| I frequently receive calls from the adult children of US | | | | specific case. |
| permanent residents (i.e. green card holders) who want | | | | Although our immigration law office does not have any |
| to know how their parent can become a US citizen if | | | | doctor(s) that we recommend for completion of Form |
| the parent cannot study for the English history test and | | | | N-648, we will let you know if a particular type of |
| / or does not speak English very well. I have created | | | | doctor can complete the form on your behalf. We also |
| an article for you on the two most common scenarios | | | | review the Form N-648 for completeness, as USCIS is |
| that I answer weekly in my US Immigration Law Office | | | | strict in the language that they require from the |
| of Lena Korial-Yonan, P.A.: | | | | licensed medical doctor in order for the US citizenship |
| 1. My mom is eligible for US citizenship because she | | | | applicant to be approved. If the Form N-648 is |
| has had the green card for 5 years, and she does not | | | | approved by the US Immigration Officer, then the US |
| have extensive travel or any criminal issues. The | | | | citizenship applicant does not have to take any test in |
| problem is that she does not speak or read English | | | | order to have their form N-400 approved and be |
| and cannot study for the history test. Any solution? | | | | sworn-in. |
| USCIS has specific rules that relate to an applicant's | | | | Also, at least in the USCIS district office located in |
| age and how long they have had the green card that | | | | Jacksonville Fl, we usually file a copy of the Form |
| can exempt them from having to take the US English | | | | N-648 with the N-400 application, and we bring the |
| History test and also exempt them from passing the | | | | original N-648 with us to the N-400 interview. You may |
| interview portion of the N-400 as well as the reading | | | | of course provide the original N-648 in your initial filing if |
| and writing exam. Please see the next question for | | | | you wish. Just be sure to keep a copy of the form |
| more details on this. | | | | N-648, as it is not uncommon for USCIS to require a |
| However, here the applicant has had the green card | | | | few changes to the form N-648 before your case |
| for only 5 years and so the only solution is to see | | | | can be approved. |
| whether the applicant is eligible for a medical disability | | | | 2. My mom is 65 years old and she has resided in the |
| waiver. A medical disability waiver is completed by a | | | | US as a green card holder for over 20 years. Does |
| US licensed general medical doctor, licensed clinical | | | | she still have to take the English test, etc.? |
| psychologist or other specific doctor on USCIS form | | | | No, your mom has to take a modified version of the |
| N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exemptions. | | | | civics test in her language of choice. She does not |
| The form must be completed a specific way and with | | | | have to take the reading or writing test. The N-400 |
| specific wording / answers before USCIS will approve | | | | interview, which includes reviewing the details of the |
| the medical waiver. The doctor, in order to complete | | | | N-400 and asking whether your mom has ever been |
| the medical disability form, must give your parent, the | | | | arrested, files US taxes, etc. is completed with the help |
| N-400 applicant, a test to determine whether he or she | | | | of the translator that your mom brings with her to the |
| can learn or remember basic things. This test can | | | | N-400 interview. She must bring her own translator |
| include having to recite basic information just explained | | | | with her to the N-400 interview so that the translator |
| to your parent and may also include basic exams | | | | can translate the civics questions in your mom's best |
| having your parent place a circle object with circle | | | | native language. |
| object, etc. | | | | The age qualifications that exempt applicants from the |
| Applicants with dementia or Alzheimer's, for example, | | | | English, reading and writing tests are as follows: |
| are eligible to file form N-648, Medical Disability Waiver, | | | | · 65 years and has resided in US as a green card |
| which states that because of their mental limits, they | | | | holder for 20 years or more. |
| cannot study for the US history test. A major limitation | | | | · 55 years old and has resided in the US as a green |
| for eligibility under form N-648 is that the resulting | | | | card holder for 15 years or more. |
| mental disability cannot be a result of drug use. | | | | · 50 years old and has resided in the US as a green |
| Our immigration law office has successfully completed | | | | card holder for 20 years or more. |
| medical waivers prepared by licensed doctors of | | | | Again, Applicants that meet one of the above |
| applicant's own choosing for the mental conditions of | | | | categories must only take the civics test in their |
| dementia, Alzheimer's and schizophrenia. Please note | | | | language of choice. |
| that these cases are being mentioned are examples | | | | I hope that the above provides some answers to the |
| and in no way guarantee that your case will have | | | | questions asked of me weekly in my immigration law |
| similar results for both the mental conditions listed and | | | | office of Lena Korial-Yonan, PA. by the adult children |
| for the USCIS district that you will file citizenship with. | | | | of elderly parents who have had the green card for 5 |
| Please contact an experienced immigration lawyer of | | | | years and now want to become US citizens. |
| your choosing for a detailed analysis of your own | | | | |