Citizenship Lawyer Washington, DC

Many people from around the world dream of living in the United States. It’s a long journey from visa holder to naturalized U.S. citizen, but it’s worth the effort. For some, their journey ends once they’ve become lawful permanent residents (green card holders), but to fully enjoy the benefits, opportunities, and freedoms the country offers requires taking the leap to citizenship.

Let us help you take this last step toward living the American dream.

Washington DC is a melting pot of cultures. Despite applying for naturalization, you can still stick to your roots and enjoy life in one of DC’s colorful neighborhoods or dive in head first and create your identity as an American. Here, in the nation’s capital, you’ll be free to be exactly who you want to be.

MyImmigration has helped countless green card holders become naturalized U.S. citizens. Let us help you take the last steps to U.S. citizenship.

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

Many immigrants who went from being visa holders to becoming permanent residents still want a bigger slice of the American pie. While green card holders have some significant benefits, they still won’t have all the opportunities that citizenship brings. Green card holders aren’t automatically eligible for naturalization, nor is citizenship granted to anyone who applies. Here’s a breakdown of the benefits of citizenship and what challenges applying can bring.

Full Voting Rights: Naturalized U.S. citizens can vote in all elections (local, state, federal), giving them a say in how the country is run.
Increased Federal Job Opportunities: Many federal jobs require applicants to be U.S. citizens, and naturalization provides a much wider range of job opportunities.
Protection from Deportation: Once you become a United States citizen, you cannot be deported. Naturalization provides a deeper level of security.
International Travel Benefits: A United States passport doesn’t have the restrictions of other countries, making international travel much easier. Many countries don’t require visas for U.S. citizens.
Renewal Status: Green card holders must renew their residency status every ten years. Doing so involves fees, processing time, and other inconveniences.

Unfortunately, sometimes, there are some hurdles to overcome when applying for naturalization. Some of the more common stumbling blocks can include:

Failure to Meet Continuous Residence: Spending too much time outside the country (six months or more in a year) for any reason could cause issues when applying for citizenship.
Legal Matters: Legal problems could cause your citizenship application to be delayed, questioned, and even denied.
Taxes Issues: Green card holders are required to file taxes on their yearly income, even if it’s earned in another country. Failure to do so can cause problems when applying for citizenship.
Errors or Omissions on the Application: Incomplete forms or those with errors and inconsistencies can cause delays or denial.

If you have issues filing for naturalization, speak to one of our experienced citizenship lawyers. They’ll examine your situation and determine the best strategy for moving forward and getting your citizenship application approved.

The Citizenship Process

Whether you have birthright citizenship or have become a U.S. citizen through naturalization, you share the same benefits, opportunities, and freedoms that all Americans have. Regardless of how you became a citizen, everyone is regarded as equal. For those who seek citizenship, before they can apply, they must meet the following requirements:

Be at least 18 years old
Must be a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) for at least five years
Must have continuous residency in the U.S. for at least five years
Must have lived continuously in the United States for at least half of the time
Be of good moral character
Must be able to write, read, and speak basic English
Must have surface knowledge of U.S. history and government

Once you’ve met these requirements, the naturalization process is as follows:

Filing: Eligible green card holders can begin the process by filing Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization).
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 meet with a USCIS officer in person who will ask questions about your history and why you want to become a U.S. citizen.
Exams: Applicants are required to pass an English language and United States civics exam. The language portion will test your understanding of English, while the civics exam will test your knowledge of United States history and government.
Take the oath of allegiance: Once you’ve passed the exams, you’ll be notified to attend a naturalization ceremony. This is where you will take the Oath of Allegiance.
Certificate of naturalization: You’ll receive this document shortly after the naturalization ceremony. It’s proof you are a citizen of the United States and can be used to apply for a U.S. passport.

Contact a Washington DC Citizenship Attorney Today

Each year, close to a million eligible individuals become naturalized U.S. citizens. If you long to wave the red, white, and blue, you can be one of them and enjoy all the benefits this great nation has to offer.

If you have questions or concerns about the citizenship process, schedule an appointment with a citizenship lawyer. We would be honored to help you achieve your goal of becoming a United States citizen.