Our law firm has helped clients who qualify to apply for U.S. citizenship according to nationality law. We’ve also assisted those who immigrated to the country and want to enjoy all of its benefits and rights.
U.S. Citizenship Basic Qualifications
If you have foreign citizenship and wish to become a U.S. citizen, an immigration attorney from our Chicago office can check if you meet the basic requirements. They can also help you with the documents that establish meeting these qualifications.
Some of the basic requirements for acquiring U.S. citizenship under immigration law include the following:
- Can speak, read, and write English at a basic level
- Demonstrates good moral character
- Has continuously resided in the U.S. for five years and in their state of residence for at least three months
- Actual presence in the United States
- Shows belief in the U.S. Constitution and its principles
Waivers And Exemptions From Citizenship Requirements
Our law group can also see if you can get a waiver or exemption from these requirements in certain conditions, such as:
- Marriage to a U.S. citizen
- Membership in the U.S. Army
- Derivative citizenship from one or both parents
If you’ve struggled with your application, an immigration attorney from our law group can frame your situation in the best light possible to the USCIS. Even clients who have no criminal record or immigration law issues have experienced setbacks that make it challenging to obtain citizenship. But with the help of our lawyers, we can go through every detail to ensure that you supply complete, correct information to smoothen the process.
Green Cards
One of the most common immigration matters that our law group handles for clients is a green card application. There are two kinds of these cards: those for permanent residents, and those for conditional residents. Here’s a quick explanation of each kind.
Permanent Resident Cards
The Permanent Resident Card enables its holders to live and work permanently in the country for ten years. There are different categories that make applicants eligible for a permanent resident card, each with its own requirements. These are:
- Through family
- Through employment
- Through registry
- As a special immigrant
- Refugee/asylee status
- Human trafficking and crime victims
- Victims of abuse
- Other categories
Conditional Resident Status Cards
There are also green cards known as Conditional Resident Status Cards. These are only valid for two years. Within 90 days before their expiry, their holders need to submit requirements that remove conditions on their residency. These conditional cards are typically issued to those married to U.S. citizens with a marriage less than two years old at the time the residency was granted. They are also granted to stepchildren whose parents face this marriage issue.
Prevent Delays And Denials With Help From Our Immigration Attorneys
Applying for or renewing either green card requires complicated documentation, and the smallest omission can delay your green card’s issuance. Something as simple as a misspelled address or omitted middle name can lead to prolonged processing time for Conditional Resident Status Card.
In the worst cases, some green card applications have been denied over simple errors. To avoid the delay or denial of your green card application, seek help from a Chicago immigration attorney. Our law group can double-check all necessary documentation for family-based, employment-based, or asylum/refugee-based green cards.
Deferred Action
The U.S. government recognizes that many undocumented immigrants are minors who are staying in the country because of their parents. Luckily, UCIS allows them temporary exemptions under Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
Relief under this exemption is granted on a case-to-case basis. These are some of the criteria that our clients have had to meet to qualify for deferred action:
- Entry into the U.S. before the age of 16
- Living continuously in the U.S. for at least five years, starting from June 15, 2007 until the present
- No convictions for felonies or serious/multiple misdemeanors
- Does not pose a threat to national safety and security
- Graduated from high school, is currently enrolled in school, has a GED, or has received an honorable discharge from the military
Proving these qualifications requires a lot of complicated, detailed documentation. The more evidence that an immigration attorney can provide to establish your qualification for DACA, the higher your chances of being exempted. Talk to our firm attorneys so they can help you establish a strong case for exemption.
