Citizenship Attorneys in DuPage County

Over 40 Years of Legal Experience with Naturalization and Citizenship Issues

Naturalization is the process by which a foreign citizen obtains her or his U.S. citizenship. When a person becomes a U.S. citizen, he or she obtains all the rights and responsibilities of a natural-born citizen. The attorneys and staff at Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices understand the importance of citizenship, and we want to help you complete the naturalization process successfully. We go the extra mile to explain the entire process to you, review your history to identify potential problems, and work side-by-side with you as you file documentation and attend interviews with immigration officials. While many immigration attorneys or agencies will simply prepare and submit your application, we will take the time to evaluate your situation to identify potential issues, and we make sure all of your questions or concerns are addressed before and throughout the application process.

The naturalization interview itself can be a difficult and overwhelming experience. We have prepared naturalization petitions for countless clients. These types of applications often require a great deal of evidence gathering and fact-finding, and it is important to have an experienced immigration attorney review your situation and address any potential problems.

Sometimes, the government may seek additional information from you before, during, and/or after your interview. Information sought can include evidence of any criminal history you may have, child support issues, or how many times you have left the U.S. while you were a lawful permanent resident. At Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices, we have helped numerous clients prepare thorough and comprehensive responses to these types of inquiries. We ensure that all the information sought by the government is provided and that this information is explained in a light most favorable to your position.

Eligibility for U.S. Citizenship

In order for one to be eligible for naturalization, you must first meet certain requirements. You must:

1. Have been lawfully admitted to the U.S. as a permanent resident.
2. Meet the continuous residence and physical residence requirements:
   • Continuous residence requirement: You must have resided continuously in the United States as a lawful permanent resident for five years preceding the date of your application. Although you are not required to remain in the United States at all times during this period, absences of more than six months but less than a year will disrupt the continuity of residence requirement unless you can show that you did not abandon your residence in the U.S. Absences for over a year disrupt the continuity of the residence requirement with very limited exceptions.
   • Physical presence requirement: You must have been physically present in the U.S. for 30 months of the previous five years.
3. Show good moral character. There are various ways to demonstrate that you meet this requirement, including statements from family members or friends or evidence that you have had a positive impact on your community. However, if you have been convicted of certain criminal offenses, this may be considered evidence that you do not have good moral character, and you may need to provide explanations or evidence that you have served a sentence and been rehabilitated.
4. Have an attachment to the Constitution. You will need to show that you are willing to defend the principles on which the United States was founded. You will have an opportunity to declare your attachment to the Constitution when you take your Oath of Allegiance.
5. Have an understanding of the English language with the ability to read, write, and speak words in ordinary usage. Most of the time, your naturalization interview will be conducted in English, and you will be required to write basic sentences as directed by the interviewing officer. There are certain exceptions to the English language requirement for applicants who are:
   • Over 50 years old and have lived in the U.S. as permanent residents for periods totaling at least 20 years.
   • Over 55 years old and have lived in the U.S. as permanent residents for periods totaling at least 15 years.
   • Physically or developmentally disabled or have a mental impairment.
6. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of the history and principles of government of the U.S. During the naturalization interview, you will be asked various basic questions relating to the history of the U.S. and its government. Special consideration is afforded to applicants who are over 65 years old and who have lived in the U.S. for periods totaling at least 20 years.
7. Take the Oath of Allegiance and swear to:
   • Support the Constitution of the United States.
   • Renounce foreign allegiances and/or foreign title.
   • Bear arms for the Armed Forces of the U.S. or perform services for the government of the U.S. when required.

Contact Our Bloomingdale Naturalization Attorneys

If you need assistance with a naturalization or citizenship matter, our experienced Illinois immigration attorneys can assist you. Call 630-932-9100 or contact us online for a free consultation. We have 3 regional offices located in Lombard, Bloomingdale, and Naperville.