I have these friends who moved here from Greece in 2000 and can not become citizens? Help explain...?
Answer:
A tourist visa is not a permit to stay in the US for 7 years.
Did they apply for a change of status before the visa lapsed?
Apparently, you have described illegal aliens who overstayed.
Ideally, they should contact the USCIS, inform them of their presence in the US, file the necessary documents and abide by the decision of the USCIS.
This is not related to 9/11, but is related to existing laws regarding overstaying.
See your congressman. Seriously. They like to help people. That's their job.
Let us know how you make out.
Does the church have access to counselors who can educate your friends about immigration? If they came on a tourist visa, they have to separately apply to become permanent residents. Go visit this link below that answers your question about how to become a US citizen. Good luck.
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/m...
Because Greece is considered a "Terrorist" state...whatever THAT means.
If they stayed here on a tourism visa they where required to go back after that and then re-enter . With out a SS number you will not become a Citizen ,that would make them Illegal here. That also would mean without a SS number they did not pay taxes etc either!
In order to become a Citizen , you must be a Lawful Alien here , payed taxes , live here with a SS number and must not leave the Sate for 5 years , can't have a criminal record.
They could try to apply for an Alien Card that would give them permanent resident status here
They can get married or have a kid w/ an american lol that makes it easier , my fiance has a green card so i know a little about it but not too much but then w/ the green card he has a SS# he just has to renew his green card every 10 years
Good...I can't stand Greeks!
I wouldn't trust advice here, what your relatives need to do and see an immigration lawyer. He or she will do the work needed through the proper channels --- no muss, no fuss.
In post 9/11 immigration is something I defentely try and do myself. Laws and regulations are under constant change, pop for a lawyer, he'll be able to get it done. They may have to go back to Greece for a week and apply for the Visa at the American Embassy there, but the Immigration Lawyer may know a way around that as well. For example in some cases and for people from some countries, a family member can sponsor them. If you decided to do this and you decide to be the sponsor, you should consult a lawyer as well as it will have legal ramifications for you. The lawyer will be able to show you how to do it and still help, but will be able to tell you how to avoid any potential pitfalls. Good Luck!
They can apply for naturalization.
Take a look at the following links.
well they can become residents, you have to become a resident before you become a citizen, they must first if they are at least 18 go to the dept of immigration and fill out an 1-9 form and apply for the residency and it costs about $200.00 usd, then they will be sent a letter and go from there hope this helps
To answer your question, they are illegal aliens. They overstayed their tourist visas and have no status of any kind in the USA. If caught they will be deported.
probably means you're not alone. After the days of Ellis Island, we only allow a certain amount of immigrants from each country to become US citizens every year. Therefore Greece must be a popular place to escape from!
Also your congressman is not going to be very helpful in the field of US citizenship, hes/shes there to help US citizens, not residents.
It sounds like they are illegally here, since no tourist visa lasts from 2000 to 2007.
The Immigration information post by website user , MyTend.com not guarantee correctness.
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