Citizenship Lawyer in Fresno Helping You Gain U.S. Citizenship

There are many benefits to becoming a citizen of the United States, and for many immigrants, citizenship is the goal. As a United States citizen, you have full protection against deportation to your home country, and any children that you have automatically become citizens, even if they were not born in the United States. Even if you are convicted of a crime, you will be allowed to stay in the country, which is not true for Green Card holders. You can also apply for Green Cards for certain other family members who wish to live in America.

Finally, becoming a citizen will end the years of complicated paperwork and reporting that come along with immigration. Becoming a citizen of the United States can be a lengthy process, but the rewards are many, and the effort is worthwhile. An experienced citizenship attorney from Bains Law Offices can guide you through the system and help you to get the best possible outcome in your journey toward citizenship. Call our Fresno office today at 559-890-1007.

What Can I Do as a United States Citizen That I Can’t Do Otherwise?

Gaining citizenship in the United States gives you all of the same benefits and protections granted to every citizen, whether born in the U.S. or not. As a citizen of the United States, you may vote in elections and run for public office. You are also eligible to apply for federal government jobs that are only available to U.S. citizens.

As a citizen, you qualify for a U.S. passport. This can make traveling easier, as many destinations do not require visas for U.S. passport holders. You may also seek assistance from any U.S. Embassy if you run into trouble while abroad. Citizenship can have financial benefits as well, as it qualifies you for federal benefits such as financial assistance for college and other programs.

What Will My Responsibilities Be as a U.S. Citizen?

With the benefits of United States citizenship come some responsibilities. You may be required to renounce your citizenship in other countries, depending on the other country’s rules for dual citizenship. All citizens of the U.S are required to file income taxes for the rest of their life, even if they move to a different country. Although the U.S has not had compulsory military service since 1973, there is a small chance that you could be called to mandatory service. If you are male and have lived in the United States or obtained a green card when you were between the ages of 18 and 26, you must register with the Selective Service System, though there are a few exceptions that may or may not apply to you. An experienced citizenship attorney can help you determine if you must register.

What Is Required to Become a U.S. Citizen?

If you were born outside the United States, the process of becoming a citizen is called naturalization. To go through the naturalization process, you must be at least 18 years old at the time you file the application. You also must have been a Lawful Permanent Resident for 3 or 5 years, depending on the details of your situation, and you must have maintained a physical presence in the country continuously during that time. It is required that you can read, speak, and write basic English and that you have some knowledge and understanding of the history and government of the United States. If all of these qualifications are met, you must demonstrate loyalty to the Constitution of the United States and be willing to take the Oath of Allegiance. The path to citizenship is not the same for everyone.

Your situation is unique, and the steps you must take may differ slightly as you move toward United States citizenship. A skilled and knowledgeable citizenship lawyer from Bains Law Offices can help you understand the complex process of naturalization and can study your particular situation to maximize your chances of meeting the goal of U.S. citizenship. Call Bains Law Offices in Fresno today at 559-890-1007.

Do I Need to Hire a Citizenship Lawyer?

Immigration to the United States is a complex tangle of regulations and paperwork. The naturalization process is time-consuming and can be stressful if you do not have the training or skill that a citizenship attorney can bring to your case. An experienced citizenship lawyer can help you to avoid the common pitfalls along the road to citizenship and will stand beside you as you take this life-changing step.