Permanent Residency Attorneys Guiding You Along the Path to Citizenship
Explaining Naturalization Requirements for Individuals and Families for More Than 25 Years
Becoming a permanent resident of the United States is a complicated process, but since 1987, New Jersey Permanent Residency Attorney Susan Scheer has been helping individuals and families attain citizenship in the country through our extensive knowledge of the law and commitment to the American Dream. We figure out which route to residency is most beneficial for your situation and provide you with the legal counsel necessary to help you meet your goals.
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How to Obtain Permanent Residency
In the United States, there are multiple ways to become a permanent resident of the country, and at The Scheer Immigration Law Group, we determine which path to citizenship is best for you and your family. Your options are:
- Green card — If you obtain a green card, you are allowed to live and work in the United States and will be on the path to becoming a citizen. Although a green card is the precursor to becoming a permanent resident of the United States, certain restrictions are placed on you, such as the inability to vote and the threat of deportation if you are convicted of certain crimes.
- Certificate of Naturalization — After you have your green card for five years — or three if you are married to a U.S. citizen — you can apply for a Certificate of Naturalization. Our firm assists you with the applications and the interviews that follow to make the process go smoothly. Unlike a green card, naturalized residents are afforded the right to vote and cannot be deported for a crime.
- Certificate of Citizenship — A Certificate of Citizenship is given to children under the age of 18 born abroad but have parents who are U.S. citizens. Our firm obtains the proper forms and documentation for you to get your Certificate of Citizenship, which will allow you to live permanently in the United States.
- Amnesty — Amnesty allows people who entered the United States illegally to have their status adjusted so they can be on the path to citizenship. If you entered the country without inspection before 2001, you may be eligible for an amnesty exception. We determine if you meet the guidelines and help you toward permanent residency.
Get in Touch with a Veteran New Jersey Permanent Residency Attorney Today
If you are looking to become a permanent resident of the United States, call the New Jersey Permanent Residency Attorney at The Scheer Immigration Law Group today at (973) 532-5330 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. Our entire staff is bilingual and ready to meet your needs.
FAQs
What are the Requirements to File for Citizenship?
A very important question that has recently come up concerns the requirements for filing for citizenship. There are multiple requirements. Firstly, you must be a Green Card holder. Sometimes, three years is sufficient if you are married to a US citizen. Otherwise, you must have been a Green Card holder for five years. Likewise, someone must be physically present and residing in the US for 51% of the time. If you have too many absences from the US, it will bar you from applying for citizenship and you will be required to wait until you have acquired the 51% physical presence in the US.
Finally, you must be able to demonstrate good moral character. This means that if you have been arrested for a serious misdemeanor or a felony, it will likely make you ineligible to file for citizenship. You must also possess the ability to speak and read English. This you will be required to demonstrate by taking the history and civics exam in English. There are certain exceptions, to this rule, of course. For instance, if you have been a Green Card holder for 15 years and you are 60 years old, you do not need to demonstrate your English proficiency. The same is the case if you happen to be 50 years old and have had your Green Card for 20 years. Both situations would deem you exempt from the English language requirement.
Summary:
- You must be a Green Card holder, be physically present in the US for 51% of the time and be able to demonstrate good moral character, which is evinced through a lack of prior arrests.
- You must also fulfill an English language proficiency requirement, although there are certain exceptions to this rule.
Can a Prior Arrest Hinder a Citizenship Application?
Last week someone came to my office and posed a very good question. She was interested in applying for citizenship but they had three prior arrests. The first had been a DUI; the second, for shoplifting; and the last had been for a speeding ticket. She was concerned that these arrests would make her ineligible to apply for citizenship. As a general rule, if you have a minor violation, a misdemeanor or something fairly insignificant (and that includes shoplifting), it will not negatively affect your citizenship application.
However, if you were arrested for something of a grave nature, like sexual assault or dealing with drugs, that could adversely affect your ability to apply. It is very important that you obtain all certifications in disposition for any arrests that you have had and bring them with you to the consultation when you wish to discuss your application for citizenship. This will help your New Jersey Permanent Residency Attorney to analyze the specifics of your case it and tell you if you will face a problem.
Summary:
- A minor violation will not deem you ineligible.
- More grave crimes like assault, sexual offenses and drug crimes will affect your application negatively.
Can I Lose My Citizenship from Moving Abroad?
Just last month, I was asked a very interesting question. One of my clients who is a citizen of the US by birth, was planning on relocating to his home country. He anticipated the move to be permanent, with little likelihood of his returning to American soil. He wanted to know if he would run the risk of losing his citizenship once he left the country. The answer to that question is a resounding no. One of the terrific benefits of being a US citizen, be it by birth or by naturalization, is that you can reside in another country and never run the risk of losing your citizenship. A Green Card holder cannot boast of such benefits, for they are required to meet certain residency requirements. However, US citizens are different. You are always going to retain your citizenship, and you will always be welcome home unless you choose to relinquish your US citizenship.
Summary:
- US citizens do not need to satisfy a residency requirement to retain their citizenship.
- US citizens will always remain US citizens unless they choose to relinquish their citizenship.
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