Applying for U.S. citizenship can be a complicated process for New Jersey residents and others. Especially if the applicant has information on his or her record that may cause concern among Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, obstacles may cause significant delays or otherwise impede the immigration and naturalization process. A man in another state thought he was going to improve his lifestyle when he applied for citizenship but instead, has been sitting in detention since January because of the events that unfolded at a Citizenship and Immigration Services center.

The man had gone to the center in January in order to file his application to become a U.S. citizen. He had no way of knowing, of course, that his application would trigger his own ICE arrest. He was placed in detention regarding an old deportation order on his record that dated back to 2010.

In late October, an immigration judge ordered the man's release on a $10,000 bond. While this ruling does not guarantee that the man's citizenship application will be granted, it does mean he is free to live outside the detention center while his case is being processed. There is still a chance, however, that the end result will include his deportation from the United States.

As many New Jersey residents know, this type of immigration and naturalization problem is often quite complex and stressful, not only for the person directly involved but for friends and family members as well. An experienced immigration attorney can thoroughly review a case and help determine a best course of action in light of individual circumstances. By acting alongside legal representation, many immigrants in the past have successfully avoided deportation.