Houston Citizenship Attorney

Over a Decade Helping Houston Immigrants Become U.S. Citizens

Becoming a U.S. citizen is one of the most consequential steps an immigrant takes, and the margin for error is smaller than most people realize. A mistake on Form N-400 or an inconsistency at the naturalization interview doesn’t just delay your application. It can trigger removal proceedings. At The Law Office of Mana Yegani, Attorney Mana Yegani has helped many clients become naturalized U.S. citizens over more than a decade of immigration practice, including clients with criminal records and those whose prior applications were denied.

Clients work directly with Attorney Yegani. She attends the naturalization interview in person alongside her clients at the USCIS Houston Field Office, a practice now required of all attorneys under USCIS policy as of May 2026. Our team communicates in Farsi, Spanish, and Russian, reaching a broad cross-section of Houston’s immigrant community in their primary language. Attorney Yegani’s advocacy during the Trump Travel Ban earned her international recognition and the Unsung Hero Award, with coverage by Reuters, the BBC, The New Yorker, ABC News, CBS, Telemundo, and Fox 26 Houston. She also holds a 5-star rating on Avvo, the Clients’ Choice Award, the Avvo 10 Top Attorney designation, and Rising Star recognition from SuperLawyers.

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Who Is Eligible for U.S. Citizenship?

Immigration law is demanding, and eligibility for citizenship depends on your specific circumstances. Ms. Yegani helps clients assess their eligibility path and pursue it as efficiently as possible.

You may be eligible for U.S. citizenship if:

• You were born in a U.S. territory or outlying possession.
• One or both parents were U.S. citizens at the time of your birth.
• You are a member of the U.S. armed forces or an honorably discharged veteran (some restrictions and further exceptions apply).
• Your spouse or parent is a member of the U.S. armed forces.
• You have been a lawful permanent resident for at least five years, or three years if married to a U.S. citizen.
• You have a child under 18 with LPR status who may derive citizenship under the Child Citizenship Act when you naturalize, provided the child lives in the U.S. in your legal and physical custody.
• You are a refugee, asylee, or qualify under another special provision.
• Other exceptions may apply depending on your individual circumstances.

The Naturalization Process Step by Step

Naturalization is the legal process by which a lawful permanent resident becomes a U.S. citizen. It involves eligibility screening, application filing, biometrics, an interview, and an oath ceremony. Each stage carries real risk if handled incorrectly. An error on Form N-400 or a misstep at the interview can do more than delay your case. It can put you in removal proceedings. Ms. Yegani represents clients through every stage of this process, including those with prior criminal records.

Steps in the naturalization process:

• Establish LPR eligibility: Hold lawful permanent resident status for five years, or three years if continuously married to a U.S. citizen during that period.
• File Form N-400: Submit the Application for Naturalization to USCIS with accurate, complete documentation.
• Attend biometrics: Complete a fingerprinting appointment scheduled by USCIS.
• Attend the naturalization interview: Appear at the USCIS Houston Field Office, where an officer reviews your N-400, assesses English proficiency, and administers the civics exam. For applicants who filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025, the officer asks up to 20 questions from a pool of 128. Applicants who filed before that date are asked up to 10 questions from a pool of 100.
• Take the Oath of Allegiance: After approval, attend a naturalization ceremony and take the Oath of Allegiance to receive your Certificate of Naturalization.

As of May 2026, USCIS requires all attorneys to be physically present at field office interviews. Remote representation is no longer permitted except in limited circumstances. Attorney Yegani attends naturalization interviews in person at the USCIS Houston Field Office alongside her clients. Houston-area processing times as of early 2026 run approximately 5.5 to 9.5 months from filing, though individual timelines vary based on application completeness and USCIS caseload.

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The Importance of U.S. Citizenship

Lawful permanent residents naturalize for many reasons. These are among the most significant benefits citizenship provides:

• Protection from removal for you and your children.
• Citizenship for children under 18 with lawful permanent resident status.
• Ability to petition family members abroad, with faster processing than LPR-sponsored petitions.
• International travel without restrictions on your status, though you may still need travel documents for certain trips.
• Eligibility for U.S. government employment.
• The right to vote in local and federal elections.
• Access to educational scholarships and benefits reserved for citizens.

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Why Houston LPRs Work with a Citizenship Attorney

Many applicants assume naturalization is routine paperwork. It isn’t. USCIS officers at the Houston Field Office review the good moral character requirement closely, and any inconsistency between what you wrote on Form N-400 and what you say at the interview raises questions. For applicants with a criminal record, the risk is sharper. Filing prematurely, or without a full review of your criminal history, can expose you to removal proceedings rather than a path to citizenship.

How Attorney Yegani Prepares Your Case

Attorney Yegani advises clients on completing Form N-400 accurately and prepares them for the naturalization interview and the civics and English language test. She has helped clients with criminal records pursue naturalization, including through assistance with sealing of criminal records when applicable, and has helped clients re-apply after a prior denial. Because our firm’s practice includes immigration criminal defense, clients with complicated histories receive coordinated strategy rather than piecemeal advice from separate attorneys. Clients work directly with Attorney Yegani throughout the process, not with an associate. Our team serves clients in Farsi, Spanish, and Russian, so the details of your case are never lost in translation.

Houston Field Office & Local Factors That Affect Your Case

The USCIS Houston Field Office serves approximately 30 counties in southeast Texas, including Harris County, making it one of the busiest USCIS field offices in the state. That volume affects processing timelines and the scrutiny applied to individual applications. Houston-area naturalization processing times as of early 2026 run approximately 5.5 to 9.5 months, but your application’s completeness and your individual history both shape how that timeline plays out.

Applicants with prior criminal cases in Harris County or surrounding counties need careful review of their records before filing, because those records are visible to USCIS. Beyond criminal history, officers also review Selective Service registration, child support compliance, tax payment history, and the physical presence record for extended travel outside the U.S. Attorney Yegani works with clients whose cases are processed through the USCIS Houston Field Office and attends their interviews in person, prepared for whatever the officer raises.

Contact Our Houston Citizenship Lawyer

If you have a criminal record or a prior deportation, don’t fill out Form N-400 without consulting a citizenship attorney first. Each adjustment of status case is unique, and if your naturalization application was previously denied, Ms. Yegani can help you file again. Call today to understand the process and what it takes to improve your application’s readiness.

Frequently Asked Questions About Citizenship & Naturalization

What Documents Are Required for Naturalization?

Required documents typically include a copy of your green card (front and back), two passport-style photos, a completed Form N-400, and evidence of continuous residence such as travel records for any trips outside the U.S. during the qualifying period. If you’re applying based on marriage to a U.S. citizen, you’ll also need proof of the marriage and your spouse’s citizenship. Preparing duplicates of all documents in advance helps avoid delays if USCIS requests additional copies during review.

How Long Does Naturalization Take in Houston?

As of early 2026, Houston-area processing times run approximately 5.5 to 9.5 months from filing. Individual timelines vary based on application completeness, USCIS caseload at the Houston Field Office, and whether USCIS issues a request for additional evidence. Submitting a thorough initial application and responding promptly to any USCIS correspondence can help avoid unnecessary delays.

What Happens at the Naturalization Interview?

The naturalization interview takes place at the USCIS Houston Field Office. An officer reviews your N-400 application, tests your English reading, writing, and speaking ability, and administers the civics exam. Under the updated civics test that took effect October 20, 2025, applicants are asked up to 20 questions from a pool of 128 and must answer 12 correctly to pass. Applicants who filed Form N-400 before that date take the earlier version of the test. The officer may also ask about your personal history, travel record, and background. As of May 2026, USCIS requires attorneys to be physically present at field office interviews. Attorney Yegani attends naturalization interviews in person alongside her clients.

Can Prior Immigration or Criminal Issues Affect My Naturalization Eligibility?

Yes. Past immigration violations or a criminal record can affect both your eligibility and your safety in filing. In serious cases, filing Form N-400 prematurely can trigger removal proceedings rather than lead to approval. USCIS evaluates the good moral character requirement carefully, and any undisclosed issue compounds the risk. If you have a prior criminal case or immigration violation, consult a citizenship immigration lawyer Houston residents trust before you file anything.

Does Having an Attorney Make a Difference in Naturalization?

An attorney isn’t required, but the difference can be significant. A citizenship attorney reviews Form N-400 for errors before filing, prepares you for the interview, and identifies issues that could affect your eligibility or put you at risk. For applicants with a criminal record or a prior denial, representation can be important for protecting your interests. Attorney Yegani attends naturalization interviews in person, as now required of all attorneys under the May 2026 USCIS policy.

When you’re ready to take the next step toward citizenship, our team is ready to help. Contact us now to schedule your consultation.