One of our main goals is to promote self-sufficiency and good citizenship among our constituents. To that end, since its inception, Latin Women in Action has offered Immigrant Services: It provides general immigration services to the general population of New York City with a focus in the borough of Queens.
Immigrants receive assistance when they wish to bring a relative to the United States. The assistance pertains to completion of the various applications and procedures. Another immigration services is assistance to those wishing to become American citizens. We help them complete the citizenship application, prepare them for the test and interview as well as help them if they encounter any barriers. If the application is delayed we engage the assistance of the local congressional elected officials and US Senators who can take action on behalf of the constituent.
After becoming naturalized citizens, we register them to vote and educate them how they can have access to the political establishment. The everlasting revolving door continues with every immigrant that enters our door. The everlasting revolving door continues with every immigrant that enters our door. It is our belief that by assisting immigrants achieve such important tasks, we are creating an empowerment-base constituency, with knowledge and self-sufficiency. It is empowering people in communities and neighborhoods, to make real systemic change to improve their quality of life. Lastly as part of Latin Women's mission, counseling is offered to those immigrants who are facing difficult times either as a consequence of the 9-11 tragedy or any type of problems facing them.
CITIZENSHIP --- WHO QUALIFIES?
a) Any person who has 5 years of permanent legal residence or three years of permanent legal residence if married to an American citizen and the spouse has citizenship for 3 years or more. If the applicant is 50 years old and has resided as a legal permanent resident in the US for 20 years, or 55 years and 15 years of legal permanent resident he/she will be tested directly by an INS officer in your native language, on the day of interview. Also elder persons who are 65 years and have their legal permanent residence for 20 years, they will only have to study 25 questions in their native language.
b) Immigration is taking from 6 months to 1 year to process your application.
To apply you will need the following:
c) To complete your citizenship application, you will need, all your passports, green card, green card # for your spouse, & children, Social Security # for you and your spouse.
d) Date of birth for you, your spouse and children, names of ex-spouses, dates prior marriage and divorce dates. If your spouse is a citizen, bring information of the dates that he/she naturalized, and dates of his prior marriages.
e) Names and addresses for employment for last 5 years. Addresses where you have resided for the last 5 years.
f) A list with dates you left and returned from the USA. since becoming a legal resident.
g) Names and addresses of schools/universities you have attended for the last 5 years.
h) A list of all trips you have made from the US since you obtained your legal resident alien as well as the return dates. You will need the specific number of days you stayed out and the total No. of trips.
i) If you have ever been arrested, consult your case with us before applying. If you apply, bring the Final Disposition from the court where you were arrested. Before filing the N-400 application, you should think if you have any record which could prevent you from becoming a citizen.
j) Men 18-26 years old, should register with the SELECTIVE SERVICE or you might not be accepted. If you already registered, bring your Selective Service card No. This is very important.
Where will the test be?
Every applicant will be tested at one of INS offices located in each borough of NYC or if outside of NYC. INS will send you a notice indicating the address where you will appear to be tested. The test will consist of questions about government, US history, writing and personal questions. Individuals with little knowledge of the language, we offer classes. There is a $5.00 fee for each class of one hour. We also offer study in the individual's home for a $15.00 fee per hour (subject to staff availability.)
OFFICE SCHEDULE:
Anyone interested should come to our office; Monday to Fri. 10-5pm, Saturday 9-11:00 a.m. For further information, call, 718-478-2972.
RELATIVE PETITIONS
Do you need to petition a relative?
Following are the requirements to petition a relative (This applies to anyone who entered with/without a VISA or for those who reside outside the US
** If the person is in deportation/removal or proceedings, or if you were ordered to exit the US and you did not, you should consult us and if you need a specialized attorney, we will provide you a list of attorneys.
If you are here and you arrived without a VISA, consult with us
If you are petitioning someone- you are called the petitioner
The person being petitioned is called the BENEFICIARY
IMMIGRATION'S FEES
LATIN WOMEN IN ACTION'S FEES
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Birth Certificate of the person making the petition
Birth Certificate for the person being petitioned
Divorce Judgments if Petitioner has been divorced or the person being petitioned (if any)
Birth certificate for all children to be included
If the citizen/naturalized person, Certificate of Citizenship, if resident, copy of green card.
Evidence of support- Income Taxes for the last 3 years. (Pay stubs for the last 8 weeks if petitioning someone who arrived with a visa, also employment letter, and bank letter if any).
Passport of each person being petitioned
NECESSARY INFORMATION
Social Security No. For the petitioner and for the beneficiary if one exists.
Names, date of birth, place of birth, of the person making the petition and the one being petitioned, addresses where each has lived for the last (5) five years.
Beneficiary's passport- Children's names and date of birth.
Last address outside of the United States where each has lived before coming to the US where each has lived for over a year.
Names and addresses for employers, (if you have worked on the books or have filed taxes) for each, during the last five years.
Names, dates of birth, place of birth, and place where for the beneficiary's and petitioner's parents. (if filing G325)
If there have been any prior marriages, names, date of birth, city and country of birth, place and date of marriage and date of divorce.
The Immigration field is huge. For any other topic or petition, is important to call us and search for information in the INS's internet web-site, offered as follows; http://www.ins.usdoj.gov In this website not only will you find Immigration topics but also many other links of interest.
If you wish information by phone, you may call the INS telephone and listen to their tapes, at 1-800-375-5482. for forms 1-800-370-3676.
| Copyright © 2006 Latin Women In Action, Inc. All rights reserved. Powered by ITS |