Source: https://cliniclegal.org/print/10946
Timestamp: 2015-11-28 08:31:39
Document Index: 480206062

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 4', 'art 5', 'art 7', 'art 8', 'art 9', 'art 11', 'art 11', 'art 11', 'art 11', 'art 11', 'art 11']

USCIS recently revised its form N-400, Application for Naturalization. The agency will now only accept the newest version of Form N-400 [1], dated 09/13/13.
Below is a series of questions submitted by advocates to USCIS Headquarters regarding the new Application for Naturalization, Form N-400 [1], as well as answers provided by USCIS during a meeting with advocates on April 24, 2014. Please note that this is not an official USCIS document. The questions to USCIS are in bold type, the answers by USCIS are in red type, an explanation of the question is in regular type, and CLINIC's comments are in italics. USCIS has also issued a list of Filing Tips [2] for the new Form N-400. Many of the issues raised in the tips are also explained below.
Yes, USCIS will accept forms that have both electronically-input and handwritten information, and processing will not be delayed. The agency recommends applicants to use one method or the other.However, if the dropdown menu does not include the appropriate option, you may handwrite it in. If you have typed your information into a form with a barcode, do not make changes by crossing out and entering new information by hand. Instead, make the correction on the computer and re-print that page of the form. (a) When filling out the form electronically, how should month/day/year be entered, if the exact date is unknown?
Some applicants and providers have had difficulty downloading the revised form that shows the 2-dimensional (“2D”) barcode. For some, this is due to technology issues. However, for other providers, their form programs do not have barcode capability. This means they can fillout the form electronically, but the barcode will not show up and, therefore, will not capture electronically input information. Yes, such applications will be processed using Optical Character Recognition software, Make sure that you download the pdf form and use the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat to properly completeand save the barcoded forms. Some internet browsers work better than others. Note from advocates: people have had success using Internet Explorer to be sure the barcode is showing and test print it. How will “additional pages” be processed when the N-400 is completed electronically? The revised N-400 instructions state that “If extra space is needed to answer any question, attach an additional sheet(s) of paper. You must provide the following information on the top of each additional page…” (see page 2 of instructions).This is likely to be done in a Microsoft Word document or blank sheet of paper, which will not include the 2D Barcode. How will this affect processing? What steps do applicants and providers need to take to ensure that additional information/addendums are taken into consideration?
Questions asked at naturalization interviews are based on eligibility requirements, not on the application form. USCIS adjudicators may ask questions from the new form, even if the pre-May 2, 2014 form was submitted. (4) What should be entered if the applicant does not know, for example, a child’s A-number?
(7) How do applicants from American Samoa or Swains Island (US Nationals) indicate they do not have an A-number? Many of the fields in the revised N-400, including the A-number field, do not accept “N/A”. The A-number field only accepts a 9-digit response. Will there be any delays or problems if this space is left blank? Similarly, US Nationals are not permanent residents and therefore do not have permanent resident cards. However, the N-400 instructions instruct applicants to enter “N/A” if an item is not applicable or if the answer is “none” (see page 2 of instructions). Since this question is not applicable to US Nationals, how should they respond to this item?
Part 4: Information About Your Residence (1) According to the instructions, applicants who received benefits under VAWA may provide a safe address. What address (if any) do applicants enter if they did not receive VAWA benefits, but spent some time at a shelter with a confidential address?
(1) The instruction to Part 5 advise applicants with US citizen parents to visit the USCIS website for further information (presumably on derivation and acquisition of citizenship). The link provided (www.uscis.gov [3]), directs applicants to the USCIS website homepage, which does not immediately provide information about derivation or acquisition of citizenship. Would USCIS consider providing a different link that directs applicants to a specific part of the website with relevant information?
Part 7: Information About Your Employment and School You Attended (1) If the applicant is or was unemployed, where does she write “unemployed” – at “employer/school name” or “your occupation” and how does she answer the rest of the questions in that section?
Indicate “unemployed” in the section that asks for the name of your employer. Enter the dates of unemployment. Part 8: Time Outside of the United States
While this is a welcomed change to the previous version of the N-400, which required applicants to list all absences since becoming a lawful permanent resident, it is unclear whether this change on the form also indicates a shift in investigating trips prior to the statutory period, and issues such as abandonment of permanent resident status. For example, advocates in Los Angeles have received mixed information from local offices. Some have been told that USCIS will no longer investigate abandonment issues, only physical presence and continuous residence. Others have been told that USCIS will continue to investigate abandonment on a case by case basis. While the form has been simplified to require less information, USCIS will continue to investigate abandonment of residence from the time the applicant became a lawful permanent resident. Other agencies, such as Customs and Border Protection, may have information related to the issue of abandonment.
The statutory requirements for naturalization have not changed. No additional information will be issued to applicants. Part 9: Information About Your Marital History
Part 11: Additional Information (1) Can Part 11. Item 7, be read to mean “required” tax return?
The language of the form was changed to offer simplified language. No further clarification can be given. USCIS will look at the circumstances of each case. Note from advocates: this can likely be read to mean intentionally and severely injuring another person as specified on Form I-485, question 14c. See that form for an understanding of the intent behind this question.
No further clarification can be given. (4) We have the position that victims of genocide and torture should not be required to answer “yes” to Part 11. Items 14A. and 14.B., is that also USCIS’s position?
If the applicant was solely the victim of genocide or torture, answer no. (5) Regarding paramilitary membership(Part 11. Item. 15.B.),what if applicants belong(ed) to a paramilitary branch organization registered in the United States?
Respond “no.” USCIS is not looking for organizations that are associated with the United States military, such as ROTC. (6) If the applicant was a prisoner in a labor camp, should the applicant answer in the affirmative to Part 11. Item. 16.?
USCIS requires applicants to respond “yes” even if weapons training was recreational. Explain the circumstances on a separate sheet of paper. (a) For someone who has received weapons training, how would that affect his/her eligibility for naturalization?
Note: advocates recommend that applicants continue to list traffic violations on the appropriate place on the application. (9) Regarding Part 11. Item 28.B., if the applicant was only in jail for a few hours, does she need to include that information given that the question only provides space for “days,” “months,” and “years”?
Applicants between the ages of 26 and 31 should provide a status information letter. Applicants over the age of 31 need not. (12) Are applicants required to submit a status information letter with their Naturalization application?
The new form explicitly states that the applicant must submit a status information letter from the Selective Service along with an explanation. It has taken up to 30 days to obtain the status information letter and we are concerned that some potential applicants may not apply/delay applying due to this additional burden. Would USCIS allowapplicants to bring their status letter to their interview instead or mailing it with their application? Applicants may bring the letter to their interview.
CLINIC continues to advocate with USCIS on many of the issues related to the new N-400 raised in the notes above. Please continue to share your experiences and problems with us by emailing Rommel Calderwood at rcalderwood@cliniclegal.org [4].
Issues: Citizenship [5]Resources by type: Federal Advocacy [6]Programs: Advocacy [7] Source URL (retrieved on Nov 28 2015 - 3:31am): https://cliniclegal.org/resources/federal-advocacy/n-400-filing-tips-and-other-information-meeting-uscis-headquarters
Links:[1] http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/n-400.pdf
[2] http://www.uscis.gov/forms/tips-filing-form-n-400-application-naturalization-rev-91313
[3] http://www.uscis.gov
[5] https://cliniclegal.org/category/issues/citizenshipnaturalization
[6] https://cliniclegal.org/resources/advocacy