USCIS changes Notice of Action form (I-797)

On April 2, the USCIS will begin issuing all official immigration receipts and approval notices, called Form I-797C, Notice of Action, on a newly designed form. Printed on simple bond paper, the new Form I-797C is less elaborate and is estimated to save taxpayers about $1.1 million per year.

You can view part of the new form by visiting our website at: www.ImmigrateToday.com and clicking on the link to our Weekly Immigration Newsletter.

ICE expands review of pending deportation cases

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to expand its ongoing review of existing deportation cases, focusing on closing low priority cases in order to clear court backlogs. New cities added to the review list are: Seattle, Detroit, New Orleans and Orlando, followed by Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City.

You can read more about the Department of Homeland Security's new ICE policy by visiting our website at: www.ImmigrateToday.com, and clicking on the link to our Weekly Immigration Newsletter.

 IMMIGRATION Q&A

Question: I am applying for my American Citizenship and I have a question. It asks on the form about my wife's information. Does that mean that I can include her on my application and she can get her citizenship along with mine? Thanks.

Answer: That is a common question. No, unfortunately, even though information about spouses must be included on your application, spouses are not eligible to obtain naturalization through the same application. Immigration regulations require that each individual files a separate application. The only exception is for minor children (under the age of 18) who are U.S. residents, and who reside with the parent applying for naturalization. In these cases, as long as children remain under 18 at the time the parent attends his or her swearing in ceremony, they will receive their U.S. Citizenship along with the parent. However, children do not receive a separate naturalization certificate, which is generally not necessary as long as the parent applies for the child's U.S. passports, which is all that is necessary to prove legal evidence of U.S. citizenship. To apply for a U.S. passport from the U.S. Department of State, new U.S. citizens need to submit their original certificate of naturalization, but will receive it back once the new passport is issued. For more passport information, go online to: www.Travel.State.Gov. Make sure to read the information pertaining to children who are naturalized along with parents so that you submit any additional documentation they require.

Question: I just got my citizenship last week and I'm wondering about how I go about being able to get Social Security retirement when I get older. Does the Social Security Administration automatically know that I am an American now so they will send it to me when the time comes, or do I have to apply for something?

Answer: After becoming a U.S. citizen, it is important to update your Social Security record. To do so, you can go online to the Social Security Administration (SSA) website at www. www.socialsecurity.gov and find the nearest location, or call at1-800-772-1213. Then go to the SSA office and tell them you were just naturalized as a citizen and want to establish your eligibility for Citizen Federal benefits. Take your new naturalization certificate or your U.S. passport and your card. You should begin receiving Social Security eligibility statements every year or so, which show the wages which have been applied to your account for determination of your future benefits. Be sure to review it to check that you are being credited for all the years you legally worked using your Social Security number. The report should detail actual years you worked and reported wages for all those years. If you see a discrepancy and have a copy of your W-2 or payroll receipts, you can dispute the amounts by presenting evidence of wages earned legally and withholding paid, which were not properly credited to you.

** Contributions to this column are made by Attorney Caroly Pedersen, Esq. of the American Immigration Law Center – call 954-382-5378