NATURALIZATION & CITIZENSHIP

A Legal Permanent Resident of the United States (“green card” holder) may apply for naturalization after 5 years (3 if he or she is married to a United States citizen) of permanent residence, provided he or she spent at least half of that time within the United States, with no absences of more than 6 months at a time.

This may sound straightforward enough, but in today’s political climate, things are not always so simple. An ill-timed and poorly thought-out naturalization application, far from leading to United States citizenship, can land the unwary in deportation proceedings.

Other factors should be considered: What of the applicant’s nationality of origin? Some countries discourage or outright prohibit dual or multiple citizenship. And what are the tax consequences of United States citizenship?

We recommend that a careful assessment of each case be conducted prior to filing.