For most immigrants, there are few things that are more important than becoming naturalized citizens in the United States. While it is a great privilege to become a naturalized citizen, the fact is, many do not fully comprehend all the benefits and responsibilities of becoming a naturalized citizen. Keep reading and reach out to our dedicated Baltimore County, Maryland citizenship lawyer to learn more about what it means to become a naturalized citizen and how our legal team can help you navigate through the process. Here are some of the questions you may have:
What is a naturalized citizen?
Naturalization refers to the process you must undergo to become a United States citizen if you were born outside of the United States. There are many different routes by which you may become a naturalized citizen. In order to qualify for naturalization, you must fit into the following categories:
- Be at least 18 years old when you apply
- Be a lawful permanent resident here in the United States for three or five consecutive years
- Be able to read and write in English
- Have a continuous physical presence in the U.S.
- Be of good moral character
- Show loyalty to the principles of the U.S. Constitution
- Take the Oath of Allegiance
If you have additional questions or concerns about what a naturalized citizen is, do not hesitate to reach out to our legal team today to learn more. We are here to help.
What are the rights and responsibilities after I’ve been naturalized?
After it has been determined you qualify for naturalization, you apply, take the Oath of Allegiance, and become a naturalized citizen, you will be afforded a broad range of rights, and you will also have some responsibilities to your fellow U.S. citizens. To begin, some of your rights include the following:
- You can vote in elections
- You can apply for federal employment
- You have a right to a prompt fair trial by jury
- You can lawfully remain in the United States for the rest of your life
With that being said, some of the responsibilities of being a U.S. citizen include:
- Participating in the democratic process, such as jury duty
- You must respect local, state, and federal laws
- You should stay informed of issues in your community
- You must support and defend the Constitution
- You must pay income and other taxes timely and honestly
Give our firm a call today to discuss the rights and responsibilities of a United States citizen.
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Sheri Hoidra Law Office, LLC is an immigration law firm. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation with our knowledgeable legal team so that we can work toward giving you peace of mind and a bright future in the United States.
