Miami Citizenship & Naturalization Lawyer

Many immigrants have taken the leap from lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to naturalized United States citizens. Although having permanent residency does provide many benefits, becoming a citizen is necessary to fully live the American dream and enjoy everything the country has to offer. It’s a big step and may include a couple of challenging hurdles, but it’s well worth the effort.

Let us help you with this final step to living the American dream.

Even after decades of being a green card holder, citizenship isn’t automatically granted. There’s a process that must be initiated and completed. While you may think that after so many years of living in the country, the citizenship process is easy. Don’t take this final set lightly.

Let us guide you through the steps to becoming a U.S. citizen.

The Benefits and Challenges of Becoming a U.S. Citizen in Miami

For some, once they’ve gotten a green card, their immigration journey ends. Green card holders can legally reside in the country and enjoy some of the benefits that come with living in the United States. However, becoming a naturalized citizen unlocks all the country has to offer. The process involves some challenges, but the benefits far outweigh them.

Here are some of the benefits that citizenship brings:

Full Voting Rights: Do you want a voice in the laws governing the nation? Naturalized U.S. citizens can vote in federal, state, and local elections.
Federal Job Opportunities: Many federal jobs are only available to United States citizens. Becoming naturalized can open up a new world of job opportunities.
Protection from Deportation: U.S. citizens can’t be deported. Naturalization provides security and protection.
Easier International Travel: A United States passport can make traveling abroad easier with fewer visa requirements.
No Need to Renew Status: Green card holders must renew their status every ten years. Renewal involves fees and processing time. Once you’re a naturalized citizen, there’s no renewal process.

Becoming a United States citizen through naturalization does have a few challenges. A few of them include:

Failure to Meet Continuous Residence Requirement: If you’ve left the country for extended periods without filing for advanced parole, you could face problems when applying for citizenship.
Criminal Convictions: Some legal issues could affect filing for citizenship.
Not Filing Taxes: Green card holders are required to file U.S. taxes on all income, even if it comes from outside the country. Failure to do so can negatively affect their application for naturalization.
Errors or Omissions on the Application: Incomplete applications or those with errors and inconsistencies can cause delays or denial.

One of our experienced citizenship lawyers in Miami can help with any issue that could delay or deny your naturalization application by determining which strategy will work best for your unique situation.

The Naturalization Process

Having a green card doesn’t automatically grant holders United States citizenship. It’s possible to be a lawful permanent resident without ever becoming a citizen. While having a green card does provide some benefits and protections, only naturalized United States citizens enjoy all the freedoms and opportunities the country can offer. To file for U.S. citizenship, a green card holder must meet certain requirements:

Age Requirement: Must be at least 18 years old.

Permanent Residency: Must be a green card holder (lawful permanent resident) for at least five years.

Continuous Residence: Generally required to have lived continuously in the U.S. as a permanent resident for at least five years (or three years if married to a U.S. citizen).

Physical Presence: Must have been within the country for at least 30 months of the five years before applying.

Residency in Application State: Must have lived in the state or USCIS district where applying for at least three months before filing.

Good Moral Character: Applicants must show good moral character, typically shown by a lack of serious criminal history.

English Language Proficiency: Required to show basic ability to read, write, and speak English (there are some exceptions based on age and residency duration).

Knowledge of U.S. Civics: Must pass a U.S. civics test demonstrating basic knowledge of U.S. history and government.

Willingness to Take the Oath of Allegiance: Must be willing to take an oath of allegiance to the United States.

When applying for naturalization, here’s what to expect:

Fill Out and Submit Application: Those who meet all the eligibility requirements must first file Form N-400 with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Attend Biometrics Appointment: If the application is accepted, you’ll receive an appointment to have a photo and fingerprints taken to be used for a background check.
USCIS Interview: You’ll be scheduled to meet with a USCIS officer for a face-to-face interview. The interview aims to discuss your background and allows you to explain why you want to become a U.S. citizen.
Exams: Part of the naturalization process requires passing an English language and United States civics test. The language exam tests your English fluency. The civics exam will test your knowledge of U.S. history and government.
Oath of Allegiance: Once your application is approved and you’ve passed the exams, you’ll be notified to attend a naturalization ceremony. You will take the Oath of Allegiance, which signifies your commitment to the United States and its laws.
Receive Your Certificate of Naturalization: You’ll receive a Certificate of Naturalization. This document officially proves you are a citizen of the country. You use this certificate to apply for a U.S. passport.

Contact a Citizenship Attorney Today

Naturalization offers so much more than a green card can offer. Don’t miss out on everything the country can offer. To enjoy the biggest slice of the American dream, consult with an experienced citizenship and naturalization lawyer in Miami today.

Schedule an appointment with MyImmigration today.