Seattle Immigration Law Updates & Resources
Expert Guidance from Attorney Lesley Irizarry-Hougan
Get clear answers about citizenship, green cards, asylum, VAWA, and family immigration from Seattle attorney Lesley Irizarry-Hougan. Latest USCIS policy updates, step-by-step guides, Know Your Rights resources, and immigration news in English and Spanish. 20+ years of experience helping Seattle's immigrant community.
Essential Immigration Resources
Know Your Rights:
A Comprehensive Guide for Immigrants Encountering ICE
Master
the 2025 USCIS Civics Test
Cómo Verificar el Estatus de una Solicitud o Caso de Inmigración Pendiente
What are Exceptions and Accommodations When Applying for U.S. Citizenship (Naturalization)?
There are exceptions and accomodations when applying for U.S. citizenship. For example, consider this question: What if I cannot speak, read, or write English well? If you are 50 years old or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 20 years, you may be able to take the civics test in your native language, and you can bring an interpreter to your interview. This exception also applies if you are 55 years old or older and have been a lawful permanent resident for at least 15 years.
Are you eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship?
For those who are eligible, citizenship provides benefits that lawful permanent residence does not. For example, citizens can file family visa petitions for parents and siblings, can obtain family visas for their spouses and children more quickly than residents, can vote in federal, state, and local elections, and are provided additional protection from removal (deportation).
Cómo Convertirse en un Ciudadano de los EE.UU.
¿Quién está calificado para convertirse en un ciudadano?
Si usted se hizo residente permanente (tarjeta verde) a través del matrimonio con un ciudadano de EE.UU. califica para la ciudadanía tan pronto como tres años después de recibir su residencia. Si no ha adquirido la condición de residente permanente a través de un cónyuge ciudadano de EE.UU., usted califica para convertirse en ciudadano tan pronto como cinco años.
En cualquier caso, para calificar para convertirse en un ciudadano de los EE.UU., usted debe...
How to become a U.S. Citizen (Naturalize)
Who is qualified to become a citizen?
If you became a permanent resident (green-card holder) through marriage to a U.S. citizen you may be eligible for citizenship as soon as three years after receiving your residency. If you did not become a permanent resident through a U.S. citizen spouse, you may be eligible to become a citizen as soon as five years.
In either case, to be eligible to become a U.S. citizen, you must...