0:03
Hello and welcome to today's webinar hosted by Infopeople. This webinar is part of the library's helping immigrants series and our topic today covers u.s. Citizenship and Immigration Center resources before we get started. I'm going to turn it over to Katie Azevedo from Butte County Library.
0:22
Thank you, Mary. And thank you all for participating today. Thanks to a California State Library. Lsta Grant libraries helping immigrants continues to bring library and literacy staff together to explore best practices and providing free support and resources to libraries across the United States today. We are so lucky to invite sy+ from US citizenship and immigrant Services PSI is our community resource officer.
0:52
Bringing 18 years of experience PSI is a staunch supporter of Library services, and we are so very lucky to have her with us today to discuss the petition process for light for relatives and ways libraries can help provide accurate information to our patrons. Thank you again for being with us. I'd like to introduce you to psi office it.
1:15
Thank you, Katie and good afternoon everyone as Katie mentioned. I am a community relations officer with USCIS. If you are not already connected with your local crow that we call ourselves. I do encourage you to do so. We are a great resource for everything in terms of getting materials for your library. Just answering those difficult questions. You may get from your patrons when they visit your library in addition to providing free presentations to the community and our stakeholders.
1:45
We provide General updates on our policies and programs. We also solicit feedback regarding those policies and programs and then in a rare situations, we can also assist in difficult cases. So if there's ever a time where our agency has dropped the ball a messed up somewhere somehow, you know, you could definitely reach out to the crow a local curl for help and assistance in that area. So for today, we're going to be talking about how to petition our sponsor family members.
2:15
The presentation is not for you guys to become experts by any means but it is kind of give you guys a better understanding of our immigration system. If you know our system is very confusing very complex.
2:29
I don't know if you know that we are the number two most complex set of laws in this country IRS being number one and because of that it's very important that if he ever come across any patrons who is going through this process if it needs Help that you should definitely fur them to one of our department of justice or credited Representatives or an immigration attorney to start this process. We don't want them to jeopardize your situation or status by doing something incorrectly or going to the wrong person for help. So that's also very important.
3:04
Okay, so we'll go ahead and get started. So what a lot of people don't realize is that on average we receive approximately 1 million new lawful permanent residents in this country every single year 1 million. That's a lot and half of those folks get their green cards overseas meeting there. They're already living overseas and they know they want to come live here. So they start their process over there and the other half get it here in the United States.
3:34
Of that 1 million, I'd say about 75% is based on a family relationship. So that's a big chunk right there.
3:46
Now in addition to family relationships a person can get their green cards through employment. We have the refugee the Asylum program someone who is a victim of domestic violence or a victim of human trafficking. So there's all types of categories. I think there's like 17 or 20 different categories where a person can apply for a green card. But again, the most common way is the real family relationship.
4:16
Okay, my slides not moving. I'm trying to figure out why.
4:24
Huh?
4:31
For some reason my slides aren't moving.
4:35
Is it moving on your end? Can you guys see it coming on? No, it's not so sewn see so your spacebar and arrow keys aren't working on your keyboard. That's a weird.
4:56
We'll try to reopen it again. See what happens.
5:06
Well, there we go. Maybe it was just a wait. It's working. Okay about that. Okay, it's just some background information about our agency. So as most of you guys already know that our old name used to be called ins but in 2003 after the Homeland Security Act was established Inez was demolished and then Rico organized under our new name the Department of Homeland Security Now within Homeland Security is actually a total of eight.
5:33
Federal agencies of those eight three or immigration-related and you can see them listed right there on the PowerPoint. So we have Customs Border Protection or CBP and they are reports in charge of guarding or borders both at the land borders. And at the airports. We have Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ice stir. These are the folks who basically do all of our law enforcement inside the United States.
5:57
They do the detention the arrest and deportation and then my agency are USCIS US citizenship and immigration services and what we do is immigration benefits. So will you know do the make the termination with a person qualifies for a green card gets a work permit or becomes a US citizen?
6:18
This is our mission statement that was revised a couple years ago. And so basically what we do is we administer the nation's lawful immigration system. We safeguards its integrity and promised by efficiently and fairly adjudicating request for immigration benefits while protecting Americans securing the Homeland and honoring our values.
6:41
All right. Now who can sponsor someone to come here to the United States based on a family relationship? So as you can see right there you have to have some type of status here in the United States to sponsor someone and there's basically two main categories. You have to be either a US citizen either you're born here or you naturalized or lawful permanent resident.
7:07
Now as a US citizen citizen, these are the groups of people you can sponsor petition for so you can sponsor your spouse and the definition of spouse is actually pretty broad. So we do both same-sex marriages and opposite-sex marriages children under the age of 21 and son or daughters now there is a distinction between children or child in son or daughter. I know for the average person in the community.
7:34
It's the same but for immigration purposes It is not a child by immigration definition is someone who is under the age of 21 and unmarried a son or a daughter is someone who is over the age of 21 and can be unmarried or married? So that's the different definition between child and son or daughter US citizens can also sponsor parents and their brothers and sisters.
8:03
Now all of these categories we do recognize step relationships adopted relationships as well as half relationship. So half siblings have we do recognize that but there are certain requirements for each of those categories. For example, it's that relationship.
8:22
So if you were going to sponsor a stepchild your marriage to the child's parent had to have occurred before that child turns 18 years old for us to recognize that stack relationship if it happens after 18 years old and they cannot sponsor that stepchild. So there is always a little nuances and each different family relationship category. So and all of this of course will be listed on the actual form when someone is going to sponsor a family member so they don't exactly what or not they qualified to do.
8:53
So now for permanent residents, there's a shorter list of who they can sponsor a petition. So if you're a permanent residents, you can only respond to your spouse again same sex or different sects child under the age of 21 unmarried and any unmarried son or daughter. Okay. So these folks have to stay unmarried. Unfortunately. Our laws are not written or set up for walk or permanent resident to sponsor married children.
9:25
So the person has To stay unmarried until they get their green card or until that parent becomes a US citizen if they get married before that parent becomes a US citizen or before they get their green card. They actually lose their place in line. We'll have to start the process all over again. So again, I we always try to we reiterate that information for people who want to do this because there's a lot of well for permanent resident who want to sponsor their children who over 21 unmarried and we say, that's great, but just make sure they stay unmarried until they get there.
9:56
Green card or until you become a u.s. Citizen because you'll see it a little bit, you know, the long processing wait times for this category and you know, it always breaks my heart to come across someone who's been waiting 10 15 20 years and then we find out they had got married because they got the green card and they lose their place in line or that petition. So, okay.
10:18
So how do you sponsor someone so there's basically two options right now. We just recently allowed people to file the petition online directly on our website. So they would actually have to create their own my usui's account to do this and through this online system. They can file the form pay the fees upload all the supporting documentation update their address receive automatic emails and updates regarding the case. So this is something we strongly encourage and what people are doing.
10:47
They can I know there's a lot of immigrants who aren't comfortable with the computer or don't even have a computer and that's fine. So in that instance, they can just download or visit a local library and download the form from our website and that you know, fill it out sign in and then mail it off to us. So that's also an option still so two very important requirements when they do mail it to us. It has to be signed by the petitioner. So that's the US citizen or the lawful permanent resident.
11:17
It has to include the eligibility evidence. So the purpose of the i-130 petition is to establish relationship. So if you're sponsoring your spouse, we want to see that marriage certificate and if you guys were married before divorce decree to all previous marriages, so all that has to be submitted or else I'll just get rejected by the lockbox.
11:41
The addresses for filing the i-130 will vary depending on what state you live in and so we want people to go directly to our website to find that information. There is a filing fee for the form right now. It's $535. We are in a process of proposing a fee increase for all of our forms.
12:03
It hasn't gone into effect yet and we don't know when it will go into effect because right now we're an open comment period and That means is any time we suggest a change in in our fees or policies or programs. We have to let the public know they could provide comments and we have to review each comment. And after that then we will release, you know, the latest information but the new fee proposal is an additional $20. So let me know go up to five hundred fifty five dollars, which is still a lot of money.
12:36
Now there are certain categories that each family member will need their own i-130 petition and their own filing fees. So that does add up so you can imagine if you have a US citizen who is married and has two three children. So he has to file individual I 133 each of one each one family member and pay that five hundred thirty five dollars for each one. So that's a lot of money at the end of the day.
13:04
We also have Certain family categories and relationships were one filing in one fee will cover everybody. So for example permanent resident one of the advantages of being a permanent resident is if you want to sponsor your family your spouse and it's a your two young children. All you have to do is follow one i-130 petition pay one fee and they all will be included on one petition. So that's kind of the advantage of being a permanent resident. Why do you assistants have to do individual Island 30s?
13:35
Yes, that's the way the law is written. Unfortunately, I don't have an answer for that. But you know, unfortunately that's the way it is. So at your it is it does cost a lot of money ones once you coming US citizen?
13:51
So after they submit their form, we will send out a receipt notice on form i7 97 confirming that we receive their petition, but for some reason when we get the application packets, and we see that something is missing. We will always request the missing documentation by mail and then if they give the online filing they can upload that directly to our website or they can nail it in know they filed by mail.
14:18
Another important thing with this process because I mentioned earlier that some category. It's a very long waiting period so anytime the petitioner or the beneficiary moves. They do need to update their address with us. We have the correct information so that when it's time for them to start the process of applying for a green card based on this family relationship we have it. And then once we make a final decision on the case, we will mail that decision to them.
14:44
So they'll always receive something in the mail from us.
14:52
I get asked this question all the time. Now, how long will it take and the answer is I really don't know because it will depend on what type of category that family member falls under but they can find out this information on our website. So on our website, we have a processing times page where all they have to do is just look up the form type number in this case would be form i-130 the office that has this form and it will be indicated on the receipt notice punch that into our online.
15:21
System, it'll tell me exactly what the estimated time period for them to get decision in the mail again, it will just depend on each case. I did a quick check this morning before the webinar started and it looks like for spouses of US citizens who filed at the Texas service center because that's one of our location that does these form types. There are only working on people who follow the eyelid surgery on or before June 9th.
15:51
2019 so it's about as you know, a year-and-a-half weight right now.
16:03
Now what did the islands already do so this also gets this caused a lot of confusion in the community, you know, they'll come up to me little. Hey look I have this i-130 approval notice that says, you know that I'm the process of getting my green card through my family relationship. I'm like, hey, that's great. But that's all it means. It doesn't mean that you can work here. It doesn't mean that you can live here. It just means that you have established the very first step in getting a green card.
16:28
I know a lot of other benefit issuing agencies will reach out to me because They'll say you this person came in to apply for a driver's license or a social security card. And this is the only document they have showing they haven't approved i-130 petition but nothing else and of course, I'd have to tell that agency the same thing as like, yeah, it just means you know, they have this relationship. They're in the process of applying for a green card, but it doesn't mean they have legal status here in the United States.
16:55
So it just you know again just says this is their place in line in applying for a green card and you'll see in a little bit what that what that's all about. So every time somebody filed the petition we issue what we call a priority date on their case in that part. It is the actual date of filing and so we use this priority date to determine who is eligible to apply for a green card. So we have a first come first serve system for green cards through family.
17:24
ship and here is a couple of examples of approval notice that a person will get in the mail. So they'll see the actual category they fall under so the one on the left, you'll see approval notice unmarried child of a lawful permanent resident. Okay, and then up to the left there. You'll see priority date June sixteenth nineteen ninety five. So that is their place in line to get a green card and the one on the right a little bit similar. You'll see the priority date of April 10th.
17:57
D2 so this is very very important process very important information for them because again, they will have to go onto our website and find out exactly when they're eligible to apply for a green card.
18:15
Now we have categories that we issue for family relationships and we have names them as well. So the first one you look the very top immediate relatives. So these folks are spouses minor children under the age of 21 in parents of United States citizens. Okay, so we call them immediate relatives. And the reason why we call them an immediate relative is because they do not have to wait to apply for a green card.
18:44
Once their Island 30 is approved so they can immediately apply hence the name immediate relatives. And the reason why they can immediately apply is because we do not limit. The number of green cards we can issue every single year for these three categories for the other four. You see below it. We do limit. The number of green cards. We can issue every single year and that's why that place in line. The priority date is so important in this process.
19:11
So those four categories unmarried son or Daughters of US citizens spouses and unmarried children of lawful permanent residents married, son or Daughters of US citizens, and then the fourth one brothers and sister the US citizens. So all of these four categories, we have limits of how many green cards you can issue every single year.
19:35
So this is what we call a Visa bulletin and this is the chart that we use to determine who is eligible to apply for a green card. And this bulletin is publicly available. In fact a person who is going through this process. We encourage them to sign up and have this email to them every single month so they can see exactly when their number is up so they can apply for the green card.
19:58
So as I mentioned earlier if you look under family categories, right all of you categories have limits of how many green Now I'm going to pick on the fourth one brother and sister of United States citizens. So every single year for this category, we can only issue 65,000 green cards for the whole world. Not just from Mexico or China or India, but the whole world so that's not very much considering how many people want to come live here in the United States in that category.
20:28
And so once the person through that what category they fall under they then go across and find out what region Our country they are from so you'll notice that there's four countries that separated from the rest of the world China India Mexico and the Philippines. The reason why these four countries are separated from the rest of the world is because these are the highest numbers of people who want to come live here in the United States. So we have to break it out separately. So because you know, they they apply a lot so because they're waiting so much it's easier just to separate them and then we have everybody else.
21:05
Okay. So once the person figures out what category they fall under and what country they're from they then have to find out whether their priority date the date of filing. The i-130 is earlier than what's posted inside these boxes if it is earlier than they're eligible to apply for a green card. If it's not they still have to wait. So again the first come first serve system that I mentioned earlier. So I like to take on the Philippines for a brother and sister United States.
21:35
Physics that is by far the longest wait right now. So if you're a brother and sister, but US citizen from the Philippines, we are only allowing somebody who filed an i-130 petition on July 1st, 1999 or earlier to apply for a green card. So that's a long wait. So this basically means is the older the date in these boxes.
21:57
It means there's more people in that category from that country who want to come live here versus what is actually available every Year, and as I mentioned for this category of 65,000, so that's not very much.
22:13
Now it doesn't mention here in a PowerPoint, but I do want to mention it because it's also very important what happens if a petitioner the person who is sponsoring a relative what other US citizen or permanent resident what happens to that petition if they pass away because if somebody is waiting 20 plus years, for example, there's a very good chance that person could pass away before that family member can come here to the United States.
22:41
So by law that petition does It automatically revoked meaning it's canceled. But luckily we do have a special program that was passed. I want to say maybe back in 2008.
22:57
Seven or eight where these beneficiaries if they fall in that situation where they're they're permanent resident or US citizen petitioner passes away. They can still write to us and asked that that I went 30 petition be reopened and remain or get reinstated is what we call it so that you know, somebody's been waiting 10 15 20 years. They still have an option.
23:22
It's still a discretionary decision on our part and we look at a A bunch of different factors whether or not to reinstate that petitions so they can still move forward with the green card process, but it hasn't happened. Absolutely. I've done them in myself in the past when I was interviewing officer, but it does not happen often.
23:43
Okay, I mentioned earlier about the the unmarried folks who have to stay unmarried the Son and Daughter of a prominent resident if that parent filed a petition while they were unmarried and then they get married before they get their green card then again that petition will be revoked automatically. So that's another way to get a petition revoked. And that's why I mentioned that they need to stay unmarried until they get that green card.
24:11
These priority dates that you're looking at it cannot be transferred between different petitioners. So let's say for instance. You have a father who sponsored a son or a daughter that father passes away and let's say they filed that petition in the you know, 1997 and now the mother, you know wants to sponsor this child, right? Well can they take that same date from the father's petition and apply it to the mothers the answer is no again. That's a lie.
24:41
Law, you know that we have in place at that cannot happen. The only time we can transfer these dates if it's if it's the same petitioner and it's the same beneficiary. So let's say that lawful permanent resident father started petition for their son or daughter and they filed in 1997. And then the father becomes a US citizen so that changes our category based on this chart.
25:05
Well that priority date the date of found that petition remains same and we'll do we'll go with the A child when they move to the different category, so that's the only way that you know, you can you can change the dates or transfer the dates. I should say.
25:20
Okay.
25:24
So what happens next Once the petition is approved. So if the person is in the United States, they can apply for what we call adjustment of status. So this is applying for a green card in the United States. There are adjusting their status from something else to a lawful permanent resident. So if there were an immediate relative again, this is the spouse the minor child or the parent of a US citizen right? There is no limits of how many green cards you can issue for these folks.
25:55
And they had a lawful admission meaning they came over on a Visa or a parole that they can apply for the green card here in the United States. If they did not have a lawful ignition meaning they came here undocumented getting a green card is going to be a little bit more difficult for them and we'll talk about that a little further down on this slide preference categories. Okay. So a preference category is those four categories that is not a spouse a child or a parent?
26:24
U.s. Citizen. So those folks if their prior to date is current and they're in the United States and they have lawful immigration status. Meaning let's say they came over on a student visa and while they're waiting there were, you know, lawfully maintain your student visa status and then the priority becomes available for this person. They can now apply for a green card here in the United States.
26:50
So I mentioned the undocumented folks who can't get a green card right now. So there was a time period where anybody who is undocumented they could apply for a green card here in the United States. And if you look at the 1 2 3 2 third bullet any immigrant who qualifies on a 245 I that was the special law that was passed in it was passed twice.
27:18
So one thing 1999 and extended in 2001 97 and then in 2001. So if the person is this person was here undocumented and they met all the other requirements how much a part of this program and make it apply for a green card here in the United States. We haven't had a program like that since and I don't know if we will again, but that was one way where a lot of people who were here who are undocumented who were able to get a green card in the United States?
27:49
And then if there's anybody who is a beneficiary of a certain humanitarian programs who would hear the United States they may also be eligible. For example, let's say somebody came over here was in the process of applying for a green card as a spouse of a citizen and they were here undocumented and they suffered domestic violence or you know, being mentally or physically abused by this citizen spouse. Well, there is a program again for them to get a green card here in the United States.
28:18
And based on that domestic violence program being undocumented does not prohibit them from getting a green card in the United States. But again, it's because of that specific program.
28:29
So the person does not qualify for adjustment of status based on these four previous categories, then if they want to get a green card and become a lawful permanent residents, they'll most likely have to depart the United States and apply overseas at their local consulate or Embassy.
28:46
And that is also you know a very complex process in itself. So and it's also a very lengthy process, you know, each constant Embassy has their own workload and depending on that workload, you know, the average weight curve can be from 1 year to three or four years. I'm going to pick on Mexico Mexico. We only have one Consulate in ciudad Juarez that does our Green Card applications for the whole country.
29:16
so can you can imagine you know the processing times and wait times for that area versus somebody who's coming from Canada, you know in Canada, I think all of the embassies and consulates up there can do green card applications, but for Mexico is just one so Okay. I also want to mention and talk about our online tools and resources. So this is something that we do want not only our stakeholders and Librarians to know about but also the Immigrant Community because we are an agency that slowly moving towards, you know, internet age where we want to do everything online. So, you know right now you can follow the i-130 online you can file for citizenship online. So a lot of our forms, you know, everything will eventually be online.
30:03
So this includes checking your case status. So once they get that receipt number after the file, we i-130 petition or any application type with us. They can find out exactly what is the status on that case on our website just punching that receipt number and I'll tell them exactly what's going on. They can change their address on our website. Anybody who is not a US citizen is required by law to update and change their address within 10 days of moving not a lot of people know this information.
30:31
So again this Something we want libraries to know and also share with their communities. I talked before a little bit about processing times. So no this processing times page is actually fairly new. I think it's only like two years old now. So this was a huge deal when it came about that, you know, people can now find exactly what is the approximate wait time. You know, I have to wait for our for my business decision whether it be for a green card for i-130 petition or even for citizenship so it actually breaks it down by office environment regions.
31:02
Oh, that's very helpful info past appointment is basically an appointment where person will have to call the 1-800 number our customer service number basically explain to that representative what their situation is and why they need an appointment to come in person to talk to an officer in one of our local field offices. We are limiting who can come into the offices because we are finding out that a lot of people who make these appointments their answers can be found directly on our website.
31:33
And so that appointment could have been given to somebody else who really needed, you know in person assistance. So the customer service number a rep person will basically kind of triage the situation before they actually get that appointment. So it's very for certain specific situation. So somebody for example who needs an emergency travel Document because I have to go back and somebody passed away a relative passed away or if they needed a temporary Green Card stamp in their passport.
32:01
So it's a the applied for citizenship in their green card expires, but they need to travel they need to go to DMV or Social Security office. Then they will make an appointment come into the office and we can give them that Sam. We also have a lot of how do I fact sheets and guides on our website and it actually breaks it down the type of situation the person is in. So for instance, I'll be how do I guide for someone who did permanent resident? How do I guide for someone who's a refugee and Asylum? So all of that is available for free on our website, all of our forms are blank.
32:32
Arms are free. You know anybody who's paying for a blank form that isn't a fraud a scam. So, you know, that's something you should definitely share with your local community. They should not be paying for blank forms.
32:44
And then again I mention about the online find options for certain forms exploring my options. This is also a very nice tool on our website where once they get to this webpage, they can actually punch and exactly what situation they're in and what immigration benefit they're seeking. So I am a permanent resident. I want to become a citizen. I am a permanent resident. I want to sponsor a family member and once they punch that in the will direct and direct them to the exact page of warding get more information on how to start that process.
33:15
My USCIS so that I mentioned earlier about individual accounts a person can open and in this account they can keep track of all the different form types of files, whether it's i-130 petition for family members, whether its application to renew replace their green card or an application for citizenship. All of that could be held on one location. They can keep track like an update their address, you know sending and responses to requests for evidence. All of that is done through this week.
33:44
Count but this is a really really great tool for our applicants now.
33:50
All right, so I mentioned a little bit about fraud and scams. And so this is a web page to talks about that on this web page. You'll find form filing tips. Some common immigration scams how to report immigration scams and how to find legal services and help the comedy make an immigration scam. So a good one phone calls. Okay. This is still happening. I thought we had stopped it. But apparently it's still happening where somebody will call up one of her out.
34:19
I'm saying hey, this is immigration. We have your application if you don't wire as you know, $300 or whatever it is. We're going to deny your application and Deport you so as you can imagine the all these poor immigrants or terrified already. So to get this phone call, you know, there will most likely end up sending that money to this person who's calling them and we would never call somebody to demand payment for anything any of our benefits. Most of our communication is done via mail.
34:49
In an e-mail or text if we have that information and then I always tell people if they give a call from us and if they have a local Communications office telephone number call that Crow and say hey, I got a call from so-and-so saying this is this true, you know, we can always verify the information as well for you guys reporting immigration scams, you know, we want to give people, you know these people off the street but we can't do that if immigrants don't report that they've been scammed. So this is also very important and then finding legal services and help.
35:19
I think I mentioned earlier that anytime anybody wants to apply for anything with us. They should probably do a consult with a Department of Justice accredited representative for an immigration attorney are accredited representatives. There are not attorneys, but they are instead individuals who have received the required required training and immigration law to act like attorneys and they have to be working for a nonprofit organization to be on our list that we actually hand out to.
35:49
Immigrants and then to be on this list the only charge people a small fee for their services. I think most of the organization's charged a couple hundred dollars or provide services for free and then the other option of course is an immigration attorney. You know, anybody who wants to work with an attorney or lawyer, you know, the most important thing that just verifying their credentials. You know, anybody who is an attorney or lawyer has to have a license to practice law.
36:15
And so we encourage people to get that number do a Google search and find out exactly See who this person is one whether they're an attorney, but other eligible to practice law and what it had any previous suspensions in their background. So those are three very important information to get about this returning before they start working with them, you know, attorneys lawyers, very expensive, you know, average cost depending on the type of case a couple of thousand dollars. I think for an i-130 petition that will eventually lead to your green card. It's probably about five to ten thousand dollars.
36:45
So it just varies on the on the on the type of case Now I do want to mention that this PowerPoint. We cannot share electronically, but we can send to you hard copy. So if any of you on this call tonight today want to receive our hard copy of this presentation by all means shoot me an email and we see my email right up there and I can send it to you as well.
37:11
So that is it for me for the presentation. So I think I will go ahead and have Katie open up for questions.
37:20
Thank you sigh. Well, I for one have just learned quite a bit. I'm looking at our chat to see if any of you would like to ask a question of PSI and it could be I'm going to just put it out there so I can be about anything at all related.
37:35
That's fine USCIS services I am not seeing anything from the general public yet. So I'm excited and I have worked together quite a while. She knows I always have questions. So I'm going to go ahead with one of mine once a petition. The i-130 is established. Is there anything the applicant can do to get some sort of legal identification in the United States?
38:12
Yes, okay. Okay. Oh, yeah. So the app is dirty approval notice does not allow them to be here legally so they won't be able to go to DMV to apply for a driver's license or ID card.
38:25
I mean they probably could run the under that special at least in California under that special I think 60 law but As far as legal status for immigration purposes, they don't have anything because that i-130 doesn't do anything. They can't work. They can't live here legally. Yeah, so no we so we have a really wonderful in my opinion question and it is regarding the citizenship exam and interview. How does this speaking portion what it would have the parameters for the speaking portion how correct is correct?
39:07
Speaking portion is when the officer is reviewing the application with the applicant. So we're testing whether they understand the questions.
39:15
We asked them and whether they can answer properly now as far as The parameters it will depend. So one of the process on the requirements of becoming a citizen is not only being able to answer those questions, but also understanding those questions and so this is where a lot of people fail because when they go to class or maybe some don't even go, you know, they don't realize the instructor doesn't realize that this is part of the test.
39:46
And if we suspect that the applicant has memorizing answers and don't You understand? We will ask follow-up questions. So one of the questions have you ever been a member of a Communist party? They will probably say no And they also you know what? I'm not sure they understand that so well, then tell me what is a communist. Okay. So so what I tell people when I go out do my presentations for adult schools or the general public is if you don't understand a question let the officer know and we will try to explain it and say it a different way. It's better you do.
40:21
That then answer, you know, yes or no and not really know and understand when you're answering because then that's going to cause a whole set of issues during the interview. Does any of the infection sort of yes, it does are the interviewers trained or are they practiced and how to understand accents?
40:41
Yes.
40:44
You know.
40:47
I would say we were trained. I think it all comes from experience. So I think the the the older the longer like I've been with the agency for almost 20 years. So I'm very familiar with accent and in you're right that that can be an issue during the interview if that comes up and it could be the other way around to where the officer could we do have officers who are recent immigrants themselves who have heavy accents and then the applicant.
41:17
Understand them. So so this is where I also encourage adult schools and libraries if you guys have a literacy program is you have the students interview each other so they can learn Accents in practice. But yes, I can see how an applicant with an accent having difficulty passing the interview. So and it's if the applicant feels they're answering the answers, correct?
41:47
Correctly, but the officer is still not understanding they can definitely stop the interview and say you know what Isis is not working, you know, can I speak to your supervisor or can I get another officer? Right that is my request they can make for sure. That's great to know. Here's another one for you. How can Librarians find information for Learners who failed the citizenship interview or test the first time and then to help them understand what to expect on?
42:17
Second interview or test this person has researched USCIS, but couldn't find specifics on the second or third process.
42:28
They will only be a second process and the second process will only be at every testing of what they failed the first time.
42:38
So if they say that they passed the Reading Writing the speaking understanding but failed a Civics then that's the only thing that they're going to get retested on. 
42:52
As far as you know, what information they can get from our website you mean so basically when a person goes in for an interview, we will tell them exactly what they pass to fail. They get an actual letter from us and they can provide that to every staff and you can see exactly what they failed. If you see something where it says, they feel the speaking then you know, exactly it's because of the form that person should be reviewing that form understanding those keywords on that form, you know.
43:22
Terrorism what it means to Advocate what is a rebel organization or you know, those are the keywords that people are failing like I'm speaking portion and I will admit when I was an officer to do interviews for 10 years. I did feel more people on the speaking understanding portion that I did any other parts of the test.
43:42
But yeah, they'll only be a second try second chance and to know what to prepare your patrons or your students that letter that they get from the officer tell you exactly what they failed.
43:55
That's very helpful information.
43:59
We love our conversation groups.
44:05
I am not seeing another the person asking about pronunciation. I'm just going to throw something out here. That's a little bit silly. But Apple applicable. I taught Elementary School in North Carolina and could not understand those american-born children when they spoke to me. I'm a California girl and it was very difficult for me to understand I had to get used to it and I would imagine it's the same for the officers.
44:35
They're having people come in some accents are more common than others.
44:38
So it's easier to to understand. Yeah. Yeah. No, I mean, like I said it that happens to someone they should definitely and they know for a fact they're answering correctly. But the person still not comprehending then, you know, stop the interview and say you know what this is, you know, I can I have another officer or talk to your supervisor, you know figure something out because we don't want someone to you know to be categorized as failing to because I'm an accent right? Yeah. Yeah, that's not good.
45:11
It's something I've learned working with you sighs. I really feel confident that you community relations officers and the officers doing the interviews want to see people succeed. Oh, yes. Absolutely, you know are passing rate people don't realize is that I think 92% lovely so it's pretty high. I mean, you know, we want people to pass, you know, we always you can't do that for them.
45:40
But no he We wanted people to pass because it's also easier process on our end when people do pass if somebody fails, you know, that means they have to come back.
45:50
That's another space that another spot Woods that we could use for another case, you know, you probably have heard that are processing times are horrible for most application types, whether it's for a green card for a citizenship, you know, it's usually at least one year for everything now and so we know to get through that backlog and that, you know long Assessing time, you know, we got to do more cases. And so we don't have to have someone come back a second time then that spot. Can you say for somebody else? So yeah now we definitely want to want people to cast right? But hey and of Happiness are going ahead. Well, there's a follow-up to the person who may not have passed through the second interview section.
46:34
And in this example, the the applicant did not pass Civics, but she explained the Good time that she was interviewed. She was only asked six questions and because she missed the sick. She was told she had to answer the first six instead of given 10 to choose from and it I'm thinking that this person the applicant felt because she was only given six to choose from it was an unfair assessment. Well, once they fail once they answer six incorrectly then yes.
47:11
We there's really no reason for us to move forward to the other four because you need six to pass.
47:18
Okay, thank you. And then her a person would like to know what is the crow Center?
47:26
The crow Center. Is there one place where all of you community relations officers get together.
47:35
Place baby. No no. No, we are actually based in individual field offices in some will actually you know, like so I'm in here in Sacramento and so I Sacramento falls under the San Francisco district office the sacrament of the field office and in the district office, we have Sacramento San Francisco, San Jose and Fresno and each of those Ops has their own Crow.
48:03
In other states and other offices, they may have one crow from multiple States or multiple offices. So it will just depend on that District that area but if you want to get connected with your local Crow again, shoot me an e-mail give me a call and I can find out who that is and send it to you because that's very very important in supporting your your program. Your community is having that connection because you know, there's a lot of bad information.
48:32
out there so much changing immigration and so much fear because of all these changes we want to make sure people are making you know, right decisions when they do things, you know public charge you guys are probably heard of what's happening in the news right now, you know with the Supreme Court decision that came down, you know, we can now move forward with implementing the new public charge policy and there is still that misinformation about who it affects and who it doesn't affect and people still believe that That public charge meaning that a person can get denied an immigration benefit if they're receiving some type of Public Assistance what its welfare food stamps médicale, whatever but it only applies to a certain group of people. So anybody who's playing for citizenship? It does not apply to them.
49:21
And so we have people who aren't applying for citizenship or withdrawing from certain benefit programs as a permanent resident when they they don't have to you know, Because it's all this bad misinformation. So again connecting with your local Crow will help we can go out there and show your community to do these presentations have these talks. We are in the process of creating a public charge toolkit right now and the crows will be allowed to go out and commit to talk about public charge. It hasn't happened yet, but that's in the works right now. But yes, absolutely. If you don't know your Crow, let me know and I will get you that information for you.
50:01
So speaking of information we do hear that there will be certain changes along the way I don't know if you have a specific date where there may be some changes in the brochures and the materials that we are Distributing in the library. Can you tell talk to us for a minute about what's available online and how updated it is ETC? Yeah, everything online will be the most updated information whether it's a study materials or any.
50:30
Informational brochures about our programs and benefits. I know that the Civics questions is in the process of being changed and updated we had to put a pause on it. And so nothing's moving forward as of now. They're hoping to restart again. I think in late spring early summer when this whole announcement came out that the Civics was going to be changed last year.
50:57
We were hoping to roll it out by the end of this year, but With this pause, I don't think it's going to happen that that quickly and it may just be pushed back to the following year and then people also will need to know that once the new Civics questions does come out during this whole piloting in terms of you know program period people get a choice whether they can take the old test or the new test. So it's going to be a slow slow rollout.
51:27
That is very helpful information. So I thank you.
51:37
I'm writing down sort of looking up. Are there other questions anything at all about USCIS you would like to ask Sy.
51:59
Oops, okay. Are there any questions or comments? You would like to make about our lsta grant libraries helping immigrants?
52:11
I'm going to pull these things together. Sorry, okay.
52:18
And while people are thinking about their questions, I would like to encourage them to go into and for people and look for your your archived presentation from last year. So I gave a really great talk on just overall applications and the resources that are available to libraries in addition to a person such as herself, but all of the online resources that are available to libraries from curriculum to Flyers to posters.
52:46
I personally professionally strongly encourage all of you listening to look at that curriculum. I find that both the both levels of reading that are available are extremely hopeful there so direct and easy to follow you can help all of your patients or anybody with with their preparation to become a citizen. I just think those are brilliant. I thoroughly enjoy them myself.
53:14
Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed them. I do I learn something every time. Oh, thank you. And we have posted the archive. It is info people dot org slash Civic they can take Katie. You don't have the camp. Okay good.
53:38
Doesn't look like any other questions questions or comments. I'm not seeing anything coming in.
53:45
So real quick sigh thank you again. I will give it up to Mary to take over and look forward to hearing all of you with our next with our next info people webinar which will be on March 11th.
54:01
We will be hosting Andrea Willis from USA learns the Sacramento County Office of Education Program that is free English and citizenship preparation and Andrew will be talking about the easy ways you can Use this resource in your library.
54:18
Great. Thank you. Thanks. I thanks Katie. Thank you. Yeah, and for our audience everyone who registered and attended today's webinar will receive a follow-up email tomorrow that includes a link to the archived recording of This webinar as well as a link to a certificate of attendance. We also have a short survey. You'll see after you close out of the webinar. Please just take a few minutes to fill that out that helps us in planning future training. Thank you again everyone and we'll see you at our next webinar.
54:47
Thank you. Bye. Bye.