I Want A To Be A Citizen.

[BPG]

What is the name of your state?--California.

I'm an attorney practicing in California but I am a Canadian citizen. I have resided in California for almost 5 years (lawschool + employment). I am currently under a TN Visa. I would like to eventually become a citizen. How would I go about doing so? I've done some research--that's how I found out about the TN Visa--but all the information I find in regards to citizenship is unclear. I know about the H1B visa and how it can eventually lead to citizenship but they are very expensive and I heard that it is difficult to secure one. I also know that a TN cannot lead to citizenship. I have no close family in the US. I would like to apply for citizenship but I dont know how. In the alternative, if any one knows of how I can change my status so that I do not have to apply for re-entry every year (which is necessary because of my TN status), I would appreciate it.

Also, what the hell is a greencard? Is it a visa or some sort of employment authorization (H1 perhaps?)?? I hear that word way too often but I dont know what it is.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

 

[evcalyptos]

What is the name of your state?--California.

I'm an attorney practicing in California but I am a Canadian citizen. I have resided in California for almost 5 years (lawschool + employment). I am currently under a TN Visa. I would like to eventually become a citizen. How would I go about doing so? I've done some research--that's how I found out about the TN Visa--but all the information I find in regards to citizenship is unclear. I know about the H1B visa and how it can eventually lead to citizenship but they are very expensive and I heard that it is difficult to secure one. I also know that a TN cannot lead to citizenship. I have no close family in the US. I would like to apply for citizenship but I dont know how. In the alternative, if any one knows of how I can change my status so that I do not have to apply for re-entry every year (which is necessary because of my TN status), I would appreciate it.

Also, what the hell is a greencard? Is it a visa or some sort of employment authorization (H1 perhaps?)?? I hear that word way too often but I dont know what it is.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Are you serious? Is this post a plant to make attorneys look bad? Do you ever wonder why attorneys have a less than lovely reputation?
Are you seriously saying that you can not find the website for the US immigration agency (www.uscis.gov) and use its vast FAQ section (helpfully called How Do I?) to find out 'what the hell a Green Card' is? (oops, there's an FAQ entry marked "Green Card (see Permanent Residency (Green Card))"

OMG, there's one for citizenship too and the first question is "1. How can I become a United States citizen?"

The information is NOT unclear, it is spelled out for people who do not have English as a first language. (OK, apologies only if you are a Quebecer who does not have English as a first langugage. Even then, you attended University in the US for four years?)

You're right. The whole thing IS expensive, and apparently too confusing. It's part of the vast US consipiracy to only let people in who are smart enough (I don't know why I ever thought I might not pass law school). Can you believe that I did all the research myself from getting married, getting my spouse to the US and now waiting on their oath ceremony? And me with no degree. What a shame.
Do you have no colleagues to ask? No resources available through your employment?
pfft.
You don't get citizenship just for hanging out here for any number of years, not even 5. Please be willing to invest the relatively small amount of money and time it takes if yoiu want the prize. Presume you think there is some benefit to being a US citizen; now you can find out if it is worth what you think.

PS: before you blow your spout off at me, do yourself the favor of following the links provided.

 

[yandresyuk]

Wow for an attorney you really do not know how to do research. You can not become a citizen unless you were a greencard holder (permanent resident) for 5 years (in some cases 3 years). The only way to become a permanent resident if through family (does not apply in your case) or through work.

 

[BPG]

Are you serious? Is this post a plant to make attorneys look bad? Do you ever wonder why attorneys have a less than lovely reputation?
Are you seriously saying that you can not find the website for the US immigration agency (www.uscis.gov) and use its vast FAQ section (helpfully called How Do I?) to find out 'what the hell a Green Card' is? (oops, there's an FAQ entry marked "Green Card (see Permanent Residency (Green Card))"

OMG, there's one for citizenship too and the first question is "1. How can I become a United States citizen?"

The information is NOT unclear, it is spelled out for people who do not have English as a first language. (OK, apologies only if you are a Quebecer who does not have English as a first langugage. Even then, you attended University in the US for four years?)

You're right. The whole thing IS expensive, and apparently too confusing. It's part of the vast US consipiracy to only let people in who are smart enough (I don't know why I ever thought I might not pass law school). Can you believe that I did all the research myself from getting married, getting my spouse to the US and now waiting on their oath ceremony? And me with no degree. What a shame.
Do you have no colleagues to ask? No resources available through your employment?
pfft.
You don't get citizenship just for hanging out here for any number of years, not even 5. Please be willing to invest the relatively small amount of money and time it takes if yoiu want the prize. Presume you think there is some benefit to being a US citizen; now you can find out if it is worth what you think.

PS: before you blow your spout off at me, do yourself the favor of following the links provided.

Attorneys have a less than lovely reputation because of people like you. I asked a simple question. I didnt need the pompous editorialization brough on by your anonomous bravery.

 

[AHA]

What is the name of your state?--California.

I'm an attorney practicing in California but I am a Canadian citizen. I have resided in California for almost 5 years (lawschool + employment). I am currently under a TN Visa. I would like to eventually become a citizen. How would I go about doing so? I've done some research--that's how I found out about the TN Visa--but all the information I find in regards to citizenship is unclear. I know about the H1B visa and how it can eventually lead to citizenship but they are very expensive and I heard that it is difficult to secure one. I also know that a TN cannot lead to citizenship. I have no close family in the US. I would like to apply for citizenship but I dont know how. In the alternative, if any one knows of how I can change my status so that I do not have to apply for re-entry every year (which is necessary because of my TN status), I would appreciate it.

Also, what the hell is a greencard? Is it a visa or some sort of employment authorization (H1 perhaps?)?? I hear that word way too often but I dont know what it is.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

uscis.gov is the first link that comes up when you search "green card" on yahoo.
Seach engines are a wonderful thing and should not be ignored. Hell, THIS site is harder to find than US immigrations own site with info about green card.
Maybe I should apply for law school, seems easy

 

[evcalyptos]

Attorneys have a less than lovely reputation because of people like you. I asked a simple question. I didnt need the pompous editorialization brough on by your anonomous bravery.

I fail to see your leap in logic; how does a layperson stating the Painfully Obvious contribute to your complete lack of ... what, exactly?

I suggest that you DO need my pompous editorializing (it was a good piece of work!). I'm a --writer--- not a lawyer. My bravery isn't anonymous, although I'll admit that in person, I would have allowed you to save face and as we would've had more time together (were we in person), I could've invested the time to lead you gently to your destination.

What is/was the point in advertising your profession in your post? The answer to your question (at that point) did not rely on your occupation.
If you hadn't stated it, you probably would've gotten the handheld tour; I'm known for being very forgiving of dumb questions and would've just given you the link.

It's the behavior of your colleagues, and your own lack of humility, that bring on the attitude you get. Having a laugh at your own expense in this thread (come on, you have to admit it's pretty ridiculous!) would also earn you some good cheer, and more of the help you clearly need.

Now, your question(s) is acutally --not--simple. In law school, did you ever hear of the concept of the 'deceptively simple question'? When you look into it further, you'll find that immigration law is full of deceptively simple questions. It's the timebombs ticking behind them that are complicated.

Thanks for playing though! I do wish you every success in your new path (no, sincerely!). Stay on top of it; I've just lost my opportunity to claim my (birthright) Canadian citizenship because I looked into it a year too late.Those multiple passports can come in handy.

 

[BPG]

I didnt realize that you werent an attorney. But that does explain your animosity.

The reason I stated that I am an attorney was because that is how I am eligible for TN status, not to hurt your feelings. I figugred that I may also be eligible for other types of visas because of my professional degree. I also wanted to be specific because I noticed that people get torched on here for asking general questions, and rightfully so.

You should go to law school. I think you'd like it. I also think you'd flunk-out, as did most people at my school with a similar attitude to yours. Of course I have been all over the USCIS site; that is where I started. I admit, I was being a bit facetious with the greencard comment. But the bottom line is I came here for guidance. I didnt mean to spark your envy towards my profession. I thought that this was a site where attorneys posted advice, not place where hacks with a chip on their shoulder tell me to run a search on the internet.

 

[AHA]

Why would anyone be jealous of you being a lawyer????

 

[xylene]

BPG=Troll

You are an idiot.

Your post and its request for information are obviously fake.

Your indignant and provacative responses cement that as a certainty.

I sincerely doubt that you have any legal / immigration problem whatsoever, along with all the "facts" you spell out . It shows.

As a (fake) lawyer you should know what is beyond your area of expertise.

Do the obvious, hire a compotent a proffesional and be prepared for it to be expensive.

You are the lawyer, right.

 

[BPG]

I've thought about hiring an attorney for this matter but I figured I'd come here for some guidance first. You’re right, I don’t have any training in this area but it’s clear that you fools don’t either.

The difference is that you guys pretend to know what you are talking about and that is very dangerous. I now realize that this site is a complete waste of my time. “Look on the internet…” What kind of legal advice is that? You should be aware that it is against the law to provide legal advice without a license. I just hope nobody gets harmed by your lack of knowledge and training (not to mention your complete lack of professionalism).

Furthermore, I didn’t start hurling insults until I was provoked, which incidentally occurred in the first response to my post.

But nevertheless, have fun playing Perry Mason on the internet.

 

[yandresyuk]

Please read the disclaimer below the thread where it describes the purpose of the forums and you will see that most people here are NOT attorneys. So do not go around giving that crap about what is legal and what is not.

 

[You Are Guilty]

What is the name of your state?--California.

I'm an attorney practicing in California but I am a Canadian citizen.

Although I'm sure no one believes you're a 2nd year associate, there is a simple way to confirm your claim -- post your bar number.

 

[BPG]

http://i1.tinypic.com/se7onp.jpg

I would like to reiterate that you all are fools. Carry on...

 

[You Are Guilty]

See how easy that was?