San Francisco, CA immigration attorney Mary Jane Weaver discusses how she helps her clients become U.S. citizens. She explains that I specialize in assisting individuals with the citizenship process, which can be divided into two main categories. Firstly, to be eligible for naturalization, individuals must have been a green card holder or permanent resident for at least five years. However, if they are married to a U.S. citizen, the requirement is reduced to three years. Many individuals I encounter have been living in the country for 15 to 20 years, considering the time spent in non-immigrant visa status and as permanent residents, before they become eligible for citizenship.

I provide valuable support by guiding them through the preparation of the application, ensuring compliance with all necessary requirements. Additionally, I assist them in getting ready for the interview, as every individual seeking naturalization must attend an interview with the immigration service. I help them navigate the entire process, akin to someone seeking assistance with their taxes instead of doing it themselves. I facilitate the completion of the necessary steps.

However, there are cases where individuals may face more significant challenges due to past issues or complications in their immigration history. For instance, they may have had previous arrests or encountered other complexities. In such instances, people turn to us to ensure that their pursuit of citizenship does not jeopardize their current immigration status. We provide specialized assistance and guidance in handling these types of cases as well, aiming to protect their status while pursuing their citizenship aspirations.