Tag: US_Citizenship

If you are a foreign national seeking to become an American citizen, the naturalization process can be a mixture of stress and excitement. One of the last steps to complete before naturalizing to a citizen is the civics test. Passing the civics test is required to become a citizen. A U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services […]

President Donald Trump has announced that he plans to sign an executive order that will end birthright citizenship for children born on U.S. soil to non-American citizens. If the President follows through with this promise, the decision would defy the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Adopted in 1868, the Fourteenth Amendment states that “ll […]

On Friday, October 12, 2018, USCIS issued an alert that it will be updating policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify the married and living in marital union requirements under section 319(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).  In general, all naturalization applicants filing on the basis of marriage to a U.S. […]

USCIS announced that as a part of its ongoing modernization efforts, English reading and writing tests during naturalization interviews will now be administered on digital tablets. This change was unveiled on October 1st. While tablet usage is not completely new to USCIS processes, this step greatly expanded the use of this technology. Previously, digital tablets […]

Derivative citizenship is the term used to describe citizenship that is obtained by someone who is under the age of 18 whose parents naturalize. Obtaining citizenship in this manner is automatic. The requirements can vary depending on which year naturalization occurred.  Derivative citizenship is distinguishable from acquisition of citizenship. Acquisition of citizenship occurs when the […]

The qualifications determining whether a person born abroad can acquire U.S. citizenship vary based on each situation. Derivative citizenship is governed by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This can be broken up into four main categories: birth abroad in wedlock to two U.S. citizen parents; birth abroad in wedlock to a U.S. citizen and […]

While there are several options available to obtain citizenship through naturalization, the most common path to obtain citizenship is for a green card holder who has resided in the U.S. for five years.  While there are certain exceptions, USCIS states the general eligibility requirements for this method of naturalization are as follows. A permanent resident […]

One way to obtain citizenship is naturalization through military service. Requirements will vary based on whether time in the military was served during peacetime or during periods of hostility. Generally, the applicants must show at least one year of qualifying service. These specific requirements are governed by special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act […]

Many immigrants and visitors to the United States are often unsure how USCIS defines a day. Although it may not seem like a major issue, miscalculating days either within or out of the United States can have major consequences for foreign nationals either immigrating to or visiting the U.S. It is helpful to divide this […]

For the month of July, Berardi Immigration Law will be presenting a series of blog posts concerning the naturalization process. Naturalization is the process by which the United States grants citizenship to a foreign national. Naturalization requirements are set forth by the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).  United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) lists […]