Black Immigrant Daily News

Check out this weekly feature for practical tips and advice on living in, working in, studying and visiting the USA.

Permanent residents often fear becoming citizens because they think the US does not allow for dual citizenship. This is not true.

Many people sometimes lose their permanent resident status because they stay outside the US for a very long time, becoming a citizen prevents this.

The countries in the Caribbean also allow for dual citizenship, so go ahead and become a US citizen if you qualify.

Naturalisation or citizenship occurs under two main bands. The first band has persons who have been in a marriage for three years to a US citizen. The second band has persons who have been permanent residents for five years. You can apply three months before the expiry date on your green card.

A person can also seek US citizenship based on service in the US military or being married to someone in the US military. First things first: Make sure that you read the application form very carefully

Every question that applies to you must be completed. Innocent mistakes on the form can work against you, so you have to be very careful.

Remember to send only copies of the required documents. The most common documents needed, dependent on your situation, may include: both sides of the legal permanent resident card, US spouse passport or birth certificate or certificate of naturalisation, your birth certificate, marriage certificate, proof of the dissolution of any prior marriages, selective services documents (for males), and military or naval service information.

Account for all trips taken in the application. The general rule of thumb is that you must be in the country more than you have been outside the country. Trips of six months or longer require an explanation.

The form asks about being a member of any organisation, anywhere in the world.

Remember, if you are divorced, that is what you should put on the application form. Remember to put the names of all previous husbands or wives, if relevant. The form asks about your marital status and has single, never married, divorced, and so on.

If you have one, don’t forget to write your ‘A number’, meaning your Alien number, on the application form. That number is found on your green card.

You will need the name and address information for where you have lived, worked or attended school for the past five years.

If you need more space for a section of the application form, use the addendum at the end of the form. That is almost like a blank paper to put in any additional information.

For the biographic information section, make sure the information is correct. Remember that you will also be doing fingerprints, and eye scans and have your picture taken after the application has been submitted.

Remember to write the names of all children, alive or dead, living with you or not, present in the US or not. Include all your biological children, stepchildren and adopted children.

Only a money order, credit card payment or cheque for the government fees is accepted. The fee must be for the exact amount.

Make a copy of the entire package for yourself. Send the completed package by certified mail so that you can track its receipt by the US immigration authorities.

Don’t vote or sign up to vote before you become a citizen. Voting is a right for citizens only.

Becoming a US citizen allows you to participate in many aspects of the country’s life, such as voting in elections, being able to apply for jobs reserved for US citizens, petitioning for and filing to bring your parents and married sons or daughters to live in the USA and lots of other positives.

Nadine C Atkinson-Flowers is admitted to practice in the USA and Jamaica. Her US practice is in the area of immigration, while her Jamaican practice areas include immigration and general legal consultancy. She has been an attorney for over 15 years in Jamaica and has written articles for several legal publications. She is passionate about access to justice issues and volunteers with several legal, business, children and community service organisations in Jamaica and the US. She can be contacted at info@atkinsonflowerslaw.com

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Black Immigrant Daily News

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A galvanised fence has been constructed at the site of a proposed police post at Adam Smith Square, Woodbrook. The site is now being used as a site office for sidewalk refurbishment works. – SUREASH CHOLAI

Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis said she will meet with residents of Woodbrook soon to discuss the developments at Adam Smith Square, Woodbrook.

Part of the square is being used as a holding area for vehicles and materials working on the pavement refurbishment project on Ariapita Avenue.

Originally, it was announced that a police post and public toilets would be built on that part of the square, but this was met with vociferous opposition by residents, who protested on August 19, as well as circulating a petition calling for the construction to be halted.

Robinson-Regis told Newsday she received a request for a meeting from the residents on Thursday.

“We’ll be discussing all the issues at the meeting. I don’t know when the meeting will be held, as we just got the communication from the residents, so I have to arrange with regard to Udecott and my parliamentary colleagues. The matters have been brought to a halt and following that meeting we will make an announcement with regard to how we’re moving forward.”

City mayor Joel Martinez said he was not aware whether the police-post project had been cancelled, but he knew Robinson-Regis had suspended the building of anything on Adam Smith Square until the situation could be resolved.

He said the refurbishment of the sidewalks to accommodate disabled people was ongoing, as well as the greening of the area. Asked about residents’ complaints that the roads remained in poor condition, Martinez said the work was focusing only on Ariapita Avenue at this time.

“It’s the Ariapita Avenue rejuvenation programme. We’re tackling Ariapita Avenue and we’re doing the work there, we’ve hired a contractor, we’ve had all the consultation for Ariapita Avenue. I don’t want to answer something that is outside the scope of works. We’re talking about Ariapita, then you ask about the side roads, then you’re going to ask me if we’re tackling the side roads, so why not tackle Woodbrook, and then why not St James, and then why not tackle Newtown. That’s what we’re doing in Port of Spain, one by one. We will get to all those other areas eventually, we’re focusing on trying to get something done in a particular area, and the rest of it will lend itself to future development.”

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Kaddafi Romney, mother of murdered state witness Jehlano Romney, consoles a realtive during his funeral at Rich Plain, Diego Martin on Thursday. – Angelo Marcelle

Rain did not deter over 100 mourners from paying their last respects to murdered witness Je’Hlano Romney at his funeral in Diego Martin on Thursday afternoon.

Romney, 30, was gunned down at his father’s Poinsettia Drive, Morvant, home on Sunday night.

On April 22 he was accused of murdering PC Clarence Gilkes at upper Richplain Road, Diego Martin.

He fled the scene and went into hiding, surrendering to police a week later with his attorney Criston Williams.

Romney was later considered to be a witness when Gilkes’ autopsy revealed he was shot from behind with a police-issued bullet, contradicting the original account given by the police.

Most of the mourners dressed in traditional Islamic wear packed the tents shortly after 1 pm at the Al-Huda masjid, Upper Richplain Road, for his Janazah Salah (Islamic funeral prayer).

Among the mourners were Romney’s relatives and friends.

This is the same masjid that was raided by police from the Western Division on April 22, when Romney was originally considered to be a suspect in Gilkes’ murder.

The masjid which consists of two tents is surrounded by houses on both sides.

The masjid is located halfway up the hill on Richplain Road, walking distance away from where Romney was confronted by police.

Murdered state witness Jehlano Romney is taken away to be buried after final rights at hs funeral at Rich Plain, Diego Martin on Thursday. – Angelo Marcelle

While there were some showers before the ceremony began, it eased enough allowing mourners to reach the masjid.

Several mourners waited on the road outside and followed the prayers as they were recited in Arabic.

A large group of heavily armed police from the Western Division Task Force stood outside the masjid and kept a close watch on the proceedings.

The ceremony lasted only 15 minutes with no eulogy or tributes.

Romney’s body was loaded in a nearby hearse immediately after the prayers were completed.

All of the mourners left the masjid as quickly as possible in nearby cars.

Romney’s mother Kadaffi Romney had to be consoled by relatives as the body was loaded into the hearse.

He was buried at the Munroe Road Cemetery.

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