My dad a citizen or not??

[tany1157 161]

So I have a question about my father, and am not sure where to find the info. My dad came here from canada in 1952 when he was 2....a few years ago, my dad went to our local immigration office because he wanted to travel, (I am not sure on details, so I apologize, as this will be general info)...I think he wanted an updated green card because it was from when he was 2. Now my mom said that he gave them his green card, and he paid some fee, and they were supposed to send him paperwork, for what I do not know. Well he never got anything from them. Obviously, I will try to figure out what is going on with this office, but in the meantime, I am wondering something. Is my dad a citizen of the usa? He came here with family when he was 2, and he fought in the vietnam war. (I apologize for my ignorance....I thought if you fought for this country, you had to be a US citizen, am I correct??)

Normally, this info wouldn't really matter, but after 41 years here, my mom wants to finally become a US citizen...I began filling out the paperwork for her, and there was questions for her spouse, asking if he is a citizen....this is where I got stuck, because my mom isn't clear about what is going on with this. Now my dad has been in failing health, so trying to talk with him about this can be a little difficult.

Anybody have any knowledge they could share?

Thanks!

[canadian_wife 1,822]

No, you can be a green card holder and be in the military. Green card holders must register for selective service.

There is a LOT about your fathers history that you do not know which makes it difficult. You need to find out if your father ever filed for US citizenship or if he has a US passport. US citizenship is not automatically granted. Perhaps have your mother dig around his personals to see if she can find anything

Good luck

[Stanley Hermosill 1]

Yes, from what you've stated, the case of your father's citizenship seems inconclusive...

[Inky 1,110]

There are tons and tons and TONS of green card holders in the military, all branches. Many people join after they get their green cards. You do not have to be a citizen.

[tany1157 161]

Thank you for clearing that part up :blush: I figured I was wrong, so glad I know otherwise now! Anyways, I will have my mom look through some stuff...I appreciate the input!

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Your story lacks information.

If your dad got his Green Card in 1952, it was one of those (now) rare cards that have no, none, nada, expiration date.

If he never applied for naturalization via form I-400, and from what you stated I don't even remotely guess he ever did, then he is still a lawful permanent resident, a Green Card holder, but not a US citizen. If he wants to become a US citizen, he has to file an N-400. For that, he'll need a copy of his Green Card. If he doesn't have his Green Card anymore (grrrrrr) he has to file an I-90 for a replacement card. Once he has the receipt for the I-90, he can file his N-400. In 4 months to 5 months he can be a US citizen.

[nigel 7]

You said your dad went to the immigration correct? to sort out his green card and he payed a fee one time correct? well that must be followed up and see whats the deal there...i hope he kept his paperwork to show what he payed ect...

Now i want to know he came here in the usa in 1952 when he was only 2 yrs old correct? i would like to know if he came on his parents passports or something...even back then they had some sort of system also.......maybe your dads parents was in the navy or something...and him being under the age of 18 even back in them days he could have been naturalized (maybe) via his parents..

sorry im just tossing out what the maybe's/could be's....who knows

You could ask for a info pass appointment with the uscis in your hometown...look up the uscis website and search info pass.....and maybe you and your dad & mum could go to the uscis and sort this out....

i hope this helps you out somehow...