immigration -- CITIZENSHIP
Once you have received your greencard and are a permanent resident, the last step in the immigration process is to get your U.S. Citizenship. Our Citizenship services include:
NATURALIZATION
Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is conferred upon a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The general requirements for administrative naturalization include:
- a period of continuous residence and physical presence in the United States;
- residence in a particular USCIS District prior to filing;
- an ability to read, write, and speak English;
- a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government;
- good moral character;
- attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution; and,
- favorable disposition toward the United States.
PRESERVATION OF RESIDENCE FOR NATURALIZATION PURPOSES
In addition to other requirements for naturalization to become citizens of the US, lawful permanent residents must have resided continuously within the US for at least the applicable time period after having been lawfully admitted for permanent residence. The applicable time period is generally five years. One common exception is a three year period for the spouse of a US citizen that has been living in marital union with the US citizen for at least three years.
CITIZENSHIP BY ACQUISTION AT BIRTH
If a child's parents were US citizens, the child may have acquired US citizenship at birth without knowing it. A claim of acquired citizenship must be considered carefully. The laws on acquisition of citizenship were changed in 1934, 1941, 1952, and 1986. The law that will apply is the one in effect when the child was born. Next, the rules sometimes differ depending on whether both parents were citizens, one parent was a citizen, whether the parent(s) ever resided in the US and at what age (thereby retaining his or her US citizenship), and whether the child is legitimate or illegitimate.
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