19 Sep 2019

I was born in the U.S., but my family moved back to India when I was still a baby. I am now 21, and I have not been back to the U.S. since. Do I have any options of getting my U.S. citizenship back? Or some form of U.S. residency?

Answer Unless you voluntarily renounced your U.S. citizenship (which typically involves a formal process at a U.S. consulate or embassy), you very probably are still a U.S. citizen. A parent cannot renounce U.S. citizenship on behalf of a child; and, “children under 16 are presumed not...

29 Aug 2019

My son and I became green card holders nearly 5 years ago. I am about to apply for U.S. citizenship. Do I need to file a separate application for my son?

Answer Generally speaking, children under 18 automatically acquire U.S. citizenship if three requirements are met: (1) The child must have U.S. lawful permanent resident status (“green card” holder); (2) at least one parent must be a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization; and (3) the child...

03 Jun 2019

USCIS Implements Stricter Expedite Request Criteria

On May 10, 2019, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated the Adjudicator's Field Manual (AFM) to reduce the circumstances under which the USCIS will consider granting a case expedited treatment. In general, the USCIS has the authority to grant an expedite request on...

15 Apr 2019

I am a U.S. citizen, and I filed an I-130 for my parents. However, they do not yet wish to apply for green cards. In the meantime, are they allowed to visit me on their B-2 visas?

Answer Someone who is the beneficiary of a pending or approved I-130 petition likely will be subject to a higher degree of scrutiny and questioning by CBP if they try to enter the U.S. as a visitor. (15.Apr.2019)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and...