volunteer training information and slides
Transcription
volunteer training information and slides
Introduction to Naturalization THIS WEBINAR IS INTENDED TO INTRODUCE NEW VOLUNTEERS TO NATURALIZATION LAW PRESENTED BY: ONE JUSTICE AND AND THE EAST BAY NATURALIZATION COLLABORATIVE Our collaborative includes nine nonprofit agencies: - API Legal Outreach - Catholic Charities of the East Bay - Centro Legal De La Raza - East Bay Sanctuary Covenant - International Institute of the Bay Area - International Rescue Committee - Jewish Family & Children's Services-East Bay - Korean Community Center of the East Bay - Immigrant Legal Resource Center East Bay Sanctuary Covenant working together to serve our community THE EAST BAY NATURALIZATION COLLABORATIVE WAS ESTABLISHED TO HELP MORE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY BECOME CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES. WE HOST UP TO A DOZEN NATURALIZATION CLINICS A YEAR THROUGHOUT THE EAST BAY. W E H A V E H E L P E D OVER SEVEN H U N D R E D P E O P L E A P P L Y F O R C I T I Z E N S H I P I N 2 0 15 A L O N E . W I T H T H E H E L P O F VOLUNTEERS LIKE YOU, WE CAN CONTINUE TO HELP HUNDREDS MORE. sign up to volunteer at: http://ebnatz.org/wp/volunteer/ or contact: Jason Sullivan Halpern CCEB Volunteer Coordinator Direct: 510-768-3166 Email: jsullivanhalpern@cceb.org BECOME A U.S. CITIZEN FREE CITIZENSHIP WORKSHOP & FEE WAIVER ASSISTANCE PRESENTED BY: OCTOBER 17, 2015 SATURDAY 10AM – 2PM LAKESIDE EVENT CENTER @CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE LIGHT 2121 HARRISON STREET, OAKLAND, CA 94612 (19TH ST. BART STATION NEARBY) COME GET FREE ASSISTANCE WITH: DIOCESE OF OAKLAND • • • • Step-by-step review of the naturalization process Assessment of your ability to naturalize Application preparation & document packaging, if eligible to naturalize Application review by an immigration attorney or qualified legal representative DOCUMENTS TO BRING: TOGETHER WITH: • 2 copies of your green card (front and back) • 2 passport-style photos (2 in X 2 in) • List of your addresses and employment and/or schools for the past 5 years, including start and end dates. See other side • List of all your trips out of the U.S. including departure and return dates. See other side • If you are currently married: spouse’s full legal name, date of birth, green card A#, date and place of naturalization, and current address • Information about all your prior marriages and about all of your current spouse’s prior marriages, including date of marriage, date the marriage ended, and how marriage ended. • If you have children: their full name, dates of birth, green card A#, and address. See other side • Documentation of all arrests and/or convictions, including reason for the arrest, date, place, and outcome/ disposition. Bring ALL arrest and court documents, even if the charges were dropped. • Application Filing Fee: $680 check or money order, payable to “Department of Homeland Security” (if 75 years or older, only $595). If you qualify for the application fee waiver* YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY to the Immigration Service. • *Fee Waiver: Bring documents proving that your household income is low, like pay stubs, income taxes and/or proof that you or a relevant household member receive public benefits like SSI, IHSS, Medi-Cal, food stamps/ CalFresh, WIC, CalWorks, Cash Assistance, etc. REGISTRATION RECOMMENDED: East Bay Sanctuary Covenant (for priority service) CALL (510) 451-2846 (INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF THE BAY AREA) OR VISIT: WWW.EBNATZ.ORG Should I be volunteering? I don’t know anything about naturalization law. immigration status People in the USA U.S. Citizens (USC) Undocumented/ Out of Status Noncitizens Immigrants • Green card holders • Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) • Nationals Non-immigrants • Tourists • Students • High-Tech Workers Deferred Action © East Bay Naturalization Collaborative how to become a US citizen Three ways to obtain US citizenship 1. Acquisition – Birth/By Blood/By Soil 2. Derivation - Obtained when one parent becomes a citizen and child is LPR under 18 in the US – naturalization does it by operation of law. 3. Naturalization Birth Acquisition Child (under 18) Derivation Green card to citizenship through parent’s naturalization Adult (18 and over) Naturalization Green card to citizenship through naturalization © East Bay Naturalization Collaborative what is naturalization? “Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is granted to a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).” - USCIS © East Bay Naturalization Collaborative Naturalization Process Submit Application To USCIS • N-400 • Fee or fee waiver application • Supporting Documents Biometrics Appointment • Fingerprint • Photos taken Naturalization Interview © East Bay Naturalization Collaborative • English Test • Civics Test benefits of being a citizen Benefits Right to live in the US (almost impossible to be deported) Right to vote Right to travel (and hold US Passport) Right to hold federal jobs Right to petition for certain family members to immigrant Right to certain public benefits Right to live in another country without losing right to come back to the US How to lose citizenship Renounce citizenship Serve in an army at war with the US Become a high level government official in another country © East Bay Naturalization Collaborative What do we do at clinics? clinic goals screen clinic clients for eligibility help those with straight forward naturalization cases prepare their application help those with complex cases get more information and advice from experts have experts review applications at the final station If a red flag issue comes up or you are not sure whether a person is eligible to apply, talk to the naturalization expert at the clinic before proceeding. look out for red flag issues Clinics are set up to help straight forward cases prepare their applications. Example of Clinic Set-Up Each clinic’s set-up will vary depending on resources available and the community we are serving. Station 1: Registration/Check-In Station 2: Screening for red flags issues and eligibility Station 4: Filling out fee waivers Station 5: Filling out N-400 Application for Naturalization forms Station 3 & 6: Expert Table to review final documents or to give consultations for red flag cases Station 7: Check-Out EBNatz Clinic Flow Chart Send major red flag issues to Station 3 No red flag issues send to Station 4 or 5 Station 1 : Registration Station 2: Intake/ Screening Station 3: Attorney Consultation Station 4: Fee Waiver (I912) Station 5: Form Filling (N400) Check-in prescreened and walk-in clients Give clients the green packet w/ client # Have client sign Limited Liability form Direct client to Station 2. Go through pre-screening tool with clients. If there are any “yes” answers, contact station lead or send to Station 3 for an expert review, otherwise send to Station 4 (Fee Waiver) or 5 (Form Filling). Attorney review to give consultations for red flag cases and “green light” to continue. Fill out fee waiver form I-912 with client if needed. This ensures client will not have to pay USCIS fee if low income. Fill out the 21 page form N-400 with client. Black pen only. Make sure to review each question with client. Station 6: Experts/ Final Review Final review for quality control and review any red flags. Write final instructions. Direct to Station 7 for check out. Station 7: Check out/ Resource Table Collect green packet w/ client #. Give client envelope for mailing and review final instructions. Check client out using client log sheets. Direct client to resource table. Contact Information Applicant ID#:_______________ Name (First, Last):_____________________________________________________________ DOB:____/____/____ Telephone Number: (____)______-______ Need Interpreter? Language:_________________ Address: ___________________________________________________ City:_____________________ Zip:__________ (Circle) MALE FEMALE Country of Origin: ______________________ Nationality: ____________________ Number of Minor LPR Children: _______ How did you hear about us? ________________________________ STATION CHECKLIST STATION 1 INITIAL 2 REGISTRATION SCREENING 2 3 1) Participant wants to try for fee waiver? ! YES ! NO 2) Language Assessment, if applicable: ! Exemption Applies ! Disability Waiver? ! Further Assessment Needed Okay to proceed? ! YES ! NO If no, does participant insist upon applying? ! YES 3) Notes: ! NO CONSULTATION (Attorney or qualified legal representative only) 1) Recommended to proceed? ! YES ! NO FEE WAIVER 4 1) Applicant eligible for fee waiver? ! YES: Means Tested Benefit ! YES: Low Income ! NO 2) If yes, filled out fee waiver? ! YES ! NO, missing documentation: ________________________ 3) Notes: FORMS 5 6 1) Assisted applicant with: (Check all that apply) ! N-400 ! Selective Service addendum ! Other: ________________________ 2) Notes: REVIEW: (Attorney or qualified legal representative only) 1) Recommended to file? ! YES 2) If yes, is application complete? ! NO ! YES ! NO PACKAGING & CHECK-OUT: 1) ! Application ready to file 2) ! Application almost ready to file ! Missing: 7 GO TO STATION 3) ! Applicant not yet recommended to file ! Reason: ! Referred to: ! ESL/ Prep Classes ! Agency ! Other/ Notes: ! Next Workshop TIMESTAMP STATION 2: Eligibility Screening and Assessment Form Applicant ID#______________ Resident Since (see residency card) _____/_____/_____ 1. Married to US Citizen or gained residency through VAWA? A. If yes: Has at least 2 years and 9 months of residency? B. If no: Has at least 4 years and 9 months of residency? If NO to A and B, applicant is not yet eligible. Refer to STATION 7 to check-out. 2. Are either of your parents or grandparents US Citizens? 3. Are you under 18 years of age? If YES to either #2 or #3, then refer to STATION 3 for a consultation. (Circle) YES YES YES NO NO NO YES YES NO NO YES NO YES NO Financial Considerations: 8. Do you want to try for a fee waiver? YES NO Ability to read, speak and understand English 9. Applicant can read, speak and understand basic English? YES NO A. Applicant is over 55 years old and has 15 years as a permanent resident and is exempt from the English language requirement (55/15) YES NO B. Applicant is over 50 years old and has 20 years as a permanent resident and is exempt from the English language requirement (50/20) YES NO C. Applicant is over 65 years old and has 20 years as a permanent resident and is exempt from the English language requirement and qualifies for the simple civics and history test (65/20) YES NO D. Applicant has a medical disability that impairs their ability to learn or understand English and Civics. (N-648) YES NO 4. How did the applicant become a lawful permanent resident? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ 5. Admission Code (see residency card under “category”): ______________ Continuous Presence and Residency 6. Has the applicant taken any trip outside of the U.S. for 180 days or more? 7. Has the applicant been outside of the U.S. for more than 30 months in the past 5 years? (Or more than 18 months in the past 3 years for spouses of US Citizens) If YES to either, then refer to STATION 3 for a consultation. If NO, then one of the following exceptions must apply to be eligible for Naturalization: • • • If NO to ALL, complete English assessment. If no English assessment is necessary or wanted, but has ANY Red Flags on the back, refer to STATION 3 for a consultation. If there are NO ISSUES with English and/or Red Flags, refer to STATION 4 if Fee Waiver is requested, or STATION 5 Form Filling if there is no fee waiver request. Red Flags Screening Checklist PLEASE READ!!!! IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR EVERY CITIZENSHIP APPLICANT: If any of the statements below are true of you, you need to talk with an immigration expert before you file your application. Be honest and accurate: Immigration has your criminal and immigration records with most of this information. There can be serious consequences for not telling the truth on these questions. These statements apply whether you are in the U.S. or anywhere in the world, from birth to the present. YES Have you/are you: NO 1. Ever been stopped, arrested, detained, or questioned by the police anywhere in the world (including traffic violations, unpaid tickets) or by U.S. Immigration? 2. Ever been charged with or convicted of a crime? (Even if the crime was dismissed or expunged) 3. Been told by a judge that your record was erased or wiped clean? 4. Been arrested for or had a restraining order against you for domestic violence, child abuse or child neglect? 5. Did you ever overstay your visa/ permit or enter the U.S. without inspection? 6. Ever been deported, or placed in removal proceedings? 7. Ever been in front of an immigration judge or in immigration court? 8. Currently on probation or parole? 9. Made any trips outside the U.S. lasting more than 6 months since you got your green card or lived in another country since you got your green card? 10. Owe taxes, or ever failed to file a required Federal, state, or local tax return since you got your green card? 11. Did you lie to an immigration or consulate official to get your residency or any immigration benefit or use false documents to gain any immigration benefit or use false documents to come to the U.S.? 12. Will you include any information in your naturalization application that contradicts anything in any other or previous applications that you have filed with USCIS/INS (for example, children, residences or absences that are different than those listed on your green card application)? 13. Obtained your green card through marriage, and you are now divorced or separated from that spouse? 14. Obtained your green card through a parent and you were married at the time? 15. Failed to pay child support or alimony/ spousal support? 17. Received (or continued to receive after eligibility ended) welfare or other government benefits by making false statements or withholding information? 18. Traveled outside the US for more than 30 days while receiving welfare, SSI or other public benefits? 19. Claimed to be a U.S. Citizen, registered to vote or voted in a U.S. election? 20. Helped anyone (including family members) cross the border illegally in anyway? (Includes providing money to help the person cross the border) 21. Failed to register for the U.S. Selective Service? (Applies only to males who resided in the U.S. while they were ages 18-26, regardless of whether the male had legal status or not). To check if you are registered visit www.sss.gov 22. Filed an immigration petition (Form I-130) for one of your children? 23. Do you have a spouse or children who are undocumented? 24. Have you received your green card based on asylum/refugee status or through a parent who was granted asylum or refugee status? 25. Did you ever return to your country of origin after receiving asylum/refugee status? >>If YES to ANY Red Flags, refer to STATION 3 for a consultation.<< I have answered the above questions truthfully, and I understand that if any of this information is false or incomplete I take full responsibility for the consequences, which include possible deportation. Date: ___________________ Signature:_______________________________________ STATION 2: English Assessment ORAL Questions What's your name? What’s your birth date? What’s your phone number? What’s your address? Are you married? How many times have you been married? Is your husband/wife a U.S. citizen? Do you have children? (If yes, ask how many children the participant has.) Do you have a job? What do you do? What country are you from? How long have you had your green card? Why do you want to be a U.S. citizen? Points Point System Total: Complete Answer: 2 pts Answer is complete when you would understand it as a native English speaker. Any errors must not interfere with meaning. Substantial Answer: 1 pt Answer is substantial when you need to interpret the meaning. Incomplete/Incorrect Answer: 0 pts Answer is incomplete or incorrect when it does not answer the question at all. READING/DICTATION (Choose a question for the client to read and then have the client write the answer, dictated by you, on the back of this sheet.) Question: Who can vote? Question: Where is the capital of the U.S.? Answer: Citizens can vote. Answer: The capital of the U.S. is Washington D.C. 1) Did client get at least 18 points on the oral? !Y !N 2) Did client pass the reading/dictation !Y !N If “YES!” to 1) and 2) and participant has no other issues: ! Refer to Station 4 if participant wants to try for a fee waiver ! Refer to Station 5 Form Filling if participant does not want a fee waiver If “NO!” to either and participant has no other issues, warn participant about the English exam ! Refer to Station 4 if participant still wants to proceed and wants to try for a fee waiver. ! Refer to Station 5 if participant still wants to proceed and does not want to try for a fee waiver. ! Refer to Station 7 (check out) if participant does not want to proceed. ! If participant has other issues, refer to Station 3 for attorney consultation REGARDLESS of whether participant passes English assessment or not Notes: Applicant ID#______________ STATION 3: Consultation Is applicant being advised to consult with another attorneys/legal organizations in regards to their application for naturalization or is being advised not to file for naturalization at this time? YES NO CONSULTATION NOTES: __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________ If YES, please refer to STATION 7 for Check Out. If NO, please refer to STATION 4 for Fee Waiver Eligibility Screening if fee waiver is requested. If fee waiver is not being requested, refer to STATION 5 Form Filling. Applicant Name: ___________________________ Attorney/BIA Name:______________________________ STATION 6: Attorney Review Notes: Recommended to file? YES Attorney Name: REFER TO STATION 7 FOR CHECKOUT NO Applicant Name: Who can apply to naturalize? eligibility for naturalization 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Be 18 years old or older Be a green card holder for at least 5 years immediately preceding the date of filing the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization Be physically present in the United States for at least 30 months out of the 5 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application Have continuous residence in the United States as a green card holder for at least 5 years immediately preceding the date of the filing the application Be able to read, write, and speak English Have knowledge and an understanding of U.S. history and government (civics) Be a person of good moral character, attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States during all relevant periods under the law © East Bay Naturalization Collaborative be 18 or older INA § 334(b) No person shall file a valid application for naturalization unless he shall have attained the age of eighteen years. What if client is under 18? Children under 18 generally follow the status of their parents Special rules apply to minor unmarried lawful permanent resident children Also, special rules apply to individuals who have honorably served as members of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve or in an active-duty status in the military, air, or naval forces of the United States during designated periods © East Bay Naturalization Collaborative be a green card holder for at least 5 years Be a green card holder for at least 5 years immediately preceding the date of filing the Form N-400 How far in advance can you file? 3 months in advance (i.e. gc for 4yrs and 9 mos) Should have lived within the state, or USCIS district with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence, for at least 3 months prior to the date of filing the application Exceptions? Any way to file earlier? Marriage/VAWA exception – married to USC for 3 years Other exception related to continuous residence © East Bay Naturalization Collaborative be physically present in the United States The applicant must have been physically present in the U.S. for at least 30 months out of the 5 years immediately preceding the date of filing the application. Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 © East Bay Naturalization Collaborative Year 5 have continuous residence Have continuous residence in the United States as a green card holder for at least 5 years immediately preceding the date of the filing the application. An applicant must show she has not disrupted the continuity of her residence in the United States. • < 6 months , then it’s usually okay. • > 6 months, then have to prove residency. • > 1 year, automatically found to have disrupted the continuity of residence. • Must wait four years and one day (or two years and one day if he is married to a U.S. citizen) to reapply for naturalization. Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 © East Bay Naturalization Collaborative Year 5 Continuous Residence vs. Abandonment of Residence Abandonment of residency Disruption of continuous residency Disrupting continuous residence means the applicant has failed to reside continuously in the U.S. because s/he has taken a trip abroad for a certain period of time Wait 4 years 1 day and reapply for natz • Deportation issue. Do you even have a green card anymore? • • Abandonment of residence affects the applicant’s lawful permanent resident status and may trigger removal from the U.S. See USCIS for more info on abandonment http://tinyurl.com/yet8jyo © East Bay Naturalization Collaborative be able to read, write, and speak English How is this tested? At interview with immigration officer Exceptions: 55/15 and 50/20 exceptions: People who are 55 or 50 and have been gc holders for 15 and 20 years can waive out of the English requirement Disability waiver: People who have an approved disability waiver do not need to take the English tests or the civics test © East Bay Naturalization Collaborative have knowledge and understanding of civics How is this tested? At interview with immigration officer There are 100 US history and civics questions to learn; 10 are asked at the interview; 6 must be answered correctly Exceptions: 65/20 waiver: People who are 65 or older and have lived here for 20 years or more can study from a shortened test If there is an English waiver, test can be done in applicant’s language of choice Disability waiver: People who have an approved disability waiver do not need to take the English tests or the civics test © East Bay Naturalization Collaborative be a person of good moral character What is good moral character? There is no statutory definition of what good moral character means. The INA only defines what good moral character does not mean and what individuals will not be allowed to establish good moral character. Check for criminal history. The grounds of deportation and inadmissibility include more areas than does good moral character, so a person might have good moral character but still be deportable or inadmissible. © East Bay Naturalization Collaborative What forms do we help fill out at clinic? N-400, Application for Naturalization Forms will be provided at the clinic Please look over the form and instructions before going to the clinic (can be downloaded at: www.uscis.gov ) Experts will provide final review of all applications at the last clinic station filing checklist N-400, application for naturalization Other documents needed to submit with application: Filing fee of $680 or fee waiver application 2 passport style photos Copy of green card Evidence of marriage Evidence of divorce © East Bay Naturalization Collaborative process times It takes about 5-6 months from submission to completion (oath ceremony) Submit application 1 month – receipt and fee waiver decision 1 month – biometrics appointment 2-3 months – interview 1-2 months – oath ceremony © East Bay Naturalization Collaborative I NTERESTEDI NDACA? APPL YFORFREE! WECOVERTHEAPPLI CATI ONFEEFORLOWI NCOMEOAKLANDRESI DENTSANDSTUDENTS WEPROVI DE: •DACAELI GI BI LI TYSCREENI NG •COMPLETEAPPLI CATI ONPREPARATI ON •APPLI CATI ONREVI EW BYANI MMI GRATI ONATTORNEY ORQUALI FI EDLEGALREPRESENTATI VE OCTOBER17,2015 SATURDAY ,2PM4PM LAKESI DEEVENTCENTER @ CATHEDRALOFCHRI STTHELI GHT 2121HARRI SONSTREET,OAKLANDCA94612 NEAR19THSTREETBART REGI STRATI ONRECOMMENDED ( 510)2444311 www. ebnat z. or g ELI GI BLI TYREQUI REMENTSONBACK REQUI REMENT Bor naf t erJune15,1981. & Camet ot heU. S.bef or e youwer e16. Phys i cal l ypr es enti nt he U. S.onJune15,2012, wi t houtl egali mmi gr at i on s t at us . AND Cont i nual l yl i vedi nt he U. S.s i nceJune15,2007. Gr aduat edf r om hi gh s choolorhaveyourGED. OR Ar ecur r ent l yenr ol l edi n s chool( Adul ts chool ,ESL, vocat i onals chool , el ement ar ys chool , mi ddl es chool ,orhi gh s chool ,et c. ) . OR Wer ehonor abl y di s char gedf r om t he U. S.Ar medFor ces . ALSONEEDED: •Li s tofaddr es s esanddat eswher eyouhavel i veds i ncear r i vali nU. S. ; •Dat eandl ocat i onofent r i est ot heU. S. Where do I sign up to volunteer? VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Help members of our community become U.S. citizens! OCTOBER 17, 2015 SATURDAY 10AM – 2PM LAKESIDE EVENT CENTER CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE LIGHT 2121 HARRISON STREET, OAKLAND, CA 94612 (19TH ST. BART STATION NEARBY) Volunteers are needed to assist in a variety of capacities, including: • • • • Greeting and screening participants Running documents and directing participants Filling out citizenship applications Interpreting (Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Russian, and more) • Determining eligibility to naturalize Pro bono attorneys* and law students are always welcome! No legal background is required to volunteer. *Please, no solicitations for private practice. Thank you! Visit www.ebnatz.org/wp/volunteer to sign up or call Jason Sullivan-Halpern, Volunteer Coordinator, at (510) 768-3166 for more information DIOCESE OF OAKLAND East Bay Sanctuary Covenant sign up to volunteer at: http://ebnatz.org/wp/volunteer/ or contact: Jason Sullivan Halpern CCEB Volunteer Coordinator Direct: 510-768-3166 Email: jsullivanhalpern@cceb.org Thank You!