The average number of naturalizations in the United States has risen to over 730,000 annually. In theory, anyone can fill out the application and start the naturalization process.
Yet, thousands of applicants hire an immigration attorney to help them through the system of becoming a US citizen. That’s because the benefits of using an immigration lawyer far outway the costs.
Keep reading this article to learn more about these cost-saving benefits.
What Can an Immigration Attorney Do For You?
The process of naturalization is complex, with five distinct steps. An immigration lawyer can assist you with several stages of the process. But, before beginning, you need to make sure you qualify for naturalization.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) rejects about 10% of applications each year. One of the main reasons they reject applications is because the applicant doesn’t meet the continuous residence and physical presence requirements.
An immigration lawyer can review your file to make sure you are eligible to apply. Then, you can get started.
If you need to file extra paperwork before filing your naturalization application, an attorney will also help you. This includes provisional waivers, documentation for continuous residence disruption, and more.
Step One: The Application
The first step is to complete the naturalization application form and collecting all your documents. An immigration lawyer is the best person to help with this step. They have in-depth knowledge of filling out the forms requested of you correctly and what specific documents you need to collect.
At this stage, if you make a mistake or don’t collect the correct documentation, your application may be delayed or denied. In addition, if USCIS rejects your application for any reason, you lose the filing fee of $725. Thus, you must not make any mistakes at this stage.
With the guidance of an immigration attorney, you will avoid making mistakes, saving time and money.
The Limits of an Immigration Attorney
While there are many benefits to working with an immigration lawyer, they can’t do everything for you. For example, you need to attend the biometrics appointment with the correct paperwork. You also need to prepare for your English and civics tests.
Even the best immigration lawyer cannot go with you to your citizenship interview. Of course, your attorney can help you prepare along the way. But, you are still responsible for showing up and being truthful throughout the application process.
Naturalization is a legal procedure involving legally binding matters. Thus, even when working with an immigration lawyer, you must always be honest throughout the process.
Find an Attorney for Your Naturalization
As you can see, hiring an Cheap Immigration Attorney to guide you through the naturalization process is the best choice to make. It means you will sail through each step and not have to stress about USCIS rejecting your application. The ease of mind is definitely worth the cost.
If you found this article helpful, make sure to check out more in the Immigration section under Labor Law.