There are three ways someone can become a citizen of the United States, either through birth, derivation or through naturalization. Naturalization occurs when a person voluntarily applies to become a permanent US citizen.
There are various steps to prepare for naturalization which include:
The citizenship interview is your last hurdle before becoming a U.S. citizen. After your naturalization interview, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officer may tell you whether your application is recommended for approval. In other cases, the USCIS officer cannot make a decision after the naturalization interview. The final decision may require additional evidence which you did not have available at your interview or review by a supervisor.
In this video, we will answer “How long does USCIS have to make a decision on my naturalization application?”
In nearly all naturalization applications, USCIS will likely take months to process your application, However, under the immigration law, USCIS has a time clock to make a decision on your citizenship case.
The time clock for USCIS starts after the initial officer interview. USCIS has 120 days from that interview to make a decision on an application. If it fails to do so then you can file a lawsuit in your local U.S. district court for relief.
It’s important to note that the 120-day period is measured from the interview, not the FBI check. It’s measured from the interview.
If you have any naturalization questions please contact us for an appointment.
With experience in many immigration cases, Mario Godoy and the other experienced immigration attorneys at the Godoy Law Office can assess your situation and advise you on your best options. Contact the office today to get started on your case.
