Chicago Citizenship Lawyers

Becoming a U.S. citizen is a privilege that tens of millions of immigrants have aspired to since this nation’s founding. In many ways, it takes work. Between navigating the paperwork and the legal requirements, becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen can be challenging.

Before immigrants can apply for naturalization, they need to have been legal permanent residents for three to five years. Immigrants who obtain green cards through a spouse can naturalize in three years if they are still living in a “marital union.” Here are the requirements for applying for citizenship:

• You are at least 18 years of age.
• You are able to speak, read and write English to some degree.
• You have a knowledge of United States civics.
• You are a person of “good moral character.”
• You can show an attachment to this country and the U.S. Constitution.

You can expect that USCIS will pay close attention to your application. They will schedule you for an in-person interview where they will ask any questions they have about your application.

The Citizenship Process May Have Roadblocks

The citizenship processes, however, can encounter some bumps in the road. There are some things that can get in the way of your application, such as criminal convictions, tax issues, owing child support, and extensive travel outside the United States.

Fortunately, an overwhelming majority of applicants receive citizenship, but you can take very few chances in the process. USCIS can still deny applications. Between 2009 and 2018, an average of 78,000 naturalization applications were denied each year. Even if your application is not denied, it can become bogged down for months or years if USCIS has any concerns or if there are any mistakes.

This means that you closely review all of your paperwork before submitting it and meet all of your deadlines. One way to ensure that your application package is correct is to hire a Chicago citizenship lawyer who will work with you at all phases of your citizenship process. Your attorney will review your application and all your supporting documentation to make sure that it is correct. Your attorney will review your entire case history and screen for any possible issues that may arise. If there are any issues that could hold up your application, your attorney will be ready to advocate on your behalf.

There are many people who are eligible to apply for citizenship but do not apply because they are worried about meeting requirements. They may have a past conviction or think that they cannot pass the English or civics test. Call our lawyers, and we can put you at ease. We are experienced counselors when it comes to the naturalization process, and we insist on a close working relationship with each client.

Contact a Chicago Citizenship Lawyer for Assistance

If you or a loved one is considering applying for U.S. citizenship, the Law Office of Robert D. Ahlgren and Associates, P.C., can help. Contact us online or call our experienced law firm today at (312) 782-1804 so we can start to prepare you for the naturalization process. Legal help could increase your chances of a successful immigration process.