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Naturalization and Citizenship

Anderson Lawyer for US Immigration, Greenville, Spartanburg, South Carolina

The Dick James Law Firm of Greenville, South Carolina is dedicated to treating the residents in the area like members of our own family. It is important to us that we become a household name when people refer their families and friends to us for help with any legal issues. This includes immigration law and aiding their loved ones to become naturalized citizens of the United States.

Naturalization

Recently, the test required as a part of the naturalization process was revised with the intent of emphasizing the basic concepts of the American system of democracy. This includes the rights and responsibilities of every American citizen and helps to encourage applicants to learn about and identify the basic values shared by citizens of the United States.

The naturalization process is available to any lawful person who has held permanent residency status for at least five years. If the applicant is married to a United States citizen for at least three years, they may be eligible to apply after three years instead of five. The applicant must remain married at the time of application and throughout the process.

The applicant must also be present in the U.S. for a minimum of half of the five year requirement, with continuous residence from the date of petition to the time of obtaining citizenship. During the period of continuous residence, the applicant is prohibited from being absent from the U.S. for more than one year. The applicant must also be a resident for a minimum of three months in the state where the petition is filed.

The applicant must be of good moral character and uphold the principles of the Constitution of the United States. Furthermore, the applicant must demonstrate an elementary understanding of the English language, as well as an understanding of government function and basic U.S. history. The applicant may not be involved in any deportation proceedings, cannot be a deserter, a subversive or a communist.

Citizenship

Citizenship is the most exciting and beneficial status that can be awarded to an immigrant. Most people become a United States citizen by birth within the territory of the U.S. or to parents who are U.S. citizens. Or, an individual can become a citizen by naturalization.

 In 2000, Congress passed the Child Citizenship Act (CCA) which states that any child under the age of 18 who is adopted by a U.S. citizen and immigrates to the United States is able to acquire immediate citizenship status.

If you or someone you love wants to immigrate to the United States legally and take part in the process to become naturalized and become a U.S. citizen, you owe it to yourself to consult an experienced immigration attorney from the Dick James Law Firm, helping immigrants with legal advice in Anderson, Spartanburg and Greenville, South Carolina.