Savannah Citizenship & Naturalization Lawyer
Many immigrants dream of one day becoming U.S. citizens. Achieving citizenship allows someone to vote in elections, sit on a jury, and possibly petition to bring in more family members living abroad.
At Shirazi Immigration Law, our Savannah citizenship & naturalization lawyers are dedicated to streamlining the naturalization process as much as possible. To begin your case, please contact our firm without delay.
Becoming a Naturalized Citizen
The process by which someone born outside the U.S. becomes a citizen is called “naturalization.” Not all immigrants can be naturalized. Instead, you must meet certain eligibility requirements, such as:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have had legal residence in the U.S. for at least three years if the spouse of a citizen or five years if single
- Have sufficient English fluency
- Exhibit knowledge of the U.S. government, history, and the Constitution
- Have upstanding moral character
- Have had physical presence in the U.S. for 30 months during the past five years
Someone meeting these requirements can kick off the process by submitting Form N-400, Application to Naturalization. They will need to take a test and participate in an interview with immigration officials before receiving approval.
There are certain requirements regarding timing of the application. For example, you must have lived in Georgia for at least three months before you can become naturalized, which might be a problem if you have moved around a lot. A seasoned citizenship and naturalization attorney in Savannah can discuss these requirements and analyze when is the best time to apply.
Reasons to Seek Citizenship
Some people seek to become citizens for no other reason than they do not believe they truly “belong” in the United States until they are citizens. Others have more practical concerns, such as the ability to sponsor certain family members to move to the U.S. or to seek certain federal jobs reserved to citizens.
Another key concern is deportation. A person with a green card has the legal right to stay in the U.S. permanently and work—but they could still face deportation for certain criminal convictions, fraud, or moral turpitude. Citizenship provides protection, since a citizen cannot be deported.
Ultimately, the reasons for seeking citizenship are as various as the people who submit a naturalization application.
Complications with Seeking Naturalization
For some, the process of becoming a citizen will be straightforward. But others will face certain hurdles, such as:
- Criminal convictions
- Misrepresentations on an immigration application
- Overstaying a visa
- Difficulty speaking or understanding English
Some of these issues might be brought up during the interview. For example, an interviewer might notice that you have trouble understanding English or expressing yourself clearly. Your nerves probably also contribute to the difficulty. Let an attorney talk you through the entire process and develop strategies for addressing any weaknesses. There is no reason to give up on a dream of becoming a U.S. citizen.
Contact a Savannah, Georgia Citizenship & Naturalization Lawyer Today
Shirazi Immigration Law has guided many men and women through the naturalization process. We can also help you apply at the right time so that you do not spend money on fees for an application doomed to fail. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
