Citizenship / Naturalization for U.S. Military Personnel & Their Family Members

Securing U.S. citizenship is a deeply meaningful milestone. For service members and their families, that step opens doors, cements their dedication to our country, and honors the sacrifices they have already made. At Thompson Law Advocates, led by Peter Thompson, we understand the unique immigration pathways and timelines available to those who serve. Through years of hands-on trial and appellate work in both immigration and criminal courts, we have helped numerous military personnel, veterans, and their loved ones achieve citizenship and build stable futures here in the United States.

Why Military Families Have Unique Options

The naturalization process for service members and their family members is structured to recognize their service and commitment. There are several key benefits:

• Expedited naturalization for active duty service members: Under U.S. law, those who serve honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces during designated periods of conflict may apply for citizenship without first obtaining a green card, and without meeting typical residency requirements.
  
• Parole in Place (PIP): When military members marry or have immediate family members who lack lawful status, PIP can authorize them to remain in the U.S., later applying for a green card based on their military family connection.
  
• Deferred Action for certain military families: This discretionary relief can pause removal proceedings, enabling qualifying family members to work legally and build stability while pursuing adjustment.
  
• Veterans’ pathway: Honorably discharged veterans may also qualify for citizenship under similar special provisions, even if their service occurred in the past.

These provisions are designed to reflect gratitude for service. However, navigating them isn’t always straightforward. There are eligibility windows, tight time frames, and sensitivity to even minor errors on filing and documentation. At our firm, we guide clients carefully through each step to minimize delays or denials.

How We Assist Service Members

1. Evaluating Eligibility and Preparing the Case

Early in your journey, we conduct a comprehensive evaluation. This includes:

• Assessing where and when you served
• Verifying discharge status and verifying conflict designation
• Reviewing immigration background, including visa or unlawful presence history
• Spotting potential concerns, such as criminal history or past missteps in visa status

We leave no stone unturned. By identifying issues upfront, we build a strong foundation in every application.

2. Securing Parole in Place and Deferred Action

When a spouse or dependent is out of status, it can impact their ability to move forward. We assist by:

• Preparing and filing PIP petitions with careful documentation, including proof of your military service, marriage or parentage, and hardship to the servicemember
• Seeking deferred action to pause any removal proceedings, often necessary before applying for lawful permanent residence
• Supporting local military families during periods of transition or deployment, helping you maintain eligibility despite changes in duty station or contact information

Our goal is to stabilize the family’s status so they can move ahead confidently.

3. Applying for Naturalization

Once eligibility is established, we assist with all steps in the naturalization process:

• Completing Form N‑400 (where appropriate for family members), or N‑426 and N‑400 for service member pathways
• Maintaining awareness of critical filing deadlines, especially if your service qualification is tied to conflict dates
• Gathering required supporting documents—military records, proof of discharge, tax returns where needed, and evidence of good moral character
• Providing coaching for interviews and civics testing to ensure confidence during USCIS appointments

From start to finish, we handle the paperwork and lift the weight of planning off your shoulders.

4. Defending Against Potential Obstacles

Even with service, naturalization can be flagged, such as in cases of:

• Prior criminal convictions or traffic citations
• Unpaid taxes
• Residency inconsistencies or missing travel records
• Errors in prior immigration filings

When concerns arise, we advocate vigorously. For example, we might prepare a good moral character letter, obtain corrected records, or present additional context that satisfies USCIS. As seasoned trial attorneys, we are prepared to represent you and argue your case directly if an interviewer or USCIS agent raises issues during a hearing.

5. Providing Ongoing Support Beyond Citizenship

We don’t stop once citizenship is granted. Common next steps include:

• Assisting with passport applications and travel
• Advising on voting rights and jury duty, which begin at citizenship
• Supporting family reunification—helping citizen spouses or children apply for family-based green cards or derivative citizenship for minor children
• Renewing documents, such as certificates of citizenship, when they are misplaced or amended

Our comprehensive approach ensures you and your family feel secure from application start to full integration.

How We Stand Out

Trial‑Ready Advocacy

Our foundation is built on courtroom experience. As a trial attorney with over 25 years representing clients in both immigration and federal criminal courts, Peter Thompson brings an unusually robust combination of litigation skill and immigration knowledge. That experience matters: when denied or delayed, we are equipped to take your case before an immigration judge or federal court to seek relief.

Deep Military‑Friendly Understanding

Our team includes first responders and individuals with military backgrounds. We truly know what moving stations, deployments, weekend drill schedules, and deployment orders can mean for a family navigating USCIS deadlines. We work around your schedule and communicate in a way that respects your service demands.

Navigating “Crimmigration” Issues

The intersection of criminal charges and immigration is fraught with danger. Even minor offenses can threaten eligibility. Through our collaborative practice, we frequently advise criminal defense attorneys and intervene early to steer clients away from immigration-endangering pleas. Whether active duty or civilian spouses, we anticipate and mitigate those risks before they become emergencies.

Tailored Family‑First Strategies

Your case isn’t just about an individual. It’s about spouses, children, even parents. That’s why we design customized solutions like combining PIP for the spouse with an N‑400 for a veteran to lift both individuals together, avoiding separate proceedings that take extra time and money.

National Reach

Based in Philadelphia, we serve military clients in and outside the area through video conferencing and flexible scheduling. Whether you’re stationed in San Diego, Germany, or anywhere, we’re ready to assist through every step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: My spouse has been out of status for several years. Can they still apply?
Yes. Parole in Place helps avoid deportation consequences. Once granted, treatment as if “here legally” allows filing for a green card and later citizenship, provided eligibility requirements are otherwise met.

Q: I served honorably during a conflict but received an other‑than‑honorable discharge. Can I still apply?
Naturalization eligibility requires an honorable or general discharge. If your discharge doesn’t meet that standard, our firm explores discharge upgrade options and alternative relief through waivers or humanitarian paths.

Q: What if I have a minor offense from years ago?
Even minor incidents may affect moral character evaluations. We assess each matter, prepare explanations, and provide supporting documentation to show why it doesn’t bar citizenship.

Q: Can my children automatically become citizens?
Children under 18 may derive citizenship when a parent naturalizes, if they are lawful permanent residents residing in the U.S. in the parent’s custody. We ensure their cases are handled seamlessly.

Q: How will deployment impact my case?
USCIS allows for proactive deployment accommodations. We file a request to reschedule interviews, notify them of changes, and ensure deadlines are paused while you serve. We continue working behind the scenes to keep your file in order.

Getting Started

Taking the first step is simple:

1. Contact us for a consultation by phone or online form
2. Provide military and immigration documents—DD‑214, service records, current visas or status history
3. Together we confirm your eligibility, prepare your individualized strategy, and begin filings
4. Our team oversees every step: forms, supporting documents, interviews, and court representation if needed
5. Celebrate citizenship and access a lifetime of benefits for you and your family

Ready to Begin Your Citizenship Journey?

Gaining U.S. citizenship does more than provide a legal status, it recognizes your service, unites your family, and safeguards your future. It opens access to federal employment, voting, and the full protection of U.S. laws. For your children, it ensures security from future migration policy changes.

At Thompson Law Advocates, we take great pride in helping those who serve build a secure home here, backed by full rights. We see people not case numbers. Honoring your commitment is our honor too.

We are here to serve you. Whether you’re an active duty service member seeking accelerated naturalization, a veteran applying post‑discharge, or a spouse needing specialized legal pathways, our firm offers compassionate guidance, thorough preparation, and unwavering advocacy.

Reach out today and let us support you every step of the way.