If you want to get US citizenship, figuring out how to become a US citizen can be somewhat tricky. I have a friend works as an Internet marketing consultant who’s going through the citizenship process now, and one of the first question she had is whether she requires an immigration attorney in order to become a US citizen. It’s a difficult question to answer. Although technically the answer is no — you can easily seek naturalization without the help of a US immigration attorney — there are many reasons why a qualified immigration lawyer is an asset. A good immigration lawyer can:
1) Help you understand the laws, privileges, and application process steps you must understand in order to become a US citizen. Sometimes, the rules surrounding US citizenship are very complicated and difficult to understand — especially for a newcomer. An attorney can help guide you through the process step by step. An attorney can even help provide you with translations services, if you need them.
2) Help you with paperwork. Whether you need a change in visa status or you need to fill out an immigrant visa application or an application for naturalization, dealing with the paperwork associated with becoming a US citizen can be complicated. This is especially true if English is not your native language. Unfortunately, if you do not fill out the necessary paperwork perfectly, your request for citizenship can be delayed or even denied. For a relatively modest fee, an immigration attorney can help ensure that you have the correct paperwork filled out properly.
3) Answer any questions you may have. You likely have a lot of questions about becoming a US citizen. You may have questions about your current visa status, your role in paying taxes, and much more. A good immigration attorney can help you answer all these questions and can provide you with the most reliable, up-to-date information possible.
4) Help you avoid problems and delays. Not everyone applying for citizenship has a straightforward application. If there are any problems with your application or any unusual circumstances that could affect your ability to become a citizen, a good immigration attorney can help guide you through the difficult areas of your application.
5) Can help you find resources that you need. In order to become a US citizen, you must learn the English language and you must be able to answer questions about US history and civics topics. You must also learn the “Oath of Allegiance” and be able to explain the words of the oath in your own words. All this learning can be complicated, especially if you are working full time. Some classes for newcomers can be very expensive, but in many cases your immigration attorney can help you find resources and classes that can help you. In some communities, your attorney will be able to recommend classes that are free of charge.
It is important to remember that most immigration attorneys offer an initial consultation at no cost. This means that it will cost you nothing to speak to an attorney and get some advice about your citizenship application.
Article source: http://www.immigrationadvisor.org/blog/do-you-need-an-immigration-attorney/