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How can you help your child adjust to the US?
Every year, thousands of people travel to the United States to become citizens, many of which reside in Texas. If you choose to immigrate with your family, it can be an exciting new journey. Unfortunately, there are adjustments that you also have to make. For children especially, it may be difficult to acclimate to a new home, culture and language. Culture shock is a real thing and kids do not always know how to deal with it.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry explains that children can feel a number of negative emotions after a move. This does not mean that you made a poor decision in moving, it simply means that you need to pay extra attention to that child’s needs. Children may feel angry or anxious and instead of being able to talk about it, they may get into trouble or react negatively at school.
Holding a green card comes with rights and responsibilities
When immigrants apply for a green card in Texas, their focus is almost entirely on becoming legal. Not having to look over their backs or worry about routine traffic stops makes so many people breathe more easily.
Beyond this, many may not consider the additional rights they now gain as a resident. They may also not become aware of the responsibilities that come with the card. Officers often impart this information at the end of the residency interview, but it is important to have this information beforehand.
The Process
According to the LA Times, immigrants abroad must apply through their U.S. consulate overseas. An initial petition begins the process and then there is a waiting period with steps to follow in between. Immigrants who are already in America petition to change their visa status to permanent residency. Immigrants who are relatives of U.S. citizens may find this process easier than others. The process usually takes six months or more.
Becoming a U.S. citizen through naturalization
As someone who is interested in becoming a U.S. citizen so you can live in Texas or another part of the nation, you may be able to do so through a process known as naturalization. At the Law Office of Jae Lee, I am well-versed in the process involved in becoming a citizen through naturalization, and I have helped many clients navigate this and a range of other immigration-related issues.
According to USA.gov, there are a number of importanteligibility requirementsyou must meet before you are able to move forward with your efforts to become a U.S. citizen. For starters, you must be at least 18 at the time of your filing, and you must also have the ability to read, write and communicate using the English language. Additionally, you also have to be an individual of strong moral character in order to undergo consideration for citizenship.
Can I get a waiver for the immunization requirement?
In the interest of public health, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requires a medical exam before you can enter this country. This helps to prevent you from bringing in diseases or illnesses that you may pass on to others and that could result in an epidemic or another widespread health issue. It is possible for the USCIS to deny your application on health-related grounds. One of those grounds is that you do not have the required vaccinations.
The USCIS explains there is a waiver available for the vaccination requirement. You must provide documentation that you have the required immunizations, or you may submit documentation providing an allowance for you not to have the immunizations.
A waiver may be available if you have an objection on moral or religious grounds. You also can provide proof that you have received the vaccinations, which qualifies you for the waiver. If you cannot do that, you can provide documentation from a medical professional stating that it is against medical opinion or otherwise medically impossible that you receive the vaccine.
Qualifying for an I-601 waiver
Legal immigration is currently one of the most stressful obstacles that migrants tackle in Texas. Worrying about a family member’s immigration status may cause even legal residents and U.S. citizens a lot of stress and sleepless nights. One way migrants may seek to adjust their immigration status is to file an I-601 form. This may provide a waiver against the grounds of inadmissibility.
However, not everyone is eligible to use this. Here are some of the criteria for eligible applicants, according to USCIS:
- Be in the process of securing lawful presence in the U.S. via a pending case with the Department of State or by pursuing an immigrant visa
- Ability to show how the refusal of admission may cause hardship to a spouse or parent who is a U.S. citizen
- Acknowledge a period of unlawful presence that may make it difficult for the person to return to the U.S.
Changes in non-citizen military naturalization
Texas troops living overseas already have a difficult time. They put their lives in harm’s way while dealing with the loneliness that distance brings.
For troops who have found a family outside of the United States and those already vying for citizenship, changes in the naturalization process may make things even harder going forward.
Closing the doors
In September 2019, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that they would be closing 19 of their 23 naturalization offices across the globe. This change limits the places military personnel and their families can go for citizenship to four locations in just as many countries. The USCIS states it is a move in line with new policies regarding their worldwide presence, but it is a policy that could make it much more difficult for non-citizens to become naturalized.
How can you apply for your SSN?
If you are a Texas resident and received your citizenship through a K-1 Visa or through a work permit, you need a Social Security Number. Without a SSN, you cannot report your earnings to the U.S government. If you are not sure how to apply for your SSN, then you are not alone. Fortunately, the SSA makes the whole process simple.
If you apply to work within the U.S, the SSA states that you can apply for anSSN cardat the same time. The application for employment authorization contains a section that allows you to request your SSN. When the USCIS approves the application, the SSA issues you the SSN card. If you already have an SSN, then you receive a replacement card.
Supporting your children through the immigration process
Immigration issues can be a challenge for anyone, but for some people the stakes are especially high. For example, families who have young children may be worried about how an unfavorable outcome could affect the lives of their children and their future opportunities. Moreover, this process can be very stressful, which is often very hard for kids who may be working through other issues related to immigration (such as difficult emotions due to leaving loved ones behind in another country or adjusting to a new culture). It is critical to do everything in your power to help your kids work through these changes and prepare for what lies ahead.
Your children may have a lot of questions about what is going on and what will happen next. It can be difficult for some parents to answer these questions, especially if they are uncertain about their future as well. For these reasons, it is crucial to comprehensively evaluate your circumstances and do your best to have a solid understanding of the various immigration issues that you will have to take on. Everyone is in a different situation when it comes to immigration, and this is particularly true for families. However, by doing all that you can to succeed with respect to your immigration case and beyond, you may be able to give your children the head start they need in life.
Approaching the visa process with your fiancé
If you and your fiancé are looking forward to marriage, there may be many different issues that have to be taken into consideration first, especially if your fiancé needs to deal with immigration issues and obtain a visa. This may be a very exciting time in both of your lives, but there may be a number of legal issues to take into consideration beforehand. The way in which you approach the visa process could play a key role in your fiancé’s ability to obtain a visa and move forward in your relationship, so it is imperative to prepare carefully.
From filing an application to getting a health exam and getting ready for an interview, there are a lot of different tasks that will have to be taken care of in order to help your fiancé work through immigration matters. It may seem stressful, especially if you are dealing with other concerns and stressors, such as planning your wedding or preparing to move to another part of the country after your wedding. With that being said, the visa process should be a top priority, especially since an unsuccessful outcome could be disastrous with respect to your marriage and the future of your relationship.
Why is the naturalization test important?
Becoming a U.S. citizen is the culmination of your immigration journey, and the naturalization test is an important component of citizenship. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, almost 757,000 people took the test in the 2018 fiscal year, which is the highest number in the last five years.
The USCIS designed the naturalization test to assess whether immigrants understand the full significance of what it means to be a U.S. citizen and what values Americans hold dear. In particular, you can expect questions that evaluate your knowledge of the basics of U.S. history and government.
American history has played a primary role in shaping the values of its citizens. By studying the country’s past, you can gain a better understanding of the culture and society you are joining.
Knowledge of the structure and function of the government is important because as a citizen, you will have the right and responsibility of voting in local, state and federal elections. You will need to know what your elected representatives will be able to do for you and the country while in office so that you can make informed choices about the candidates you choose to make decisions on your behalf in government.
From our offices in Dallas and Plano, Texas, we serve clients throughout the surrounding areas including Fort Worth, Irving, Arlington, Farmers Branch, Frisco, Carrollton, Garland, Addison, Richardson, Allen, Murphy, Wylie, McKinney, Dallas County, Collin County, Denton County, and all of Northeastern Texas.
Results listed are not a guarantee or indication of future case results.
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