greentea5481

Hi all

I just wanted to update my thread for those who might come across it looking up info on the topic...

I did become a US citizen, based on 3 years of permanent residency even though I was divorced from my abuser...So yes, if you have an approved I-751 based on cruelty and abuse, you ARE eligible to naturalize as if you were still married after 3 years of permanent residency.

The interviewer may tell you otherwise, just inform him/her of the above memo and it resolves the situation. Many USCIS officers are not aware, although they mean well...

No! He asked me for nothing at all...which I was surprised about. I guess my I-751 had all the abuse info... After I informed him of the 3 year rule for victim abuse, he treated me as if I was a 5 year permanent resident applicant and asked me no questions whatsoever about my marriage/divorce/abuse, nothing at all.. He simply asked the history and civil questions (the ones you have to study for) then he went through the application itself, where I worked and concluded with the yes and no questions etc.

I was out in 10 minutes and got put in line for the oath 3 days later...Don't stress, it will go fine! Just gently and politely remind the interviewer about the rule for victim abuse if he or she doesn't seem aware. You could always bring a print out of the USCIS memo (I included that in my N400 application).

Hope everyone is doing well.

Am having problems with my Taxes. Nerve wracking. I filled for my 2013 taxes this year, which i was not suppose to file because i did not work or made enough to file. so i had to file for for an amendment and now i called for my 2013 transcripts,they claim it will be ready in 4months. so what do i do now? move my interview date? or take the amendment returns i filled with my tax prepare to my interview?

I was in the same situation as you...N400 after 3 years, based on an I-751 granted on grounds of abuse. I did bring my tax returns to the interview but the interviewer never asked them and my citizenship application was approved. So just go in, and if he asks for your tax transcripts, say you didn't bring them and he will ask you to send them in.

As I said, I was never asked for mine...Beware interviewers are not always aware of the 3 year rule for abuse victims. At the N400 interview, my interviewer was very nice but he said I didn't yet qualify for citizenship because I had only been a permanent resident for 3 years and was no longer married. I explained to him the rule and he said, ok, I was not aware, I'll check with my supervisor and he carried on with the interview. He gave me a "cannot approve your application right away" paper and 3 days later, my status changed to "in line for oath ceremony"

Good luck and feel free to ask me any more questions, I've been through it, successfully

Oh yay!!! That is such wonderful news!

I know it takes time and it is gut wrenching to put your emotions and ordeals on paper but it is necessary. It was worth the effort, no more worries for you Congrats

On September 12, 2014, we ordered production of your new card. Please allow 30 days for your card to be mailed to you. If we need something from you we will contact you. If you move before you receive the card, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

Finally yipiiiieee

That's awesome new! Congrats to you both! It's actually time for you two to file citizenship! Oh but maybe you'll want a break from this non-sense lol Again, CONGRATS and enjoy!

My experience has been as such: very early on during AOS (had not even received the biometrics letter yet) I received a very unexpected job offer. My USC husband called his Congressman, we did a walk-in Biometrics (due to the Congressman's phone call to both the servuce center and USCIS as that service center did not accept walk-ins) and within 36 hours I had the email that EAD was in production AND an email from the Congressman confirming.

I'm not saying my journey has been smooth, but I've always reached out to those who could help when I met a snag in the road and it has worked.

I am sure you will hear soon!!! You did very well to contact your Senator.

Thank you, KASH2011!

I really do feel there was movement in my case because I went in person. So please, try and go in person with infopass. It's worth it!

*approved, not applied lol I should not be allowed near a computer in the early morning hehe

Dear all who have not yet been applied,

Please do not lose hope and cheer up!

Have you made an infopass and gone in person? I was an November filer and got no response even though I filed e-requests. I made an info pass, went in person 10 days ago and they told me "oh ROC can take up to 2 years" And I said, oh well, that wont do. I guess I will need to contact the Ombudsman because the official site does say 6.5 months.

Magically, my card went into production the morning after...It is really worth your time to go in person. Be nice and polite of course, but let them know you will take the next option.

Thank you all for your replies! I will send it in and keep you this board posted as to what transpires, if I receive RFE and such, maybe it can help others in the same situation. There's really not a lot of specific information on the topic out there.

Sure, please see links for official memos from USCIS It was issued to clarify the link you posted actually.

http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Laws/Memoranda/Static_Files_Memoranda/Archives%201998-2008/2005/sec319a012705.pdf

(under guidance, #3)

I was in the unfortunate position of ending up in an abusive marriage. Thankfully, I made it out alive. I removed conditions on my GC based on the abuse waiver, which was approved. I now know that permanent residents who removed conditions based on an approved abuse waiver may opt to naturalize after 3 years of permanent residency, even if no longer married to their USC spouse.

My questions is, what documents do I need to include in my N400? There is little information online. Do I include all my proof of Bona Fide Marriage and Abuse all over again, pretty much "re-sending" the same file I sent with my I-751.

Or do I just send the basics: green card copy, fee, tax returns, 2 passport size pictures and filled out N400 form?

Thank you for reading.

I would add more. What about joint checking and savings accounts statements spanning the past 2 years (it shows strong proof of commingled finances), joint bills spanning the past 2 years (cable, cell, electricity, gas etc) and proof of life insurance listing each other as beneficiary. Do you have a copy of your apartment ease or mortgage (showing that you live together)? Also,any proof of trips you've taken together, like hotels in your names and flight itinerary. Good luck!

The letter was supposed to expire in early October. If I were you, I'd just got get an extension stamp. They stamped my passport for another year.

Also, you really would be well advised to go in person, it seems to move them to action when they see you in person and see you are willing to show up in person...

I did an Infopass and went in person last week. They OFFERED to give me a I-551 stamp and magically, my ROC (that had been pending since October) was approved later on that day I HIGHLY recommend going in person,

Yes! Dig up everything you can! When you were married with someone, there is a lot of proof of joint life. Check your credit report, you'll probably find your husband on there. Credit companies somehow find out you are married and he'll be listed under "associated persons". Also, you can print out your phone statements over the months, print them out and highlights all the texts you sent each other.

I would write a book! Do go into details! That way they will see it is true and they will have a better idea of what happened to you. I wrote a book lol They want to know what happened, so tell them what happened. I know it takes a while to write it out, but it's worth it. Plus, I found that writing it all out was very therapeutic. Definitely resend a more detailed personal statement with your RFE response.

Don't forget email conversation between you two and screen shots of text messages. Also, make sure your bona fide evidence spans the entire marriage, like, not just one checking account statement, but statements from every month of the marriage. Show them you are well prepared and give me detailed and varied prof when you send back your RFE response and most likely you will not have an interview.

Yes a RFE is definitely not bad! They want to approve it but want more info. Make sure you send a very detailed personal statement of EVERYTHING (how you met, the courtship, what happened, how it made you feel etc) Be very detailed and hold nothing back. I did a ROC waiver (that was approved) also and my personal statement had 40 pages. I'm not saying yours should be as long as mine at all, but it should have a good 15 pages and span the entire duration of the relationship to the point of its demise. Also, organize all your proof of Bona Fide very clearly and feel free to point out information. For instance, I wrote notes on the back of every pictures about where it was and what happened that day etc. I also circled and highlighted our rent going through on our joint checking account list of transactions etc. Be sure they know he fathered a child with someone else! That's terrible! But it is grounds for divorce. I'm sorry you had to go through that. It will get better though

Dear Newbie, a RFE is actually a good thing! it means they are trying to approve your case without an interview. Most people send in their RFE and are approved shortly after. It will be fine

Good luck, Stacie, I hope we hear good news soon for you ?

Yes, I see what you mean. I meant no disrespect to your religion and country at all I just meant they do tend to check more etc. I know background checks can take months and month, unfortunately. Just focus on the fact that it is time spent towards your citizenship. I will continue to pray for a positive outcome for you. Hang in there!!! Have a great day!

Thanks Gummibear haha, it is true though!!

Sapahm, I think it's taking longer for you to get an approval because of your original country of citizenship and being a muslim male (I gather as much from your previous posts). These are just facts, you know...They are probably leaving no stone unturned, and they do do a lot of background checks at every steo, be it AOS, I-751, or N-400...but you know you have nothing to hide so remember you will be fine! And remember all the time you spend here counts towards your citizenship so trust in God and it will work out. Praying for you and looking forward to hearing good news soon!

Hi Sapahm, I just wanted to write to let you know that I've read your story and I am praying for you!! I hope you will get your permanent card and in the mean time, please keep living your life and hope for the best. Just remember if your marriage was true, then it's up to them to prove to a judge that it was not, which, good luck wiht that, because when it's true, it's true!

Know that there are people praying for you!