naturalization denied

[ajones]

I was just denied naturalization because I registered to vote in 1987. I did vote 3 times,the last time in November,2004. At the time I registered and voted I thought I was already a citizen. Both of my parents became naturalized citizens in 1970. At the time I was 13 years old. I was told from that time foward that I was automatically a citizen because I was under 16 years old at the time of my parents naturalization. In 2005 I applied for a US passport. It was during this process that I started to have doubts about my own citizenship. I had myself removed from the voter registration roles in Feb. 2008. I can request a hearing but I'm not sure if I stand a chance. It will cost another $1000 for the lawyer and over $800 in fees. Has anyone dealt with similair circumstances? I'm being told that I would have to wait 5 years from the date of denial,June 4 2009. I really don't want to wait.

[rajnewyorker]

Ajones,

I think if you did not do anything for last 5 years then you can stand for good moral character. You need to consult with Lawyer. Did you disclose to IO and N-400? that you had registered to vote and now you removed or they knew already that you are registered?

I disclosed the information to them voluntarily. I certainly didn't want to lie under oath. It will be 5 years this November since I last voted. I'm not sure when I would get a review. If it's before November then it would still be within the last 5 years.

[rajnewyorker]

Did you apply for review?

Originally Posted by barkley I disclosed the information to them voluntarily. I certainly didn't want to lie under oath. It will be 5 years this November since I last voted. I'm not sure when I would get a review. If it's before November then it would still be within the last 5 years.

[John C]

Originally Posted by ajones I was just denied naturalization because I registered to vote in 1987. I did vote 3 times,the last time in November,2004. At the time I registered and voted I thought I was already a citizen. Both of my parents became naturalized citizens in 1970. At the time I was 13 years old. I was told from that time foward that I was automatically a citizen because I was under 16 years old at the time of my parents naturalization. In 2005 I applied for a US passport. It was during this process that I started to have doubts about my own citizenship. I had myself removed from the voter registration roles in Feb. 2008. I can request a hearing but I'm not sure if I stand a chance. It will cost another $1000 for the lawyer and over $800 in fees. Has anyone dealt with similair circumstances? I'm being told that I would have to wait 5 years from the date of denial,June 4 2009. I really don't want to wait.

Have you talked with a lawyer? Have laws changed that dramatically? I was under the assumption that ANY child under the age of 18 became a citizen when his/her parents became citizens...

[jonny]

I used this firm for a similar issue I had, and they were really easy to work with:

http://www.visalawyergroup.com/visa-...naturalization

IF both your parent became US citizens before your 18th B-day then you should be a US Citizens by operation of law through Derivative Citizenship. The only other rule is that YOU had to have been lawfully admitted to the US before your 18th B-day (i.e. you were allowed into the US by USCIS through some type of Visa).

Here are the rules for this type of citizenship:

http://www.corporateprobono.org/arch...source1343.pdf

You Must speak to an immigration lawyer.