Call the Massachusetts citizenship law firm, the Law Offices of Joshua L. Goldstein at 617-722-0005 for a consultation with an experienced immigration attorney who is an expert on the citizenship process.

The right to vote, the right to apply for federal jobs, the right to travel wherever and whenever you want, the right to bring your family to the U.S.—these are just a few of the many advantages to becoming a U.S. citizen. Perhaps most importantly, U.S. citizens cannot be removed or deported from the United States.

Yet, the road to U.S. citizenship can be very difficult for many immigrants. Boston immigration and naturalization attorney Joshua Goldstein has the skills and expertise to help you make your dream of U.S. citizenship into a reality.

What are the requirements for naturalization?

The process of obtaining U.S. citizenship is called naturalization. Here are the basic requirements for naturalization:

• Permanent Residency: You must be a permanent resident, i.e., have a greencard to apply for naturalization
• Continuous Residency in the United States
• Physical presence in the United States
• Ability to read, write, and speak English (in most cases)
• Knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and civics
• Good moral character
• Support for the U.S. Constitution and the U.S. government

Common Obstacles to Citizenship, Naturalization

Everyone makes mistakes. But if your goal is U.S. citizenship, even a small mistake many years ago can stand in the way of your dream. Boston immigration attorney Joshua L. Goldstein can quickly pinpoint and analyze potential problems such as criminal convictions, allegations of domestic violence, restraining orders and other "problems with the law." Other potential problems for applicants for citizenship include:

• Voting in U.S. elections as a permanent resident
• Failure to pay child support
• Problems with taxes
• Failure to register for selective service
• Staying outside the U.S. for a long period of time
• Separation from your husband or wife

Warning: Applying for citizenship could be a terrible mistake! Consult with experienced citizenship lawyer Joshua L. Goldstein to find out why.

When you apply for citizenship, you are giving the USCIS, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, formerly the INS, information that could result not only in the denial of your citizenship application but put you in removal (deportation) proceedings. If, for instance, there is something unusual in your immigration history, you could be exposing yourself to unwanted scrutiny. Or if you were outside of the United States for a long period of time, you may have abandoned your permanent residency or greencard without knowing it. Perhaps you might have a criminal history that makes you deportable in a way that you didn't realize. These are just some of the scenarios in which applying for citizenship would be a huge mistake.

Your immigration status is too important to risk by applying for citizenship blindly. To learn more about how Boston citizenship attorney Joshua Goldstein can help you with the U.S. citizenship and naturalization process call or contact us today. We are ready to begin helping you immediately.

Consultation · Experienced Immigration and Citizenship Attorney · 617-722-0005