16 Jul 2018

I was issued a green card through my employer almost 5 years ago, and my wife received her green card as my dependent. If she applies for citizenship but I don’t, will that create any complications?

Answer Naturalization applications are individual applications. There is no requirement that all members of a family apply. (16.Jul.2018)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law in real time. For details on chat participation, click here.Access more...

13 Jul 2018

NewsFlash! New Memo Makes it Easier for USCIS to Deny Cases Without First Issuing RFE or NOID

This afternoon, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy memorandum that provides officers with more discretion to deny an application or petition without first having to issue either a request for evidence (RFE) or notice of intent to deny (NOID). This memo...

06 Jul 2018

NewsFlash! USCIS to Place Far More Foreign Nationals in Removal Proceeding, Per New Memo

Thursday evening, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy memo that appears to greatly expand the situations in which a foreign national is to be issued a notice to appear (NTA). An NTA is a charging document that initiates removal (i.e. deportation)...

25 Jun 2018

I got my green card through my employer 9 months ago. I now have a lucrative job offer from another company. Will my GC be at risk if I move to a new employer now?

Answer A person who receives an employer-sponsored "green card" is generally advised to remain with the sponsoring employer for at least six months to avoid possible allegations of misrepresentation during the naturalization process. Generally, changing after this time period would be relatively safe. (25.Jun.2018)In frequent sessions...

31 May 2018

Legal Representation During Green Card and Naturalization Interviews

Lawful permanent residents (LPRs, or "green card" holders) applying to naturalize, and various different categories of I-485 adjustment-of-status applicants, are required to attend U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in-person interviews before their respective applications may be approved. Given the heightened scrutiny in the current...

02 Apr 2018

My application to become a U.S. citizen is pending, and my green card will soon expire. Citizenship is in process, if green card expires, is there a quick process to get a temporary extension on green card?

Answer Ordinarily, if your green card is going to expire within six months of applying for naturalization (form N-400), you are expected to also apply for an I-90 (green card renewal). If you have applied for naturalization more than 6 months before the expiration of your...

12 Mar 2018

My green card is about to expire, and I am waiting to be scheduled for my U.S. citizenship oath. Do I need to renew my green card in order to be eligible to take the oath?

Answer The "green card" itself is only proof of one's status - its expiration does not affect one's status as a lawful permanent resident (LPR). Therefore, the expiration should not affect the citizenship application. (12.Mar.2018)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys...