Naturalization is a process that immigrants can go through to become United States citizens. These individuals will finally be able to call themselves a citizen of the country and possess rights that all citizens have. When individuals wish to complete this process, they should make sure they are in a good standing in their life. This means that they should not have a history of criminal happenings. They cannot have situations in their life that show they have a bad moral character and can be a threat to the community in the U.S. The criminal background of these individuals will be reviewed to assess their behavior and give a final approval of their naturalization.
What can compromise my moral character?
For these situations, your moral character cannot be compromised. Your moral character can be in a bad standing if you are convicted of a crime that involves murder, rape, assault or robbery. These crimes will show that you go against the norms of society and that you are not a good candidate for citizenship since it shows an immoral character. Some crimes that involve drugs can also have an effect on your eligibility. Since there are a variety of requirements that immigrants must meet to become naturalized and be considered a citizen of the U.S., a good moral character is one of them. Individuals that are convicted felons of vicious crimes may not be granted citizenship because they go against society.
To qualify for naturalization and become a citizen of the United States, applicants can meet the requirement of living in the U.S. for the past five years as a permanent resident. They may also qualify by living in the country for four years for asylum purposes. If you have lived in the U.S. for three years as a spouse to a U.S. citizen, then you can be eligible to apply for naturalization. If you have lived in the U.S. for three years, are a lawful permanent resident and have served in the military, you have the opportunity to apply for citizenship as well. By meeting one of these requirements, you can become a legal citizen of the United States. This gives people the right to reside in the country.
Detzky, Hunter & DeFillippo, LLC is an experienced law firm that has proudly served clients across New Jersey for decades from their convenient locations in Freehold and Somerville. If you need strong legal guidance, contact us today to schedule a consultation. We are lawyers who listen, counselors who care.
