Immigration - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions On Immigration

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Frustrated by Interview Delay

Q. I've been waiting since January 1997 to get my citizenship. I can't afford to apply again. I'm a divorced mother of two children, ages 12 and 21, both born in the United States. I, my mother and my younger brother sent our applications in together, hoping we could be sworn in at the same time. My brother was sworn in July 1997. In Nowinber 1998, my mother and I both received letters slating we had to take our fingerprints again. We did that December'98. Then, lo and behold, in February 1999, we each got a letter stating that we had missed our interview in January and that we had 30 days to explain why we didn't appear. Immediately we sent letters saying we have never received any notice of the interview. We have sent a followup and visited our US. senator, but still we've had no luck. I don't know If you can help me, but just getting an answer from you will make me feel better.

A. If you want to get naturalized without filing a new application, organize a peaceful protest outside INS. That's what I'd do. Short of suing the INS in Federal Court and filing a new application, protest is your only hope. My suggestion may sound extreme, but every week- I get new letters from people with similar stories. Many students I've helped though the CUNY citizenship program have also waited for several years or have had their applications wrongly denied. I'm frustrated, too.

(By Alan Wernick)

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