Flavia

I moved to the US 10 years ago with then husband and mother. Ex and I no longer together, but my mom (59 years of age) is still here. We used to live together for many years. Now we live separately but within a 10 minute walk.

She is completely dependent on me, financially, emotionally, for day to day errands... She has no friends here, barely speaks English and can't drive. The worst part is, she is making no attempt to address this situation. I think it's pretty comfortable for her, and there is no reason so change the status quo and get outside her comfort zone.

She used to be abused by her parents in childhood, and was told that she is a burden. She has PTSD and depression -the meds seem to help somewhat.

But every time I bring up this subject, her depression flares up and she shuts down. I have no idea what to do as I have this huge responsibility to take care of an able-bodied parent, which saps me completely of time and energy. 

Anyone dealt with this kind of issue before? What would you recommend?

My mother is going for her interview soon, and is really nervous as she doesn't know what to expect. There is no clear guidance from USCIS on the documents that are required (unlike a spouse naturalization process), and she doesn't know what kind of questions to expect. Can someone shed some light on it? It would really help to make her more comfortable

 Hello everyone, my mom has her citizenship interview coming up in a few weeks. I have a few questions: 

- What kind of documents is she expected to bring with her for the interview? I was not able to find any guidance for parents.

-What kind of questions do parents get asked? Any potential gotchas that she needs to be aware of? 

 -Also, her command of English is not that great – she can converse on a basic level but would not be able to carry out an in-depth discussion. She is studying for her civics test as we speak. How strict are the interviewers on that? 

18 hours ago, GreatDane said:

It's very easy to apply for them online - instant and free. You just have to setup your account on the IRS website.

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/request-a-transcript-or-copy-of-a-prior-year-tax-return 

Thanks for the link!

Looks like it only goes back 4 years. What happens if she can't get a hold of 2012 return? Does she need them ANYWAY?

Hello everyone,

I have the last 3 years of tax returns on hand for my mom who has her citizenship interview. Don't have the two years prior though (2012 and 2013). What's the easiest way to obtain those? Are they required for the interview?

My mom has her 5 year anniversary as a LRP this coming November 2017.

She filed her N400 90 days prior, got an invite for biometrics, and now that she checks her status on the USCIS website it says that "Estimated wait time until we schedule your interview: 13 months"

What's going on here?!

She hasn't left the country for the last 5 years.

Also, she has been a resident of Arizona for a while but she moved addresses withing the same town within the last month. Is that ok or does that reset the 90 day continuous residency requirement?

Also, when I'm calling USCIS they are pretty useless. Has anyone else had the experience of USCIS website saying you're not eligible when you were in fact eligible to apply?

Hi all,

My mom is applying for Citizenship, and she has been a LPR since November 27, 2012. It's less than 90 days at this point to her eligibility, so she should be ok to apply in my understanding. However, when I use the online eligibility tool on USCIS website it says she is not eligible yet. What gives?

My mom knows of at least a couple of naturalized (now) citizens whose command of English is very poor. The common denominator is that both of them live in immigrant-heavy cities (NY, I believe).

How in the world did they pass the test? Could it be that certain USCIS offices are more lenient than those in, let's say, Alabama? Just curious.

I'm getting ready to submit my mother's paperwork for citizenship, but am concerned about her English. She is 58 and english is very difficult for her to learn. She took ESL classes but didn't progress much. She can have a basic conversation but I help her when it comes to banks, doctors, etc.

How do you know if she is ready?

She says she knows people who's english was very poor and they still passed the test but that was in NY area so maybe it depends on the region.

Any insights?

My parent is coming up on 5 years of being a CG holder and will be filing the N400 soon.

They are currently employed part time so not much of an income. Not on public assistance of any sort, is paying taxes every year (the little that's owed). Living off savings primarily which is sufficient.

With all the strife going on with immigration, is that a concern at all? Would it help if we start a business in my parent's name to supplement their income? Or does that not play much of a role?

Yes. But I would be concerned if they want more information, if she'll be there to get the mail and gather evidence.

Also, her biometrics appointment should be scheduled soon and she won't want to miss it. Once you have the appointment, she can always try a walk-in day and get it overwith early.

thank you for the reply!

Can she reschedule the biometrics appointment if she is not the US?

Hello to all,

My mom has filed I-751 and has just received a letter that it was accepted and her status extended by one year (otherwise her residency was to expire next month ).

But because her divorce hasn't been finalized yet, I guess she'll be getting an RFE for divorce decree.

Can she travel out of the country if she gets an RFE?

Thanks everyone for replies!

She actually already submitted the I-751 and already got an extention of her LPR status by one year!

Just one more question - how long does it take them to send the RFE? If she receives an RFE (I assume there is a deadline for sending the missing documentation), can she still travel out of the country until she submits the missing divorce decree?

Thanks once again!

Hello everyone,

My mom's conditional status expires very soon, but her divorce still is to be finalized. If she submits I-751 before the divorce decree is final, will her status be extended and for how long? WIll she be able to travel in and out of the country still?

Why won't she be able to remove conditions? Is there any other reason she can't besides the divorce?

The i-751 application allows for a waiver for people who are divorced.

Barring any other reasons (not sure what..) she should be able to remove conditions on her own provided that she can prove that the marriage was entered into in good faith

I don't think she has enough evidence that the marriage was entered in good faith because when she arrived to the US their relationship deteriorated quickly so they didn't have any joint accounts or morgage, etc. I think USCIS would need more evidence than she can provide.

But as a US Citizen, I can apply for her as my immediate relative. So I'm just wondering what would be the process since she is already in the US.

Hello to everyone!

My mother is a Conditional Permanent Resident (based on marriage to US Citizen), but she got divorced and won't be able to remove the Conditional Status.

What would be the appropriate way for me to get her a Permanent Resident Status? Should I file the I-130 or the I-751?

I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience of this sort.

Hello to everyone and congratulations to new US Citizens!

I'm getting ready for my interview, and have a question about the tax returns.

We are using Turbotax, and I'm wondering if a printout copy would be sufficient, or should we request IRS transcript?

Has anyone here had any problems bringing the Turbotax printouts?

I'm working on filling out my N400 right now, and don't remember the exact dates where I lived or worked for the previous five years. Is it ok if I put approximate dates? What if the employment dates don't match exactly the ones I indicated when applying for removal of conditional residence last year?

Thank you for replies! It looks like I might have to wait to file the N400 until I'm done with school..

You need to file where you consider your primary residence. How far is your college from your primary residence?

V333k,

it's on the other coast unfortunately..

Good evening to everyone,

We are going to submit n400 in a few weeks, and now that I'm in school in another state, I'm wondering whether I should send my application to the lockbox for my primary state of residence or the one that I'm in for college.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

JimVaPhuong, thanks again for a helpful answer! I suppose she's just going to wait to remove the conditions until it's almost 2 years, like you said.

I just hope she won't have to leave until then.

My mom's husband wants to divorce her, and asks for her SSN and her Alien Registration number.

While I can totally understand that the SSN is necessary for the attorney, why would he need the Alien Registration number? Can it be for some reason as to have her green card revoked?

He can't "have her green card revoked". Only USCIS can do that. However, if he sponsored her to immigrate, and if she's a conditional resident, then he can (and probably should) notify USCIS about the divorce. The divorce will change what is required from her to remove conditions and get an unconditional green card. This is true whether he tells them about the divorce or not. However, if he notifies USCIS about the divorce then your mother will probably have to deal with removing conditions before her conditional green card would have otherwise expired. USCIS is supposed to take steps to terminate conditional residency after a divorce. If USCIS is not notified about the divorce, your mother will still have to tell them about it when she files to remove conditions before her green card expires.

As her sponsor, he has an interest in whether she remains in the US or returns to her home country because he can be held financially liable for her support. She can refuse to give him her A number, but that won't necessarily stop him from getting it. If he sponsored her then he likely has documents with her A number on them. The divorce judge can also order your mother to provide the number, since it's relevant to the divorce.

Are you also a conditional resident, and did you get residency as a derivative of your mother (K2 or K4 visa)? If so, then you also have an interest in whether she removes conditions. If she loses her legal status here, then so do you.

JimVaPhuong, thanks for reply.

I have a permanent green card based on marriage to my husband, so it doesn't really affect me in terms of status, but it will affect me for sure if mom has to go back - she's completely alone there, and my heart will be torn apart before I know it.

I have already posted here before, but some things are still not quite clear to me.

-Some say she is fine until her conditional status expires in two years. Some say that the moment she gets divorced, she's out of status. What's right?

-Another thing, it says he can't withdraw the Affidavit of support unless the marriage has been annulled. Is that true? She has no intention (nor the need) to impose herself on her ex-husband due to his being financially responsible.

-And also, if she applies for a waiver of joint filing requirement right after getting the divorce, does she have any better chance of getting approved rather than waiting until 90 days before her GC expires?

Thank you in advance.