Archive for category: Citizenship

It is possible to travel after filing your naturalization application. However, your trip cannot last longer than 180 days. Further, after filing your U.S. naturalization application, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will schedule a biometrics appointment to take your fingerprints. You must be available for this appointment and an interview. Your failure to appear for this interview will likely result in a denial. 

A citizenship application attorney at Bassey Immigration Law Center, P.A. can help you with your naturalization application and advise you on what to do if you need to travel during this period. Remember that once you become a naturalized U.S. citizen and obtain a U.S. passport, there are no travel restrictions regarding how long you are out of the country.  

Travel Rules With a Pending Naturalization Application  

As noted, USCIS allows those with a pending naturalization application to travel, but the trip cannot last longer than 180 days. Overstaying your visit outside of the U.S. puts you at risk of not continuously residing in this country for at least five years, a requirement for naturalization. 

Frequent travel can also affect your application. By law, applicants must spend more than half of their time in the U.S. This physical presence requirement mandates you must prove you were in the U.S. for at least 30 months before filing their Form N-400. You must meet this requirement when submitting your naturalization application and be in the United States for your interview. Your application will likely be denied if you do not meet this requirement.  

The Naturalization Process 

The formal naturalization process starts when you file Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, with USCIS. This form requires a great deal of detailed information and documentation. An immigration attorney can help ensure that all paperwork is filed correctly, the proper documentation is submitted, deadlines are met, and all fees are paid. Errors on Form N-400 can cause a delay or denial of your application.  

As noted, after receiving your Form N-400, the USCIS schedules a biometrics appointment for fingerprinting. Once this is completed, the USCIS schedules an interview with a USCIS officer. The timeframe between Form N-400 submission and scheduling your biometrics appointment and interview can take several months. 

During this period, try to avoid extensive international travel unless necessary. While it is possible to reschedule your biometrics appointment and interview, it is not advisable. Not only can your naturalization case end up delayed for several more months, but if, for any reason, you cannot show up for your interview, it could cause your application to be denied.  

The final step in the naturalization process is taking the oath of allegiance to the U.S., where Green Card holders become U.S. citizens.  

Contact a Naturalization Attorney for a Consultation 

If you or a family member wants to become a U.S. citizen, a naturalization attorney at Bassey Immigration Law Center can help you navigate the complexity of the system. Our skilled and multilingual team has been through the immigrant process, and we know what you must do to succeed. We fully understand the immigrant experience and know how to fight for your future. Our clients include those from Central or South America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, and many others. Schedule an affordable consultation today.   

The fastest way to gain U.S. citizenship is by marrying a U.S. Citizen and having your spouse file for your I-130 and I-485 for your permanent residency or by joining the military. Eligible service members can file Form N-400 after one day of service. However, it is always wise to work with skilled immigration lawyers who can guide you on the quickest path to naturalization. 

A citizenship attorney at Bassey Immigration Law Center will help you navigate the often complicated U.S. naturalization process while determining the fastest way to obtain citizenship. Trust our experienced and skilled team when it comes to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) naturalization laws.  

Fast Track Options 

As noted, joining the U.S. military offers a fast track to becoming a U.S. citizen. In some situations, eligible foreign-born service members can file Form N-400 with just one day of honorable service. Naturalization through marriage to a U.S. citizen is another fast-track option. Rather than wait the required five years to qualify for U.S. citizenship, the period is reduced to three years.  

Consult with an Immigration Attorney  

Applying for U.S. citizenship on your own is possible, but it is not advisable. Our team of skilled immigration lawyers can review your history and immigration status and discuss the fastest way to proceed with naturalization before submitting your application.  

An improperly filled-out form or a missing document could add months or years to the naturalization process. We ensure all your forms are filled out correctly and the proper documentation is submitted in a timely manner. 

To become a U.S. citizen, you must meet eligibility requirements. These include: 

• A minimum of 18 years of age 
• Permanent resident (Green Card) status 
• At least five years of U.S. residency  
• Good moral character  
• Knowledge of English and Civics  
• Attached to the principles of the Constitution of the U.S. 

However, some circumstances make people ineligible for U.S. citizenship. For example, anyone with a pending removal proceeding is ineligible for naturalization. A criminal record involving murder or any aggravated felony is also a bar to naturalization.  

Application Form N-400 

All applicants for U.S. citizenship must file Form N-400, the Application for Naturalization, and pay applicable fees. You can create an account and file your N-400 online, which allows you to receive case status alerts, send secure messages, and see all case correspondence. 

All applications for U.S. citizenship must go through a naturalization interview with a USCIS officer and take two tests. The interview involves questions regarding your application and background. It is vital to tell the complete truth during the interview. If an applicant lies during the interview, their U.S. citizenship could be revoked.  

The USCIS officer also determines whether additional documentation is necessary; naturalization cannot proceed until those documents are filed. The tests consist of English and Civics so that you understand the basics of American government and history. If you fail one or both tests, the USCIS permits you to reschedule for a second try within 60 to 90 days.  

Your lawyer helps you prepare for the naturalization interview. We will review your Form N-400 application to ensure you answer questions correctly. Common errors include inaccurate information regarding residence addresses and dates or not listing the correct dates for employment.  

Contact Bassey Immigration Law Center for a Consultation 

To gain U.S. citizenship, contact the U.S. citizenship attorneys at Bassey Law and learn the steps you must take to become a citizen. Our compassionate and multi-lingual staff have over two decades of experience helping people through the system. We have worked with clients from Central or South America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, Africa, and other countries around the globe. We know how to fight for your future. Book an affordable consultation today.  

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) initiative, implemented by the Obama administration in 2012, aimed to shield individuals who migrated to the U.S. as children from deportation and provide them with authorization for legal employment.

As of 2023, approximately 580,000 active beneficiaries reside in the U.S. For those with inquiries about their rights and future in the U.S., a DACA immigration attorney at Bassey Immigration Law Center can offer guidance in this evolving legal landscape.

DACA Eligibility:

1. Must be under 31 years old on June 15th, 2012, and physically present in the U.S. on that date.
2. Arrival in the U.S. before the 16th birthday is required.
3. Continuous U.S. residence since June 15th, 2007.
4. High school graduation, GED attainment, or current school enrollment.
5. No felony convictions, certain aggravated misdemeanors, or three misdemeanors.

Benefits:

1. Protection from deportation: Status ensures U.S. residence, contingent on compliance with laws. Criminal convictions may result in revocation and potential deportation.
2. Work authorization: Status permits obtaining an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) for employment with U.S. employers. Discrimination protections apply.
3. Renewal every two years is crucial to maintaining protection and preventing complications in living and working in the U.S., including potential deportation.

Limitations:

1. No direct path to green card or citizenship: Status does not provide a route to citizenship or permanent resident status; traditional immigration channels are necessary.
2. Limited access to federal aid programs: Generally, recipients are ineligible for specific federal benefits, including Social Security, food stamps, and certain higher education financial aid programs.

Legal Landscape:

The Trump administration attempted to end protections under the initiative, and ongoing legal challenges at both federal and state levels create uncertainty for recipients.

For current beneficiaries or those pursuing status, legal guidance from an immigration lawyer in FL can help understand applicable laws and implications.

Citizenship Process

Navigating the process of becoming a citizen of the United States is complex, but recent changes could make it difficult to keep up with requirements. Updates and changes put in place by the Biden Administration will impact naturalization and other immigration-related processes, and those in Florida hoping to complete the process need to know what these changes could mean for them. At this time, the Department of Homeland Security has announced the southern border is closed.

Changes to immigration policy

The recent border closure is a response to the sudden surge of immigrants coming through. Immigration officials say they need time to build and develop an appropriate response and process for the number of people entering before they reopen. This process was dismantled under the Trump Administration, and it will take a concerted effort to reorganize and implement.

However, there is good news for certain individuals. A new act just passed plans to offer a path to citizenship and an easier process for getting green cards for those who entered the country as minors. Other executive orders recently passed by President Biden include those involving family reunification and humanitarian concerns at the border.

Assistance with naturalization

If an individual in Florida has questions or concerns related to the most recent presidential policies and changes, he or she may benefit from an experienced citizenship immigration lawyer. The rapid changes can make it difficult to know what to do when navigating the naturalization process or taking other steps. An experienced ally can help one avoid problems and lower the chance of complications.

When you emigrated from another country to Florida, you no doubt had numerous dreams and goals that you hoped to accomplish once you’d settled into your new lifestyle. Perhaps you’re one of many immigrants whose ultimate goal is to become a naturalized U.S. citizen. As you know, achieving this worthwhile goal involves taking several tests. Test-taking can be stressful, especially if you get confused about a specific question.

The more you know about what to expect when taking a naturalization test, the less stressed you’ll be. There are multiple sections on the test that are designed to assess your ability to do certain things, such as read English, as well as test your knowledge about certain facts related to the United States. Seeking additional support while you study may help you accomplish your goals.

What is the US Citizenship Test?

Basically, the citizenship test consists of an English language component and a civics component. An American civics test assesses knowledge of American government by answering 10 questions correctly from a pool of 100. The English language test evaluates reading, writing, and speaking abilities, and passing both components is essential for naturalization.

When you file an application to become a naturalized U.S. citizen, you must prove that you have sufficient skills in reading, speaking, writing and understanding English. You must also show that you know basic information about federal, state and local laws, as well as details about U.S. history.

What types of questions will your interviewer ask?

When an immigration official is questioning you for your naturalization test, he or she is observing your ability to understand what he or she is saying and respond accordingly. The questions included in the interview are typical inquiries that might be presented to you during a citizenship test:

• Request to state your telephone number
• A simple command, such as to have a seat
• Questions about the weather
• Whether you know the names of prominent government officials

If your interviewer asks you a question to which you don’t know the answer, it’s always best to be honest rather than try to fake knowledge or lie. If you’re able to answer your interviewer’s questions in English or perform the simple commands you’re given, it shows that you have mastered English and will be able to function in your daily life as a U.S. citizen.

The civics portion of the naturalization test is often the most stressful. You’ll be required to demonstrate an understanding of the three main branches of government in the United States and answer numerous questions about history and how the government functions on state and local levels. If a legal issue regarding your status arises during your application process, it can delay or impede your ability to become a naturalized U.S. citizen.