Talk To A Chicago Immigration Attorney
312-332-2550
Common Reasons for Denied Citizenship
Looking for A Specific Post? Search Below
Obtaining citizenship is not always a given. There are numerous hurdles that can come up during the process that could cause USCIS officials to ask for more information or even deny your application. Here are some reasons why USCIS may deny citizenship.
Lack of Good Moral Character
This is by far the most common reason for citizenship rejection. This is another way of saying that USCIS will look at your criminal record and could reject your application if it finds certain offenses. Not every single conviction is grounds for denying citizenship, but some crimes that you might not think are major are on the list. Here are some offenses that could indicate a lack of good moral character to USCIS:
- Gambling
- Failure to pay child support
- Prostitution
- An offense against the person with the intent to harm
- Controlled substance violations
- Habitual drunkenness
Failure to Pay Income Taxes
Those with green cards have the same obligation to pay federal and state taxes as citizens. USCIS will run a check to see if you have filed and paid taxes, or if you have had any other problems with the IRS. You cannot be behind on your taxes when you apply for citizenship. You may consider delaying your application while you work out your tax issues with the IRS.
Lack of Physical Presence
In order to be eligible for citizenship, you must have been physically present in the U.S. for a certain period of time. The requirement is that you have physically been in the country for 30 out of the 60 months of your green card period. In addition, you must have been in the country for six months out of each of the prior five years. USCIS can track your presence based on entry and exit records.
Fraud in the Immigration Process
You must answer all questions on the application honestly. USCIS will pay close attention to any inconsistencies in your application, and they will ask you about them. If they think that there was something wrong with your application that was not an oversight, they could reject it. In addition, if USCIS thinks that you may have obtained a green card improperly, that could impact your citizenship application.
Failing the Citizenship Exam
Applicants are expected to learn some principles of civics and pass an English assessment as part of the citizenship process. Failing would lead to rejection. It is vital to take this exam seriously and to study because there are 128 questions on it. There is also an oral component to the test. Recent changes to this test have made it even harder to pass, lengthening the exam and adding more difficult questions.
Experienced Citizenship Attorneys in the Midwest
If you are applying for citizenship, you are always better off with a knowledgeable attorney helping you with the process. This could eliminate or help you address things that may be a roadblock. Contact attorneys at Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC online to learn about how we can make a difference.
What Our Clients Say
5-Star Rating | Based on 200+ Satisfied Customer Google Reviews
I cannot recommend Kevin Raica highly enough. He helped me successfully obtain my U.S. green card, and the entire process was smooth and stress-free because of his expertise and dedication. From start to finish, Kevin was professional, organized, and extremely knowledgeable about immigration law. He made sure every document was prepared correctly and took the time to explain each step clearly. Anytime I had questions, he responded promptly and made…
Great experience with this attorney office. They helped me with my I-751 waiver after divorce. Kevin was very professional, and supported me through the interview. Everything went smoothly and my case was approved. Highly recommend!
We contacted Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, based on a recommendation, when my wife was detained by ICE. Attorney Khiabett Osuna handled our case, and it turned out to be the right choice. From the very beginning, she proved herself to be a caring and competent professional, clearly explaining the process. You can tell she's truly invested in each case and achieving results for her clients. We've also heard of…
I would like to express my gratitude to Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, and especially to attorney Khiabett Osuna, who handled my case. I contacted them based on a recommendation and have never regretted it. From the very beginning, she demonstrated high professionalism. I could tell she was genuinely committed to the outcome and was doing everything possible to protect her client.
Mr. Kriezelman, Mr. Burton and Ms. Erin Cobb, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for handling my case. Your knowledge and dedication to my case is truly appreciated. Thank you.
I highly recommend Brittni Rivera. We are very grateful to her and the entire team at Kriezelman Burton & Associates. Your dedication, responsiveness, and compassion made an enormous difference during an incredibly difficult time. Serving as the liaison between Brittni Rivera and our friend in ICE detention, I saw firsthand how tirelessly she worked guiding us through the process, answering every question, and never losing sight of the humanity at…
Andrea C. Ochoa is truly the best of the best. ❤️ Our family went through one of the most difficult and frightening experiences of our lives when Feruz was detained by ICE. We felt lost, scared, and unsure of what would happen next. From the very beginning, Andrea brought us not only her professionalism and deep legal knowledge, but also something even more important — hope. She guided us through…
Thank you Matthew for all your help with my case. Highly recommend
In the final stages of our employment based green card, Maya Flores was very helpful. She guided us through the details, made a mock up interview and then went with us to the actual appointment. We were able to see her expertise because she made some clarifications to the officer. Very good service, 5 well deserved stars.
Los mejores abogados !!
Schedule A Consultation!
Libertyville
Attorney Advertising. This information is designed for general information only. The information presented should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Past results and testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty, or prediction of the outcome of your case, and should not be construed as such. Past results cannot guarantee future performance. Any result in a single case is not meant to create an expectation of similar results in future matters because each case involves many different factors, therefore, results will differ on a case-by-case basis. By providing contact information, users acknowledge and give explicit consent to be contacted via the methods of communication provided, including SMS. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Reply STOP to opt out.
NUVEW | Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved | Accessibility Notice | privacy policy