If you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States, you may be considering applying to become a U.S. citizen. Obtaining U.S. citizenship offers naturalized citizens a wide array of benefits that supersede those awarded to the lawful permanent resident. These include gaining the right to vote, being eligible to run for public office, serve on a jury and apply for government jobs. Naturalized citizens may also be eligible to receive social security and Medicare benefits. If you are looking to move forward on the path to citizenship, an Atlanta immigration lawyer can walk you through the process step by step and clarify for you any roadblocks that you may encounter along the way. Schedule a consultation today to find out more.
According to the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the requirements for permitting foreign applicants to become naturalized citizens include:
There can be certain deviations to the above requirements depending upon the particular situation at hand. For example, if the applicant is married and has been living with a spouse who is a U.S. citizen, the required minimum length of time to be living as a permanent resident in the United States can be reduced. The requirement to speak, read and write in English may be waived if the applicant is at least 55 years old and has been living in the United States as a permanent resident for the past 15 years. The requirement may also be waived for applicants who have held a Green Card for a minimum of 20 years and are at least 50 years old. Exceptions to the above rules are also applicable when the applicant has a permanent physical or mental handicap that renders them unable to perform certain tasks.
STERN Law provides immigration assistance and deportation defense services to both detained and non-detained immigrants. We serve:
We DO NOT take “NO” for an answer, even in the most complex of cases. See below different areas of Immigration Law we have handled with high success.
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Atlanta immigration lawyers and trained staff provide consultations and legal representation on the following matters:
Once the applicant has satisfied all the requirements and has filed the Application for Certificate of Citizenship to become a naturalized citizen, the next step is to wait for U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization Services (CIS) to render a final decision on the application. Thereafter, CIS has approximately 180 days from the date the application was filed to do so. Should applicants receive a denial response to their application, they are entitled to an administrative review process and a hearing with an immigration officer. It is beneficial for applicants to contact a qualified Atlanta immigration lawyer who can assist with any complications to the naturalization process.
Applying to become a naturalized citizen can be an exciting time, but it is best to take all necessary precautions to bolster the chances that your application will be accepted. Whether you are in the stages of applying for naturalization or are facing a rejection of your application, an immigration attorney may be able to assist you.
Contact an Atlanta immigration lawyer today for a consultation to discuss your matter in detail.