NYC Citizenship and Naturalization Attorney
Becoming a US citizen is a momentous decision and we provide expert guidance to fulfill the requirements.
Our attorneys provide online and face-to-face legal consultations. Establishing a relationship and clearly understanding your needs is a critical first step toward success.
We speak Spanish, Chinese, Bulgarian, Russian, Hindi, Punjabi, and more. We go above and beyond to make sure that language is never a barrier between us and our clients.
U.S. citizens can sponsor spouses for citizenship and may confer citizenship to their minor children. There are a number of different paths to naturalization, including:
Permanent residency — Any immigrant who has made a home in the United States for five years or more without leaving the country for more than six months at a time may apply for naturalization. Most applicants fall into this category. With your N-400 application, a copy of both sides of your green card must be provided.
Spousal citizenship — If you have been married to and living with a U.S. citizen for at least three years, you can apply for citizenship. Your spouse must have been a citizen for at least three years. To avoid unnecessary problems, you have to include proof of your marriage and documents demonstrating that any earlier marriage has been ended legally.
Naturalization of military personnel — If you are or have been in the U.S. armed forces and have established residence in the United States, you may apply for naturalization. Eligibility is available to those who have served honorably for at least one year during peacetime or during periods of hostility. Though the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has had representatives on several installations, there have been steps taken to limit this program, including a reduction in the number of military naturalizations and the closing of overseas offices. It’s important to have a strong advocate on your side.
Even if you have been targeted for deportation, we will investigate your situation thoroughly to see if you might be able to pursue an adjustment in status that might eventually lead to citizenship.
U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization Overview
- Naturalization refers to the procedure through which lawful permanent residents become U.S. citizens upon fulfilling the criteria outlined in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
- Citizenship acquisition occurs when individuals gain U.S. citizenship either from birth through U.S. citizen parents or following birth, provided it happens before turning 18 years old.
Our knowledge of immigration law helps you at every phase of the journey, from the initial filings through the background check and civics test, until you are sworn in as a United States citizen.
The path to naturalized U.S. citizenship includes the preparation of documents, biometric analysis and a thorough review of one’s ability to live productively within the United States. No matter what makes up the basis of your naturalization application, we’ll make sure that you are prepared for the documentary requirements, fingerprinting, interview, English proficiency examination, and U.S. civics test. We know how complicated and intimidating these standards can seem, but our immigration attorneys and staff speak numerous languages and focus on easing your burden at every stage to maximize the likelihood that you will be taking the Oath of Allegiance.
We guide clients through the intricacies of the U.S. Immigration process and help get answers to common citizenship eligibility questions:
Can I apply for U.S. Citizenship if:
- I have been a permanent U.S. resident for 5 years
- I’m married to a U.S. citizen
- I’ve served or currently serving in the U.S. military
- I’m a parent, child, or sibling of a U.S. citizen
How Can a New York Immigration Attorney Help Me With My Naturalization Interview?
The naturalization interview can be a source of stress for applicants going through the naturalization process because it involves answering questions about your background and other details about your life with an immigration officer. This can be an intimidating concept for many individuals. Thankfully, an experienced immigration attorney from Pollack, Pollack, Isaac & DeCicco can help you conquer your fears by supporting you with the following:
- Test Preparation. During your naturalization interview, you will also be required to take a test that assesses your English skills and knowledge of civic processes in the United States. Your attorney can help you study for these exams by providing you with study materials and helping you work out a study schedule based on your timeline. While they are not a tutor, they can help support you with logistics, resources, and managing your expectations.
- Interview Preparation. Your immigration lawyer can also help you prepare for your naturalization interview by reviewing your case details and anticipating questions that they will expect the immigration officer to ask. This way, you can prepare accordingly. They can practice mock interviews with you or review your answers to give feedback and fine-tune your interview skills.
- Interview Presence. While they cannot speak for you, your immigration lawyer is legally allowed to accompany you during your naturalization interview. They can bear witness to the interview, ensure that your rights are protected, and help clarify any confusion that may arise. If an immigration officer asks a question that is not in line with your rights, your attorney can reject the question on your behalf. If an immigration officer is violating your rights or acting inappropriately, the lawyer can advise them of your rights or even help report them to a supervisor.
- Moral Support. Having an immigration attorney on your side can bring positive energy to the naturalization process, allowing you to move forward with confidence. Knowing that someone who cares about your case is with you during the naturalization interview can ease nerves and help the interview and testing processes go smoothly.
The naturalization interview can be intimidating and complex, as it involves interviews and tests that are used to determine whether your US citizenship application should be accepted or rejected. Therefore, the experienced immigration team at Pollack, Pollack, Isaac & DeCicco is here to support you each step of the way by helping you adequately prepare for what is to come and accompanying you at the interview. Together, we can work toward your US citizenship.
FAQs
It is not required by law to hire an NYC naturalization lawyer in order to obtain citizenship through the naturalization process. However, it is important to keep in mind that the naturalization process is complex, requiring multiple steps and the submission of various documents and evidence.
An NYC naturalization lawyer can help guide you through the naturalization process, helping ensure that you have met the eligibility requirements, adequately submit all documentation, respond promptly to requests from USCIS, and meet critical deadlines.
If you are going through the naturalization process in order to pursue citizenship, an NYC lawyer cannot inorganically speed up the citizenship process for you by speeding up application processing times.
However, they can ensure that no unnecessary delays occur during the process by making sure that you have submitted all required paperwork and supporting evidence correctly, communicating proactively with USCIS, and helping determine that you meet all requirements to become a United States citizen through the naturalization process.
The cost of a naturalization lawyer based in New York City depends on various factors, including the complexity of your case, the assistance you require, the location and reputation of the firm, and the experience of the naturalization attorney.
One benefit of having your immigration lawyer with you at your citizenship interview is the assurance that your rights will be protected. While you will be the person answering the questions posed by the immigration officer, your lawyer can help clarify confusion on any legal issues and reject any questions that could be considered a breach of your rights. A compassionate lawyer can also provide moral support, as their presence could be a source of comfort to encourage you to answer questions to the greatest extent of your ability.
Pave the Road to Citizenship in New York City Today With a Skilled Naturalization Lawyer
The naturalization process timeline can differ depending on where you live and whether all required evidence was submitted with your application. During this time, you can prevent excessive stress and worry by hiring a qualified New York immigration attorney. At Pollack, Pollack, Isaac & DeCicco, our compassionate legal immigration team can help you complete all of the key steps you need to master the naturalization process and work toward obtaining your citizenship with confidence.
We understand the importance of gaining your citizenship, and our lawyers speak a multitude of languages to connect with a diverse range of clients. Reach out to one of our dedicated naturalization lawyers to get the support you need today.
U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization eligibility criteria and program details change. Consult a PPID attorney for guidance in your case. Consultations are available in-person and online.
