What All Lawyers Need to Know about Clients' Eligibility for U.S. Citizenship

While a lawyer may primarily focus on business law, family law, or criminal defense, many clients are immigrants or have family members who are immigrants. The legal matters of these clients often intersect with their immigration status. For instance, a divorce proceeding may have implications for a client's eligibility for naturalization, or a criminal conviction could trigger a removal if the client cannot prove U.S. citizenship. Lawyers need to recognize these intersections and comprehend how naturalization may affect their clients' broader legal landscape.

Understanding the basics of naturalization enables lawyers to provide holistic representation, addressing not only the immediate legal issue but also potential immigration consequences or opportunities. The presenters will discuss the automatic acquisition of U.S. citizenship, requirements for naturalization, basic eligibility and bans on becoming a citizen, and legal remedies in case of denial.

1. Identify legal grounds for citizenship by operation of law (derivation, acquisition, automatic citizenship)
2. Provide cost-benefit analysis on becoming a U.S. citizen
3. Evaluate core requirements and disqualifying factors for naturalization
4. Discuss legal strategies in addressing ineligibility or denials of the naturalization