Jacksonville Beach, FL Military Immigration Attorneys

Weldon Law Group, PLLC, appreciates the service that you have rendered to the U.S. and the freedoms you have helped to protect. We believe that you and your family deserve the benefits you have earned through your sacrifices for this country, and we can help you navigate the legal aspects of attaining naturalization. Reach out to schedule a free initial consultation and learn more about next steps!

Who Is Eligible For Military Immigration?

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides for certain benefits for active and former members of the armed forces. If you have served for more than a year, you are eligible for benefits, but the specifics of those benefits will depend on your circumstances. In order to determine what benefits will apply to you, you will need to explore questions such as: 

• Are you currently an active military service member?
• How long have you served?
• Did you serve during periods of hostility as defined by USCIS? 
• Did you serve abroad?
• If you were discharged, what were the circumstances?

In order to determine the eligibility of yourself and your family members, you will also need to demonstrate knowledge of the English language, U.S. history, the Constitution, and otherwise prove that you are of good moral character. Depending on the answers to the listed questions and your ability to demonstrate aptitude in these areas, you can be entitled to such benefits as:

• The right to apply for naturalization, which could potentially be expedited
• Overseas naturalization
• Automatic naturalization or citizenship for your children
• Fee waiver for your application
• Survivor benefits, including posthumous citizenship
• Deferred removal proceedings

In order to be eligible for these benefits, you must be able to provide documentation to prove your identity and military service. Our Jacksonville Beach military immigration attorneys can guide you through the factors for eligibility, as well as the specifics of your application so that you can be assured that every detail is accounted for. 

Eligibility Of Children And Spouses For Military Immigration

As a result of your military service, your spouse and children are also potentially eligible for the process of naturalization. Depending on your circumstances, your child could be eligible for automatic citizenship under INA 320 or naturalization under INA 322. Your child could attain citizenship or naturalization based on the following:

• Whether or not they are over 18 years of age
• Whether at least one parent is a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization
• Whether the child is a lawful permanent resident
• Whether the child currently resides in the U.S.
• If they are stationed abroad, whether the child is in the custody of U.S. citizen or an active service member
• If they are neither a lawful permanent resident nor residing in the U.S., whether the child has a citizen parent or grandparent maintaining residency in the U.S.

Similarly, your spouse can be eligible for naturalization based on factors such as:

• How long you have been married
• Whether or not you are a U.S. citizen
• Whether or not your spouse is a lawful permanent resident and for how long
• Whether or not your spouse currently lives in the U.S.
• Whether or not your spouse is able to accompany your abroad
• Where you intend to live following the termination of your service

The lawyers of Weldon Law Group can help you determine these factors of eligibility and apply!

Our Jacksonville Beach Military Immigration Attorneys Can Offer Quality Guidance

Weldon Law Group, PLLC, believes in supporting the rights of the members of our armed forces and their families. Our bilingual lead lawyer, Ian Weldon, who belongs the American Immigration Lawyers Association, has been named by the National Trial Lawyers as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and has received the prestigious AV Preeminent® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, its top peer-review rating, so you can count on consistently high quality service. Reach out to schedule a free initial consultation and learn how we can help you make the next moves toward citizenship!