Becoming a U.S. Citizen

This USA.gov website has helpful information on eligibility for U.S. citizenship, as well as links to resources to study for the English and civics portions of the naturalization tests.

If you have questions about eligibility, lengthy/numerous stays outside the U.S., criminal history or other factors that might complicate your application process, please reach out to me.

lauren@ransfordlaw.com
(206) 354-4791
http://www.ransfordlaw.com

Citizenship Clinic on February 25, 2023!

Volunteers are needed for the February Citizenship Clinic at SeaTac Airport. Volunteering is a great way to gain experience in the naturalization process and to help eligible applicants become U.S. citizens!

Contact me for more information: https://ransfordlaw.com/#contact-me
Contact Washington New Americans directly: https://wanewamericans.org/about-the-citizenship-program-at-oneamerica/

May be an image of one or more people and text that says 'Join US and the Port of Seattle for our February Citizenship Clinic! Melanaa Volunteers We are looking for volunteers for these roles: Attorney/DOJ Rep Paralegal Interpreter General Date: Saturday February 25th 9:00am-5:00pm 9:00am Sea Tac Airport SCAN ME Port of Seattle ONEAMERICA TERHERA Û With WASHINGO Gateway Citizenship'

Washington New Americans · Sign up to volunteer here: https://app.initlive.com/web-admin/app/

#citizenship #naturalization #belonging #N-400 #immigration

Stricter ID Requirements for U.S. Travel Postponed Until May 7, 2025

Stricter identification requirements for domestic U.S. air travel that were supposed to go into effect on May 7, 2023 have been postponed until May 7, 2025. Check out this Seattle Times Article.

When the new rules go into effect, you will need one of the following to fly within the U.S.:

  • U.S. passport
  • U.S. passport card
  • DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
  • U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
  • Permanent resident card
  • Border crossing card
  • State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License
  • An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized, Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe
  • HSPD-12 PIV card
  • Foreign government-issued passport
  • Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
  • Transportation worker identification credential
  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)

For more information on the REAL ID travel identification requirements, check out TSA’s REAL ID webpage.

Derivative U.S. Citizenship

If you are a U.S. citizen and have children under the age of eighteen years old living in the United States who are Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) living in your legal and physical custody, they may be able to derive U.S. citizenship from you. Check out this flyer for more information. If you have questions or would like to discuss your child’s case, please call the Law Office of Lauren M. Ransford, PLLC at (206) 354-4791 http://www.ransfordlaw.com.

#familygreencards #uscitizenship #naturalization

USCIS outlines a “bona fide determination” process (“BFD”) to grant deferred action and issue employment authorization documents for U visa petitioners.

U visa nonimmigrant status (U visa) is available to victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.

The BFD process is used to grant deferred action and issue employment authorization to U-visa petitioners who are found to have bona fide applications.

USCIS stated that the determination of whether a petition is bona fide is based on whether the application is complete, including evidence and background checks, as well as whether there are any national security or public safety risks. Keep in mind that this is a discretionary determination.

Please also keep in mind that a BFD does not guarantee that USCIS will grant your U-visa petition. You do not need to take any affirmative action if your U-visa petition is currently pending. USCIS will review cases and make determinations. Unfortunately, there are no timelines for how long USCIS will take to review a pending petition.

If you have questions regarding the U visa process, the BFD process or believe that you may be eligible for employment authorization as a bona fide U-visa petitioner, please contact me at the Law Office of Lauren M. Ransford, PLLC – (206) 354-4791 or lauren@ransfordlaw.com.

The Latest on Traveling Across the U.S. – Canada Land Border

Canada has said it will reopen the U.S.-Canada land border to fully vaccinated Americans and lawful permanent residents for nonessential travel on August 9, 2021. The U.S has extended pandemic restrictions on nonessential travel at the U.S.-Canada land border at least until August 21. Fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents will be allowed to return to the U.S., as this is considered essential travel.

Here is the full article:

Seattle Times article July 23, 2021