Newly divorced seeking Naturalization

[FranStar82 0]

Hi! I have a multi-layered question (!) and really need some advice please. 
I came to the US on a K-1 visa in 2011 and was married, and have been a resident since 11/2011. My husband and I recently divorced, so my questions are as follows:

Do I need to inform USCIS of the divorce, and if so how do I go about doing that?

I intend to change my name back to my maiden name, and also need to start the naturalization process (I have sole legal custody of our 2 US citizen children) 

So, do I have to apply for a new Green Card with my maiden name, or can the name change be tied in with the Naturalization application? 
I have been laid off due to COVID since the end of March, I haven’t even started to look into how that may affect my application for Citizenship.....

 

So thankful in advance for any advice, from an overwhelmed single mom! 

[Crazy Cat 41,979]

You are required to inform USCIS of address changes...not marital status changes.....your employment status is not a factor in naturalization.

[JaEnglishGirl 34]

13 hours ago, FranStar82 said:

Hi! I have a multi-layered question (!) and really need some advice please. 
I came to the US on a K-1 visa in 2011 and was married, and have been a resident since 11/2011. My husband and I recently divorced, so my questions are as follows:

Do I need to inform USCIS of the divorce, and if so how do I go about doing that?

I intend to change my name back to my maiden name, and also need to start the naturalization process (I have sole legal custody of our 2 US citizen children) 

So, do I have to apply for a new Green Card with my maiden name, or can the name change be tied in with the Naturalization application? 
I have been laid off due to COVID since the end of March, I haven’t even started to look into how that may affect my application for Citizenship.....

 

So thankful in advance for any advice, from an overwhelmed single mom! 

There is a silver lining to being unemployed. If you haven't already, apply for food stamps if eligible. Once you receive the letter stating how much you are eligible for etc from the SNAP program, you can use a copy of this letter to file a waiver so you do not have to pay the filing fee for naturalization. Form I-912.

[RunTheRoad 75]

14 hours ago, FranStar82 said:

Hi! I have a multi-layered question (!) and really need some advice please. 
I came to the US on a K-1 visa in 2011 and was married, and have been a resident since 11/2011. My husband and I recently divorced, so my questions are as follows:

Do I need to inform USCIS of the divorce, and if so how do I go about doing that?

I intend to change my name back to my maiden name, and also need to start the naturalization process (I have sole legal custody of our 2 US citizen children) 

So, do I have to apply for a new Green Card with my maiden name, or can the name change be tied in with the Naturalization application? 
I have been laid off due to COVID since the end of March, I haven’t even started to look into how that may affect my application for Citizenship.....

 

So thankful in advance for any advice, from an overwhelmed single mom! 

You should be able to do the name change during naturalization. In some States (like NJ), you can get this done the same day as the interview and during the oath ceremony. Job status has no impact on naturalization.

[Mollie09 1,543]

19 hours ago, FranStar82 said:

Hi! I have a multi-layered question (!) and really need some advice please. 
I came to the US on a K-1 visa in 2011 and was married, and have been a resident since 11/2011. My husband and I recently divorced, so my questions are as follows:

Do I need to inform USCIS of the divorce, and if so how do I go about doing that?

I intend to change my name back to my maiden name, and also need to start the naturalization process (I have sole legal custody of our 2 US citizen children) 

So, do I have to apply for a new Green Card with my maiden name, or can the name change be tied in with the Naturalization application? 
I have been laid off due to COVID since the end of March, I haven’t even started to look into how that may affect my application for Citizenship.....

 

So thankful in advance for any advice, from an overwhelmed single mom! 

If you request a name change with your divorce you can just apply with your maiden name, you have to provide all marriage/divorce certificates and that can work as a name change document.

Your employment doesn't affect your naturalization, just your criminal background and presence in the US.

[wololo 28]

15 hours ago, JaEnglishGirl said:

There is a silver lining to being unemployed. If you haven't already, apply for food stamps if eligible. Once you receive the letter stating how much you are eligible for etc from the SNAP program, you can use a copy of this letter to file a waiver so you do not have to pay the filing fee for naturalization. Form I-912.

Given the current hostile situation towards immigration from the current administration, I would advise not to ask for public benefits while being a non-citizen. I know it's crazy to think that they might deny citizenship for applying for unemployment, but at least some people has been denied immigration benefits (ie. Green card) if they applied for public benefits.

 

I personally got laid off recently before applying for N400 but I won't ask for unemployment in the meantime, I won't give them any reason to believe I'm a charge to the system.

Edited July 18, 2020 by wololo

[JaEnglishGirl 34]

6 hours ago, wololo said:

Given the current hostile situation towards immigration from the current administration, I would advise not to ask for public benefits while being a non-citizen. I know it's crazy to think that they might deny citizenship for applying for unemployment, but at least some people has been denied immigration benefits (ie. Green card) if they applied for public benefits.

 

I personally got laid off recently before applying for N400 but I won't ask for unemployment in the meantime, I won't give them any reason to believe I'm a charge to the system.

Please don't peddle your personal opinion as facts.

No-one got denied citizenship for taking food stamps or unemployment. Stop spreading misinformation.