Illinois Citizenship Attorney

Illinois Citizenship Attorney

Illinois Immigration Lawyers Prepared to Put Our Experience to Work for You

While having a green card provides you with the security you need and desire to live a fulfilling life in the United States, a green card is not permanent, and nor does it provide you with many of the rights and freedoms that American citizens get to enjoy. For instance, citizens enjoy the right to vote, travel freely from country to country,  sponsor family members to live in the country, and so much more. Because of all the benefits that citizenship has to offer, if you have been in the country for a consecutive five years or longer, and if you are a contributing member of society, it is worth your while to look into naturalization. Contact the law office of Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC to learn more about the process today.

Are You Qualified for Naturalization?

Not everyone who wishes to become an American citizen is eligible for citizenship. Foreign nationals must meet several specific requirements to be able to apply for naturalization in the first place. Though there are numerous requirements, some of the more notable ones are as follows:

• Show good moral character;
• Actual and ongoing presence in the United States for a prolonged period;
• Continuous residency in the U.S. for at least five years, and in your state of residency for at least three months;
• Status as a permanent residence for at least five years (though, in select cases, only three years is required);
• Have a basic understanding of U.S. history and governmental structures;
• Validate your belief in the principles and ideals of the U.S. Constitution; and
• Be able to read, write, and speak English at a basic level.

While you can always test your eligibility via online resources, an experienced Illinois citizenship attorney can meet with you and help you determine whether or not you qualify for naturalization. If your lawyer feels as if you do not quite meet the eligibility requirements, he or she may be able to help you qualify for an exemption or waiver of certain requirements due to extenuating circumstances. For instance, a person’s age may exempt him or her from the reading and writing requirement, while a person’s military status may be enough to prove his or her belief in the ideals and principles of the Constitution. If a person is the child of one or two U.S. citizens, he or she may be able to bypass the naturalization process entirely.

What Does the Citizenship Process Entail?

The citizenship process is quite lengthy and requires several steps to complete. Below are just a few steps aspiring citizens must take before completing the process:

• Complete and file a citizenship application with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS);
• Undergo a fingerprinting and background check;
• Attend an interview with the USCIS in which the agency questions you about your background and the information you provided on your application;
• Take and pass an English test and U.S. civics test;
• Receive an approval notice from the USCIS; and
• Take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States.

Our Team Can Help You Overcome Your Citizenship Obstacles

If you have a clean criminal record, a clean past, and strong moral character, you may not face too many issues with your naturalization application. However, if there are elements of your past that could be construed as criminal or even morally questionable, you may run into issues throughout the process. Our Illinois citizenship attorneys are prepared to help you work through any issues you may run into and ensure that the remainder of your case goes as smoothly as possible. For more information on how the attorneys at Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, can help you, call our office at 312-332-2550 today.