US Citizenship

[Cupcake]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? out of the US

Can you guys please help me out? I have won a green card through the dv lottery system from the US government and would like to know how long do I have to live in the united states until I can apply for a citizenship? 2 years, 5 years...or more?

Also my longtime boyfriend and I plan to get married and he is actually an American citizen but he cannot go back to the states as he violated his parole by leaving the country. does that make a difference in my case if at all....? im sooo confused as i love my bf and would like to stay with him but i also want security...HELP! What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

 

[candg918]

Why would you think US citizenship would grant you security if you were not living in the US? Since it sounds like your boyfriend will not be returning to the US, I cannot see the point in you using one of the limited visas slots.

 

[Proserpina]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? out of the US

Can you guys please help me out? I have won a green card through the dv lottery system from the US government and would like to know how long do I have to live in the united states until I can apply for a citizenship? 2 years, 5 years...or more?

Also my longtime boyfriend and I plan to get married and he is actually an American citizen but he cannot go back to the states as he violated his parole by leaving the country. does that make a difference in my case if at all....? im sooo confused as i love my bf and would like to stay with him but i also want security...HELP! What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

What exactly did your boyfriend do?

Why did he leave the country?

How long ago was his conviction and how long has he been evading?

 

[Cupcake]

it is security in most form: financially you get paid MUCH better (in the country that i live), american citizens are more respected etc etc...

but that really wasnt my question.

he was convicted of bulglary and using drugs but hes clean now and obviously he doesnt steal..would he have to go to jail if he enters the US or complete his parole or....i'm not very familiar with all the us terms and laws really.

 

[Proserpina]

it is security in most form: financially you get paid MUCH better (in the country that i live), american citizens are more respected etc etc...

but that really wasnt my question.

he was convicted of bulglary and using drugs but hes clean now and obviously he doesnt steal..would he have to go to jail if he enters the US or complete his parole or....i'm not very familiar with all the us terms and laws really.

Maybe we should have rephrased the question....how will it help him if YOU become a citizen?

And WHEN was he convicted? What exactly happened there? Was he jailed? on probation? what?

Where do you both live?

 

[Cupcake]

honestly i dnt know all the technicalites...but it was before he moved here ...so probably like 2 years ago or so...

he doesnt really care if he has the american passport or not...but since i dont want to be away from him for long as i do not believe in long distance relationships and were not officially engaged or anything, i want to know how many years do i have to live in the US until i can receive my citizenship?

 

[Adalaide78]

U.S. Citizenship & Naturalization Overview - Immigration

This will answer none of your questions about your boyfriend. On the other hand it will give you some information about you becoming a citizen yourself. Frankly if being an American means a lot to you it isn't something you should give up lightly for someone who left the country to avoid punishment for crimes. On the other hand, as someone else stated, don't take away someone else's right to come to this country if you have no intention of leaving your boyfriend. He could always come back and take care of whatever legal stuff there is for him to take care of.

 

[Cupcake]

thank you adalaide. thats was very helpful indeed. i am urging him to come and join me, but he doesnt want to give up his lifestyle, job etc. so we'll see how all goes.

 

[candg918]

Citizenship requirements are described in documents available on the USCIS website. Be sure you understand the RESPONSIBILITIES as well as rights for both legal permanent residency and citizenship. US citizenship is not a free ride and has requirements to transfer citizenship to your children.

When you give up your citizenship of birth for US citizenship, you can also limit your options in your home country and their allies.

Although it is not legal advice, a person who has been involved with drugs and has run from his responsibilities in the US is not necessarily a good choice for a long term relationship. Based on the fact you support his violations of US law, you are not the best candidate to take the oath of citizenship.

 

[Proserpina]

OP please answer the questions.

 

[evcalyptos]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? out of the US

Can you guys please help me out? I have won a green card through the dv lottery system from the US government and would like to know how long do I have to live in the united states until I can apply for a citizenship? 2 years, 5 years...or more?

Also my longtime boyfriend and I plan to get married and he is actually an American citizen but he cannot go back to the states as he violated his parole by leaving the country. does that make a difference in my case if at all....? im sooo confused as i love my bf and would like to stay with him but i also want security...HELP! What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

Before you get too excited about it all, are you sure you have a green card?
Maybe you have an Immigrant Visa, to travel to the US to become a PR?
Maybe you just got a draw in the DV and haven't even applied for your visa yet?

It's a very simple thing to find on uscis.gov: you must be a Permanent Resident for 5 years before you can become a US citizen.

Perhaps you should see your spiritual leader for the personal advice that is a side part of your question.

Your BF can find out the answers to his questions, if he's really interested in returning to the US.

 

[Cupcake]

Candg918 – I understand that being a US citizen comes with responsibilities, as does most other countries. But coming from a country like mine, it wouldn’t really limit any options for me but provide new ones as there are hardly as options for me in my home country to begin with. I have spoken with my bf and he has agreed to move with me to the states and we will get a lawyer and do what has to be done. If he has to go to the doghouse for a year or so, I guess that should be fine as I have been planning to do my masters anyway and we’ll see what happens from there on. Also I have learnt that if my spouse if a us citizen and I already have the green card, it will take 3 years and not 5 to apply to US citizenship. Thanks!

Evcalyptos – I applied for my green card through the dv lottery program and got a letter saying that I have been selected. I not have to apply for a US visa in order to go and complete all the other paperwork etc etc. I have been to the US plently of other times so getting a visa would not be a problem, especially if I am a dv GC winner. And what exactly do you mean by spiritual leader? What has that got to do with anything?

 

[candg918]

I suspect we both are concerned that you do not fully appreciate the long term effects on your life in the US based on your relationship with someone who ran from his legal problems in the US. Depending on the underlying crime that triggered the parole, you can be adversely affected in many ways. I suggest that you and he meet with an attorney licensed in his state and familiar with criminal issues to assess the best options and for you to fully understand the effects of his crimes.

Also, being selected in the lottery does not guarantee a GC since they select more individuals than can be granted entry each year to make sure all are used. You need to assess the probablity of actually receiving the visa based on your lottery number.

Once you are selected, you should not use your B2 visa to enter as you have demontrated immigrant intent.

 

[Proserpina]

Also I have learnt that if my spouse if a us citizen and I already have the green card, it will take 3 years and not 5 to apply to US citizenship. Thanks!

Provided your new US spouse is not a felon who is currently evading justice.

Otherwise, it's not going to happen - period.

(I"m still not sure exactly how YOU becoming a citizen will help him - did I miss the explanation? )

 

[Proserpina]

Evcalyptos – I applied for my green card through the dv lottery program and got a letter saying that I have been selected. I not have to apply for a US visa in order to go and complete all the other paperwork etc etc. I have been to the US plently of other times so getting a visa would not be a problem, especially if I am a dv GC winner. And what exactly do you mean by spiritual leader? What has that got to do with anything?

Cupcake, until you actually have that residency permit in your hand you're really getting ahead of yourself - I think we're all concerned that you don't fully understand either how the DV works and how your boyfriend's situation can seriously jeopardize your own situation.