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Green Card Through The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program: Is This an Option for You?
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Program) makes up to 50,000 immigrant visas available annually, drawn from random selection among all entries to individuals who are from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. The DV Program is administered by the U.S. Department of State (DOS).
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Call HIAS Immigration & Citizenship at 312.357.4666 for more information.
Download HIAS information in Russian
Download HIAS information in Spanish
HIAS Immigration & Citizenship Answers Your Questions
CITIZENSHIP
Dear HIAS Chicago,
In December 2013, our daughter turned 17. Recently she told us that in her high school there was an announcement that there will be a voter registration for those who are 17 and over. How accurate is this information? Our family immigrated in the United States four and a half years ago, and in the near future we will be applying for US citizenship. We attend HIAS Chicago citizenship class where we learned that only US citizens of 18 years of age and older are allowed to vote. Tatiana L., Chicago.
Уважаемый ХИАС Чикаго! В декабре 2013 года нашей дочери исполнилось 17 лет. Недавно она сообщила нам, что в ее школе было объявлено о предстоящей регистрации для голосования тех, кому уже исполнилось 17 лет. Насколько достоверна эта информация? Наша семья иммигрировала в США четыре с половиной года назад, и в скором времени мы собираемся подавать заявления для получения американского гражданства. Мы посещаем занятия ХИАСа Чикаго по подготовке к экзамену и интервью на гражданство, и там мы узнали, что к участию к голосованию допускаются только граждане США в возрасте старше 18 лет. Татьяна Л., Чикаго.
REFUGEE PROGRAM
Dear HIAS Chicago,
I came to the US as a refugee almost 10 years ago, and I know it was made possible due to Lautenberg Amendment. I still have close relatives in the former Soviet Union who would like to immigrate into the United States. Is it still possible for the people from the former Soviet Union to come here as refugee? Does this program still exist? Can you write more about it?
Boris -
Уважаемый ХИАС Чикаго!
Я приехал в Америку в статусе беженца почти 10 лет назад. Я знаю, что это было возможно благодаря Поправке Лаутенберга. У меня есть близкие родственники в бывшем Советском Союзе, и они хотели бы иммигрировать в США. Есть ли у меня возможность вызвать их по статусу беженца? Существует ли ещё эта программа и Поправка Лаутенберга? Не могли бы Вы написать об этом подробно?
- Борис –
Read full answer here: English or Pycckuu
100 Civics Questions And Answers For Naturalization Test
The civics test is an oral test and the USCIS Officer will ask the applicant up to 10 of the 100 civics questions. An applicant must answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly to pass the civics portion of the naturalization test.
100 Civics Questions and Answers for Naturalization Test (pdf) (303K)
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to Help.
For assistance or more information, call us at 855.275.5237 or email us at Ask@JCFS.org.
Links
JCFS Chicago
JCFS Chicago strives to enhance social-emotional well-being for adults, children, teens and families as well as maximize potential for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. HIAS Immigration & Citizenship works proudly in partnership with JCFS Chicago.
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
The Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago is one of the largest non-profit social welfare institutions in Illinois and the central address of Chicago's Jewish community. HIAS Immigration & Citizenship works with JCFS Chicago, who receives support from the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation.
Holocaust Community Services at CJE Senior Life
CJE Senior life strives to enhance quality of life and facilitate independence of older adults.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service
ICIRR: Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights
ICIRR is dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrants and refugees to full and equal participation in the civic, cultural, social, and political life of our diverse society.
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (National)
HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety, and freedom.
Immigration Policy Center/American Immigration
The Immigration Policy Center (IPC) is the research and policy arm of the American Immigration Council with the mission to shape a rational conversation on immigration and immigrant integration.
Migration Policy Institute
The nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute seeks to improve immigration and integration policies through authoritative research and analysis, opportunities for learning and dialogue, and the development of new ideas to address complex policy questions.
Green Card Through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV Program) makes up to 50,000 immigrant visas available annually, drawn from random selection among all entries to individuals who are from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. The DV Program is administered by the U.S. Department of State (DOS). Call HIAS Immigration & Citizenship at 312.357.4666 for more information.
100 Civics Questions and Answers for Naturalization Test
The civics test is an oral test and the USCIS Officer will ask the applicant up to 10 of the 100 civics questions. An applicant must answer 6 out of 10 questions correctly to pass the civics portion of the naturalization test.
We're Here
to Help.
For assistance or more information, call us at 855.275.5237 or email us at Ask@JCFS.org.
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FAQ
I just became a U.S. citizen and want to bring my mother here to live with me. How do I start the process?
HIAS Immigration & Citizenship staff can assist a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States to file a Petition for Alien Relative with the Immigration Service to establish the relationship to certain alien relatives who wish to immigrate to the United States. See our Services page for more information.
I came as a visitor to the U.S. but I am afraid to go back to my native country. It’s too dangerous. Can you help?
Every year, thousands of people come to the United States in need of protection and seek asylum because they have been persecuted or fear they will be persecuted on account of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. See our Services page for more information.
I applied for citizenship last month but I don’t know what to expect or how to prepare for my citizenship exam and interview.
Each HIAS Immigration & Citizenship citizenship applicant is offered extensive self-study materials for the citizenship test and interview, as well as access to our citizenship classes, bilingual tutoring, and mock interviews. A citizenship preparation CD and workbook, “Preparing for Citizenship,” is now available, incorporating the English and civics testing materials as well as interview practice material based on the N-400 application. See our Citizenship Services page for more information.
My father is scheduled for his citizenship interview next month. HIAS Immigration & Citizenship helped him apply with a medical disability waiver for the English and civics requirement, but who can help him at this citizenship interview?
For those HIAS Immigration & Citizenship citizenship applicants who have applied for citizenship with a medical disability waiver, a HIAS Immigration & Citizenship citizenship staff member is available to accompany the client to their citizenship interview and provide interpreter services; and when necessary, to provide advocacy on behalf of the client with immigration citizenship staff and supervisors. See our Services page for more information.
I applied for citizenship with the help of HIAS Immigration & Citizenship and passed my test and interview six months ago, but have not yet been scheduled for my oath. How can I find out what happened to my case?
Through its strong, working relationship with the immigration service, HIAS Immigration & Citizenship assists its clients by helping them to inquire about the status of their citizenship applications. In addition, HIAS Immigration & Citizenship advocates on behalf of clients to resolve problem situations during the application or interview process. See our Advocacy page for more information.
We're Here
to Help.
For assistance or more information, call us at 855.275.5237 or email us at Ask@JCFS.org.
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Trainings For Service Providers
These trainings help to raise awareness of the immigration and citizenship process and inform service providers about legal issues and eligibility requirements that impact aspiring U.S. citizens who are also their service clients.
For more information or to schedule a training session please contact HIAS Immigration & Citizenship at 312.357.4666 or email HiasChicago@jcfs.org.
We're Here
to Help.
For assistance or more information, call us at 855.275.5237 or email us at Ask@JCFS.org.
Citizenship Application Support
Citizen Application Assistance by Appointment
For personal, individual assistance with your citizenship application, you can schedule an in-office appointment at a time and location that is convenient for you. Simply contact our main phone number: 312.357.4666.
U.S. Citizenship
Becoming a U.S. citizen provides you with the opportunity to fully participate in American life.
Services include:
N-400, Application for Naturalization
Submit form N-400, Application for Naturalization, to apply for U.S. Citizenship.
Eligibility criteria to become a citizenship is listed here.
N-600, Application for Citizenship Certificate
Children of naturalized parents who were under the age of 18 at the time of their parents’ naturalization automatically derive U.S. citizenship through their parents’ naturalization. We recommend that each child of naturalized parents apply for a Certificate of Citizenship as permanent documentation of their citizenship status.
N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document
Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document, can be used to apply for a replacement of a Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, Declaration of Intention or Repatriation Certificate; or to apply for a special certificate of naturalization to be recognized as a U.S. citizen by a foreign country.
N-648,Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions (Medical Disability Waiver)
Applicants who are unable to learn or demonstrate knowledge of basic English, history and civics due to a documented medical disability, may apply for a waiver for these citizenship requirements.
I-912, Request for Fee Waiver
You may request a fee waiver if your documented annual household income is at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) or if you can demonstrate financial hardship including, but not limited to, medical expenses of family members, unemployment, eviction, victimization, and homelessness. You can find the list of applications and petitions that are eligible. Supporting documentation is required.
We're Here
to Help.
For assistance or more information, call us at 855.275.5237 or email us at Ask@JCFS.org.
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Citizenship Preparation Programs
The eight-week classes are taught in small groups to allow for more individualized attention and help to overcome language barriers. In addition to helping you prepare for the test on U.S. civics and history and the written dictated sentence, all classes provide training for the USCIS interview.
Interested In Attending Class?
Contact HIAS Immigration & Citizenship at 312.357.4666 or email Jessica Schaffer, Director.
You can also obtain more information at citizenshiphelp.wordpress.com.
Individual Bilingual Intensive Tutorial Program
One-on-one home-based citizenship preparation assistance is available for those who are unable to participate in citizenship group classes. This nine-week intensive program pairs our clients with special needs as well as those with limited English with trained bilingual volunteers.
This individualized, intensive program fosters lasting relationships between students and tutors and, in addition to being highly successful in preparing the student to pass the citizenship test and interview, proves to be an extremely gratifying cross-cultural and cross-generational experience for all involved.
Mock Interview Program
Anyone applying for citizenship through HIAS Immigration & Citizenship may participate in a mock interview. A carefully trained volunteer will meet with you and conduct a practice interview, to allow you to go through the process in a formal, yet safe environment. You will then receive valuable feedback on your performance and have an opportunity to prepare further for the interview if necessary. Additional preparation and supportive services are provided and a second practice interview may be conducted. This program has proven to be extremely valuable to those interested in becoming more familiar with the citizenship test and interview process before they are actually scheduled at USCIS.
Self-Study Materials
Each HIAS Immigration & Citizenship citizenship applicant is offered extensive self-study materials for the citizenship test and interview.
A new citizenship preparation CD and manual, “Preparing for Citizenship", is available for purchase. It incorporates both the English and civics testing materials as well as interview practice material based on the N-400 application. Please contact HIAS Immigration & Citizenship at 312.357.4666 to purchase a CD and manual.
We're Here
to Help.
For assistance or more information, call us at 855.275.5237 or email us at Ask@JCFS.org.