Green card lost and expiring, should we apply for citizenshipship?

[iamanamericanwife 0]

I am American and my husband, who is Italian, has had a green card since 2011.His green card is expiring in June and he also had his wallet stolen a few months ago with the green card in it.

We want to leave the country for vacation in July and he even wanted to go for à short trip out of the country in May.

We are also moving to Florida in June and he may need his documentation in order to get a driver's licence.

I am pretty sure he is eligible to apply for citizenship but we never looked into it.

 

What are our options?

Would an application for citizenship work?

What about the application for green card renewal?

 

Assuming that both options would work what are the disadvantages to getting citizenship?

 

 

 

 

[Mike E 11,727]

Apply for citizenship today. There is a better than 50 percent chance he will take oath of citizenship on or before July  

[iamanamericanwife 0]

On this page

 I saw these paragraphs:

 

 All applicants must send the following three items with their N-400 application:

 

1.

A photocopy of both sides of your Permanent Resident Card (formerly known as the Alien Registration Card or 'Green Card'). If you have lost the card, submit a photocopy of the receipt of your Form I-90, 'Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card';

 

I really hope we have a copy somewhere otherwise, it seems I will have to waste $455 on I-90.

 

Is the request of a duplicate a necessary step?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 10, 2023 by iamanamericanwife

[iamanamericanwife 0]

I also see that these are the requirements to get a driver licence in Florida:

https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/what-to-bring/immigrant/

 

1. Primary Identification

An original of one of the following documents with complete name:

• Valid alien registration receipt card (green card, form I-551); or
• I-551 stamp in passport or on I-94; or
• Immigration judge’s order, containing the customer’s A-number (admissions number),
  granting asylum; or
• I-797, containing the customer’s A-number, stating the customer has been granted asylum; or<
• I-797, or another form from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), with the customer’s A-number, stating the customer’s application for refugee status is approved.

[iamanamericanwife 0]

I searched the forum and a few messages say you need to be a LPR, not having the actual green card in hand, to get citizenship. For example this one:

 

 

So it seems that depending on him wanting to keep the GC or getting citizenship he can just file for I-90 or apply for N-400.

 

But could he travel outside of US without the green card and just an application for N-400?

 

 

[Crazy Cat 39,626]

1 hour ago, iamanamericanwife said:

But could he travel outside of US without the green card and just an application for N-400?

No.  

Edited March 10, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[CMJuilland 484]

From what I gather from your question, I believe his trip in May will pretty much have to be scraped if you don’t want to go through the I-90 process of GC renewal (which I wouldn’t as it seems like a waste of money), and proceed with his naturalization instead. However, I would follow @Mike E’s advice and apply for citizenship immediately. Also, do report the loss of your husband’s green card and get a police report. 

Edited March 10, 2023 by CMJuilland

[Mike E 11,727]

4 hours ago, iamanamericanwife said:

really hope we have a copy somewhere otherwise, it seems I will have to waste $455 on I-90.

Try doing a FOIA request for his entire A file 

[carmel34 3,537]

6 hours ago, iamanamericanwife said:

I-551 stamp in passport

Call USCIS and ask for an appointment with your closest USCIS field office for an ADIT stamp.  This will be proof of LPR status for one year and can be used for travel and driver's license while you file the N-400.  Don't bother with the I-90, they are taking about a year to process.

Edited March 10, 2023 by carmel34

[Allaboutwaiting 2,500]

As @carmel34 says, call customer service to get an ADIT stamp. 

 

You can also ask - or they might offer- an I-94 that will serve as an I-551 for a year.

 

 

[Beth & Achraf 328]

9 hours ago, iamanamericanwife said:

I am American and my husband, who is Italian, has had a green card since 2011.His green card is expiring in June and he also had his wallet stolen a few months ago with the green card in it.

We want to leave the country for vacation in July and he even wanted to go for à short trip out of the country in May.

We are also moving to Florida in June and he may need his documentation in order to get a driver's licence.

I am pretty sure he is eligible to apply for citizenship but we never looked into it.

 

What are our options?

Would an application for citizenship work?

What about the application for green card renewal?

 

Assuming that both options would work what are the disadvantages to getting citizenship?

 

 

 

 

Wallet stolen few months ago?  , and did you report it to USCIS? 

 It's required the beneficiary carries green card on them always.

Contact USCIS for what to do next.

[OldUser 5,072]

1 hour ago, Beth & Achraf said:

Wallet stolen few months ago?  , and did you report it to USCIS? 

 It's required the beneficiary carries green card on them always.

Contact USCIS for what to do next.

Police report is helpful. The only thing USCIS agent would propose is to file I-90.

[iamanamericanwife 0]

17 minutes ago, OldUser said:

Police report is helpful. The only thing USCIS agent would propose is to file I-90.

We already have a police report. @carmel34 talk about getting an ADIT stamp. Are you saying it is not an option?

 

 I found this:

https://tandslaw.com/uscis-expected-to-announce-new-application-process-for-adit-stamps/#:~:text=An ADIT stamp (also known,expired%2C or has been lost.

 

It dors not say you need to have an I-90 pending.

[iamanamericanwife 0]

I did not say before but I am sure we have the old 2-year temporary GC. Would that be enough to file the N-400?

[OldUser 5,072]

5 minutes ago, iamanamericanwife said:

We already have a police report. @carmel34 talk about getting an ADIT stamp. Are you saying it is not an option?

 

 I found this:

https://tandslaw.com/uscis-expected-to-announce-new-application-process-for-adit-stamps/#:~:text=An ADIT stamp (also known,expired%2C or has been lost.

 

It dors not say you need to have an I-90 pending.

Not saying it's impossible to get ADIT stamp. It all depends on your persistance.

USCIS will likely want you to have a pending petition of some sort to request the stamp. The only way you can find out is by trying!