Tuscaloosa Citizenship and Naturalization Lawyer

In many instances, the goal for a foreign resident who enters the United States is to become a legal citizen. U.S. citizenship can benefit a person and provide their close relatives with a path to residency. The process can be challenging, but a skilled immigration attorney could guide you through the necessary steps to obtain citizenship.

If you or a family member are considering becoming a U.S. citizen, now is the time to discuss your options with an attorney. A Tuscaloosa citizenship and naturalization lawyer could answer questions and help you avoid errors or confusion with your application.

Understanding Citizenship Requirements

There is no guarantee that the federal government will grant a request for citizenship. For a foreign person to qualify for this status in the United States, they must first go through a process known as naturalization.

An applicant will only qualify for citizenship if they are at least 18 years of age. For minors, the only way to become a citizen is through adoption. To be eligible for citizenship, it is also necessary for the applicant to hold lawful permanent resident status for a set amount of time. Additionally, an immigrant must have lived in the U.S. for a minimum of five years and must have remained in the country for 30 months leading up to their application date.

Finally, a few remaining requirements include learning to read, write, and speak English, and possessing good moral character. A citizenship and naturalization attorney in Tuscaloosa could provide further insight into these requirements if an immigrant has remaining questions.

What is Challenging about Applying for Citizenship?

There are different ways in which an applicant could face challenges during the naturalization process. Any error might delay a petition or even prevent citizenship entirely.

Tax Debt

Lawful permanent residents have various tax obligations they must follow when living in the U.S. The failure to keep up with these requirements could prevent a person from obtaining citizenship. However, it could be possible to overcome this issue by negotiating a payment plan with the IRS.

Criminal and Administrative Issues

Anyone who might have previously violated immigration laws or been charged with a criminal offense could face challenges when applying for citizenship. However, not every case will necessarily result in a denial. For both criminal charges and immigration law violations, the severity of the charge is important. While a serious offense could prevent a person from becoming a citizen, minor charges might not.

Unpaid Child Support

Similar to tax debt, unpaid child support could also result in the rejection of a citizenship application. For instance, an immigrant needs to resolve any uncompleted child support payments immediately if they want to be eligible for the naturalization process.

A skilled lawyer in Tuscaloosa could help a citizenship applicant overcome these challenges or anything else they might encounter while pursuing naturalization.

Reach Out to a Tuscaloosa Citizenship and Naturalization Attorney Today

For many people, obtaining U.S. citizenship is the culmination of a life-long dream. This journey is important, but it can also be challenging. Thankfully, you do not have go through the process alone.

A Tuscaloosa citizenship and naturalization lawyer could serve as your advocate as you start this next step in your life. Call right away for your confidential consultation.