Frederick County Immigration Lawyer
In Frederick County, the decision to become a U.S. Citizen is the final step in the U.S. immigration process. As a lawful permanent resident, a green card holder can live, work, and travel within the United States. But, the green card holder is still subject to visa guidelines and travel restrictions when they travel outside of the U.S. based on his or her country of citizenship.
If someone is seeking permanent residence in Frederick County they should speak with a skilled immigration lawyer as soon as possible. A Frederick County immigration lawyer helps green card holders become U.S. citizens by preparing the application for citizenship and representing the applicant at the naturalization interview.
Before naturalization is possible in Frederick County, a foreign-born person must obtain a green card through a family or employment-based immigration petition. Among the myriad of methods of entry below marriage, adjustment of status, and exceptional skill or ability continue to dominate the legal U.S. immigration channels.
U.S. Citizenship Eligibility
To be eligible for U.S. citizenship, the green card holder must satisfy the following:
- Entry, residence, physical presence: The applicant must have lawfully entered the U.S. and gained Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status prior to seeking U.S. citizenship. After becoming an LPR, the applicant must continuously reside in the United States for five years (three years if married to U.S. citizen).
- Age: The applicant must be 18 years old or older.
- Literacy and education: The applicant must possess the ability to understand, speak, read and write basic English and demonstrate knowledge of US history, politics and government.
- Good moral character: The naturalization applicant must show that they have been, and continues to be, a person of good moral character.
- Oath of allegiance to the US: The applicant must be willing to pledge allegiance to the United States by taking an oath to renounce all other national allegiances.
A Frederick County immigration attorney can assist in ensuring an individual meets all the requirements and is prepared for what the legal process entails.
Immigration Laws
In Frederick County and all over the country, immigration law and policy has been undergoing rapid changes since 9/11. Immigration and naturalization, the formal process of becoming a U.S. citizen, is always in the news. Restricting access or revoking access to the United States to green card holders is an overwhelming theme of current U.S. immigration and naturalization policy. The only way to protect someone and their family is to become a U.S. Citizen with the help of a Frederick County immigration lawyer.
A U.S. Citizen can vote, hold public office, travel under the protection of the United States, extend citizenship to children under the age of 18, and reunite family members that remained in their country of origin when the green card holder immigrated to the United States.
As a U.S. Citizen, the green card holder in Frederick County is also protected from removal or deportation orders, if later on, they are arrested or charged with a minor crime, like a simple possession of marijuana or simple DWI without injury to people.
U.S. Citizenship Exam
In Frederick County, an applicant must pass an oral, reading, and writing examination that tests his or her knowledge of the English language as well as U.S. history, U.S. government, and civics lessons. If the applicant fails the first test, they will be retested one further time in the section failed in order to approve the petition.
Frederick County Immigration Attorneys
Providing legal representation in all phases of consular and non-consular processing of immigrant visa petition, a Frederick County immigration lawyer assists individuals and employers wishing to sponsor foreign-born people for U.S. permanent residence and employment opportunities.