After an applicant has completed their Application for Naturalization, they must prove permanent residency in the United States for at least five continuous years.If the applicant is married to a United States Citizen, this time frame is only three continous years!  The applicant must also prove they have not left the country for more than one year or more prior to filing.  Lastly, and most importantly, you must have been entitled to your residency or seeking to naturalize might put you at risk of triggering removal proceedings.  Ms. Cardenas always reviews your entire immigration history before filing your naturalization application.  

The applicant must prove they are familiar with the United States Constitution and are willing to abide by its laws and principles.

The applicant must demonstrate they can speak, write and understand English at a basic level.  Certaint people are exempt from the English requirement.  If you have been a resident for 20 years and you are 50 or older, or if you have been a resident for 15 years and you are 55 years old or older, you are exempt from the English test.  This means, that you can also have your interview conduted in your native language by an interpreter that you provide.If you are an applicant that is 65 years or older, you may also be administered the civics test that is easier.   If the applicant suffers from a mental or physical impairment that prevents them from properly learning the language, they may be exempt from the language requirement.

Applicants for naturalization will be required to take a civics exam to demonstrate their knowledge of the United States government structure and basic American history. However, applicants with a physical or mental impairment are exempt with documentation from a medical doctor. Older applicants are given a more basic exam during their naturalization interview that is much easier.  

Applicants must demonstrate good moral character in the five years prior to seeking to naturalize.  Any criminal record should be considered prior to applying for U.S. Citizenship as the USCIS officer can review your entire criminal record, even a very old one.  This is one of the most complex areas of the law and an experienced immigration attorney like Ms. Cardenas is invaluable in this process.  

During this final step of the process, the applicant must swear to obey all state, local, and federal laws, and support the U.S. Constitution.  This is an exciting final step and once you become a United States Citizen, you can vote, claim federal and state benefits, and apply for many of your relatives including your parents, fiance, marriage children, and siblings.