Want to Build Credit as a U.S. Citizen? Here is How
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You made it through the immigration process and now you are able to live freely and without fear of removal in the Land of the Free. However, now that you are here, you have quickly discovered that life in the United States is not as easy and carefree as you thought it would be. In fact, it is downright difficult, and a large part of what makes it so difficult is your lack of credit.
To get ahead in the United States, you need excessive amounts of capital or great credit, two things that the average American does not even possess. To buy a house, finance a vehicle, rent an apartment in a nice part of town, or even apply for a good job, you need decent credit. According to MarketWatch, immigrants may now need to show proof of their credit scores just to live in the U.S. But how, when U.S. born-and-raised individuals struggle to build credit, can immigrants generate enough credit to build the life they imagined for themselves before ever being granted green card status? Our Chicago immigration lawyers at Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC may have a few tips that can help.
Look Into Secured Credit Cards
Secured credit cards are cards that individuals with little to no credit, or with poor credit, can obtain by putting down a sum of money with the lender as collateral. Sometimes the sum of money is equivalent to the awarded credit limit and sometimes it is significantly less. The sum of money is then held by the bank until it either needs to be used to make up for missed payments or until the borrower proves his or her creditworthiness. Because lenders have little to nothing to lose with secured credit cards, they are easy to obtain, making this one of the best ways for you to begin building your credit score in the United States.
Pay Your Bills on Time and in Full
The key to maintaining a positive credit score is paying your bills on time or before their due dates without fail. “Bills” include everything from your phone bill to your cable bill, and from your rent to your credit card balances. Of course, with credit cards you can pay a “minimum balance,” but if you set the precedent of doing just that, you risk accruing excessive interest and falling behind on your payments. The best thing you can do is pay all your debts in full by the due date. If you spend only within your means, this should be easy to do.
Become Authorized as a User on Another Person’s Card
If you can not, for whatever reason, obtain a credit card of your own, ask a parent, sibling, close family member, or your spouse if you can become an authorized user on his or her account. You do not actually have to use the card, which may be a relief to some, but the account can help you to build your credit, as it will be in your name, as well.
Work With a Chicago Immigration Attorney to Make Life in the U.S. as Easy as Possible
Maintaining a strong credit score can be immensely helpful when you decide to take the next step as a U.S. immigrant. Whether that next step is finding gainful employment, buying a home, or going to university, you will be happy you took control of your credit sooner rather than later. For help paving the way to a better future in America, contact Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, today.
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Mr. Jeffery and Mr. Kevin Racia were the attorneys handling a complex immigration case of mine. On the assurance of both attorneys that the case is going to be presented in a systematic way, I went ahead with confidence. I was able to become a legal permanent resident. I highly recommend Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC for all your immigration needs.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to the remarkable team of Khiabett Osuna, Brittani Rivera, and Rafael Rodriguez, who were responsible for the successful release from detention of one of our parishioners, husband and father of four, after over 10 weeks of incarceration. From his detention to the payment of his bail and from Immigration Court to his reunion with his family, there were blessings aplenty made possible through the…
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my attorney, Brittni Rivera, for her professionalism and support during a very difficult time. I was in detention for 6 months, and thanks to her hard work and filing a habeas corpus petition, I was finally released. In addition, when I was released, ICE did not return my documents. Brittni did not ignore this issue — she took action and successfully…
My aunt was recently detained by ICE and sent to El Paso, Texas to the East Montana Detention Facility. This place is essentially a prison in the middle of the desert, and the majority of the detainees here get deported. My family and I interviewed a dozen immigration attorneys around the country to help my aunt, and we decided to hire Kevin Raica, an attorney with Kriezelman Burton and Associates.…
Our case was very difficult, and at times it felt like there was no way out. My wife was detained for a long period of time, and it was an extremely challenging experience for our family. Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC truly changed our situation. I would especially like to thank our attorney, Brittni Rivera, as well as Natalia. They were attentive, honest, and always ready to help. It was…
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.
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