Charlotte Citizenship Lawyer | Naturalization Attorney

Charlotte Citizenship Lawyer.

The road to U.S. citizenship is long but rewarding. Permanent residence in the United States provides many benefits but also has significant limitations. At Sussman Law Firm, PLLC, a Charlotte Citizenship lawyer can help you determine whether citizenship is the best option for you and walk you through the complex process from start to finish. Our dedicated immigration attorneys are here to help you navigate your case process. En Español

How to Become a Citizen.

There are generally three main ways to become a citizen:

Naturalization: You may be eligible to naturalize as a U.S. citizen. To do this, you must be a Lawful Permanent Resident for at least five years to apply for naturalization, but there are certain exceptions that may make you eligible sooner than five years.
Transmission: If you were not born in the U.S. and if one or both of your parents were U.S. citizens at the time of your birth, you may already be a citizen. The rules governing the transmission change occasionally and depend on the rules that were in effect at the time of your birth.
Acquisition: If you and your parents were not born in the U.S., you may still become a citizen through acquisition if you became a Lawful Permanent Resident before your eighteenth birthday and your parents are naturalized U.S. citizens.

Why Does Citizenship Matter?

Obtaining citizenship status is an important milestone for many families, as it confers many rights. Additionally, citizenship helps essential workers grow their wealth and thrive here in the United States.

Similarly, citizenship can be powerful for Dreamers who arrived in the U.S. as children, people with family members who are U.S. citizens, people who have been here for decades, and those who are temporarily protected from deportation. If you belong to any of these groups, a compassionate lawyer in Charlotte could help you get started on seeking citizenship.

Paths to Citizenship for the Undocumented.

When someone has been residing in the U.S. for a long time and is a non-citizen due to being undocumented or being reliant on a temporary immigration status, they can often register as a Lawful Permanent Resident. This opportunity is important because it can serve as a potential pathway towards future citizenship.

To become an LPR, an immigrant must be of good moral character and have resided in the U.S. continuously since arrival.

Citizenship for Dreamers.

The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act was initially introduced in 2001 to protect undocumented children brought to the U.S. by their parents. However, its many iterations have yet to become law.

On February 9, Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) introduced the current bipartisan Dream Act of 2023. If passed, the bill would protect 1.9 million eligible Dreamers from deportation and provide a path to citizenship to those who meet specific requirements. A knowledgeable Charlotte attorney could help Dreamers stay updated on this legislation and seek citizenship if possible.

Call a Charlotte Citizenship Attorney for Immigration Guidance.

America was built by immigrants seeking better lives for themselves and their families. We still value this diversity today, as we encourage foreign nationals to apply for immigration permits and enter the U.S. However, the process of becoming a citizen is complicated, and you will need legal help if you hope to make the most of your options.

When you come in for a consultation, a Charlotte citizenship lawyer can listen to your story, help you determine eligibility for citizenship, and guide you through your legal process. Call today to get started.