Rizio and Nelson California Law Blog

Immigration laws cover international adoptions and visas, and, with the ever-changing immigration laws in the United States, you need an attorney that can help you untangle the immigration laws to determine what rights you may have. These rights vary based on whether you are a citizen of the United States or a legal immigrant. . People living in the United States who are not citizens have fewer rights and opportunities than citizens do. A non-citizen may lose the right to reside in the United States if they are convicted of certain crimes, or leave the country for a predetermined period.

An “alien” is a person who is neither an American citizen nor a national of the United States. There are two ways to become a United States citizen: 1) birth in the United States and 2) naturalization. Becoming a legal citizen of the United States allows an immigrant to take advantage of certain laws under the Constitution, as well as granting them the advantage of due process.

There are many requirements that must be fulfilled in order to receive United States citizenship. The following qualities will assist a person in becoming a U.S. citizen:

• at least 18 years of age
• literate in the English language
• knowledge of American history and government
• residence in the state in which you have petitioned for naturalization for at least the previous 3 months

You need specific documentation, in addition to assistance from an experienced immigration lawyer, if you are a non-citizen who is visiting the U.S. as a tourist or a student, working, or trying to become a U.S. citizen. The immigration lawyers at Rizio and Nelson can assist you or your loved ones with the process of becoming a U.S. citizen. We can also help with acquiring the correct paperwork and permits for persons who are not yet U.S. citizens.