Becoming a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) is a significant milestone in the immigration journey, but it’s not necessarily the finish line. Many permanent residents delay filing for naturalization, assuming they have plenty of time or believing there’s no rush. While there is no legal requirement to pursue citizenship, waiting too long can have serious legal and practical consequences that many people do not anticipate.
At Kasturi Law, we advise clients across Illinois on the timing and strategy for naturalization. For many green card holders, the safest course of action is to apply as soon as they become eligible, especially in today’s rapidly changing immigration landscape.
Common Reasons People Postpone Naturalization
There are many understandable reasons why green card holders choose to delay applying for U.S. citizenship. Some are financial or personal, while others are based on misinformation or fear of the process.
Common reasons include:
- Belief that permanent residency is permanent.
- Cost of the application or language testing concerns.
- Uncertainty about passing the civics test or interview.
- Lack of time to prepare or gather documents.
- Travel plans or job changes.
- Fear of uncovering past legal or immigration issues.
While these concerns may feel valid, they should be weighed against the potential risks of waiting.
Legal Risks of Delaying Naturalization
Permanent residency can be lost more easily than most people think. Green card holders who delay naturalization may inadvertently put their status at risk due to changes in travel patterns, legal issues, or alterations in personal circumstances.
Legal risks include:
- Extended travel abroad: Spending more than six months outside the U.S. may disrupt continuous residence and raise abandonment concerns.
- Changes in immigration law: New laws or policies may tighten eligibility requirements or make naturalization more challenging to obtain.
- Criminal charges or convictions: Even relatively minor offenses after becoming a green card holder may block future citizenship eligibility or lead to removal proceedings.
- Accusations of fraud: If the government later reviews your immigration history and finds discrepancies, your green card and future naturalization could be jeopardized.
These risks tend to increase the longer a person waits to naturalize.
Practical Consequences of Remaining A Green Card Holder
Beyond the legal risks, there are also real-life limitations to staying in green card status instead of becoming a citizen. U.S. citizenship offers greater protections, flexibility, and benefits that green card holders do not have.
Delaying citizenship can mean:
- Inability to vote in elections.
- Ineligibility for specific federal jobs and benefits.
- Less protection from deportation.
- Greater difficulty sponsoring relatives for immigration.
- Inability to obtain a U.S. passport or travel with the same freedom.
Applying for naturalization ensures full legal membership in the U.S. and peace of mind.
Ready to File for Citizenship? Don’t Wait for Trouble to Find You
The decision to naturalize is deeply personal, but delaying it too long can come with risks you may not anticipate. At Kasturi Law, we assist permanent residents across Illinois in evaluating their eligibility, developing strong applications, preparing for naturalization interviews, and avoiding issues that could jeopardize their status or plans.
From Arlington Heights, Aurora, Champaign, Chicago, Naperville, Schaumburg to the surrounding areas, clients throughout Illinois turn to Kasturi Law for skilled immigration guidance. Led by attorney Shobhana Kasturi, our firm offers flexible consultations—phone, in-person, or Zoom. Schedule your 30- or 60-minute session online at a time that works best for you.
