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Survey shows jump in number of new U.S. citizens
Seeking U.S. citizenship is the ultimate dream for many immigrants. That dream has now been realized for many, as the United States has seen a 10-year high in immigrant naturalization in 2022.
Naturalization up
A survey from the Pew Research Center reports that the number of immigrants in the United States obtaining naturalization is the highest it has been in a decade. In the 2022 fiscal year, more than 900,000 immigrants were granted U.S. citizenship.
This is in contrast to the steep decline in naturalizations at the beginning of the global health crisis back in 2020.
Researchers cite an increase in migrants receiving green cards and an increase in lawful temporary migrants coming to the United States as the reason for the recent uptick in naturalization compared to 2020.
Steps in obtaining U.S. citizenship
Visa H-1B, ¿y residencia permanente?
Después de haber hecho de su meta trabajar en Estados Unidos al conocer el país de vacaciones o visitando a un familiar, logró su cometido: recibió una oferta laboral de un empleador estadounidense y ahora usted es quien vive y trabaja aquí. Si su estadía se logró a través de una visa tipo H-1B, le compartimos algunos datos de interés sobre los posibles beneficios que puede tener.
El perfil del trabajador puede ser una gran ventaja
Si su empleador lo trajo aquí con la visa H-1B, significa que usted:
- Es un trabajador especializado, tiene estudios y título universitario o superior, conocimiento teórico y práctico para desempeñarse profesionalmente y está certificado para ejercer su profesión.
- Recibió una oferta por parte del Departamento de Defensa de los Estados Unidos para colaborar en un proyecto o programa.
Can victims of criminal activity receive a U.S. visa?
The U.S. government places a priority on investigating crimes, and also on protecting victims of crime. The government issues a specific visa to meet these important objectives.
Immigration status
The 2000 Victims of Trafficking and Violence Act authorizes a type of visa status known as U nonimmigrant for victims of certain gender crimes and other offenses who suffered physical and mental abuse.
This immigration law, along with other laws, is also intended to protect crime victims who suffered significant mental and physical abuse from these crimes and are willing to assist law enforcement investigate and prosecute offenders. The visa also helps law enforcement serve crime victims.
Eligibility
An individual may be eligible for a U Visa if they are:
- Victims of a qualifying crime.
How will my divorce affect my immigration status?
You are able to anticipate and plan some things in life and you have little or no control over other things. For example, you were able to anticipate and plan the move from your native country to the United States to pursue a better life for you and for your family. On the other hand, you probably could not anticipate that your marriage would end once were living in the United States.
Of course, one significant issue for you is your immigration status. The question is whether your divorce will affect your immigration status, and how. If you happen to hold citizenship in another country and your spouse is either a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident and you immigrated within two years of your marriage, you are considered a conditional resident. If that is the case, you will need to adjust your immigration status.
As an undocumented immigrant, can Chapter 7 clear medical debt?
As the past several years have shown, illness can strike anyone in Virginia and across the United States without warning and leave them with massive medical expenses they are unable to pay. This can be even more worrisome if the person is an undocumented immigrant.
There is a constant fear that they will be found out and deported. This is especially problematic given the attention immigration is getting amid attempts to address it. People who are trying to find ways to eliminate their medical debt should be aware of how Chapter 7 bankruptcy can help them. This is true even, for undocumented immigrants.
Am I able to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy regardless of my immigration status?
According to the law, there is no stipulation that a person needs to be a citizen of the United States or be in the country legally to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Still, they must have a Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
Crimes of moral turpitude and deportation
The immigration laws in the United States are incredibly complex. As such, it can be difficult to navigate them and know, exactly, how divorce and criminal matters may affect your immigration status. This can be incredibly stressful, especially if you're facing criminal charges that you're afraid may lead to deportation. That's why it may be helpful for you to know more about what sorts of offenses may lead to removal. Perhaps then you can come up with a strong strategy to protect your immigration status.
The effect of crimes of moral turpitude
Under existing immigration laws, you can be denied a green card or even removed from the country if you are convicted of a "crime of moral turpitude." Someone who is convicted of one of these offenses may struggle to demonstrate that they have the good moral character necessary to successfully seek citizenship. In other words, mere allegations of having committed one of these crimes can threaten your future.
Will the DACA program soon be coming to an end?
Many undocumented migrants came to the United States as young children and now live and work here with few ties to the nation of their birth. It's not their fault that they ended up in the United States illegally. Unfortunately, one program in place to protect these people from deportation may soon be coming to an end.
What is DACA?
Over 600,000 people are protected from deportation through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. DACA was instituted to protect those who were brought to the United States as children but who do not have the legal status to live and work in the country legally. Referred to as "Dreamers," these people will not be deported as long as they are not threatening public safety.
Will courts end the DACA program?
However, the DACA program could be coming to an end. While the U.S. Supreme Court upheld DACA 2020, it did so only because it believed the previous administration did not end the program the right way.
How does a DUI conviction affect your immigration status?
If you're in the United States as an immigrant, then you know that the risk of deportation is always looming over you. Even though that may drive you to live on the straight and narrow, abiding every law that you're aware of, you can still find yourself on the receiving end of allegations of criminal wrongdoing. And when these accusations fly, you may end up facing the very real possibility of deportation.
Can you be deported for DUI?
It really depends on the circumstances of your case. So, the answer is that a DUI conviction may or may not lead to deportation. Although you can be removed for crimes of moral turpitude that occur within five or 10 years of entry, depending on your status, or if you've been convicted of two crimes of moral turpitude, drunk driving, on its own, isn't considered a crime of moral turpitude. Instead, immigration officials are going to assess the circumstances of your case to determine if your situation qualifies for removal.
Will I face deportation if I divorce my U.S. citizen spouse?
In today's global society it is perfectly understandable that you may have come to the United States to marry a U.S. citizen. You may have been happily married for a few months or a year or so when things fall apart, and you end up divorcing. If you are not yet a full permanent resident, does this mean you will have to leave the United States?
What is conditional permanent residency?
If you are in the country based on your marriage to a U.S. citizen, you will have conditional permanent residency until you have been in the United States for two years. Conditional permanent residency serves as a means for ensuring you did not try to get in the United States based on a sham marriage in order to get a Green Card. Once the two years have passed, you can file a Form I-751 to remove the conditions.
What happens if I divorce while I'm still a conditional permanent resident?
If, during this conditional period, you divorce then you may need to seek a waiver allowing you to file your I-751 as an individual rather than jointly. You also need to show you entered the marriage honestly and in good faith.
How do I apply for a Green Card?
In order to legally live and work in the United States on a permanent basis, you will need a Permanent Resident Card, more commonly known as a Green Card. You may be eligible for a Green Card if you meet the criteria listed for at least one of the following categories:
- Family
- Employment
- Special Immigrant
- Refugee or Asylee Status
- Victims of Human Trafficking and Crimes
- Abuse Victims
- Registry
- Other
Your Green Card application process will depend on whether you are currently inside the United States. However, the general process is as follows:
- Another person sponsors you by filing a petition to support your case.
- Once your petition has been approved with a visa in your category, you will file a Green Card Application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- You will attend a Biometrics Appointment for fingerprints, photos, etc.
With offices in Herndon, Virginia and Annapolis, Maryland, Immigration Legal Advisors, PLLC provides legal help to clients in the areas surrounding Washington, D.C., including Frederick, Leesburg, Ashburn, McNair, Stone Ridge, Reston, Chantilly, Germantown, Woodbridge, Potomac, Gaithersburg, Rockville, McLean, Falls Church, Manassas, Arlington, Alexandria, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Silver Spring, Hyattsville, College Park, Greater Landover, Bowie, and Millersville.
Results listed are not a guarantee or indication of future case results.
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