Trump fear brings visa filing crush
AHolly McGowan, Dallas Thank you for your service to your community. Your students should hear from USCIS soon. Due to increased demand, USCIS is a bit behind in its goal of calling naturalization applicants in for their interviews in four to seven months. Still, immigrant visa and citizenship services are paid for by application filing fees. More fees should mean more service. I expect USCIS to catch up with its backlog soon.
The preelection immigration debate and the election of Donald Trump have spurred an increase in immigration applications. People want to get solid with their status. Though a President must get Congress to approve major changes in immigration laws, it’s best for people who qualify for immigration benefits to apply as soon as possible. The future is uncertain.
QBright Poku, New York You can file your naturalization now only if you have been married to and living with the same U.S. citizen for the past two years and nine months. Otherwise, you must wait until you have been a permanent resident for four years and nine months.
AQF.V., Los Angeles
AYour sister can petition for you, but it could be 12 to 20 years or longer before you qualify for a green card. That’s because of the backlog for the siblings of U.S. citizens. Having a case pending doesn't give you the right to live here. Nevertheless, I recommend that you have your sister file a petition for you. With the future of immigration law uncertain, it’s best to start the process.
Wernick is an attorney and director of the City University of New York's Citizenship Now! project. Send questions and comments to Allan Wernick, New York Daily News, 4 New York Plaza, New York, NY 10004 or email to questions@allanwernick.com. Follow him on Twitter @awernick.