They would grant me US-citizenship right away...

[Stefanie 1]

Well, as some of you might know, my husband and I will be moving to Germany some time this summer. He is in the US Army and his unit is relocating there. The good thing is that I am German and since we are going to live in Germany, I don't want to lose my citizen status. On the other hand I also don't want to lose my Greencard that we paid big bucks for. So my conclusion was to apply for Lifting Conditions before going to Germany, so that I can at least have my 10-year greencard since my conditional greencard expires in about next year.

Today we went to an immigration briefing on the Army post. I asked my question to one of the ladies there. They told me that I am eligible to apply for US-citizenship right now because my husband is in the Armed Forces and because we are deploying overseas together. BUT I don't really want my US-citizenship yet because there is not time to put in application that would let me keep my German citizenship as well (Our move is projected to be in 3 to 4 months already and we don't even have any orders yet to get everything expedited because apparently the Army takes its time...).

What doesn't make sense to me is that they told me that I can't file for Lifting of Conditions yet because we have to proof that we have a "bona fide relationship" (All that I was thinking was "Hello, we got all the paperwork you want to see... plus, we have been a couple for almost five years... plus, don't you get that I am not hear to be a US-citizen and that I just want to avoid more paperwork and hassle by getting a 10-year greencard... and doesn't that mean that we have a true marriage because I DON'T want to apply for citizenship yet because that's not what I am after.")

So yeah, they wouldn't give me a 10-year greencard...

...yet on the other hand they would grant me US-citizenship right away... something is wrong here...

Sorry for venting....

Stefanie

[chocolaterie 0]

Stefanie,

I find that strange advice. What does the lawyer say? Or was that a lawyer who told you? You might want to make an infopass appointment to see what an immigration officer has to say.

[internetkafe 0]

So you mean if someone wants citizenship it is not right? First rate treatment comes with citizenship in thus country..the rest is treated like ######. It is only normal if people want and apply for citizenship.

[Stefanie 1]

So you mean if someone wants citizenship it is not right? First rate treatment comes with citizenship in thus country..the rest is treated like ######. It is only normal if people want and apply for citizenship.

Don't missunderstand me... I was refering to the short period of time that we have been married, to the fact that I have only had my greencard since last year, and also to the issue that they were saying that we need to proof that we have a "bona fide relationship" if I want to apply for Lifting of Conditions, if in fact they would grant me citizenship right away without proofing it. My remarks were just some thoughts in my mind.

Of course, it is normal to apply for citizenship and I am eventually going to do it. But not right now and now at this moment because first of all we are going to live in Germany, second of all we don't know yet what the future will bring, third of all I want to go to school in Germany and forth of all I don't feel ready yet...

I just think that it's weird...

Stefanie,

I find that strange advice. What does the lawyer say? Or was that a lawyer who told you? You might want to make an infopass appointment to see what an immigration officer has to say.

Well, we didn't talk to a lawyer. It was just some immigration representatives that talked to my husband and me. I have been researching... but maybe I should just calm down and see what the time will bring. Maybe they will accept some sort of statement that we are overseas and that they should shcedule my interview for when we are back... but those are just some thoughts...

Edited March 16, 2006 by Stefanie

[meauxna 15]

So you mean if someone wants citizenship it is not right? First rate treatment comes with citizenship in thus country..the rest is treated like ######. It is only normal if people want and apply for citizenship.

Don't missunderstand me... I was refering to the short period of time that we have been married, to the fact that I have only had my greencard since last year, and also to the issue that they were saying that we need to proof that we have a "bona fide relationship" if I want to apply for Lifting of Conditions, if in fact they would grant me citizenship right away without proofing it. My remarks were just some thoughts in my mind.

Of course, it is normal to apply for citizenship and I am eventually going to do it. But not right now and now at this moment because first of all we are going to live in Germany, second of all we don't know yet what the future will bring, third of all I want to go to school in Germany and forth of all I don't feel ready yet...

I just think that it's weird...

Stefanie,

I find that strange advice. What does the lawyer say? Or was that a lawyer who told you? You might want to make an infopass appointment to see what an immigration officer has to say.

Well, we didn't talk to a lawyer. It was just some immigration representatives that talked to my husband and me. I have been researching... but maybe I should just calm down and see what the time will bring. Maybe they will accept some sort of statement that we are overseas and that they should shcedule my interview for when we are back... but those are just some thoughts...

Stephanie, I'm glad you had someone to talk to about this, and I'm sorry you seem upset by it.

To help calm down, go read the I-751 FAQ page at uscis.gov. You *may* file your I-751 from overseas, and there is normally not an interview (in +90% of cases).

The expedited naturalization is a great thing, but not if you're not ready for it. I thought you'd be able to keep both citizenships, but if you do not want to be an American, you're not required to. It's just something extra offered to you as the spouse of a military person (posted abroad).

Does that answer your concerns?