There is a lot of news about immigration these days—and, if you are in the middle of the immigration process, it can sometimes feel like none of it is good news. While it is true that some immigration policies have become stricter and immigration laws are being enforced more aggressively, that does not necessarily mean you should put off applying for U.S. citizenship.
In fact, if you are eligible to naturalize now, there are some very good reasons to consider moving forward rather than waiting for the “perfect” time.
Am I Eligible to Apply for U.S. Citizenship?
Every case is different, but if you are applying under the general five-year rule, you may be eligible for U.S. citizenship if you meet requirements such as:
- You are at least 18 years old.
- You have been a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) for at least five years.
- You meet the continuous residence and physical presence requirements.
- You have not had lengthy trips outside the United States that may have disrupted your continuous residence.
- You can demonstrate good moral character.
- You have properly filed and paid your taxes or made appropriate arrangements to resolve any tax debt.
- If you have a legal obligation to pay child support, you are complying with that obligation.
- If Selective Service requirements applied to you, you complied with them or can appropriately address the issue.
- You can read, write, speak, and understand basic English and pass the required U.S. history and civics test, unless you qualify for an exception.
There are also other paths to naturalization. For example, certain green card holders who are married to U.S. citizens may qualify under a three-year rule rather than waiting five years.
And remember: this is only a general overview. There are exceptions to many of these requirements, and something that looks like a problem does not always mean you cannot become a citizen. If you are unsure whether you qualify, call us at 385-955-4711 and speak with one of our immigration attorneys. We can help you determine whether you are eligible before you file your N-400 application with USCIS.
Waiting for Immigration Policies to Become More Relaxed May Be a Mistake
Sometimes people tell me they want to wait before taking the next step in their immigration journey. Maybe they hope immigration policies will become more relaxed in the future. I understand the temptation.
The problem is that nobody knows what the future will bring. We don’t know who future presidents will be, how future administrations will enforce existing immigration laws, or what laws Congress may pass. We also don’t know whether future changes will make the naturalization process easier or harder.
We simply don’t know.
What we do know is what the law requires today. If you qualify today, there can be some very good reasons to take advantage of that opportunity.
Here are a few.
1. Your Circumstances Can Change
Right now, you may be an excellent candidate for citizenship. But life has a funny way of throwing curveballs.
A family emergency could require you to spend a long period of time outside the United States, creating issues with continuous residence. A future arrest or criminal record could complicate a naturalization application. You could develop tax problems or fall behind on a court-ordered financial obligation.
Before filing, review these common Form N-400 mistakes that can lead to delays or denial.
Hopefully none of those things ever happen. But the point is simple: being eligible today does not guarantee that your case will be just as straightforward several years from now. Once you become a U.S. citizen, many of the immigration-related concerns that affect green card holders are no longer an issue.
2. Make Your Voice Count
Lawful permanent residents cannot vote in federal elections. U.S. citizens can.
Citizenship gives you the opportunity to participate more fully in the democratic process and vote for the people who represent you at the federal, state, and local levels. And for many elected offices, U.S. citizenship also gives you the ability to run for office yourself.
Whether you love what your elected officials are doing or wonder how in the world they got elected in the first place, citizenship gives you a voice in the process.
3. You May Be Able to Help More Family Members Immigrate
U.S. citizenship can also open additional immigration options for your family. U.S. citizens may petition for certain relatives who cannot be petitioned for by lawful permanent residents, including parents, siblings, and married sons and daughters.
Citizenship can also make a significant difference for some immediate relatives. For example, spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens are considered “immediate relatives” under immigration law and are not subject to the same annual visa-number limitations that apply to many other family-sponsored categories.
And yes—we would be happy to help with that process too. Give us a call at 385-955-4711.
4. Greater Peace of Mind
A green card gives you the right to live permanently in the United States, but lawful permanent resident status still comes with immigration rules and responsibilities. Certain criminal convictions can jeopardize permanent resident status. Spending too much time outside the United States can raise questions about whether you abandoned your residence. In some circumstances, a lawful permanent resident can be placed into removal proceedings.
Citizenship provides considerably greater security. Once you naturalize, you no longer have to worry about accidentally abandoning your green card by spending too much time abroad, and you generally no longer face the possibility of losing your right to live in the United States through the immigration removal process.
For many people, that peace of mind alone is a major reason to become a citizen.
5. No More Renewing Your Green Card
Green cards generally need to be renewed every 10 years. Citizenship does not.
Once you become a U.S. citizen, you do not have to keep filing applications with USCIS every decade simply to replace an expiring green card. No more I-90 applications. No more green card renewal fees.
And if you lose your green card—or, heaven forbid, it gets stolen—you won’t have to pay USCIS a hefty replacement fee. You may still need to renew your U.S. passport from time to time, but your citizenship itself does not expire.
6. Travel Becomes Easier
Another major benefit of U.S. citizenship is the ability to travel with a U.S. passport. The U.S. passport is one of the world’s strongest passports and currently provides access to roughly 180 destinations without obtaining a traditional visa in advance, depending on the destination’s particular entry requirements.
Citizens also don’t have to worry about abandoning their U.S. immigration status because they spent too much time outside the country. For green card holders, lengthy international travel can create serious issues. Depending on the circumstances, extended time abroad can lead to questions about whether you have abandoned your lawful permanent residence.
U.S. citizens do not have that problem. You can live or travel abroad without losing your U.S. citizenship simply because you were outside the country too long.
7. Applying Now Could Save You Money
If you have dealt with USCIS for very long, you have probably noticed a trend: filing fees rarely seem to get cheaper.
The current general N-400 filing fee is $710 when filed online and $760 when filed on paper. And another fee increase may be coming.
DHS has proposed increasing the general N-400 filing fee substantially—to $1,280 for online filing and $1,330 for paper filing. That would represent an increase of approximately 80% for an online N-400. The proposal would also eliminate the current reduced-fee option and generally eliminate fee waivers for N-400 applicants.
As of the date of this article, this is still only a proposed rule. It has not yet become final, and there is no announced date when the proposed higher fees will take effect.
Still, it is another reason why waiting may end up costing you more. If you are already eligible for naturalization and intend to become a U.S. citizen eventually, filing sooner could potentially save you hundreds of dollars in government filing fees.
Ready to Apply for U.S. Citizenship? We Can Help.
We have helped many lawful permanent residents successfully become U.S. citizens—and we love being part of that process. Our immigration attorneys can help you determine whether you are eligible, identify potential issues before you file, prepare your application, and help you present the strongest possible case to USCIS.
If there is something unusual in your immigration history, travel history, criminal history, taxes, child support, Selective Service history, or another part of your case, we can help you understand whether it creates a problem and what options may be available.
We currently offer three levels of assistance:
1. Consultation Only
Maybe you aren’t quite ready to file and simply have questions. Schedule a consultation with one of our immigration attorneys. We can review your situation, answer your questions, and help you understand whether you are ready to apply for citizenship.
You have questions. We have answers.
Call us at 385-955-4711 to schedule an appointment.
2. Review and Consultation
Our Review and Consultation service includes software-assisted form preparation, attorney review of your application, a 15-minute consultation with an immigration lawyer to discuss your questions, and a written assessment from the attorney.
This can be a good option if you are comfortable handling most of the process yourself but want the peace of mind of having an immigration attorney review your case before you file.
3. Full Representation
Want us to handle the process with you from beginning to end?
Our Full Representation service includes everything provided with our Review and Consultation service, plus full representation before USCIS, additional attorney consultation time of up to 90 minutes, e-filing when available, and assistance handling correspondence with USCIS.
If you are unsure what type of legal help you need, read our guide on when you may need an N-400 lawyer.
Take the Next Step Toward U.S. Citizenship
If you are eligible for citizenship today, there may be little benefit in waiting for some hypothetical “better” time in the future. Your circumstances can change. Immigration policies can change. USCIS fees can change.
But becoming a U.S. citizen can provide something much more lasting: security, opportunity, and peace of mind.
To get started, explore our U.S. citizenship application services or call us at 385-955-4711.
We look forward to helping you take the next step in your immigration journey.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Immigration cases are fact-specific, and you should speak with a qualified immigration attorney about your individual circumstances.
