There are three ways someone can become a citizen of the United States: either through
1. Birth
2. Derivation
3. Naturalization
Naturalization occurs when a person voluntarily applies to become a permanent U.S. citizen. There are many steps to prepare for naturalization which include:
• Determining eligibility
• Overcoming barriers to ineligibility
• File USCIS Form N-400
• Getting fingerprinted
• Attending a citizenship interview
• Attend an oath ceremony
There are common stumbling blocks and pitfalls to the naturalization process that may seem minor and accidental but are regarded extremely seriously by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
In this video, we’re going to discuss 7 potential pitfalls to your naturalization application.
1. Filing a citizenship application when you are not 18 years old.
2. Any issues with how you obtained your Green Card.
3. Any issues dealing with your legal entry into the United States.
4. Maintaining continuous residents – that’s something that affects people who have extended absences.
5. Your physical presence here in the United States.
6. Any criminal arrests or convictions that are on your record.
7. Tax return filings where you have filed as a non-resident.
If you are filing for citizenship and have any questions, call us for a consultation.
To ensure that every step of your naturalization application to become an American citizen has the best opportunity for a successful outcome, a skilled immigration attorney can put their experience to work for you and review your circumstances to help you make the decisions to help you succeed. If you need help with an immigration issue, please contact our office at 855-554-6369. Godoy Law Office serves the entire Chicago, Illinois area including DuPage, Cook, Kane, Will, and Lake Counties.
Immigration Attorney Mario Godoy has years of experience guiding clients with immigration issues through the immigration process along with guiding clients through the criminal case. Godoy focuses on family-based immigration law, business immigration law, removal defense, and criminal defense representation of immigrants. A criminal charge or conviction can be devastating to your immigration case. With over a decade of immigration law experience and memories of family members who were deported due to bad legal advice, Godoy is committed to helping other immigrant families receive the legal justice they deserve. As a legal entrepreneur who practices immigration law, criminal law, estate and probate law, and running two successful law firms, Mario Godoy understands the importance of keeping families together and making a home and future in America.
