A Cincinnati Immigration Law Firm
USCIS recently began transferring some I-130 applications from the NBC to the Nebraska, Texas and California Service Centers to stabilize total functional workload. For petitins that are moved, USCIS claims it will send out a notification listing the transmission day and location where the case will certainly be processed. The original case number will certainly not change and USCIS states that this will not further delay case processing.
I am currently writing a book on applying for U.S. citizenship. The upcoming book will have information about the benefits & responsibility of U.S. citizenship, eligibility requirements, completing the application for naturalization, and the interview/test. While I am writing this I will put excepts on our blog for your review.
When I am closer to completing the book I will post information here on how you can get your copy, or if you are a client who either is eligible or will be shortly I will just send you a copy for free.
If you are interested in applying for U.S. citizenship/Naturalization, and would like to make sure you are eligible or to have our office represent you please click the icon below to schedule an appointment to meet with me.
Thank you.
Thomas J. Geygan, Jr.
Today USCIS began employing a new verification tool called Customer Identity Verification (CIV) in its Cincinnati field office. Customers will now submit biometric data, specifically fingerprints and photographs, when appearing at USCIS offices for interviews or to receive evidence of an immigration benefit.
After a customer arrives at a field office, clears security, and is called to the counter, we will electronically scan two fingerprints and take a picture to verify their identity. The process takes just a few minutes and applies only to customers who have an interview or receive evidence of an immigration benefit. People who come to our office for InfoPass appointments or to accompany a customer will not undergo this process. After we verify the customer’s identity, they can proceed to their interview or receive their document.
Currently, USCIS requires applicants and petitioners requesting immigration or naturalization benefits to visit one of our Application Support Centers (ASCs) to provide biometric data. USCIS uses this data to help determine eligibility for requested benefits. This requirement, along with providing a government-issued document for examination, will not change.
CIV connects instantly to the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology’s (US-VISIT’s) Secondary Inspections Tool (SIT). SIT is a Web-based application that processes, displays and retrieves biometric and biographic data. US-VISIT also links databases associated with border inspections and security.
Today the CIV system went down at least once and caused interviews to run about 20 mins behind.
On October 30, 2000, President Clinton signed into law H.R. 2883, the Child Citizenship Act of 2000. The new law, Public Law 106-395, amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to permit foreign-born children—including adopted children —to acquire citizenship automatically if they meet certain requirements. It became effective on February 27, 2001. Certain foreign-born children—including adopted children—currently residing permanently in the United States acquired citizenship automatically.
To be eligible, a child must meet the definition of “child” for naturalization purposes under immigration law and must also meet the following requirements:
• The child has at least one United States citizen parent (by birth or naturalization);
• The child is under 18 years of age;
• The child is currently residing permanently in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the United States citizen parent;
• The child is a lawful permanent resident;
• An adopted child meets the requirements applicable to adopted children under immigration law
Acquiring citizenship automatically means citizenship acquired by law without the need to apply for citizenship. A child who was under the age of 18 and has already met all of the above requirements acquired citizenship automatically on February 27, 2001. Otherwise, a child acquired citizenship automatically on the date the child meets all of the above requirements.
But How Do You Prove Citizenship
You can prove citizenship by applying for a passport (Form DS-11) or a Certification of Citizenship (N-600).
U.S. Passport
To obtain U.S. passport, you must complete a Form DS-11 (available at any passport agency or accessible online). Application in person is required for first time passport applicants.
Proof of citizenship is required to get a passport. For citizens born in the United States, this can be done by producing a previous U.S. passport or certified birth certificate. For applicants born outside the United States, this can be done by submitting a previous U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, or Report of Birth Abroad. For those who obtained citizenship through Child Citizenship Act, they should provide proof of residence status or an immigrant visa as well as at least one United States citizen parent and residence in the United States. In addition to citizenship, the applicant must prove identity, provide two color photographs, and pay all required fees.
During the period of its validity, a U.S. passport has the same force and effect as a certificate of citizenship. It is not subject to collateral attack in an administrative immigration proceeding, and it constitutes conclusive proof of the holder’s U.S. citizenship. Even an expired passport serves as prima facie evidence of citizenship and cannot be disregarded unless there is clear and convincing evidence showing that it was issued through fraud or error.
Certificate of Citizenship
Certain categories of citizens are statutorily eligible to receive a certificate of citizenship.
The application for a certificate of citizenship is submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Form N-600, with the appropriate fee and photographs, and accompanied by evidence establishing the claimed citizenship, such as birth, marriage, death, and divorce certificates.
In certain cases, such as when the application is accompanied by a Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States, an unexpired U.S. passport, or the naturalization certificates of the applicant’s parent or parents, the application may be processed without an interview. In all other cases, the applicant (or a parent or guardian) may be required to appear for an interview before a USCIS officer.
Citizenship is an important right, please have the necessary evidence, U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, or Report of Birth Abroad, to prove your citizenship and protect yourself.
Geygan & Geygan, Ltd. is developing a new way to prepare for the Naturalization Exam. This new exam preparation will provide you with all of the USCIS approved questions, as well as numerous practice exams that can be taken on and off line. for more information please click here
PS This will be available first in English with a Spanish version soon to follow.