Why is it important to work with an experienced Oakbrook Terrace immigration lawyer as you apply for citizenship and go through the naturalization process? The paperwork involved in naturalization is complicated, and it costs a lot of money to file. In short, if you do not have your materials in proper order the first time around, you could end up spending a lot more money in the long run to become a U.S. citizen. According to a recent article in the Times Ledger, the economic costs involved in naturalization have become so steep that some immigrants simply are excluded from the ability to take steps toward citizenship. Indeed, for many new residents of Illinois and other parts of the country, the naturalization process can be cost-prohibitive.

Rising Fees and Other Costs to Apply for Citizenship

According to the article, fees and other costs associated with the naturalization process are on the rise. To be sure, “the citizenship applicant fees have soared nearly 500 percent since 1989, after adjusting for inflation,” the article reported. In addition, immigrants need to acquire near fluency in the English language (if they do not already speak English) to pass a language proficiency exam, and this can mean hundreds or even thousands of dollars more to pay for ESL courses. Low-income immigrants, in particular, are described as being “plagued” by the costs associated with naturalization.

For immigrants to the United States, determining the best and fastest way to bring your family members to this country can be a frustrating and complicated process. According to the website for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security, the type of family petition you file and the manner in which you file it can vary greatly depending on your own status as a permanent resident or citizen in the United States. In addition, the age and status of the family member you wish to bring to the U.S. can make an impact on the type of family petition you will need to file. In short, family petitions for permanent residency (or, in other words, to become a green card holder) are extremely complex.

At Farooqi & Husain Law Office, we have years of experience helping members of the Muslim community to file family petitions for permanent residency and can discuss your options with you.

Petitioning for Family Members to Become Permanent Residents

Immigration to the United States is a complex legal process, but it also brings with it social complications and fears of discrimination among immigrant communities. For the Muslim community in DuPage County, questions about rights and responsibilities as persons living in the U.S. often arise. At Farooqi & Husain Law Office, we are dedicated to helping Muslim individuals and families in Oakbrook Terrace. We understand the complexities of the immigration process, and the anxiety and frustration that can accompany that process. We are particularly attuned to concerns about immigrants’ rights in America, and recent immigration raids that have targeted particular communities in Illinois.

Should Muslims be especially concerned about the recent string of immigration raids conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Chicagoland? According to a recent news release from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), immigrant advocates are condemning these raids and urging Illinois officials to think carefully about issues of equality in our state.

Raids Condemned by Immigrants’ Rights Advocates