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The Emerald Isle Immigration Center's highly qualified staff assists clients in many aspects of immigrant life and law. The EIIC prides itself on the extraordinary services it provides.

EIIC Citizenship Application Drives

Emerald Isle Immigration Center will host:

U.S. Citizenship Free Informational Meeting: Immigration and Citizenship

Thursday, April 7th, 6:00pm at the Woodlawn office

Informational session led by John Stahl, EIIC Immigration Attorney and Carmel Rose, EIIC Immigration Counselor on naturalization eligibility requirements, process, rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship.

U.S. Citizenship Application Drives

Sat, April 9th, 10:00am to 1:00pm at the Woodlawn office
&
Sat, April 16th, 10:00am to 1:00pm at the Woodside office.

Counselors will be available to help complete the application for US Citizenship. Those who wish to attend must register in advance.

In order to register contact our Bronx office at 718-3243039

View Full Press Release

EIIC Citizenship seminars, application drives in April

March 25, 2011:  For Immediate release

The Emerald Isle Immigration Center to host U.S. Citizenship seminars and application drives at both offices in April

The Emerald Isle Immigration Center will be hosting U.S. citizenship free informational meetings on Tuesday, April 5th at 6pm at the Woodside, Queens office and on Thursday, April 7th at 6pm at the Woodlawn, Bronx office to provide general information on citizenship eligibility.

The Emerald Isle Immigration Center will be holding a U.S. citizenship application drive on Saturday, April 9th from 10am to 1pm in the Woodlawn office and on Saturday, April 16th from 10am to 1pm in the Woodside office. Counselors will be available to help complete the application for US Citizenship. Those who wish to attend should call the office to register in advance.

In general, green card holders, are eligible for American citizenship if they are at least 18 years old and have resided in the United States continuously since becoming a permanent resident for at least five years, or three years if they are married and residing with a U.S. citizen spouse. Also, at least half of that time must have been spent physically present within the United States. Applicants must pass an English and U.S. history and government examination, have filed their taxes and otherwise demonstrate their good moral character and their support of the principles of the U.S. Constitution.

Here are ten reasons why someone should apply to become an American citizen.

  1. Processing times are quicker. It is currently taking an average of five months to complete the naturalization process from filing to the swearing-in ceremony. The current filing fee is $680 to apply for naturalization. The filing fee has been the same since July 2007, but it may be increased on an annual basis. Apply now to avoid having to pay more later.
  2. There is nothing to lose. Certain countries, including Ireland and the United Kingdom, recognize “dual citizenship” permitting naturalized U.S. citizens to maintain their citizenship of birth and original passport. U.S. citizens are required by law to present an American passport upon their departure and return to the United States. A “dual citizen” may use his/her second passport to enter any other country.
  3. Get the VIP treatment at U.S. Customs. Citizens can leave the U.S. and live in another country for as long as  they  want. Holders of  U.S. Passports cannot be prevented from re-entering the United States or be deported.
  4. Vote in November. Only a U.S. citizen has the right to vote for elected officials at the federal, state and local levels who shape the policy of the government.
  5. A citizen also has the right to hold most city, state or federal offices, and the right to hold certain federal, state and city jobs, like a police officer and fire fighter.
  6. Citizens can petition for more family members, including parents and siblings, to come to the U.S. with much shorter waiting lists than for green card sponsorship.
  7. Citizens who retire abroad receive full Social Security benefits, whereas lawful permanent residents may only be entitled to half their benefits, and citizens may be subject to fewer restrictions on estate taxes.
  8. Citizens are eligible for more public benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Food Stamps, and certain types of educational scholarships and financial aid.
  9. In most cases, children under 18 years of age can become an American citizen automatically when their parent or parents naturalize.
  10. Finally, citizens do not have to worry about renewing their green cards every ten years and have one less government agency to deal with, namely the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WOODSIDE, QUEENS
59-26 Woodside Avenue
Woodside, NY  11377
(718) 478-5502
Fax: (718) 446-3727

WOODLAWN, BRONX
4275 Katonah Avenue
Woodlawn, NY  10470
(718) 324-3039
Fax: (718) 324-7741
https://eiic.org

April 18, 2011 Tax Deadline

EMERALD ISLE IMMIGRATION CENTER

Serving the Needs of our Community

April 18, 2011 Tax Deadline

March 1, 2011, Press Release

All immigrants residing and working in the United States are generally required by law to file income taxes every year.  There are other good reasons to file returns as well, including eligibility for citizenship and other immigration benefits and potential tax refunds, credits or exemptions.

To become an American citizen and maintain permanent resident status, immigrants must show evidence that they have filed taxes during the five years prior to their application for naturalization or else proof that filing was not required.  Failure to do so may be considered an act of bad moral character, which is a temporary bar to attaining U.S. citizenship.  Undocumented immigrants working in the country are not excepted.  They must apply for and use an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), issues in lieu of a Social Security Number and used for record keeping purposes. The IRS does not currently share any information from taxpayers with other government agencies due to privacy provisions in the tax laws. It is also not in the IRS’s tax collection interest to disclose any information to the immigration authorities, since it will discourage those who are undocumented from filing tax returns.

For the 2010 tax year, a single individual under 65 must generally file a tax return if his or her income was above $9,450 as a regular employee. Individuals who are independent contractors, including those who are self-employed or whose employer does not report their income to the IRS, are required to file a tax return if they earned more than $400 last year.

It is in the best interest of documented and undocumented immigrants alike to file taxes.  Filers may be eligible for tax refunds, the Child Tax Credit, or exemptions for dependents.  The undocumented may be able to use filing as evidence of physical presence in the U.S. and a good moral character, each a potential requirement towards a path to citizenship under future legislation.

NOTE: THE CENTER WILL BE HOSTING FREE PUBLIC INFORMATION SEMINARS AT OUR WOODSIDE AND WOODLAWN OFFICES ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9th  AND THURSDAY, MARCH 10th , RESPECTIVELY, FROM 6-8pm.

OUR IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY, IMMIGRATION COUNSELOR AND PRIVATE ACCOUNTANTS WILL BE ATTENDING TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND ANSWER QUESTIONS ON GENERAL IMMIGRATION AND TAXES.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS PLEASE CALL THE WOODLAWN OFFICE AT 718-324-3039 OR THE WOODSIDE OFFICE AT 718-478-5502.

WOODSIDE, QUEENS
59-26 Woodside Avenue
Woodside, NY  11377
(718) 478-5502
Fax: (718) 446-3727
WOODLAWN, BRONX
4275 Katonah Avenue
Woodlawn, NY  10470
(718) 324-3039
Fax: (718) 324-7741
https://eiic.org

EIIC Citizenship Drive April 16, 2011

Emerald Isle Immigration Center
Invites you to attend our
Citizenship Drive
April 16, 2011, 10AM-1PM

EIIC immigration counselors will provide free legal assistance in the process of applying for U. S. Citizenship

Those who wish to attend must register in advance

In order to register contact our Queens office at 718- 478 5502

EIIC Queens Office
59-26 Woodside Ave 2nd FL.
Woodside, NY 11377
Tel: 718 – 478 5502
www.eiic.org

Informative Session: Becoming a U.S. Citizen: April 5

Becoming a U.S. Citizen Informative Session

Tuesday, April 5, 2011
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

(Doors close: 6:00 pm)

Emerald Isle Immigration Center invites the community to learn more about:

  • Naturalization eligibility requirements
  • The Naturalization process
  • The Naturalization test
  • Rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship

Location: EIIC Queens Office, 59-26 Woodside Ave 2 FL, Woodside, NY 11377

Download the Event Flyer: English (.pdf)   Spanish (.pdf)

For more information call: 718-478-5502 ext. 209 or email: coordinator@eiic.org

Led by USCIS Representatives, with the participation of:
Daniel Dromm, New York City Council Member
Siobhan Dennehy, EIIC Executive Director
John Stahl, EIIC Director of Legal Services