Understanding Naturalization - Nashville Immigration Law – Dawn A. Garcia, Attorney at Law
Naturalization is the process by which a foreign citizen is made a U.S. citizen. The steps involved in the naturalization process can be confusing without the assistance of a lawyer specializing in immigration and naturalization. Dawn Garcia can help clients in the Nashville area identify and comply with the requirements for naturalization. Once the process is complete, citizenship is granted.
United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) governs the procedures for naturalization. First, one must submit a naturalization application. A naturalization applicant must be 18 years or older, prove continuous residency in the U.S. and three month residency in the district in which the application is being made.
The applicant must pass a naturalization test demonstrating an ability to read, write, and speak English, and an understanding of U.S. history and government. Finally, an applicant for naturalization must be of good moral character and be favorably disposed to the United States. All applicants will be interviewed about the information they have provided.
Nashville Immigration Naturalization Service
Experienced naturalization attorneys can help prepare candidates for their interview and civics tests. Immigration and naturalization lawyer Dawn Garcia has helped numerous clients in the Nashville area with these crucial steps in the naturalization process. If a candidate’s application is accepted and he passes his tests, he will be notified during the interview or shortly afterwards. This will be followed by notification of the date, time, and place of his Oath of Allegiance, after which citizenship is conferred.
In 2008, over half a million people became naturalized citizens. The naturalization process can take one to two years to complete. However, the benefits of naturalization are significant, including the ability to vote in U.S. elections, to hold government jobs, and to bring other family members to the United States through the immigration process.
