San Diego Immigration Attorneys at Mautino & Mautino founded in 1994 understand that the immigration process is complex. Only dedicated and specialized professionals can be expected to keep up with the demand of guiding clients through the ever changing immigration procedure.

The attorneys at Mautino & Mautino represent decades of specialized practice in the fields of immigration, citizenship and nationality law. They bring to your situation immediate sophisticated knowledge to better assist and provide you prompt positive results.

When you decide to have an attorney represent you, remember to retain the services of a firm that specializes in the area of law that concerns you. Mautino & Mautino are highly respected immigration attorneys whose sole interest is solving your problems.  

If you or someone you know in San Diego or within California needs the assistance or legal counsel of an experienced immigration lawyer, contact Southern California Immigration Lawyers at Mautino & Mautino by calling toll free (619)235-9177, or use the contact form provided on this site to schedule a free consultation with a San Diego immigration lawyer.

The following are some of the services Mautino & Mautino offer:

Citizenship and Nationality  
Assist individuals applying for United States citizenship, or seeking to establish United States citizenship based upon the United States citizenship or residence of their ancestors.

Permanent Residence Status
Assist individuals applying for permanent residence status in the United States, based upon a petition filed by an employer, or based upon a petition filed by a relative.

Temporary Status 
Assist individuals applying for temporary (nonimmigrant) status in the United States. Examples of such temporary status are: visitors for business; visitors for pleasure; skilled workers; treaty traders and treaty investors; students; exchange visitors; spouses and fiancees of United States Citizens; aliens of extraordinary ability, athletes; entertainment groups; artists; and religious workers.

Deportation, and Removal and Exclusion 
Advise individuals who have been excluded from the United States, and represent and advise individuals involved in deportation and removal proceedings in the Immigration Courts.

Asylum 
Advise individuals claiming asylum in the United States.

Should I hire a lawyer?
Yes, whether you are filing forms because you were a child born abroad to one or two parents who are U.S. citizens, filing for natural or adopted children born abroad, or if you are applying for U.S. citizenship by naturalization, it is in your best interest to hire a lawyer. Immigration laws are very complicated and the requirements are very strict. If you fail to follow the instructions to the letter or file the proper form for your situation, your application could be denied. Let a LawInfo Lead Counsel qualified immigration law attorney guide you through the process and alleviate many of the complications that would otherwise arise. Avoid the confusion and extra complications. Contact an immigration lawyer today.

How do I become a naturalized citizen?
If you are not a U.S. citizen by birth or did not acquire U.S. citizenship automatically after birth, you may still be eligible to become a citizen through the normal naturalization process. For people over the age of 18 who want to become naturalized citizens, the following is a general outline of the requirements you need to meet.

1. Residence/Physical Presence - In general, applicants for naturalization must be permanent residents of the U.S. who have resided in the U.S. as green card holders for a minimum of five years. Those who are married to U.S. citizens or have served in the armed forces of the U.S. may, under certain conditions, qualify for naturalization after only three years of residency. The residency requirement is waived altogether for certain members of the armed forces who have served during period of hostilities, for spouses of U.S. citizens working abroad for the government or other designated employers, and for children who are petitioned by a parent.

The law requires that the applicant be physically present in the U.S. for at least half the period of the residency period that applies to his case.

2. Loyalty - The applicant must renounce his allegiance to his country of birth and pledge loyalty to the U.S. However, despite this renunciation, many other countries recognize the dual citizenship. These countries include Canada and Great Britain. All applicants must swear to the oath of allegiance. See below.

3. Good Moral Character - Each applicant is required to submit a completed fingerprint chart and an application listing biographical information to the USCIS. The fingerprint is sent to the FBI, which notifies the USCIS whether the applicant has a criminal record. Applicants with a serious criminal record and those who obtained their green cards through false pretenses may not be able to establish good moral character. Some may even be susceptible to deportation.

4. English Language - Applicant must be able to speak, read, write and understand simple words and phrases in the English language. Some longtime, elderly permanent residents and applicants with certain disabilities are exempt from the English requirement.

5. History and Government - Applicants are required to pass a short examination regarding the history and government of the U.S.

Can I work in the US while I wait for approval of my permanent residency application?
If you are in the US and are applying for adjustment to permanent resident status you may be eligible to apply for a work permit while your case is pending. Form I – 765 to apply for a work permit. You do not need to apply for a work permit once you adjust to permanent resident status. As a lawful permanent resident, you should receive a permanent resident card that will provide evidence that you have a right to live and work in the United States permanently.