Immigration - Page 4

Your green card number is the number assigned to you by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) when you receive your lawful permanent resident (LPR) approval. USCIS uses this number to track your case and identify you in their system. In fact, you may hear it referred to as...

English is the most common language in the United States. Generally speaking, you must be able to speak, read, and write in English to become a US citizen. Spending time with people who understand English, reading material written in English, and writing in English can help to prepare you for...

No, you do not need to know the national anthem for your naturalization test. However, the officer conducting your exam might ask you the name of the US national anthem. In addition, the national anthem may be performed at your naturalization ceremony, so it can be helpful to learn it...

Yes, asylum seekers can enter the United States, but they must meet specific requirements. You have to be at a port of entry or have been in the US for less than a year to apply for asylum.  You might seek asylum because you fear persecution or faced persecution in...

When you get to the U.S. border control, a border control officer may be able to access certain international databases and check your information, like your criminal record, from your home country. This information will help border control determine whether you can be allowed to enter the U.S. If you're...

When an immigrant comes to the U.S. and applies for citizenship, they must make a formal, legally-binding declaration called the Oath of Allegiance. After the person makes the declaration, they will be formally recognized as a U.S. citizen. You and your family may have to swear the Oath of Allegiance...

To determine whether you are allowed to enter the U.S., immigration officers may check a lot of information about you. They have access to several databases, including FBI databases. You might be concerned about what U.S. immigration officers can see on their screens at border control. If so, you will...

Recent changes in the way U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processes U nonimmigrant visas make it difficult to know how long it may take. Even so, there is likely to be a significant wait to learn whether your immigration case is approved or denied.  The application for a U...

You or a family member may have gotten an order for deportation from the U.S., a denial for a visitor program, or another immigration-related order or denial. If so, you may be able to get the order or denial retracted by filing a formal appeal or motion with Immigration Form...

When you receive form I-797 Notice of Action from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you may need to take some action.   However, Form I-797 may simply inform you of a development in your case. How you should respond to Form I-797 depends on the specific designation of your...

Form I-130 is also known as a “Petition for Alien Relative” in immigration terms. When you file this form, you’re petitioning for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to recognize your relationship with a foreign relative.    Your ultimate goal when filing Form I-130 is to obtain a...

Form I-824 is generally used to request a copy of a prior decision by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You can obtain Form I-824 on the USCIS website. Who Should File Form I-824? U.S. Customs and Border Protection explains that you may file Form I-824 if: You need...