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Citizenship |
| By:Indu Liladhar on Tue 06 May 2008 11:17 AM under Immigration, Uncategorized |
Question: I have been a U.S. citizen for the past ten years. My wife is a lawful permanent resident. When can she apply for U.S. citizenship?
Answer : One may apply for U.S. citizenship after holding lawful permanent resident status for three years, if s/he is currently married to and living with a U.S. citizen; and has been married to and living with that same U.S. citizen for the past three years; and that spouse has been a U.S. citizen for the past three years. Generally, most lawful permanent residents are required to hold permanent resident status for five years in order to file for U.S. citizenship, but the three-year rule benefits spouses of U.S. citizens. Question: My husband and I plan to return to our home country when we finish our university degree programs. If our U.S.-born child lives abroad until adulthood, will he still hold U.S. citizenship?
Answer: The child is born as a U.S. citizen and remains a U.S. citizen even if s/he obtains a foreign passport. If the foreign government also considers him or her to be a citizen of that country, then it is necessary for her/him to choose nationality upon attaining the age of 18. When that U.S. citizen child turns 21, s/he will be eligible to apply for your green cards. Only an affirmative act, such as renouncing/relinquishing the U.S. citizenship, would cause the child’s status as a U.S. citizen to terminate.
