Reform Meeting

We saw a strong turnout at the immigration reform meeting at Bad Abbots on Oct 6^th.  The meeting was addressed by Chris Lavery, immigration attorney, Sheila Gleeson of the CIIC, and Jack Meehan of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.  Representing the Irish government, our new Consul General Michael Lonergan was also in attendance. 

People are strongly encouraged to call members of Congress and ask them to support immigration reform efforts.  Michael Lonergan stated the government remains committed to finding a solution to the undocumented Irish and cited continuing efforts between the Department of Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Martin and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as evidence of the governments hope in finding a solution.

Legal Clinic

We also had a strong turnout at our legal clinic.  A large number of those present were filing for US citizenship.  One person had been a green card holder since 1950 and decided it was time to naturalize.  Our thanks to all of our volunteers who help out at these clinics.

Absences from the US

Some of the applications we have been working on with long term legal residents have been time intensive because an applicant has to list every absence from the US.  Of course, a citizenship applicant must have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence. Lawfully admitted for permanent residence means having been legally accorded the privilege of residing permanently in the United States as an immigrant in accordance with the immigration laws. Individuals who have been lawfully admitted as permanent residents are asked to produce their legal permanent residency card (green card) as proof of their status.

Citizen applicants must be eligible

An applicant is eligible to file if, immediately preceding the filing of the application, you:

·         have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence

·         have resided continuously as a lawful permanent resident in the U.S. for at least 5 years (3 years if LPR granted through marriage to a US citizen) prior to filing;

·         have been physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of the previous five years (absences of more than six months but less than one year break the continuity of residence unless the applicant can establish that he or she did not abandon his or her residence during such period)

·          have resided within a state or district for at least three months

Disclaimer:  These articles are published to inform and not as advice.  Areas of law are always changing.  The USCIS and US Department of State frequently amend regulations and alter processing and filing procedures.  For legal advice seek the assistance of one of our pro bono immigration attorney at our monthly clinics.