Joseph Cohen is a deportation lawyer in San Antonio, Texas who works with individuals facing deportation or detention. If you are a green card holder and are considering applying for U.S. Citizenship, you may want to speak to an attorney before you begin the process. There are some situations where applying for U.S. Citizenship could put individuals at risk of deportation. Why? When you file your application for U.S. Citizenship, immigration officers will have the chance to look at your file with fresh eyes. This means that if they see anything that could make you deportable, you could face deportation.

What are these situations? Individuals who may have entered the U.S. fraudulently, or illegally could face challenges and the risk of deportation when applying for U.S. citizenship. If you were convicted of a crime, applying for U.S. Citizenship involves the opening of your records. This could create a situation where immigration officers might discover your criminal records and find you deportable. If you were ever found guilty of drug possession, or a DUI, these discoveries can not only put your citizenship application at risk, but could potentially put you at risk of being deported. If you spent considerable time outside the United States while you were a green card holder, this could also raise questions and red flags. If your medical records reveal that you used drugs or had an addiction problem, this could also make you deportable. And even if marijuana was legal at the time of your use, if you are found to have used marijuana or be in possession of it, you could still be found in violation of federal laws, which could put your citizenship at risk. Employment in the marijuana industry, even if a state where it is legal, could also impact your citizenship application, and could even put you at risk of deportation. Finally, if you ever received public benefits illegally, this could also result in the denial of your citizenship application, and could potentially put your file under review by immigration authorities.

Joseph Cohen is a deportation lawyer in San Antonio, Texas that can carefully review your situation, your case, your history, and the facts to help you understand your rights when it comes to applying for citizenship. Before applying, it is important to make sure that you meet all qualifications and that there are no marks on your record that could potentially cause you problems or even make you a candidate for deportation.

Information You’ll Need to File for Citizenship

The information you’ll need to provide to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services in order to file for citizenship will depend on your situation. Required documents include your green card, driver’s license, travel documents you may have, and copies of tax returns for the past five years (or tax returns for the past three years if you are married to a U.S. citizen).

Depending on your situation, you may also be required to submit a copy of your marriage certificate, death certificate for your former spouse, a copy of your divorce papers, and proof of your spouse’s U.S. citizenship, if your spouse is sponsoring you as a family member. If you have been arrested or charged with a crime, you may need to submit paperwork related to the criminal charges filed against you. If you have any unpaid taxes to the IRS, you may be required to submit information showing that you are on a payment plan or show that you have paid these taxes. If you have a child support order, you may also need to submit this information and show that you are in compliance. If you left the U.S. for more than six months at any point, you may need to show that you still had ties in the U.S. For example, you may need to submit proof that you continued to pay rent on an apartment, or that you had a permanent address in the U.S. This is just some of the information you may be required to submit in order to file for citizenship. It is important that you submit all documentation. Sometimes applying for citizenship can reveal to immigration authorities information that can put your legal status at risk. If you have questions about your rights and options under the law, reach out the deportation lawyer at J. Joseph Cohen today. Our attorney can review your case, help you understand your options, and protect your rights as you move forward with your application for U.S. citizenship.

Applying for U.S. Citizenship?

If you are applying for U.S. citizenship, you may want to take the time to understand how it can impact you and your family. Having USCIS open your immigration file comes with risks. Before filing your application for U.S. Citizenship, reach out to J. Joseph Cohen, a deportation lawyer in San Antonio, Texas today. Or, reach out to USAttorneys.com to get connected to J. Joseph Cohen.