Waiting to Apply for Citizenship Could Cost You More Than Higher Fees
If you’ve been putting off applying for U.S. citizenship because you’re busy, worried about being denied, or think your chances of getting approved will increase after 2029 (assuming there’s a new person in the White House), think again. Over the last few months, several major changes have made becoming a U.S. citizen more valuable than ever.
Why Can’t I Travel Internationally with a Green Card?
Many permanent residents assume that having a green card means they can travel freely and return without problems. Recent legal developments have shown that green card holders can face much greater scrutiny when returning to the United States than ever before. A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision expanded the government’s authority in certain situations involving green card holders. Border agents can prevent green card holders from entering the U.S. even before ever being convicted of a crime.
A U.S. citizen cannot be denied reentry to the United States. If international travel — like visiting family in your home country or quick business trips — is part of your life, citizenship provides a level of security that a green card cannot.
Why is Owning a Business Easier for U.S. Citizens?
Owning a business has long been part of the American dream. But new federal policies have already begun limiting opportunities available to lawful permanent residents. For example, the Small Business Administration has made lawful permanent residents ineligible for many SBA-backed loans, reserving those programs for U.S. citizens.
Today it’s SBA loans. Tomorrow it WILL be something else. Naturalization helps protect your access to opportunities that may become restricted in the future.
What if I Can’t Afford Naturalization Fees?
The government has proposed one of the largest increases ever for the citizenship application fee. The filing fee for Form N-400 would jump from $760 to $1,330 for paper filings and from $710 to $1,280 for online filings. Many applicants are choosing to file before any final rule takes effect.
If you can’t afford the government fee to file naturalization now, you can apply for a fee waiver. Most fee waivers will be GONE when the new fees begin. Many people decide to apply only after they have a problem. By then, it’s too late to become a citizen overnight.
Be smart. Now is the best time to protect your future, your family, and the opportunities you’ve worked so hard to build through naturalization. If your family’s growth depends on help from the best immigration attorney, call 954.385.0157 or click For Future Clients today to schedule a chat. Also send us questions for future blogs by clicking For Future Clients.
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Disclaimer – These entries are based on real life events. Family member names, when used, are real. Client names are changed for privacy.
