FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:
Michelle TsangAsk Law Group
Phone:  (818) 788-1914 Ext 164
Fax:  (818) 905-8195
www.ASKLawGroup.com

MEXICAN NATIONAL WINS FOUR YEAR BATTLE TO PROVE U.S. CITIZENSHIP

Burbank, CA - July 14, 2006 - Although Mariano Torres was born in Mexico on January 23, 1935, he became a U.S. citizen immediately at birth because his father, now deceased, was a U.S. citizen.  However, Torres applied for a certificate of citizenship in 2002 to prove his U.S. nationality and he was refused by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS).  Torres stood firm on his belief that he was a U.S. citizen and persistently pursued his certificate of citizenship.  Finally after four years of legal wrangle, the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) has concluded that Torres is an U.S. citizen.

Torres's father was born in Puerto Rico and he became a naturalized U.S. citizen on March 2, 1917 through the Jones-Shafroth Act.  His father even served in the U.S. military and resided in the U.S. for over 40 years until his death in 1986.  Torres's older sister was able to acquire a certificate of citizenship in July 1991 through their father.

Torres's application for a certificate of citizenship was initially denied because the CIS director claimed inconsistencies in the documentation relating to his father's birth in Puerto Rico and residence in the United States.  However, on appeal, the AAO agreed that the documents contained slightly inconsistent dates; but, they concluded that Torres's father was in fact a U.S. citizen and that it is not unreasonable to expect minor inconsistencies among dates provided for a birth that occurred over a century ago.

“I am delighted that Mr. Torres's appeal reaffirmed that he is a U.S. citizen.  It is unfortunate that he had to go through so much trouble.  The AAO affirms Mr. Torres's eligibility for a certificate of citizenship and now it is up to the CIS to grant it to him,” said Philip Abramowitz, Torres's attorney at ASK Law Group (Abramowitz, Stefanski, Korenberg) in Sherman Oaks, CA.

Torres's case has been returned to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) for review.  He currently waits for their decision at his home in Burbank, CA with his wife Barbara.