Long Beach Citizenship Attorneys
Individuals may attain U.S. citizenship in one of three ways: by birth, through U.S. citizen parents, or via naturalization. While obtaining citizenship by birth is simple and straightforward, applying for citizenship through U.S. citizen parents or via naturalization can be a complicated process that often necessitates the involvement of a local citizenship attorney in Long Beach.
For those born outside the United States, citizenship may be granted if at least one parent is a U.S. citizen when the person was born and that parent spent a set number of years as a resident in the United States. Because the laws surrounding citizenship through U.S. citizen parents are always changing, it is best to consult with a Long Beach citizenship lawyer to determine eligibility.
To be eligible for citizenship via naturalization, an individual must be at least 18 years of age, of good moral character, and living in the United States as a permanent resident for five years (three years if permanent residence was obtained through marriage to a U.S. citizen). The Long Beach citizenship attorneys at Wilner & O'Reilly can walk you through the process and ensure your application is handled with precision and efficiency.
Benefits and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship
U.S. citizenship comes with a host of rights, duties, and privileges not given to permanent residents and non-citizens including:
- The right to vote
- Travel with a U.S. passport
- Assistance from the U.S. government when traveling overseas
- Eligibility for federal jobs
- Priority processing to bring family members to the United States on a permanent basis
- The right to run for office and become an elected official
- Access to social security and Medicare benefits upon retirement
Becoming a U.S. citizen also requires swearing allegiance to the United States and relinquishing allegiance to all other nations. Other responsibilities include jury duty, a promise to support and defend the laws of the United States, and serve the country when required. To understand the full rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship, consult with a Long Beach citizenship attorney.
Long Beach citizenship attorneys offering assistance for the naturalization process
Because of the complexities of the naturalization process, it is best to trust your citizenship application to an experienced citizenship lawyer in Long Beach. The immigration experts at Wilner & O'Reilly serve clients across Southern California with a variety of immigration and citizenship matters. As such, our Long Beach citizenship lawyers have the requisite skills and knowledge to anticipate delays and ensure clients receive swift and accurate results.
