The HMA LAW FIRM

Youtube Instagram Twitter Facebook Linkedin
  • By: adminhmalegal
  • Jun 1
  • Comments (0)

Being an immigration lawyer has taught me at least one important lesson: it is far easier to prevent a mess than it is to clean up one.  If you qualify, there is one relatively simple thing you can do that will help prevent many serious problems, and also provide multiple benefits to you.

It’s filing for US citizenship.

Popular wisdom says that the only difference between a green card holder and a citizen is the right to vote. It’s a lot more than that.

As lawyers, we know the immigration system, its pitfalls and its perils. Citizenship fees are an insurance premium for a fantastic policy that keeps you from having to deal with that system. Once you’re a citizen, there are no more worries about time spent outside the US, or filing green card renewals. And the policy comes with other perks, too. You get the right to petition for loved ones – spouses, children, parents, siblings. You get the right to vote, giving you a voice in your community. You qualify for many more forms of government aid. Many government jobs require US citizenship – a major benefit for members of our Washington, DC metropolitan community.  Nowadays, citizenship applications (at least here in the DC area) are being processed in 2 – 3 months.  It’s a good time to file.

But there is another benefit that is frequently overlooked, largely because most people are  not aware of this benefit until it’s too late. If you find yourself charged with a crime, being a citizen means you cannot be placed into removal (deportation) proceedings. The most common thing I hear in response to this is, “I am not a criminal, I have nothing to hide, and this doesn’t apply to me.” Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Many people commit technically criminal acts, which may not even be serious crimes, but for which the immigration consequences are disastrous. Laws are treated differently in immigration. As a federal judge wrote just last week, “While under our law numerous felonies are deemed not…[to cause deportation]…all acts of petty theft automatically qualify for that label and the drastic legal consequences that may follow. As some in today’s society might say, and with good reason, “Go figure.”” Ocegueda-Nunez v. Holder (9th Cir. 2/10/2010).  I have seen the dejected look on many clients’ faces over the years, all of whom were good people who found themselves at the wrong place at the wrong time.

It only matters when it matters, but when it does, it’s a big deal. You may never be charged with a crime. But everything you have worked for rides on your ability to remain in the United States. Protect your life’s work and your family by filing for citizenship. With all the other benefits it comes with, you have very little to lose.

  • Share:
Previous Article: A MARRIAGE IS A MARRIAGE, BUT IS A DIVORCE A DIVORCE?
Next Article 10 THINGS WE LAWYERS WISH OUR CLIENTS KNEW ABOUT IMMIGRATION

Add your Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Categories

  • Appellate
  • Asylum
  • Business Law
  • CBP
  • Citizenship
  • Constitutional Rights
  • Criminal
  • Criminal Law
  • DACA
  • Deportation
  • Drugs Crime
  • Education Law
  • Family
  • Family Law
  • Framing
  • General
  • H 1B
  • Hma Law Firm
  • Immigration
  • Immigration Policy
  • Immigration Reform
  • International
  • Interns
  • Muslim Ban
  • National Security
  • Personal Injury
  • Politics
  • Removal
  • Syria
  • Tanton FOIA Lawsuit
  • Trump
  • Uncategorized
  • Waivers

Tags

Accident Attorney Consultation Crime Criminal DACA daca immigration daca in full effect daca news today DACA policy Fraud Hassan Ahmad hmalawfirm Immigration latest news on daca Law Lawyer Michigan Supreme Court Supremecourt ruling on Tanton Papers Tanton Papers Secret trump administration

Recent Posts

  • Filing Form N-600K To Apply For Citizenship Based on Parentage 24 Nov 2021
  • VISA BULLETIN JUNE 2021 16 Oct 2021
  • Driver license for undocumented migrants: Virginia 04 Oct 2021

Contact Us

  • Head Office Address8133 Leesburg Pike #801, Vienna, VA 22182, United States
  • Phone: +1(703) 964-0245
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Website: www.hma-legal.com

Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots in a piece of classical Latin literature

Quick Link

  • Home
  • Home
  • Home
  • +1(703) 964-0245 (Click to call)
  • +1(866) 996-1431 Toll-Free available during. Office hours.
  • [email protected]
  • 8133 Leesburg Pike, Ste 801 Vienna, VA 22182
Youtube Instagram Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Pay Here
A convinient and secure way to make your payment
Click here to pay

The HMA Law Firm Does Not And Shall Not Discriminate On The Basis Of Race, Color, Religion (Creed), Gender, Gender Expression, Age, National Origin (Ancestry), Disability, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation, Or Military Status, In Any Of Its Activities Or Operations. These Activities Include, But Are Not Limited To, Hiring And Firing Of Staff, Selection Of Volunteers And Vendors, And Provision Of Services. We Are Committed To Providing An Inclusive And Welcoming Environment For All.

©2009 – 2020 by Hassan M. Ahmad. All rights reserved. No portion of this website may be copied or reproduced for any purpose without express written permission.