U.S. Citizenship & Naturalization
U.S. Citizenship & Naturalization
For many individuals, achieving U.S. citizenship is a long-held goal pursued due to the wealth of opportunities citizenship will open for the immigrant and his family. For many immigrants from Latin America and Asia, the U.S. school systems and universities are a particular draw. They may wish for their child to receive only the best education to open additional professional opportunities. And more than 60% of immigrants in the United States today have lived here for at least 15 years.
While it is true that being a United States citizen can allow you to enjoy many of the privileges of living and working in the United States, citizenship also comes with responsibility. To start, the taxpayer must successfully navigate the challenges presented by the naturalization process. However, when you complete the naturalization process, you will experience first-hand the many benefits U.S. citizenship will bring to your life.
Naturalization is an extremely important process that requires the attention of an experienced citizenship and naturalization attorney. At Colombo & Hurd, our citizenship attorneys can help individuals from around the world obtain U.S. citizenship by guiding them through the naturalization process. At Colombo & Hurd our U.S. citizenship lawyers can help you file important documents, prepare and review your citizenship application, handle any issues or problems that may arise, and prepare you for your interview with the USCIS. To discuss whether our experienced naturalization lawyers can assist with your citizenship process, please call (407) 478-1111 today to schedule an appointment at our Orlando, Tampa, or Miami law offices.
How Is U.S. Citizenship Obtained?
U.S. citizenship is obtained by one of two ways. Individuals who are born to a U.S. parent or born within the United States obtain citizenship by birth. Birthright citizenship is part of the United States Constitution. It was added in 1868 by the 14th Amendment, after the United States Supreme Court issued a decision that essentially held that black Americans were not U.S. citizens. Under the 14th Amendment and Supreme Court cases interpreting it, all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. are citizens of the United States.
However, if the foregoing is not true, you will need to obtain citizenship through the second option: naturalization. Naturalization refers to the process through which a foreign national achieves U.S. citizenship. To be clear, if you do not have citizenship by birth and wish to become a U.S. citizen, you are required to go through the naturalization process regardless of your visa type or the path you have taken thus far.
What Can I Expect from the Naturalization Process?
The first step in the naturalization process is determining whether you are eligible to apply for citizenship through the naturalization process. Typically, you must show that you have maintained U.S. residency, have a valid grounds for your request, and have not engaged in any acts or activities that would make you inadmissible or removable from the United States. Assuming that you meet the requirements and qualifications for the process, you should file Form N-400. When submitting Form N-400, you should ensure that it is accompanied by sufficient and relevant supporting documents and evidence.
Following submission of your application, you may be required to submit to biometric data collection. If you are required to supply this information, USCIS will schedule an appointment on your behalf and inform you of its time, location, and date.
All applicants are required to submit to an interview with USCIS personnel. The lawyers of Colombo & Hurd can help you prepare for this interview and provide the confidence you need to make your best showing.
In time, you will receive USCIS’s determination on your application. If your application is denied, we can help appeal or take corrective action. If your supplication is “continued” we can help supply the additional information needed to help you get your approval. Finally, if your application is approved, we can explain the how you should proceed with taking an oath of allegiance to the United States.
Contact Our NATURALIZATION & Citizenship Attorneys
If you have received a denial or a continuance, our citizenship lawyers can also assist these in their appeal of the decision of the USCIS officer. On many occasions, the initial determination of USCIS to deny a citizenship application is incorrect. Our experienced naturalization appeal attorneys can assess your matter and may be able to assist in filing a successful appeal. If you are interested in obtaining U.S. citizenship, contact our immigration and citizenship attorneys at Colombo & Hurd, PL today for an initial consultation at 1 (800) 549-5523.
