A great number of people is confused about immigration law and citizenship in the United States. Here are a few of the many common misconceptions about immigration laws and United States citizenship:

• If I marry a U.S. citizen I can automatically become a citizen. False. To become a citizen, you still need to follow various procedures such as applying for a marriage visa and providing proof of the validity of your marriage.
• Only if I am married can I bring a child into the United States legally. False. Children are eligible to relocate to the United States under a Family Visa petition regardless of your marital status.
• Attaining citizenship via naturalization is an easy process. This is not true. Naturalization is a complex process with many steps that must be followed.
• Legal immigrants, who are in the country on a visa, can be deported for minor legal infractions, such as traffic tickets or DWIs. This is not true except in extreme circumstances.
• You cannot become a legal immigrant if you come into the United States illegally. This is false. Someone who is an illegal alien can petition the government for a visa, green card, or a temporary worker visa.
• All immigration applications are the same. This is false. Every immigration case is unique and requires careful analysis and advocacy, preferably by a skilled and experienced immigration lawyer.
• The naturalization test is simple. The immigration test is a civics exam that requires a significant amount of knowledge of the United States government and its history. There are over 100 questions to study.
• You must be able to speak and write in the English language. This is not true. There are situations that allow an alien who cannot speak or write in English to become a permanent resident. But if you are unable to speak and write English that does make it difficult to pass a citizenship test if you are trying to be naturalized.

The Visa Firm, Atlanta