Can an Old Arrest Cause an N-400 Denial?
An old arrest does not automatically prevent naturalization, but USCIS...
Naturalization Law & Strategy
U.S. Naturalization Articles & Legal Guides
Practical legal analysis of difficult U.S. citizenship cases, including N-400 denials, good moral character, criminal and immigration history, international travel, lawful permanent residence, N-336 hearings, and federal court review.
Understanding the Issue
Research the Naturalization Problem, Not Just the Form
Form N-400 can bring together years of immigration history, travel, criminal records, marriages, tax filings, prior statements to the government, and other facts that may never have been examined together before.
The articles in this library focus on the legal problems that can arise before filing, during USCIS examination, after a naturalization denial, and during administrative or judicial review.
Begin with the subject most closely connected to your issue, then use the related resources within each article to examine the broader naturalization problem.
Browse by Issue
Naturalization Topics
Start with the legal issue most likely to affect the N-400 case.
I
Naturalization Denials
Reasons USCIS denies Form N-400 and the options that may follow a denial.
Explore Denials → II
N-400 Problems
Interviews, requests for evidence, continued examinations, delays, additional questioning, and other USCIS problems.
Explore N-400 Problems → III
Good Moral Character
Criminal conduct, false testimony, taxes, unlawful acts, and other issues affecting good moral character.
Explore Good Moral Character → IV
Criminal History
Arrests, convictions, DUI, drug offenses, dismissed charges, expungements, and older criminal records.
Explore Criminal History → V
Immigration History
Prior visas, green cards, marriage cases, immigration violations, inconsistencies, and earlier government records.
Explore Immigration History → VI
Residence & Travel
Continuous residence, physical presence, lengthy absences, and extensive international travel.
Explore Residence & Travel → VII
Naturalization Through Marriage
The three-year rule, marital union, divorce, separation, conditional residence, and marriage-related eligibility.
Explore Marriage Naturalization → VIII
N-336 Hearings
Administrative review of a denied N-400, new evidence, hearing preparation, and challenges to USCIS findings.
Explore N-336 Hearings → IX
Naturalization Test
English and civics testing, retesting, age exceptions, disability exceptions, and Form N-648.
Explore Naturalization Testing → X
Constitutional & Security Issues
Constitutional attachment, political and organizational history, security issues, party membership, and the Oath.
Explore Constitutional Issues → XI
Federal Court
Judicial review following administrative denial and federal remedies in qualifying delayed naturalization cases.
Explore Federal Court → XII
Naturalization Risk
Problems that should be identified before voluntarily filing Form N-400 with USCIS.
Assess Naturalization Risk → Using This Library
Different Stages Require Different Questions
The most useful legal analysis depends on where the applicant is in the naturalization process.
I.
Before Filing N-400 Identify whether naturalization could expose a criminal,
immigration, residence, marriage, or other underlying issue.
II.
While N-400 Is Pending Determine what USCIS is examining and what evidence or legal
issue should be addressed before a decision.
III.
After an N-400 Denial Examine the stated grounds, record, deadline, and whether
administrative review should be pursued.
IV.
After Administrative Review Determine whether further USCIS action, a new application,
or federal court review may be appropriate.
Recent Publications
Latest Naturalization Articles
Legal analysis, practical guidance, and updates concerning difficult naturalization and U.S. citizenship matters.
Naturalization for Founders and Entrepreneurs: Prior Visas, Business History & N-400 Risk
Successful founders can accumulate unusually complicated immigration histories before reaching...
Naturalization for Multinational Executives: L-1A & EB-1C Issues Before N-400
Multinational executives often reach naturalization after years of L-1A, EB-1C,...
Federal Court After an N-336 Denial: When Should You Sue USCIS Over Naturalization?
An N-336 denial does not necessarily end a naturalization case....
N-336 Strategy for Complex Naturalization Denials: How to Build the Record
A strong N-336 response should do more than repeat the...
N-400 Denied After USCIS Questions How You Got Your Green Card
Naturalization requires more than proving that you possess a green...
Can Filing Taxes as a Nonresident Jeopardize Your Green Card or U.S. Citizenship?
A lawful permanent resident who files U.S. taxes as a...
U.S. Citizenship for International Business Owners With Homes and Companies Abroad
Owning companies, investments, or homes outside the United States does...
Naturalization for EB-5 Investors: Can USCIS Revisit Your Investor Green Card?
An approved EB-5 case does not make naturalization automatic. When...
Can Frequent International Travel Prevent U.S. Citizenship? A Guide for Executives & Investors
Executives, investors, entrepreneurs, and other globally mobile permanent residents can...
Can Applying for U.S. Citizenship Put Your Green Card at Risk?
Filing Form N-400 does not automatically place lawful permanent resident...
Can Child Support Problems Prevent U.S. Citizenship?
Child support problems can affect naturalization when USCIS finds that...
Can Unpaid Taxes or IRS Problems Prevent U.S. Citizenship?
Owing taxes does not automatically prevent every permanent resident from...
Can Shoplifting or Theft Prevent You From Becoming a U.S. Citizen?
A shoplifting or theft conviction does not produce the same...
Can a Drug Conviction Prevent U.S. Citizenship or Naturalization?
Drug-related criminal history can create serious naturalization problems. Federal good...
Can a DUI Prevent You From Becoming a U.S. Citizen?
A DUI does not automatically prevent every permanent resident from...
Does an Expunged or Sealed Criminal Record Affect Naturalization?
An expunged or sealed criminal record does not necessarily disappear...
N-400 Denied Because of Criminal History: Can You Still Become a U.S. Citizen?
A criminal record does not produce the same naturalization result...
N-400 Denied for Good Moral Character: What Can You Do?
A good moral character denial does not always mean permanent...
Can You Reapply for Citizenship After an N-400 Denial?
USCIS does not limit how many times a person may...
Core Legal Resources
Looking for a Starting Point?
The site's principal resource pages provide broader treatment of the legal issues discussed in individual articles.
Legal Information, Not Individual Legal Advice
Articles on NaturalizationDenial.com provide general information about U.S. immigration and naturalization law. They are not a substitute for legal advice concerning an individual case and do not create an attorney-client relationship.
Have a Difficult Naturalization Question?
If your case involves an N-400 problem, denial, criminal or immigration history, residence issue, or another naturalization concern, the underlying record should be evaluated individually.
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