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Naturalization Naturalization is the conferring of citizenship after birth. From the outside, naturalization seems to be an easy process. An experienced immigration lawyer understands that naturalization requires careful preparation to avoid making an ill-advised application that can result in extreme hardship to a foreign national including denial of naturalization and even permanent removal from the United States. Attorney Steven Langer requires that every client who applies for naturalization to undergo a background investigation similar to that utilized by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). He also understands that USCIS wrongly denies some applications. Thankfully, citizenship is a right and not something awarded as a matter of discretion. Therefore, an applicant can seek review of a wrongful denial of naturalization within USCIS or in United States District Court. The classic scenario of naturalization is a foreign national coming to the United States and becoming a lawful permanent resident. In the classic scenario, a lawful permanent resident files an application with USCIS to become a United States citizen after being a lawful permanent resident for a certain number of years and also being present in the United States during that time. Many applicants must be lawful permanent residents for five years. In the case of a spouse of a United States citizen, the spouse usually can apply for naturalization after three years. Some lawful permanent resident spouses can get around the waiting period and become United States citizens immediately. Generally, it requires the United States citizen spouse be deployed overseas for military service or other certain activities in the national interest. Currently, service in the United States military can allow a lawful permanent resident to naturalize without being subject to being a lawful permanent resident for a certain number of years or without being present during that time within the United States. In addition, the United States Army currently allows many visa holders to naturalize under a special program. For example, an F-1 student visa holder who has a bachelor degree in a medical field may be able to join the Army National Guard. During the basic training process, usually near or at the time of graduation, the foreign national takes the Oath of Allegiance and becomes a United States citizen. For foreign nationals in a qualified medical field, naturalization can be obtained by joining the Army, the Army Reserve or Army National Guard. For speakers of certain foreign languges, the same procedure applies but requires service in the regular Army. For foreign nationals present in the United States on many non-immigrant visas, this special program offers a unique opportunity to obtain citizenship. A little understood area of naturalization concerns derivative citizenship. In the context of naturalization, in many cases, when the parents of a minor lawful permanent resident naturalize, the child also becomes a United States citizen. Frequently Asked Questions About Naturalization I have been a Lawful Permanent Resident for five years. How long does it take to complete the naturalization process? Currently, the naturalization process at the Oklahoma City Field Office of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services takes approximately 90 days from filing to attending the public ceremony where approved applicants take the Oath of Allegiance and receive their Certificates of Naturalization. The fastest case in our office within the last 12 months took only 45 days. My father is an older person. He does not speak English very well. Can he get around the English language component of the naturalization interview? Each applicant must take a civics test. Each applicant must demonstrate minimal competence in English through speaking, reading and writing. Certain exceptions exist regarding the civics and English language requirement. Persons who are 50 years or older on the date of their application with at least 20 years of permanent residency may waive the English language requirement. Persons who are 55 years or older on the date of their application with at least 15 years of permanent residency may waive the English language requirement. Persons who are 65 or older take the test in their native language and also take a simplified civics test. The civics and English language requirements may be waived for persons with demonstrated disabilities or health conditions. Do you attend the naturalization interview with your clients? Steven Langer or another lawyer in his firm will review your case with you before your interview. You will be prepared for the interview. And, Mr. Langer never allows a client to appear for a naturalization interview without himself or an associate attorney being present. I am a medical doctor who is in the United States on a non-immigrant visa. I am very interested in the special Army program that confers citizenship on medical professionals. Do I still need an immigration attorney? Yes. In these cases, our office completes a background check similar to that used by USCIS or the Department of Defense. In essence, we prequalify you to assure you that you will become a naturalized citizen. Time and time again, Mr. Langer finds a certain portion of his work stems from trying to correct serious immigration issues that arose in what the client or his previous attorney thought would be a simple naturalization application. In almost 100 percent of these cases, if the client had started his case in our office, then these problems would not have occurred.

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