If you are a foreign national or immigrant interested in becoming a United States citizen, you may need the legal guidance and support of an immigration attorney. A Duluth naturalization & citizenship lawyer at Barrios & Virgüez could help you prepare and submit your application for citizenship or work with you to get your application denial overturned.
Although you may be feeling overwhelmed with the naturalization process, when you have a team of respected immigration attorneys advocating for you, you can rest easier. We will carefully examine the circumstances of your case to ensure your application for citizenship and naturalization is in compliance with federal immigration requirements. Contact our office for a confidential case review today.
When to Call a Naturalization & Citizenship Lawyer for Help
There is no legal requirement that you have an immigration attorney by your side when you are applying for naturalization and citizenship. However, it may be in your best interests to retain an attorney who can fight for your future.
When you are unsure what documents you might need to support your case, whether you meet the eligibility requirements of naturalization, or how to go about appealing a denied application, having an experienced naturalization and citizenship lawyer in Duluth advocating for you could make all the difference in the outcome of your case.
Your naturalization and citizenship attorney can help you fix errors on your application, gather additional supporting documentation, and go over your eligibility status so you know what to expect next and how to improve your chances of getting your naturalization application approved.
How to Become a U.S. Citizen
If you hope to become a U.S. citizen, there are several ways you can do so. These options include:
- Acquisition of citizenship – Citizenship through acquisition means someone who is born overseas can secure dual citizenship and achieve their U.S. citizenship as long as one of their biological parents is also a United States citizen. In this way, despite a child being born abroad, they can still acquire their U.S. citizenship rights through their parents.
- Citizenship through naturalization – Any foreign nationals who have had their permanent resident card or a green card for a minimum of five years may be eligible for citizenship through naturalization. Alternatively, if you are the spouse of someone who is already a U.S. citizen, you may be eligible for naturalization after a minimum of three years have passed since you retained your green card.
These are just a couple of the most common ways to obtain your U.S. citizenship. To learn more about how you can become a United States citizen based on the specific details of your case, do not hesitate to contact a naturalization and citizenship attorney in Duluth for help.
Citizenship and Naturalization Compliance
If you are hoping to become a naturalized U.S. citizen or otherwise obtain your U.S. citizenship, you must be sure to remain in compliance with state and federal laws. You will be required to file your application before the necessary deadlines based on the circumstances of your case and provide all necessary information the U.S. government may need to process your application.
To ensure you remain in compliance, make sure when you move, switch jobs, or are leaving the country to visit your family or travel abroad, you reach out to your Duluth naturalization and citizenship attorney. If you do not comply with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations, it could put your ability to secure citizenship in jeopardy.
Can You Travel Internationally After You Apply for Naturalization?
When immigrants or foreign nationals are hoping to go to their home country for a visit, travel, or take care of other personal matters, they may be surprised to learn that such travel may not be in their best interests. When you are in the process of naturalization, it is important that you remain in compliance with U.S. residency requirements.
Before you make the trip back home, make sure you contact your citizenship and naturalization attorney in Duluth for help. You will need to have specific travel documents if you don’t want to put your citizenship online. If you want to travel home in the near future, you should attempt to do so before you file your application for U.S. citizenship, wherever possible.
What Happens if You Are Convicted of a Crime?
Being convicted of a criminal offense could have a devastating impact on your ability to obtain naturalization or U.S. citizenship. Someone who is convicted of a criminal offense may find that their application for citizenship is rejected. To qualify for naturalization, you must be considered a “person of good moral character.”
Certain types of criminal convictions may call into question your moral character. Even if you meet the U.S. residency requirements and other criteria, failure to be considered a person of good moral character could have a negative impact on your naturalization application. It should also be noted that there are specific criminal convictions that will permanently bar a person from becoming a U.S. citizen. Some examples of these offenses could include:
- Money laundering
- Fraud
- Rape
- Other sex offenses
- Torture
- Genocide
- Murder
- Drug crimes
- Aggravated felony convictions
- Any violent crime or theft offense that requires the defendant to spend a minimum of one year in jail or prison
These are just a few of the different types of criminal offenses that may deem you ineligible for naturalization or citizenship in the U.S. If you have previously been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of a criminal offense and are hoping to become a U.S. citizen, make sure to reach out to a naturalization and citizenship lawyer in Duluth to discuss your options going forward.
Contact a Duluth Naturalization and Citizenship Attorney Today
The process of becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen can be overwhelming. Make sure you have a dedicated legal advocate by your side to help you through these complex immigration matters.
Reach out to an experienced Duluth naturalization and citizenship lawyer at Barrios & Virgüez for a confidential case review today. You can reach us through our secure contact form or by phone when you are ready to get started on your application.
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