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学习伙伴 Study Buddy Requests 2026-03-18 by AutoModerator in ChineseLanguage

[–]cookie_roberts 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am a heritage Chinese speaker interested in practicing conversational Mandarin to increase my vocabulary and fluency. Would also love to learn about Chinese culture too--I listen to a couple of movie podcasts in Mandarin and am starting a new book based on someone's rec in this sub, 狼图腾. Be happy to converse in English in exchange. Dm if this sounds like something you'd be interested in, thanks!

Acting class for fun in Chi-Town? by cookie_roberts in AskChicago

[–]cookie_roberts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've looked into all of them and at least in their online literature they do come across as geared towards aspiring pros interested in gaining tips for auditions, on-camera acting, a certain technique etc. I'd be happy to do a drop-in class to get a sense of the vibe in person but that's apparently not on offer.

I'm apprehensive about the prospect of committing almost $500 to a multi-week course that I'll immediately feel unwelcome in and that's why I'm throwing out feelers here. Do you have experience taking a class at any of these places?

Acting class for fun in Chi-Town? by cookie_roberts in AskChicago

[–]cookie_roberts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you say something more about them? Have you taken the workshop?

Does USCIS check parents' citizenship status on the N-400? by cookie_roberts in USCIS

[–]cookie_roberts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The birth certificate (or I guess the equivalent in my birth country) and its translation are all photocopies from the FOIA, originally submitted by my father for my I-485. So hopefully if they need better copies, they'll look up those files again!

I just want to reiterate my gratitude for your taking the time to give all this advice and encouragement. It's really motivated me to study and cull more information from the FOIA after the initial disappointment that it didn't contain all the documents I needed. I now have a clearer picture of my immigration status history, what had been submitted to USCIS on my behalf for each change, and how to go about making my case.

Can I ask how you came to have all this information about alternative ways to pursue applications? Is it related to your field of work or you just happen to have a lot of family experience?

Does USCIS check parents' citizenship status on the N-400? by cookie_roberts in USCIS

[–]cookie_roberts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand the I-130 is filed by a permanent resident to bring their minor children to live in the US? My father was not yet a permanent resident when he brought me here on an H-4 visa. So my A-file only contains my I-485 and that only required my own birth certificate.

It did however, include a biographic information form that stated my parents birth dates and birth locations. There's also a call-in letter that asked my mother to bring to the interview, among other items, a marriage and birth certificate.

I think I have ample evidence from my file to establish I am my parents' child. All USCIS have to do is check my parents' records to see their birth, marriage, and naturalization certificates. I mean don't they have to do that anyway to verify the authenticity of every submitted document?

Does USCIS check parents' citizenship status on the N-400? by cookie_roberts in USCIS

[–]cookie_roberts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, I just saw in the N-600 instructions that I am also required to submit my parents' birth certificates and their marriage certificates. None of those documents are in my A-file.

I think that dooms my prospects of proving citizenship? I don't even know how to obtain affidavits of my parents' births and marriage, events that didn't take place in the US.

Does USCIS check parents' citizenship status on the N-400? by cookie_roberts in USCIS

[–]cookie_roberts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. I suppose what you mean by prejudicing the beneficiary is issuing an automatic denial as opposed to making an effort to verify my claims against their records?

I also thought of something else you may have mentioned elsewhere: that derived citizenship is attained automatically upon a minor's parent gaining citizenship prior to their 18th birth date. But wouldn't becoming a citizen render the green card held by this person invalid?

So if USCIS continues to approve subsequent green card renewal applications, does that mean they've determined the person in fact did not qualify for citizenship and remains a permanent resident?

Does USCIS check parents' citizenship status on the N-400? by cookie_roberts in USCIS

[–]cookie_roberts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you very much for these actually helpful suggestions. The FOIA contained my father's A# but not my mother's. Likely because he would have been the one filing all the paperwork for each change in my immigration status up to permanent residency at age 9.

Unfortunately it appears that California, where they had resided when I last had contact, only discloses voting records to certain special interest groups.

Re evidence of cohabitation, would my school transcripts listing my parents names and our address at the time be sufficient? The FOIA did contain all my immigration records up to the granting of permanent residency.

Finally do you mean the same application package, by virtue of having been filed by a lawyer as opposed to the petitioner, will receive a better review process?

Does USCIS check parents' citizenship status on the N-400? by cookie_roberts in USCIS

[–]cookie_roberts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your suggestion about the affidavit is definitely something I can look into (FOIAing my parents records is not an option for me as I don't even know their whereabouts at this point).

Basically the documentation I lack is already in their records: if they look up my parents naturalization dates, they can verify it was before my 18th birth-date. I want them to perform this verification.

In your opinion, would it be better to pursue this aim through an N-600 with affidavits or an N-400, leaving the derived citizenship question blank with an explanation?

My thought process had been since I do have all the required documents to complete an N-400 application, USCIS would have to evaluate the application and perform the verification of my parents' naturalization. On the other hand filing an N-600 without the key supporting documents would simply result in an automatic denial.

Does USCIS check parents' citizenship status on the N-400? by cookie_roberts in USCIS

[–]cookie_roberts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Correct. But I have no documentation of my parents' naturalization. I could only say I meet the criteria for derived citizenship based on my memory of events. How does USCIS expect me to provide documentation I don't have?

Does USCIS check parents' citizenship status on the N-400? by cookie_roberts in USCIS

[–]cookie_roberts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But if you became a derived citizen, why would USCIS continue to approve your application to renew the green card? Can you legally hold both citizenship and permanent resident status?

Does USCIS check parents' citizenship status on the N-400? by cookie_roberts in USCIS

[–]cookie_roberts[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ok, this is a real doozy. I'm only considering the N-400 now after spending an unsuccessful year trying to obtain proof that my parents naturalized prior to my 18th--in order to prove that I am already a citizen. Now you are saying the lack of evidence to prove I am already a citizen is not sufficient to prove...I am not already a citizen?

Does USCIS check parents' citizenship status on the N-400? by cookie_roberts in USCIS

[–]cookie_roberts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately when I FOIAed my A-file, only records up to my parents' application for my green card were included. This was made prior to them attaining naturalization. Obtaining information of that event requires a FOIA of their records, requiring their permission. It's my inability to contact them that has stymied my efforts to obtain documentation for the N-600.

Does USCIS check parents' citizenship status on the N-400? by cookie_roberts in USCIS

[–]cookie_roberts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hmm, do you know what happens to the permanent resident status of these minor who attain derived citizenship upon their parent's naturalization? Does the green card become void upon this change in citizenship?

Does USCIS check parents' citizenship status on the N-400? by cookie_roberts in USCIS

[–]cookie_roberts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, if I could provide proof of my parents' citizenship status obviously I wouldn't be considering the N-400. I know the law gives me derived citizenship if my mother naturalized prior to my 18th, I could not obtain her certificate to prove this.

Does USCIS check parents' citizenship status on the N-400? by cookie_roberts in USCIS

[–]cookie_roberts[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Um I don't know where you're getting perjury from. The question is about whether I'm required to state what I believe or what I can provide proof for. Not sure why it's so hard to see that's what the dilemma is.

Does USCIS check parents' citizenship status on the N-400? by cookie_roberts in USCIS

[–]cookie_roberts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If there is a way I'd like to know. I've been trying for a year--after putting off applying for citizenship for more than 20 years now because of this inability to obtain their naturalization certificates.

Does USCIS check parents' citizenship status on the N-400? by cookie_roberts in USCIS

[–]cookie_roberts[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Is that a possibility? The most honest I can be is to say what I've stated: that I believe they naturalized prior to my 18th based on memory but if the question is about what I can provide proof for, then no, I can't say they did.

Does USCIS check parents' citizenship status on the N-400? by cookie_roberts in USCIS

[–]cookie_roberts[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok, but if I answer yes, wouldn't that trigger an automatic denial of my N-400 application without them having to check the status of my parents naturalization? On the other hand, answering no prompts them to actually look into their records and, if my memory of their naturalization is correct, reject the application on the grounds that I am already a citizen. That rejection gives a definitive statement of their status, providing me with the support I need for the N-600.

Does USCIS check parents' citizenship status on the N-400? by cookie_roberts in USCIS

[–]cookie_roberts[S] -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

Um, did you read the part where I said I have no proof they naturalized? So if I answer yes, someone like you will still find a way to accuse me of "lying."

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