Salem US Citizenship Attorneys

Reach Your Dream of Becoming a US Citizen with the Help of Our Salem U.S. Citizenship Attorney!

What Are the Benefits of Citizenship?

Once you become a citizen, you can:

• Vote in local, state, and federal elections
• Gain protections from deportation
• Access to Medicare, Social Security, and other federal benefits
• Become eligible for federal jobs
• Travel with a U.S. passport
• Sponsor immediate family members for a green card

The family unification process is different for U.S. citizens than for those who are only legal permanent residents (green card holders). For example, immediate relative visas are available to U.S. citizens. For some, this is a major reason to become naturalized.

Are You Eligible to Become a U.S. Citizen?

Citizenship is a demanding process. You must meet specific requirements, and many applicants are denied.

The following criteria are required:

• You are at least 18 years old.
• You have been physically present and had continuous residence in the U.S. for a sufficient time.
• You have been a permanent resident for a sufficient time.
• You show knowledge of U.S. civics.
• You have good moral character.
• You have a basic knowledge of U.S. history and civics.
• You can speak, read, and write English.

It does not matter how long you have been in the country—you must meet all requirements. Begin planning early if you hope to apply for naturalization. You might need to address weaknesses in your application.

Why Are Citizenship Applications Denied?

Applicants are denied for many reasons, but some of the most frequently cited include:

1. Insufficient English proficiency: You must demonstrate an ability to speak, read, and write in basic English. You do not need to be fluent, like a native-born speaker, but you need a decent grasp of the language. Many applicants take courses to improve their English in anticipation of their citizenship interview.
2. Lack of familiarity with U.S. history and civics: Applicants must show they have adequate knowledge of the U.S. system of government, including key facts from our nation’s history. You will need to take and pass a test. Discuss any concerns you have with your attorney. There are materials you can use to study.
3. Lack of continuous residence: Generally, applicants must show at least 5 years of continuous residence to be approved. You can face denial if you have breaks.
4. Criminal background: Some applicants are denied because they have committed an offense involving moral turpitude, such as forgery or fraud. Others are denied because of violent felonies in their background. Discuss any criminal history with an attorney. You might seek a waiver, depending on the facts.
5. Poor moral character: Applicants must also exhibit sound moral character. This goes beyond your criminal record. For example, someone who intentionally fails to pay court-ordered child support exhibits poor moral character and will be rejected.

These are the most common reasons for a denial. There are others, which you can discuss with a Salem immigration lawyer at Vanderwall Immigration.

How to Apply for Citizenship

You start the naturalization process by filling out and submitting Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. You submit the completed form and supporting documents to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

After applying, you will receive notice of a biometrics appointment, where you must provide fingerprints. Then, you will have an interview with an officer to take the required civics and English tests.

Once you are approved, you will take the Oath of Allegiance and receive your naturalization paperwork. Naturalization can take as little as 8 months, but other people wait up to two years. Our Salem immigration lawyer can provide an estimate of the complexity of your case.

What if USCIS Denies Your Application?

USCIS denies roughly 1 in 10 naturalization applications. The good news is that you might have options.

For example, you can appeal the denial using Form N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings. You should have a hearing scheduled within 180 days. You can submit supporting evidence to convince the judge to overturn the denial. Judges have discretion when deciding your case, so work with an attorney to make a strong presentation.

Another option is to file a new naturalization application. For example, you might have committed a minor crime within the past 5 years, which USCIS considers when denying your application. Similarly, you might be denied for lack of continuous residence in the U.S. It makes sense to simply wait and then refile once an adequate amount of time has passed.

You might also file a motion to reopen. This makes sense if you are past the deadline to appeal your case but have new evidence that wasn’t available to you previously.

Lastly, some applicants file a motion to reconsider. An immigration law officer might have incorrectly applied the law to your case, resulting in a denial. If you are past the deadline to appeal, then a motion to reconsider could make sense.

Call our immigration law firm. We have helped many people with meritorious claims obtain citizenship. You should not take an initial “no” as an answer because you can sometimes turn that “no” into a “yes.”

Dual Citizenship

The United States does not prohibit dual citizenship, which means you are a citizen of at least two countries at the same time. The U.S. does not require giving up citizenship to become naturalized in the U.S. 

We Will Guide You Through the Entire Process

Although naturalization is a dream for millions of people, that dream remains unfortunately out of reach for too many people. To improve your chances of approval, call Vanderwall Immigration. Our firm provides the highest quality of legal representation to our clients.

We can guide your case through the entire process. The sooner you contact us, the more we can help.

Our immigration  lawyers can: 

• Review whether you are eligible to seek citizenship. We know the requirements inside and out.
• Determine which next steps to take if you are not yet eligible. For example, you might wait until you establish a continuous presence or after you have strengthened your English skills.
• Answer your questions about the process.
• Complete the paperwork and help you gather the required documentation. This is a paper-heavy process.
• Prepare you for your citizenship interview, including the civics/history test. We can also provide an honest assessment if your English skills need work.
• Determine the next steps after an unfavorable decision from USCIS. As mentioned above, you might appeal to take another step.

Many clients have expressed gratitude to have an experienced law firm by their side for the process. Although the naturalization process might seem intimidating, we can break it down into manageable steps. We have guided many people toward naturalization, and we are happy to meet new clients.

Speak with a Salem Citizenship Attorney Today

Vanderwall Immigration has developed life-long relationships with members of the Salem community. We have helped clients come to the U.S. on a visa, apply for permanent residence, and even become naturalized citizens. Let us discuss your goals in an individual consultation at our firm. Your dream of becoming a U.S. citizen is within reach!