The Citizenship Process
Citizenship, to many, is the ultimate goal in their immigration process – becoming a U.S. citizen protects you from deportation. As a lawful permanent resident, certain criminal convictions and some actions could place you at risk of deportation. The right to vote is also a benefit of becoming a U.S. citizen. Citizenship also allows you to file immigration petitions to reunite with certain family members in a more expeditions manner.
For individuals not born in the United States, there are four ways to become a citizen: naturalization, parents, acquisition, and military.
Citizenship Through Naturalization
If you have been a lawful permanent resident for three to five years, you may be eligible to apply for naturalization as a US citizen.
Citizenship Through Parents
Even if you were not born in the United States, you may already be a citizen if one or both of your parents were citizens at the time of your birth. Since these laws change from time to time, whether or not you are a citizen would depend on the rules at the time of your birth.
Citizenship Through Acquisition
The third way you can become a US citizen is if you become a green card holder prior to your 18th birthday, and your parents naturalize as citizens of the United States.
Citizenship Through Military Service
U.S. citizenship can be gained through the military. If you served honorably in the armed forces, you could be eligible to apply for naturalization.
Find Out More About Your Eligibility For Citizenship Today
The path to citizenship in the United States can be complex, and it’s important to have experienced counsel on your side. Call our office today to schedule a consultation!