Immigration and Citizenship
Making a citizenship application in the United States is by no means simple. Before even taking the citizenship test, many individuals who filed for citizenship, find out that their application has been rejected. The Department of Homeland Security evaluates a candidate’s whole immigration record, from their original application for immigration benefits through their application for US citizenship, taking into account a number of factors. In order to maximize your chances of getting your US citizenship application approved, it’s highly advised to contact a US citizenship attorney. Our team of experts over at the law offices of Hussain and Gutierrez provide expert US citizenship and immigration services in Van Nuys, California.
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There are simply too many ways a lawful permanent resident may not be eligible for citizenship. Petitions for citizenship have been denied as a result of arrests and discrepancies in prior immigration applications; in some circumstances, this has led to petitioners appearing before an immigration judge in removal proceedings. If there are outstanding taxes as well, certain citizenship petitions may be rejected. With that, our Van Nuys citizenship and naturalization lawyer can assist you in this situation and help you avoid suffering, anguish, and government filing expenses for an application that will inevitably be rejected.
Becoming a US citizen can positively impact your life. Some of the many benefits for obtaining US citizenship include:
- Vote: Voting in federal elections is restricted to citizens. Most states also only permit citizens of the United States to vote in most elections.
- Serve on a jury: Federal juries may only be composed of American citizens. American citizens can only serve on juries in most states. Citizens of the United States have an important duty to serve on juries.
- Travel with a US passport: If you need assistance when traveling abroad, you can contact the American government with a US passport.
- Bring family members to the US: US citizens generally get priority when petitioning to bring family members permanently to this country.
- Obtain citizenship for children under 18 years of age: In most cases, a child born abroad to a US citizen is automatically a US citizen.
- Apply for federal jobs: For some federal positions, US citizenship is required.
- Become an elected official: Most state and municipal offices, as well as the US Senate and House of Representatives, are only open to residents.
- Keep your residency: A US citizen’s right to remain in the United States cannot be taken away.
- Become eligible for federal grants and scholarships: Only US citizens are eligible for many financial aid programs, including college scholarships and money provided by the government for particular purposes.
- Obtain government benefits: Only citizens of the United States can receive some government benefits.
If you were not born in the United States, you can become a citizen in one of the three ways:
- Citizenship via Naturalization: You might be able to naturalize and become an American citizen. A Green Card holder, also known as a Lawful Permanent Resident ("LPR"), must have held their card for at least five years before they are able to apply to become a citizen of the United States, though there are several circumstances in which this requirement may be met earlier.
- Citizenship through transmission: Even though you were not born in the United States, you may already be a citizen, but only if one or both of your parents were citizens at the time of your birth. The transmission laws are periodically changed by the US Congress, and whether you are a citizen or not depends on the laws in force at the time of your birth.
- Citizenship through acquisition: Even if you were not born in the United States and neither of your parents were citizens at the time of your birth, you may already be a citizen or acquire citizenship through other means. In general, you will immediately become a citizen of the United States if you obtain a Green Card before turning eighteen and your parents naturalized.
Currently, it takes between 18 and 24 months to complete the naturalization process from the moment you submit your citizenship application to the Oath of Allegiance ceremony. For applications for naturalization, the government currently charges a filing fee of $725, which includes $640 for processing and $85 for biometrics services. Both the application filing cost and the biometrics fee are waived for applicants who are in the military. The biometrics charge is waived for applicants who are 75 and older. Contact a Van Nuys United States citizenship lawyer to see if one or more fees can be waived in your case.
Let’s see below several rights and responsibilities that all citizens should exercise and respect. Some of these responsibilities are legally required of every citizen, but all are important to ensuring that America remains a free and prosperous nation:
The right of a US citizen include:
- Freedom to express yourself
- Freedom to worship as you wish
- Right to a prompt, fair trial by jury
- Right to vote in elections for public officials
- Right to apply for federal employment requiring US citizenship
- Right to run for elected office
- Freedom to pursue “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”
The duties and responsibilities of a US citizen include:
- Support and uphold the Constitution
- Respect and obey federal, state, and local laws
- Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others
- Participate in your local community
- Pay income and other taxes honestly, and on time, to federal, state, and local authorities
- Serve on a jury when called upon
- Defend the country if the need should arise
Market-Leading Law Firm and Top Lawyers For US Citizenship
US immigration laws are constantly changing, and the laws in place today may not necessarily apply to your situation. In many cases, the laws enacted when you arrived in the US and registered as an immigrant will continue to serve as the guidelines for your immigration. To remove any barriers that may be in your way of becoming a US citizen, our experienced and caring immigration staff will complete the required paperwork and analyze any supporting materials before submitting them to USCIS.
Our United States citizenship attorney in Van Nuys, Fakhrudeen Hussain has more than 10 years of legal experience. Plus, he is an immigrant himself, so he understands how you feel. Our team’s extensive knowledge of both previous and present immigration rules, we can assist you in determining the elements that will affect your citizenship application. Law offices of Hussain & Gutierrez take pride in providing amazing US citizenship and immigration services in Van Nuys, CA.
Have a question? Ask our lawyer for US citizenship
Yes. It is best to bring your Van Nuys citizenship and naturalization lawyer to be present at the interview. You can get assistance from the skilled lawyers at our firm to study for your citizenship interview, get ready, and stay protected.
Yes. Although the immigration process can be difficult and drawn out, engaging an attorney for citizenship to help you with your case can expedite the procedure and enable you to achieve your objectives.
Following the interview, your N-400 may be rejected for one of the following three reasons: failure to perform well in the civics and English assessments, failure to meet the requirements for residency and presence in person, or failure to uphold moral principles.
On average, it takes 18 months to 2 years to complete the naturalization process and become a US citizen. The naturalization process with filing Form N-400 and ends with taking the Oath of Allegiance.
The four options are naturalization, marriage, parentage, and military service. Naturalization is the most common method. Each path for applying for citizenship in the United States has its own set of intricate requirements.
