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Have Permanent Resident Card and Want to Apply for Citizenship

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  • 07-21-2010, 07:55 AM
    jo0mee
    Have Permanent Resident Card and Want to Apply for Citizenship
    Hi Everyone,
    I'm having a hard time knowing what to do and I'm scared to apply for citizenship. Here's my story. I came to the US when I was 1 year old. I'm a Brazilian citizen and Canadian citizen (through my mom. i've never even been there lol). So anyways I got my Green Card in 93, when i was 4. My family moved to Brazil when i was 9 and we lived there for 5 years and moved back to the US when i was 13. Now im 21. Last time I went to Brazil was when I was 15 and only stayed for a month or two. My problem is on the application for Citizenship it asks if i've been out of the country for longer than 6 months in the past five years, and then it asks ALL the times i've been out of the country since i've got my green card, which means I would have to tell about the 5 years i was living in Brazil. I didn't exactly have a choice of staying or going since i was 9 obviously. My dad took a religious mission and we just moved. I'm wondering if I have to actually put down that I was out of the country for more than 6 months and if it matters that I was considering it was more than 5 years ago. Supposedly if you're out of the country for more than 6 months it invalidates your green card or something.
    I'm also married to a US citizen, have been since july 2008. Would they seriously kick me out of the country for living in Brazil when i was so young? I want my citizenship to get a government job since my husband also works for the government, department of homeland security (ironic lol).
    Anyways, thanks for any help in advance. Sorry if this is confusing. Ask questions if you need clarification.
  • 07-21-2010, 08:54 AM
    T53147
    Re: Have Permanent Resident Card and Want to Apply for Citizenship
    You should always be 100% truthful in completing immigration documents and when speaking with US immigration officials. Being caught telling a lie generally has far greater consequences than the original offense.

    Based on the fact you and your parents were readmitted following your parents religious mission in Brazil could mean that their sponsor had fulfilled the requirements to preserve their (and your) permanent residency during your family's absence.

    An absence of 6 over months does not automatically terminate a green card. It is more complicated than that. The USCIS website has information about requirements for preserving residency during an absence from the US.

    I suggest that since you have some concerns, your husband has a reason to have all of your paperwork 100% correct, and you want to have the process as trouble free as possible that you should consult with an attorney. You do not have to engage the attorney to complete the documents. You could meet with the attorney to review your history and determine if any additional documentation should be provided; you then complete the documents yourself and have the attorney review the completed documents for errors and completeness prior to submitting them for processing. This approach would give you peace of mind yet reduce the attorney's costs.
  • 07-28-2010, 03:11 PM
    mattyv89
    Re: Have Permanent Resident Card and Want to Apply for Citizenship
    haha, youre not a citizen ;)
  • 07-28-2010, 03:21 PM
    Dogmatique
    Re: Have Permanent Resident Card and Want to Apply for Citizenship
    Quote:

    Quoting mattyv89
    View Post
    haha, youre not a citizen ;)




    Please don't post if you have nothing of value to contribute.
  • 07-28-2010, 04:09 PM
    mattyv89
    Re: Have Permanent Resident Card and Want to Apply for Citizenship
    Quote:

    Quoting Dogmatique
    View Post
    Please don't post if you have nothing of value to contribute.

    Shes actually one of my friends:)
  • 07-28-2010, 04:14 PM
    Dogmatique
    Re: Have Permanent Resident Card and Want to Apply for Citizenship
    Quote:

    Quoting mattyv89
    View Post
    Shes actually one of my friends:)



    And this isn't a chat-room.

    Thanks.
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