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...

05 Mar 2018

I am waiting for my oath ceremony in order to naturalize. Also, my green card is about to expire. I have a family emergency and need to travel to India immediately. What options do I have to return with no issues? Will this impact my naturalization case?

Answer If you have an emergency need to travel, you can try to obtain a temporary I-551 stamp in your passport at the local USCIS office. It typically is okay to travel while waiting for one's naturalization oath ceremony, but you need to inform the USCIS...

06 Nov 2017

I filed my naturalization application a number of months ago and am now just waiting for my interview. My green card will expire in April. If my interview is not scheduled before then, do I have to renew my green card?

Answer One in this situation generally can make an Infopass appointment at the local USCIS office and get a temporary "green card" stamp in their passport. Filing a new I-90 normally would not be necessary. (06.Nov.2017)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other senior...

21 Aug 2017

I am a U.S. citizen sponsoring my mother for a green card. Will non-availability of her birth certificate create problems for her case?

Answer This can definitely lead to the issuance of a request for evidence, because of the requirement that the parent-child relationship be proven. The USCIS will sometimes demand a DNA test in this situation. (21.Aug.2017)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys...

31 Jul 2017

I am eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship, but my husband and children will not qualify for another year. Is it advisable for me to wait and apply for the whole family at the same time?

Answer In general, there is no particular benefit for a family to wait to file naturalization applications at the same time, other than the fact that the citizenship interviews generally will be scheduled for the same day. Also, depending on the circumstances, the children may become...

12 Jun 2017

I submitted my application for U.S. citizenship, but forgot to mention something in the application. Can I add this information during the interview? Will this negatively impact my application?

Answer Errors on the N-400 are routinely corrected at the interview, and would not normally have a negative effect. (12.Jun.2017)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...

17 Apr 2017

I recently filed my N-400 application to become a U.S. citizen, but realized I forgot to include some information. Can I withdraw the application and then refile?

Answer It is generally possible to withdraw a pending N-400. However, forgotten information can oftentimes be corrected at the interview, so withdrawing would not normally be necessary. (17.Apr.2017)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law in...