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Blog

Why You Should Become a U.S. Citizen

I’ve gone to many Naturalization swearing-in ceremonies where my clients and friends take the Oath of Allegience to the United States. During a part of the ceremony, the presiding Judge asks each person in the courtroom who is swearing in to become a U.S. Citizen that day to state their name and the country where they’re originally from. As you can imagine, the courtroom is packed with people from all around the world, and when they state their names and countries, you hear all different accents. But when it’s time to swear in and the group as a whole must recite the Oath of Allegiance, you hear no accents. You don’t even hear hundreds of voices. All you hear is one collective proud voice.

There are many reasons to become a U.S. Citizen, pride in one’s country being one of them. But from a more practical standpoint, others reasons exist as well:

  • you can vote in State and Federal elections
  • you can apply for a Federal job
  • you cannot be deported from the U.S.

I want to talk a little bit about the last reason I’ve stated. As you know, I’m an immigration lawyer in Virginia Beach, but my firm represents people from all around the world. And with a busy immigration practice, we have seen the best of immigration (like our clients swearing in), and the worst (clients ordered deported). Earlier in my career, I helplessly watched a young mother get deported back to a country she had last seen as a toddler. There was nothing we could do for her due to drug convictions on her record. After a plea for prosecutorial discretion was ultimately denied, she had to leave the U.S.

I remember telling my dad about this case at the time. My dad joined the U.S. Navy in order to immigrate to the U.S. in the late 60s, and he eventually naturalized. The first thing my dad said was, “why didn’t she ever become a U.S. Citizen?” I was expecting to get sympathy, but instead I got a matter-of-fact would-be solution to all of my client’s problems (parents are always right, aren’t they?).

And so, it was from that day forward that I really pushed my clients and friends who were Lawful Permanent Residents to become U.S. Citizens when eligible. And while all the reasons listed above like I said are good ones, the best one in my mind, after going through this gut wrenching experience of watching a client get deported, was so I wouldn’t have to see another family needlessly go through that ordeal again.

Well, maybe you’re reading this and thinking: “I don’t do drugs” or “I don’t break the law.” To that I say, people get wrongly accused and convicted of crimes every single day and those crimes could be deportable crimes. Why take the chance? Did you know that something as minor as a petty theft conviction with a 12-month sentence in Virginia can land a Lawful Permanent Resident in deportation/removal proceedings? So it doesn’t have to be the crime of the century for you to get put in proceedings and possibly ultimately deported.

Sometimes my clients learn the hard way like the young mother I mentioned. To me, this client was just like me – we were both the same age and both moms, but I got the luck of birth by being born in a Naval Hospital in Virginia. Maybe you weren’t born in the U.S. like I was, but for yourself and for your family, become a U.S. Citizen if you’re eligible. I really can’t emphasize that enough.

In my next post, I will discuss the Steps to Becoming a U.S. Citizen.

Filed Under: Immigration Blog Articles

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Well, hard to believe… job done! I’m frank to admit I had no idea that it would be so involved compared to 10 years ago when I did the renewal myself. Happily I was fortunate enough to find the best people to help get it done this time. When I was a working stiff it was mostly as a field guy in sales & marketing. High tech communication in those days was a pay phone in customers’ lobbies, so someone back in the office skilled in dealing w/problems was absolutely essential when I couldn’t be contacted. Most of those who supported me that way were good at what they did, some were outstanding. None were better than you!! This tedious & sometimes worrisome process would have been unbearable without your keeping it, & me, on track. So we want to extend our thanks to you and Radlyn. Hoping for Gardner & Mendoza to continue the good work for many years to come. - Anonymous
Gardner and Mendoza Law Firm is a great law firm no matter what kind of situation you may be in! For example I had court today, John Gardner, my attorney represented me today and got the charged dismissed totally the first time we both appeared in front of the judge in Virginia Beach Traffic Court. He uses every bit of knowledge he can to help you get the best results!! He also works very well with Latinos! They have a Spanish speaking person in their office at all times!! - Sebastian
My husband and I had a great experience with Mrs. Mendoza. She provided excellent information and a sense of urgency with every step of our immigration process. Her team was always supportive in getting us the information we needed throughout the whole process. This legal firm also treats their clients with the highest levels of respect. In all of Virginia I would say that the Gardener & Mendoza team is the best recommendation for same sex immigration cases and for immigration cases in general. It was a pleasure to work with them. - Anonymous
I Highly Recommend Radlyn Mendoza, An Excellent Immigration Lawyer. My wife and I were very worried about my wife’s immigration and legal status. We were quite impressed with Attorney Mendoza during our initial consultation. She proved to be a smart, knowledgeable, and very capable immigration attorney. She and her staff were very helpful and responsive to all of our requests. Kudos to her and staff, especially Leesa, for successfully handling our case. Thanks for a job well done. - Thomas and Cheong W.
My daughter received a reckless driving ticket going 60 in a 35 mph zone, so understandably, I was very concerned. In court, Mr. Gardner was able to get the reckless driving charge and ticket completely dismissed due to his knowledge of what the police officer had to present in court. Mr. Gardner was a familiar face to the judge and the clerks in the Virginia Beach courthouse. When we contacted John Gardner’s office at Gardner & Mendoza, he and his staff made us feel comfortable by explaining the whole process to us. His track record and the reviews online helped make the decision to choose Mr. Gardner over other attorneys easy. I highly recommend Mr. Gardner. He gave us peace of mind and won the case too! - Michelle

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