Travel out of the country

[kaukas 2]

Hi. I just received the yellow letter instructing me to bring all my (previous) passports, but I am missing my original passport with F1 visa. The one I'm missing also contains the outbound stamps from my first trip out of the country after becoming an LPR. I applied for the new passport while I was back home during that trip to get back to the US, so I have the inbound stamps coming back into the US in the new passport. The trip took place in 1997, and I'm most likely to be wrong on the date I left the country (and hence the number of total days out of the country). How big of an issue would that be? Thanks.

[v333k 59]

Trips in the past 5 years only count....

Edited August 8, 2011 by v333k

[kaukas 2]

So I figured, but I wasn't sure. I had to list all the trips I made after becoming an LPR, and I thought that must have been for a reason. But thanks.

[Maad 0]

Trips in the past 5 years only count....

[/quote]

Instruction form for N-400 Part 7. C states:

"Provide the requested information for every trip that you have taken outside the United States since you became a lawful permanent resident..."

I know someone who had a hard time (RFE) included for not listing trips from 8 years before interview.

Apparently this wording leaves a lot in the discretion of IO ...

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

The N-400 instructions overrule the N-400 form. Both have been created by retards, but at least we can agree that the instructions for filling out the form are more thorough than the abbreviated form itself.

The past 5 years is what needs to be listed.

And Maad, I know some who had a hard time as well, but those exiting stories are better reserved for an evening with lots of booze, belly dancers and a water pipe.

[v333k 59]

That's correct... the N-400 requests to list ALL trips outside the US since becoming a LPR, however, IOs will mostly be concerned with the last 5 years since they want to establish that you have met your physical presence and continuous residence... that's all that there is to it.

I assumed he filled out everything and that's why I didn't point that out - it seemed useless to tell the OP that he should fill out everything

[kaukas 2]

I know a few hookah bars where I can tell tales after the whole ordeal if I hit a snag during the interview But for the time being, I'll stop fretting over at least this aspect of my immigration journey that's just starting. Thanks all.

[kaukas 2]

I'm reviving the thread with an updated question. Hope you will put up with and enlighten me.

I found the said passport (tucked away with my college diploma; go figure), and I was wrong on the number of days by 2 weeks. Instead of 2 weeks of total time away from the US, it was about 4 weeks (still nowhere close to 180 days allowed). Since it happened so long ago, I take it that it's not that big of a deal; fine. However, I still do believe I have to disclose this new information so I won't have to lie. How do I go about it?? Do I write an affidavit attesting that at the time of filing the application, that information was "true to the best of my knowledge" and supply the copy of all the pages of my first passport?

The other thing is that I didn't disclose the traffic tickets (none was alcohol related and all were fined under $500; just so you know, they were for expired tag, speeding, and moving violation) just because disclosure wasn't necessary. I read some conflicting answers here, and decided, I might as well come clean on them too. I just bring the driving records from two states and the receipts of the fine payments? Do I also have to write a letter of explanation?

I guess either of the above scenario alone may be viewed as a minor issue, but combined together, would it trigger suspicion? I really didn't mean to misrepresent myself... I just didn't know about this forum before I filed. I still have K1/CR1 to go through after this naturalization and I'm really going nuts... And my interview is less than a month away.

Thank you in advance for your help.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

At the N-400 interview, the I.O. will go through your application line by line to make sure you didn't make a mistake. At that time you will inform him and her about your absence. That's not a big deal indeed.

Now, the form is totally clear when it comes to having been cited: you NEED to disclose this, list it, but do not have to DOCUMENT it. If your English is good enough to take the test, you should understand the difference: YES, officer I have been fined x amount of money for speeding on xx/xx/xxx. I paid the fine and that was it. Not needing to document means you are not required to bring the ticket with you, or the receipt that you paid the fine, although in my case the I.O. actually wanted to see it. They have a lot of discretion.

So you absolutely need to have that put on record, as your N-400 application will be sealed and if they at any time want to kick you in the groin, the biggest favor you can do them is deliberate misrepresentation, failure to disclose that you have been in trouble with the law.

[kaukas 2]

Thanks, Bob. I have no idea how I get my paws on the receipt from GA as they don't seem to respond to either emails or phone calls. But I will get them and will have something to show. Hopefully I will get myself out of trouble. Heh.

Other off topic question to you, Bob, if you happen to see this post (and are willing to answer here), since you are also German. Do you happen to know if the internationale Eheurkunde suffices in official use in the eyes of USCIS, provided it has a note that the marriage ended in divorce (in lieu of the divorce decree)? My fiance wants to send that one as well since he feels uncomfortable to send in his translation with his own certification. Please ignore this question if you feel that this is out of place. I will eventually start asking about K1 once my naturalization is done. Thanks.