Naturalization/Citizenship

The decision to become a U.S. citizen through naturalization is a very important one since a citizen of the United States is not only afforded certain privileges, but also carries the weight of many responsibilities. Generally, only those who are lawful permanent residents or have honorably served in the military may apply to naturalize, and there are a number of additional requirements that must be met in order to successfully become a U.S. citizen. Some individuals may be ineligible for naturalization due to prior criminal or immigration violations, time spent outside of the United States, failure to pay taxes or child support, or for any of the other myriad reasons found under the U.S. nationality laws.

Besides naturalization, another way to obtain citizenship is through one’s parents—either automatically at the time of birth, or afterwards at the time of naturalization of the parent. This highly complex area of nationality law requires particularized knowledge of the laws in effect at the time of the child’s birth in order to determine whether the child automatically acquired or derived U.S. citizenship.

We strongly recommend that you seek the advice of a knowledgeable immigration attorney in order to determine your eligibility for naturalization or citizenship. Submitting an immigration application when you are not eligible can result in the loss of permanent residence, deportation, family separation, and permanent ineligibility for lawful status in the United States. Our firm will carefully review your case and will provide you with the information you need in order to make the best decision for you and your family.