Legal Question in Immigration Law in California

question about naturalization

My friends mother became a citizen in 1995. She is not sure if she put her daughter, who was 12 at the time, as a legal dependant at the time she applied for citizenship. How can we verify if she was placed as a dependant. Is there a way we can look up her mothers document(s) to see if my friend was placed as a dependant? Also, if she was on the document, does that make her a legal citizen, if so, how can we get the documentation to prove that she is. If she is not on her mother's document, how does she go about getting her citizenship. And also, does the fact that she has lived here her whole life, went to school here and can prove that she has been here (kindergarten through 12th grade in high school) and has also paid taxes and worked in the U.S, does any of this change the fact if she is a citizen or does it better her chances of becoming a citizen quicker? Thank you


Asked on 2/12/05, 3:25 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys
Jacob Sapochnick

Re: question about naturalization

The best way to find oit if she was included in the application is to file freedom of infrmation act request. this should reveal all the mother's immigration papers. once we do that it will be easier to plan the next steps. feel free to email me at [email protected] for more info.

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Answered on 2/12/05, 3:55 pm
Peter De Bruyn Law Offices Of Peter De Bruyn

Re: question about naturalization

In all cases it is necessary to do a freedom of information request (FOIA)in order to obtain all documents that the INS now BICE has regarding your case. Additionally, before an alien can become a citizen, she must first apply for permenant status and comply with various statutary requirements. Included in these requirements are interviews and mandatory forms that include biographical information, such as whether the applicant has children.

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Answered on 2/12/05, 4:56 pm
Larry L. Doan Law Office of Larry L. Doan

Re: question about naturalization

You sound like the same person who asked the same question a few days that I already answered. A child can't just become a citizen because she is "placed on a mother's citizenship application." It's a 2-step process. The parent and/or the child has to be a green card permanent resident first before any citizenship can even hope to be applied for. If the child doesn't have a green card, putting her on a citizenship isn't going to do any good, regardless if you wait for 10,000 years. Whether the child was under 18 or not at the time of the Child Citizenship Act was enacted in Feb. 2001 is the key question that must be answered. I answered this to you a few days ago. I don't know why these other attorneys except me don't cut the b.s. and just answer you straight like I'm doing!

Larry Liem Doan, Esq.

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Answered on 2/13/05, 3:31 am


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