Want To Be A Citizen, But In And Out A Lot
Hello,
With the elections coming up, I would really like to be a citizen very soon so I can vote... unfortunately, I've been in and out of the country a lot because of school.
I've been a resident since 1987 for eight straight years before leaving for school... (I know I should've gotten it then) been in the country now for over a year, but had a business trip out of the country for 4 months...
Is it possible to get my citizenship now? Or will I have to wait again and build up my continuous stay here?
I've left the country roughly five times the past five years... with one trip exceeding 1 year. :wallbang: Most of the time, I'm out of the country for 6-7 months until 2006... Since March 2006, I've settled here with my new job.
Hope someone can shed light to this... If this case is even possible... or will I just have to wait again, which I don't mind doing anyway... was just hoping I can get to vote. :(
Thank you.
Los Angeles, CA
Re: Want To Be A Citizen, But In And Out A Lot
You will not be able to obtain your citizenship in time to vote in the upcoming elections. But perhaps in the next ones?
Quote:
[...]has been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of the previous five years (absences of more than six months but less than one year break the continuity of residence unless the applicant can establish that he or she did not abandon his or her residence during such period)
Requirements for Citizenship
I would suggest speaking to an immigration attorney, since it seems to me that by being gone so long, you've probably reset your residency clock.
Re: Want To Be A Citizen, But In And Out A Lot
Yea... most likely I have to start from when I came back March 2006... Well, it;s the start of 08, si guess it won't take long now... I did consult with an attorney, and he said I can challenge the times as being away from the country, or something like that... but he's charging a lot!
Bummer I will miss the elections... :( I'll get the next ones...
Thanks for your reply. :)
Re: Want To Be A Citizen, But In And Out A Lot
May we assume that your status in this country is legal?
Re: Want To Be A Citizen, But In And Out A Lot
That would be a pretty safe assumption since I said I was a resident... :) Anyway, I'm the only one in the family who won't be able to vote.. bummer! :wallbang:
and you're asking because you can help? or out of curiosity?
Re: Want To Be A Citizen, But In And Out A Lot
There are many residents of this country that are not here legally.
If you had been in and out of the country illegally, it would have added a level of complexity to your question up to and including where you needed to file your papers. If you were here illegally, you would have to file in your country of citizenship.