Immigration & US Citizenship Notes

By Kieran C. O’Sullivan

Immigration Counselor

ipcboston@yahoo.com

Filing in Ireland?

Procedures for U.S. Citizens, residing in the Republic of Ireland; U.S. citizens who have been resident in the Republic of Ireland and who wish to sponsor an immediate relative can now file the I-130 petition at the US Embassy in Dublin. Both the U.S. citizen petitioner and the beneficiary (spouse) must have maintained continuous residency in the Republic of Ireland for a minimum of the preceding six months in order to demonstrate principal residence. Appropriate evidence that the petitioner and the beneficiary have permission to reside in the Republic of Ireland must be provided. The US Embassy will require evidence in the form of the U.S. citizen petitioner – a photocopy of the leave to remain stamp from the Irish government, in the petitioner's passport; (must also include a photocopy of the photo page of U.S. passport) or, if dual national, the petitioner's EU passport; the beneficiary must provide a photocopy of the photo page of his or her EU passport.

Non EU nationals must provide a photocopy of the leave to remain stamp from the Irish government, together with a photocopy of the photo page of his or her passport U.S. citizens whose principal residence is not in the Republic of Ireland and/or who have entered as a temporary visitor/student/or with limited leave to remain must file the petition with the appropriate USCIS Service Center in the United States. Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders) must file the I-130 in the United States.

Assistance for immigrants in the Military

The Defense Department estimates that almost 60,000 personnel are foreign born. Figures released by AILF indicate that twenty per cent of all the Medal of Honor Winners are immigrants. Since 9/11, the USCIS has seen a record number of applications for naturalization from immigrant members of the military. Each year since 9/11, thousands of military men and women are sworn in as new US citizens. Many members have been granted US citizenship posthumously. In response to its growing immigrant membership, the USCIS have launched a new service.

 Military Help Line

USCIS has established a toll-free military help line, 1-877-CIS-4MIL (1-877-247-4645), exclusively for members of the military and their families.  USCIS customer service specialists are available to answer calls Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (CST), excluding federal holidays.  After-hours callers will receive an email address that they can use to contact USCIS for assistance.  Callers will receive assistance with immigration-related information, such as:

• 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).

Legal Clinic
We had a very successful clinic at Bad Abbots on December 2^nd. Thanks to attorney Chris Lavery for all of his pro bono work and to our valued volunteers who showed up on the evening. Our next clinic will be on Jan. 6^th, 2008 at Bad Abbots Bar & Restaurant, Quincy, MA.

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