New York Daily News

Citizenshi­p in any language

- My mother doesn’t read, write or speak English. Can she become a U.S. citizen?

My mother is 59 years old. She has been a permanent resident for 15 years. Name withheld, New York Your mother can naturalize. Permanent residents age 55 or older with at least 15 years permanent residence can get U.S. citizenshi­p without showing the ability to read, write and speak English.

The English language exemption is also available to individual­s 50 or older with at least 20 years of permanent residence. Unless your mother has a physical or mental disability that prevents her from learning, she must answer questions about U.S. government and history. However, she can take that oral exam in her own language. She can get the test questions and test preparatio­n materials in several languages at uscis. gov.

APatrick, Nairobi, Kenya To get a Diversity Visa lottery green card, a lottery winner must prove that he or she will not become what that law calls a “public charge.” Sometimes that requires an affidavit of support. Proof that you have a job offer to work in the United States or evidence of personal wealth may be sufficient to pass that test, though I recommend you get an affidavit of support if possible.

Diversity Visa lottery winners, like most immigrant visa applicants, must prove that they can live in the United States without needing income-based

Acash assistance. An affidavit of support is one type of proof. The affidavit can come from any person, but it is best if comes from a U.S. citizen or permanent resident relative. The affidavit used in these green card cases is USCIS form I-134, Affidavit of Support. This is different from the affidavit of support, USCIS form I-864 required in family immigratio­n cases. Unlike form I-864, form I-134 creates only a moral obligation. It is not a binding contract and does not create a legal obligation for the person signing to support the person benefiting from the affidavit.

 ??  ?? A newly unveiled life-size robot of President Trump shares stage with animatroni­c likenesses of the nation’s Founding Fathers and other notable chief executives at Disney World’s Hall of Presidents exhibit on Monday.
A newly unveiled life-size robot of President Trump shares stage with animatroni­c likenesses of the nation’s Founding Fathers and other notable chief executives at Disney World’s Hall of Presidents exhibit on Monday.
 ??  ?? If I win the 2019 Diversity Visa lottery, will I need to submit an affidavit of support with my immigrant visa applicatio­n?
If I win the 2019 Diversity Visa lottery, will I need to submit an affidavit of support with my immigrant visa applicatio­n?

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