09 Mar Travel outside the US for more than six months
Many clients have an expired green card and ask me if they can naturalize. The answer is it depends on your period of residence inside the U.S. If you have been in the U.S. for continuous 5 years (3 years for married to U.S. citizen based green card) then you may qualify for applying for naturalization based on residency, On the other hand there are those who overstayed outside the U.S. for more than 180 days but less than one year. They may qualify if they can prove that they did not relinquish their residence in the U.S. For those who overstayed for more than one year they will have to start counting the days of residence in the US by maintaining a continuous residence for four years and one day after returning to the U.S. to apply for citizenship
Green cards are important especially when traveling abroad and applying for citizenship. There are certain issues about replacing green cards which we will discuss below.
- Lost green card.
The person who lost his green card may file to renew their USCIS-issued green card that have expired or replace ones that have been lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed, or that contain an error. If you need to apply for naturalization and you believe you qualify except you lost your green card you may discuss this matter with an immigration attorney.
The person who lost their green card may complete and properly file an Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Form I-90) with USCIS, with appropriate fees (if required), in accordance with the Form I-90 instructions.
What happen if the green card is lost while outside the U.S.?
A Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) who is temporarily outside the United States for less than 1 year and who is not in possession of a valid green card (for example, it was lost, stolen, or destroyed) may properly file an Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation) (Form I-131A) to request documentation to demonstrate to an airline or other transportation carrier that he or she is authorized to travel to the United States. This transportation letter does not replace the green card. LPRs must still complete and properly file Form I-90 to obtain a replacement of the green card upon arrival to the U.S.
2. What happen if the Reentry permit is lost?
If inside the United States, complete and properly file an Application for Travel Document (Form I-131) with USCIS, with appropriate fees.
An LPR who is temporarily outside the United States for less than 2 years and who is not in possession of a valid green card (for example, it was lost, stolen, or destroyed) may properly file an Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation) (Form I-131A) to request documentation to demonstrate to an airline or other transportation carrier that he or she is authorized to travel to the United States. The transportation letter does not replace the reentry permit. LPRs must complete and properly file Form I-131 upon reentry into the United States to obtain a replacement reentry permit.1
Note: This is not legal advice and presented for information purposes only. If you have immigration problems the Law Offices of Crispin C. Lozano can help you find a solution before your problem gets worse which could lead to deportation and family separation.
Bankruptcy Basics
- Bankruptcy will actually improve your credit within one year because your unsecured debts are discharged. Although the bankruptcy will be in your records for 10 years, not filing bankruptcy will make your credit even worse until most your debts are paid.
- If you are being sued by your creditors, most money judgment can be eliminated in bankruptcy.
- Collection actions continue and you can be sued if you are in debt settlement.
- Chapter 7 will eliminate all unsecured debts. If you are near retirement age, you must eliminate most of your debts.
- PETITION FOR CAREGIVERS
Our Law Firm entered into agreement with nursing and care home facilities in the U.S. to process applicants for Caregivers in the US. We also process petition for caregivers from the Philippines.
2. BIG TAX REFUNDS FOR SELF-EMPLOYED
The Coronavirus Cares Act Sick and Family Leave for Self-Employed provides big tax refunds for self-employed individuals for tax years 2020 and 2021. If you have filed your tax return and failed to avail of this refund contact us for consultation. The refund ranges from $4000 to $32000 per individual self employed depending on your income.
Call our office at 1-877-456-9266 for confidential consultation.
CLAIM FOR UNPAID WAGES
We help our clients recover from employers’ unpaid minimum wage and overtime. Undocumented workers are qualified to apply.
CAR ACCIDENTS
Our Law Firm successfully settled a car accident for $675.000.
FAMILY LAW
We also handle uncontested DIVORCE.
SUCCESS STORIES
For the month of February 2023, we received approval from USCIS three naturalization applications, two Fiancée visa petition, two removals of condition on residence and four adjustment of status applications.
If you have immigration problems the Law Offices of Crispin C. Lozano can help you find a solution before your problem gets worse which could lead to deportation and family separation.
Chris Caday Lozano, Esq. is an active member of the State Bar of California, the American Immigration Lawyers Association and San Francisco Trial Lawyers. He practices immigration law, bankruptcy, personal injury and income tax representation since June 1999. His contact phone is 1-877-456-9266, email: info@CCLlaw.net Website: www.crispinlozanolaw.com/ with officers in Hayward and Cerritos, CA.