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@º£½ÇÂÒÂ×Rusher

Great points; but now keep in mind what's happening in many of the US Government Agencies, so delays could or not start again from the Federal side in USA for immigration forms/ documents request and processing, just a thought and we know each case is different. Good luck!

@º£½ÇÂÒÂ×Rusher
Great points; but now keep in mind what's happening in many of the US Government Agencies, so delays could or not start again from the Federal side in USA for immigration forms/ documents request and processing, just a thought and we know each case is different. Good luck! - @CHRISTOPHER DAVID56

Perhaps delays in the FBI background check and getting Apostiles done by the US Department of State.

Something else that keep in mind is the threat to remove American citizenship from everyone with dual citizenship.

@windeguy

FBI easy US Post office 50 bucks received via email and mail with barcode.

Apostille yes could be

Something else that keep in mind is the threat to remove American citizenship from everyone with dual citizenship. - @planner

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that a person born a citizen of this country (the USA) cannot lose their nationality unless they voluntarily and intentionally relinquish it.

Just reporting what I read and confirmed.   Supreme court also said all person's have the right to due process. At this point we all need to be aware of everything going on.

As for the FBI background checks - they may be affected by staffing cuts as well.

I guess people will be getting it from all sides!

Just reporting what I read and confirmed. Supreme court also said all person's have the right to due process. At this point we all need to be aware of everything going on.
As for the FBI background checks - they may be affected by staffing cuts as well.

I guess people will be getting it from all sides! - @planner

I might be worred If I was US naturalized citizen.   I would be worried for illegal aliens and green card holders in the USA.   Trump won't be president for that much longer.

I am not worried in the least having  dual nationality, DR and USA,  as a natural born US citizen with parents that were also US citizens.   

What you saw was "Fake News" on social media regarding Trump ending dual citizenship for US citizens.  See the following:

The screenshot is fake and never appeared on the president's Truth Social account. Trump has not made any similar comments about dual citizenship and has praised Musk repeatedly for his contributions to his administration.

The president has even highlighted Musk's dual citizenship before. In December, facing criticism over the tech CEO's growing political influence, Trump said Musk was "not taking the presidency" because he was not born in the U.S. and therefore could not be president.

Members of Trump's immediate family also hold dual citizenship. His wife, Melania Trump, and their son, Barron Trump, are citizens of Slovenia and the U.S. The president is also eligible for dual citizenship in the U.K., where his mother was born, though he has not claimed this.

The community notes feature on X, which allows other users to flag misleading posts, has been applied to several posts featuring the image. One note said: "A viral image purporting to be a screenshot of such a post was fabricated. The post did not appear on Trump's account."

From what I read, the dual-citizenship thing was indeed a satire that got out of hand -- but the fact remains that these are unpredictable times. Something even crazier could happen tomorrow, or business as usual (whatever that is) could continue on. All I can think of to do is be as well prepared as possible and try to keep a flexible mind ready to respond to changes.

I also keep thinking that any of the low-level officials I'm dependent on for this move could have a cousin in *my* country being given a hard time by a low-level official here. Reason #101 to be on one's best behavior at all times...

Regarding my dual US/DR citizenship causing an issue for my US citizenship, I have no worries at all.  The fake news about that was taken as real and that kind of thing happens all the time these days.  One has to verify almost everything.

Be prepared for just about anything!

Most of all be prepared for delays!

Just as a reference on some US government agency timing, we just applied online for Social Security benefits. At the time of application (March 18), the website said the normal processing time was 30 days. I took that to mean calendar days. It ended up taking 8 weeks, which is longer than 30 working days if that is what they meant. Fortunately, we applied the first month we were able to for a start in July, so the extra time didn't impact us.

I think SSA has been hit as hard or harder than some of the other agencies, so hopefully, FBI reports and apostilles of Federal documents won't be too delayed. At least the state-level apostilles (birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.) won't be impacted.

Shortly after the federal job cuts started, I had a couple of minor glitches at the State Department apostille office -- nothing too disastrous but I did get the impression that people might be scrambling a bit (of course, it might also have just a couple of random bad days).

IIRC Social Security was pretty badly understaffed even before all this started -- phone wait times (as I experienced directly, from inside the US) were measured in hours not minutes. I got everything I needed from them before the layoffs started but I can imagine Social Security might be the most challenging part going forward. To anyone reading this thread in the future, definitely get your Social Security ball rolling as early as possible!

I too hope the other agencies won't be badly affected. I guess the main thing is to be prepared. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best!

Here's the thing: We can sit around and complain, or we can do something to bake a bigger pie. 

1. Please, help bake the bigger pie!

Jim

º£½ÇÂÒÂ×Rusher

@ddmcghee

The SSA website says apply 2 months early.  It has said that for the past 7 years.

We had a typical Dominican day at immigration yesterday. I had a 9:00 AM appointment to get my residency card so I could then get my cedula. I had been warned it could take 3-4 hours to get my residency card. Liz from Lishali’s office was there to meet us. The rules to enter had changed. Applicants only. Liz started working her phone. A different guard came up to us and said Liz could accompany me inside but my wife, who is Dominican could not. Ok, not the end of the world. Liz started working her phone again and a third guard came up to us and escorted the three of inside and directly to the office. 15 minutes later I had my residency card and we were driving to get my cedula. Cedula was easy. Liz and Lishali’s office saved my day.

@huddleston1

Great to hear! Congratulations!

@AttyLishali2

thank you for this great information. my fiance and I are investing in the DR. would any process be more challenging to process in we are not married. We are planning to marry bu no date in yet solid. what is your take on this? is it best to marry before submitting any docs?

Thank you Ms. Lishali,

respectfully

Walter

@AttyLishali2

  Hello Attorney Lishali, would not being married complicate the process or make it more challenging? my fiance and i are both investing in the DR.

also, units are projected the be completed by the end of this year + 6 mos grace period. should we start process process for residency now? even when we do not know when we actually be getting the property titles....

Please advise

While waiting for Lishali to respond, I'll provide my thoughts!

1) Without being married, you would each need to qualify separately. I don't think one property works for two non-married individuals.

2) I'm sure you have to close on the property before the process starts. There are way too many delays and cancelled contracts here for them to provide residency based solely on contracts.

@walter1107b

Hi Walter,

Thank you for your patience and to the planner who is always nice enough to let me know when my attention is required here.

It will be more challenging to apply for a reunification visa and residency after one of the applicants has qualified, then to apply together at once.

Additionally, with the current wait periods and changes at the Immigration Department, the sooner you apply the better, things are changing rapidly again.

Best,

Lishali

This is not a formal or final consult