CITIZENSHIP

Citizenship Day, Third Gender Option, & Social Security Cards

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social security card with Citizenship application

Paying Immigrants to Leave Social Security Cards Third Gender Option Citizenship Day Paying Immigrants Sweden is paying immigrants to leave their country. They had been offering up to 10,000 kronor per adult and 5,000 kronor per child since 1984 but it was hardly ever used. Only one person applied for the cash last year according to mynews. Apparently a few European countries have laws to bribe immigrants to leave their country. Denmark pays more than US$15,000 per person, compared to around US$1,400 in Norway, US$2,800 in France and US$2,000 in Germany. SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that, starting April 1, applicants filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, will have the option to request an original or replacement Social Security number (SSN) or card and update their immigration status with the Social Security Administration (SSA) without having to visit an SSA office. Noncitizens applying for naturalization using the new edition of Form N-400 (edition date 04/01/24) will be able to request an SSN or replacement card when submitting Form N-400. New citizens may no longer need to visit an SSA field office to apply for an SSN or replacement card or to provide documentation as evidence of their new U.S. citizenship status. Note that SSA may request additional information, if needed. Applicants who use the 09/17/19 edition of Form N-400 will not have this option as the SSA questions are only included in the 04/01/24 edition. The 04/01/24 edition of the Form N-400 will be available for online filing on April 1. To file Form N-400 online, applicants must first create a USCIS online account, which provides a convenient and secure method to submit forms, pay fees, and track the status of any pending USCIS immigration request throughout the adjudication process. There is no cost to set up a USCIS online account, which offers a variety of features, including the ability to communicate with USCIS through a secure inbox and respond to Requests for Evidence online. USCIS previously announced our intention to expand the Enumeration beyond Entry program to include applicants who apply for U.S. citizenship in the Interagency Strategy for Promoting Naturalization: First Anniversary Accomplishment Highlights (PDF, 1.79 MB). Third Gender Option We have revised Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, to provide a third gender option, “X,” defined as “Another Gender Identity.” We are also updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual accordingly to account for this form revision and other forthcoming form revisions that will add a third gender option; see the Policy Alert. The 04/01/24 edition of Form N-400 will be the first USCIS form to include the X gender option. Applicants filing this edition of Form N-400 on or after April 1, 2024, will have X immediately available as a gender option on their form. Applicants who have a pending Form N-400 using the edition in effect before April 1, 2024, may request to update their gender on or after April 1, 2024, as well. For all other forms, individuals must wait until USCIS revises those forms to include the X gender option. Consult the chart below to determine if the X gender option is available to you. If you want your gender to be reflected as X and… Then… You filed your Form N-400 before April 1, 2024, and your N-400 is still pending If you received a Request for Evidence (RFE) or interview notice: Provide a letter explaining that you request to change your gender to X in response to the RFE or at the interview.If you have an online account:Upload a letter explaining that you request to change your gender to X. Upload the letter as new evidence to the pending application.If you do not have an online account:Email USCIS-updategenderinfo@uscis.dhs.gov and request to change your gender to X.If you have a pending or approved VAWA, T, or U-related case:Refer to the Contact Us webpage (Inquiries for VAWA, T, and U Filings section). You already received your naturalization certificate You must wait until USCIS revises Form N-565 Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document to add the X gender option. You must continue to submit the Form N-565 in accordance with form instructions until updated. Once USCIS revises Form N-565, the revised form will allow for a third gender option when applying for a replacement certificate. Form N-400 is the only USCIS form that offers the X gender option at this time. Therefore, until we complete additional form revisions that add the X gender option, naturalization certificates are the only USCIS-issued secure identity documents that can reflect the gender X. The X gender option is not yet available on the Form N-565. If you have other benefit requests pending with USCIS and would like to choose X as your gender, or if you would like to change your existing USCIS-issued secure identity documents to reflect X as your gender, you must wait until we update the relevant forms before you may do so. Once USCIS updates additional forms to offer the X gender option, benefit requestors may follow the instructions on the Updating or Correcting Your Documents webpage to select the X gender option.  Supporting Documentation Not Needed You do not need to provide supporting documentation to select X as your gender initially or to change your gender selection for Form N-400. The gender you select does not need to match the gender listed on your other immigration documents or on supporting identity documents, such as your birth certificate, passport, or state identification. Social Security Card Note that if you select the X gender option on the new Form N-400, you may need to visit a Social Security office for a Social Security card or to update your citizenship status. The Social Security Administration is still developing systems to accept the X gender option. Background Historically, USCIS forms and associated documents have only offered two gender options: “Male (M)” and “Female (F).” This has created significant barriers for requestors who do not identify with either of those options. Limiting benefit requestors to two gender options also creates administrative challenges for USCIS when we receive birth certificates or other official government-issued documents with a gender other than M … Read more

Third Gender Option Added to Form N-400, Application for Naturalization

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USCIS adds an option for a third gender on application

The 04/01/24 edition of Form N-400 is the first USCIS form to include the “X” gender option. Today, April 1, 2024, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has made a big announcement that we hope isn’t a bad April Fool’s Day joke of some kind. USCIS’ update to their policies take effect immediately. Applicants filing the 04/01/2024 edition of Form N-400 on or after April 1, 2024, will have the option of choosing “m” (for male), “f” (for female), or “X” as a gender option on the form. USCIS issued a Policy Alert on April 1, 2024, PA-2024-08, which explains this change to the Department of Homeland Security’s policy. This is reflected in an update to the USCIS Policy Manual as well. What is “X” Gender? The X gender marking is intended for applicants who neither identify as being male nor female. This would be a blanket option covering any non-binary or gender fluid individuals who do not feel comfortable being referred to as a male or a female. Any gender that isn’t male or female would fall into this category. From the Policy Alert, “USCIS has determined that it will define “X” as “Another Gender Identity” for purposes of USCIS forms and secure identity documents. Transgender individuals have already had the option to select the gender they identify with per an earlier change to policy that allows for noncitizens to change their gender on USCIS ID documents quite easily without needing to provide any evidence. However, updating one’s gender on a certificate of naturalization that has already been issued can be a bit more tricky, so any applicant that may wish to change the gender that appears on their USCIS documents should do that before their certificate of naturalization is issued if possible. Will This Change Be Coming To All USCIS Forms? At the moment the change has only been made on the Form N-400. However, this change will be coming to other USCIS forms in the future, which they have confirmed in the Policy Alert stating: “USCIS anticipates that the additional gender option “X” will become available upon each form’s revision to incorporate the change, beginning with the Application for Naturalization (Form N-400).” USCIS Policy Alert, Availability of Additional Gender Options for Certain Benefit Requests, April 1, 2024; PA-2024-08 When Will This Option Become Available on Other USCIS Forms? According to the Policy Alert, “USCIS anticipates that the additional gender option “X” will become available upon each form’s revision to incorporate the change, beginning with the Application for Naturalization (Form N-400).” USCIS recommends that to determine what gender options are available for a particular form in the future, see the relevant USCIS form and related instructions. What if my N-400 is Already Pending? USCIS addressed this concern in the Policy Alert stating that Applicants who have a pending Form N-400 using the edition in effect before April 1, 2024, may request to update their gender on or after April 1, 2024, as well. Is there an X Gender Option if I am Requesting Residency or Another Immigration Benefit? For all other forms, individuals must wait until USCIS revises those forms to include the X gender option. USCIS explains this in the alert. The good news is that they also indicated that the change will be coming for other forms.

Applying For U.S. Citizenship

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form n-400 Review the application (Form N-400) instructions Complete the naturalization application, Form N-400 Pay filing fee Form N-400 All applicants must send the following 3 items with their N-400 application: □ Permanent Resident CardA photocopy of both sides of your Permanent Resident Card (formerly known as the Alien Registration Card or “Green Card”). If you have lost the card, submit a photocopy of the receipt of your Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent ResidentCard; and □ FILING FEE A check or money order for the application fee and the biometric services fee, as stated in the M-479, Current Naturalization Fees, enclosure in the Guide.(Applicants 75 years of age or older are exempted from the biometrics services fee). Write your A-Number on the back of the check or money order. You may also pay using a credit card. There is no additional fee when you do so. The N-400 is the only form that you canpay for by credit card using the G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transaction. Check www.uscis.gov for more specificinformation.  your facial features must still be exposed in the photo for purposes of identification. IF YOU RESIDE OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES □ 2 identical color photographs, with your name and A – Number written lightly in pencil on the back of each photo. For details about the photo requirements, see Part 5 of Form M-476, or our post on immigration photo requirements.  DOCUMENTS TO SUBMIT WITH FORM N-400 AttorneyIf an attorney or accredited representative is acting on your behalf, send:□ A completed original Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative. If Name Is Different Than Your LPR CardIf your current legal name is different from the name on your Permanent Resident Card, send:□ The document(s) that legally changed your name (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court document). If Apply Based on Marriage to a U.S. CitizenIf you are applying for naturalization on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen, send the following 4 items: 1.  Evidence that your spouse has been a U.S     citizen for the last 3 years: Birth certificate (if your spouse never lost citizenship since birth); or Certificate of Naturalization; or Certificate of Citizenship; or The inside of the front cover and signature page of your spouse’s current U.S. passport; or Form FS-240, Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America; and 2. Your current marriage certificate; and 3. Proof of termination of all prior marriages of your spouse (divorce decree(s), annulment(s), or death certificate(s)); and 4.Documents referring to you and your spouse: Tax returns, bank accounts, leases, mortgages, or birth certificates of children; or Internal Revenue Service (IRS)-certified copies of the income tax forms that you both filed for the past 3 years; or An IRS tax return transcript for the last 3 years. If you have ever been arrested or detained by any law enforcement officer for any reason, and no charges were filed, send: An original official statement by the arresting agency or applicant court confirming that no charges were filed. If you have ever been arrested or detained by any law enforcement officer for any reason, and charges were filed, send:An original or court-certified copy of the complete arrest record and disposition for each incident (dismissal order, convictionrecord or acquittal order). If you have ever been convicted or placed in an alternative sentencing program or rehabilitative program (such as a drugtreatment or community service program), send: An original or court-certified copy of the sentencing record for each incident; and Evidence that you completed your sentence: a. An original or certified copy of your probation or parole record; or b. Evidence that you completed an alternative sentencing program or rehabilitative program. If you have ever had any arrest or conviction vacated, set aside, sealed, expunged or otherwise removed from your record,send:An original or court-certified copy of the court order vacating, setting aside, sealing, expunging or otherwise removing the arrest or conviction, or an original statement from the court that no record exists of your arrest or conviction. NOTE: If you have been arrested or convicted of a crime, you may send any countervailing evidence or evidence in your favor concerning the circumstances of your arrest and/or conviction that you would like U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services toconsider. If you were married before, send:□ Proof that all earlier marriages ended (divorce decree(s), annulment(s), or death certificates(s)). If you are currently in the U.S. military service and are seeking citizenship based on that service, send:□ A completed original Form N-426, Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service. If you have taken any trip outside the United States that lasted 6 months or more since becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident Send evidence that you (and your family) continued to live, work and/or keep ties to the United States, such as: An IRS tax return “transcript” or an IRS-certified tax return listing tax information for the last 5 years (or for the last 3 years ifyou are applying on the basis of marriage to a U.S. citizen). Rent or mortgage payments and pay stubs.If you have a dependent spouse or child(ren) who do not live with you, send: Any court or government order to provide financial support; and Evidence of your financial support (including evidence that you have complied with any court or government order), such as: a. Cancelled checks; b. Money and receipts; c. A court or agency printout of child support payments; d. Evidence of wage garnishments; e. A letter from the parent or guardian who cares for your child(ren). If you have ever failed to file an income tax return since you became a Lawful Permanent Resident, send: All correspondence with the IRS regarding your failure to file. If you have any Federal, state or local taxes that are overdue, send: A signed agreement from the IRS or state or local tax office showing that you have filed a tax return and arranged to pay thetaxes you owe; and Documentation … Read more

Naturalization Civics Exam

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The Naturalization Civics Examination The civics examination is part of the naturalization interview process and it is legally required in order to obtain US citizenship (unless you are exempt for medical reasons). The civics portion of the naturalization test is an oral examination that will test your knowledge of basic US history (who was the first president), the procedures of government and legal system (who can vote), and important aspects of the political system/structure (like number of members of the Senate). Learn about the civics exam for your naturalization interview at USCIS and how you can prepare for it. You can even take a practice test, or five. GENERAL INFORMATION Structure of the Exam You will receive an interview notice with a date, time, and location for you to appear at USCIS Field Office to present documents, answer questions, and do the English and Civics tests. The USCIS officer will ask you up to 10 questions from the list of 100 civics test questions. You must answer 6 questions correctly to pass the civics test. If you are only asked six questions then you got all six right. If you are asked less than 10 questions then you know you passed. If you don’t pass the civics test then you will be given an opportunity try again at another interview that will be rescheduled by mail (learn about that here). English The English test is a separate part of the naturalization interview process. You must take the civics examination even if you are exempt from the English test, however, you may be permitted to take the civics examination in your native language if you are exempt from the English requirement. If you are not exempt from the English test then you will have to take the civics examination in English. There are also the 65/20 special considerations, which use these questions. Learn more about applying for an exemption from the English test and requesting the use of an interpreter for other portions of the naturalization interview. Medical You can apply for a medical disability exemption by filing this Form N-648 WITH your N-400 application.  STUDY GUIDE The Government’s weird study guide for the test that they call “A More Perfect Union” can be found online on the USCIS website. NATURALIZATION CIVICS EXAM QUESTIONS All 100 Civics Questions in English  All 100 questions in Spanish  100 Preguntas y Respuestas de Educación Cívica All 100 questions in Chinese PRACTICE CITIZENSHIP EXAM Take a practice civics test online to see if you are ready for your USCIS naturalization interview so you don’t delay getting U.S. citizenship. You can take several different citizenship practice tests here as well.  A PRACTICE TESTA SECOND PRACTICE TESTA THIRD PRACTICE TEST External Links Notice I’d note that these practice tests are easy to access and seem to be accurate from wheat I’ve seen, but, they are not from the official USCIS.gov website or any other U.S. Government agency or non-profit so be careful.