I am in need of immigration legal advice. I am a citizen of Panama and I would like to immigrate to the USA. My grandfather was an American soldier in the US Army and was stationed in Panama.
He and my grandmother (also Panamanian) had one child together, my mother. My mother is also a citizen of Panama. Can someone tell me what steps I can take to immigrate to the USA? I do not have a criminal record and I am fluent in English.
Can You Gain U.S. Citizenship Through a Citizen Grandparent
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10-27-2014, 09:40 AMBetosCan You Gain U.S. Citizenship Through a Citizen Grandparent
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10-27-2014, 10:45 AMadjusterjackRe: I'm a Panamanian Citizen, My Grandfather Was American and in the U.S. Army
You can find the answers to your questions on the USCIS website or call their toll free number.
http://www.uscis.gov/ -
10-27-2014, 11:24 AMBetosRe: I'm a Panamanian Citizen, My Grandfather Was American and in the U.S. Army
Thank you for the link. There is so much information on that site I am not sure where to start. I am also unsure if I would be applying to be a US citizen or green card.
Does anyone have any specific advice relevant to my situation? My information is in my opening post but if someone needs additional info in order to give me advice please let me know and I will post it here. -
10-27-2014, 11:29 AMDisagreeableRe: I'm a Panamanian Citizen, My Grandfather Was American and in the U.S. Army
If mom never bothered to affirm her US citizenship, she cannot get yours.
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10-28-2014, 02:00 PMBetosRe: I'm a Panamanian Citizen, My Grandfather Was American and in the U.S. Army
My mother did try to affirm her citizenship several years ago after I told her I wanted to move to the USA. My grandfather was a US soldier and we are sure of that but a fire in place that held USA military records destroyed his record decades ago and that was the reason her citizenship was denied. Is there any further advice to help me?
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10-28-2014, 02:13 PMflyingronRe: I'm a Panamanian Citizen, My Grandfather Was American and in the U.S. Army
There was a large fire in the NARA St. Louis that did destroy a lot of the records. Some of the records were recovered, so that this possible that they can be recovered. Also military records aren't the only way. Does your mother/grandmother know where he was born?
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10-28-2014, 04:51 PMBetosRe: I'm a Panamanian Citizen, My Grandfather Was American and in the U.S. ArmyMy grandfather was born in Dominican Republic and left there and went to Puerto Rico where he successfully joined the US Army and was then stationed in Panama City. Any advice?Quote:
Quoting flyingron
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10-28-2014, 05:10 PMDisagreeableRe: Can You Gain U.S. Citizenship Through a Citizen Grandparent
There is a minimum amount of time he would have had to spend in the US and you would need to prove it. I believe it is 5 years continuous.
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10-28-2014, 05:14 PMflyingronRe: Can You Gain U.S. Citizenship Through a Citizen Grandparent
Just because he was in the US Army doesn't necessarily mean he was a citizen (especially not in the era we seem to be talking about).
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10-28-2014, 05:21 PMjkRe: I'm a Panamanian Citizen, My Grandfather Was American and in the U.S. ArmyYou do not have to be a US citizen to join the military so the fact he was in the military does not prove he was a citizen. Especially given he was born it DR, that is something you would have to look into further.Quote:
Quoting Betos