The Citizenship Services Program Terminates Today

After two years of operation, having helped 465 clients from 42 countries, including 168 new citizens, over 80 more with applications awaiting action, and 159 students in our Citizenship Preparation Classes, our program will be terminating today.

We we were not awarded funding for the next two years.  We wish success to the 40 organizations nationwide who were successful in their grant applications, and to all who seek to attain US Citizenship.

Congratulations to all who worked so hard, and best of luck to all the new citizens and soon-to-be citizens.

The Process of Becoming a Citizen

At a Naturalization Ceremony recently, a reporter commented to me that "It's nice to see people doing it legally for a change."  There is so much wrong with that statement that I did not know how to respond, except to say that the people being sworn in have worked very hard.

This incident reminded me that the requirements of citizenship are not generally known, so it's worth writing them down again. The basic requirements are:

1. Be 18 years old
2. Be a Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e., have a "Green Card") for 5 years (3 if married to a US Citizen)
3. Meet requirements for continuous presence and physical presence (as a permanent resident, one is required to remain inside the US for the majority of the time--e.g., 30 out of the 60 months prior to naturalization with no absences of over 6 months)
4. Be a person of "Good Moral Character"--essentially, have stayed out of serious trouble
5. Demonstrate the ability to speak, read, and write English
6. Demonstrate knowledge of US History and Civics

The details are on the the USCIS website on Path to Citizenship.

The hard part is getting a Green Card, formally known as a  Lawful Permanent Resident Card. In order to get a Green Card, an employer or family member must petition for you.  This is very complex.  Employers must be able to show that the applicant has skills not available in the US population.  This is difficult for most unskilled workers.  Family members must either be US Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents, not all relationships qualify, and there are waits of over 20 years for some categories. See the USCIS website on Permanent Residence.

Clients Become Citizens!

In a ceremony on the USS Massachusetts in Battleship Cove, Fall River, MA on Friday, August 23, 2013, 30 people took the oath of citizenship and became US Citizens. Eight among the group were clients of our program, meaning that they attended our Citizenship Preparation Classes and//or received our legal support throughout the application process.

We are proud of all the new citizens, and are particularly proud to have helped our 8 clients on their journey to citizenship.

The following links provide more detail:
Video of the Oath
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GuWefhu0Go&feature=youtube_gdata
Fall River Herald News coverage
http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x574260909/Thirty-three-Bristol-County-residents-to-become-US-citizens-on-Friday
http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x574262361/31-people-take-oath-become-US-citizens-aboard-battleship?zc_p=1
Massachusetts News Coverage
http://www.manewsfeed.com/fall-river/31-people-take-oath-become-us-citizens-aboard-battleship/

Note:  the number to be sworn in was originally 33, then reduced to 31 on the day of the event, and 30 actually took the oath--so there is a discrepancy in the accounts.

Smartphone/Tablet Apps for Citizenship Applicants

New technology is wonderful!

There are many apps available for Smartphones and tablets (iPhone and Android). Some good examples follow.

NOTE: We are not endorsing any app, organization, or platform--these are examples only.  Please search for other, similar apps as well.

• CitzenshipWorks http://www.citizenshipworks.org/ information, study resources, references to legal help and other resources
• Alcanza Tech: USCIS Immigration Test Prep https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alcanzatech.uscis&hl=en Flash Cards  
• Spinach Mobile: USCIS Case Status Notifier http://android.metricscat.com/developer/spinach-mobile-llc-258842/ enter receipt number and see case status
• machambi: Check USCIS Case Status https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.machambi.YouYesSeeEyeYes&hl=en enter receipt number and see case status
• John Manley Immigration Attorney http://johnmanley.net/ news, blog, other resources

   

DACA Applications Declining

Through 6/30/2013, USCIS has received over 557,000 applications in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. 

The applications have been declining steadily. They reached a peak of 112,00 in October 2012, and have declined steadily in 2013, from 31,000 in January to 17,500 in June. 

Source: www.uscis.gov/data

DACA grants legal presence and ability to receive work authorizations for two years to persons who were brought to the US as children, subject to conditions.

You may request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals if you:   

1. Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;
2. Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;
3. Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;  
4. Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS;
5. Entered without inspection before June 15, 2012, or your lawful immigration status expired as of June 15, 2012;
6. Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and
7. Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety

Source: www.uscis.gov/childhoodarrivals

 

Supreme Court on DOMA Impact on Immigration

USCIS has published guidance.  In short, the answer is "yes."

See http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=4579215c310af310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e7801c2c9be44210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

CIR Provisions for Seniors

One provision of the proposed Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) that has not been the subject of a lot of discussion are the new age exemptions for English and US History/Civics.

The existing exemptions for those aged 50 and older who have been Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) for  at least 20 years and those aged 55 and older who have been LPRS for at least 15 years have been expanded.  These provisions, which will continue, allow those who qualify to take the US History/Civics portion of the Naturalization Interview and Test in their native language.

The new provisions in Section 2551 of proposed Senate Bill 744 give the same exemptions to those aged 60 and over who have been LPRs for 10 or more years.  In addition, those over 65 with over 5 years of permanent residence are also exempt from the US History/Civics portion.

On a case by case basis, the 60/10 group may apply for exemption from the US History/Civics portion.

These are major enhancements for older Lawful Permanent Residents.