Web Seminar on Immigration

Fundamentals of Citizenship Thursday October 21, 20101:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST

Patricia WonderInstructor, CUNY School of Professional Studiesand Partner, Johnson Wonder, PLLC

Our Panel of Presenters

Midori HillsStaff Attorney, York College

Immigration CenterCUNY Citizenship Now!

Luz MedranoStaff Attorney,

Hostos Community College Immigration Center

CUNY Citizenship Now!

www.sps.cuny.edu

www.cuny.edu/citizenshipnow

Immigration Law Studies Advance Graduate Certificate Program

Courses

• Introduction to Immigration Law

• Business Immigration Law

• Family-Based Immigration Law

• Proceedings in Immigration Court

• Naturalization and Citizenship

The goal of Citizenship Now! events is to help eligible individuals prepare their forms N-400, Application for Naturalization. Most events are held on Saturdays.

CUNY Citizenship Now! Events

The CUNY Citizenship and Immigration Project centers offer free immigration services to all members of the community- CUNY students and non-students.

CUNY Citizenship Now! Immigration Centers

The Corps consists of volunteers who provide free naturalization application

assistance at Citizenship Now! Events in New York City.

Volunteer with the CUNY/NYC Citizenship Now! Corps

Complete a registration form atwww.cuny.edu/citizenshipnow/volunteer

Fundamentals of Citizenship

•Why Naturalize?

•Overview of Eligibility for Naturalization

•Naturalization Fee Waivers

•Questions and Answers

Midori HillsStaff Attorney, York College Immigration CenterCUNY Citizenship Now!

Why Naturalize?

Benefits of Citizenship

Midori Hills• Voting

• Sponsorship of relatives

• Access to public benefits

• Access to restricted professions

• Ease of travel

• Can reside abroad

• Cannot be deported

Overview of Eligibility for Naturalization

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age

• Continuous residency

• Residence for three months in the state where you live

• Physical presence

• Good moral character

• Ability to speak, read and write English

• Knowledge of U.S. history and civics

• Willingness to take the Oath of Allegiance

Midori Hills

Continuous Residence

• The applicant has been an LPR for five years

• If the LPR has been married to and living with the same U.S. citizen, then the period of continuous residence is only three years

• Spouse/child who acquired LPR status under VAWA and has three years continuous residence

Midori Hills

Poll Question

Annabelle is a nurse. She became a lawful permanent resident in 2007 when the

hospital where she works sponsored her. She’s been married to Joe, a U.S. citizen,

since August 8, 2008. When will she be able to apply for citizenship?

Break of Continuous Residence

An LPR who travels abroad for 365 days or more has broken continuous residence and must start counting the three or five year period from the last date of entry into the United States

Midori Hills

Physical Presence

The applicant must have been physically present in the United States for more than half of the five (or three year) period.

Midori Hills

Poll Question

Jean Claude is a lawful permanent resident since 2000. He has been going to medical

school in France for the last four years, coming into the United States for two weeks

over the New Year’s break and two months of July and August. Jean Claude has been out of the country for 9 ½ months each year since

2006.

Luz MedranoStaff Attorney, Hostos Community College Immigration CenterCUNY Citizenship Now!

Good Moral Character

• During the three or five year period, the applicant must show good moral character

• Things to consider are:

- Taxes- Child support- Selective Service- Crimes outside three or

five year period- Other unlawful acts

Luz Medrano

Good Moral Character

Crimes

• Applicants who have prior arrests and convictions should see an immigration expert before filing!

• Crimes can make noncitizens, including LPRs, ineligible for naturalization, removable (deportable) or inadmissible

Luz Medrano

Poll Question

Maria Lourdes was a troubled teen. She was arrested several times during high school, mostly

for shoplifting, but also a couple of times for fighting with other girls. She’s 23 now and has settled down a lot. She goes to Hunter College

where she is studying history and has a part time job at a café. Will Maria Lourdes have trouble

naturalizing?

Taxes

• If the applicant filed tax returns within the three or five year qualifying period, s/he must bring copies of returns filed to the interview

• If there is no obligation to pay taxes, that should be documented with proof of support

• If applicant owes taxes, s/he must have an installment payment agreement with IRS

Luz Medrano

Good Moral Character

Good Moral Character

Child Support

Applicants required to provide child support to children who do not reside with them should provide proof of regular child support payments or proof of termination of child support.

Luz Medrano

Selective Service Registration

• Males between the ages of 18 and 25 must register with the Selective Service, and must do so before filing the application

• Applicants who failed to register must explain that they did not do so willfully and knowingly. Otherwise, they must wait until the failure to register is beyond the three or five year qualifying period

Luz Medrano

Good Moral Character

English Language and U.S. History and Civics

Most applicants must show basic proficiency in English and U.S. civics. They will be questioned on civics, will be asked to write sentences in English, and will communicate with the officer in English.

-15/55 Exception

-20/50 Exception

Sample question from Civics Test:What is the political party of the President now?

Luz Medrano

Poll QuestionEnrique is 78 years old and has been a lawful

permanent resident for 12 years. He got his green card through his U.S. citizen son. Enrique does not speak English, and because he grew up on a farm in a remote area of his country, he never learned

to read or write. Will Enrique qualify for citizenship?

Oath of Allegiance

Must be willing to take oath or a modified oath. Waiver available under certain circumstances.

Midori Hills

Naturalization Fee Waivers

Fee Waivers

Applicants may request a fee waiver if their income is less than their expenses or if they receive public assistance.

Midori Hills

Acknowledgements

• Paul RussoDirector of Online Programs CUNY School of Professional Studies

• Kelley KawanoInstructional Technology FellowCUNY School of Professional Studies

• Antonia LevyInstructional Technology FellowCUNY School of Professional Studies

• Allan WernickDirectorCUNY Citizenship Now!

• A. Sofia CarreñoCommunications Coordinator CUNY Citizenship Now!

• David SturnioloCommunications AssistantCUNY Citizenship Now!

• Gabriel Espinal Communications AssistantCUNY Citizenship Now!