Citizenship Lawyer
CITIZENSHIP & FAMILY IMMIGRATION

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Special Personalized Citizenship Processing

After being in Lawful Permanent Resident (green card) status for five years, foreign nationals are eligible to apply for American citizenship. The waiting period is only three years if a foreign national obtained his or her green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen.

Much of the American citizenship (also called naturalization) process is document intensive and involves the careful exchange of immigration information between the client and immigration attorney. After over 10 years of experience, we have developed a system that optimizes our immigration legal expertise and provides our clients with an unmatched personalized experience, customized to their needs.

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“We did it! I can't thank you enough. My citizenship interview was truly a piece of cake. I got 10 for 10 on the questions. You did a superb job of prepping me and I am so grateful. I have given your business card to my hairdresser and two co-workers. I hope they make the right decision to call you. 

Thank you again, Lisa (Canada) in 2009, Dual Citizen of U.S. and Canada”

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American immigration law is highly complex and constantly changing, and the key to smooth citizenship processing involves constant monitoring of the daily changes in immigration law. We subscribe to immigration services like AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association) and ILW.COM (Immigration Lawyers on the Web) to receive daily emails concerning immigration and the constantly changing citizenship requirements by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Citizenship Application Process

The citizenship application process is made up of 10 STEPS:

Step 1: Client Gathers Documents & Provides to Attorney
Step 2: Attorney Prepares N-400 Citizenship Application for Client Review & Signature
Step 3: Attorney Packages & Submits Citizenship Application to U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security; Attorney is Registered as Official “Attorney of Record” and is Allowed to Intervene on Behalf of Client
Step 4: Attorney & Client Receive Official Receipts Acknowledging Successful Submission
Step 5: Attorney & Client Receive Biometrics Appointment Letter for Client to Give Fingerprints/Photo
Step 6: Client Studies for Citizenship Interview Tests (Attorney Provides Questions & Answers)
Step 7: Attorney Conducts Telephone/In Person Practice Citizenship Interview
Step 8: Client Attends Citizenship Interview (Alone or with Attorney Representation)
Step 9: Attorney & Client Receive Oath Ceremony Notice
Stp 10: Client Attends Citizenship Oath Ceremony. Client Turns in I-551 Green Card & Receives Certificate Immediately Afterward. Client Eligible to Apply for U.S. Passport

The citizenship interview usually takes place about 6-12 months after the citizenship application is submitted - the timing of the USCIS citizenship interview depends on where the client lives in the United States. At the conclusion of the 10-15 minute citizenship interview (which is held at the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security immigration office nearest to your residence) if all of your citizenship paperwork is in order, and you have answered the test questions correctly, the Officer has the power to tell you that you passed and you will be scheduled for the Citizenship Oath Ceremony (usually scheduled within a month).

HOW THE OFFICER SCORES THE NEW CITIZENSHIP TEST

Citizenship Test Changed in 2008
On October 1, 2008 the civic questions on the citizenship test were changed. All immigration applicants who filed for citizenship on or after October 1, 2008 are required to take the new test. There are some immigration applicants, because they are elderly or have a disability, who may not have to take the citizenship test. In addition to the 100 question test, the applicant must also read one sentence in English and write one sentence in English.

WHAT IF I WAS CONVICTED OF A PETTY THEFT?

Citizenship Can Be Delayed Due to Background Security Checks
The FBI’s biggest customer for immigration fingerprint and name checks is the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The fingerprint checks are generally finished very quickly. However, the FBI uses old technology and workers without enough training to do the security checks on immigration clients applying for citizenship.

U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL TAKE CITIZENSHIP OATH

U.S. Military Personnel take Citizenship Oath

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security sent the FBI more than 2 million requests for name checks, and 3.2 million requests for fingerprint checks in 2007. The FBI blames the backlog on the decision to recheck 2.7 million names after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Generally, if a citizenship application gets delayed for too long due to FBI background checks, the best solution is to file a lawsuit in federal court to resolve immigration matters.

INFORMATION ABOUT DRUNK DRIVING CONVICTIONS AND CITIZENSHIP

Immigration and Criminal Arrests or Convictions
Some criminal arrests and convictions disqualify an applicant for citizenship and others do not. The bottom line is that the Officer won’t grant citizenship while a criminal case is still pending, or if a person is still on probation. For some crimes, merely filing for citizenship causes the Officer to not only deny citizenship but to take away the green card (I-551 Lawful Permanent Resident card). If we decide to take a citizenship case on behalf of an applicant, it is because we believe it will be successful and we will submit a legal brief to the USCIS explaining why the case should be granted in spite of the criminal arrest or conviction.

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“Thanks again for all you efforts on my citizenship case. You have been wonderful to work with, and I certainly will have no hesitation in referring potential clients to you. Have a great weekend! 

Thank you again, Jon (United Kingdom) in 2008, Dual Citizen of U.S. and EU”

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Traveling Abroad While the Citizenship Application is Pending
Clients should not have any problems traveling abroad when the citizenship application is pending, however, for some individuals it delays the background check. Of course, they should have a valid passport (from the country of which they are still a citizen) and their green card (Lawful Permanent Resident I-551 Card) to re-enter the United States. After the citizenship interview (but before the Citizenship Oath Ceremony) clients are still considered Lawful Permanent Residents.

WHAT IF YOU HAVE TO RESCHEDULE THE CITIZENSHIP INTERVIEW?

Dual Citizenship
American law allows dual citizenship (having citizenship of two countries at the same time) and does not require a person to choose between American citizenship and another citizenship. Dual citizens who have two passports (an American passport and a passport from another country) owe allegiance to both the United States and the foreign country, and are required to obey the laws of both countries. American citizens, even those with dual citizenship, are required to use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States, but are allowed to use their foreign passport at other times without endangering their American citizenship.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP

Calculation of Time Abroad
The requirements for American Citizenship include a period of both “continuous residence” and “physical presence” in the United States. Different, and sometimes complicated, calculations are used for each requirement.

CAN MY CHILD GET CITIZENSHIP AUTOMATICALLY WHEN I DO?

Citizenship Oath Ceremony - Changing Your Name
To change part or all of your name, you may request on the citizenship application that it be done by the Judge officiating over the Citizenship Oath Ceremony. When you pick up your Naturalization Certificate after the Oath Ceremony, an official name change document should be attached.

Immigration Government Fees and Attorney Fees
We normally charge a flat legal fee to provide personalized citizenship application services. We utilize overnight mail and do not charge extra for express mail, long distance phone calls or copies. We track your case and answer all of your questions. If you move, we want to properly inform the government so that your immigration case is not delayed. We don’t officially close our case until a decision about your citizenship is made. The USCIS fees are currently $675.00.

EMAIL danielle@immigrationworkvisa.com

OR CALL 877.884-6644 

WITH THIS CODE FOR 20% DISCOUNT: DN-1004

Expectations of Immigration Attorney
 If you are the type of person who selects a service based on its merits, we are for you. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask (via email or telephone) and we would be happy to make sure your citizenship questions are answered.

We accept credit cards and represent clients in all 50 states.

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The Law Offices of Danielle Nelisse
555 West Beech Street, Suite 503 (corner of Beech & India Street)
San Diego, California 92101 USA
Telephone: (619) 235-8811 | Facsimile: (619) 235-8822
E-mail: danielle@immigrationworkvisa.com