Citizenship / Naturalization and the N-400 Application Archives - Page 6 of 10

30 04, 2014

Delays in Scheduling Adjustment of Status Interviews at CIS Chicago

By Richard Hanus|2014-04-30T13:50:34-05:00April 30th, 2014|Categories: Citizenship / Naturalization and the N-400 Application, Conditional Permanent Residence Based on Marriage, DHS / Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Employment Authorization / Work Cards in the U.S., Employment-Based Immigration Law, Green Cards, Immigrant Visas for Spouse / Fiancee / Child Visas|

Published: April 30, 2014 A year ago, Chicago based applicants for Adjustment of Status (for permanent resident, or “green card”, status) were waiting approximately 90 days for their interviews to be scheduled by U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Chicago office. Now the wait time for interview is approximately 6-9 months. According to Homeland Security officials I have spoken to, it’s not that there are so many more applications being filed, but instead DHS/CIS resources and personnel are being allocated to other projects. It is hoped, according to one official, that this wait time will be reduced in the coming […]

30 04, 2014

New N-400 Must be Used as of May 5, 2014

By Richard Hanus|2014-04-30T13:45:12-05:00April 30th, 2014|Categories: Citizenship / Naturalization and the N-400 Application|

Published: April 30, 2014 Applicants for U.S. Citizenship are reminded that the latest version of the N-400 form now must be used. As of May 5, 2014, older versions of the form will be rejected. The newest N-400 form can be found at uscis.gov/n-400. Applicants who have already filed their application and used the previous version of the form will NOT face any problems in adjudication. This advisory is directed at those filings N-400 applications from this point forward. PUBLISHED April 30, 2014 “IMMIGRATION LAW FORUM” Copyright © 2014, By Law Offices of Richard Hanus, Chicago, Illinois

20 01, 2014

Chicago Based Applicants for Green Cards and Citizenship: DHS/CIS Processing Times

By Richard Hanus|2014-01-20T14:19:39-06:00January 20th, 2014|Categories: Citizenship / Naturalization and the N-400 Application, Conditional Permanent Residence Based on Marriage, DHS / Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Green Cards, Lawful Permanent Residence in the U.S.|

Published: January 20, 2014 Things look to be slowing just a bit when it comes to U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Citizenship and Immigration Services’ processing of Chicago based applicants for Adjustment of Status (I-485, green card application for individuals living in the U.S.) premised on marriage to a U.S. citizen, or other family or employment immigrant category with current visa availability. In recent months, applicants for adjustment of status are facing longer wait times for interview scheduling in Chicago, now at approximately 6 months. Applicants for naturalization (N-400) on the other hand, continue to see quicker processing, with interviews being scheduled within […]

9 09, 2013

Local CIS Offices Finally Implement New Security Measure At Green Card and Citizenship Interviews

By Richard Hanus|2013-09-09T13:33:24-05:00September 9th, 2013|Categories: Citizenship / Naturalization and the N-400 Application, Conditional Permanent Residence Based on Marriage, Green Cards, Lawful Permanent Residence in the U.S.|Tags: biometric security program, Customer Identity Verification, image capturing|

Published: September 9, 2013 Although originally intended for implementation in May, a new biometric security program known as “Customer Identity Verification” has finally been put into action this week at U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) local offices across the U.S. Specifically, applicants for U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence who arrive for their scheduled citizenship or green card interviews at a local CIS office will be greeted by a CIS official instructing them to first line up for additional fingerprinting and image capturing (again) for the purpose of confirming applicant identity, preventing identity fraud, and overall, promoting national security. The prints and photo will be compared to images and data previously collected during […]

2 06, 2013

U.S. Based Applicants for Green Cards and Citizenship: DHS/CIS Processing Times

By Richard Hanus|2013-06-02T09:41:11-05:00June 2nd, 2013|Categories: Citizenship / Naturalization and the N-400 Application, Conditional Permanent Residence Based on Marriage, DHS / Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Employment Authorization / Work Cards in the U.S., Employment-Based Immigration Law, Family-Based Immigration Law, Green Cards, Lawful Permanent Residence in the U.S.|Tags: Affidavit of Support, efficiency, Immediate Relative, marriage, oath ceremonies, paperwork|

Published: June 2, 2013 U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Citizenship and Immigration Services continues to do its job with efficiency and speed when it comes to processing Applications for Naturalization (N-400) and Applications for Adjustment of Status (I-485, green card application for individuals living in the U.S.) based on marriage to a U.S. citizen, or other family or employment immigrant category with current visa availability. Immigration interviews, at least through CIS Chicago, continue to be scheduled efficiently for both permanent resident and U.S. citizenship applicants, with card production for approvable permanent resident applicants usually takes place within approximately 120 days of filing. Oath ceremonies […]

1 05, 2013

Additional Biometric Security Measure At Green Card and Citizenship Interviews

By Richard Hanus|2013-05-01T09:56:27-05:00May 1st, 2013|Categories: Citizenship / Naturalization and the N-400 Application, Conditional Permanent Residence Based on Marriage, Green Cards, Lawful Permanent Residence in the U.S.|Tags: biometric fingerprint, Customer Identity Verification, identity fraud prevention, national security|

Published: May 1, 2013 In the coming week, U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Citizenship and Immigration Services offices across the U.S. will begin implementation of a new “Customer Identity Verification” process. In the interest of national security and identity fraud prevention, applicants for U.S. citizenship, permanent residence, and other benefits, will now be required to submit to an additional biometric fingerprinting procedure to confirm their identity when appearing for their interview at a local CIS office. This procedure, which will be in addition to a biometric fingerprint appointment scheduled just after application filing, is designed to provide an additional layer of security and identity verification for individuals seeking […]

9 03, 2013

Who Ends Up in Removal Proceedings?

By Richard Hanus|2013-03-09T09:35:21-06:00March 9th, 2013|Categories: Asylum in the United States, Citizenship / Naturalization and the N-400 Application, Conditional Permanent Residence Based on Marriage, DHS / Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Immigration and Criminal Law / Detainees, Removal / Deportation Proceedings and Court Hearings, Undocumented Immigrants and Workers in the U.S.|Tags: criminal arrest, criminal background, criminal sentence, denied application, denied asylum, renewal, traffic stop, Travel in the U.S.|

By: Richard Hanus, Esq. Published: March 9, 2013 With over 11 million+ undocumented individuals living in the U.S. and only a fraction of that population currently the subject of removal proceedings, a commonly asked question is: how does one become unlucky enough to end up under the radar of immigration authorities and placed in removal proceedings? Firstly, the vast majority of folks in the U.S. without immigration status generally evade detection, and that’s because, they generally steer clear of criminal activity. If you are in the U.S. living and working without immigration status (which, by the way, is not criminal behavior), and are otherwise abiding by our nation’s laws, there is […]

15 05, 2012

Common Questions Facing Applicants for U.S. Citizenship

By Richard Hanus|2012-05-15T08:15:57-05:00May 15th, 2012|Categories: Citizenship / Naturalization and the N-400 Application, DHS / Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Family-Based Immigration Law|Tags: eligibility, residence requirements|

Published: May 15, 2012 The requirements to become a U.S. citizen by way of an N-400 Application for Naturalization are generally not complicated, although situations frequently arise where significant questions regarding an applicant’s eligibility are raised. General Requirements for Naturalization: 1. The applicant must be at least 18 years of age and a lawful permanent resident for 5 years. For those who are married to a U.S. citizen, the requirement is only 3 years or residence, although the applicant must have been married to and living with that U.S. citizen spouse for at least 3 years to qualify for this shortened […]

20 03, 2012

Immigration Benefits via Expedited “Premium Processing”

By Richard Hanus|2012-03-20T09:58:45-05:00March 20th, 2012|Categories: Citizenship / Naturalization and the N-400 Application, Conditional Permanent Residence Based on Marriage, DHS / Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Employment-Based Immigration Law, Family-Based Immigration Law, Non-Immigrant Visas for Temporary Workers / H-1B|Tags: expedited processing, premium processing|

Published: March 20, 2012 Everyone wants things done yesterday. When it comes to processing of a green card, U.S. citizenship, work permit, work visa, student visa, or any other immigration benefit, the same holds true. And when people hear that a “Premium Processing” unit is in place at U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Citizenship and Immigration Services here in the U.S. to provide expedited service (as quick as 1-15 days) on immigration related filings for an additional fee, lots of folks want in. Firstly, not all immigration filings can be submitted for Premium Processing. Most notably, for example, Premium Processing is not […]

9 03, 2012

Green Cards and US Citizenship: DHS/CIS Continues Its Rapid Pace of Processing

By Richard Hanus|2012-03-09T09:47:25-06:00March 9th, 2012|Categories: Citizenship / Naturalization and the N-400 Application, Conditional Permanent Residence Based on Marriage, DHS / Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Employment Authorization / Work Cards in the U.S., Employment-Based Immigration Law, Family-Based Immigration Law, Green Cards, Lawful Permanent Residence in the U.S.|Tags: adjustment of status, legal eligibility, marriage-based applications, processing times, timeline, visa availability|

Published: March 9, 2012 U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Citizenship and Immigration Services continues to do its job with efficiency and speed when it comes to processing Applications for Naturalization (N-400) and Applications for Adjustment of Status (green card – I-485) based on marriage to a U.S. citizen, or other family or employment immigrant category with current visa availability. Immigration interviews, at least through CIS Chicago, are being scheduled with lightning speed, and card production for approvable permanent resident applicants, and oath ceremonies for approvable U.S. citizenship applicants follow within just a week or two of the interview. In my 20+ years […]

Previous 567 Next

Citizenship / Naturalization and the N-400 Application

Contact Info

Recent Posts