Enterline and Partners is pleased to feature its clients, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Schroeder on a successful case outcome.
In mid-2020 during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder were referred to our office regarding their desire to immigrate to the United States. Mr. Schroeder, an American expatriate, had been living in Vietnam for several years. While Mrs. Schroeder had a B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa enabling her to travel back and forth to the United States to visit family and friends, they decided it was time to immigrate to the United States for themselves and their daughter.
Our immigration attorneys filed a Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative with supplemental documentation with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”). After USCIS approved the Form I-130 Petition, the case was sent to the National Visa Center (“NVC”) where our attorneys filed the necessary documents to continue the visas application processing. After the NVC documentarily qualified the case and sent the file to the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, Mrs. Schroeder completed her medical examination and attended her immigrant visa interview. Although she was a 221g Notice of Administrative Processing, our attorneys responded to the U.S. Consulate which resulted in Mrs. Schroeder being issued an IR-1 Immigrant Visa.
After living in the United States for more than two (2) years, our office contacted Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder to inform them that she may be eligible to file for naturalization to become a U.S. citizen and we would be happy to further represent her. After receiving their approval to assist, our office filed Mrs. Schroeder’s Form N-400, Application for Naturalization with USCIS. A few months later, Mrs. Schroeder was sworn in as a U.S. citizen at the USCIS Field Office in Baltimore, Maryland.
Our office would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude and congratulations to the Schroeder’s! It is our great pleasure to assist our client’s over many years to achieve their American dream.
Case Timeline: From IR-1 Visa to U.S. Citizenship
| Date | Event | Enterline and Partners Role |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-2020 | Mr. Schroeder (U.S. citizen) and Mrs. Schroeder (Vietnamese national) contact the office | Initial consultation and immigration roadmap |
| 2020 | Form I-130 filed with USCIS | Prepared and filed complete I-130 petition |
| After I-130 approval | File transferred to NVC | Submitted required NVC documents |
| After NVC | Case sent to U.S. Consulate HCMC | Interview preparation |
| Interview day | Mrs. Schroeder receives 221(g) administrative processing hold | Filed immediate response with additional documents |
| After 221(g) resolved | Mrs. Schroeder receives IR-1 immigrant visa | Assisted with U.S. entry preparation |
| More than 2 years after entry | Eligible for naturalization as spouse of U.S. citizen | Proactively contacted and filed Form N-400 |
| After N-400 approval | Mrs. Schroeder takes oath of citizenship in Baltimore, Maryland | Full legal representation throughout |
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon can the Vietnamese spouse of a U.S. citizen apply for naturalization?
The spouse of a U.S. citizen may file Form N-400 for U.S. naturalization after 3 years as a Lawful Permanent Resident, provided they remain married to and living with the same U.S. citizen at the time of both the application and the naturalization interview. This is a special provision for spouses of U.S. citizens; the standard naturalization period for other LPRs is 5 years.
What is 221(g) administrative processing and does it mean the visa was denied?
A 221(g) refusal is a temporary administrative hold issued by the U.S. Department of State when a consular officer requires additional information or documentation to finalize a visa decision. It is not a final denial. In most 221(g) cases, the applicant simply needs to provide the requested additional documents for processing to continue. However response times after a 221(g) hold can range from a few weeks to several months. Consulting an immigration attorney immediately after receiving a 221(g) notice is strongly recommended to ensure a timely and appropriate response.
How long does the full process from IR-1 visa to U.S. citizenship typically take?
The complete process from filing Form I-130 to taking the citizenship oath typically takes 5 to 8 years total. This includes 8 to 14 months for USCIS to adjudicate the I-130 and NVC to process the case, additional months for the consular interview and visa issuance, a minimum 3-year LPR period before naturalization eligibility as a spouse of a U.S. citizen, plus N-400 processing which typically takes 6 to 18 months. In the Schroeder family’s case, the full process from mid-2020 to the naturalization ceremony in 2024 took approximately 4 years.
Does Enterline and Partners assist with the N-400 naturalization application?
Yes. Enterline and Partners provides legal representation for all stages of the U.S. immigration process, including Form N-400 naturalization. As demonstrated in the Schroeder case, we proactively monitor our clients’ immigration status and notify them when they become eligible for naturalization rather than leaving clients to independently track these milestones themselves. This approach ensures no eligibility window is missed and that clients file at the optimal time.
For more information on an Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative and Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, contact us at info@enterlinepartners.com.
ENTERLINE & PARTNERS CONSULTING
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Office
146C7 Nguyen Van Huong St, Thao Dien Ward,
District 2, Thu Duc City
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: +84 933 301 488
Email: info@enterlinepartners.com
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Manila, Philippines Office
LKG Tower 37th Floor
6801 Ayala Avenue
Makati City, Philippines 1226
Tel: +63 917 543 7926
Email: info@enterlinepartners.com
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Copyright 2024. This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This article may be changed with or without notice. The opinions expressed in this article are those of Enterline and Partners only.
