Obtaining a successful immigration to the United States is one thing, but securing citizenship status is a different matter entirely. For the latter, aspiring citizens must undergo the citizenship and naturalization system and its elaborate processes. Citizenship is the legal status of being a member of the United States, with associated rights and responsibilities, including voting and obeying civil laws. But naturalization is the process by which immigrants become citizens of a country.
USCIS oversees the process and maintains relative consistency nationwide. However, applicants from Miami have an advantage due to the various specialized immigration services available here. Applicants also choose to naturalize in this city because life as a new citizen is typically easier here, thanks to the comprehensive immigrant community. This post explores the eight steps to securing citizenship status in Miami, and how a U.S. citizenship & naturalization lawyer can help you.
8 Steps to Citizenship & Naturalization in Miami
1. Know Your Citizenship Status
The fact is that only non-citizens are required to undergo the naturalization process. Therefore, you should ensure your nationality before subscribing to this additional task. However, this relatively simple task can often be tricky, as some foreigners may already hold citizenship status even without undergoing naturalization. Of course, the natural way to become a citizen is to be born in the United States or abroad to U.S. citizens. But you can also become a citizen automatically if you’re a lawful permanent resident under 18 when either or both of your parents naturalize. And you will also get citizenship if you’re under 18 and adopted by U.S. citizens.
Determining whether you’re a U.S. citizen is easy, especially if you know the conditions. But if you don’t know, you can hire an attorney for citizenship to help you review the process. These experts are very experienced, and a single glance at your documents would be enough to tell you where you stand with your citizenship status.
2. Determine Eligibility Status
Of course, not all LPRs qualify for immigration and naturalization services. This fact alone is why knowing your eligibility beforehand can save you time and resources. Moreover, this step becomes even more critical, as applying for citizenship when you’re not eligible is a complete waste of time.
First of all, it is well known in immigration law that you must already be a Green Card holder to be considered eligible for naturalization. But you also need to have stayed in the United States for at least 5 years to qualify. After that, you’ll have to be quite conversant with the English language and have comprehensive knowledge of the civic laws here. In Miami, a naturalization immigration lawyer can help review your background to ensure a clean record.
3. Prepare Your Application
The N-400 Application Form is the first step toward obtaining U.S. citizenship. This Application for Naturalization form basically registers your interest with USCIS. Submission is easy since the form is completed online. However, applicants in Miami may encounter a few difficulties due to language barriers or questionable immigration backgrounds common in South Florida. But then, there’s really no cause for alarms because the entire process is often not as demanding as you think.
For this step, you will need to create an online profile with USCIS to access the form. You must then provide complete and accurate information for each section before submission. It goes without saying that you should be careful while filling out this form. This act might be the difference between success and failure, as even the slightest inconsistency can tip off the immigration board and affect your chances. You can avoid this issue by hiring a citizenship immigration lawyer to assist with the process and prepare the form on your behalf. While they’ll help review your application, their expertise can also be necessary to help you meet USCIS requirements.
4. Submit Your Form Correctly
It is essential to file the application form correctly to prevent delays. Applicants must submit their application through the designated USCIS online system. They must also ensure that all required items are included. You’ll also need to submit two passport photographs and pay the complete processing fee.
In some instances, applicants may qualify for an exemption from the English and/or civics testing requirements. When an exemption is requested, an applicant must clearly disclose the application and support it with the Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. This form applies to individuals who are unable to meet standard testing requirements due to physical or developmental disabilities. So, working with an experienced attorney for citizenship is essential to ensure the exemption is adequately documented and presented.
5. Attend Biometrics Appointment
This appointment is one of the most critical steps, and it is where you verify your identity against the information you provided in the application form. The citizenship board will also require your fingerprints, photos, and signatures for background checks. Then, they run your information through the FBI database and other law enforcement databases to check whether you have a criminal history or are currently under investigation.
While this step is almost always required, it can be skipped in some cases if USCIS reuses biometrics initially submitted during the immigration process for background checks. So, in such scenarios, you will get a notice from the authorities that they will be using your old biometrics. Otherwise, you’ll have to follow the regular method of scheduled interview dates. This method is necessary because any delays in this step can significantly slow down the entire process.
Your citizenship lawyer can still assist you with this process, especially in saving the specific date and issuing reminders accordingly. They can also help prepare you for the biometric test itself, especially if you have had any prior legal issues that may be relevant.
6. Attend Naturalization Interview
If this is your first time dealing with the immigration services, then a face-to-face meeting with USCIS agents might seem a little bit too real. The good news, however, is that it doesn’t carry any special difficulty, and you have to keep your nerves calm. This interview enables the Immigration and Naturalization Service to verify the information provided on Form N-400. They’ll also ask personal questions while testing your knowledge of the English League and the U.S. civic laws.
In Miami, the interview is conducted at the USCIS field office and is often a routine process. Here, you’ll be required to provide information about your background and relationship status in a bid to determine your eligibility. The trick here is to answer all the questions truthfully and confidently. If you had initially provided the correct information in your application, then you don’t have anything to worry about.
While the naturalization interview usually doesn’t exceed a day, it can sometimes spill over and require a continuation. However, this only occurs if the USCIS official is unable to decide on the outcome of your interview within a day. The most common reason for continuation is if the officer deems that you need to submit extra documents. They can also invite you in for a continuation if they find that your test scores lack conviction. This complication is why you need an expert to prepare for your interview and help you secure the best possible outcome.
7. Wait For a Decision
The citizenship and naturalization process didn’t end after the interview. However, acing your interview means you probably passed the verification process and must wait for the results. Most of the time, getting this far means you can rest assured of a positive outcome, even though the results may differ in isolated cases. But the outcome is typically down to how satisfactory the immigration board finds your overall application.
8. Oath of Allegiance
This oath is what officially qualifies you to become a U.S. citizen. But it also means that you’re never considered naturalized unless you take the oath of loyalty. Crucial? Yes. But the ceremonious nature of this event means it’s often not as official as it sounds. Successful applicants are even allowed to invite loved ones to witness this milestone.
Oath-taking ceremonies are held periodically in Miami because applicants in this area are processed in batches. It is the step where you finally exchange your Green Card for a Certificate of Naturalization, and it’s at this moment that you officially become a U.S. citizen. It’s essential to keep your lawyer involved throughout this process, just in case. For instance, there can sometimes be an issue with the ceremony date. Even though such cases are rare, that’s another cause for your attorney for citizenship to swing into action one more time. They can help track the cause of the delay or reschedule, while keeping you informed of the new dates.
Common Misconceptions about Naturalization in the United States
For most, the common misconception is that you can start the naturalization process immediately after you get your Green Card, but that’s not the case. As a matter of fact, you need to be considered an LPR for at least 5 years before getting a nod to apply for citizenship. This period is, in effect, a probationary period during which potential citizens are closely monitored to determine whether they meet certain expectations or not. Of course, as a no-brainer, LPRs must show that they have established deep connections and are of good moral conduct.
Please note that the authorities can expedite or shorten your probation period to 3 years if you are married to an American citizen. But in any case, the wait period becomes an extra part of the naturalization process, and you’ll do well to maintain good standing for a better chance.
Another confusing aspect often concerns the time required to complete the naturalization process. Well, it is known that immigration processes may vary depending on several related factors, and the same applies to this process. However, the average time, if all things remain equal, is between 8 and 12 months. But it also goes without saying that you’ll need the services of an experienced lawyer to get the better of this process.
The Coleman Law Group Can Help You
Indeed, the process of securing citizenship & naturalization in the United States is straightforward. However, in cities like Miami, where many people are likely to apply for the same, standing out for the right reason can make all the difference. That said, having quality legal assistance by your side becomes non-negotiable, and the Coleman Law Group is your best option.
Our team of highly qualified and dedicated attorneys is always ready to give their all to help you get a favorable result. But beyond that, we are also dedicated to the process and will help you stay on the right track throughout. The bottom line, however, is that at the Coleman Law Group, we specialize in naturalization and immigration law. And since we are an established firm in Florida, we can guide you through every step as you navigate your path to U.S. citizenship & naturalization in Miami.
Legal Disclaimer
This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
