Question:
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'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?....
I think you should post this in the Immigration forum or a Mod can move
it for you.
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.
I'll move your thread to the US Immigration forum.
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....
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.
PS You can pay by personal check. No need for a money order. In
fact a personal check is better since the cashed check will have
your case number on it so that you can look up your status on the
USCIS website.
That was what I said to the expat I was talking to on the phone,I did
wonder if the center would know much about the 'visa' part of
immigration as they do so much naturalization work.....And the N-400 is
the form we were filling in....she did say that the reason I had been
told that I would have to renew my green card before I could apply for
the Citizenship was because they wanted the extra money!
Please read the rest of the posts under the original that NCP moved for
you. You have been answered by both myself and Ian. You DO NOT want
to call the 1-800 misinformation number for the USCIS. You WILL NOT
find anything on the USCIS about becoming a citizen rather than renewing
your green card. The worker at the community center is correct, the
USCIS was not.
If I recall correctly, I had to send copies of the front and back of my
greencard with my N-400 application. I wonder if the USCIS might make an
issue of that with an expired card.
