Immigration and US Citizenship News

By Kieran C. O’Sullivan

Immigration Counselor

ipcboston@yahoo.com

This week one of my callers was an individual who had been arrested on a charge of domestic violence.  The individual now faces a court case where there exists a strong possibility that Immigration and Customs Enforcement will be involved.  Immigrants are reminded that today an arrest for any such criminal behavior may result in a call to US ICE to check on an individual’s status.

Congressman Pledges help on detention matters.

Fr. McCarthy who recently traveled to Washington, DC for meetings with members of Congress stated that one of the issues he spoke to Congressman William Delahunt about was the detention of Irish immigrants who were held in county jails for up to ten weeks pending deportation.  “The Congressman was disturbed at the length of time our immigrants were being detained and promised he would get in touch with authorities on the matter,” said Fr. McCarthy who is currently visiting several Irish detainees each week.

Prison Visits

Each week Sr. Marguerite Kelly and our chaplain Fr. John McCarthy visit Irish prisoners in local facilities.  If you know anyone who might like a visit while incarcerated, just give us a call.  All calls to the IPC are handled in a confidential setting, and we do not share any information on callers with local, state or federal authorities.

US Citizenship

Another one of my callers this week had attended Cora’s Senior Event at Brighton.  A long time legal resident, she has finally decided to submit an application for US citizenship.  The biggest challenge facing such an applicant is researching and documenting all departures from the USA, no matter how brief, since becoming a legal permanent resident. 

The caller, because of her length of residency only has to review twenty of the one hundred questions and answers suggested as study material as part of the US history and civics test. 

Fingerprints

It should be noted that US citizenship applicants who are over the age of 75 do not have to be fingerprinted so are saved that fee and inconvenience.  Call us if you or someone you know would like to apply for US citizenship. 

Marriage cases and taxes

A lot of married couples go through our pre cana classes run at the IPC.  Sometimes we see immigrants who are marrying US citizens and are about to embark on the paperwork process for legal status.  US citizens have to be prepared to file affidavits of support  to show the immigrant will not become a public charge.  Tax returns are required with the affidavit and indeed in some cases immigrants may have to present tax returns for income derived in the US.  We handle these cases each month at our legal clinic.  Our next clinic is on December 1, at Bad Abbots at 6:30 pm.

 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.