R&OC

On my day interview day a few years back, same day interviews were cancelled as well. For some reason, however, it did not affect me as I was already waiting for my interview.

I did not BUT I filed my children’s N-600 in 01/2022 and upon 01/2024 hadn’t heard a thing from USCIS. Of course, I had several inquiries, Congressman etc. Filed WoM, for an interview date and when inside the building, the agent said that all looks good but she would not be able to make a decision today because she would need to talk to her supervisor. So I politely offered to wait in the lobby. She answered very nicely (seriously), “it may take a long time and she couldn’t promise me any outcome.” I stayed anyway. We had food, water and I was prepared to camp out in the lobby if necessary. She initially considered a day or two of additional processing and made it clear we would have to be contacted for a new appointment but I was certain that once I would leave the building, I would probably not hear from USCIS for the next two years again. To cut to the chase, both kids got their N-600 after a brief waiting period and had their oath the same day.

I just wanted to express my appreciation to our members "Family", "TBone" and "OldUser" and everyone else I missed for providing insights. I so appreciate this forum and those of you who bring support and encouragement to the frontline of immigration anxiety.

Do you currently live in the US? Are your grandparents US citizens? Cn you provide a little more information?

She isn’t applying for a CNBA but for a US passport. If your son is over 16, he can apply with just one parents signature. Below 16, he needs both or a document stating you have sole legal custody.

No need to be rude when faced with uncomfortable feedback. As (allegedly) an academic, you are ignoring facts, data, and the experience of many. This is neither kind nor professional to throw your income into the mix. Who cares how much you or anyone else earns? Does this make one better or more competent? I didn’t think so. Academia is a small world but you already know that. Back to your question: When you apply for your children‘s certificate of citizenship, you will experience a more detailed investigation. Their residence in the UK will be noticed and, at this point, you may struggle to provide proof of their physical presence in the US (school transcripts etc.) I speak from experience we we just successfully went through the exact same process. I would suggest, you bring your children to the US and enroll them at local schools. Delay your own N-400 until everyone is established and pursue their N-600s a few months later.

I am not sure about the military service but taxation is an issue for LPRs and citizens alike?

As I see it - US citizenship usually doesn’t take away anything but provides opportunities not available to many. It sounds like you question the US citizenship for your children. Regarding the original question: residence is the key here.

If you want to establish residence in the US for the kids, perhaps consider having them join you, enroll in school etc. US citizenship is far preferable over a LPR status which is questionable at its best given your current arrangement. But I would take the kids to the US, relocate and then apply for your US citizenship. As for other comments: the UK allows for dual citizenship. I don’t see any reason for sadness.

We had a similar situation and hence, I am here to tell you, you are sailing very close to the wind. Our exception to this all is that my children were under my husbands military orders overseas. BUT when we applied for their N-600, we ran into all sorts of issues. For one, our applications kept being returned to the bottom of the pile because USCIS assumes that N-600 candidates live in the US and not overseas. Our saving grace was that being under military orders IS counts towards living in the US. It was not an easy feast, both kids waited for more than 2.5 years. We got our congressman involved and finally sued USCIS with a writ-of-mandamus. Even during our interview, the agent was hesitant but her supervisor approved it. Meaning, we had a pretty solid case but I am 100% sure, we would have seen a different result if not under military orders.

I would hire a lawyer and ask USCIS to reopen my file as well as setting up an info pass appointment.

I disagree but I have heard your argument before. At the same time, in some cases, US passports may not be enough proof of citizenship and we have seen cases here where all the sudden a renewed passport was no longer granted.

I don’t recall a glitch but I filled mine out in 2019.

I filed mine by mailing them to USCIS. I also asked for the Washington DC field office as they are accustomed to military based naturalizations.

What exactly are you assuming? And who said, the N-600 should be filled out without the required evidence? Also, which is evidence is not available? I filed for my children‘s N-600 before applying for their passports. I do have experience filling out these forms but I am struggling to understand what you are referring to.

Last but not least, a friend of mine with a software company based in Germany expanded by purchasing a US based one. He spends a year in the US and then alternates back to Germany for year etc.

I would simultaneously apply for the greencard lottery. Doesn’t hurt.

Filling out a form and having custody are two different issues. You do not need other parents consent to fill out the N-600 but you need other parents consent to apply for a passport. The N-600 form, however, does not free you from meeting the criteria of eligibility (custody).

Did you bring your children on a greencard /LPR status to the US? How did you become a US citizen? Assuming you naturalized and had children on a LOR status when you did, the kids automatically become US citizens the day you naturalize. If you were a US citizen before and the children received their LPR status later, they automatically become US citizens the day the activate their greencards by entering the US. You could file for their US passports now but I would simultaneously file for their N-600‘s (as you are already in the process of). As for section 6, I printed out the forms and mailed it off.

I am assuming you mailed your naturalization certificate off when you applied for your passport. I would file for your child‘s N-600 right away and apply for her passport as well. You do not need father‘s permission/consent to file for a certificate of citizenship but do need his support regarding any passport application.

And don’t forget to get your son the N-600.

I am a German citizen, well actually a dual citizen now. Back when my husband got orders for Germany, I had my LPR (greencard) and a German passport. The SOFA card was taped into my German passport by our local US base in Germany. So the argument you were given, is different from what I was told and experienced.

I filed a mandamus for two N-600’s after our cases got stuck forever. I was very concerned about possible pushbacks but it caused the cases to finally get adjudicated.

If I recall correctly, Warsaw is handling some of Moscows operations now. I would reach out to their visa section. Also, US Consulate in Frankfurt is very responsive. They may be able to point you into the right direction. Given the ongoing war, I believe Moscow reduced their activities significantly. But US citizens have been targeted for a while and I would think this is a valid argument.

I can nöt help you with the answer but there is a VAWA threat here which K would highly recommend to you.