Hi everyone - hoping to get some advice as I’ve reached out to 3 different lawyers and getting conflicting answers.
I am a US citizen by birth and moved to Australia when I was 15. I married an Australian and we just welcomed our first baby. My baby does not get US citizenship through me as I do not have physical presence (2 years after 14).
In Jan 2024 I filed an I-130 petition for my husband as we wanted to move to the US to be with my family & have a change of lifestyle. Haven’t heard back from USCIS. Didn’t plan on getting pregnant but hey life happens. Not sure if we want to move to the US asap anymore but do want the optionality. Ie want to secure citizenship/residency for son and husband.
I want to secure my son’s citizenship through n-600k but unsure if I can do this while my husbands petition is pending. Son is eligible for n-600k through my dads physical presence.
Lawyer A - no problems at all to do this. N-600k secures citizenship for an eligible child and husbands petition is independent of that. Intent isn’t an issue. N-600k are for children residing abroad. Just prove that the child is returning to Australia (ESTA is enough)
Lawyer B - husbands petition will cause problems for sons n-600k as the petition shows intent to immigrate and n-600k is only for children who do not intend to immigrate. Need to decide if we want to immigrate to US or not. If yes, file a separate I-130 for son. This will likely take a year longer than husbands but you can request son’s to be expedited when husband goes for his interview. Son becomes automatic citizen on lawful arrival to US under his greencard.
Lawyer C - could cause some complications in the assessment but can be easily clarified through a cover letter in the n-600k application. Ie son is eligible for citizenship and husbands petition is independent. Husbands greencard could be denied, etc but son is eligible for citizenship so securing it through n-600k. Son will enter lawfully on ESTA for interview and return to Australia.
Any experience or thoughts on this? I just want to do things right.
In a perfect world I’d like to keep my husbands petition as it’s been 12 months already. In parallel I get my son’s citizenship sorted (4.5 months processing time currently at the office I am selecting). Once husbands greencard comes through decide if we move to US or not.