databases and others even hold coop war games together with the u.s. but china isn't one of them. There is no way the government in america could know if I did anything illegal in china because even the chinese government in beijing can't know if I did something illegal in say far west or south china (I know this for a fact after talking to chiefs of police and former miltary). So maybe in some rare situation you could get around dual citizenship.

Edited by freetv, 19 October 2009 - 11:56 PM.

freetvMaleChina2009-10-19 23:52:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionUS Citizen losing Citizenship...
You could be born in the u.s. and move to say Germany when your seven days old and live there until your 99 and still go to the u.s. without any probs (assuming you kept an updated passport). Unless you pick up a rifle and fire at U.S. troops in Iraq or walk into a U.S. embassy and say "I no longer wish to be American" your an American for life. Pretty clear cut for ppl born in the U.S., for ppl that weren't it is alittle muddied but about the same... like others have mentioned.
freetvMaleChina2009-12-03 05:52:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionI should've registered for selective service?
The whole "register" thing is messed up, in todays world you don't have to register but you are denied a whole hosts of services, namely student loans and grants. No one is going to fine you or send you to jail and that is why "they" ask you to do it yourself. Also when you first get your DL (assuming your over 18 but not over 26) they will often register you (prob what happened to you). I think they should simply force people to register upon A: Entering college even they will pay themselves. B: Getting a DL. C: File a tax return. Because lets face, if they started the draft again everyone would be forced to register. So why not just simply the process and give us the perks of registering if we would be forced to do so in a time of war anyway??? I also wanted to say that although they might not fine you or send you to jail now... if the draft became active again they would start fining and sending ppl to jail.

Edited by freetv, 04 December 2009 - 12:33 AM.

freetvMaleChina2009-12-04 00:31:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionI should've registered for selective service?
QUOTE (nvidiot @ Dec 2 2009, 11:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am a bit confused abt the cut-off date for registering selective service. i was on H1 for 2 years then became PR on 8/8/08 (date shown on my gc), my birthday is 7/5/82. so i became PR after my 26th birthday and didnt register for selective service. did i interpret and do the whole thing correctly?



Its after your 26th birthday so you are correct.
freetvMaleChina2009-12-03 06:00:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWilling to bear arms?
I think Nick did a pretty good job of explaining everything. The government in the u.s. is full of moronic departments that are full of even dumber people. Even if you think your peacefull now, if some stranger were trying to break down your door to kill you or cause harm to your family... 99.9% of us would reach for any weapon in arms reach... even if that weapon is a loaded gun and it goes against all your personal beliefs. When it comes down to one very very very unlikely event and one very small part of the oath.... the reality is that we will prob never be held to that one part and even if we were... those that say they wouldn't would most likely be the first ones reaching for that gun.
freetvMaleChina2009-12-05 07:35:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWilling to bear arms?
QUOTE (Krikit @ Dec 3 2009, 10:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (freetv @ Dec 3 2009, 07:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hold on a sec, there are really people here that would not bear arms if their country needed them? So your basically saying that if the country was going to hell and hundreds of thousands of people are running for their life and you were asked to man a gun so that your children, parents, and friends could get away you wouldn't do it? The only time America would ever ask you to defend it is in a situation like that (your an older lady...). I think its really insulting that anyone even ask this question, and no exceptions should be made, if your not willing, stay a LPR. Sorry if I hurt anyone but I feel very strongly about this.

And for the natural-born American citizens who don't believe in taking up arms, either..... what should be done with them?


All I can say is this: Most people that are born overseas and become Americans are more American and know more about the laws and rights of this country than native born Americans. I often have more respect for those ppl than ppl born here. Having said that..... The world isn't fair, I wasn't asked to take an oath after being born here, but I would take one if given a choice (just like those who file I-400 have a choice). Sometimes you can't decide who becomes an American (being born here), but we can foster and regulate who we allow to become an American later in life. It is our right to decide what is required and what is required for those seeking to become citizens. If we could, we would also do it for those born here. As for those who refuse, they should face extreme shame. Of course there are false wars and LPR can be drafted into the armed forces, however they could simply leave the country prior to being drafted and not face the same kinds of probs as a citizen would. My point was, this older lady would not be drafted and would not be asked to serve unless the country really was on the line. Younger people, might one day be forced to serve in a war they don't believe in, but the question isn't do you believe in the war. The real question is do you believe in what the country stands for? I have been against many wars in America's history, but our duty is to fight if needed. This doesn't mean we are to blindly follow someone else, but it does mean we can't allow personal opinions to strip a country of its ablity to fight. I believe the draft is wrong except in times of world war or a war at home, this means only those that believe in the war fight.... most of the time...
freetvMaleChina2009-12-03 22:57:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWilling to bear arms?
Hold on a sec, there are really people here that would not bear arms if their country needed them? So your basically saying that if the country was going to hell and hundreds of thousands of people are running for their life and you were asked to man a gun so that your children, parents, and friends could get away you wouldn't do it? The only time America would ever ask you to defend it is in a situation like that (your an older lady...). I think its really insulting that anyone even ask this question, and no exceptions should be made, if your not willing, stay a LPR. Sorry if I hurt anyone but I feel very strongly about this.

Edited by freetv, 03 December 2009 - 07:28 AM.

freetvMaleChina2009-12-03 07:28:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionDress code for interview

Seems to be a very repetitive question here, no, you can't wear two hundred buck designer blue jeans, but can wear a six buck dress. Not sure if the OP is a male or a female. How you can dress is written on your interview notice that still leaves a wide leeway, but would think if you dress in such a manner you become self conscious of it that would affect your interview, to look in your clothes closet once again, or your neighbors.

My wife is a professional woman and wore one of her finest business suits, with a skirt, matching shoes, and purse that could have been a detriment for her. If she got a guy, could have been fine, she was a knock out, but got a gal that had to wear a tent as they don't make clothes that large and could be the reason she was given a very hard time during her interview. So your guess is a good as mind.

I couldn't help but observe that only attorneys wore suits in the waiting room, ha, even had to ask them if they were attorneys, they were. In the upper midwest, the dress code has been greatly relaxed. None of the guy IO's were wearing a suit, more like a sports shirt and cotton pants, most needed an iron. So I do not feel you want to out dress your IO. Question is, who is your IO and how do they dress, damned crystal ball has a crack in it.

I wore a neat white dress shirt and dress pants, black patent leather shoes, no tie, but could have gone in naked for all the difference that made. Would have made the job easier for those armed guards, going in naked.


Lol, good point though. Maybe a good way to go is to dress your best, then take off the extra garbage (tie and suit coat for men... fancy purse, shoes, and way too much makeup for women)... and you should be fine no matter what.

Edited by freetv, 31 January 2010 - 12:53 AM.

freetvMaleChina2010-01-31 00:51:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionInterview tomorrow/Will they take or invalidate passport?

This reminds me, i was reading on another post in regards to country on the passport. I can't help but wonder when your wife gets her US passport and tries to leave China on it that they'll see country of birth as China and wonder what they'll do then... obviously they'll let her out but I wonder if that's their way of "flagging" chinese people who have US citizenship (no ACTUAL idea about this, I was just curious)

Did you tell her that china will take her passport? How did she react? Honestly I don't know HOW they'll take it but I assume somewhere along the lines they'll find out. have you found out what penalties there are if you don't tell them? (I tried googling but couldn't find anything, I think a phone call will be needed)



Seems like we are always posting in the same topics haha. I also thought about that after I read the country of birth. Maybe using your U.S. passport would work for a few times but at some point they are going to really look at it and see "China" and cause trouble for you. From what I have been able to find in the past, they fine you and simply take your Chinese passport. So although I said it would be better to use your u.s. passport to enter China... I retract that now. It would be better to do what some other Russians on this board do (search on the Russian forum) and only show your Chinese passport to Chinese and U.S. passport to Americans and both to the airlines... (make sure they are the same name) and I don't think you will have a problem.
freetvMaleChina2010-02-08 01:28:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionInterview tomorrow/Will they take or invalidate passport?
I talked about this with "justbob" on another thread a few months ago. China doesn't allow you to have any other nationality... however the U.S. doesn't give out info (to China at least... I emailed the U.S. embassy in China about this... because of course it directly relates to my wife and I...). BUT Aus, E.U., ECT (I know you like ECT tony lol) might be different. I hope you find the link Tony, it would be an interesting. Because as far as I know, they don't give it to any country... but think about it, isn't giving info to another government a privacy concern? But a Chinese visa is only about $150 and you get the protection of the U.S. government (whatever protection they can really give in China lol). So you would have to be dumb or just really poor to try and use your Chinese passport for a short visa..... a long term move might be different.

Edited by freetv, 02 February 2010 - 12:33 PM.

freetvMaleChina2010-02-02 12:30:00
US Citizenship General Discussioncan't get court documents
You had to show up for court just for a $10 fine because you weren't wearing a life jacket? :blink: This world is really messed up isn't?
freetvMaleChina2010-02-08 05:24:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionHow to file as Stateless???
I will see if I can find it... I remember about a year ago some guy posted that he got a u.s. passport without the place of birth... but like I said its been awhile. You must really dislike your country of birth... mind if I ask where it was?
freetvMaleChina2010-02-05 09:48:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionHow to file as Stateless???

Wife didn't like when they put her country of origin on both her certificate and passport as Colombia, because all those people there are labeled as drug dealers. She was a citizen of Venezuela, that was ignored.

Could only tell her, nobody asked you or me for that matter, where, when, who's parents we should have when being born, we were just kind of dumped here. Improved relations with Colombia with dissolving relations with Venezuela is helping her with that.

Sounds like statelessness would be an ideal solution.

Could be worse, could have been born in Africa in the 18th century and brought here as slaves, or born Jewish in Nazi Germany, did any of us have a say when or where we were born? But always running into donkey pits, a nice word for a$$holes that make an issue out of it. It's you, the person that counts.

The field is leveling now, but my step-daughter ran into prejudicial problems in that God awful place they call, high school, so much for Welcome to the USA. As you can see, this left a bad taste in my mouth.


I have heard that you can omit the "place of birth" on your passport... but that by doing so a handful of countries will say its invalid. Leaving it out might be good if you end up getting a E.U. passport and want to go to North Korea or Iran etc. I don't know why they put it on there anyway....... I mean so many people are born in some country and never spend more than a few days or weeks there. Lol, my cousin's passport would say Germany... but he hasn't been there in some 20 years.
freetvMaleChina2010-02-05 08:25:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionPOLITICAL CONTRIBUTION ILLEGAL?
Nothing wrong with that, you can attend political rallies, curse at politicians online, whatever you want as long as you don't sign up to vote.
freetvMaleChina2010-08-23 19:23:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionN400 denied based on eligibility
As written anyone that is married to the SAME usc for three years would be eligible, but I don't think that was the intent of the law (which is where the courts can come in and change it). I think the people that view it as the petitioned usc are simply looking at it through intent, not as it is written in the books. It is interesting that we haven't come across this before though.
freetvMaleChina2011-07-30 23:21:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWeird experience at Naturalization interview

To the best of my knowledge, only 140,000 I-751 applications are processed per year. These are from people that are immigrating legally and paying the price for it. Heard estimates of any where from 11 to 20 million people are here illegally that nothing is being done about. Translates into less than 1% of the people coming here are trying to do it legally and these are the people that are greatly scrutinized by the USCIS. That includes you and me.

Admitted to not even knowing about immigration when I met my gal, but took an interest in this subject. At that time read the USCIS was handing out green cards like crazy to Cuban refugees found on rafts coming here, including criminals that Cuba was tired of feeding.

LOL, suggested to my wife to be to come here with her daughter, would trailer my boat down to Florida, store a raft, go out about ten miles and dump them in it. Then get nearly out of sight and call the USCG anomalously to pick them up. That way they could get their greens cards without all this USCIS BS.

Today, would have to ship them to either Iraq or Afghanistan to accomplished the same thing. Or people coming here from Africa to avoid racial cleansing, These to the best of my knowledge are all done outside of the confines of the USCIS. This is subject to correction.

Just saying, and you are welcome to disagree, from the overall picture of immigration, what the USCIS is doing is just a tiny drop in the bucket.

For me, 100% clean record, honorable veteran of a foreign war, was treated like a criminal and guilty of fraud with exorbitant expense, just to marry the woman of my choice. And regarding fraud, couldn't care less about the USCIS on this subject, it was me that I was concerned about. I was the one laying out all the money and sure didn't want to be screwed by some woman just to come here. And what about the US sponsoring that were the victims of fraud, does the USCIS help them? Hell no, just tell those victims they are still responsible for that I-864 they were forced to sign.

Is the USCIS going out to check the millions of illegals already in this country? Again, hell no, just going against the people that are trying to do everything legally. Let me see you counter this statement!


I agree, uscis does just rip ppl trying to do it the legal way. I know some people who were students in Europe (not European), dad has like 6 or 7 million dollars.... brand new BMW... the works. They apply for a tourist visa in Switzerland during their senior year of school to visit friends in the u.s. who visited them last year and he says this, "You already know ppl in the u.s., are about to finish your degree, you are an immigration risk" Now who the hell is going to throw away 3 years of hard work when their freaking dad could just sponsor them for an investment visa???? My mother in law got denied a tourist visa because she was also a risk... really??? a relatively high local government worker is going to throw away her house, car, job, respect, etc for a country that is going downhill and one that she can't even communicate with other people??? But if you wash up on the beach and say you were raped or pregnant the gc is pretty much automatic.... and we haven't even gotten to illegals. I completely agree with how messed up this system is, BUT I agree with what one VO I knew said, "I can't do anything about illegals, immigrant visa fraud, etc... but I know I can do my job and make sure only right people get a non-immigrant visa." He has a job to do (even if it is stupid in the grand scheme of things, or he is far toooo jaded to be neutral) and can't be held responsible for what other people do. But like I said... I agree that the whole system is a giant load of #######.
freetvMaleChina2011-08-03 21:26:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWeird experience at Naturalization interview
I personally believe they are right to open up your case again under such a situation. Immigration is a privilege not a right, and as such they should be able to examine your past down to the smallest detail. People marry someone and commit fraud all the time.. then bring in their old boy friend asap.... Is that fair to Americans to get two people who in all reality maybe shouldn't be here to begin with (yeah good faith, etc, I am not saying you shouldn't) but in a perfect world we wouldn't have divorce and if he (the usc) saw what was coming (as I am sure you would have too) neither of you would have gotten married and moved here. Anyway... my point is that they have the right to look into your past the moment that you want to bring someone from overseas... this isn't about love since u can always mover overseas... this is about a privilege to bring someone here. Good luck though!
freetvMaleChina2011-08-02 21:02:00
US Citizenship General Discussion90 days
You are already going on 3+ years of immigration paper work... what is another two weeks? I would just wait and mail it when you get back.
freetvMaleChina2011-08-15 22:42:00
US Citizenship General Discussionfail to register to selective service
You don't need to prove anything like others have said... but should you ever need a federal service (or job) which requires proof of having registered (and there are many that check the system after you are 26...) you can get paper work from the selective service and social security that will update your records with social security and avoid problems in the future with non-immigration related matters.
freetvMaleChina2011-10-05 03:41:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionAm I Classed As A Naturalized Citizen?
Hahaha, if you look at the question they just put both so naturalized people would know 100% which box to check since they had (and still do???) an A number. It is obvious that the question doesn't seek or imply any distinction between the two... they just worded it poorly is all.
freetvMaleChina2012-03-15 18:52:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionWeird situation
From what I understand her mom would have needed to report the birth abroad before she turned 18 (also her mom would have needed to live in the u.s. at least 5 years). Your parents can be american but if they never lived in the u.s. you are not an american.... nor would you be if they never reported it. *But obviously I could be wrong
freetvMaleChina2012-03-19 00:34:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionMoving after filing?
I was wondering if the n-400 is plagued with the same "we sent your gc to the old address" thing as aos and 751? I ask because we should be able to file in late july but would be moving right around that same time (but out of state).... it might make sense to wait but then we run into the whole "must live in the same state 3 months before filing", and we would want to file asap because there is a strong chance we will be moving overseas for a year in jan or feb (which would break residency). The point is that to this right I have to tiptoe along a small line to not mess anything up as we enter the final stage. Any thoughts or advice as I plan this out? (on a side note... it is taking about 3 to 4 months to take the oath and file for passport correct?)
freetvMaleChina2012-03-18 22:33:00
US Citizenship General Discussiontest questions asked
I used to have an astronomy class in which the professor would give out a test bank of 300 questions for each of the three tests. If I could memorize most of the answers a couple of nights before the exam I am sure you guys can handle a 100 over a three or four week period. But I do agree that if your English isn't very good you should start asap.
freetvMaleChina2012-03-20 11:58:00
US Citizenship General Discussiontrips outside US within 3 months before filing N-400

http://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/AFM/HTML/AFM/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-23223/0-0-0-23319/0-0-0-24381.html



Ah, so it is all about legal standing and not based on anything practical (makes sense).

To the OP, you can travel during that time as long as you are not gone for more than 6 months, keep a house etc in the state, and don't max out your physical time outside the u.s. (it is 50% of the 5 years for you).

Edited by freetv, 20 March 2012 - 11:36 AM.

freetvMaleChina2012-03-20 11:36:00
US Citizenship General Discussiontrips outside US within 3 months before filing N-400
It just means don't move to another state within 3 months of filing. I have no idea why such a law exists... it doesn't make sense considering they don't include it for aos/751/etc etc. Are they really afraid that people will rush to a less busy office to get approved :wow: :bonk:
freetvMaleChina2012-03-19 20:32:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionCan you lose citizenship status, by living out of the country?

There was a rule in the past that naturalized citizens have to stay for a certain amount in the US after their naturalization. That rule is not effective anymore.

So you are free to live anywhere in the World. Just make sure that you file your taxes with the IRS since as a US citizen, you need to file taxes for your World income.



Not to steal the thread... but when did they have that rule?
(I think up to $93k a year is tax free if you are overseas, but you still have to file)
freetvMaleChina2012-04-25 18:34:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionPossible name change after citizenship all done
You would only have to show a court ordered name change with the old passport to get a new passport with the new name... There would never be a reason to get a new naturalization certificate unless you just wanted to keep everything up to date (but what is the point... you never need the certificate after you get a passport, and in the rare instance when you do just show the name change).
freetvMaleChina2012-04-26 17:35:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionTime Outside the U.S. and N-400 Timeline?
Are trips over six months but under a year really that risky? I understand that you can overcome it with tax returns and rental payments, but considering the fact that my official residence has been at my parents house since July and I don't pay them rent that is impossible. (we will still be able to prove the 18+ months in the u.s. and have been married for nearly 4 years)

We Have been overseas since early Sept and are fast approaching the six month mark. Is it really necessary for us to go back to the u.s. in March (to make the trip just under six months) instead of our original August return date? I know it would be safer, but we would need to find jobs and then simple quit them when we attend UCLA's grad school in August.

Finally, if we were to apply for citz in March and it went to the L.A. field office, what kind of a timeline would we be looking at?
freetvMaleChina2013-01-27 09:12:00
US Citizenship General DiscussionEVER - in ANY way - associated with the Communist Party?
The military makes the question into a "yes" not the children part..... There are tons of countries that require child to join some form of children's communist party. Saying something like "oh how I love the motherland, people make it great..." blah blah as a 8 year old kid DOES NOT make you a communist party member as eluded to in the N-400 since they are TWO SEPARATE THINGS. Don't you think uscis and the state department know about children parties? One of the questions at the consulate in China is "Have you EVER been a member of the communist party", EVERYONE would answer YES if they went to school for even a half second.... but what they mean is the ADULT communist party.... any vo will tell you that.
freetvMaleChina2011-08-17 00:36:00
Removing Conditions on Residency General DiscussionWhat happens if I do not want to remove conditions?
This is what I would do... and in this order.
1. Get her off of everything I own (car, bills, credit cards, ect)
2. Record some of her harsher comments.
3. Let her destroy some things and get it on video.
4. Call a lawyer and present all of this and your story and hope that the courts rule in your favor when you two go your ways.
5. Let her deal with uscis on her own.... if she can prove it was a good marriage she will be able to stay and if not she is gone... but you have no part in that.... let uscis deal with her. You don't have to file to remove conditions.... she does.

6. Have a party with my friends when she is A. Out of my house, B. Out of my country, C. Both
freetvMaleChina2009-11-14 22:18:00