Patrick & Li

5 years later I am commenting on this topic. I sent my application in early and the Citizenship approvers sent it back saying that it could not be approved because it had to be exactly 3 years from Green card approval date.

Dnoblett, Thank you so very much for that information. Looks like the soonest test will be in Oct @ the Kennesaw GA site. We were hoping to find something sooner. Thanks again, Patrick

Hi All, My son is looking to go back to China to get his education. He just got his USA citizenship last year. Does anyone know where he can take the HSK proficiency test? We are in South Carolina. Looking for any and all information. Thanks, Patrick & Li

My wife has decided she wants to apply for citizenship. Can her son piggyback on her citizenship request or does he have to come in on other rules? He is 16 years old. He lives with us and is a 10 yr GC holder. Will we absolutely have to apply for him separately? Thanks, Patrick

He can apply for Naturalization 5 years after his "resident since" date on his green card, the 3 year rule only applies to spouses of US Citizens. So if he has been a resident since age 13, he can apply for citizenship when he turns 18, the other 2 options are you adopt or your wife becomes a citizen before he turns 18. Thank you Lee, Very helpful as always. Patrick

Can my son apply for Citizenship at the age of 18, without his mother applying and without me adopting him? Patrick

What does a wife lose if she doesn't declare for a US Citizenship and decided to remain a Chinese Citizen? 1- She will still be able to draw SS 2- She will still be able to use Medicade 3- She can still contribute to a 401K with her company in US What else? What are the advantages/disadvantages? I would appreciate any and all thoughts on this. Patrick & Li

Can I adopt my wife's son with the purpose of obtaining his citizenship earlier? Another question..... My wife and I have been married since 4-29-2003, and she has been in this country since 6-2004. However she didnt receive her Green Card until 7-2007. How long before she can apply for her citizenship? Will my wife lose her Chinese retirement money if she gains a US Citizenship? Is there a way to get both? Thanks for any help, Patrick & Li

Hey everyone, If I adopt my son, Can he get his citizenship faster? Here's my reasoning...... I don't have the money to send my son to a Top notch school, and he cannot get a scholarship to one without being a citizen. So I am thinking about going the adoption route so he can get scholarship offers from these schools. He is 15 now and from what I understand, He cannot get his cizenship till he is 18 or his mother gets her citizenship and pulls him along. BUT, she wont qualify in time, and also not sure if she wants to give up her China citizenship. Any information will be appreciated. Sincerely, Patrick_A

Thanks Carl, You're right, We came through this process at about the same time but in such contrasting ways. I remember well the troubles they gave to you and I felt so angry about how they treated you. But you managed to come out of that ok and I assume everything else has worked out for you. We on the other hand have just dealt with the delays constantly. We have been together now for over 3 years and married for 4+. I will be so happy when the ordeal is over and I no longer have to deal with the US Gov't on immigration matters. Life is great! Yes, It will be the 10 year card. Pat & Li

I'm happy for your wife, Patrick. It's been a long time! I've been waiting over 3 years for my stepdaughter. I got a letter last week to go and get biometrics done again for her. I better see a GC in the mail very soon afterwards! In the meantime however, congratulations! Tony, Just for your info. That is exactly what happened to us. We had to go get the wifes fingerprints redone and 2 weeks later we get the E-mail notice. Someone told us that was a good sign. Good luck to you. Pat

One of Two things happened. Either we just finally made it through attrition, or all of the letters that we sent to our Senators and District Representatives finally paid off. I personally think the letters paid off. Anyways, It feels so good not to be under their thumbs. Thanks to all who were patient while we waited through this ordeal. It was a very trying 3+ years! Patrick & Li

Just was curious. I would like to know all of your details. Pat

Thanks Lee. I am glad you straightened me out on that. I doubt I'll be filing the Writ anytime soon based on not having enought time or money to pay someone to do it. Patrick

We filed for our AOS on 7-12-2004. Namecheck is still pending. New law allows the FBI and USCIS to ignore the "Writ of Mandamus" The only way to make the USCIS to do an inquiry to the FBI is under special circumstances which my wife doesnt qualify for. Dennis, This goes out you man. My heart did a complete flop when I saw how long you have had to wait. 6 years is way beyond reasonable. My heart goes out to you and your family. Patrick & Li

I am curious as to how the WOM comes out. I am not sure if I could do this but then again, I wasnt sure if I could do the Immigration thing either till I just just jumped in and did it. Patrick

I was just curious. The new rules and fees go into effect 6-30-2007. Can I file for citizenship for my son and wife due to the fact we have been married past a certain time. (I have been told this is true) Would save me a ton of money and also we could just get by all of this AOS crap! If anybody knows anything about this, please give me some advise. If not, I'll just keep hanging my head and try to remain patient. Patrick

Congratulations!! You are one of the lucky ones.

Boy! We hope our money was wasted! AOS filed 7-2004, been stuck in Namecheck since 10-2004. Received 2nd EAD in March 2007, Filed for and Received AP 5-2007. Wife, son and daughter all in China for 7 week visit from 5-30-2007 to 7-19-2007. Only been 3 days and I miss'em all already.

Congrats! I don't blame your wife for being skeptical. We received an E-mail notice saying our AP has been approved and that a letter had been sent out on 4-18, and here it is 4-27 and we still havent received it. Patrick

LOL...I wish you could help me Fred, I'd lean right on ya! Yes, I have written Lindey Graham and he pretty well told me he has no authority in this matter. At the moment, only the USCIS has the authority to do an inquiry on the FBI and they state that our case history is not unusual. HA! Patrick & Li

We went to have my wifes Drivers License renewed 2 weeks ago. Everything went fine, they gave us a letter stating this was a temp license till her hard copy came in the mail. Yesterday we received a letter from DMV that said they needed a I-797, and a Updated report on our status and they wanted it within 15 days or they would consider it abandoned. We are going to Infopass appt this week and see if they can give me an official letter stating our "Pending" status. Tired....soooooooo tired! Patrick

Also if she is traveling alone with the children, your wife will need a notorized Authorization for International Travel Statement from you. Where do I get this authorization form? Does it have an official number or letter like the AP being a I-131? Patrick

Thanks! Going there next week!

I know we need Birth certificate, and passport photos, but I don't remember how to get the passport. Help please! Patrick