File Your Naturalization Petition for U.S. Citizenship ASAP

Why Pursue U. S. Citizenship? 

Citizens Don't Have to Worry About Immigration Status

As a permanent resident, you can lose your immigration status and have your green card revoked by the U.S. government. Not only can you lose your green card, but you can also be removed from the United States for several reasons including if you are convicted of a certain type of crime, if you spend too much time abroad outside of the U.S., or if you commit some other immigration violation. A U.S. citizen can almost never lose status or be removed from the U.S., except in very limited circumstances such as when a person voluntarily renounces his or her citizenship or has obtained U.S. citizenship through fraudulent means.

Citizens Can Travel Abroad Without Restriction

As a permanent resident, you are forbidden from traveling outside of the United States for longer than one year without a reentry permit or a return visa or you risk losing your green card status. A U.S. citizen has the right to travel abroad freely without time limits or return visa requirements.

Citizens Can More Easily Get Green Cards for Family Members

Permanent residents who file immigration petitions to sponsor family members for green cards face long waiting times. U.S. citizens have much shorter waiting times and can sponsor a wider range of family members.

Citizens Have More Constitutional Rights

Permanent residents do not have the full rights and protections guaranteed by the United States Constitution.

Some of these rights include:

• The right to a United States passport
• The right to vote
• The right to receive assistance when traveling abroad from United States embassies and consulates
• The right to serve on a jury
• The right to receive full Social Security benefits as well as other forms of federal and state financial aid

How to Become a United States Citizen

If you have been a permanent resident for five years (or three years if your green card was sponsored by your spouse), you may be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship provided that you meet all of the other requirements, such as having good moral character and avoiding certain immigration law violations.

If you are interested in becoming a United States citizen, or you have other concerns or questions about immigration law, consult with the attorneys at The Law Firm of Shihab & Associates.

Contact us online or at (888) 915-5057.