Orange County US Citizenship Lawyer

Orange County US Citizenship Attorney

Becoming a citizen of the United States is a goal of many individuals who are already residing in California or who hope to move to the country in the future. The path to citizenship can be difficult and complicated. However, with an experienced Orange County U.S. citizenship lawyer, you can have a powerful advocate throughout the process.

Orange County Citizenship Lawyer

With over 40 years of combined experience, the attorneys of Brown & Stedman LLP have been helping people navigate litigation throughout California. We have represented clients across a range of legal issues, and we understand the complexities of the legal system in the Sunshine State. If your goal is to become a citizen of the U.S., we can share in your hopes and dreams, working diligently to help you reach that goal.

While this process can be fraught with challenges, we can serve as your legal ally during each stage. We guide and represent people with immigration needs in Orange County and other communities in Southern California. Our lawyers are closely familiar with the complexities of citizenship issues and have spent extensive time with our clients, both in the Santa Anna Immigration Court and beyond.

Citizenship Through Naturalization

Around one-third of Orange County is foreign-born. One of the most common ways to gain citizenship is through naturalization. Since 2023, over 2.6 million people have become naturalized U.S. citizens. To apply for the naturalization process, applicants must complete a Form N-400 and submit it to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The requirements to become a citizen through naturalization include:

• Have a valid permanent residence card or green card for five years. Residency is often understood as having a continuous presence in the United States with a “principal actual dwelling place.” Residency might be considered broken if there are gaps in physical presence of more than 6 months.
• Have a permanent resident card for three years if applying for citizenship as a spouse of a citizen. If you are making an application through marriage, you will need to file the additional Form I-751 to amend the normal residency requirement.
• Must be at least 18 years old.  Anyone applying to become a naturalized citizen must be a legal adult to do so.
• Being able to read, speak, and write English. The justification for this requirement is so that those becoming citizens can participate fully in American public life. There are some exceptions to this, however. In general, applicants 50 years or older who meet other requirements do not need to demonstrate English proficiency.
• Having evidence of good character and that you will maintain high moral standards as a future U.S. citizen. This can include evidence such as payment of taxes, notes from community leaders and organizations, proof of consistent employment, and demonstrations of community participation.
• Completing the necessary forms, submitting to an interview, and take the U.S. naturalization test. This test typically consists of a speaking, reading, and writing section as well as a questionnaire that consists of 10 questions across a range of topics. Your attorney can help you prepare for this test.

Rejections

In 2023 alone, there were over 22,000 rejections in the naturalization process. While this may seem overwhelming, it is important to remember that a denial is not final. Some of the most common reasons for rejection include:

• Failing to meet the physical presence requirements. It is not uncommon for people to travel between their home country and the U.S. However, if it cannot be established that you have kept a residency in the U.S. for at least 3 years (if applying through a spouse) or 5 years (if applying through a green card), this can be cause for rejecting a citizenship application.
• Failing to pay taxes. Sometimes, an applicant failed to pay income taxes while employed in the United States. In other cases, they did not make other forms of required payments, such as alimony or child support. If any of these apply, this can undermine an application for citizenship.
• Errors or inaccuracies in the application. The application process is extremely complex. It requires exact information and evidentiary support. It is not uncommon for applications to be denied simply because of reasonable mistakes by the filers. Because of this, it is important to have guidance from an experienced attorney when filing.

Other reasons why an application may be rejected could include having a criminal history, demonstrating a failure of moral character, or failing the civics test. While it may be frustrating, it is important to remember that you have ways to appeal such decisions.

Appeals

There is an appeals process in place for those who have had their application rejected. The main entities that engage with appeals are USCIS’s Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).

Requesting an appeal is usually done through mail by filing a Notice of Appeal or Motion (I-290B). This must be filed within 30 days of the initial rejection. Following this submission, USCIS will issue an appointment letter for a hearing. The benefit of the appeals process is that it gives the filer an opportunity to provide evidence that may have been missed in the initial filing. Through this process, denials could be overturned.

Helpful, Honest Guidance

The path to citizenship can be complex, and any incorrect decision can have serious consequences. Missteps and mistakes with the citizenship process can not only set you back or require you to begin the process over again, but they can also lead to other serious issues, like the threat of removal.

The right path for you to become a citizen of the United States depends on your goals and various other factors. We can first carefully evaluate your individual situation. Then, we can explain the ideal way to move forward with the most appropriate course of action. We can help you deal with challenges, such as previous criminal convictions or other issues, that may stand between you and your goals.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a Lawyer Charge for a U.S. Citizenship Application?

A: How much a lawyer charges for a U.S. citizenship application depends on several factors. There are several options for obtaining citizenship status. An immigration attorney’s fees will depend on the application type, court filings, and other factors that may affect a U.S. citizenship case. Before you hire a U.S. citizenship lawyer, you should go over their fees and payment methods with them. A reputable attorney will be upfront about their costs.

Q: Do You Need a Lawyer to Get Your U.S. Citizenship?

A: While it is not required for those seeking U.S. citizenship, it can be critical for those entering the application process to hire a lawyer. Those considering the citizenship process or who hope to move to the country in the future face many challenges in the immigration process, such as complex filings, having the appropriate evidentiary support, meeting deadlines, and more. U.S. citizenship laws are not always straightforward, and having an experienced lawyer can be a vital form of support.

Q: Does a U.S. Citizen Need an Immigrant Lawyer?

A: While U.S. citizens are not required to hire a lawyer for any part of the immigration process, it is highly recommended if, for example, their spouse is an immigrant. A skilled Orange County U.S. citizenship attorney can guide you through the complex processes. They can also provide crucial advocacy, along with assistance in filing the appropriate paperwork. The experienced immigration attorneys with Brown & Stedman LLP can explain every step of the immigration process and what to expect.

Q: How Much Does U.S. Citizenship Cost?

A: The cost of U.S. citizenship can vary greatly, depending on the path of citizenship one chooses. An immigration attorney can explain how much your specific immigration process may cost. Even the least expensive paths, such as a spousal visa (CR-1/IR-1) and a marriage green card, have certain fees associated with them. Also, there are often additional expenses during the process, such as travel costs, document replacement, biometric requirements, and others.

Hire a U.S. Citizenship Lawyer

At Brown & Stedman LLP, we believe you deserve a complete assessment of your case and an honest explanation of your legal options. If you want to become a citizen, we can explain the naturalization process in an initial consultation. We can also explore whether there are other options available to help you reach your goal.

Contact our law firm to learn how we can serve you.