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What happens if your US citizenship is denied?

Author

Eleanor Gray

Published Mar 19, 2026

What happens if your US citizenship is denied?

Once USCIS issues you a citizenship application denial, you can then request a hearing with a different immigration officer. This new immigration officer will then conduct a review of your application. After that, you may be subjected to an additional civics test and English Ability exam.

Correspondingly, can you apply for citizenship if you are denied?

You have a few options: First, you can appeal the denial of your naturalization by using Form N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings. Second, you can file a new naturalization application as an alternative. Third, you can file a Motion to Reopen.

Also Know, can I renew my green card if my citizenship is denied? Certainly, there are many people who have applied for citizenship, not received their citizenship, and have maintained their green card. You might need to renew your green card because it might have expired, but typically, you are going to be allowed to stay in the United States as a lawful permanent resident.

Also question is, what if my citizenship is denied?

If your US citizenship application is denied by the USCIS, you will not become a US citizen. If you get through, you will be granted US citizenship. If not, you will have to start the naturalization application process again and you must fill out Form N-400 and pay the filing fee again.

What can disqualify you from becoming a US citizen?

You have been convicted of or admitted to a crime involving moral turpitude, such as fraud. You spent 180 days or more in jail or prison for any crime. You committed any crime related to illegal drugs other than a single offense involving 30 grams or less of marijuana.

How many immigrants are denied citizenship each year?

Close to 78,000 naturalization applications were denied, on average, each year from 2009 through 2018, though numbers varied each year.

How long does it take to become a US citizen in 2020?

8 months

What is the 4 year 1 day rule for US citizenship?

An applicant who is required to establish continuous residence for at least five years and whose application for naturalization is denied for an absence of one year or longer, may apply for naturalization four years and one day after returning to the United States to resume permanent residence.

When can I apply for citizenship after denial?

You must file the form, including the correct fee, to USCIS within 30 days after you receive a denial letter. If, after an appeal hearing with USCIS, you still believe you have been wrongly denied naturalization, you may file a petition for a new review of your application in U.S. District Court.

Can citizenship be denied after passing interview?

If you received a notice stating that your N-400 was denied after the interview, this means that the USCIS officer has found you ineligible for naturalization.

How many times can you apply for US citizenship?

To begin, you should keep in mind that you have two separate opportunities to pass the naturalization exam. According to the USCIS handbook, USCIS will give you a second opportunity to pass any failed portion of the naturalization exam: once on your first interview, and a second time on your re-interview.

How long can I apply for citizenship?

You may file Form N-400 ninety (90) calendar days before you complete your permanent residence requirement if your eligibility for naturalization is based upon being a: • Permanent resident for at least 5 years; or • Permanent resident for at least 3 years if you are married to a U.S. citizen.

How do you know if you are eligible for US citizenship?

Determine your eligibility to become a U.S. citizen. In general, you may qualify for naturalization if you are at least 18 years old and have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years (or 3 years if you are married to a U.S. citizen) and meet all other eligibility requirements.

Can you still get deported after becoming a US citizen?

The Rights of a U.S. Citizen After Naturalization. You cannot be deported to your country of former citizenship or nationality. You'll have just as much right as any other American to live and work in the United States. Even if you're charged with a crime in the future, you'll be able to stay in the United States.

What happens to green card if citizenship is denied?

Ordinarily denial of citizenship leaves the person with permanent residence, but there's a risk of green card cancellation. If you've been a permanent resident for the required number of years, you might now be considering applying for U.S. citizenship.

Does bad credit affect US citizenship?

In the past, debt and bankruptcy wouldn't impact your ability to become a permanent resident or citizen. But recently immigration policies have changed. Immigrants applying for a visa, green card, or citizenship should aim for a credit score “near or slightly above” the national average, according to the new rule.

Why was my citizenship interview Cancelled?

The primary reasons for a naturalization interview appointment to be cancelled by USCIS are: USCIS realized that it won't be done reviewing your file before your scheduled interview, and is thus postponing it. You will receive a new interview date and time at some future date.

Can I become a US citizen if I have a felony?

You will be permanently barred from obtaining U.S. citizenship if you have been convicted of murder or of an aggravated felony if the conviction was issued after November 29, 1990. In other words, a misdemeanor might count as an aggravated felony.

How long can a green card holder apply for citizenship?

five years

Is getting US citizenship hard?

Becoming a U.S. citizen shouldn't be so hard, but it is due to the long processing time, financial and personal costs, and the fact that most immigrants do not have a direct relative that is a citizen of the United States. The requirements of USCIS are also very complex and may not be understandable to outsiders.

Does Uscis check credit report?

USCIS may review an applicant's U.S. credit reports and score, if available, to determine if the applicant is able to support him or herself and his or her household. A good credit report is a positive consideration, while a poor credit report is a negative factor.

Can you be deported because of an expired green card?

Can you be deported because of an expired green card? You can only be deported from the U.S. if your lawful permanent residency status is no longer valid. Since your lawful permanent resident status is not linked to your green card's validity, you won't be deported simply because your green card has expired.

How much is the fee for US citizenship 2020?

The current fee to become a U.S. citizen through naturalization is $725. As of writing, this is the fee you will have to pay to file your Form N-400.

How many times can you renew green card?

There is no limit to the number of times you can renew or replace your green card. The Green card is valid for 10 years, it need to be renewed every 10 years, unless you applied for citizenship through naturalization.

Why would a green card be denied?

Criminal Conduct

If you have been convicted of certain types of crimes your green card could be denied for moral turpitude. Crimes qualifying for inadmissibility include drug trafficking, prostitution, commercialized vice, money laundering and fraud.

Will receiving public benefits hurt your chances of US citizenship?

As long as you received public benefits lawfully (without using fraud, for example), it will not hurt or affect your eligibility for naturalization. The main reason is that you do not have to show that you are “admissible” to become a naturalized U.S. citizen.

Do I need a lawyer to apply for US citizenship?

Do I need a lawyer to apply for U.S. citizenship? No. You can file USCIS forms yourself, including Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, which can be submitted online. However, some people choose to seek assistance from a lawyer or Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)-accredited representative.

Can US Immigration see criminal record?

As part of the spousal visa / marriage-based green card process, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will check for criminal records for both the U.S. citizen or green card holder sponsoring his or her spouse, and the spouse applying to receive a green card.

Can a naturalized US citizen be deported for a felony?

A naturalized U.S. citizen cannot be deported for crimes committed after naturalization. A naturalized citizen cannot be deported for crimes committed after naturalization. In very rare cases a crime committed after naturalization reveals a criminal past.

Does Uscis check your tax returns?

As part of the evidence, the USCIS will review your tax returns to confirm that they were filed jointly. Similarly, if you are filing a petition to convert your two-year residence to a 10 year residence, you must again establish the bona fides of your marriage.

Do you get drug tested to become a US citizen?

Drug use is not a new USCIS criteria—the agency has long used it to determine whether an immigrant has “good moral character” and deserves to stay in the US.

Can a felon fix papers through marriage?

Generally, a petitioner's criminal record or his being in jail won't prevent him from petitioning for a spouse. The only exception would be if the crime involved certain offenses against a child, such as violence or sexual exploitation.

Can I apply for citizenship with a dismissed misdemeanor?

A dismissed criminal case only rarely impacts the right to naturalize. Generally, if a judge dismisses a case without the defendant having to pay a fine, perform community service or being incarcerated, the government cannot use the charges as a basis for denying citizenship.

Can Uscis check your Whatsapp?

It doesn't. The best strategy is simply to assume that anything you post online will be seen and examined by immigration authorities. Some immigration attorneys may even recommend that you refrain from social media use entirely while your visa or green card application is pending.

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