Father Died (US Citizen) - What happens to my half-sister 15y/o in the philippines ?!?

[mlema719 0]

Greetings All!

My father just passed away He just received his citizenship a year ago (former Filipino citizen) , was in the process of petitioning my half sister - but never turned in any paperwork. She is a minor 15 y/o with no family except for me (I am living in US as a citizen). Her and her mother are estranged and she hasn't been in contact with her for 7 years since she was 6 years old. I really would like to bring her here in anyway possible - I am her last living immediate relative. I worry about her being all alone in the philippines living with a god mom who already has 3 kids. Please any advice will help. I looking for anyway to rescue her from this terrible situation we are in after the passing of my father. I am 30 y/o and unmarried, I can fully support her.

Thanks for any help!

Edited December 24, 2015 by mlema719

[aleful 1,905]

hi

there is nothing you can do, if you file a petition for her as your sibling, the wait is over 20 year, more or less 23 years of waiting

so sorry about your dad

maybe in the future a student visa, but she has to prove that she would return to her country, and without ties to her country I doubt it

[newbie87 20]

You can petition for her

http://www.uscis.gov/family/family-us-citizens/siblings/bringing-siblings-live-united-states-permanent-residents

I think she can get citizenship through your dad but in order to get that you need to bring her to the U.S. First. And I'm sorry for your lost.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

She won't get citizenship from your father because she will be an adult long before your petition gets her here.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Greetings All!

My father just passed away He just received his citizenship a year ago (former Filipino citizen) , was in the process of petitioning my half sister - but never turned in any paperwork. She is a minor 15 y/o with no family except for me (I am living in US as a citizen). Her and her mother are estranged and she hasn't been in contact with her for 7 years since she was 6 years old. I really would like to bring her here in anyway possible - I am her last living immediate relative. I worry about her being all alone in the philippines living with a god mom who already has 3 kids. Please any advice will help. I looking for anyway to rescue her from this terrible situation we are in after the passing of my father. I am 30 y/o and unmarried, I can fully support her.

Thanks for any help!

Your sister does not have a path to the US through a deceased parent. It's unfortunate that he didn't petition for her when he first became an LPR.

You can file for your sister. It will be around 24 years for an immigration visa. There is nothing else you can do to get her to the US. Sorry.

You can petition for her

http://www.uscis.gov/family/family-us-citizens/siblings/bringing-siblings-live-united-states-permanent-residents

I think she can get citizenship through your dad but in order to get that you need to bring her to the U.S. First. And I'm sorry for your lost.

This is wrong. She can not get US citizenship through a deceased parent. By the time the OP gets his sister here, she will be 40 years old. Hardly close to getting derivative citizenship from a parent (even if he was alive).

[Boiler 46,156]

Some of the timelines quoted seem optimistic.

[newacct 688]

If she has a US citizen grandparent or US citizen legal guardian, and she plans to continue residing abroad, she may to apply qualify for naturalization under INA 322 (the N-600K process).

Edited December 24, 2015 by newacct

[aaron2020 11,651]

If she has a US citizen grandparent or US citizen legal guardian, and she plans to continue residing abroad, she may to apply qualify for naturalization under INA 322 (the N-600K process).

She's 45 years old. She can no longer get derivative citizenship.

[newacct 688]

She's 45 years old. She can no longer get derivative citizenship.

Thought she's 15?

[mlema719 0]

Thank you guys for all your advice. Its has been a rough journey getting here. I wish you all the happiest holidays and cherish your loved ones! Perhaps a student visa when she is of age will probably be the best bet getting here. I am very happy I found this blog with such helpful members. I do have one lastt question: if i establish legal guardianship in the philippines is there anyway that I can get her here sooner?

[aaron2020 11,651]

Sorry. Wrong thread.

She is 15.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Thank you guys for all your advice. Its has been a rough journey getting here. I wish you all the happiest holidays and cherish your loved ones! Perhaps a student visa when she is of age will probably be the best bet getting here. I am very happy I found this blog with such helpful members. I do have one lastt question: if i establish legal guardianship in the philippines is there anyway that I can get her here sooner?

No. Legal guardianship in the PI will not qualify her for a visa. Adoption will not work either. Mom is alive.

I-130 is it.