U.S. citizenship provides many benefits and rights, such as exercising your right to vote, traveling with an “American” passport, remaining outside the United States for an extended period, and not being subject to deportation. Even if a person was NOT born in the United States, they can become a U.S. citizen.
American citizenship holds a treasure trove of benefits and rights. It empowers individuals to exercise their right to vote, grants them the ability to travel freely with an “American” passport, provides the opportunity to stay outside the United States for extended periods without facing deportation, and establishes a sense of belonging.
It is notable that even if someone was not born in the United States, they have the potential to become a U.S. citizen.
Obtaining U.S. citizenship is achievable through several avenues. One of these paths is the process of naturalization. It involves granting U.S. citizenship to a lawful permanent resident, provided they meet the criteria established by law:
When an individual applies for U.S. citizenship, the immigration agency meticulously scrutinizes all historical files. The goal is to ensure the applicant truly met all requirements while obtaining permanent residency. This scrutiny may even extend to requesting records from the applicant's country of origin. In cases where new and potentially problematic information arises, the agency may deny the naturalization application and initiate removal proceedings.
Given the complexity of the naturalization process, it is strongly recommended that you seek guidance from an experienced immigration attorney.
Military service is another pathway to acquiring U.S. citizenship.
Serving honorably in any branch of the United States Armed Forces, the Coast Guard, the Reserve Corps, or the National Guard may qualify an individual for citizenship.
Citizenship options also extend to adoption cases. DeLaTorre Law can provide personalized advice on citizenship pathways for adopted individuals.
For those with one or both parents who are U.S. citizens, citizenship can be acquired or derived, regardless of place of birth.
A person qualifies if they have at least one U.S. citizen parent at birth. Additionally, the citizen parent must have resided in the United States for a specific duration, which varies based on the applicant's date of birth and circumstances.
Derivation involves being the child of a foreign national who became a U.S. citizen before the child's 18th birthday. To qualify, the child must be unmarried and under 18, have obtained lawful permanent residence before age 18, reside in the United States, and have been in the legal and physical custody of their U.S. citizen parent.
We will meet with you to hear your story and develop a strategy for your application.
After receiving your documents, we will prepare your case with all relevant papers.
We'll be with you every step of the way.
DeLaTorre Law is here to answer all your questions, provide reassuring expertise, and guide you toward a successful application.
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