randomstairs

9 minutes ago, OldUser said:

This is a good question, which I don't have answer to. Maybe it's a thing to try in 10 years? 😃

 

I'd argue certificate of naturalization is very important doc though. I know somebody close who couldn't get a government related job with passport and passport card. They needed to present certificate of naturalization specifically.

 

This can also happen at SSA when trying to get some benefits. Also, when sponsoring an immigrant, proving derivative citizenship for child or renewing passport. There's more and more stories of DOS asking for certificate again when renewing passport, many years later after successfully renewing it in the past without having to present it.

 

Think of it as "remember me" checkbox on website. Many times you wouldn't have to enter password again, but occasionally the security system will ask you to reenter password.

 

You wouldn't want to have to certificate when you're prompted for it.

I do believe PPC is useful to restore the certificate quicker if it's lost or damaged though.

 

Yeah, I know the CoN is very important - that's why I prefer to use other documents if possible, especially if mailing is involved. (How long does it take to replace the CoN if needed?)

Here's a big one: Can the PP card be used to renew/replace the PP book? It is not explicitly stated on the DoS website as an example of sufficient evidence (at least the last time I checked it wasn't). Ideally, naturalized citizens won't have to use the Certificate of Naturalization ever again, after obtaining the first passport (so no mailing worries). As such, the PP card would be a great backup to the PP book, replacing the need for the CoN! 

17 hours ago, OldUser said:

Wow, thank you this is super valuable!

I almost attempted using PCC at SSA, but I just showed US passport to speed things up (wasn't in mood to try)

Ironically perhaps, when I later brought a PP book, a different official stated that the PP card would've been perfectly fine as a full proof of citizenship.  

MM/YYYY: Spring 2023

Location: California, US

Business / organization: SSA 

Check type: Evidence of citizenship status 

Reason: Register citizenship status

Result: Failure (later worked with the passport book)

Details: The official refused to accept the PPC outright. I requested that he consult a manager but eventually gave up. Brought the PP book from home ($50 Uber trip) and that, ofc, worked.     

MM/YYYY: Spring 2023

Location: California, US

Business / organization: DMV 

Check type: Citizenship verification

Reason: Register citizenship and get new ID

Result: Success after some discussion

Details: At first the clerk refused to take it as evidence of citizenship, falsely claiming that the US PPC is merely evidence of legal resident status. I pointed at the "Nationality USA" field on the card and the clerk, seemingly begrudgingly, accepted it.  

Quote

USCIS mailed her green card on June 2, but when I track there is no activity since June 3.

I would give it at least two weeks. It's perfectly normal for USPS to not update the tracking info correctly or not at all. If you report it lost, then you will really have to wait for several months to get a new one. There's no reason to even suspect it got lost, much less assume that. 

File at least 5 years (3, if N-400 is based on marriage to a US citizen) after the end of your probation and the proceedings. If you don't have the tickets try asking the pertaining court if they can provide you with a copy of the record. If they can't, you can still use that statement as the evidence. Other than that I think you're fine.  

4 hours ago, A-and-B said:

 

My country/province has christened first names on the birth record that are dropped from state ID's and bank records. 

 

For example, say my christened name is "Joseph Andrew Smith", but my Canadian driver's license and passport only say "Andrew Smith".

 

When moving to the US, the US did not drop my christened name. US Banks use my full christened name. I can't wire myself money between banks in Canada and the US because the full legal name doesn't match. Banks in the US obviously won't change the name on the account without a legal name change, and bank in Canada will not adjust my bank account to put my christened first name on the account unless I not only go to Canada, but to the very specific "home  branch" where my account was opened.

 

Besides that, I've also never used my christened name, so it makes things very confusing when going to hospitals, etc and 9/10 times they will ignore the "preferred name" on file, and just call out a name I am not expecting.

I see. Interesting. I would strongly advise you to naturalize first, and change the name only after that. I've seen countless cases, on these forums and elsewhere, where applicants can't naturalize in a reasonable amount of time on the account of requesting to change their name. Some cases are going for years, with the applicant being in the dark about any progress. All because they requested to have their name changed before the Oath. Given the current dynamics in the immigration system, it seems extraordinarily risky to proceed with it. You can always do it as a citizen.

3 hours ago, A-and-B said:

My issue is that I need to change my name ASAP due to name mismatch issues (christened name is commonly dropped from official ID, banks, etc in my home country, whereas my GC/DL/etc in the US have my full christened name).

I'm not sure I understand the reasoning here. You want to change your name because another country drops it from documents issued there? Why would the "mismatch" be an issue? Are you concerned about USCIS not liking the mismatch? I wouldn't worry about it, since you're obviously all but finished with the process.

BTW: If you're a GC holder, the US is your only home country.

2 hours ago, OldUser said:

I have a very straightfoward case, but I involved attorney. They're also coming with me to the interview.

 

Why?

1) I can afford it

2) This is America

3) Too many things happening lately in immigration

 

Could I complete N-400 form myself? Absolutely, it would have been easier than answering lawyer's questionnaire. However, I see lawyer as somebody playing a bigger role than just form filler / preparer.

That's fair, in the light of the current administration. 

I'd say it's even better to file (electronically) by yourself. I've come across cases where the lawyer didn't file electronically, prolonged the whole process, and even failed to properly communicate with a client. If it's a simple case, as yours seems to be, electronic filing is the fastest, safest, and cheapest option.  

I don't think the "certified copy" is even the official instruction. From what I remember, that's something printed on that flyer(https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/G-1151.pdf), but is in fact not an actual requirement. Many people, including myself, were worried about the "certified" part, but I've never heard anyone getting an RFE because of it. 

The cynic in me suspects that this "instruction" is a tactic for discouraging immigrants from naturalizing.  

3 hours ago, BarberHauler said:

Hi Everyone,

 

Thank you for reading my letter.

 

Since 2020 I have been going through the GC process.
I have the I-140 NIW approved in 2023.

We have been denied (along with my family) the I-485, with no way to defend the case and based on a denial of an I-601 that I never received and is listed as pending.

I filed an I-290B for myself only (which includes my family) 10 months ago (may2024), and I have not heard anything from uscis.
I am asking please if you can give me any suggestions on how to move our case.

 

Thank you again.

 

You'll need a lawyer for that. What was the basis for the inadmissibility? 

Where NOT explicitly stated, write the "given name" first, as in "Jane Doe." In many forms the last name comes first, but that would be specifically instructed. Given name = First name. Surname = Last name. 

It could've got finalized (decision made) but because it's not current yet the approval is still pending, so they closed it. Just guessing.   

On 2/4/2025 at 4:23 PM, mrclutch31 said:

No, became a citizen over 20 years ago.

 

Are you suggesting it’s taking longer than usual in the current climate?

Probably, yes. The I-140 step may take a lot longer than it seems, depending on the country where you were born (citizenship doesn't matter). 

2 hours ago, mrclutch31 said:

I'm currently talking with a potential employer in the US and was told that I should qualify for EB-1A immigration. Suppose it is approved with premium processing, how long should I anticipate the subsequent processing would take until I get a consular interview?

 

I'm Canadian citizen, living in Canada. It seems like there are no backlogs based on the bulletin: https://www.immi-usa.com/visa-bulletin/

Does this mean I could get a interview scheduled immediately?

Are you also born in Canada? Once the approved I-140 is sent to the NVC it's hard to tell how long it will take to get the visa number and for the consulate to schedule the interview, especially in the current climate. 

14 hours ago, ODATT said:

Thats the scary part. These people basically can put a hold on life for a lot of folks even when there is no reason to. 

Elon Musk may turn USCIS into whatever Twitter has become.

1 hour ago, Beru said:

Thanks for the reply! The last two characters of my i94 are swapped. The new employer shouldn't need my current i797A to file for H1b transfer, correct?

Are you talking about the receipt # or the I-94 number? Unless the form has changed, the I-94 # is a series of numbers. It's different on every new I-797. How do you know the correct number? Sorry if I'm not understanding something basic here. I'm not sure if the current I-797A will be needed, but it's likely. If you know the printing error, simply mention that to the new employer and they can make a note of it and include it in the application package. The error should be then corrected by USCIS together with the approval of the new application.  

10 minutes ago, Beru said:

Is it possible to do an H1b transfer to another employer if my i797 approval has incorrect data? USCIS made a printing mistake in i94 number on the i797A and it's taking forever to get a response from them. Basically, if I switch employers, can they file the h1b transfer docs with correct details and I'll get a new I797A?

 

The new employer can file a new H1B case, yes. You'll get a new I797 form if approved. How do you know that there's a printing mistake? 

Was your Form I-360 approved or not? What is the attorney saying? 

11 hours ago, Nicolaszz said:

In chapter 3. Summary, it says that if your absence was less than 6 months, then you do not need to overcome a presumption of breaking the continious residence

Unless you are not IN FACT only visiting the US while actually residing abroad, as seems to be the case here.

12 hours ago, Nicolaszz said:

How can I try to persuade them that my residency was in the US since 2020 but I had to get my affairs in order (which I really did) back home before physically resided permanently?

For start, you shouldn't refer to a foreign country as "home." Your home is in the US, or you are seriously violating the LPR status. 

20 hours ago, Nicolaszz said:

then moved here to the US permanently in January 2022

If you formally state that you weren't living in the US permanently during that year, the actual dates notwithstanding, you violated the continuous residence requirement. That would be technically true even if you were physically present in the US the whole time. As an LPR you are required to permanently reside in the US, but you are stating here that this wasn't the case.  

The public charge applies to those seeking to become LPRs, not to current green card holders. So, that's not gonna affect you.

There's no requirement to apply for naturalization, nor to be approved for it if one applies. This, too, isn't gonna be an issue for you.

As long as you don't stay abroad for too long, you'll be fine. 

If you've already filed the new N-400, it may be a good idea to wait for the citizenship, this time around - just so you don't miss it again.