Citizenship

[forchika 4]

My husband's wallet was stolen in a robbery @ work, his identification and 10yr green card was in his wallet? Does he need to have the 10yr green card in order to file for Citizenship?

[yohino 22]

Sadly, for you guys, a copy of his GC will need to be sent with his N-400 application.

Just have to do a I-90 and pay the dreaded replacement fee.

Maybe since it was a work-related incident the company can assist with the payment for it?

[jkelly07 120]

sorry that happen to you, did you report it to the police and keep that report make a copy.if you report it to the uscis you have to apply for a new premenent residence and pay a fee form 1-90or if you made copys front and back of your stolen card,when the time come to file your citizenship n-400 you have a copy,it's when you have your interview they ask for your permnent residence card,it's up a new card fee is 365.00 and if you need to biometrics thats another85.00 total 450.00 good luck what ever you do.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

His Green Card was in his wallet?

Yep, he'll need a police report and $450.00 for an I-90 application. He doesn't need to wait for the new Green Card to arrive, which can take an easy 6 months (!), but he'll need the form and for that he'll need to pay. Luckily for your husband, a US passport is much cheaper and much faster to replace, just in case.

[juliava 80]

I'm very sorry for this happening to you!Yes, you will need a new card and it's not cheap at all as another user indicated above. If you think about adding the application fee for US citizenship, you will end up investing over $1000 total plus the whole process will be delayed until due to your GC replacement.

ps: I don;t want to sound mean, but this is a useful thread for those who keep their GC in their wallets or for those who don't know where to keep it.

[LADYDARE 28]

Sorry to hear about the stolen GC but you will need in order to apply for citizenship. All the best

[forchika 4]

Thanks everyone for the answers.... I know I have read here so many times that most keep a copy of the green card in the wallet and leave the real thing at home in a safe place I just never thought to suggest this to him. This is the second time, he was involved in a robbery @ work. The first time they did not take his wallet just the cell phone. The second time they took his cellphone, keys and wallet. He never recovered any of his things from the second robbery.

Edited January 18, 2011 by forchika

[Darnell 8,478]

well, since you've been on this long visa journey, you've been making copies of stuff, right?

and you made copies of his green card, stuck in the file of copies you've already made, right?

IF SO - then yer good - not need to replace it - but

I'd sure make a police report.

[dolphin1 5]

Thanks everyone for the answers.... I know I have read here so many times that most keep a copy of the green card in the wallet and leave the real thing at home in a safe place I just never thought to suggest this to him. This is the second time, he was involved in a robbery @ work. The first time they did not take his wallet just the cell phone. The second time they took his cellphone, keys and wallet. He never recovered any of his things from the second robbery.

Two robberies? I think he has to leave that job, next time God forbid he may lose his life. I wanted to add that if he ends up filing for another card, it will take him months. Another VJ member and I have been waitting for 4 months now.

Edited January 19, 2011 by dolphin1

[VanessaTony 3,567]

My husband's wallet was stolen in a robbery @ work, his identification and 10yr green card was in his wallet? Does he need to have the 10yr green card in order to file for Citizenship?

As others have posted, if you have COPIES of the card then you're fine because only copies are required to file the N-400. I personally have digital copies (front and back) of all my cards "just in case". Kinda like how some people carry a copy of their passport when they travel so that if it's stolen they have all the info when reporting it stolen/missing.

If you don't have a copy then you will need a new card (most likely). It seems a little unfair to me so I would personally make and infopass appointment first (if you don't have the copies that is) and ask them if the police report is enough and *hope* that it is because all they'd do is take it from you when (and if) he passes the Naturalisation stuff so it seems like an awful waste of money (and time for them) to print a new card just to take it a couple of months later..

Good luck!

[NickD 202]

Never did learn the penalty for not carrying your green card at all times and tried doing a search on it. Heard about people being detained for not having a green card, but that was in Arizona, but were released once someone brought their card. Certainly need it when applying for a job, schools, drivers' license, international travel, a LPR drivers' license looks exactly like any other drivers' license that is all you need for domestic travel. My bank wanted to see my wifes' green card, only because I told them she was from Venezuela and with that APA thing. You indubitably need a green card to get into any USCIS office.

In regard to carrying an ID in this country, zero requirements, Arizona is the only exception, but that is being battled in court. Did have to always carry my military ID, but that was only when in uniform or when entering a military installation, never checked while leaving. Should have your drivers' license with you, but only when driving, or more recently, if traveling by air. But the only requirement I can think of where you have to carry an ID with you at all times is if you are a LPR. Talking about general stuff, like walking your dog around the block. Certainly not practical at the beach if you are wearing a string bikini, no place to put it.

Once you become naturalized, certainly no law that says you have to staple your certificate to your forehead, don't need any kind of ID.

The thing is, the USCIS makes it so miserable and super expensive if your green card is lost or stolen, and you need that card to get your US citizenship. In that respect, it is a very valuable card. And have no idea why you have to carry it at all times. So if you get out of bed to use the restroom, are you suppose to carry your green card with you? A very nebulous statement they make without any clarification.

I did try to learn the penalty if stopped without your green card, couldn't find anything on this subject. But if stopped without it, and can be shown, normally not a problem.

Edited January 19, 2011 by NickD

[milimelo 4,166]

If there's a copy of the 10-yr green card, submit that with N400 - hope you filed police report. No need to do I-90 and pay additional $$.

At oath time, you won't have a gc to give to the USCIS people but you'll still be able to get the naturalization certificate.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

As others have posted, if you have COPIES of the card then you're fine because only copies are required to file the N-400. I personally have digital copies (front and back) of all my cards "just in case". Kinda like how some people carry a copy of their passport when they travel so that if it's stolen they have all the info when reporting it stolen/missing.

If you don't have a copy then you will need a new card (most likely). It seems a little unfair to me so I would personally make and infopass appointment first (if you don't have the copies that is) and ask them if the police report is enough and *hope* that it is because all they'd do is take it from you when (and if) he passes the Naturalisation stuff so it seems like an awful waste of money (and time for them) to print a new card just to take it a couple of months later..

Good luck!

I will become a US citizen in a few hours. If I tell them folks at the oath ceremony that I cannot turn in my Green Card but offer them a copy of it, they will have me turn around, bend over, kick me in the buttocks, and tell me to hug myself and come back when I have a receipt for the I-90 and have it signed off by the Immigration Officer who interviewed me.

Google "dealbreaker."

[DebbyNSeyi 15]

I will become a US citizen in a few hours. If I tell them folks at the oath ceremony that I cannot turn in my Green Card but offer them a copy of it, they will have me turn around, bend over, kick me in the buttocks, and tell me to hug myself and come back when I have a receipt for the I-90 and have it signed off by the Immigration Officer who interviewed me.

Google "dealbreaker."

[forchika 4]

Thank everyone for the replies you live and you learn...he just did the application on line and has already gotten the NOA for the replacement.