League City Citizenship Lawyers

The citizenship lawyer in League City, Texas at the Fonseca Law Firm may be able to help you apply for citizenship or review your situation if you are thinking about applying for citizenship. To be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship, you must meet certain criteria. The citizenship lawyers in League City, Texas at the Fonseca Law Firm may be able to help you apply for citizenship if you meet the criteria for U.S. citizenship.

We are here to help you. Applying for citizenship is a huge step. Yet, it can come with risks if you have certain issues or a criminal record. If you do not meet the criteria to receive U.S. citizenship or if you have a criminal record or other circumstances that can make you deportable, applying for U.S. citizenship could potentially put your status at risk or flag your case with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The citizenship lawyer in League City, Texas at the Fonseca Law Firm may be able to help you understand your options and rights, especially if you are not sure whether you qualify to apply for citizenship or whether you should apply for citizenship at all. 

What Are the Criteria for Applying for U.S. Citizenship?

To apply for citizenship, you must first meet certain criteria, which can include holding permanent resident status in good standing for a period that can span anywhere from three to five years, depending on how you obtained your green card status. What are the criteria for applying for U.S. citizenship?

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must be a permanent resident and have been a permanent resident for anywhere from three to five plus years. Different types of permanent residents must hold a permanent residency card for different lengths of time to qualify for citizenship. A citizenship lawyer in League City, Texas at the Fonseca Law Firm can review your situation to see whether you have had permanent resident status for a sufficient period.
• In the last five years, you must have been residing in the U.S. for at least half of that time. If you hold a permanent resident status that allows you to apply for citizenship sooner, these rules will be different.
• You must have resided for at least three months in the state in which you plan to apply for citizenship.
• You must show that you can speak English with proficiency.
• You must be able to pass a test about basic U.S. government and history.
• You must be able to show good moral character. If you have a criminal history, you may want to speak to a citizenship lawyer in League City, Texas at the Fonseca Law Firm. Some criminal convictions not only might bar you from citizenship but could render you deportable.
• You must be in good standing if you served in the military and be willing to be of service to the U.S. military or be of civilian service.
• Affirm that you will support the U.S. Constitution.
• Take an oath of allegiance to the U.S.

These are some of the criteria that must be met to apply for U.S. citizenship. There are circumstances where individuals may be able to obtain waivers for certain criteria if the criteria are contrary to religious beliefs. The path to citizenship available to you will depend largely on you permanent resident status.

If you have questions about how you can begin to apply for U.S. citizenship, reach out to the citizenship lawyers in League City, Texas at the Fonseca Law Firm. Our lawyers can review your situation and assist you with the application process. We are here for you.

Benefits of U.S. Citizenship

While it is possible to live indefinitely in the U.S. as a permanent resident in many cases, U.S. citizenship grants an individual certain rights, protections, and benefits that permanent residency does not offer. What are some benefits of U.S. citizenship? Why should you consider applying for U.S. citizenship if you meet the criteria? Here are a few benefits:

• Protection against deportation. If you are only in the U.S. on a green card, and are convicted of a crime, you could be deported. If you are a U.S. citizen, if you serve your time in jail, you are free to re-join American society.
• You can petition to get family visas for close family members who live in other countries.
• You can apply for government jobs.
• You can travel freely outside the U.S. without risking losing your permanent residency status.
• You can vote.
• You may have wider access to certain government benefits.

Citizenship is a big step, but it comes with important requirements that must be met. If you are thinking of applying for citizenship, reach out to the Fonseca Law Firm, a citizenship law firm in League City, Texas. We can help you meet your goals. 

Contact a Citizenship Lawyer in League City, Texas Today 

A citizenship lawyer in League City, Texas at the Fonseca Law Firm can assist you with applying for citizenship and can review your situation to see if you qualify. In some cases, applying for citizenship could put your immigration status at risk, so if you are not sure about your status, you may want to speak to a League City, Texas citizenship lawyer. Contact us today to learn more.