Question:
I've got a 10 year green card which
ran out in 2004,however,as soon
as I realised it had run out(after
a few months),I called the INS Office
(as was)in Chicago and explained
it had run out,and I was told not
to worry,just get it renewed when
I could,but I would have no problems
because I was in the system as a
'legal resident',unless I left the
country because I would not be able
to get back in....fair enough!..I
also asked if instead of getting
it renewed ,I could just go straight
into the process to become a Citizen,and
was told I would have to get the
green card renewed first then apply
for Citizenship.
It just so happened that I read
an article in our nearly local newspaper
earlier this year,about 'citizenship
celebrations' and as there was a
phone number in the article I called,but
they were closed at that time,it
was around 4th July,still,I wrote
the number down and forgot it until
sorting my add. book out the other
day,when I called again and was
told that they do indeed do Citizenship
applications,so went to see the
woman at the community center yesterday,I
explained all about my green card
and she said it having expired is
no problem,I CAN go straight for
my Citizenship without getting it
renewed,and we went ahead and filled
out all the neccessary paperwork
yesterday...the only thing I need
to do now is get my two passport
'mugshots' and a money order for
the $400 by next wednesday,then
I'll get an app. to go to Naperville
for my fingerprints,I may have to
go to Chicago once,then I'll take
my 'Oath' at Peoria in about 6-8
months.
I'm thrilled to bits that it's
that easy,however,I was telling
another expat about it and she phoned
the same community center today
about an visa problem but the woman
didn't seem to know very much about
what she should do about it....however,I
wonder if that might be because
she deals mostly with people who
want to just become citizens...but
the expat said she made her a bit
suspicious....my question to you
guys is ...does it sound like I
need to worry?....
Answer:
I hope it all works out well for
you either way I am sure you will
be fine :)
Go the USCIS website and read
the instructions about eligibility
for citizenship and what you need
to do to apply.
Don't forget you interview and
tests ..... time to study ..........
Well for half an hour or so...
Would I be right to cut it short, that you are asking.
1.Do you need to re-new your G/C to apply for Citizenship?
Or
2.Can you just go ahead and apply for Citizenship with the expired card?
No idea myself but I did have a look on the uscis web-site as NC Penguin
suggested and there is no mention unless I missed it.
I'm willing to bet the card does not need to be renewed. Whether the
card is expired or not, her status remains that of a PR... and *that* is
the criteria.
I have looked all over in the USCIS website and can't see anything about
becoming a citizen instead of renewing the green card,and,needless to
say, now can't get through to a 'live person' at the USCIS on the
phone,not since 2004 when the 'live' USCIS person I spoke to then said I
had to renew my green card before I could start the Citizenship
process,however, the woman at the community center told me that I CAN go
for my Citizenship WITHOUT renewing my expired green
card,because,regardless of it being expired,I'm still a 'legal
resident',apparently she's helped several people in the same position as
me over the years....mostly Hispanics...she's based at this particular
community center,but travels to several of the larger towns around this
area doing the same work, that's really why I feel comfortable getting
my Citizenship through her....
No, the card expires, your residency doesn't.
2.Can you just go ahead and apply
for Citizenship with the expired
card?
Yes, but you need a copy of the old card at the very least to photocopy
both sides to submit with your N-400. Check the fees. The $70 biometric
fee is not mentioned in the OP.
The reason why the community might not be able to assist the other
caller is because they are geared to naturalization and will not know
the answers to other questions.
