Peter Messersmith
Peter Messersmith is an immigration attorney whose practice has focused on United States immigration law since 2002. His work includes difficult naturalization matters involving N-400 denials, good moral character, criminal history, prior immigration problems, lawful permanent residence, N-336 hearings, and other citizenship issues where the underlying record may determine the outcome.
Practicing U.S. Immigration Law Since 2002
Mr. Messersmith's legal practice has focused on immigration matters since he entered practice. His work has involved representation of individuals, families, professionals, businesses, and institutions in matters arising under United States immigration law.
The Most Important N-400 Issue May Have Happened Years Before the N-400 Was Filed
Naturalization is often described as the final stage of the immigration process. In a difficult case, however, the naturalization examination can require renewed attention to events that occurred during much earlier immigration proceedings.
A prior visa application, adjustment filing, marriage petition, criminal case, international trip, government interview, or statement made years earlier can become material once USCIS examines the applicant's eligibility for citizenship.
Start With the Record, Then Apply the Law
The firm's approach to a complicated naturalization matter is to identify the precise legal issue, reconstruct the relevant record, determine what the existing evidence actually establishes, and then apply the governing immigration and naturalization law.
Issues Frequently Requiring Detailed Review
Before Filing, During the N-400 Case, or After Denial
Before Form N-400
Review known criminal, immigration, residence, marriage, or good moral character concerns before voluntarily placing the matter before USCIS.
During Adjudication
Address interview problems, continued examinations, evidence requests, government-record discrepancies, and other questions arising while Form N-400 remains pending.
After Denial
Analyze the written decision, available N-336 review, new evidence, possible refiling, and federal court options where appropriate.
A Difficult Naturalization Case Should Be Broken Into Its Factual and Legal Parts
Identify the Actual Issue
Determine which naturalization requirement USCIS may dispute rather than starting with a generalized concern that the case is complicated.
Reconstruct the Record
Review the applications, government records, criminal documents, travel history, marriage evidence, or other material necessary to determine what occurred.
Separate Facts From Conclusions
Determine what the evidence actually establishes before deciding whether an earlier event creates the immigration consequence USCIS believes it does.
Apply the Governing Rule
Identify the statute, regulation, USCIS policy, or controlling judicial authority relevant to the established facts.
Evaluate Immigration Risk
Where appropriate, determine whether the issue affects only naturalization or could also have consequences for permanent resident status.
Choose the Procedural Strategy
Depending on the stage and issue, the strategy may involve filing, waiting, responding to USCIS, correcting the record, pursuing N-336 review, refiling, or considering federal court.
Education and Admission to Practice
University of Texas at Austin
Bachelor's degree.
University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
Juris Doctor.
Admission to Practice
Admitted to the practice of law in Illinois.
U.S. Immigration Practice
Continuous legal practice focused on United States immigration matters.
Immigration Representation From Orlando
The Messersmith Law Firm, P.A. maintains its office in Orlando, Florida and handles federal immigration matters for clients across the United States and internationally.
Difficult naturalization cases often can be evaluated initially by examining the N-400, USCIS decision or notice, prior immigration records, criminal documents, travel history, and other evidence relevant to the particular issue.
NaturalizationDenial.com Is a Focused Legal Resource
The site is devoted to serious naturalization problems rather than general citizenship preparation. Its principal subjects include pre-filing risk, N-400 adjudication problems, naturalization denials, N-336 hearings, criminal and immigration history, and federal court remedies.
Naturalization Case Results
Selected anonymized matters illustrate the types of factual and legal issues that may arise in difficult citizenship cases. Every case depends on its own record, evidence, law, and adjudication, and prior results do not guarantee future outcomes.
What to Provide for a Difficult Naturalization Case Review
USCIS Decision or Notice
If USCIS issued an N-400 denial, RFE, continuance notice, or N-336 decision, identify the document and its date.
Filed Form N-400
The actual application can be important when the issue involves an answer, omission, date, or interview statement.
Relevant Historical Record
Criminal records, old visa or green card filings, marriage documents, travel history, or other evidence should be identified when directly connected to the issue.
General Information Only
Information on this page and throughout NaturalizationDenial.com is general legal information and is not a substitute for advice concerning an individual immigration matter. Submitting a consultation request does not itself create an attorney-client relationship. The Messersmith Law Firm, P.A. must agree to undertake representation.
Need an Immigration Attorney to Review a Difficult Naturalization Matter?
A naturalization case review can focus on the government record, disputed facts, governing law, available evidence, immigration-status consequences, and the procedural options appropriate to the stage of the case.