Lessons learned........VOTE!
May 24, 2021
If we have learned anything in recent years, it is that elections have consequences.
To have an impact on an election, you must vote. To vote in the United States, in most cases you must be a registered voter and only U.S. citizens can register to vote. That means, if you did not become a U.S. citizen by birth, you must become a naturalized U.S. citizen.
To do that, you file an N-400 application for naturalization with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (“USCIS”). Foley Law Offices will prepare the 20-page form for you, submit the form via certified mail through the U.S. Postal Service and provide you with an electronic copy of the entire filing.
Depending on where you are in the United States, it is taking about 8-12 months to get your naturalization interview with USCIS.
If we prepare your case, you will meet with a Foley Law Offices lawyer prior to the naturalization interview to assist you on the Civics exam, prepare you for the questions the USCIS officer is likely to ask during the interview and review what evidence you need to bring to the interview. The Foley Law Offices lawyer will make sure you know where to go for the interview, what materials to bring to the interview, and what to wear to the interview.
The bulk of most naturalization interviews is going through the N-400 petition page by page and reviewing your immigration history with the USCIS officer. The Foley Law Offices lawyer will remain with you for the entire process and assist you in responding to the USCIS officer.
Basic Requirements
Not anyone can become a naturalized U.S. citizen. You must be a Legal Permanent Resident (also known as a Green cardholder) and meet the following conditions:
Be over eighteen (18) years of age.
Be physically in the U.S. for half the time during your period of Permanent Residency.
You must have continuous residence in the U.S. without long (6-months or longer) absences.
You must have good moral character. If you have any criminal history, you must inform Foley Law Offices so we can advise you on going forward with a naturalization petition. Minor criminal issues (ie: driving without a license) do not prevent you from becoming a U.S. citizen but major criminal matters (ie: murder, aggravated felonies, etc.) can bar you from ever becoming a U.S. citizen.
English and Civics Test
There is a civics test that consists of ten (10) questions; six (6) of which you must answer correctly. Foley Law Offices and USCIS will provide you with study guides so you are prepared for the test.
You must also be able to read one sentence (usually one of the test questions) and write one sentence (usually the answer to the question you read which will be provided by the USCIS officer).
You may have a lawyer with you for the naturalization test but no one else. Your spouse, even if a U.S. citizen, may NOT attend or participate in the naturalization test.
The entire test takes about 15-minutes and a lawyer from Foley Law Offices will be sitting next to you the entire time.
USCIS Fee
Currently, the USCIS filing fee is $725.
Foley Law Offices Fee
The Foley Law Offices legal fee for most naturalization cases is $2500. If there are criminal matters or circumstances that require additional work, the legal fee will be adjusted accordingly.
What’s the next step?
The next step is to call Foley Law Office at (617) 397-4787 and schedule a time to meet with a lawyer to discuss your personal situation. We look forward to assisting you in becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Why become a U.S. citizen?
The answer to that question has its own informational email. In a nutshell, becoming a U.S. citizen gets you outside the control of USCIS for good, it qualifies you to obtain a U.S. passport (another informational email) and you get to vote in local, state and federal U.S. elections. Once you are a U.S. citizen, we’ll help you apply for a U.S. passport and we’ll help you register to vote. As we know, elections have consequences!
I hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks,
John Foley
Foley Law Offices, P.C.
Boston, Massachusetts