Is my wife legal?
Jul 17th 2007, 5:35 am
#17
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,482
Re: Is my wife legal?
No that is not first things first. She does NOT have to leave the US to get a passport from the German Consulate. She can apply for it while in the US.
Jul 17th 2007, 5:40 am
#18
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is my wife legal?
On Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:31:58 -0500, "Just Joe" <not given @bogus.com>
wrote:
>I and my parnets are US citizens. My Wife was born in Germany in 1967 her
>parents moved here (US) with her when she was 5 months old. She does not
>speak a word of German or even have an recollections of Germany. Her
>parents have since died so we can not ask them these questions.
>
>My wife has a bluish green card with a picture of her as a 5 month old that
>is called an alien registration receipt card, Form 1-151 Rev 9-1-65, and a
>passport from when she was about 4-5 years old that says Childs travel
>documents. She also has a Social Security Card and drivers license that are
>current.
>
>We got to wondering what her actual status here was when we started talking
>about leaving the US for a trip next year on our 20th wedding anniversary
>and someone told us she would need a German Passport to get back in. We got
>somewhat nervous at this point because my wife has never had any contact
>with any immigration department or anything and does not know for sure what
>her status here is.
>
>What should we do? We would really like to take a trip but at the same time
>I do not want to risk someone showing up and saying she has to go back to
>Germany as she is here illegal. She would be majorly screwed if that
>happened. How would she get by in a country where she does not know anyone
>or even the language. All of this to say nothing of the fact that if an
>imagration officer tried to take her away from our child that was born here
>I would hate to be that guy.
>
>Opinions?
>
>Joe
>
>
>
>
And this shows exactly why our immigration system is so broke. Here we
have someone who has been living illegally in the country, that would
be your wife by the way. Illegal means illegal and that means that you
need to move her butt out.
wrote:
>I and my parnets are US citizens. My Wife was born in Germany in 1967 her
>parents moved here (US) with her when she was 5 months old. She does not
>speak a word of German or even have an recollections of Germany. Her
>parents have since died so we can not ask them these questions.
>
>My wife has a bluish green card with a picture of her as a 5 month old that
>is called an alien registration receipt card, Form 1-151 Rev 9-1-65, and a
>passport from when she was about 4-5 years old that says Childs travel
>documents. She also has a Social Security Card and drivers license that are
>current.
>
>We got to wondering what her actual status here was when we started talking
>about leaving the US for a trip next year on our 20th wedding anniversary
>and someone told us she would need a German Passport to get back in. We got
>somewhat nervous at this point because my wife has never had any contact
>with any immigration department or anything and does not know for sure what
>her status here is.
>
>What should we do? We would really like to take a trip but at the same time
>I do not want to risk someone showing up and saying she has to go back to
>Germany as she is here illegal. She would be majorly screwed if that
>happened. How would she get by in a country where she does not know anyone
>or even the language. All of this to say nothing of the fact that if an
>imagration officer tried to take her away from our child that was born here
>I would hate to be that guy.
>
>Opinions?
>
>Joe
>
>
>
>
And this shows exactly why our immigration system is so broke. Here we
have someone who has been living illegally in the country, that would
be your wife by the way. Illegal means illegal and that means that you
need to move her butt out.
Jul 17th 2007, 6:39 am
#19
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,482
Re: Is my wife legal?
Actually we are both wrong. Hubby said in the OP, that wifey has a passport. Appears she needs to renew it at the German Consulate.
Jul 17th 2007, 6:40 am
#20
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,482
Re: Is my wife legal?
She is NOT here ILLEGALLY. She has permanent residency. Reading comprehension classes?????
Jul 17th 2007, 9:06 am
#22
Mummy and baby 1982
Joined: May 2003
Location: North West Chicago Suburbs
Posts: 1,067
Re: Is my wife legal?
Maggie
Jul 18th 2007, 11:11 am
#23
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is my wife legal?
On Tue, 17 Jul 2007 18:40:23 +0000, Rete
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> On Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:31:58 -0500, "Just Joe" <not given @bogus.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> >I and my parnets are US citizens. My Wife was born in Germany in 1967
>> >her
>> >parents moved here (US) with her when she was 5 months old. She does
>> >not
>> >speak a word of German or even have an recollections of Germany. Her
>> >parents have since died so we can not ask them these questions.
>> >
>> >My wife has a bluish green card with a picture of her as a 5 month
>> >old that
>> >is called an alien registration receipt card, Form 1-151 Rev 9-1-65,
>> >and a
>> >passport from when she was about 4-5 years old that says Childs
>> >travel
>> >documents. She also has a Social Security Card and drivers license
>> >that are
>> >current.
>> >
>> >We got to wondering what her actual status here was when we started
>> >talking
>> >about leaving the US for a trip next year on our 20th wedding
>> >anniversary
>> >and someone told us she would need a German Passport to get back in.
>> >We got
>> >somewhat nervous at this point because my wife has never had any
>> >contact
>> >with any immigration department or anything and does not know for
>> >sure what
>> >her status here is.
>> >
>> >What should we do? We would really like to take a trip but at the
>> >same time
>> >I do not want to risk someone showing up and saying she has to go
>> >back to
>> >Germany as she is here illegal. She would be majorly screwed if that
>> >happened. How would she get by in a country where she does not know
>> >anyone
>> >or even the language. All of this to say nothing of the fact that if
>> >an
>> >imagration officer tried to take her away from our child that was
>> >born here
>> >I would hate to be that guy.
>> >
>> >Opinions?
>> >
>> >Joe
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> And this shows exactly why our immigration system is so broke. Here we
>> have someone who has been living illegally in the country, that would
>> be your wife by the way. Illegal means illegal and that means that you
>> need to move her butt out.
>
>She is NOT here ILLEGALLY. She has permanent residency. Reading
>comprehension classes?????
Then why in the hell did you ask if she was legal? Stpid question from
you? Yes, so shut the hell up and take care of her.
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> On Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:31:58 -0500, "Just Joe" <not given @bogus.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> >I and my parnets are US citizens. My Wife was born in Germany in 1967
>> >her
>> >parents moved here (US) with her when she was 5 months old. She does
>> >not
>> >speak a word of German or even have an recollections of Germany. Her
>> >parents have since died so we can not ask them these questions.
>> >
>> >My wife has a bluish green card with a picture of her as a 5 month
>> >old that
>> >is called an alien registration receipt card, Form 1-151 Rev 9-1-65,
>> >and a
>> >passport from when she was about 4-5 years old that says Childs
>> >travel
>> >documents. She also has a Social Security Card and drivers license
>> >that are
>> >current.
>> >
>> >We got to wondering what her actual status here was when we started
>> >talking
>> >about leaving the US for a trip next year on our 20th wedding
>> >anniversary
>> >and someone told us she would need a German Passport to get back in.
>> >We got
>> >somewhat nervous at this point because my wife has never had any
>> >contact
>> >with any immigration department or anything and does not know for
>> >sure what
>> >her status here is.
>> >
>> >What should we do? We would really like to take a trip but at the
>> >same time
>> >I do not want to risk someone showing up and saying she has to go
>> >back to
>> >Germany as she is here illegal. She would be majorly screwed if that
>> >happened. How would she get by in a country where she does not know
>> >anyone
>> >or even the language. All of this to say nothing of the fact that if
>> >an
>> >imagration officer tried to take her away from our child that was
>> >born here
>> >I would hate to be that guy.
>> >
>> >Opinions?
>> >
>> >Joe
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> And this shows exactly why our immigration system is so broke. Here we
>> have someone who has been living illegally in the country, that would
>> be your wife by the way. Illegal means illegal and that means that you
>> need to move her butt out.
>
>She is NOT here ILLEGALLY. She has permanent residency. Reading
>comprehension classes?????
Then why in the hell did you ask if she was legal? Stpid question from
you? Yes, so shut the hell up and take care of her.
Jul 18th 2007, 11:53 am
#24
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: Is my wife legal?
[QUOTE=Graphic Queen;
Then why in the hell did you ask if she was legal? Stpid question from
you? Yes, so shut the hell up and take care of her. /QUOTE]
GC--I think you got your quotes mixed up (it happens on Usenet sometimes).
Rete is not the person asking the question.
Thanks for sharing.
Then why in the hell did you ask if she was legal? Stpid question from
you? Yes, so shut the hell up and take care of her. /QUOTE]
GC--I think you got your quotes mixed up (it happens on Usenet sometimes).
Rete is not the person asking the question.
Thanks for sharing.
Jul 18th 2007, 12:11 pm
#25
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is my wife legal?
On Jul 17, 6:40 pm, Graphic Queen <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:31:58 -0500, "Just Joe" <not given @bogus.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> >I and my parnets are US citizens. My Wife was born in Germany in 1967 her
> >parents moved here (US) with her when she was 5 months old. She does not
> >speak a word of German or even have an recollections of Germany. Her
> >parents have since died so we can not ask them these questions.
>
> >My wife has a bluish green card with a picture of her as a 5 month old that
> >is called an alien registration receipt card, Form 1-151 Rev 9-1-65, and a
> >passport from when she was about 4-5 years old that says Childs travel
> >documents. She also has a Social Security Card and drivers license that are
> >current.
>
> >We got to wondering what her actual status here was when we started talking
> >about leaving the US for a trip next year on our 20th wedding anniversary
> >and someone told us she would need a German Passport to get back in. We got
> >somewhat nervous at this point because my wife has never had any contact
> >with any immigration department or anything and does not know for sure what
> >her status here is.
>
> >What should we do? We would really like to take a trip but at the same time
> >I do not want to risk someone showing up and saying she has to go back to
> >Germany as she is here illegal. She would be majorly screwed if that
> >happened. How would she get by in a country where she does not know anyone
> >or even the language. All of this to say nothing of the fact that if an
> >imagration officer tried to take her away from our child that was born here
> >I would hate to be that guy.
>
> >Opinions?
>
> >Joe
>
> And this shows exactly why our immigration system is so broke. Here we
> have someone who has been living illegally in the country, that would
> be your wife by the way. Illegal means illegal and that means that you
> need to move her butt out.
In what sense is she living in the USA illegally? It looks like she
(or her parents) committed a minor offence when she was 14, but lots
of people in the USA commit minor offences. Why does she need to
leave? What are you wittering on about?
> On Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:31:58 -0500, "Just Joe" <not given @bogus.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> >I and my parnets are US citizens. My Wife was born in Germany in 1967 her
> >parents moved here (US) with her when she was 5 months old. She does not
> >speak a word of German or even have an recollections of Germany. Her
> >parents have since died so we can not ask them these questions.
>
> >My wife has a bluish green card with a picture of her as a 5 month old that
> >is called an alien registration receipt card, Form 1-151 Rev 9-1-65, and a
> >passport from when she was about 4-5 years old that says Childs travel
> >documents. She also has a Social Security Card and drivers license that are
> >current.
>
> >We got to wondering what her actual status here was when we started talking
> >about leaving the US for a trip next year on our 20th wedding anniversary
> >and someone told us she would need a German Passport to get back in. We got
> >somewhat nervous at this point because my wife has never had any contact
> >with any immigration department or anything and does not know for sure what
> >her status here is.
>
> >What should we do? We would really like to take a trip but at the same time
> >I do not want to risk someone showing up and saying she has to go back to
> >Germany as she is here illegal. She would be majorly screwed if that
> >happened. How would she get by in a country where she does not know anyone
> >or even the language. All of this to say nothing of the fact that if an
> >imagration officer tried to take her away from our child that was born here
> >I would hate to be that guy.
>
> >Opinions?
>
> >Joe
>
> And this shows exactly why our immigration system is so broke. Here we
> have someone who has been living illegally in the country, that would
> be your wife by the way. Illegal means illegal and that means that you
> need to move her butt out.
In what sense is she living in the USA illegally? It looks like she
(or her parents) committed a minor offence when she was 14, but lots
of people in the USA commit minor offences. Why does she need to
leave? What are you wittering on about?
Jul 19th 2007, 12:04 am
#26
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is my wife legal?
> I and my parnets are US citizens. My Wife was born in Germany in 1967 her
> parents moved here (US) with her when she was 5 months old. She does not
> speak a word of German or even have an recollections of Germany. Her
> parents have since died so we can not ask them these questions.
>
> My wife has a bluish green card with a picture of her as a 5 month old that
> is called an alien registration receipt card, Form 1-151 Rev 9-1-65, and a
> passport from when she was about 4-5 years old that says Childs travel
> documents. She also has a Social Security Card and drivers license that are
> current.
> We got to wondering what her actual status here was when we started talking
> about leaving the US for a trip next year on our 20th wedding anniversary
> and someone told us she would need a German Passport to get back in.
(snip)
> What should we do? We would really like to take a trip but at the same time
> I do not want to risk someone showing up and saying she has to go back to
> Germany as she is here illegal.
Relax. If she was issued an I-151, even as a child, and she has never
lived anywhere else since acquring that status, she wouldn't be
illegal.
You don't mention the possibllity that your wife naturalized in the
US. Does she know whether her parents naturalized as US citizens? If
they both did, then it's possible that they included her on their
applications for naturalization, in which case she would have become a
US citizen along with them. The best evidence that her parents
naturalized would be Certificates of Naturalization, that they would
have been issued. Otherwise, if she still has her parent's green
cards, then they most likely did not obtain US citizenship.
Assuming that they did not naturalize, and that your wife did not
naturalize, it means that she would still hold her permanent resident
status. She would have two choices:
1) She can renew* her green card with an updated photo and obtain a
German passport from a German consulate; or
2) She can apply for naturalization as a US citizen.
Since she doesn't speak German, and I would presume she plans to live
in the US, it would make sense that she naturalize, but the choice
would have to be up to her.
Once she naturalized, she would be a US citizen and entitled to hold
a US passport, vote, etc. Under German law, she will revoke her
German citizenship when she becomes a US citizen.
*Renewing a green card simply means having the photograph updated.
Since the time that your wife immgirated, expiration dates were added
to green cards. The expiration applies to the card itself, not to the
holder's status in the US. The reason for the expiration was so that
the photo is updated as the holder's appearance changes over time.
Additionally, renewing also allows for newer anti-counterfeiting and
security features to be added to the cards.
By the way, I mentioned voting, above. If your wife isn't a US
citizen, then I hope she has never voted in a US election. Every now
and then you hear of horror stories about people who came to the US as
a child and who didn't realize that they weren't US citizens yet.
They vote in a US election, and when this is discovered at some later
date, they find out that they can be deported, because voting by a non-
citizen is a deportable offence.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/LAW/06/24/co....ap/index.html
> parents moved here (US) with her when she was 5 months old. She does not
> speak a word of German or even have an recollections of Germany. Her
> parents have since died so we can not ask them these questions.
>
> My wife has a bluish green card with a picture of her as a 5 month old that
> is called an alien registration receipt card, Form 1-151 Rev 9-1-65, and a
> passport from when she was about 4-5 years old that says Childs travel
> documents. She also has a Social Security Card and drivers license that are
> current.
> We got to wondering what her actual status here was when we started talking
> about leaving the US for a trip next year on our 20th wedding anniversary
> and someone told us she would need a German Passport to get back in.
(snip)
> What should we do? We would really like to take a trip but at the same time
> I do not want to risk someone showing up and saying she has to go back to
> Germany as she is here illegal.
Relax. If she was issued an I-151, even as a child, and she has never
lived anywhere else since acquring that status, she wouldn't be
illegal.
You don't mention the possibllity that your wife naturalized in the
US. Does she know whether her parents naturalized as US citizens? If
they both did, then it's possible that they included her on their
applications for naturalization, in which case she would have become a
US citizen along with them. The best evidence that her parents
naturalized would be Certificates of Naturalization, that they would
have been issued. Otherwise, if she still has her parent's green
cards, then they most likely did not obtain US citizenship.
Assuming that they did not naturalize, and that your wife did not
naturalize, it means that she would still hold her permanent resident
status. She would have two choices:
1) She can renew* her green card with an updated photo and obtain a
German passport from a German consulate; or
2) She can apply for naturalization as a US citizen.
Since she doesn't speak German, and I would presume she plans to live
in the US, it would make sense that she naturalize, but the choice
would have to be up to her.
Once she naturalized, she would be a US citizen and entitled to hold
a US passport, vote, etc. Under German law, she will revoke her
German citizenship when she becomes a US citizen.
*Renewing a green card simply means having the photograph updated.
Since the time that your wife immgirated, expiration dates were added
to green cards. The expiration applies to the card itself, not to the
holder's status in the US. The reason for the expiration was so that
the photo is updated as the holder's appearance changes over time.
Additionally, renewing also allows for newer anti-counterfeiting and
security features to be added to the cards.
By the way, I mentioned voting, above. If your wife isn't a US
citizen, then I hope she has never voted in a US election. Every now
and then you hear of horror stories about people who came to the US as
a child and who didn't realize that they weren't US citizens yet.
They vote in a US election, and when this is discovered at some later
date, they find out that they can be deported, because voting by a non-
citizen is a deportable offence.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/LAW/06/24/co....ap/index.html
Jul 19th 2007, 9:19 am
#27
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is my wife legal?
On Jul 19, 12:11 am, Graphic Queen <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Tue, 17 Jul 2007 18:40:23 +0000, Rete
>
>
>
>
>
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >> On Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:31:58 -0500, "Just Joe" <not given @bogus.com>
> >> wrote:
>
> >> >I and my parnets are US citizens. My Wife was born in Germany in 1967
> >> >her
> >> >parents moved here (US) with her when she was 5 months old. She does
> >> >not
> >> >speak a word of German or even have an recollections of Germany. Her
> >> >parents have since died so we can not ask them these questions.
>
> >> >My wife has a bluish green card with a picture of her as a 5 month
> >> >old that
> >> >is called an alien registration receipt card, Form 1-151 Rev 9-1-65,
> >> >and a
> >> >passport from when she was about 4-5 years old that says Childs
> >> >travel
> >> >documents. She also has a Social Security Card and drivers license
> >> >that are
> >> >current.
>
> >> >We got to wondering what her actual status here was when we started
> >> >talking
> >> >about leaving the US for a trip next year on our 20th wedding
> >> >anniversary
> >> >and someone told us she would need a German Passport to get back in.
> >> >We got
> >> >somewhat nervous at this point because my wife has never had any
> >> >contact
> >> >with any immigration department or anything and does not know for
> >> >sure what
> >> >her status here is.
>
> >> >What should we do? We would really like to take a trip but at the
> >> >same time
> >> >I do not want to risk someone showing up and saying she has to go
> >> >back to
> >> >Germany as she is here illegal. She would be majorly screwed if that
> >> >happened. How would she get by in a country where she does not know
> >> >anyone
> >> >or even the language. All of this to say nothing of the fact that if
> >> >an
> >> >imagration officer tried to take her away from our child that was
> >> >born here
> >> >I would hate to be that guy.
>
> >> >Opinions?
>
> >> >Joe
>
> >> And this shows exactly why our immigration system is so broke. Here we
> >> have someone who has been living illegally in the country, that would
> >> be your wife by the way. Illegal means illegal and that means that you
> >> need to move her butt out.
>
> >She is NOT here ILLEGALLY. She has permanent residency. Reading
> >comprehension classes?????
>
> Then why in the hell did you ask if she was legal? Stpid question from
> you? Yes, so shut the hell up and take care of her.- Hide quoted text -
Yep, clearly reading comprehension issues - can't even read the name
of the poster.
> On Tue, 17 Jul 2007 18:40:23 +0000, Rete
>
>
>
>
>
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >> On Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:31:58 -0500, "Just Joe" <not given @bogus.com>
> >> wrote:
>
> >> >I and my parnets are US citizens. My Wife was born in Germany in 1967
> >> >her
> >> >parents moved here (US) with her when she was 5 months old. She does
> >> >not
> >> >speak a word of German or even have an recollections of Germany. Her
> >> >parents have since died so we can not ask them these questions.
>
> >> >My wife has a bluish green card with a picture of her as a 5 month
> >> >old that
> >> >is called an alien registration receipt card, Form 1-151 Rev 9-1-65,
> >> >and a
> >> >passport from when she was about 4-5 years old that says Childs
> >> >travel
> >> >documents. She also has a Social Security Card and drivers license
> >> >that are
> >> >current.
>
> >> >We got to wondering what her actual status here was when we started
> >> >talking
> >> >about leaving the US for a trip next year on our 20th wedding
> >> >anniversary
> >> >and someone told us she would need a German Passport to get back in.
> >> >We got
> >> >somewhat nervous at this point because my wife has never had any
> >> >contact
> >> >with any immigration department or anything and does not know for
> >> >sure what
> >> >her status here is.
>
> >> >What should we do? We would really like to take a trip but at the
> >> >same time
> >> >I do not want to risk someone showing up and saying she has to go
> >> >back to
> >> >Germany as she is here illegal. She would be majorly screwed if that
> >> >happened. How would she get by in a country where she does not know
> >> >anyone
> >> >or even the language. All of this to say nothing of the fact that if
> >> >an
> >> >imagration officer tried to take her away from our child that was
> >> >born here
> >> >I would hate to be that guy.
>
> >> >Opinions?
>
> >> >Joe
>
> >> And this shows exactly why our immigration system is so broke. Here we
> >> have someone who has been living illegally in the country, that would
> >> be your wife by the way. Illegal means illegal and that means that you
> >> need to move her butt out.
>
> >She is NOT here ILLEGALLY. She has permanent residency. Reading
> >comprehension classes?????
>
> Then why in the hell did you ask if she was legal? Stpid question from
> you? Yes, so shut the hell up and take care of her.- Hide quoted text -
Yep, clearly reading comprehension issues - can't even read the name
of the poster.
Jul 20th 2007, 4:25 pm
#28
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Is my wife legal? follow up questions
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] ups.com...
> I and my parnets are US citizens. My Wife was born in Germany in 1967 her
> parents moved here (US) with her when she was 5 months old. She does not
> speak a word of German or even have an recollections of Germany. Her
> parents have since died so we can not ask them these questions.
>
> My wife has a bluish green card with a picture of her as a 5 month old
> that
> is called an alien registration receipt card, Form 1-151 Rev 9-1-65, and
> a
> passport from when she was about 4-5 years old that says Childs travel
> documents. She also has a Social Security Card and drivers license that
> are
> current.
> We got to wondering what her actual status here was when we started
> talking
> about leaving the US for a trip next year on our 20th wedding anniversary
> and someone told us she would need a German Passport to get back in.
(snip)
> What should we do? We would really like to take a trip but at the same
> time
> I do not want to risk someone showing up and saying she has to go back to
> Germany as she is here illegal.
Relax. If she was issued an I-151, even as a child, and she has never
lived anywhere else since acquring that status, she wouldn't be
illegal.
You don't mention the possibllity that your wife naturalized in the
US. Does she know whether her parents naturalized as US citizens? If
they both did, then it's possible that they included her on their
applications for naturalization, in which case she would have become a
US citizen along with them. The best evidence that her parents
naturalized would be Certificates of Naturalization, that they would
have been issued. Otherwise, if she still has her parent's green
cards, then they most likely did not obtain US citizenship.
Assuming that they did not naturalize, and that your wife did not
naturalize, it means that she would still hold her permanent resident
status. She would have two choices:
1) She can renew* her green card with an updated photo and obtain a
German passport from a German consulate; or
2) She can apply for naturalization as a US citizen.
Since she doesn't speak German, and I would presume she plans to live
in the US, it would make sense that she naturalize, but the choice
would have to be up to her.
Once she naturalized, she would be a US citizen and entitled to hold
a US passport, vote, etc. Under German law, she will revoke her
German citizenship when she becomes a US citizen.
*Renewing a green card simply means having the photograph updated.
Since the time that your wife immgirated, expiration dates were added
to green cards. The expiration applies to the card itself, not to the
holder's status in the US. The reason for the expiration was so that
the photo is updated as the holder's appearance changes over time.
Additionally, renewing also allows for newer anti-counterfeiting and
security features to be added to the cards.
By the way, I mentioned voting, above. If your wife isn't a US
citizen, then I hope she has never voted in a US election. Every now
and then you hear of horror stories about people who came to the US as
a child and who didn't realize that they weren't US citizens yet.
They vote in a US election, and when this is discovered at some later
date, they find out that they can be deported, because voting by a non-
citizen is a deportable offence.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/LAW/06/24/co....ap/index.html
Thanks to all that responded!
A few things I will point out.
1) My wife's parents were German citizens and I know they never naturalized.
2) My wife has never voted or represented herself as an American.
A few Questions
1) someone said we need to fill out an I-90 ASAP to renew her green card.
Where do we do this and what does that cost?
2)If she were to want to naturalize where would we do that, what would it
cost, what would be involved in doing this and what are the requirements to
naturalize.
3) I have seen multiple movies where people get married just to where one of
them can stay in the United States. Does the fact that me and my wife have
been married for the better part of twenty years and have a son together
count for anything in this equation.
Joe
news:[email protected] ups.com...
> I and my parnets are US citizens. My Wife was born in Germany in 1967 her
> parents moved here (US) with her when she was 5 months old. She does not
> speak a word of German or even have an recollections of Germany. Her
> parents have since died so we can not ask them these questions.
>
> My wife has a bluish green card with a picture of her as a 5 month old
> that
> is called an alien registration receipt card, Form 1-151 Rev 9-1-65, and
> a
> passport from when she was about 4-5 years old that says Childs travel
> documents. She also has a Social Security Card and drivers license that
> are
> current.
> We got to wondering what her actual status here was when we started
> talking
> about leaving the US for a trip next year on our 20th wedding anniversary
> and someone told us she would need a German Passport to get back in.
(snip)
> What should we do? We would really like to take a trip but at the same
> time
> I do not want to risk someone showing up and saying she has to go back to
> Germany as she is here illegal.
Relax. If she was issued an I-151, even as a child, and she has never
lived anywhere else since acquring that status, she wouldn't be
illegal.
You don't mention the possibllity that your wife naturalized in the
US. Does she know whether her parents naturalized as US citizens? If
they both did, then it's possible that they included her on their
applications for naturalization, in which case she would have become a
US citizen along with them. The best evidence that her parents
naturalized would be Certificates of Naturalization, that they would
have been issued. Otherwise, if she still has her parent's green
cards, then they most likely did not obtain US citizenship.
Assuming that they did not naturalize, and that your wife did not
naturalize, it means that she would still hold her permanent resident
status. She would have two choices:
1) She can renew* her green card with an updated photo and obtain a
German passport from a German consulate; or
2) She can apply for naturalization as a US citizen.
Since she doesn't speak German, and I would presume she plans to live
in the US, it would make sense that she naturalize, but the choice
would have to be up to her.
Once she naturalized, she would be a US citizen and entitled to hold
a US passport, vote, etc. Under German law, she will revoke her
German citizenship when she becomes a US citizen.
*Renewing a green card simply means having the photograph updated.
Since the time that your wife immgirated, expiration dates were added
to green cards. The expiration applies to the card itself, not to the
holder's status in the US. The reason for the expiration was so that
the photo is updated as the holder's appearance changes over time.
Additionally, renewing also allows for newer anti-counterfeiting and
security features to be added to the cards.
By the way, I mentioned voting, above. If your wife isn't a US
citizen, then I hope she has never voted in a US election. Every now
and then you hear of horror stories about people who came to the US as
a child and who didn't realize that they weren't US citizens yet.
They vote in a US election, and when this is discovered at some later
date, they find out that they can be deported, because voting by a non-
citizen is a deportable offence.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/LAW/06/24/co....ap/index.html
Thanks to all that responded!
A few things I will point out.
1) My wife's parents were German citizens and I know they never naturalized.
2) My wife has never voted or represented herself as an American.
A few Questions
1) someone said we need to fill out an I-90 ASAP to renew her green card.
Where do we do this and what does that cost?
2)If she were to want to naturalize where would we do that, what would it
cost, what would be involved in doing this and what are the requirements to
naturalize.
3) I have seen multiple movies where people get married just to where one of
them can stay in the United States. Does the fact that me and my wife have
been married for the better part of twenty years and have a son together
count for anything in this equation.
Joe
Jul 20th 2007, 6:09 pm
#29
MODERATOR
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,687
Re: Is my wife legal? follow up questions
2)If she were to want to naturalize where would we do that, what would it
cost, what would be involved in doing this and what are the requirements to
naturalize.
cost, what would be involved in doing this and what are the requirements to
naturalize.
3) I have seen multiple movies where people get married just to where one of
them can stay in the United States. Does the fact that me and my wife have
been married for the better part of twenty years and have a son together
count for anything in this equation.
them can stay in the United States. Does the fact that me and my wife have
been married for the better part of twenty years and have a son together
count for anything in this equation.
Rene
Last edited by Noorah101; Jul 20th 2007 at 6:11 pm.
Jul 21st 2007, 4:34 am
#30
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: Is my wife legal? follow up questions
[QUOTE=Just Joe;
A few Questions
1) someone said we need to fill out an I-90 ASAP to renew her green card.
Where do we do this and what does that cost?
2)If she were to want to naturalize where would we do that, what would it
cost, what would be involved in doing this and what are the requirements to
naturalize.
3) I have seen multiple movies where people get married just to where one of
them can stay in the United States. Does the fact that me and my wife have
been married for the better part of twenty years and have a son together
count for anything in this equation.
Joe /QUOTE]
You can find the information at uscis.gov
"How do I Renew My Green Card" is one topic under the "Permanent Residence" category.
Information on citizenship eligibility and the process is under the "Citizenship" link at the left, keep clicking through until your find the "Guide to Naturalization" document and download the whole booklet.
Be careful; fees are going up effective July 30 and they will not be reflected on the forms or booklets--you MUST check the N-400 or I-90 download pages on the day you are submitting to make sure you have the correct fee attached.
Your wife is already a Permanent Resident. Your marriage has nothing to do with her gaining that status, so you don't have to worry about your last concern. The movies you discuss are for people wanting to get Green Cards.
A few Questions
1) someone said we need to fill out an I-90 ASAP to renew her green card.
Where do we do this and what does that cost?
2)If she were to want to naturalize where would we do that, what would it
cost, what would be involved in doing this and what are the requirements to
naturalize.
3) I have seen multiple movies where people get married just to where one of
them can stay in the United States. Does the fact that me and my wife have
been married for the better part of twenty years and have a son together
count for anything in this equation.
Joe /QUOTE]
You can find the information at uscis.gov
"How do I Renew My Green Card" is one topic under the "Permanent Residence" category.
Information on citizenship eligibility and the process is under the "Citizenship" link at the left, keep clicking through until your find the "Guide to Naturalization" document and download the whole booklet.
Be careful; fees are going up effective July 30 and they will not be reflected on the forms or booklets--you MUST check the N-400 or I-90 download pages on the day you are submitting to make sure you have the correct fee attached.
Your wife is already a Permanent Resident. Your marriage has nothing to do with her gaining that status, so you don't have to worry about your last concern. The movies you discuss are for people wanting to get Green Cards.
