Happy New U.S. Citizens

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Thank You from Military Wife:

G'day Danielle, How are you on this fine day in sunny California?

We arrived in Camp Pendleton late last night. Our hotel room has a view of the ocean! Now we have moved out of Yuma, AZ and started our journey.

I just wanted to write this quick email to you to say THANK YOU so much for all your hard work & effort on my case, especially getting my citizenship interview and Oath Ceremony expedited before we got transfered.

I was naturalized last Friday (we got to the Oath Ceremony early and the Immigration Officers who were there at my interview were present setting up. They gave us a warm greeting and invited us into the courtroom.

They held my baby etc. and I got a front seat!! Treated like VIPS we were. My husband got to sit away from the rest of the public.

The Oath Ceremony was great. They asked if anyone would like to volunteer and speak about their journey which I did. It was a short & sweet message.

My little baby was good in the 3 hour ceremony and was even mentioned by one of the Officers during the program as the youngest in the crowd & quiet too!

I applied for my US passport yesterday and should be getting that in a week's time. I am hoping to pop down San Diego way with my little baby and say g'day & thanks to you in person.

Take care & thank you so much for everything. You are a life saver!!

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Cheers & Hugz,

Tara, from, Australia, 2010

"Marine wife- toughest job in the corps"

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After being in Lawful Permanent Resident (green card) status for five years, foreign nationals are eligible to apply for American citizenship. The waiting period is only three years if a foreign national obtained his or her green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen.

U.S. Military Personnel take Citizenship Oath

Watch "Becoming a U.S. Citizen: An Overview of the Naturalization Process," a 10-minute Flash® presentation designed for immigrants who are new to the United States. This short multimedia presentation provides a general overview of the naturalization process including where to find immigration information and the general requirements for obtaining U.S. citizenship:

CLICK HERE TO WATCH U.S. CITIZENSHIP VIDEO

Much of the American citizenship (also called naturalization) process is document intensive and involves the careful exchange of immigration information between the client and immigration attorney. After over 10 years of experience, we have developed a system that optimizes our immigration legal expertise and provides our clients with an unmatched personalized experience, customized to their needs.

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“We did it! I can't thank you enough. My citizenship interview was truly a piece of cake. I got 10 for 10 on the questions. You did a superb job of prepping me and I am so grateful. I have given your business card to my hairdresser and two co-workers. I hope they make the right decision to call you. 

Thank you again, Lisa (Canada) in 2009, Dual Citizen of U.S. and Canada”

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American immigration law is highly complex and constantly changing, and the key to smooth citizenship processing involves constant monitoring of the daily changes in immigration law. We subscribe to immigration services like AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association) and ILW.COM (Immigration Lawyers on the Web) to receive daily emails concerning immigration and the constantly changing citizenship requirements by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Citizenship Application Process

The citizenship application process is made up of 10 STEPS:

Step 1:	Client Gathers Documents & Provides to Attorney
Step 2:	Attorney Prepares N-400 Citizenship Application for Client Review & Signature
Step 3:	Attorney Packages & Submits Citizenship Application to U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security; Attorney is Registered as Official “Attorney of Record” and is Allowed to Intervene on Behalf of Client
Step 4:	Attorney & Client Receive Official Receipts Acknowledging Successful Submission
Step 5:	Attorney & Client Receive Biometrics Appointment Letter for Client to Give Fingerprints/Photo
Step 6:	Client Studies for Citizenship Interview Tests (Attorney Provides Questions & Answers)
Step 7:	Attorney Conducts Telephone/In Person Practice Citizenship Interview
Step 8:	Client Attends Citizenship Interview (Alone or with Attorney Representation)
Step 9:	Attorney & Client Receive Oath Ceremony Notice
Stp 10:	Client Attends Citizenship Oath Ceremony. Client Turns in I-551 Green Card & Receives Certificate Immediately Afterward. Client Eligible to Apply for U.S. Passport

The citizenship interview usually takes place about 5-7 months after the citizenship application is submitted - the timing of the USCIS citizenship interview depends on where the client lives in the United States.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH CITIZENSHIP INTERVIEW

At the conclusion of the 10-15 minute citizenship interview (which is held at the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security immigration office nearest to your residence) if all of your citizenship paperwork is in order, and you have answered the test questions correctly, the Officer has the power to tell you that you passed and you will be scheduled for the Citizenship Oath Ceremony (usually scheduled within a month).

HOW THE OFFICER SCORES THE NEW CITIZENSHIP TEST

Citizenship Test Changed in 2008
On October 1, 2008 the civic questions on the citizenship test were changed. All immigration applicants who filed for citizenship on or after October 1, 2008 are required to take the new test.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE SAMPLE CIVICS TEST

There are some immigration applicants, because they are elderly or have a disability, who may not have to take the citizenship test. In addition to the 100 question test, the applicant must also read one sentence in English and write one sentence in English.

Immigration and Criminal Arrests or Convictions
Some criminal arrests and convictions disqualify an applicant for citizenship and others do not. The bottom line is that the Officer won't grant citizenship while a criminal case is still pending, or if a person is still on probation.

WHAT IF I WAS CONVICTED OF A PETTY THEFT?

INFORMATION ABOUT DRUNK DRIVING CONVICTIONS AND CITIZENSHIP

For some crimes, merely filing for citizenship causes the Officer to not only deny citizenship but to take away the green card (I-551 Lawful Permanent Resident card). If we decide to take a citizenship case on behalf of an applicant, it is because we believe it will be successful and we will submit a legal brief to the USCIS explaining why the case should be granted in spite of the criminal arrest or conviction.

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“Thanks again for all you efforts on my citizenship case. You have been wonderful to work with, and I certainly will have no hesitation in referring potential clients to you. Have a great weekend! 

Thank you again, Jon (United Kingdom) in 2008, Dual Citizen of U.S. and EU”

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Traveling Abroad While the Citizenship Application is Pending
Clients should not have any problems traveling abroad when the citizenship application is pending, however, for some individuals it delays the background check. Of course, they should have a valid passport (from the country of which they are still a citizen) and their green card (Lawful Permanent Resident I-551 Card) to re-enter the United States. After the citizenship interview (but before the Citizenship Oath Ceremony) clients are still considered Lawful Permanent Residents.

WHAT IF YOU HAVE TO RESCHEDULE THE CITIZENSHIP INTERVIEW?

 

Calculation of Time Abroad
The requirements for American Citizenship include a period of both continuous residence and physical presence in the United States. Different, and sometimes complicated, calculations are used for each requirement.

CAN MY CHILD GET CITIZENSHIP AUTOMATICALLY WHEN I DO?

Citizenship Oath Ceremony - Changing Your Name
To change part or all of your name, you may request on the citizenship application that it be done by the Judge officiating over the Citizenship Oath Ceremony. When you pick up your Naturalization Certificate after the Oath Ceremony, an official name change document should be attached.

Immigration Government Fees and Attorney Fees
We normally charge a flat legal fee to provide personalized citizenship application services. We utilize overnight mail and do not charge extra for express mail, long distance phone calls or copies. We track your case and answer all of your questions. If you move, we want to properly inform the government so that your immigration case is not delayed. We don't officially close our case until a decision about your citizenship is made. The USCIS fees are currently $675.00.

EMAIL danielle@immigrationworkvisa.com

OR CALL 877.884-6644

If you are the type of person who selects a service based on its merits, we are for you. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask (via email or telephone) and we would be happy to make sure your citizenship questions are answered.

We accept credit cards and represent clients in all 50 states.

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The Law Offices of Danielle Nelisse
555 West Beech Street, Suite 503 (corner of Beech & India Street)
San Diego, California 92101 USA
Telephone: (619) 235-8811 | Facsimile: (619) 235-8822
E-mail: danielle@immigrationworkvisa.com