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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Columbia SC
    Posts
    4

    Default How to Naturalize Many Years After a Divorce

    My partner of almost 20 years is Thai and she has been in America since 1972. The last document she has (that I know of) is an IR1 with an Adj date of Sept, 1972. She and the husband "tied" to the card have parted long ago and she has been married several times since to other US citizens.
    She is reaching retirement age and the immigration thing is going to stall the process I am sure. Now at 65 years of age, not able to read/write English (or any other language) and her inabilities becoming more pronounced as her age advances; what would be our first steps in securing her citizenship and thereby her social security (hopefully). I know no-one's social security may be guaranteed these days, but she has worked like a fiend for the betterment of not only the US, but of mankind in general (all documented along with a valid SSN).
    I know it may seem everyone has been dragging their feet (fact), please point us in the right direction and/or possibly reference a decent attorney located in Cola, SC that may be able to assist.
    If any other info is needed to provide accurate advice; I will do my best to post it.
    Thanks for all considerations.
    Jody

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: How to Naturalize Many Years After a Divorce

    Are you telling us that she obtained her conditional Green Card in September, 1972? Did she subsequently successfully remove the conditions from her Green Card?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    1,695

    Default Re: How to Naturalize Many Years After a Divorce

    Social Security benefits are not tied to citizenship. Intending to live outside the US can complicate matters in certain instances.

    Citizenship requires the ability to demonstrate knowledge of English and civics. Based on your statements, she may not be able to meet the requirements; a social service agency should be able to help her determine if she does. However, legal residency is all that is required.

    If she has a valid SSN, I suggest that you assist her in obtaining her earning records and an estimate of her benefits. It can be done online or she can go to the local office for assistance. She should be prepared to file immediately because there are certain penalties if she does not file for Medicare at the proper time.

    If you are not up to the task of doing the research, look for a social agency for senior citizens in your community that can help her through the process of filing for SS. It needs to be done immediately.

    In regard to Mr K's comment, a immigrant assistance agency is the best change of sorting out her residency status if she is unable to afford a private attorney.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Columbia SC
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: How to Naturalize Many Years After a Divorce

    The card reads Permanent Resident.
    She also receives her earning statements from the IRS every couple years. Valid SSN.
    I appreciate all input as I am a bit out of my league with law and to boot immigration. I'm not new to research and do not mind the legwork: Just need a kick in the right direction because of being overwhelmed.
    Thanks for the suggestions.
    And thanks for the reminder of Medicare. I have been trying to get that started as well but when it comes to entering any kind of A# for the resident, the format is incorrect as the number (on the physical card) is one digit short of a valid (newer?) A#. I also had this formatting issue when I tried to sign her up for Obama-care. Therefore my suspicion that all these immigration issues would have to be taken care of first.
    Sincere thanks,
    Jody

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    OH10
    Posts
    17,019

    Default Re: How to Naturalize Many Years After a Divorce

    This is really a job for an immigration lawyer. There are too many variables in play.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    1,695

    Default Re: How to Naturalize Many Years After a Divorce

    If funds are a problem, look for Catholic Charities and Lutheran Relief; both have respected programs for immigrant assistance,

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Columbia SC
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: How to Naturalize Many Years After a Divorce

    As funding may be an issue, some general searches re: previous posts returned Catholic and other orgs that offer assistance. We are not completely destitute but but funds are seriously limited and there must be a teporary sacrifice on spending habits.
    There are a couple e-mails out to local immigration lawyers as well as several devices charged for on-the-fly research/communication.
    Thanks for taking the time to respond to this post; it helps a great deal to know that in these times we are truly not alone.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    1,695

    Default Re: How to Naturalize Many Years After a Divorce

    Some social service agencies have fees on a sliding scale based on income. Be sure you research any attorney you hire to make sure they have experience in these types of cases. Some deal primarily with employment based petitions.

    The immigrate2us or visajourney forums may be a more appropriate places for you to post for information than here. Their users are more concerned with family issues.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Columbia SC
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: How to Naturalize Many Years After a Divorce

    Just wanted to edit title on card to be Resident Alien: Under the circumstances it probably does not matter much.
    Again my appreciation for all input.
    Anyone need free tech related advice/services do not hesitate to ask; of course in it's proper venue.

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