Fresno Citizenship Lawyer

Citizenship Lawyer Fresno

If you are working toward U.S. citizenship in Fresno, you know how complicated the path to becoming a citizen can be. Between gathering documentation, meeting residency requirements, preparing for the civics exam, and navigating USCIS procedures, there’s so much to consider without proper guidance. Our Fresno, CA citizenship lawyer at Bolour / Carl Immigration Group, APC has been handling naturalization and citizenship cases for 29 years. We work on a flat-fee basis, so you know exactly what representation costs from the beginning. Contact us to schedule a consultation.

Why Choose Bolour / Carl Immigration Group, APC for Citizenship Matters in Fresno, CA?

Experience With California Immigration and Naturalization Law

Ally Bolour graduated from Southwestern Law School and has been practicing immigration law since 1996. He is admitted to the California State Bar and holds memberships in LACBA, Lavender Law, and the LGBTQ Bar Association. Alexander Carl is a Loyola Law School graduate and member of the California State Bar and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).

Our attorneys are experienced in handling naturalization and citizenship matters. We have almost thirty years of combined immigration practice directed at getting clients through the citizenship process as smoothly as possible. If you are searching for an immigration lawyer in Fresno, CA, we are here to help.

A Track Record That Speaks for Itself

Our firm handles a broad range of immigration matters and succeeds on the majority of cases we take. We’ve handled multiple high-profile citizenship and naturalization cases, though confidentiality prevents us from sharing specific client details. What we can tell you is that our approach is thorough, our preparation is careful, and we do not cut corners on documentation. Clients trust us with some of the most important legal decisions of their lives that impact their freedom and future.

Flat-Fee Pricing

Citizenship and naturalization representation at our firm is billed on a flat-fee basis. You will not receive surprise invoices or have to worry about increasing costs as your case progresses. Our structure is straightforward and transparent, so clients know what they are paying before we begin.

What Our Clients Say

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“I’m very thankful to attorney Ally Bolour and his staff for their work and dedication in handling my case. I’ve known Ally for quite some time. Years ago he helped me get my residency, and just recently I retained his services again in order to become a U.S citizen. Both times, Ally and his team were very helpful. They were always available when I had doubts or questions. I really appreciated how they communicated with me. Whenever I emailed or called them, someone was always available, and I was kept informed about the steps taken during the whole process. Before my naturalization appointment, Ally prepared me, and he went with me to Federal building the day of the interview. He told me what to expect and provided me with links to access study materials for my test. The whole process, from the time I retained his services to the day I officially got my naturalization certificate didn’t take long (of course keep in mind that every case is different) I couldn’t believe how smoothly it went, but then again, I’m not surprised it went that way because Ally guided me all the way through it. If you ever need an immigration attorney, I highly recommend you give Ally Bolour a call. You won’t find anybody as professional and dedicated as he is. Thank you so much again, Ally. Miguel Infanzon.” — Miguel Infanzon

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Types of Citizenship and Immigration Cases We Handle in Fresno

Bolour / Carl Immigration Group, APC handles a wide range of immigration matters for clients throughout the Central Valley and across California. Most of our Fresno clients come to us for naturalization, but many also need help with the immigration steps that come before citizenship.

• Naturalization. We guide lawful permanent residents through the N-400 application process, USCIS interview preparation, and civics and English testing. Continuous residence requirements and physical presence calculations are frequently misunderstood, and errors here can delay or derail an application.
• Green Cards. Permanent residence is the step before citizenship for most applicants. We handle both family-based and employment-based green card cases, including adjustment of status for those already in the U.S.
• Deportation Defense. Removal proceedings can intercede citizenship plans entirely. We handle deportation defense for Fresno-area clients at all stages, including responses to Notices to Appear.
• Asylum. For individuals fleeing persecution, a granted asylum claim creates a pathway to lawful permanent residence and, eventually, citizenship.
• DACA. We have handled DACA matters for 14 years. Recipients with paths to permanent status need careful planning to protect their eligibility for naturalization later on.
• VAWA. Victims of domestic violence who are foreign nationals may qualify for self-petitioning under the Violence Against Women Act, which can lead to lawful permanent residence and ultimately citizenship.
• Employment Visas. Workers in the U.S. on H-1B, L, O, or other nonimmigrant visas often have pathways to permanent residence and citizenship.
• Family Immigration. U.S. citizens can petition for immediate relatives and certain other family members. We guide both the citizen petitioner and the beneficiary through the process.

California and Federal Legal Requirements for Citizenship Cases

Naturalization is governed by federal law under the Immigration and Nationality Act, specifically 8 U.S.C. § 1427. To qualify, an applicant must generally have held lawful permanent residence for five years, or three years if married to a U.S. citizen. During that period, USCIS requires continuous residence in the United States and physical presence for at least half of the required time.

“Continuous residence” does not mean you cannot travel, but extended absences create a rebuttable presumption that you abandoned your residence. Trips over six months and under a year may require explanation. Trips over one year generally break the continuous residence requirement unless the applicant obtained a re-entry permit in advance. These distinctions matter and affect citizenship eligibility in ways that are easy to underestimate.

Applicants must also demonstrate good moral character during the statutory period. Certain criminal convictions, including some DUI offenses, can create hindrances to naturalization. We assess your full history and build a case for your good moral character and behavior before filing any documentation.

USCIS requires applicants to pass an English language test and a civics examination covering U.S. history and government. Limited exceptions exist for applicants who are elderly or have qualifying disabilities. California has no separate state citizenship requirement, as all naturalization proceedings run through federal USCIS offices and immigration courts. The Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, is filed with USCIS. Current filing fees and processing times are available on the USCIS website and change periodically.

Important Aspects of a Fresno Citizenship Case

Continuous Residence and Extended Absences

The continuous residence clock runs from the date of lawful permanent residence. Applicants who travel internationally for extended periods must be prepared to document the purpose and duration of those trips. A single trip that breaks continuous residence can push back eligibility by more than a year. We review travel history early in our process because problems found late are harder to amend.

Criminal History and the Good Moral Character Requirement

Good moral character is assessed over the five-year statutory period, though USCIS officers may consider conduct from outside that timeframe. Offenses that result in a bar to naturalization include aggravated felonies, drug convictions, and certain fraud-related matters. Even arrests without convictions may need to be disclosed and explained. We review criminal history thoroughly before advising a client to file, and discuss what we can do to build a defense for offenses or other hindrance factors.

Prior Immigration Violations

Unlawful presence, prior removal orders, and misrepresentation on immigration forms can each create obstacles to naturalization. An applicant who was previously in removal proceedings, or who has an outstanding order of removal, cannot be naturalized until those issues are resolved. And a notice to appear filed with the immigration court restarts removal proceedings that may have gone dormant. These issues require legal analysis before an N-400 is submitted.

Timing and the Naturalization Interview

USCIS schedules naturalization interviews after reviewing the N-400 application. At the interview, the officer reviews the application, administers the English and civics tests, and questions the applicant about their background and eligibility. Preparation can make all the difference, as applicants who arrive unprepared for questions about their travel, criminal history, or tax filings create problems that would not have existed with proper preparation. We talk with you about these questions in advance so you are set up for a successful interview.

Denaturalization Risks for Already-Naturalized Citizens

It is worth knowing that citizenship, once granted, can be revoked if it was obtained through fraud or willful misrepresentation. The denaturalization process has received increased federal attention in recent years. Accuracy and full disclosure throughout the naturalization process protects your citizenship for the long term.

Contact Bolour / Carl Immigration Group, APC

If you are ready to move forward with a citizenship application in Fresno, or if you are trying to understand whether you qualify, we are here to help. A consultation lets us review your immigration history, evaluate your eligibility, and identify any issues that need to be addressed before you file. Contact us to schedule your consultation with our team at Bolour / Carl Immigration Group, APC.