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If you have a family member preparing to take the naturalization test, it is both an exciting and nerve-racking time. The test involves more than questions about your family member’s background and application data. The English and civics test are intimidating for a lot of people who must take it. Fortunately, with the right preparation, your family member will do fine. How can you help? With the help of a study guide from the USCIS, you can help your loved one.

The civics section of the test involves 10 questions. There is a pool of 100 questions that the 10 questions draw from and you must answer at least six of these questions correctly. If you are helping a family member prepare, it helps to access all 100 possible questions. Give your loved one ample time and go over each question and answer. This way that there are no surprises on this portion of the test.

In addition to civics, your loved one must pass an English test. The USCIS provides a vocabulary list that will contain the words that he or she will have to read in the reading portion of the test. Help your loved one go over the vocabulary. In addition, you can help him or her with his or her writing. Test takers only have to write one out of three sentences correctly to demonstrate their English ability.

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There are several reasons families choose to adopt from overseas. Families may want a child of a certain age and may struggle to find children in these age groups within their area. Some immigrants may wish to provide a home to someone from their country of birth. American-born citizens may want to provide a better standard of living to someone from a poorer country.

Whatever the reason, the International Adoption Simplification Act of 2010 is one law these families should become familiar with. Here is some of the basic information provided by USCIS.

Adopting a birth sibling between the ages of 16 and 18

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As a U.S. citizen who wishes to bring your foreign-born fiancé to the United States for the two of you to marry, you are going to need to take certain steps before moving forward. Typically, the first step you need to take is to attempt to secure a fiancé via, which is also known as a K-1 nonimmigrant visa.

Before you obtain a fiancé visa, you need to demonstrate that you are actually eligible for one, and this involves meeting certain stricteligibility requirements.

Assessing eligibility

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It is impossible to tell your heart what it wants. If you fell in love with someone who happens to not be a U.S. citizen, then the chances are good that you will one day want him or her to come to Texas so that you can marry. The easiest way to bring your partner into the country is with a fiancé visa or a K-1 visa.

The point of this visa, according to the U.S. Department of State, is to allow your partner toenter the country for the main purpose of marrying you. Once immigration authorities approve your fiancé’svisa,  heor she will get a packet of sealed documents along with the visa and his or her passport. The sealed packet contains the documents he or she turned in during the visa application process and some additional documents from the U.S. Embassy.

Your fiancé should not open the sealed packet. This is very important because the packet must have the seal in place when he or she presents it to the DHS immigration official who is at the point of entry when your fiancé comes to the country. The official must receive this packet, the visa and your fiancé’s passport.

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With the 2020 election less than a year away, it is impossible not to see political news and advertisements. As such, there is a good chance that you may develop meaningful thoughts about current events, candidates and ballot measures. If you are not a U.S. citizen, though, voting in any election may be disastrous.

As a legal permanent resident, you havecertain rights and responsibilities. For example, you can live and work in the United States without worrying about obtaining special permission. You cannot vote, however. On the contrary, voting is a privilege that only U.S. citizens may enjoy.

False claim of U.S. citizenship

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Every year, thousands of people travel to the United States to become citizens, many of which reside in Texas. If you choose to immigrate with your family, it can be an exciting new journey. Unfortunately, there are adjustments that you also have to make. For children especially, it may be difficult to acclimate to a new home, culture and language. Culture shock is a real thing and kids do not always know how to deal with it.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry explains that children can feel a number of negative emotions after a move. This does not mean that you made a poor decision in moving, it simply means that you need to pay extra attention to that child’s needs. Children may feel angry or anxious and instead of being able to talk about it, they may get into trouble or react negatively at school.

In order for your child to be able to adjust in a healthy way, you may need the help of a mental health professional. Professionals can help understand the issues that your children are having. For instance, if your child is having a rough time making friends in a new country, he or she will be able to empathize and find ways to help the child adjust.

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When immigrants apply for a green card in Texas, their focus is almost entirely on becoming legal. Not having to look over their backs or worry about routine traffic stops makes so many people breathe more easily.

Beyond this, many may not consider the additional rights they now gain as a resident. They may also not become aware of the responsibilities that come with the card. Officers often impart this information at the end of the residency interview, but it is important to have this information beforehand.

The Process

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As someone who is interested in becoming a U.S. citizen so you can live in Texas or another part of the nation, you may be able to do so through a process known as naturalization. At the Law Office of Jae Lee, I am well-versed in the process involved in becoming a citizen through naturalization, and I have helped many clients navigate this and a range of other immigration-related issues.

According to USA.gov, there are a number of importanteligibility requirementsyou must meet before you are able to move forward with your efforts to become a U.S. citizen. For starters, you must be at least 18 at the time of your filing, and you must also have the ability to read, write and communicate using the English language. Additionally, you also have to be an individual of strong moral character in order to undergo consideration for citizenship.

Furthermore, your situation must meet one of two distinct circumstances in order for you to move forward in your quest for citizenship. You must either have a Permanent Resident Green Card that you have held for at least five years or, conversely, if you are filing as the spouse of a current U.S. citizen, you need to have had a Permanent Resident Green Card for at least three years before you may move forward.

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In the interest of public health, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requires a medical exam before you can enter this country. This helps to prevent you from bringing in diseases or illnesses that you may pass on to others and that could result in an epidemic or another widespread health issue. It is possible for the USCIS to deny your application on health-related grounds. One of those grounds is that you do not have the required vaccinations.

The USCIS explains there is a waiver available for the vaccination requirement. You must provide documentation that you have the required immunizations, or you may submit documentation providing an allowance for you not to have the immunizations.

A waiver may be available if you have an objection on moral or religious grounds. You also can provide proof that you have received the vaccinations, which qualifies you for the waiver. If you cannot do that, you can provide documentation from a medical professional stating that it is against medical opinion or otherwise medically impossible that you receive the vaccine.

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Legal immigration is currently one of the most stressful obstacles that migrants tackle in Texas. Worrying about a family member’s immigration status may cause even legal residents and U.S. citizens a lot of stress and sleepless nights. One way migrants may seek to adjust their immigration status is to file an I-601 form. This may provide a waiver against the grounds of inadmissibility.

However, not everyone is eligible to use this. Here are some of the criteria for eligible applicants, according to USCIS:

  • Be in the process of securing lawful presence in the U.S. via a pending case with the Department of State or by pursuing an immigrant visa
  • Ability to show how the refusal of admission may cause hardship to a spouse or parent who is a U.S. citizen
  • Acknowledge a period of unlawful presence that may make it difficult for the person to return to the U.S.
  • Current, physical presence in the United States to file the application and provide biometric data
  • Be 17 years or older

Note that this is just a summary of the criteria and that eligible applicants must meet all criteria to apply. People who have received a final order of deportation or who are already facing a final order of removal may not be eligible. Note that USCIS reserves the right to reject applications when people do not provide the necessary biometrics and if they do not pay the correct fees.

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Texas troops living overseas already have a difficult time. They put their lives in harm’s way while dealing with the loneliness that distance brings.

For troops who have found a family outside of the United States and those already vying for citizenship, changes in the naturalization process may make things even harder going forward.

Closing the doors

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How can you apply for your SSN?

Posted on in Firm News

If you are a Texas resident and received your citizenship through a K-1 Visa or through a work permit, you need a Social Security Number. Without a SSN, you cannot report your earnings to the U.S government. If you are not sure how to apply for your SSN, then you are not alone. Fortunately, the SSA makes the whole process simple.

If you apply to work within the U.S, the SSA states that you can apply for anSSN cardat the same time. The application for employment authorization contains a section that allows you to request your SSN. When the USCIS approves the application, the SSA issues you the SSN card. If you already have an SSN, then you receive a replacement card.

In a case where you do not request an SSN in this form, then you can visit the SSA office in person.There, you can apply for an SSN once you have employment authorization. If you plan to request your Social Security Number, there are documents that you need. These documents include:

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Immigration issues can be a challenge for anyone, but for some people the stakes are especially high. For example, families who have young children may be worried about how an unfavorable outcome could affect the lives of their children and their future opportunities. Moreover, this process can be very stressful, which is often very hard for kids who may be working through other issues related to immigration (such as difficult emotions due to leaving loved ones behind in another country or adjusting to a new culture). It is critical to do everything in your power to help your kids work through these changes and prepare for what lies ahead.

Your children may have a lot of questions about what is going on and what will happen next. It can be difficult for some parents to answer these questions, especially if they are uncertain about their future as well. For these reasons, it is crucial to comprehensively evaluate your circumstances and do your best to have a solid understanding of the various immigration issues that you will have to take on. Everyone is in a different situation when it comes to immigration, and this is particularly true for families. However, by doing all that you can to succeed with respect to your immigration case and beyond, you may be able to give your children the head start they need in life.

Try to provide your kids with reassurance and make them feel comfortable, even if you are dealing with high levels of stress and uncertainty. Read more on immigrating with a family on our site.

If you and your fiancé are looking forward to marriage, there may be many different issues that have to be taken into consideration first, especially if your fiancé needs to deal with immigration issues and obtain a visa. This may be a very exciting time in both of your lives, but there may be a number of legal issues to take into consideration beforehand. The way in which you approach the visa process could play a key role in your fiancé’s ability to obtain a visa and move forward in your relationship, so it is imperative to prepare carefully.

From filing an application to getting a health exam and getting ready for an interview, there are a lot of different tasks that will have to be taken care of in order to help your fiancé work through immigration matters. It may seem stressful, especially if you are dealing with other concerns and stressors, such as planning your wedding or preparing to move to another part of the country after your wedding. With that being said, the visa process should be a top priority, especially since an unsuccessful outcome could be disastrous with respect to your marriage and the future of your relationship.

We know how overwhelming these things can be for couples, but the process can be broken down into smaller steps and you can have more confidence with the tasks you will have to work through in the near future. Please take the opportunity to review our website to read more about approaching the visa process with your fiancé.

Becoming a U.S. citizen is the culmination of your immigration journey, and the naturalization test is an important component of citizenship. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, almost 757,000 people took the test in the 2018 fiscal year, which is the highest number in the last five years.

The USCIS designed the naturalization test to assess whether immigrants understand the full significance of what it means to be a U.S. citizen and what values Americans hold dear. In particular, you can expect questions that evaluate your knowledge of the basics of U.S. history and government.

American history has played a primary role in shaping the values of its citizens. By studying the country’s past, you can gain a better understanding of the culture and society you are joining.

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As an immigrant living in Texas after attaining your U.S. citizenship, you probably have family members still living in your native country. If you wish to help them gain entry into the U.S., you will be pleased to know that you and they have many visa options from which to choose.

The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs explains that family immigration visas fall within two categories, Immediate Relative Immigrant Visas and Family Preference Immigrant Visas.

Immediate Relative Immigrant Visas

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Because the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services offers special immigration options for foreign nationals who are married to U.S. citizens, some people in Texas may feel tempted to enter into an arranged marriage just to gain a green card. As FindLaw explains, this is marriage fraud, and the USCIS has methods for attempting to catch those who try it.

One of these is the marriage interview.

Interview information requests

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How do I apply for a green card?

Posted on in green cards

A green card allows an individual to permanently live and work in the United States. If you are eligible for this document, you must follow the application process carefully to successfully receive green card status.

Follow these steps to apply for permanent U.S. residency when you are already living in the country.

Select your eligibility category

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How do I qualify for a green card?

Posted on in green cards

A green card allows you to live legally in the United States. With this document, you can make your home in Texas, secure a job and take advantage of other benefits from being a legal immigrant. There are many ways you can secure a green card, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Some methods require you know people already living in the United States while others allow you to pave your own way.

Green cards are available if you are a crime victim or refugee. You may also get one when seeking asylum in the country. If you are a victim of abuse from a U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident or Cuban native, then you may also qualify. You may also file for a green card if you have been living in the country since before January 1, 1972 continuously.

If you have a special immigrant status, you may also get a card. Special includes working as a member of the media, a juvenile who has been abandoned, abused or neglected by your parents and religious workers. You may also be considered special if you are a retired employee of NATO or other international organizations.

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If you wish to get married in Texas to someone who is not a U.S. citizen, then there are some things you will have to do to ensure he or she is legally allowed in the country. This involves getting a fiancé visa or a K-1 visa. You may have seen the popular TV show about this topic where people get married within 90 days of their fiancé coming to the country. There is a very good reason that the focus is on those 90 days.

According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, you have to get married to the person using the K-1 visa within 90 days of them entering the country. However, that is only a small part of the whole process.

Your first step in the process is to file the correct forms and get recognition from the U.S. of your relationship. You may need to provide evidence as well. Once you have an approval of your relationship status, your fiancé can then file for the visa.

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