When Can a Green Card Holder File for Citizenship, Its Benefits, and Its Role as a Defense Against Deportation under a Trump Administration in 2025

When Can a Green Card Holder File for Citizenship, Its Benefits, and Its Role as a Defense Against Deportation under a Trump Administration in 2025

By Brian Figeroux, Esq. | Editorial Credit: Mehaniq / shutterstock.com  As the United States approaches a Trump administration in 2025, the rights and security of non-citizens are again under scrutiny. Immigrants who hold green cards (lawful permanent resident status) may find themselves vulnerable to shifting policies, increased enforcement, and the risk of deportation for infractions […]

Derivative Citizenship Before and After the Child Citizenship Act of 2001

Derivative Citizenship Before and After the Child Citizenship Act of 2001

By Brian Figeroux, Esq. | Editorial credit: Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock.com Citizenship is one of the most valuable statuses an individual can acquire, offering legal protections, civic rights, and national belonging. In the United States, the primary routes to citizenship are birthright (jus soli), naturalization, and derivative citizenship. While birthright citizenship is conferred automatically to […]

Analysis of Filing for U.S. Citizenship with Criminal Arrests and Convictions

Analysis of Filing for U.S. Citizenship with Criminal Arrests and Convictions

Editorial credit: Jana Shea / Shutterstock.com By Brian Figeroux, Esq. The process of filing for U.S. citizenship, also known as naturalization, is governed by stringent laws and regulations. Navigating this process can be particularly complex for individuals with criminal arrests and convictions. This analysis will explore the various factors influencing eligibility for U.S. citizenship for […]

USCIS Celebrates Independence Day 2024 and Continues Its Commitment to Naturalization

USCIS Celebrates Independence Day 2024 and Continues Its Commitment to Naturalization

WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will celebrate Independence Day this year by welcoming approximately 11,000 new citizens in more than 195 naturalization ceremonies between June 28 and July 5. These ceremonies demonstrate our government’s commitment to welcoming immigrants and promoting the benefits of U.S. citizenship for all who are eligible. In fiscal year 2023, […]

Naturalization Fees: A Poll Tax Hidden in Plain Sight

Naturalization Fees: A Poll Tax Hidden in Plain Sight

By Valentine Brown, Immigration Impact The application fee to apply for U.S. citizenship was due to rise from $640 to $1170 on October 2. Though the fee hike was temporarily blocked in federal court, this is not the first time U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has tried to raise the naturalization application fee. But the increase has never […]

Citizenship Backlogs at USCIS Will Block Hundreds of Thousands from Voting in the 2020 Election

Citizenship Backlogs at USCIS Will Block Hundreds of Thousands from Voting in the 2020 Election

By Melissa Cruz, Immigration Impact Hundreds of thousands of immigrants might be prevented from voting in the 2020 election—even though they are just one step away from becoming new Americans. Years of fiscal mismanagement at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)—coupled with a series of policy changes under the Trump administration—have led to an enormous backlog of citizenship applications […]

USCIS Preparing to Resume Public Services on June 4

USCIS Preparing to Resume Public Services on June 4

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is preparing some domestic offices to reopen and resume non-emergency public services on or after June 4. On March 18, USCIS temporarily suspended routine in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices and application support centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). USCIS is following the Centers […]

DEVELOPING ICYMI: 80,000 Texas Immigrants Stuck in Naturalization Limbo as 2020 Elections Loom

DEVELOPING ICYMI: 80,000 Texas Immigrants Stuck in Naturalization Limbo as 2020 Elections Loom

Austin, TX â€” In a bombshell reveal by the Houston Chronicle, 80,000 Texas immigrants are stuck in naturalization limbo. This is the latest in Trump Republicans’ ongoing attacks on immigrants and mixed-status families. Instead of fixing the family backlog and passing comprehensive immigration reform, Republicans see a way to suppress the vote and potentially alter the election […]