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Portner & Shure

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I will like to take this time to say what a wonderful job Pam Brown did on my case. I was involved in a car accident and my physcial therapist gave me the phone to this law office and Pam took my call and later on my case. She was very helpful every step of the way. I was happy with her service and how she handling my case. Natika Bartholomew

I was referred to Portner & Shure from a friend of mine and i'm glad he did. The firm is very professional. Mr. Shure came to my home and talked to me personally after a day of my accident. Not only that, their paralegal Sandy is very courteous and cheerful. She responded to all my questions in a timely manner and she constantly keeps me updated on my case (which I like). I would definitely use their firm again and would recommend them to any one. Mike Vu

Portner & Shure's services far exceeded my expectations. I would certainly recommend them to my friends, family, co-workers, etc. Their paralegal, Sandy went above and beyond for me. She always answered my questions and returned my calls promptly. I will certainly use them in the future if the need arises. Datherd Fraley

Dear Portner & Shure, P.A., I’m very pleased with the service I received from your law firm. Since the beginning, my questions and concerns were addressed immediately. My claim was settled in a timely manner. Also, I want to thank Sandy the Senior Claims Paralegal who made sure that all expenses were covered for my Personal Injury claim. I highly recommend this law firm for anyone who needs legal assistance. Thank you for handling my claim in an outstanding & professional manner. Sincerely, Rhonda B.

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Citizenship: The Naturalization Process

By: Jonathan N. Portner
Sameer Sidh
March 12, 2009

Attaining U.S. citizenship can be one of the most significant events in the lives of many immigrants. A number of factors are taken into account by the U.S. government before a decision is made on whether or not to grant citizenship to a current green card holder. To ensure the best possible chance at becoming a U.S. citizen, a green card holder should retain a careful, competent attorney to guide them through the sometimes confusing naturalization process.
There are four central requirements that an applicant for naturalization must meet in order to be eligible for U.S. citizenship. Those requirements are as follows:

Good Moral Character

Demonstration of good moral character is relatively simple if the applicant has maintained a clean criminal record. If the applicant has criminal charges or convictions on their record, especially within the preceding five years, the applicant should be sure to hire an attorney and to have detailed documentation of their prior transgressions.

Continuous Residence

Generally, an applicant must possess a green card for a period of five years and must spend a significant majority of that time on U.S. soil before they meet the continuous residence requirement. The exception to this rule is that applicants who secured their green card as the spouse of a U.S. citizen must only hold their green card for three years before gaining eligibility for citizenship. An application for citizenship can be filed up to 90 days prior to the applicant satisfying the required time of green card possession.

Successful Completion of a U.S. History Exam

All applicants will have to pass a U.S. history exam during an in-person interview to become a citizen. Applicants who are over 65 years old and who have held a green card for over 20 years are permitted to take a simplified version of the test.

The Ability to Read, Write and Speak English

Applicants must also demonstrate the ability read, write and speak English during the course of an in-person interview. An applicant will be exempt from meeting this requirement if on the date of filing they:
(a) Have held a green card for a period of 20 years and are over the age of 50, or
(b) Have held a green card for a period of 15 years and are over the age of 55.
The law firm of Portner & Shure is equipped to guide applicants for citizenship through all stages of the naturalization process. Through this process, the firm will assist the applicant in completion of the N-400 Application, identify documents that need to be submitted and assist in collection of those documents, and thoroughly prepare the applicant for an in-person interview. For questions on how to become a U.S. citizen, contact our office and schedule a consultation.

Accident Lawyers in Maryland, Virginia & Washington DC

For over fifteen years the attorneys at Portner & Shure have been representing victims injured in automobile accidents. You may request a free consultation with our personal injury accident lawyers in Maryland, Virginia & Washington D.C., to make sure you get the benefits you are entitled to.

Maryland, Virginia & Washington DC Immigration Lawyers

Do you have an immigration issue? Contact our law firm today for a free case evaluation. Want to learn more? Read our online resources: