Transcript Citizenship Information Meeting

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Citizenship Information
Workshop
17 April 2010
Sockwell Center
Sponsored by
Plano Multicultural
Outreach Roundtable
JOINT EVENTS TODAY!
 In this room, we will be holding
informational seminars on the citizenship
application process.
 Next door, immigration attorneys will help
those who have brought their applications
and need help with them.
 You may attend either or both.
17 April 2010
Plano
MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
Citizenship Program
 Welcome
 Citizenship & Immigration Service
 Using Immigration Attorneys
 Federal Bureau of Investigation
 Local Resources
 Conclusion
17 April 2010
Plano
MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
Welcome ‫ مرحبـا‬欢迎 Bienvenido
– Chris Parr, MCOR Web Master of Ceremonies
 Plano Multicultural Outreach Roundtable
– An advisory group to the Plano City Council
dedicated to the advancement of the interests of
all cultural groups in the City.
– Open to all.
– Meeting 2nd Tuesday of each month.
– 7:00 pm in the Plano City Hall
http://www.PlanoMCOR.org
17 April 2010
Plano
MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
MCOR at Work
 PLANO INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
– Haggard Park, Saturday, 2 October 2010
 Cultural Community Forums
– Partnering with Plano City Council
 Table Tennis, Kite, Cricket Tournaments
 Citizenship Programs
 National Day of Prayer
 Your Choice Here!
17 April 2010
Plano
MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
The Naturalization Process
Becoming a United States Citizen
17 April 2010
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
Naturalization Process
General Eligibility Requirements
 Filing an Application for Naturalization
 The Interview
 Naturalization Oath Ceremony
*For a list of eligibility requirements and to obtain
an Application
for Naturalization, Form N-400, go to
www.uscis.gov/citizenship. Eligibility
requirements for members of the military can also
be accessed
at www.uscis.gov/military.
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
General Eligibility Requirements
 18 years old at the time of filing
 Time as a Permanent Resident
 Continuous residence in the United States
 Physical presence in the United States
 Time living where the application is filed
 Good moral character
 Understanding of the English language
 Knowledge of U.S. civics
 Attachment to the U.S. Constitution
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General Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the
time of filing the Application for
Naturalization, Form N-400, and must be
lawfully admitted as a Permanent Resident
of the United States.
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General Eligibility Requirements
Time as a Permanent Resident
In most cases,
applicants must be a
Permanent Resident of
the United States for a
certain number of years
prior to filing for
naturalization.
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
General Eligibility Requirements
Continuous Residence
“Continuous residence” means that the applicant has maintained
general residence within the United States for a required period
of time. Extended absences outside of the U.S. may disrupt an
applicant’s continuous residence.
 Absences between 6 months and 1 year,
may disrupt an applicant’s continuous
residence unless the applicant can prove
otherwise.
 Absences in excess of 1 year or more during
the period when continuous residence is
required may disrupt an applicant’s
continuous residence.
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
General Eligibility Requirements
Physical Presence
“Physical presence” is the actual time the applicant has been
present in the U.S. It measures the total number of days
applicants are in the U.S. during the period physical presence is
required.
 The “physical presence”
requirement changes depending
on how the applicant qualifies.
 Since “physical presence” is
cumulative, trips outside the U.S.
count against this requirement.
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General Eligibility Requirements
Time Living Where the Application is Filed
 Applicants must live in the USCIS
district or State where they apply
for naturalization for at least 3
months before filing.
 Students who are 18 and older
may apply for naturalization within
their school’s jurisdiction or, if they
are financially dependent upon
their parents, where their parents
reside.
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
General Eligibility Requirements
Good Moral Character
 Applicants must demonstrate “good
moral character” throughout the
statutory period and up to the
administration of the Oath of Allegiance.
 Commission of certain crimes during the
statutory period is an example that
demonstrates a lack of good moral
character.
 The statutory period changes based on
how the applicant qualifies for
naturalization.
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
General Eligibility Requirements
Knowledge of English and Civics
Applicants must demonstrate:
 An ability to understand,
read, write, and speak
English
 A knowledge of U.S. history
and government (also known
as “civics”)
Note: Certain applicants, because of age and time as a
Permanent Resident, or because of a medical
condition, have different English and civics
requirements.
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
General Eligibility Requirements
Exemptions from the English Requirement
At the time of filing the Application for Naturalization, Form N-400...
The applicant
is:
Lived as a
Applicant does
permanent resident
not take the:
in the U.S. for:
Age 50
20 years
English test
Age 55
15 years
English test
Age 65
20 years
English test
Applicant must take
the:
civics test in their
language
civics test in their
language
simplified civics test in
their language
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
General Eligibility Requirements
Disability Exceptions
Applicants with a medical condition that prevents them from
acquiring or demonstrating the required knowledge of
English and civics may file for an exception to the
educational requirements for naturalization.
 A doctor must determine if the
applicant qualifies for an exception
based on a medical condition that
prevents the applicant from learning.
 A completed Form N-648, Medical
Certification for Disability
Exceptions, should be submitted
when filing the Application for
Naturalization, Form N-400.
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
General Eligibility Requirements
Attachment to the U.S. Constitution
 Applicants must show a willingness to support and
defend the principles of the Constitution and the laws of
the United States.
 Applicants declare their “attachment” or loyalty to the
United States and its Constitution by taking the Oath of
Allegiance at an oath ceremony.
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
Filing an Application
for Naturalization
Form N-400
 Download the application at:
http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/N-400.pdf
 To order forms by mail, call 1-800-8703676 or visit: http://www.uscis.gov/forms
FOR THE MOST CURRENT FORMS AND FILING FEES, GO TO:
http://www.uscis.gov/fees
Study materials and practice tests are available for free at:
http://www.uscis.gov/newtest
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
Click “Education and Resources” at
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
The Interview
 Applicants are placed under oath.
 A USCIS Officer reviews Form N-400 and determines if the
eligibility requirements are met.
 The English and civics tests are
administered. If applicants fail
either/or both portions of the test, they
are afforded a second opportunity to
be tested. Applicants receive 2
opportunities to pass the test.
 If additional information is required to
establish eligibility, the case is
continued and a written request for
additional documentation is issued to
the applicant.
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
Naturalization Oath Ceremony
Oath of Allegiance
 If the N-400 is approved,
applicants will be scheduled for
an oath ceremony to take the
Oath of Allegiance to the
United States.
 After taking the oath, applicants
become U.S. citizens.
 Certificates of Naturalization
are prepared and issued as
proof of citizenship at the oath
ceremony.
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
Questions?
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
Using Immigration Attorneys
 Ann Massey Badmus, Attorney
– Badmus Immigration Law Firm
– Dallas, Texas
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
What An Immigration Attorney
Should Do for You
 Advise you of the law and your options
 Recommend your best course of action
 Represent and defend you before the
government
 Prepare or review all legal documents
 Monitor the status of your case
17 April 2010
Plano
MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
How to Choose a Qualified
Immigration Attorney
 Focused on immigration law
 Reputation for excellent service (seek
referrals)
 Experience in immigration cases like yours
 Well-established practice
 Conducts thorough review of your case
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
To Protect Yourself
 Do not sign blank application, petition, etc.
 Don’t sign anything you don’t understand!
 Do not sign false statements.
 Always get a receipt for payment.
 Don’t use NON-attorneys.
 Obtain copies of all submitted documents.
 Verify representative’s eligibility.
 Report any unlawful activities.
17 April 2010
Plano
MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
National Name Check Program
Aaron K Covey
Special Agent – FBI: Dallas Field Division
Unclassified
National Name Check Program
Background
 Authorized in Executive Order 10450
issued April 27, 1953 during the
Eisenhower Administration.
 Addressed personnel security issues and
mandated National Agency Checks (NACs)
as part of the pre-employment vetting and
background investigation process.
Unclassified
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
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National Name Check Program
Background
 Who needs an FBI Name Check:
– Federal employment - clearances
– White House functions
– Admission to Bar
– Foreign visitors
– Visa/Green Card or Naturalization
Unclassified
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
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National Name Check Program
Background
 Mission: Disseminate information from the
FBI’s files in response to requests from our
customers.
 Customers include:
– Federal agencies
• United States Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS)
–
–
–
–
Congressional committees
Federal Judiciary
foreign police and intelligence agencies
state and local criminal justice agencies
Unclassified
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
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Largest Customers
Incoming FY-09 Name Checks
USCIS
OPM
All Other
Unclassified
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Name Check History
Volume of Incoming Name Check Requests
FY01
FY02
FY03
FY04
FY05
FY06
FY07
FY08
FY09
2,771,241
3,288,018
6,309,346
3,884,467
3,346,435
3,616,505
4,071,020
3,566,199
3,327,999
FY10 est. 3.1 Million
Unclassified
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
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SEPTEMBER 11, 2001
ATTACK ON THE UNITED STATES
9/11 caused a review
of background check
procedures used by
the INS, resulting in
the need for a more
detailed, in-depth
clearance procedure
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
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The Name Check Process
Batch
Processing
Name
Searching
File Review
Dissemination
Unclassified
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
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USCIS – Largest Customer (cont’d)
 Majority of names submitted via magnetic tape.
– Each tape can contain up to 10,000 names.
 Computer processing provides immediate
evaluation.
– “No Records” are immediately identified and
downloaded onto a tape returned to USCIS.
 A “No Record” indicates that the FBI’s index of
records contains no record of an individual’s
name.
 Names relevant to FBI investigations are indexed
allowing the efficient retrieval of information.
Unclassified
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
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Backlog Factors
FY03 Volume of Incoming Name Checks
7,000,000
6,000,000
5,000,000
4,000,000
3,000,000
2,000,000
1,000,000
0
FY96
FY97
FY98
FY99
FY00
FY01
FY02
FY03
FY04
FY05
FY06
FY96
FY97
FY98
FY99
FY00
FY01
FY02
FY03
FY04
FY05
FY06
FY07
Unclassified
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Plano
MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
2,939,521
2,850,769
2,148,993
2,957,525
2,449,981
2,771,241
3,288,018
6,309,346
3,884,467
3,346,435
3,616,505
4,071,020
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Backlog Factors (cont’d)
 Previously, only “main” hits were
checked.
– Hits where a name is the subject of the file
 Now, “reference” hits are also
reviewed
– Hits where a name merely appears in a file, but is
not the subject of the file
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
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Backlog Factors (cont’d)
 Factors that may cause a delay in processing
a Name Check are:
–
–
–
–
(1) The volume of incoming name checks
(2) The number of hits on a name
(3) The processing of common names
(4) The accessibility of the FBI record
Unclassified
17 April 2010
Plano
MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
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Backlog Factors (cont’d)
Between Fiscal Year ’07 and Fiscal Year
‘08, the NNCP eliminated a backlog of
approximately 544,000 pending name
check requests
98% of all incoming name check requests
are completed correctly in 30 days or
less, with the remaining 2% in < 90 days
Unclassified
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MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
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Checking Status of a Name
Check
 The National Name Check Program is a
service program dedicated to meeting the
name check needs of its customers (the
submitting Agency).
 Because the submitting Agency dictates the
order in which name checks are completed,
all public inquiries should be directed to
the organization that received an
individual’s original application.
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Plano
MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
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QUESTIONS?
Unclassified
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Local Resources
 Adult Basic Education: Information and
Referral
– Eileen Turner, President
– Collin County Adult Literacy Council
 Citizenship Classes
– Gloria Granados
– Baptist Immigration Center
17 April 2010
Plano
MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center
Conclusion
 Please join us in thanking our presenters.
 Please pick up brochures and other
information from the tables next door.
 Please take advantage of bilingual
immigration attorneys to ask questions.
 Please leave no ID.
– Take business cards to contact later.
– Join MCOR at www.PlanoMCOR.org
17 April 2010
Plano
MCOR Citizenship; Sockwell Center