Hey guys, I got my green card through marriage Nov 2018. I got divorced but got my other GC approved in March 2023.
Nov 2023 I completed 5 years being a Permanent Resident, however I spent a lot of time outside of the US since I got my GC.
To be honest during those 5 years, I stayed only 25 months inside the US
I don't have any > 1 year absence, but I have >9, or 10- 11 months absence ( Actually I just came back from a 9 month trip)
So technically I need "4 more months" to be able to apply for citizenship ( 30 months )
The reasons why I was overseas was different for each trip but was mostly because of my health, because of my parents health....and this last trip was to do some Classes in another country ( but I applied for a Reentry permit before I left )
So I have this situation: I went to a immigration lawyer and he told me to wait 4 months and apply for citizenship. He told me that we can "explain" why I was overseas for so long and that it would be OK
However I did some research and think they will most likely deny my Citizenship because of the multiple > 6 months trips. I also read a story this week about someone having the GC revoked for a similar situation during Citizenship application process.
So can you share your opinions about that? I don't wanna waste time money with lawyer and applications that will most likely be denied.
And in case you agree with me ( that I don't qualify for citizenship ), when do you think I should start to "count" the clock? ( that would be the date of my last arrival after a 9 month trip? )
thank you very much