Fraternity-Testvériség, 1959 (37. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1959-08-01 / 8. szám
FRATERNITY 9 IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION Question: I immigrated to the United States five years ago and intend to become an American citizen. I am a seaman and have been out of the country for considerable periods of time since first coming here. In fact, my total time absent from the United States is over three years. However, all my service has been abroad ships of American registry. Will the time I have spent on American vessels count in meeting the residence requirement for naturalization? Answer: Yes. The Immigration and Nationality Act requires that a petitioner for naturalization must have resided in the United States continuously for five years after being lawfully admitted for permanent residence, and also that during that period he must have been physically present in the United States for a total period of at least two and one- half years. The law specifies, however, that any time served on board a vessel whose home port is in the United States and which is registered under the laws of the United States, or owned by an American citizen, shall be deemed residence and physical presence within the United States, if such service occurred within five years immediately preceding the date such person files his petition for naturalization. You are in a position, accordingly, to meet the residence requirements for naturalization. Question: I am applying for American citizenship. One of the questions on the citizenship application is whether the applicant has ever been arrested or convicted of a crime. I was once arrested for a minor offense more than fifteen years ago, but the charge against me was dismissed without any penalty. Do I have to include this arrest on my application? Answer: Yes. Great care should be taken to answer every question in the citizenship application accurately and honestly. Under the naturalization law, citizenship may be revoked at any time for concealment of a material fact or for wilful misrepresentation in connection with any part of the naturalization proceedings. Such a revocation could make a person “stateless”, that is, a man without a country, and cause great hardship to him and his family. While it is not possible to define fully what constitutes a concealment or misrepresentation which may result in revocation of naturalization, many omissions can bring such a result — for example, failure to tell about an absence from the United States, or a criminal record or an arrest; or misrepresentation about the applicant’s marital status or his political beliefs. You should answer all questions on the application, fully and to the best of your ability. PROBLEMS ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY Question: For about three years prior to my husband’s death we were not living together because he was ill and unable to work. I went to live with my daughter. I am now 63. Am I entitled to widow’s benefits? Answer: If your husband worked long enough under social security to be insured, you are eligible for widow’s benefits. You should get in touch with your local social security office as soon as possible.
