Moli

Having not registered with The Selective Service between 18-26 years, I am
now wondering the ramifications of such oversight as it relates to obtaining
American Citizenship.
Thanks for any responses.

Folinskyinla

Hi:

IF, and I say IF, you were subject to such registration, the practice is that you will not be considered a person of "good moral character" during the requird PERIOD of "residence" [which is generally 3 or 5 years]. If the five year period is applicable, then one can't become a citizen until age 31.

You don't give enough in the way of facts to answer the question as related to YOU. It should be noted that the majority of people aged 18-26 are NOT required to register.

Moli

Thanks for your info.
I came to the states as an 11 year old back in 1969.
When I turned 18, there was no mechanism in place (until 1980) to register
with Selective Service System (Carter/Reagan). However, I still shoud have
registered as a 21 year old.
In 1979 I filed a "An Intention of Citizenship" form with INS but never
followed
through with citizenship.
While I realize that this does not address or excuse my not registring with
Selective
Service, Am I under the false impression that this issue becomes a judgemnet
call
with the immigration officer who decides the merits of my application?
Once again thanks for any imput.
As a side note, during the 60s, 70s and 80s having a 'green card' was as
good as gold.
Unfortunately since 9-11 things are much different. Apparently ICE can now
(Immigration Customs Enforcement) deport resident aliens at the drop of a
hat.
Unfortunately, that is why now after so many happy years as an LPR
(Legal Permanent resident) I am now forced reconsider American citizenship.

Folinskyinla

Hi:

It is USCIS, not ICE that does citizenship. In your case, the non-registration is not a problem.

Rich Wales

"moli" wrote:

> I came to the states as an 11 year old back in 1969.
> When I turned 18, there was no mechanism in place
> (until 1980) to register with Selective Service
> System (Carter/Reagan). However, I still shoud have
> registered as a 21 year old.

Actually, AFAIK, the registration requirement (as revived during
the Carter administration) applied only to men born in 1960 or
later. And you were also not covered under the earlier draft
registration law, since you were not yet 18 when that law lapsed
in 1975. Based on when you were born, it's my understanding that
you were most likely never required to register.

If in doubt, you can contact the Selective Service System and
get a "status information letter" which will state definitively
whether or not you were ever expected to file a registration.
(http://www.sss.gov/FSmen.htm) Note that the SSS will not deal
with the question of whether you had a valid =excuse= not to know
about a requirement to register; all they will do is say whether
or not you should have registered, and if you did register.

Even if you were supposed to have registered, it shouldn't make
any difference now; you are well past the age at which it will no
longer be held against you for citizenship application purposes.
(http://www.shusterman.com/natz-ss99.html)

Rich Wales [email protected] http://www.richw.org/dualcit/
*DISCLAIMER: I am not a lawyer, professional immigration consultant,
or consular officer. My comments are for discussion purposes only and
are not intended to be relied upon as legal or professional advice.

Moli

Thanks, this is what I was able to pull from their web site (Selective
Service)

"* Men born from March 29, 1957 to December 31, 1959 were never required to
register because the registration program was not in operation at the time
they turned 18. The requirement to register was reinstated in 1980 and
applies to all men born on or after January 1, 1960."

However I have been led to believe this only applied to citizens not
foreigners. In any case, as you guys have already noted, the statue of
limitations apparently
has already remedied my non registration. Thank you.