Question: 
I filed an I-751 application by myself without my abusive US citizen husband's help or signature. My I-751 petition to remove conditions from residency was recently granted on the basis of abuse and extreme cruelty by U.S. citizen spouse. I received my 10-year green card card.  I have been an permanent resident for more than 3 years. 

Can I apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization after just 3 years, instead of waiting for additional two years?  

Могу ли я подать заявление на американское гражданство через 3 года после первой грин карты, если моя постоянная 10-летняя грин карта была недавно утверждена на основании моей петиции, которую я подала без участия мужа на основании домашнего насилия? Я была резидентом более 3-х лет и не хотелf бы ждать еще два года.


Answer:
Yes, you can! If you filed your I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions from Residency by yourself as a waiver based on abuse and extreme cruelty, it was the only basis for a waiver, and your application was approved. It means that you can submit your N-400 Application for Naturalization after three years instead of five years.

I recommend that you consult an attorney to review your I-751 petition and naturalization eligibility to make sure that you are eligible.

Да, вы можете подать на гражданство после 3-х лет ЕСЛИ ваша петиция I-751 была подана и утверждена на основании только одного основания "домашнее насилие со стороны мужа-американца".

Перед тем как подавать на гражданство через 3 (а не 5 лет), проконсультируйтесь с адвоктом, чтобы убедиться, что вы соответствуете требованиям закона.

Сам закон внизу из Руководства офицеров иммиграционной службы США.


What the law says:

INA sec 319(a) and USCIS Policy Manual Chapter 3 - Spouses of U.S. Citizens Residing in the United States
​
F. Eligibility for Persons Subjected to Battery or Extreme Cruelty1. General Eligibility for Persons Subjected to Battery or Extreme CrueltyOn October 28, 2000, Congress expanded the provision regarding naturalization based on marriage to a U.S. citizen for persons who reside in the United States. The amendments added that any person who obtained LPR status as the spouse, former spouse, or intended spouse[13] of a U.S. citizen who subjected him or her to battery or extreme cruelty may naturalize under this provision.[14]
Specifically, the person must have obtained LPR status based on:

• An approved Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant (Form I-360) as the self-petitioning spouse of an abusive U.S. citizen;
• An approved Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant (Form I-360) as the self-petitioning spouse of an abusive LPR, if the abusive spouse naturalizes after the petition has been approved;[15] or
• Special rule cancellation of removal for battered spouses and children in cases where the applicant was the spouse, or intended spouse of a U.S. citizen, who subjected him or her to battery or extreme cruelty.[16]

A person is also eligible for naturalization under the spousal naturalization provisions if he or she had the conditions on his or her residence removed based on:

• An approved battery or extreme cruelty waiver of the joint filing requirement for Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence (Form I-751), for a conditional permanent resident, if the marriage was entered into in good faith and the spouse was subjected to battery or extreme cruelty by the petitioning citizen or LPR spouse.[17]

2. Exception to Marital Union and U.S. Citizenship Requirements for SpousesA person subjected to battery or extreme cruelty by his or her U.S. citizen spouse is exempt from the following naturalization requirements:[18]

• Married to the U.S. citizen spouse at the time of filing the naturalization application;
• Living in marital union with the citizen spouse for at least 3 years at the time of filing the naturalization application; and
• Applicant’s spouse has U.S. citizenship from the time of filing until the time the applicant takes the Oath of Allegiance.[19]

The spouse must meet all other eligibility requirements for naturalization.[20]

2005 USCIS Memorandum is here.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has updated the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for beneficiaries paroled into the United States under Uniting for Ukraine. Effective immediately, all beneficiaries aged 6 months and older must have an attestation submitted attesting that they received COVID-19 vaccinations both before traveling to the United States and after arrival in the United States, unless they are eligible for an exception. Previously, beneficiaries younger than 5 years old qualified for an exception to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement because the vaccine was not approved or licensed for use in that age group.

Before Traveling to the United States

To receive travel authorization under Uniting for Ukraine, all beneficiaries aged 6 months and older must have an attestation submitted attesting that they received at least 1 dose of a COVID-19 vaccine approved or authorized by the Food and Drug Administration or a COVID-19 vaccine listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization, unless they are eligible for an exception.

After Arrival in the United States

After being paroled into the United States, all beneficiaries aged 6 months and older must have an attestation submitted attesting that they completed or will complete their COVID-19 vaccination series (in other words, they will be fully vaccinated) within 90 days of arrival or within 90 days of reaching the eligible age for vaccination according to the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, unless they are eligible for an exception.

The attestation is a condition of parole and must be completed in the beneficiary’s USCIS online account. See our Uniting for Ukraine Vaccine Attestation webpage for more information. Beneficiaries are responsible for arranging their vaccinations.

The U.S. received more than 100,000 Ukrainians in roughly five months following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, fulfilling President Biden's pledge of providing a temporary safe haven to those displaced.
Approximately 47,000 Ukrainians have come to the U.S. on temporary or immigrant visas; nearly 30,000 Ukrainians arrived under a private sponsorship program; more than 22,000 Ukrainians were admitted along the U.S.-Mexico border; and 500 Ukrainians entered the country through the traditional refugee system, the data show. 

Briefly in Russian: 

С сегодняшнего дня, все приехавшие с Украины по программе Uniting for Ukraine обязаны иметь вакцинацию от Ковида-19 начиная с 6-месячного возраста.

Разрешено иметь хотя бы одну прививку ДО приезда в США. 

От всех приехавших по этой программе требуется в течение 90 дней ПОСЛЕ приезда или достижения 6-месячного возраста получить вторую првивку.

Недавно было объявлено, что США уже приняли более 100 тысяч беженцев с Украины, как было обещано. Пока не известно, как долго эта программа будет открыта.

​Read here and here.

UNITING FOR UKRAINE ATTESTATION:

The information here is a preview of the required vaccine attestations in your account.
Pre-travel attestations:
 Measles Vaccine (Select one):

• I have received at least one dose of measles vaccine.
• I am not vaccinated against measles but qualify for an exception to this requirement because I am younger than 12 months old or was born prior to 1957.
• I am not vaccinated against measles, but qualify for an exception to this requirement because I:
  • Have a history of a severe (anaphylactic) reaction to a previous dose or to any component of the vaccine (such as gelatin or neomycin);
  • Am pregnant;
  • Had a recent blood transfusion or other blood products;
  • Have a known severe immunodeficiency; or
  • Have a family member (parent, brother, or sister) with a history of hereditary or congenital immune system problem.

Polio Vaccine (Select one):

• I have received at least one dose of polio vaccine.
• I am not vaccinated against polio but qualify for an exception to this requirement because I am younger than 6 weeks old.
• I am not vaccinated against polio but qualify for an exception to this requirement because I have a history of a severe (anaphylactic) reaction to a previous dose or to any component of the vaccine.
• I am not vaccinated against polio because the vaccine is not approved or licensed for use in my age group, but I will get vaccinated within 14 days of arrival in the US.

COVID-19 Vaccine (Select one):

• I have received at least one dose of a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccine or a COVID-19 vaccine with World Health Organization Emergency Use Listing (WHO EUL). If not fully vaccinated, I will complete a recommended COVID-19 vaccine series within 90 days after arrival. If the COVID-19 vaccine I received cannot be determined or is not available in the United States, I will receive at least one dose of an FDA approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccine according to the guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/interim-considerations-us.html
• I have not received at least one dose of an US Food and Drug administration (FDA) approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccine or a COVID-19 vaccine with World Health Organization Emergency Use Listing (WHO EUL) but qualify for an exception to this requirement because I am too young. I will start a COVID-19 vaccine series within 90 days of arrival to the United States or reaching the eligible age, whichever is later, and will complete my recommended primary vaccine series in accordance with current CDC guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/interim-considerations-us.html
• I am older than 6 months of age, but I am not vaccinated against COVID-19 because the vaccine is not approved or licensed for use in my age group where I have been residing. I will start a COVID-19 vaccine series within 90 days of arrival to the United States and will complete my recommended primary vaccine series in accordance with current CDC guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/interim-considerations-us.html
• I have not received at least one dose of an US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccine or a COVID-19 vaccine with World Health Organization Emergency Use List (WHO EUL) but qualify for an exception to this requirement because I have a history of a known medical contraindication to the COVID-19 vaccine. Contraindications are listed at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/interim-considerations-us.html#contraindications

Attestation required within 90 days after U.S. arrival:
Tuberculosis Screening (Select one):

• My test result is negative. I have undergone tuberculosis screening starting with an IGRA (interferon-gamma release assay) blood test, and my result is negative. I have and will retain my IGRA test result documentation.
• My test result is indeterminate. I have undergone tuberculosis screening starting with an IGRA (interferon-gamma release assay) blood test and my results are indeterminate. An indeterminate IGRA result means additional testing is needed because I may have a tuberculosis infection which has not yet resulted in a positive IGRA test. I will follow up with a state or local public health office or doctor’s office and will complete any additional recommended testing to include further IGRA blood testing, chest x-ray, or other testing and treatment. I have and will retain my IGRA test result documentation.
• My test result is positive. I have undergone tuberculosis screening starting with an IGRA (interferon-gamma release assay) blood test and this screening was positive for tuberculosis. I understand that prior Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination does not cause a positive IGRA result, thus a positive IGRA test must be taken seriously. I will receive a chest x-ray, and if abnormal, or other signs or symptoms of active tuberculosis disease are present, I will comply with isolation and treatment measures as determined by a state or local public health office or doctor’s office. I have and will retain my IGRA test result documentation as well as documentation that I followed up for additional testing and treatment.
• I have not undergone tuberculosis screening but qualify for an exception to this requirement because I am younger than 2 years old.

Select if Applicable:

• I did not receive a polio vaccine prior to arriving in the United States because it was not approved or licensed for my age group, but I have now been vaccinated against polio.
• I did not receive a COVID-19 vaccination prior to arrival in the United States because it was not approved or licensed for my age group or was only partially vaccinated prior to arriving in the United States. I have completed or will complete my COVID-19 primary series to become fully vaccinated within 90 days of arrival or within 90 days of reaching the eligible age for vaccination according to the current guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/interim-considerations-us.html

On July 25, USCIS announced that it would indefinitely allow documents to be submitted with an electronically reproduced original signature. This means that a document may be printed out, signed by hang and scanned, faxed, photocopied, or similarly reproduced, provided that the copy must be of an original document containing an original handwritten signature.

"In an effort to take the lessons learned from our pandemic posture, USCIS has been evaluating which flexibilities can and should be extended permanently. As a result of this evaluation, the reproduced signature flexibility announced in March, 2020, will become permanent policy on July 25, 2022."

Individuals or entities who submit documents with an electronically reproduced original signature must retain the original “wet signature” documents, as the agency may, at any time, request an original document. Failure to provide this document may negatively impact case adjudication.

USCIS does not accept electronically signed documents that are signed through DocuSign or similar applications that affix an electronic signature.

25 июля 2022 USCIS опубликовал сообщение о том какие именно электронные подписи на документах они принимают, и какие не принимают.

Документ должен быть подписан от руки, отсканирован и предоставлен как копия оригинала подписи. Электронные подписи не принимаются по прежнему.

Тут более подробно и тут. Here is more information. Also, here. 

Using marijuana for any reason, even without a conviction, can result in denial of your green card application, either through adjustment of status in the United States (I-485) or through consular processing abroad.

Using marijuana can result in being considered inadmissible - could be under both health related and criminal related grounds

In recent years, USCIS denied applications for naturalization or citizenship (N-400) to applicants who were using marijuana or even worked in marijuana-related industry, for example, in the states where marijuana was legalized. Currently, work related to marijuana is interpreted by USCIS very broadly, to include anything from growing, distribution to providing IT services.

Colorado officials are warning legal immigrants that working in the state’s marijuana industry could jeopardize their legal status, after two people said they were denied U.S. citizenship because of their jobs.

Although 10 states broadly allow its use and sale, federal law still bans marijuana and immigration authorities say they are bound to follow that prohibition when reviewing citizenship applications.

The use and sale of marijuana for adults is broadly permitted in 10 states. More than 30 states allow a variety of marijuana-based products for medical purposes.

Lawyers have warned immigrants of the risk that using state-permitted marijuana could do to their legal status for years and are expanding that message to include employment by marijuana businesses. 

Please note that in 2019 USCIS issued a bulletin (pdf) clarifying that marijuana use is a disqualifying factor in citizenship applications, regardless of whether it’s legal in your state.

Policy Highlights  Clarifies that violation of federal controlled substance law, including for marijuana, established by a conviction or admission, is generally a bar to establishing GMC for naturalization even where the conduct would not be a violation of state law.  An applicant who is involved in certain marijuana related activities may lack GMC if found to have violated federal law, even if such activity is not unlawful under applicable state or foreign laws. Citation Volume 12: Citizenship and Naturalization, Part F, Good Moral Character, Chapter 5, Conditional Bars for Acts in Statutory Period [12 USCIS-PM F.5]

​Read here. 

To schedule a consultation with immigration attorney, please email.

Briefly in Russian:

Проблемы с получением грин карты и гражданства США при употреблении марихуаны, даже в штатах где она легализована. А также для тех, кто работает в сфере марихуаны, даже в тех штатах где это легально, и даже в тех случаях, когда работа не включает в себя разведение и распространение марихуаны. Перед подачей любого иммиграционного заявления, проконсультируйтесь с адвокатом.

Недавно что поменялись правила проведения медосмотра для иммиграционных виз для украинцев. Украинцы обращающиеся за иммиграционными визами, визами невесты, и грин картами через лотерею - теперь смогут пройти медосмотр во Львове на территории Украины. Это будет намного легче и быстрее!
 
МЕДИЦИНСКИЙ ОСМОТР В КИЕВЕ, УКРАИНА 

Больница Шептицкого, ул. Озаркевича, 4, Львов, Украина 
http://spital.org.ua/ 
Tel (044) 584 36 67 (044) 584 36 68 050 028 62 58 (Viber)
Email: [email protected]  
 
Линк к посольству США в Варшаве.с этими новостями:

https://pl.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/medical-examination/
 
По линку по русски информация про медосмотр
 
https://pl.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/IV-F11-RUS-medical-exam-info-Jul-2022.pdf

Важная информация о требованиях вакцинации от COVID-19 для детей!
Согласно требованиям Центра по контролю и профилактике заболеваний, с 25 июля 2022 года все дети в возрасте 6 месяцев и старше должны быть полностью вакцинированы против COVID-19. Полный цикл состоит из 3 доз вакцины Pfizer или 2 доз вакцины Moderna. Полная вакцинация ребенка от COVID-19 может занять не менее 12 недель.
Жителям России и Белоруссии рекомендуем проходить медицинское обследование в Москве или Минске. As of September 8, 2021, applicants who are processing their immigrant visa case in Warsaw may visit a panel physician in Moscow for the required medical examination.
As of July 2022 visa applicants from Ukraine may now undergo medical examination at the Sheptytskyy Hospital in Lviv.

Briefly in English:

Recently, the US embassy in Warsaw, Poland designated a medical clinic in Lviv, Ukraine to administer medical exams (form I-693) required for Ukrainians applying for immigrant visas and fiancee visas.

Embassy posted updated information here. 

It should speed up significantly process of preparing for an immigrant visa interview.
 

When submitting a petition or application to USCIS, it is extremely important to follow their payment instructions precisely. Often, an application can be rejected if an incorrect filing fee is submitted. 

If in doubt, use the USCIS' Fee Calculator here. 

Briefly in Russian:

Когда вы подаете заявление в USCIS очень важно приложить чек на правильную сумму и оплатить госпошлину правильно.

Помните, что иногда USCIS может отказаться принять дело на рассмотрение и вернуть вам пакет по почте, если вы сделали ошибку в госпошлине. Чтобы избезать задержек по вашему делу, убедитесь, что официальные инструкции не поменялись, госпошлины остались прежние, и какие госпошлины требуются по вашему делу, учитывая категорию дела и всех членов семьи

По этому линку вы найдете Калькулятор Госпошлин от USCIS.

 Удачи!