Legal Question in Immigration Law in California

I have a green card though asylum. I have never left the country nor renewing my old national passport. Since I am going to apply for the Citizenship this December, I am worried that I've lost my birth cert but I don't think that's required right? What is usually the time frame to get naturalized? When I get the US passport, can I go back to the country of prosecution to attend a wedding and the passport won't state that I obtain it through asylum, right?


Asked on 10/27/09, 7:13 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Alice Yardum-Hunter Alice M. Yardum-Hunter, a Law Corp.

You don't need a birth certificate to apply for citizenship. Whether you can return to the country you fear persecution from is a question of fact. Whether attending a wedding is a good enough reason to risk your well-being, I'm not so sure. There is not sure fire set of circumstances that pemit such travel or prohibit it. I think where you have little choice, then return there is more acceptable than attending a social event like a wedding.

Former asylum status will not be noted on the passport, but the Customs and Border Protection officer at the U.S. airport on return could know this if he looked in his computer, so that's where asylum could be a problem.

For further information, feel free to contact me directly at 818 609 1953 or [email protected]. The above is information, not legal advice. An attorney client relationship is not formed by this information.

Sincerely,

My two cents. If you would like

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Answered on 11/01/09, 8:27 pm


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