Sep
28
USCIS Issues New Redesigned Naturalization Test
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The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the new 100 questions and answers that will comprise the civics component of the new naturalization test. The questions are based on fundamental concepts of American democracy.
This new test will be administered to citizenship applicants beginning October 2008. Current applicants will have the choice of taking the new test or the old one up until October of 2009 when the new test becomes mandatory.
Taking the test will cost immigrants $675.00, along with the lengthy and costly application process. If the test is failed twice, the entire application process must be undertaken again, including the $675.00 fee payment.
The test consists of 100 questions - applicants are only required to get a 60% to pass (that’s a ‘D’ to pass and they can take it twice.)
Here are 10 Questions from the test. Would you pass?
1. How many U.S. Senators are there?
2. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
3. Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators?
4. What does the judicial branch do?
5. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
6. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?
7. What are two rights only for United States citizens?
8. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
9. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
10. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
Answers
1. 100
2. 6
3. Answers will vary. Do you know yours???
[For District of Columbia residents and residents of U.S. territories, the answer is that D.C. (or the territory where the applicant lives) has no U.S. Senators.]
4. reviews laws ▪ explains laws ▪ resolves disputes (disagreements) ▪ decides if a law goes against the Constitution
5. Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote). ▪ You don’t have to pay (a poll tax) to vote. ▪ Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.) ▪ A male citizen of any race (can vote).
6. serve on a jury ▪ vote
7. apply for a federal job ▪ vote ▪ run for office ▪ carry a U.S. passport
8. (Thomas) Jefferson
9. July 4, 1776
10. (James) Madison ▪ (Alexander) Hamilton ▪ (John) Jay ▪ Publius
See the entire test – click here.
Aug
21
El Salvador Immigrants’ Registration Period Opens
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The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service has issued a notice reminding all immigrants from El Salvador that their registration period for temporary protected status has opened.
Here is the press release in full:
EL SALVADOR TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS RE-REGISTRATION OPENS
Employment Authorization Documents Automatically Extended to March 9, 2008
WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced the publication of a Federal Register notice extending the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for El Salvador until March 9, 2009. There are approximately 234,000 nationals of El Salvador (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in El Salvador) who may be eligible to re-register their Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). Under this extension, nationals of El Salvador who have already been granted TPS are eligible to live and work in the United States for an additional 18 months. The extension of the TPS designation of El Salvador is effective on September 10, 2007, and will remain in effect until March 9, 2009. Nationals of El Salvador who have been granted TPS previously must re-register for the 18-month extension during the 60-day re-registration period, which begins August 21, 2007 and ends October 22, 2007.
Additionally, in the Federal Register notice DHS has extended the validity of the current EADs for eligible Salvadoran TPS beneficiaries for six months until March 9, 2008. This applies to EADs issued to Salvadorans bearing the notation “A-12” or “C-19” on the card under “Category” and with (1) an expiration date of July 5, 2006, or September 9, 2006 on the face of the card and a September 2007 DHS-issued extension sticker on the back, or (2) an expiration date of September 30, 2007 on the face of the card. The six-month extension will allow sufficient time for eligible TPS beneficiaries to re-register and receive a new EAD without any lapse in employment authorization. This year, all applicants whose TPS re-registration is approved and who request EADs will receive new cards, no stickers will be issued.
New filing fees for all USCIS benefits, including the TPS re-registration program for nationals of El Salvador, became effective on July 30, 2007. To re-register for TPS under the extension, a TPS beneficiary must submit an Application for Temporary Protected Status (Form I-821) without the filing fee, an Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) with the filing fee or a fee waiver request, and a $80 biometrics services fee or fee waiver request for each applicant age 14 and older as well as re-registrants younger than age 14 who are requesting an EAD. If the applicant is only seeking to re-register for TPS and not seeking an extension of employment authorization, there is no filing fee for the Form I-765, but the applicant must still file the Form I-765 for the TPS extension. All applicants seeking an extension of employment authorization documentation until March 9, 2009 must submit a $340 filing fee with Form I-765.
More information is available from the USCIS National Customer Service Center toll-free number, 800-375-5283. TPS forms are available from the toll-free USCIS Forms line, 800-870-3676, or from the USCIS Web site: www.uscis.gov.
Aug
14
USCIS Launches Toll-Free Military Helpline
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The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service has released a statement informing members of the military and their families of a new toll free help line now available to them.
Here is the press release in full:
Members of the U.S. military and their families stationed around the world are now able to call U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for help with immigration services and benefits using a dedicated, toll-free telephone help line, 1-877-CIS-4MIL (1-877-247-4645).
“Thousands of immigrant Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines have made extraordinary sacrifices for America,” said USCIS Director Emilio Gonzalez. “As such, at USCIS, we are committed to exhausting every effort to ensure that the application process for immigrant service members is convenient, quick and secure. These brave men and women, and their families, deserve this service, and we are proud to assist.”
“This hotline honors the more than 40,000 non-U.S. citizens serving in the military today. If you are willing to fight and die for America, you should be able to become an American,” said Senator Barbara Mikulski. “I will continue to work to improve this process, because service members and their families have enough to worry about.”
USCIS customer service center specialists are available to assist callers Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (CST). Callers will receive assistance with:
• Tracking their application for naturalization (Form N-400);
• Notifying USCIS of a new mailing address or duty station;
• Checking the status of an application or petition;
• Bringing a spouse, fiancé(e) or adopted child to the United States;
• Obtaining posthumous citizenship for a deceased member of the Armed Services; and
• Submitting an application for expedited processing.
Service members and their families stationed in the United States or overseas may access the help line using the toll-free number, through their base telephone operator or using the Defense Switched Network (DSN). After hours callers will receive an e-mail address that they can use to contact USCIS for assistance. Operators will ask members of the general public to call our main customer service line: 1-800-375-5283.
USCIS is working with the Department of Defense to ensure the military community has accurate and up-to-date information about immigration services and benefits. USCIS offices and the designated point-of-contact at each military installation will receive information about the Military Help Line and other immigration-related information and resources geared specifically for the military and their families.
In addition to the help line, USCIS has developed a web page, http://www.uscis.gov/military that contains information and links to services specifically for the military and their families.
Aug
10
Soldier Receives US Citizenship
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An ex-US army soldier has finally been granted US citizenship after four years of rejected applications from US immigration.
Ayman Girgis, born in Egypt and holding Dutch citizenship, was initially refused citizenship following claims from US immigration officials that he lied under oath about having a security clearance.
But now the former Fort Campbell soldier of Huntsville, Tennessee has been granted citizenship and celebrated with a ceremony this month (02AUG07).
Girgis, who has lived in the United States since 1998, was a translator in Iraq for then 101st commander Major General David Petraeus and 3rd Brigade commander Colonel Michael Linnington.
45 soldiers at Fort Campbell have received their US citizenship since 2001.
Aug
6
According to a recent report from a UK visa company, applications for visas have jumped by over 80 per cent during the last seven months.
Ten years ago, approximately 300 people a week sought information about obtaining a visa to leave the UK - now the figure is 4000 a week.
The applicants are mostly young professional/skilled workers aged between 20 to 40 years old who wish to emigrate to countries such as the US, Australia and South Africa.
According to recent UK Office of National Statistics figures, the official number of people leaving the UK was 352,000 in 2005, up from 249,000 in 1995. Approximately 150,000 of those people migrated from London and the south east.
To read more about this story, click here.
Jul
27
Fee Hike Causes Visa Application Rise
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A new hike in US immigration fees has resulted in the number of visa applications rising sharply as people try to avoid the new fees structure.
As of July 30, US immigration fees will rise by 66 per cent, with applications for a first-time green card rising from $325 to $1,010, $255 to $710 for for temporary resident status, and an extra $100 for naturalization.
Immigrants wishing to avoid the hike have rushed to hand in their applications before the deadline.
Servico de Inmigracion owner Manuel Vigil says, “We’re swamped, totally swamped.”
To read more about this story, click here.
Jul
25
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that an accurate I-485 form is now available on the USCIS website.
The USCIS had put up a version of the form earlier this month (23JUL07) reflecting the fee increase which will go into effect at the end of the month (30JUL07).
According to the new announcement, the fees are as follows: a $325 base fee plus a $70 biometric fee if applicant is between 14 and 79 years of age. There is no fee if applicant is filing as a refugee under sec. 209(a) of the INA.
To find out more and download form I-485, visit www.uscis.gov.
Jul
24
Al Sharpton and Wal-Mart CEO Team up for Immigration Bill
Filed Under US Citizenship, Z Visa | Leave a Comment
Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott and civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton joined forces on Tuesday in a call for the US Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill.
Sharpton and Scott were speaking before the National Council of La Raza, the largest U.S. Hispanic civil rights organization, in Miami Beach, Florida.
Scott says, “Congress needs to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill now.”
Sharpton says, “I want to say what a lot of people won’t say. The immigration debate is not simply about border security, it is a problem of America dealing with race.”
To read more about this story, click here.
Jul
23
Nancy Pelosi Encourages Potential New American Citizens
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US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is urging legal immigrants to apply for US citizenship, highlighting the important part immigrants have had to play in US history and culture.
Pelosi gave a speech at a citizenship workshop in San Francisco on Saturday (21JUL07), encouraging the immigrants to contribute to US democracy.
Pelosi says, “Good morning, and welcome to our Second Annual District Citizenship workshop. This event is about lending a hand to those who seek to become part of the beautiful mosaic that is America. I am honored to be a part of it. Those here today — who will become the newest Americans — exemplify what our great nation is all about. You have brought your hopes and dreams to a land where hopes and dreams can come true. I am proud to help you on your way to becoming American citizens. Read more
Jul
20
USCIS Fee Hike To Begin in Ten Days
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Ten days are left before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) put a 66 per cent visa application fee hike into effect.
All applications received by the USCIS on or after July 30 2007 will be subject to the new fee system. The new system also holds benefits for families with children as well as expanding the number of fee waivers and exemptions available to immigrants.
For more information, visit www.USCIS.gov.